Raccoon Invasion: The Unintended Consequences of Pet Imports in Japan

In 1977, the airing of an anime based on the book Rascal in Japan led to the importation of thousands of North American raccoons as pets, which were eventually released into the wild and have since become an invasive species in the country. As a result of the raccoon population explosion in Japan, government officials […]

People Share The Conversation They’d Have With Their Pets If They Could Talk For 24 Hours

I graduated high school and went right to adopting rescue animals. The first one was a 5 week old puppy—a brindle girl so dark you’d be forgiven for thinking she was just a dirty black dog at first.

Her name was She-Ra and she was by my side for 22 years.

Twenty-two.

She saw me through scandalous college years, several whack partners, a first marriage…

She-Ra was as much a part of my “definition” as my sarcasm, my hair, or my loud face. She was, very honestly, the best friend I’ve ever had.

And I would have LOOOOOOOOOVED to hear the stuff she wanted to say back when we would sit around having chisme time.

Homegirls face was as loud as mine—I just KNOW she wanted to read some people into oblivion in English, Spanish, Spanglish, AND Pitbullian. I would have listened and been on stand-by with water so she could stay hydrated while she went off.

I’m a supportive bestie like that.

Reddit user l0velygh0st asked: 

“You’re gifted 24 straight hours where you and your pet(s) are suddenly able to understand each other and have real conversations like you’re old bffs just catching up on lost time. What would you want to tell them and how would you want to spend those hours with them?” 

Obviously She-Ra and I would be on our Thelma and Louise—minus the tragic ending and plus some incredible fashions.

Reddit users had their own incredible, adorable, ideas. The love between people and their pets is going to be our happy thought around here for the day.

“Lemme Upgrade Ya” 

“Write down every single quality of life improvements I can make for you.”

“Let’s go find you your perfect food to eat, let’s make sure there aren’t any aches and pains you have that we can’t address.”

“Tell me all of your favorite spots.”

“Tell me what you like, what you don’t. Literally everything.”

– Straightup32

About The Vacuum

“I would tell them that I love them, and that they’re good, and I would explain that I don’t cut their nails or vacuum the floor to hurt and scare them, it’s just stuff I need to do.”

“I would want to know what their lives looked like before they got to my family, if they can remember it. I would talk to them about funny stories from when they were young, and hopefully they’d have funny stories from when I was young.”

“I would also like to hear what gossip they might know because people still talk when pets are around.”

“I would want to ask them if there are ways I’ve been caring for them wrong, how I can care for them better and enrich their lives more. Are they hurting in any places that aren’t obvious?”

“They’re getting old, so I just want them to be happy for as many years as they have left.”

– SallyTwoSocks

When I Leave 

“Stop freaking out when I left the house. I will be back, like always.”

– Rawinza555

“But what if someday you’re not? Like you get in an accident and die and your buddy never knows what happened.”

“I think about that a lot and it breaks my heart”

– testerpants

“This happened to me!”

“I had sudden heart failure and was in the hospital for two months. Apparently, my dog just sat looking out the window every day, not understanding why I wasn’t coming back.”

“When I got home we were both so happy and getting back to her definitely helped save my life. I feel so guilty that she had to wonder why I had abandoned her for all those weeks…”

– cosmichorror845

“I’ve told my wife that if anything was to ever happen to me, my cat needs to see me so he understands I didn’t just leave.”

– Pure1nsanity

What’s In A Name? 

“To figure out what name he gave me.”

– Zure-Mossel

“Dog: ‘It’s Bar-woorrdddll!’ “

“Human: *tries to say it* “

“Dog: ‘No, you’re saying it wrong, but I like what you call me.’ “

– MoreNMoreLikelyTrans

“My cat’s name is Dobby, and I have another one named Nyxi. My conversation would go something like this:”

“N: ‘Why’d you call me Nyxi?’ “

“Me: ‘Well Nyx is the goddess of night and cats are known for loving the nighttime.’ “

“D:’Wow cool! Why’s my name dobby?’ “

“Me: *…shows picture* “

“D: 😑

“Me: ‘Your ears are big!!’ “

– 12Lister12

John Wick

“I would explain to them how much I love them and how they’ve saved my life many times.”

“I would ask what happened to them before they came into my life. They’re both rescues and we have made HUGE progress over the last three years, but they were pretty traumatized when I adopted both of them.”

“We would spend the day talking about our favorite things.”

“I would ask for the names and addresses of the owners that abused them both.”

“And I would go John Wick on those motherf*ckers.”

– [Reddit]

“OMG imagine if they could tell us their abusers…..that’s a dangerous path to go down but so many evil people would be gone from this world…”

– l0velygh0st

“I can’t even imagine.”

“My husband and I rescued our boy when he was barely two and we are his third or fourth family. He’d been passed around because he was “aggressive” apparently.”

“We’ve had him for five years and can’t imagine how anyone could ever think this massive goofball, scared-of-his-shadow, cuddly gentle giant could ever be aggressive.”

“Makes me wonder if he was being mistreated. He has a lot of separation anxiety, even now, because he was left and abandoned so many times before he was ours.”

“I get really sad thinking about it. He’s my world.”

– canohughess

Some Questions

“I’d have mostly questions:”

“’You don’t have to like your brother, but can we all agree to just coexist peacefully please?’”

“’I understand that taking medicine is no fun, but it’s what makes you feel better, so please stop fighting me whenever I need to give you the thing. It’ll suck for a couple seconds and then it’s over.’”

“’What is your obsession with lettuce?’ which seems like a normal thing until you realize it would be asked to cat.”

“’Why do you hump me when I lay down on the couch, but not when I’m sitting?’ (Asked to boy cat)”

“’Do you actually like the food I feed you?’”

“ ‘Is the temperature I keep the thermostat good for you?’ ”

“According to the internet, apparently I keep the temperature set too low, yet the kiddos run into my fridge or freezer often, and they sit on the vent when the AC is on in the summer, but also sit on the vent when the heat is on in the winter… are they hot or cold?! I don’t have the slightest clue.”

– SportsPhotoGirl

So now that we know what Reddit would do with 24 hours of talk time, it’s your turn at the mic.

Tell us what you’d want to talk about if your pet friends could converse for a day!

Enjoy These Pics of Wonderfully Unusual Cute Pets

Genetics are pretty incredible.

Even within just one type of animal, the variation can be vast. And what’s more, there’s no limit to it. That’s how evolution works, after all.

Whether through natural selection or purposeful breeding, we’re getting new kinds of lovable doggos and kittens and other cuddly creatures all the time. And each is unique.

Let’s celebrate some notable critters here, via the good folks on Reddit.

10. Just browsing

He looks like he’s got a secret to tell me, and I can’t wait to hear it.

This dog I met with a single eyebrow from rarepuppers

9. The eyes have it

You got some kind of wisdom up in the noggin, kitty?

My boy’s right eye darken each day while left eye looses its pigment from cats

8. Good gurrrlll

She looks like she got into a bag of flour or something.

Good gurrrlll is now cookies and cream. 1.5 year difference from rarepuppers

7. Old and grey

But only in that one little spot.

This old cat only has grey ears from mildlyinteresting

6. Never forget

The sad thing is that he’ll never know.

My dog’s marking resembles an elephant from mildlyinteresting

5. Bean counters

We’re gonna be here a while.

Eggleston has some extra toes. from aww

4. Blue/green

Ironically two colors that dogs have some trouble differentiating.

My dog Basil has one perfect blue/green split eye from rarepuppers

3. Can you see the pattern?

When you finally stop being lazy and refill the printer ink.

Her pattern finally came through! from cats

2. Sanoi

Have you heard the good news? She has.

This my new pupper Sanoi! She’s about 14 weeks old and can’t figure out what to do with her ears from rarepuppers

1. The bright spot

Dang, pup, eat something why don’tcha.

My dogs Achilles are translucent in the sun. from mildlyinteresting

There’s really nothing better than the love of a good pet. And whether or not they have any distinguishing physical marks that others would notice, they’re always unique and perfect in our hearts. And that’s really what counts.

What is your pet like? Do they have any special features?

Tell us all about them in the comments, please. Spare no detail.

The post Enjoy These Pics of Wonderfully Unusual Cute Pets appeared first on UberFacts.

These Pets Are Rocking Their Own Unique Looks

Have you ever read Charles Darwin’s groundbreaking work The Origin of Species?

I have. Well, some of it anyway. Honestly, it’s very dense and not really written for lay people like me, so what I get out of it is that birds need better beaks sometimes and they can get them because evolution does a bunch of mix ups with the bodies and whatnot and some of the new things stay and other ones go.

But if you don’t feel up to delving into a giant scientific tome like that, maybe you’d just prefer to see some adorable instances of genetic variation via these wonderful pets found on Reddit.

I think even Darwin himself would approve of that kind of education.

10. Meet Frankie

He looks like he’s trying to pick up some transmissions from space and I’m here for it.

Frankie was born with four ears and an eye deformity but he’s still purrfect from aww

9. A perfect circle

I think his first album was better.

My dog has a spot that is a near perfect circle. from mildlyinteresting

8. Hi there, Milo

Never mistrust him, he definitely nose what’s up.

This is milo, he has two noses from rarepuppers

7. Heart on my sleeve

She’s absolutely perfect.

My cat has a heart paw. from mildlyinteresting

6. Boots with the fur

(With the fuuuur)

My apple bottomed girl from aww

5. A mighty roar

I’d say his bark is worse than his bite, but he no bark.

Having a cat with no teeth makes for the funniest play biting! from cats

4. Running circles

I feel adorably intimidated right now.

My sister’s puppy has a unique fur pattern that makes it look like she has glasses from aww

3. Dirt

A fitting name for what looks to be a very good boi.

This is Dirt, his coloration makes him look like a dirty boy. But we still love him from cats

2. The brows

When you got it, flaunt it.

Very rare eyebrow pup she knows she’s on fleek from rarepuppers

1. What a mix!

The possibilities are endless.

german shepherd, timberwolf, and catahoula! cutiepie Ares says hello! from rarepuppers

So many different kinds of puppies and kitties to love, so little time to do it.

What’s your pet like? Do they have any unique features?

Tell us all about them in the comments.

The post These Pets Are Rocking Their Own Unique Looks appeared first on UberFacts.

People Share Their Lovely Older Pets with the World

One of the best things any human can experience in this life is the bond we form with our pets.

And one of the most heartbreaking realities is how short their lives tend to be compared to ours.

It feels like some cruel irony – an absolutely perfect and unconditionally loving companion who only gets to stick around for about about a fifth as long as do. But that short span also makes the time we do have with them all the more precious, and to be enjoyed.

Which is exactly what these older pet owners are doing. Let’s meet some cuties. (Names invented by yours truly where not provided. I just go with the vibe.)

11. Luis – Nine Years Old

We goin for a ride today?!

This guys been with me through elementary, middle and now high school, and today he just turned 9 years old from aww

10. Lexi – Ten Years Old

Wherever you go, I’ll be right there with you.

My dog Lexi is turning 10 soon. Through college, 3 cities, 2 apartments, and our first real house – anywhere we go, we go together. from aww

9. Derpinger – Eleven Years Old

Hows come they look so very skeptical?

11 years ago today, this derpy angel fell from heaven and into my arms. from aww

8. Ramble – Fourteen Years Old

He’s a ramblin’ man, and he’s still ready for some adventure.

Meet Ramble. He’s been my best friend for 14 years and is, of course, the goodest boy. from aww

7. Lucy – Fifteen Years Old

Your time is our time, and it is valued.

My old girl is still up and running at 15 years old – I give her the biggest hugs and tell her she’s loved every single day because I will never know when she decides it’s time 🖤 from aww

6. Kendor – Sixteen Years Old

You lay right there until he decides he’s done.

My old friend is approaching 16 years, yet he is still as fresh as he ever. Today he wanted to cuddle, so I guess my chores have to wait from aww

5. Ms. Kitty – Seventeen Years Old

She looks as vivacious as ever!

17 years later she is still my baby from aww

4. Gregory – Eighteen Years Old

In need of boops, please.

My Buddy is 18 years old today! from aww

3. Fritz – Nineteen Years Old

Practically a kitten, still.

My 19-year-old Fritz content in his favorite spot under the table from aww

2. Snag – Twenty One Years Old

There’s wisdom in those eyes.

Just turned 21 years. He has accompanied me through teenage years, college, marriage, and was still able to meet my 4 month old baby. Thank you for a lifetime of companionship…I love you with all my 💓. from aww

1. My Boy – Twenty Five Years Old

He is absolutely a cutie, what are you talking about?!

He may not be a cutie but my boy turned 25(human years) today and I wanted to share his beauty with all of you from aww

Much love to them all. Go hug your pets.

Who’s your favorite pet you’ve ever had?

Tell us about them in the comments. Several-way ties allowed.

The post People Share Their Lovely Older Pets with the World appeared first on UberFacts.

People Share Their Pets’ Hilarious Morning Routines

The morning routine. Everybody has one. For me it involves a lot of not getting up, eventually getting up, then walking from one end of my apartment to another, and going back and forth several times before beginning to consider doing a thing.

It’s not ideal, but at least it doesn’t work.

What I was *not* aware of is that most pets out there ALSO have morning routines. And if these examples from Reddit are anything to go by, they might just put mine to shame.

15. One nightstand

Is food time now.

Every morning my cat sits like this on my nightstand from cats

14. Another day in paradise

“Oh thanks gawd. You did me a heckin’ scare again.”

Every morning my dog wakes up, sees we haven’t abandoned him, and smiles so big and we give him all the loves from PuppySmiles

13. The rat attack

He knows what he’s doing.

My rat likes to give me a heart attack every morning by making be think he’s dead. from RATS

12. First rays

Last one there is a rotten doggo.

Every morning my dogs charge out of the bedroom to bask in the morning light while I make coffee. from redscarepod

11. Sweet treats

“If I don’t get ’em, nobody does.”

She sits here and waits by the treats every morning. Yes those are dog treats, she wants those too. from Chonkers

10. The big stretch

Namaste.

Every morning my dog goes into the exercise room to stretch on the yoga mat. from dogpictures

9. From the gecko

Just checkin’ in on each other.

Every morning my cat jumps on the back of my chair to see my leopard gecko, who in turn always waits at the corner of his tank to see her. from MadeMeSmile

8. So patient

Play time is nigh, I can feel it in my bones.

Every morning my dog sits on the edge of the carpet waiting for her tiny humans to wake up. from aww

7. The toes knows

Looks like he’s swearing an oath or something.

Ike cleans between his toes on my boyfriend every morning from spreadytoes

6. Toby

This is a show of dominance.

This is how Toby likes to dry off after a bath. On my head. Every time. Pardon my messy hair, I had a bird in it all morning. from parrots

5. Pillow, please

Shall we start the negotiations? The bidding begins at five scritches.

Every morning my dog takes it a step further and makes himself comfortable on my pillows and gives me the, "These are mine now" look. from aww

4. Shower police

Juno, you little perv.

Every morning, Juno has to sit on the toilet while I shower. If I lock her out she cries at the door until she’s let in. from cats

3. Show me the boy

He and I have great plans this day.

Every morning, our cat patiently waits at my sons’ bedroom door for them to wake up. And it’s not to be fed – he just can’t wait to see them. from aww

2. The pug place

So impractical. So cute.

Every morning my dog takes a litle nap on my wife’s ankle from aww

1. Squirrel gang

You will be overtaken soon.

I love my squirrelies!! I have plenty of peanuts but ran out of bird/squirrel food. Willing to risk my life going to Walmart tomorrow to buy more. Anything for my gang! I have at least a dozen that come to meet me at the back door every morning. from squirrels

Those are some good routines. And good animals. Just good times all around, I guess.

What’s your morning routine? How would you change it if you could?

Tell us in the comments.

The post People Share Their Pets’ Hilarious Morning Routines appeared first on UberFacts.

People Are Putting Wigs on Dogs Now Because, Why Not?

I have a quick question for you. If you were to, hypothetically, head over to Instagram and search for the hashtag #dogwig, how many results do you think would pop up?

No cheating. No peeking. Take a guess. A few? Dozens? Hundreds? What if I were to tell you that the answer is *SEVERAL THOUSAND.*

That’s right, thousands of people found a wig, put that wig on their dog, took a picture of that, uploaded it to the internet, and took the time to be sure to add the right tag so that it could be properly found.

That’s just the world we’re living in. That’s just Instagram. And here are some of our favorite dogs that have been found as a result, with names and personalities we’re purely guessing about based on their aesthetic.

10. Mr. Stacks

Always has candy for you. Doesn’t understand why millennials are struggling because he thinks a four bedroom house still costs a dollar.

9. Leslie

Has some hot neighborhood gossip to tell you, if she can get up the nerve.

8. The Barrister

He has served this court for fifty years, and he’ll have none of your nonsense here.

7. Frank

One of the only people who has actually read all the books on his shelves. Doesn’t remember anything in them.

6. His Honor

Order. Order in the court.

5. Zachery

Disappointed by the sales of his latest album, but trying to rebrand that as a “turning point for him.”

4. Ashleigh

Just needs to bum a cigarette off you real quick if that’s alright.

3. Pat

Didn’t realize everyone else at this costume party was going to actually put in so much effort.

2. Cruella

A turncoat for dogs if ever there was one.

1. Margerie

Very happy you took the time to mow her lawn, now just wait right there and she’ll find her checkbook.

I love them all. I love their looks.

Which one is your favorite?

Tell us in the comments.

The post People Are Putting Wigs on Dogs Now Because, Why Not? appeared first on UberFacts.

Tweets That Both Cat People AND Dog People Can Enjoy

When people ask me whether I’m a cat person or a dog person, I say “yes.”

Though I will admit that if I’m going to get one as a pet, it’s more likely to be a cat. I kinda dig their self-sufficiency. They’re got their own projects going on and I can respect that.

In any case, they’re all adorable and wonderful, and these tweets are for anyone and everyone who loves either one.

15. A dumb person

Oh man, sick burn.

14. A lesson in consent

Two pats and that’s ALL.

13. A people person

I had to think about this for a moment but I’m pretty sure it’s correct.

12. An orange one

Hey, that’s a proud heritage.

11. Thems fightin’ words

Don’t wanna go barking up the wrong tree.

10. The hero we need

His heart is in the right place and that’s what counts.

9. Orange strikes back

See? PROUD. HERITAGE.

8. Reject the binary

The abyss they stare into is the haunted zone.

7. Read it again

And again and again.

6. The price you pay

Please rescue, don’t pay breeders.

5. Boundaries

Step back or get the scratch.

4. Spoil the broth

Come on, give ’em a chance.

3. Acceptance

There’s really no denying it.

2. A true bond

Humanity had its chance.

1. Real recognizes real

He’s like two steps away from paying the rent.

Whether you love cats or dogs, you can rest assured you’re a better person than those who love neither.

Which is your favorite and why?

Tell us in the comments.

The post Tweets That Both Cat People AND Dog People Can Enjoy appeared first on UberFacts.

Dog Memes to Make a Real Difference in Your Day

Dogs are pretty amazing, I’m sure you know that.

If you’re a human with some red blood in ya, you know that dogs can improve any day. Even if it’s just some memes of dogs, the effects can be quite remarkable.

So with that in mind, let’s consider our health, and look at some memes of dogs.

15. The rabbit hole

It’s cool, those are just birds chirping outside my window.

Via: The Chive

14. They think the world of you

So go ahead and be as big as that.

Via: The Chive

13. Change my mind

The practical hurdles involved are taking a backseat to my heart, which says yes.

Via: The Chive

12. Shower power

ARE YOU BEING ATTACKED BY THAT WATERFALL?

Via: The Chive

11. Drink it in

Never have I seen a pupper appear so contemplative.

Via: The Chive

10. Bone alone

Man, dating apps are getting weirder and weirder.

Via: The Chive

9. Don’t look desperate

Lol I have no sense of time.

Via: The Chive

8. That look

He about to lick or about to pounce. Either way I’m in.

Via: The Chive

7. Spot the spot

I’ve seen some things. Well, half of them anyway.

Via: The Chive

6. The betrayal

You fry to me or you lie to me.

Via: The Chive

5. Pay attention

Gotta let it all soak in.

Via: The Chive

4. The bork

He’s going for a world record and I’m cheering him on.

Via: The Chive

3. The cutting edge

Pretty sure this is the Pup Pope but OK.

Via: The Chive

2. I thee wed.

Get used to it, that’s gonna be the dynamic.

Via: The Chive

1. Your cheatin’ heart

“You said it was the last time.”

Via: The Chive

Man, I really need to find a dog to pet now.

Do you have a doggo? What are they like?

Tell us all about them in the comments, please.

The post Dog Memes to Make a Real Difference in Your Day appeared first on UberFacts.