#Melanie Typaldos

[hippopotatomus]

Capybara Costume Time

Caplin Rous and Dobby Winnick dress up!

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#Caplin ROUS #capybara #Dobby #halloween #Melanie Typaldos #pet costumes

[supportforindieauthors]

Interview with Melanie Typaldos

1) Can you tell us a little about the inspiration behind your entry for this contest?

When I was a kid I loved to watch western movies and TV shows. Not because I liked the story or the action or the settings, but because I loved the horses. I knew the names of the horses each member of the Cartwrights rode on Bonanza. Silver and Trigger were my heroes. I dreamed every year of a pony appearing under the Christmas tree, munching on a bale of hay. So if Santa and Mrs. Claus met in the old west, it must have had something to do with horses (or ponies), What better way to start off the Christmas tradition than giving children their own ponies? Of course Martha would fall in love with a man who could be so generous and kind.

2) What made you decide to enter this contest?

I haven't written anything in a while, but the topic of the contest really inspired me. It's a juxtaposition of unique characters into an inappropriate setting. But then, who knows? I don't think the current Santa Claus mythology covers this topic.

3) Who are some of your favourite authors and why?

I'm a big fan of science fiction. My current favorite author is Jeff VanderMeer. He is not only a Nebula Award winning author, he also loves capybaras! I also love Ursula K. Le Guin for her characters and social commentary. China Mieville for introducing me to the New Weird genre. Alexander McCall Smith gives relaxing, uplifting stories about life in Botswana

4) What is your favourite book you read this year and why?

I am currently reading The Lion's Gaze by Maaza Mengiste, a novel about life in Ethiopia during the 1970s. I love the language and imagery of the novel. I also enjoy a book that teaches me something, in this case the history and culture of Ethiopia.

5) What is your best piece of advice for all the new independent authors out there?

I'm not sure I am qualified to give advice. I suppose what everyone says is the right thing probably is the right thing, namely read what you want to write. I'd add that you should think about what you are reading, the story, the characters, the language. Find what you like but don't just copy it,  try to incorporate it into your own unique style.

6) What have you written?

I used to write a bi-weekly general interest column for a local newspaper. That is a great way to get yourself to do things you might not really want to. Also, you have to talk to strangers, a  serious weak point for me. I have written and self-published two middle grade novels in the series Celeste the Cat: Celeste and the GIant Hamster and Celeste and the Adorable Kitten. Both are available on Amazon. I also had one short story published in Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine (yeah, that's a real thing) but that was several years ago. I have a blog about capybaras www.gianthamster.com. It's not really active anymore since I have vision loss.

#Martha and Nick: A Love Story #Melanie Typaldos #Short Story Contest #Contest Winner #Interview #First Place #supportindieauthors #Christmas Western

[bluegoateecollectionposts-blog]

8 Strange Animals You Didn't Know Even Existed

ReadLearn up on botheach the hype and foundand located realityactuality of eachof each of these animals and creatures, whateverno matter they're. During some experiments, researchers have placedpositioned redpurplepinkcrimson objects on the bowers and foundand located females chooseselect smarter males, the ones most ready tocapable ofin a position to removetake away redpurplepinkcrimson itemsgadgetsobjects. Throughout courtship, male satin bowerbirds buildconstruct nuptial bowers - which look a bit like towers of sticks - and decoratebeautifyadornembellishenhance them with exclusivelysolelycompletely blue objects.

ThoseThese balloons are sexually selectedchosen on this species and males have contests over females,” in accordance with Verdolin. Fighting over females is commonwidespreadfrequent in lots of species. The entirecompletewholetotal New Mexican whiptail lizard species founddiscovered in the southwest U.S. and Mexico is exclusivelysolelycompletely femalefeminine. SometimesTypicallyGenerally the females weighs it, buthowever is stillcontinues to beremains to be fooled by how prettyfairly the wrapping is.” When she finds out, the connection ends. Researchers in Oregon testedexamined the critters' fidelityconstancy whilewhereas underbeneathunderneathbelow the affect and foundand positioned females will becometurn out to beturn intodevelop intogrow to bechange into closernearer to their mates buthowever drunk males will wander. 'Emotional supporthelpassist animals' are turning right into a crisisdisaster for airlines — right here arelisted right here arelisted under are probably the most bizarreweird animals peopleindividualsfolks have broughtintroduced on planes. Lucifuga (Lucifuga genus) are freshwater fish that livestayresidedwell in caves and sinkholes. 12 Stunningly Unusual Animals You MightMayWould presumably Spot in Cuba. There are three species of wombats , and the stout animals can weigh up toas a lot as 88 poundskilos eachevery. This widebroadextensivelargevasthuge-eyed marsupial is able tois able to glide nearlyalmostpractically 150one hundred fiftya hundred and fifty feetfttoes and lives in a colony with 20 to 40forty others. Analysis is being carried out into the possiblepotentialattainabledoable use of the lightmildgentle-producing bacteriamicro organism that causes biolumenescence, to see if it could possibly beit could also be implanted in other animals. The femalefeminine of the Photuris firefly sub-species, imitates the lightmildgentle patterns of different fireflies, to attractto draw males. The freakish "underwater monster" look of the anglerfish, is perhapsis probablyis perhaps why it resides on the deepest, darkest, murkiest depths of the ocean floorflooringground, wherethe place not many fish livestayresidedwell. Strange Animals That Glow within the DarkDarkish. A trueA actual threatmenacerisk to humanspeople, tsetse flies primarily infect peopleindividualsfolks with the sleeping disease. The Tsetse fly is a bloodsucking insect that transmits the world's nastiest illnesses, making it one ofcertainly one ofconsidered one ofone amongone in each ofone in all the most dangerousharmful animals on this planet. For example, these animals have been knownrecognizedidentified to visitto go to gravesites on a each day basiseach dayevery day, to bury their deadlifelessuseless and spend some timea while in grief aroundround the bodyphysique of a deadlifelessuseless elephant. Based on researchers, some combination of environmental factorselementscomponents causes the birds to becometurn out to beturn intodevelop intogrow to bechange into disorientated and fly towardsin the direction ofin course of the lightmildgentle of the village. NearlyAlmostPractically all animals fightstrugglebattlecombat, buthowever chimpanzees do it in a clearly human waymethodmeansapproachmanner. Some herbivores, such assimilar tocorresponding tocomparable toakin toreminiscent ofresemblingequivalent to sheep and cows, will flip onactivate their fellow farm animals if their foodmeals is poor in nutrientsvitamins. The femalefeminine brown trout fakes orgasms to persuadeto influenceto steer males to ejaculate aheadforward of time. Some animals, such assimilar tocorresponding tocomparable toakin toreminiscent ofresemblingequivalent to dogscaninecanines, are saidstatedmentioned to predictto foretell earthquakes up toas much as one week prematurely. Like [Andraursuta] http://andraursuta.com/ of the animals on our countdown, your citymetropolis or state maymightcould have exoticunique pet legislationlaws that wouldthat mightthat maythat will keepmaintainholdpreserve you from owning a capybara, so alwaysall the timeat all instances checkexamineverifytest the lawslegal tips beforeearlier than bringing one homehouseresidencedwelling. Typaldos doesn'tdoes notwould not recommendadvocatesuggest capybaras for familieshouseholds with youngyounger childrenyoungsterskids, becauseas a result ofas a results of the rodents aren't nearlyalmostpractically as tolerant as some other domestichome pets, like dogscaninecanines. His ownerproprietor, Melanie Typaldos, who lives in Buda, Texas, has made it her mission to educateto teachto coach peopleindividualsfolks about this very unusualuncommon rodent. Even peopleindividualsfolks with lessmuch less commonwidespreadfrequent pets like lizards or ferrets are principally understood for his or her fanatic waysmethods, buthowever that'sthat is just not as unusualuncommon as itbecause it getswill get. DogCanine and cat lovers are so devoted todedicated to their favored species that it's beenit has been a longan extendeda protracted-operating debate about which is the betterhigher pet, and every sideall sidesboth sideseither aspect makes its feeling knownrecognizedidentified far and widebroadextensivelargevasthuge. Do you knowHave you learntAre you aware moreextra strange animals in Australia? The yak is the male of the species and doesn'tdoes notwould not produce milk, so it reallyactually should beought to bemust beneeds to be calledreferred to asknown as nak cheese after the femalefeminine. Take a tripMake a journey on the wild sideaspectfacet, and learnstudybe taught seven strange and unbelievable factsdetailsinformationinfo about some ofa few of nature's most wonderful animals. Abandonments are commonplace onceas soon as peopleindividualsfolks discoveruncover their animals might becould also be difficulttroublesometough to controlto regulateto handle. It was a youngyounger, non-lactating femalefeminine and a canid, or member of the dogcanine familyhousehold, Montana wildlife officialsofficers concluded, buthowever that'sthat is about as far asso far as animal expertsspecialistsconsultants gotreceivedobtainedacquiredbought.

[eths090-msauceda-blog]

Some secondary sources

Some secondary sources

Bigelow, Bill, et al. “Our Winter 2017 Picks for Books, Videos, Websites, and Other Social Justice Education Resources.” Our Winter 2017 Picks for Books, Videos, Websites, and Other Social Justice Education Resources by Bill Bigelow, Deborah Menkart, Adam Sanchez, and Ursula Wolfe-Rocca, 2017, www.rethinkingschools.org/articles/resources-b8902f33-8b00-498e-ae6e-800f59718c9f.

     This is an article with a collection of various media forms that are social justice education based for the 2017 year. “When the Rules Aren’t Right: 7 Time Travel Tales of Activism,” a graphic novel that Madeline contributed illustrations to is included in this list.

F231, Madeline @ MoCCA. “Madeline @ MoCCA F231 (@MadelineZuluaga).” Twitter, Twitter, 6 Mar. 2018, twitter.com/madelinezuluaga?lang=en.

     This is Madeline’s Twitter profile. It is a platform she can utilize to promote her work to other people and also build community with other artists.

Herbowy, Greg, and Michelle Mackin. “Shelf Liners.” Visual Arts Journal School of Visual Arts Magazine Fall 2017, 18 Oct. 2017, pp. 12–12., issuu.com/svavisualartsjournal/docs/vajournal-fa17-issuu.

     Madeline’s contributions to the book, “When the Rules Aren’t Right: 7 Time Travel Tales,” were featured in the Visual Arts Journal’s Fall 2017 volume. She was mentioned in the “Shelf Liners” section, which is a compilation of work from SVA (School of Visual Arts) alumni and faculty. 

https://coolyeahalright.com/cool-yeah-alright/2017/8/15/inside-mine-a-comics-collection-to-benefit-planned-parenthood

     This is an article providing some insight on a piece that Madeline contributed to, “Mine!: A Comics Collection to Benefit Planned Parenthood.” The article contains a full list of the many contributors to the comic collection, and provides a brief introduction to the project. At the bottom of their article, they also link the fundraiser/kickstarter for getting the book printed.

https://www.geek.com/comics/new-frontiers-anthology-inspired-by-the-life-of-george-takei-1696057/

     This article introduces and advertises an anthology that Madeline contributed to, “New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei.” They give praise to Takei, as the book does, and also provide main topics for each of the chapters of the anthology. 

Jules. “7-Imp’s 7 Kicks #528: Featuring Up-and-Coming Illustrator Madeline Zuluaga.” Www.blaine.org, 2 Apr. 2017, blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/?p=4310.

     This is a blog post that is a feature on Madeline. It highlights some of her work by showing many images of it. At the end of the article, Madeline also lists her “7 kicks” for the week, a segment that seems to be recurring on Jule’s blog. The 7 kicks, as she explains, serve as a weekly reflection on any notable things.  

Mackin, Michelle. “Shelf Liners for Your 'Nice' List.” Sva.edu, 11 Dec. 2017, www.sva.edu/features/shelf-liners-for-your-nice-listsecret=a62f2225bf70bfaccbc7f1ef2a397836717377de.

     This is another feature that Madeline has from her alma mater, School of Visual Arts. This one is directly on their site, not in their journal, and it’s purpose was to promote some alumni work before Christmas. 

“Mocca Arts Festival Exhibitors List.” SocietyIllustrators.org, www.societyillustrators.org/exhibitors-list.

     Madeline was featured at the MoCCA (Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art) Festival this year. This event takes place in New York City annually and features over 400 artists that put on workshops, exhibits, etc.  

Pepose, David. “Best Shots Advance Reviews: SCARLETT'S STRIKE FORCE #1, MINE!” Newsarama, 26 Dec. 2017, 2:46pm, www.newsarama.com/37945-best-shots-advance-reviews-scarlett-s-strike-force-1-mine-anthology.html.

     This is a blog post that reviews a couple different comics. One of the comics reviewed in the post is “Mine!: A Comics Collection to Benefit Planned Parenthood,” which Madeline contributed illustrations for. 

“SVA Alumni News: January 2017.” Alumni.sva.edu, Jan. 2017, alumni.sva.edu/emailviewonwebpage.aspxerid=4060277d&trid=92c46b98-8025-44f1-aa3e-082d0a67fa1d.

     This is another feature from School of Visual Arts, which Madeline graduated from recently (2016). They included her work in an email that was sent out to alumni of SVA that provides some updates on alumni projects/work amongst other things. 

Typaldos, Melanie. “Madeline Zuluaga: Capybara Artist.” Capybara Madness, 16 Nov. 2017, gianthamster.com/2017/11/madeline-zuluaga-capybara-artist/.

     Capybara Madness is a blog dedicated to capybaras. They have a blog post featuring Madeline’s work since one of her illustrative outlets is capybaras (the other being radishes and other vegetables). 

Wong, Howard. “New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei, the Anthology.” Howard-Wong, 19 July 2017, howard-wong.blogspot.com/2017/07/new-frontiers-many-worlds-of-george.html

     This is a blog post discussing the George Takei anthology that Madeline contributed to. The blog writer, Howard Wong, was also a contributor to the anthology. 

Yang, Jeff, and Keith Chow. “Finding the Hidden Stories in New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei.” Women Write About Comics, SI Universe Media, LLC, Aug. 2017, womenwriteaboutcomics.com/2017/09/27/finding-hidden-stories-new-frontiers-the-many-worlds-of-george-takei-review/.

     This is an article that gives some insight on, “New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei.” The authors of the article provide some interpretations and insight to his anthology, which Madeline was a contributor of. 

Zuluaga, Madeline. “Madeline Does Art.” Madeline Does Art., madelinezuluaga.tumblr.com/.

     This is Madeline’s tumblr page. It is a tool that can but used to post art and discover/connect with other artists. Her blog consists primarily of her original works, as she notes in the bio of her blog.

[ezatluba]

These Cuddly Lapdogs Were Once Used as Stealth Weapons

For Year of the Dog, we look into the origins of East Asian dog breeds—including the surprisingly ferocious Pekingese.

A Pekingese named Malachy poses after winning Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on February 14, 2012.

Liz Langley

FEBRUARY 24, 2018

This is the Year of the Dog, according to the Chinese Zodiac, and in the holiday spirit we decided to sniff out the facts on some canine breeds native to China.

Here are a few "pekes" into some special breeds that originated in East Asia.

LION DOGS

Some well-known East Asian breeds include the chow chow, the Chinese shar-pei, and the Tibetan mastiff.

These breeds likely had a common East Asian ancestor about 20,000 years ago, John Bradshaw, animal behaviorist at the U.K.'s University of Bristol, says via email. (Read why dogs are so friendly.)

Dog faces don't just make for great internet videos—they can also teach us about how dogs evolved.

The chow chow and the shar-pei belong to the spitz group. Spitzes, heavy-coated dogs with tails that flop over their backs, are the only dogs in the world with blue-black tongues.

Both chows and shar-peis are popular pets worldwide—the former for their leonine appearance, the latter for their charismatic wrinkles. Shar-pei literally means "sand skin," a reference to the dogs' short, rough coats. (Related: "Why Are Elephants and Other Animals So Wrinkly?")

Chows were historically used as hunting dogs, while shar-peis were all-around workers that hunted, herded, and guarded their homes. Both breeds were depicted in ancient artwork—chows appear in a sculpture dating to the Han Dynasty, circa 150 B.C.

Tibetan mastiffs are closely related to the Labrador retriever, a North American breed.

Tibetan mastiffs are heftier than shar-peis and chows, with males weighing up to 160 pounds. Researchers in China recently revealed these double-coated canines to be closely related to the Labrador retriever, a North American breed.

FIT FOR KINGS

The royally adorable pug was an imperial favorite as far back as the first century B.C.

"The theory is that the pug was one of the earliest Asian breeds to be exported from China" to Europe, says James Serpell, professor of animal ethics and welfare at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.

The royally adorable pug was an imperial Chinese favorite as far back as the first century B.C.

"There are quite early paintings of pugs from 17th- and 18th-century Dutch masters, suggesting the Dutch brought these little dogs from Asia and then crossed them with local breeds," Serpell says.

Dog breeds have long been hybridized—think Labradoodle—and in the 19th century, "dog breeding became a fashionable middle-class hobby" in Europe, he says.

As a result, many Asian and European toy dogs share pug genes—Brussels griffons, for example, resemble pugs with facial hair.

FURBABIES

Other small East Asian breeds like the Lhasa apso, Shih tzu, and Pekingese "are derived from small, flat-faced dogs that were bred as companions in China some 5,000 years ago," Bradshaw says.

Pekingese were bred as "an ornamental accessory for emperors and courtiers in the Forbidden City of imperial China," according to the Pekingese Club of America.

After her first capybara died of liver failure, Melanie Typaldos bought Garibaldi Rous. The Texan was attracted to the giant rodents, which tend to die in captivity, after seeing wild ones in Venezuela.

Florida animal trainer Pamela Rosaire Zoppe bought Chance from pet owners who could no longer keep him. He now appears in Hollywood films. “Chimps are so intelligent that they get bored,” she says.

Sasha, a cougar, is “the love of my life,” says Mario Infanti, who underwent more than a thousand hours of training before he acquired his first wild cats. The Florida musician had Sasha declawed when she was a month old, but “she can still bite.”

A Burmese python entwines Albert Killian in the Florida home he shares with 60 snakes. Tags noting the proper antivenom—and the nearest hospital that carries it—are posted next to venomous pets.

John Matus bought Boo Boo impulsively as a cub. Last summer the Ohio man gave her to a wildlife sanctuary. “She needs to be with her own kind,” he says. “It’s a lonely life.”

Shawn Geary and Allo. Shawn is an IT professional. His grandmother had skunks that he played with as a child. His wife Carole always wanted one.

Bobbi Phelan bought a patas monkey in part because they tend to avoid conflict. Even so, Eujo once got loose and scratched Phelan’s son and bit her dog. Eujo’s cage is attached to the living room of Phelan’s Indiana home, with a pet door leading outside to a larger enclosure.

Ohio veterinarian Melanie Butera took in Dillie after the blind farm deer’s mother rejected her. Dillie used to sleep with Butera but now has her own room. “She’s treated like a princess,” says Butera.

Alison Pascoe Friedman, a zoologist, acquired Amelia in 1980 as a rescue and trained her for a behavioral research project. When the project ended, she brought the capuchin monkey to her home in New York. Amelia, 45, died in her sleep after this photo was taken. “My life is completely about the animals,” says Leslie-Ann Rush, a Florida horse trainer. “I rarely leave them overnight or take a vacation.” She raised her kangaroos and lemurs from infancy.

The smallest and most ferocious dogs were called "sleeves" because royalty would tote the canines in their garments' roomy sleeves. Serving as an "ancient Chinese version of mace," the dogs would scare off anyone threatening the courtiers, according to the club.

In modern-day, Pekingese and shih tzus tend to be very dependent on their owners, likely triggering our nurturing instincts, Serpell says. That's why these breeds so often function as substitutes or replacements for children. (Read why dogs are even more like us than we thought.)

I can vouch for this: As an empty nester, my mom got an adorable, ever-present Pekingese which she often hand-fed.

[meganews77-blog]

Unusual Pets That People Actually Own - Thommy Tucker The Fasion Modelling Tommy Tucker was a squirrel adopted by a woman in Washington DC in the early 1940s after she found the critter orphaned in a tree. He soon became part of the family, as it were -- accompanying the lady of the house on shopping trips, for instance. She also, it turned out, enjoyed dressing him up in specially made outfits. Tommy became immortalized after posing for fashion photography by Nina Leen/Time & Life Pictures. - The Nameless Two Headed Turtle A two-headed turtle found in Florida was residing at Sean Casey's Animal Rescue in Kensington, a Brooklyn pet store. The rare reptile had became the store's mascot. Casey got the two-headed turtle from a man in Florida who rescued a bunch of eggs after an adult female was killed by a car. Usually, such severely deformed turtles die soon after birth, but Casey says this animal could live for many years. - Nils Olav The Knighted Penguin Penguin Nils Olav has been an honorary member and mascot of the Norwegian King's Guard since 1972. After over 35 years of ‘duty' he was knighted at Edinburgh Zoo. During the ceremony, Nils had a sword dubbed on each side of his head, where his shoulders should be, to confirm his regimental knighthood. A citation from King Harald of Norway was read out, which described Nils as a penguin 'in every way qualified to receive the honor and dignity of knighthood. - Nick Boing The Lamb Nick Boing, an unusual pet with an unusual name. Nick's story began about three years ago when his owner David Palmer and his family were visiting the Goldcliff Nature Reserve in Newport, Wales. They stumbled upon a newborn lamb bleating in the reserve's tall grass. They picked it up and tried to leave it at a nearby farm - However, the lamb refused to go and kept following the Palmer family around until they decided to take him home. After that, there was no going back! Though the Palmers tried to take the lamb back to a farm twice, he refused to settle down with the other sheep. They finally gave up and decided to just keep him. - Lynne The Rothscild Giraffe In fact, the Carr-Hartley family has the unusual distinction of sharing their home with eight Rothschild giraffes, some of the rarest on the planet. Talk about weird pets. In the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, the world's tallest animals are free to roam their 140-acre estate and are regular visitors at their English-style manor built in the colonial era. Every day shortly before 9am, the mammal beasts stroll up to the house and poke their heads through the windows and doors in search of morning treats. Owners Tanya and Mikey Carr-Hartley literally share their dining table with them. They know all of the giraffes by name: 13-year-old Lynne is the leader of the herd and can be very persistent about getting treats. - Billy The Parade Royal Goat From his gleaming headplate to his immaculately groomed whiskers, Lance Corporal William Windsor, the former Royal Welsh Regiment mascot, looked every inch the proud old soldier as he left camp for the last time. Cheering comrades lined the route from his pen to the trailer waiting to take him to the zoo, where the Army veteran informally known as Billy the Goat will spend his retirement. - Jessica The 3/4 Hipotamus Want a pet that drinks 10 liters of coffee a day, weighs 3/4 of a ton, and destroys your bed when it jumps on it? Then you should meet Jessica, the hippo. When a newborn baby hippo was washed up by a flood onto the lawn of his riverside home, the game ranger who found the dying animal lovingly nursed her back to health. - Caplin Rous Capybara owner Melanie Typaldos is very happy with her giant hamster pet. Her mascot is named Caplin Rous as in Rodents Of Unusual Size from the Princess Bride. She describes him as needy. He always wants to be with her and follows her around the house and the yard. He also knows when it's time for his owner to come back from work and waits for her. A truly caring mascot. - Fantik The Llama Russian bear trainer Dimitry Nikolau keeps an unusual pet in his Moscow apartment. Fantik has been his pet for over 10 years. Dimitry decided to give up beat training after he became a father. He then adopted a llama who was shot by thieves at his garden. He got another llama who was been living with him ever since. He is now looking for a kangaroo to expand the family. #pet #petsforsale #exoticpets #exoticpetsforsale #unusualanimals #unusualpets #unusualcats #unusualdogs #mostunusualanimals #exoticpetsyoucanown #bestpetstoown #unusualpetsthatarelegaltoownuk #bestexoticpetstoown #ThommyTucker #TwoHeadedTurtle #NilsOlav #NickBoingTheLamb #LynneThe #BillyRoyalGoat #JessicaTheHipotamus #CaplinRous #FantikTheLlama https://youtu.be/toW1XM2MXFk

[xjmaex]

Oh my gosh, so freaking cool!!!

So I'm watching the show, "My Crazy Obsession," and guess what episode I stumble upon.

The episode about Melanie Typaldos and her current capybara Gary! :D

I have to admit, I felt like crying when she mentioned Caplin Rous. It was so weird because I probably wouldn't have felt emotional at all if it weren't for the fact that I read up so much on him back when he was alive and read the blog and became a huge fan and at one point was inspired to get a capybara of my own in the future.

I still don't know if I'd be able to get myself to get a capybara because they need so much attention and cost so much and need so much space and a good pool and all that stuff...but it'd be such a dream to achieve. :)

#capybara #my crazy obsession #melanie typaldos #gary #caplin #caplin rous #dream

[hippopotatomus]

Capybaras- Chill or Not?

Capybaras- Chill or Not? Here's a link to an article written about capybaras.

Check out this article about capybaras. It’s well-written and based upon well-respected experts in the field!    Random photo of Dobby, just for fun. Here’s a link to the article: https://castormagazine.wordpress.com/2024/03/19/large-rodent-always-a-friend-never-a-foe/?page_id=1095

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#capybara chill #Melanie Typaldos #rodent #Snapper

[hippopotatomus]

Capybara Rescue - Garibaldi ROUS

Capybara Rescue - Garibaldi ROUS

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#capybara #capybara madness #Garibaldi ROUS #gianthamster #Melanie Typaldos #rescue

[hippopotatomus]

Pandabara and Company

Pandabara and Company: A visit to see two capybaras.

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#capybara #Melanie Typaldos #PandaBara #rescue #Snapper

[hippopotatomus]

Capybara Rescue Update - 2

We rescued a capybara in January. How is she doing now?

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#capybara #Melanie Typaldos #PandaBara #rescue

[hippopotatomus]

A Capy-bot-a Website

Is the Capybara Tips website a bot?

There aren’t many capybara websites so I was intrigued when Capybara Tips kept popping up in my Google Alerts. The site looks normal but the articles are a mashup of facts and misinformation. There are no links to back up any of the information. There is no credible human authenticity, and the promising contact links are dead ends. Is this a bot creation? (more…)

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#capybara #capybara madness #Giant Hamster #Melanie Typaldos #pet #tips

[hippopotatomus]

Remembering Mudskipper ROUS

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#capybara #Melanie Typaldos #Mudskipper #Rous

[hippopotatomus]

Where Do Capybaras Live?

Where Do Capybaras Live?

This capybara is wading through water hyacinths in Brazil. Are those hardy where you live? Photo credits: Melanie Typaldos (2013)

The simple answer is that capybaras live in South America. (No, they don’t come from Australia.) They range from eastern Panama, where the Lesser Capybaras live, and into Argentina in a limited region south of Uruguay. That isn’t very helpful if you are wondering…

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#Brazil #capybara #climate #Dobby #habitat #latitude #pet #South America

[supportforindieauthors]

Martha and Nick: A Love Story by Melanie Typaldos

Martha pushed the doors to the saloon open with one hand while the other tugged at her bonnet, ripping it off her hair. It was two o’clock in the afternoon and the blazing sun had driven the cowboys into the waiting shade. The place was warm and stuffy, but the beer and the whiskey didn’t taste any worse for it.

She nodded to Jake behind the bar as she hung her hat and dust coat on the rack. With a few deft strokes she pushed the brown mass of her hair back into a bun. Jake slid her customary glass of water to her. She gulped it down, turning to count the bar’s dubious crowd. Bill, Leon, Karl, and Cap were at their usual table, beer mugs stationed in front of them, sticky playing cards shoved up against their faces so the others couldn’t see. Tammy was working the crowd, currently smoozing with Dusty whose hand had casually found its way to her waist. And Nick was pounding away on the piano.

Martha grimaced, but a customer was a customer. She grabbed a couple of beers and slid across the floor to the piano. “Whatcha playing, Nicky?” He didn’t look up, concentration focused – as much as he had of it anyway – on the keys.

“’Noon, Marth. Just somethin’ for the season.”

Wishing she had as little musical talent as Nick, Martha concentrated on the dissonance, trying to pick out something familiar. “Three Kings?”

Nick laughed, “Hell no! This here’s Town of Bethlehem. You ain’t got no ear at all.”

“Piano’s out of tune,” Martha said. True enough, but even on a perfectly tuned Steinway grand, this random series of notes wasn’t going to be Little Town of Bethlehem. “Here’s a beer.” Her whole body relaxed as Nick took his hands off the keys to take the drink. “Can’t really get used to winters here,” she added, weather always being a good conversation starter.

“It’ll be Christmas next Tuesday. Maybe it’ll cool off.”

She shrugged. “It doesn’t get this hot in the summer where I’m from.” She looked through the dust coated glass of the saloon’s only window. Instead of snow she saw a lone tumble weed skittering down the street. Even it looked dejected and lonely. Gold, she thought. Where the hell was it? Not in these parts. She knew now with a sense of resignation that she would never land a rich husband out here. She poured the drink down her throat. Jake was probably giving her a dirty look. Drink was for the customers, not for the help.

Nick finished his beer. “Want to take a little stroll, Marth?

The correct answer to this was no, it is cooler inside, an answer approved and promoted by Jake. But she was already tired and the still darkness was making her claustrophobic. “Sure, just for a minute.” Customers never seemed to realize that she was working. That her job was to keep them drinking and to keep them from fighting. Nick, like the others, thought she spent her time here because she liked it. Men were stupid, especially when it came to women.

They stepped out the door, Nick holding it open for her. In the light she could make out his features better than she ever had before. He had blue eyes that were flecked with brown to match the dusty sky. His cheeks were round and his nose had a big nob at the end that was already the constant rose color of a habitual drunk. But he had a big smile underneath a prematurely white mustache and the start of a matching beard. All in all, it was a friendly face, the kind that could grow on you if you let it. But his clothes just about defined a common cowboy: dirty red checkered shirt with frayed cuffs, faded blue jeans probably from ten years ago, and boots that almost certainly had holes in the bottoms. Martha smiled her work smile. She wondered if it worked as well out in the daylight.

“I want ta show you somethin’,” Nick said, putting his hand gently on her elbow.

Martha shot a glance back to the saloon. “I can’t be gone long.”

“I know. It’s just a little ways and I think it’s worth seeing.” There was a slight tug. She could pull away easily if she wanted to. Instead she let herself be urged down the wooden sidewalk.

It only took her a moment to realize he was headed toward the stable. “I can’t go in there, Nick. My clothes will get all dirty. And these are my best boots.”

“You don’t have to go in. The corral’s on the other side. That’s where I’ve got ‘em.”

“Got what?” she asked just as the topic of their conversation came into view. A herd of about twenty ponies of all different colors. Martha drew in a sharp breath of surprise. She hadn’t seen a single pony since she came out west. She ran to the corral fence and, forgetting about her clothes and good boots, climbed onto the bottom rail. A red and white paint pony came up to sniff her hand for treats. Her nose was so soft Martha almost cried.

“I had a pony just like this when I was a little girl,” she said without turning to Nick. “His name wasCheckerboard.” Nick came up beside her and the pony checked his hand for treats. “Where did you get them?”

“I know a rancher with a slew of kids out past Long Hill. He’s givin’ up and heading back east. Can’t take the ponies with him. So here they are.”

“What are you going to do with them?”

“Don’t know yet, but I’ve got to find them good homes before they eat me broke. Guess I could just let them go out on the prairie if it comes to that.” He smiled. “I could give Checkers here to you.”

Martha felt her heart breaking out of her bosom. Then reality set in. “I can’t even ride a pony. I’m too big.”

“I’ll train her to pull a cart. Could make your life easier not to have to drag your supplies from the mercantile down to your boarding house.”

It could. She imagined herself sitting in a little wooden wagon with the pony dancing ahead of her. Wouldn’t she look fine! She shook her head, “I can’t afford a pony, Nick. I sure would love to have her though.”

“We’ll figure out some way for her to earn her keep. She looks like a hard worker to me.”

Martha gazed over Checkers. The other ponies were milling about, curious as to what was going on. “What about the others? You got someone to take each of them?”

Nick laughed. Martha was surprised at how melodious his laugh was and his smile washed all over his face making the dusty grime disappear. She stepped down from the rail. “I have to get back or Jake will have me killed.” Nick took her hand and slid his arm underneath her fingers. Why did that feel so good? They walked back a little more slowly than her customary pace.

*

Nick didn’t show up at the saloon the next day. The quite made the place seem empty even though the rest of the crowd was there. He didn’t come the day after that. Or the day after that. Martha was getting worried. She told herself he was probably out working a herd of cattle somewhere. But what if something had happened to him? Or worse, maybe he decided he didn’t mean any of the things he had said. Not that she couldn’t live without a pony, it was just the thought of him giving it to her. And he’d be helping figure out how to put the little pinto to something productive. Wouldn’t that be fine? Of course, they’d end of spending some time together, along with Checkers of course.

But Nick was back pounding at the piano when Martha got to work the next day. She still grimaced at the racket her best to sway to the non-existent rhythm

 “Go hit that idiot with a drink,” Jake growled. “I’d say get him too drunk to play, but he don’t need drink for that. He can’t just come in here and empty the place out with that racket without at least buying a couple of drinks.”

Martha went to grab a beer but Jake stayed her hand. “Whiskey. Better profit. And the drunker they get, the more they drink. Barman’s law.” He poured a much too large glass of cheap whiskey and shoved it into her hand. “Make sure he pays.”

The glass weighed down her hand as she walked to the piano. “Something special today.” She smiled falsely while placing the glass on the piano. “Cure for what ails ya.”

Nick picked the glass up and took a swallow. He coughed and sputtered some out. “Whoa! That’ll take some getting used to!” She realized she had only ever seen him drink beer, and then not much of it, as per Jake’s complaint. “I don’t drink much hard stuff,” he said by way of explanation. He tapped his nose. “This here is from the damn sun. My kin and I don’t belong out where the sky’s not properly cloudy.”

“But you’re in here every day, just ‘bout.”

Nick looked down at his fingers still resting on the piano keys. “I’m kind of shy to say it, but I don’t come to drink. I come to see you.”

Martha felt a silly grin spread across her face. “You do?”

Nick took another sip of whiskey followed by a gulp that could have drowned him. “Will you take a little stroll with me again?”

Jake glared at her from across the room. He’d be fighting mad if she left again.

“I’ll buy another whiskey and pay double if you’ll come.”

Glancing at Nick’s glass she was shocked to see it was empty. “You sure? If you’re not used to it, that stuff can put you under the table in a hurry.”

“If you’ll come walk with me, I’ll drink the place dry.”

“One more drink should be enough,” she said. “I’ll walk with you, but only a little while.” She got Nick another too-tall glass of the liquid fire and met him at the door. Nick downed it in one shot, but coughed most of it back up as she patted his back. “If you’re going to drink hard liquor, you’d better learn to do it slow.”

Out in the sun the day was blazing hot. Not a single wisp of a cloud painted the sky. She wished she was one of those fancy ladies back east who traveled in the shade of a delicate parasol. The thought made her laugh. She’d never had such a ridiculous thought! She saw Nick smile at her as if he was in on the joke. He didn’t need to know, she thought, he just needed to see her happy. Another ridiculous thought.

They made their way to the stable again, only this time they went into the dusty darkness. It smelled like horses and hay. Martha breathed deeply. Her father had owned a stable. This felt like home to her.

When her eyes adjusted she saw two of the little ponies, Checkers and a black and white pinto, watching her from within the confines of their harness. “I’m calling the other one Checkmate, Check for short. Make a pretty team, don’t they?” He turned to see her reaction, then rushed down beside the ponies and hopped up on the bench of the wagon. He drove it gently out into the sunlight, following Martha who felt a bit like a herded cow.

In the sun she could see the wagon was a buckboard painted a distinctive grass-green. The ponies’ coats shined as if they’d been brushed nearly to death. Nick held the reins with a smile as wide as his face. He hopped down to stand beside her. “I fixed it up and trained the ponies to pull it. It needed two. Ponies I mean. If you really want to go somewhere and not just around town, you need two ponies.”

“You’re going somewhere?” Martha’s heart skipped a beat.

Nick looked down at his boots. “Well, the wagon’s for you. And the ponies. I was kinda thinking maybe we could go someplace together.”

“Together?”

“You know. North. Maybe we could go north, someplace cold. Someplace you could wear a fur collar and a muff to keep your hands warm. You sure would look pretty like that.”

Martha stood, her mind frozen. Go north? With Nick? She could go north with Nick?

Time must have passed because Nick’s smile faded and his brow creased with worry. “I mean, we don’t have to if you if you don’t want to. I just thought that maybe you would like that.”

She couldn’t stop staring at him.

“I mean, we’d get married first! Oh God! I was so excited I got ahead of myself!” Words were spilling out of his mouth like a waterfall down a cliff. He dropped to one knee. “Martha, it’d be the joy of my life if you would consent to marry me.” 

“Marry you?” The idea had never crossed her mind. But why not? He was a cowboy, not rich for certain, but nice. And sweet. And not bad looking either in the right light. And thoughtful. Could she be happy married to him? Would he be happy married to her? “Would you go north because of me?”

Nick stood up and took her two hands in his. They were rough, working hands with callouses where the reins played against his fingers. “I’d go anywhere because of you.”

“But you want to go north?”

“I could stand to get away from here. Right now, I’m thinking the colder the better.”

“Then, yes.” The word felt right to her. “Yes. I’ll do it. I’ll marry you!”

Nick leaned forward and kissed her on the lips, hard but somehow gentle too. It was their first intimate touch. Martha felt the warmth of it flow through her. She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Yes! Yes! I will marry you Nicolas Claus!” And she kissed him again.

“Now?” he asked. “I can’t wait to call you my wife.”

“Now,” she whispered. “Let’s do it now.”

*

The wedding was about as short as the engagement. The pastor of the local church joined them. The ceremony took place at the saloon, which is where the couple found him when they went looking. Nick paid for a round of drinks before the happy couple fled the place.

“Let’s leave now,” Nick said as they boarded the wagon. “Start our honeymoon right away.”

The sun looked about an hour from the horizon. “It’s gonna be dark.”

“Ace, that’s my horse, knows every road and track in the whole damned state,” Nick replied. “And it will be cooler at night. But we have to stop by the stable to pick him and the ponies up. I already got them ready.”

“The ponies are going with us? What are you going to do with them?”

Nick smiled, maybe even wider than he had when she’d said yes. “I talked to the school mistress. She gave me the names of some kids who could sure use a pony to ride to school on.”

“It’s Christmas eve! It’ll be dark. Everyone will be asleep.”

“Then it’ll be a nice surprise for them come morning.

They had reached the stable. Martha watched as Nick tied the string of ponies up to the back of the wagon.

Things had a strange way of working out. She hadn’t married someone others might call rich, but he was rich enough to give to others, that was richer than most. She leaned over and gave him a big kiss. “I love you, Nick.”

He wrapped his arm around her. “I will always love you, Mrs. Claus.”

It was the first time they had said it.

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Dobby the Capybara Grows Up

Dobby the Capybara Grows Up

At 2 months old, already bigger than a nutria.

I watched Dobby grow from bunny size to mastiff over ten years. Those of you who visited here (90 visitors in 2018 alone!) understand how enormous these animals are. None of his visitors will ever again mistake a capybara for a nutria. For the rest of you, I’ll try to show some sense of scale.

At 6 months, he can still walk under the table, and his…

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