As spring starts to set in there is hope for all those still covered in snow! But, why not watch a Golden Retriever named Buddy enjoying the snow in slow motion:
You can see the individual snowflakes settling on his fur!
Just look at the floppy face and ears, and the way he seems so content!
The gorgeous flowing fur!
If only I could enjoy winter like that. The video is equal parts soothing and causing me to want to run and romp in freshly falling snow.
-Fizz
At the national zoo the animals are enjoying the snow!
Where the human lives the snow has taken over for the time being, and staying home is the best remedy for the cold and dangerous roads. Take a look at these animals having more fun than my human is!
Pandas Mei Xiang and 16 month old cub Bao Bao:
(Devin Murphy/Smithsonian National Zoo)
(Devin Murphy/Smithsonian National Zoo)
Bao Bao enjoying the trees:
(Devin Murphy/Smithsonian’s National Zoo)
African Lions
(Amy Enchelmeyer/Smithsonian’s National Zoo)
(Amy Enchelmeyer/Smithsonian’s National Zoo)
I would not have expected Afrcan Lions to appreciate snow! But I suppose they would get used to it living at the National Zoo where it is a fact of life in the winter.
The regal beauty of Sumatran Tiger Sukacita enjoying a walk in the snow:
(Amy Enchelmeyer/Smithsonian’s National Zoo)
Rona the Grey Seal with a face full of snow:
(Chelsea Grubb/Smithsonian’s National Zoo)
Hope you are all enjoying sunshine, staying warm, or are having this much winter fun!
-Fizz
See more photos at CBS Washington DC.
The human went to see Dolphin Tale 2 and told me what she thought of it, so I figured I would pass it along. Guinea pigs don’t really watch movies after all.
If you enjoyed the first Dolphin Tale movie you should find this movie just as enjoyable. You might not find it necessarily as good as or better than the first movie, but still inspirational and worth watching.
The movie follows Winter as she loses her female friend and poolmate Panama, and what the marine hospital has to do about the situation because according to USDA regulations Winter cannot be kept by herself. This leads to the introduction of a couple new dolphins including Hope, the second dolphin on the above poster. A warning when taking younger viewers, there is a brief moment of showing a “deceased” dolphin at the bottom of its pool and a few dolphins in distress throughout the movie but nothing gory. These moments might just upset younger kids or lead to questions you might want to be prepared to answer. Further ideas the movie explores is whether it is okay for a healthy dolphin to be kept at a marine park when their goal is rehabilitation, what is in the best interests of such large marine mammals even when humans have personal attachments to them, and what it means to let go of fears to be able to move on in life.
Winter and Hope, the new dolphin star of the sequel:
(seewinter.com)
The major cast members from the first film came back for the squeal. That adds a lot to the quality and consistency of this movie. Where the first movie focused on coping with a disability, this movie is more of a story of growing up. The kids from the first movie are not really kids any more, and the plot does a good job of dealing with their growing desire for independence and decision making. The only real downside was that because of their age a suggestion of love interests and conflicts was thrown into the plot. While it doesn’t feel forced, and is kind of cute, it also feels completely unnecessary to the overall story. The movie would have been just as compelling without it, and it is possible for boys and girls to simply be friends even at their age. But if that is an element you enjoy or require in a movie than you will not be disappointed.
Overall, if you are looking for a quality family movie with some good discussion points this is a great choice. It does provide an entertaining and endearing story, and it helps to point out some issues surrounding the welfare and treatment of marine wildlife.
Dolphin Tale 2 is now in theaters!
– Fizz
Winter and Hope, the dolphins featured in the movie are real dolphins that you can visit at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater Florida. You can learn more visiting them in person at Seewinter.com.
Dolphin Tale 2, the sequel to the first movie about Winter the tail-less dolphin, will be in theaters September 19, 2014!
Here is the preview:
Another Dolphin Tale movie?!? The first movie was very inspiring, and I expect the same of the second. The original featured the story of Winter the dolphin who lost her tail, the people who went to great lengths to save her, and those who were inspired by them all.
Dolphin Tale 2 will also have Winter in it, but will feature the story of another rescued baby dolphin named Hope. Both were rescued by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and both can be visited there! It is also the principle filming location for the dolphins. Winter played herself in the first Dolphin Tale and will return for the sequel. Hope will also play herself in the upcoming movie. More amazing still, Hope came to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium during the wrap up of the Dolphin Tale movie. She was injured and separated from her mother, found in same area where Winter was previously discovered.
Here is Winter without the prosthetic tail designed specifically for her:
Here she is wearing the new tail:
(Barcroft Media)
And here is Hope with Winter – Hope is the one with a full tail:
(DEMASKE/Times)
I am really looking forward to seeing this movie!
If you live anywhere near Clearwater or are going their for vocation maybe consider visiting the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to visit these two dolphins!
– Cola
Also, if you have not seen the first Dolphin Tale I highly suggest it. Inspiring and heartwarming.
After a day of above freezing temperatures and rain, winter is angry! Temps dropped below freezing to ice over all the puddles, strong winds are blowing the falling and loose snow all over, and driving is near impossible with all the factors combined. Yep, winter is angry and paying us back for enjoying yesterday.
Do you have a greyhound at home? I guess they can get a little cold:
(imgur)
Ha ha! I feel sorry for this dog because he doesn’t look very happy about his warm fashion. I feel for you buddy, I wouldn’t let my human dress me that way either!
– Fizz
Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, so sadly there will be six more weeks of winter. Not that I have ever thought that a groundhog’s advice was sound, but it is a fun tradition.
This tradition has been ongoing since 1887, and for the years on record, Phil has seen seen his shadow 98 times and not missed it 15 times. In any event, the offical start of spring is about six weeks away…no matter if he sees his shadow or not. Not to mention that where I live the snow is falling outside and it looks like temperatures for the next couple of weeks will be cold…
For anyone who wants winter to be over sooner rather than later, here are a couple videos to cheer you up:
Two Baby Moose and a Sprinkler
And if these little puppies can love the snow, maybe I can for a few more weeks:
