Gimme an “Oink!!”
Aug 22nd 2007
Suzanne EnochWhen Goddesses Fall To Earth
Though I still don’t see the attraction in a shapeshifter book where the hero turns into a squid (or vice versa), I do have a fondness for the ungainly members of the animal kingdom. Read into that what you will, but I love the non-streamlined, hippity-hoppity horde.
The giraffe. Ask anyone, I love giraffes. I have a 7-foot statue of one in my foyer. Those dark eyes and llllooooonnnnngggg eyelashes make them cute, but anything with five feet of leg and seven feet of neck is not going to look terribly graceful.
The hippopotamus. In addition to being worth about 500 points in Scrabble, the hippo is cool. Yes, they can kill you, but they wiggle their ears when they’re mad (at least according to Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise, they do), so there’s some warning. Lumbering and uncuddly, at least they know the virtues of a deep pool of water on a hot day.
The orangutan. The babies are a 17 on the 1-10 scale of cuteness, but I’m not talking about them. I’m talking about the adult males. The ones that look like they’ve had their faces flattened by air bags. I like them because they think they look cool.
The ostrich. Brain the size of a walnut, able to disembowel a lion with one good kick. I wouldn’t want to live next door to an ostrich farm, but they’re the closest looking thing to a dinosaur alive today. And they only eat bugs and veggies, which is a relief.
The narwhal. I thought they were fake the first time I saw one. I mean, unicorns, okay. But whales with horns? Amazing.
Do you prefer the beautiful beasts, or do you have a soft-spot for the more…unique members of the animal kingdom? What’s your favorite non-domesticated animal?
53 Comments »
53 Responses to “Gimme an “Oink!!””
Aspen on 22 Aug 2007 at 1:12 am #
My Brother has an obese Basset Hound Joey. He is so ugly he’s cute.
Do you know that song “Can you tie them in a knot?…” The basset hound theme song. LOL!
Anyway, you can’t help but smile when you see Joey. His ears flapping in the wind as he curses his short stubby legs that made him come in dead last in every dog park race. Joey comes equipt with sun shield. Indeed, when he is ready for sleep he flips an ear over his eyes.
Aspen
dbrown3400 on 22 Aug 2007 at 5:14 am #
My favorite “special” animal has always been the aardvark. C’mon now. They’re ugly as can be, but just say the name and you get such a satisfying sensation. Aaaardvaark! Imagine them burrowing around with their long snout and that tongue they can extend at will. Keep your eyes closed.
Good morning!
Donna
Stacy ~ on 22 Aug 2007 at 6:01 am #
Well, I love tigers, always have. It was my school mascot growing up. But I do have a tender spot for the less beautiful animals too. Even skunks are cute…if you stay a mile away from them. Armadillos. Turtles. I’m sure I could find something to love for just about any animal.
MarthaH on 22 Aug 2007 at 7:37 am #
I would have to say my favorite non domestic animal is the Zebra. We visited a wild life refuge just outside of San Antonio, Tx and saw my very first zebra up close and personal. They were absolutey adorable with those big soft eyes and gentle manner. They ate right out of my hand.
At this same refuge we came across some Ostriches as well - Ugh! There was a big onery one that looked like it was trying to eat the little dog sitting in the back window of the car in front of us - so much for bugs & veggies - this one must have had a little carnivore in him. Thank goodness for windshields.
LOL Martha
Lisa H on 22 Aug 2007 at 7:43 am #
I tend to like the water creatures. Seals and Dolphins top my list for favorites. On land, I prefer the elephant, my two year old loves them and we go around the house most days making elephant sounds.
As for shape shifting heros, I prefer my man to turn in to a Pirate. Preferably Jack Sparrow, but I believe I may have mentioned this in another post!
gannon on 22 Aug 2007 at 7:51 am #
I think giraffes are beautiful and all of the wild cats, as well. But my favorite animal is the wolf. I love them. Of course, this may explain my attraction to Jasha Wilder in Scent of Darkness!
Julia London on 22 Aug 2007 at 8:18 am #
My husband and I went to the San Diego zoo. I was wonderful! Our favorite animals were the hippo. We also liked the elephants and orangutans.
Hmmm….wonder if that says anything about the two of us. enormous and goofy beasts.
Sabrina Jeffries on 22 Aug 2007 at 9:02 am #
I like monkeys, poo-flinging and all. I especially like the little bitty monkeys. They’re so cute!
BTW, I have a rhino in my next book, I kid you not. It’s a cameo performance, but still … I discovered that there was this very popular rhino who toured Europe in the 18th century named Clara. She was so tame that she would let children pet her. I thought that was kind of cool and put a rhino named Clarabelle in Charles Godwin’s menagerie in my book.
cail on 22 Aug 2007 at 9:05 am #
this is very appropriate as i was supposed to be leaving today for a horseback riding safari with my mother in botswana, but she had a concussion the other week, spent the weekend in the hospital, and the trip was canceled.
sadly i will not be seeing the elephants and giraffe’s up close, and will probably have to take another trip to the zoo to see my favorite wild animals.
Ellen on 22 Aug 2007 at 9:31 am #
How could one not love an elephant!! They have huge asses and make great mothers. They never forget a thing, including the fact that a little mouse is capable of turning them into a shivering pool of fright.
The women rule the roost and the males earn their keep.
I’d say that when God made the elephant, he made the perfect beast…EXCEPT…their pregnancies last for three years!
Claudia Dain on 22 Aug 2007 at 9:49 am #
I’ve always had a fascination with coyotes. Don’t ask me why because I couldn’t tell you. They’re beautifully dog-like and they coexist with absolutely every species; there’s something about that strong survival gene that mesmerizes me. I’ve seen them in the wilderness and in the city. How is that possible? But they survive.
That wolf-like stare, those long slender legs, the perk expression—beautiful.
J Perry Stone on 22 Aug 2007 at 10:00 am #
Ellen, that’s hilarious.
And it’s interesting you write this blog, Suzanne. Did you see the Planet Earth series? Animals i’ve never seen before!
I just went cuckoo over it, especially over the snow leopard with its fat, fluffy tail. And there’s this place in South America where every animal is in miniature. They have a wild cat as big as a house cat, but looks like a baby cat from the Savanna. It acts real vicious and predatory when it hunts … moths!
I’ve recently developed a fear of monkeys. I saw this program about how violent they are (and cannabalistic!). And then there was that story of some people in California who threw a party for their chimp. It got jealous when other monkeys arrived and consequently, ripped off the man’s … uh …. jewels, as well as his nose.
But the babies are adorable.
Sabrina, “poo flinging and all”? I don’t know why but that just makes you more interesting to me…even though all things poo make me gag.
J Perry Stone on 22 Aug 2007 at 10:08 am #
And do you all remember when they found that woolly mammoth encased in ice in Siberia? Apparently, it had fallen in a lake, and then froze … for what?–13 thousand years?
When they were thawing it out with hair driers, scientists said they could smell urine and feces on its hair. Isn’t fascinating (albeit disgusting)?
I was so excited when they discovered it; I went to the Discovery store and bought a stuffed version of it.
J–animal planet/Discovery junky
Julia London on 22 Aug 2007 at 10:11 am #
J perry, Sabrina’s comment reminds me that I probably never want to room with her, LOL
Claudia, coyotes scare me. Maybe because when I was a kid, they would kill sick cows. Eeeewwwwe.
Suzanne, what is up with that whale? What if he got something stuck on the end of his sword? What is the point of that thing?
Karen Hawkins on 22 Aug 2007 at 10:11 am #
Ellen, three YEARS? You’re kidding me. I was sold until then.
I wrote a monkey pet into an anthology that I wrote with our beloved Suzanne and some other authors. They were quite popular in Regency time as pets for those who wished to be unusual. Of course, when they become popular, they’re not so unusual, eh?
Me, i love dolphins. They’re smart and playful and I love that. In fact, one day I’d like to go to the Bahamas so I can swim with them. I’ve always wanted to do that!
Karen Hawkins on 22 Aug 2007 at 10:13 am #
Julia, I thought the whale was smoking a cig. Not sanitary, but there are rebels even in the animal kingdom.
Sabrina Jeffries on 22 Aug 2007 at 10:15 am #
Julia, I am devastated! It’s not like *I* fling poo–it’s just that I’m tolerant of monkeys doing it.
However, most people would not want to room with me anyway. I snore pretty heavily. Ask Claudia.
Claudia Dain on 22 Aug 2007 at 10:27 am #
Well, Sabrina, since you opened the Snoring Door…the thing is this: it’s not that darling Sabrina snores, it’s that she snores from the very second she falls asleep.
It’s like magic. One minute you’re having this perfectly lovely conversation and the next SECOND she’s snoring like a band saw. I don’t know how she does it. There has to be some sort of Ripley’s category for this and you would SO win it!
But on the coyotes, Julia, a coyote killed the family cat many years ago. I still love coyotes. I really, really can’t explain it. I had a poster of a coyote in my dorm room when every one else had Playgirl. If I had a brain in my head I’d be writing shapeshifter romances since I’ve got it so bad for coyotes!
Julia London on 22 Aug 2007 at 10:27 am #
I’m sorry Sabrina. I can’t help but wonder about people who don’t mind a little poo being flung in the first place. Makes me think they are a little more tolerant than I would be.
Snoring…that’s a problem. I am such a light sleeper and have a tendency to elbow. Ask Jack London.
Julia London on 22 Aug 2007 at 10:29 am #
Now I am thinking I should cross Claudia and her coyote posters off the list of potential roomies, too.
J Perry Stone on 22 Aug 2007 at 10:29 am #
That’s why one should ALWAYS should bring earplugs to Nationals…and then people can snore away and you still love them in the morning.
Claudia Dain on 22 Aug 2007 at 10:50 am #
Hey, the coyote poster was decades ago! Are we all to be penalized for college indiscretions?
That could be a problem!
Suzanne Enoch on 22 Aug 2007 at 10:53 am #
Oh, Cail! I’ve always wanted to go on a photo safari to Africa. Are you going to reschedule the trip?
And yes, J Perry, I LOVED “Planet Earth”. Amazing stuff I’d never heard of, and I’m a Discovery Channel and Animal Planet regular.
I believe the narwhal’s…nar (*g*) is for digging up the sea bed, just like a walrus’s tusks. And I’ve wondered too, Julia, what would happen if a fish got stuck on the end of one of them. If I were a narwhal, that would drive me crazy.
Julia London on 22 Aug 2007 at 11:15 am #
Even so, Claudia, even so. Have you really changed that much?
And let me be the first to suggest you should not room with me, going solely on college indiscretions.
Cail, I am so sorry about your trip! What a huge bummer! I hope your mom is okay and you guys get to reschedule.
zambonigirl (zambi) on 22 Aug 2007 at 11:48 am #
Hail the Hippopotamus!
We laugh at how he looks at us
But in moments dank and grim
I wonder how we look to him?
Peace, peace, thou Hippopotamus!
We really look all right to us
As no doubt you delight the eye
Of other Hippopotami
-Old English Poem (and one of my favs)
I like hedgehogs, turtles, and owls. I don’t consider them to be domesticated, but I suppose you could have them as pets. I’ve owned a turtle, and a friend has offered me a hedgie. My mom is like you-she LOVES giraffes. I think they’re graceful myself, but I can see how they would be considered a lumbering animal. I hear that they make good pets, but you must be an emotionally stable person as they’re very intuitive that way. Lets me out!
Narwhals are so odd. I like them!
gannon on 22 Aug 2007 at 11:55 am #
Karen, we are going to do the dolphin encounter at Discovery Cove in Orlando this fall. Our friends went there a few years ago and their pictures are great! I can’t wait.
When we were living in San Diego, my daughter and her Brownie troop swam with the dolphins at Sea World. It was so cool–I wanted to go, too! They all looked so cute in their wet suits. I doubt I would looks so cute. I’m sure a wet suit would make my arse look a mile wide!
zambonigirl (zambi) on 22 Aug 2007 at 12:11 pm #
There’s a wildlife “park” in Texas that I drove through with some friends about two years ago. They had ostriches and emus and all sorts of fun looking animals. The ostriches would come right up to the window and start pecking at it. it was a LOT of fun.
I’m with you, dbrown! The aardvaark is adorable! All that digging and ant-eating.
What are the spiny South American ones called? They eat ants too, and I can’t remember the name. Anyway, they’re cute and useful.
Aspen-your bro’s basset hound sounds really cute!
Suzanne Enoch on 22 Aug 2007 at 12:17 pm #
I attended the University of California, Irvine, and our mascot was the anteater. Why, I have no idea. But they are pretty interesting looking.
Another fav of mine is the tapir. Love that snout.
Caren Crane on 22 Aug 2007 at 12:22 pm #
Zambi, I do love a hedgehog! My son had the cutest book when he was little called “Hedgehog Surprises”. The hero was a hedgie and his best friend was a woodchuck (also cute!). I kind of dig tree sloths. They are so weird and cool!
Julia, don’t worry about rooming with Sabrina and Claudia. They already have roomies who love them despite all the poo-flinging and coyote worshipping. You just stay in your clean, quiet room over there. *g*
Casee on 22 Aug 2007 at 12:46 pm #
I have a soft spot for the half horse/half zebra that was featured on the news a few months ago. Poor guy didn’t even stand a chance. If I had room, I’d try to buy him.
Kay on 22 Aug 2007 at 12:49 pm #
I love all kinds of animals. We have a small, domestic menagerie at home–2 dogs, 2 cats, 20 fish and 3 crabs.
My kids and DH are animal nuts, too. We are taking our family vacation this year to Disney, and are staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. I can’t wait to see all of the wild beasties. I don’t have a favorite. I love them all.
This is the closest I’ll get to a real safari for many years. LOL
Karen Hawkins on 22 Aug 2007 at 12:53 pm #
Julia, methinks Claudia has it right and we should not revisit college improprieties. Things could Get Messy.
Gannon, I’ve heard wonderful things about Discover Cove! I just thought I’d do it in the Bahamas as I’d have to TRAVEL to get there and that would be more fun than driving across town. Adds a little ’special’ to it. I want to know how it was, though, so be sure to post when you return!
Suzanne, the tapir? Hm. First you have a whale with a huge tusk, now you like tapirs and anteaters with those long snouts. Methinks you have a Long Stiff Appendage Fascination. Just sayin’ . . . .
zambonigirl (zambi) on 22 Aug 2007 at 1:08 pm #
Okay, why hasn’t anyone “gone there” yet?
My favorite undomesticated animal: Men.
They’re really messy and require a lot of training, but dang if they don’t make it up in other ways. I even hear that you can train some to do dishes and cook, but results vary.
Claudia-cuteoverload.com featured a hedgehog cake a few weeks ago. I sent a picture to my mom with a reminder of when my birthday is. She replied to remind me of when her birthday is.
I just googled. Look at all the pretty pictures: http://images.google.com/images?q=hedgehog+cake&hl=en&um=1&sa=X&oi=images&ct=title
OMG! Teh cuteness!
dbrown3400 on 22 Aug 2007 at 1:27 pm #
Ironically, zambonigirl, they’re called the South American anteater. How original. See pic
http://www.awf.org/content/wildlife/detail/aardvark
Going to work now. Same old song.
db
cail on 22 Aug 2007 at 1:50 pm #
supposedly we’ll be going next year. we had to book that trip quite a while in advance.
Ladytink_534 on 22 Aug 2007 at 2:47 pm #
I love tigers of course but I also love domestic animals too. Anything cute and cuddly actually. Oh, you’re wrong about the ostrich being the “closest looking thing to a dinosaur”. The Komono Dragon is (and believe me, that thing is not cute!)
Ladytink_534 on 22 Aug 2007 at 2:48 pm #
Excuse me, sorry, it’s Komodo Dragon.
gannon on 22 Aug 2007 at 3:08 pm #
Suzanne, the tapir? Hm. First you have a whale with a huge tusk, now you like tapirs and anteaters with those long snouts. Methinks you have a Long Stiff Appendage Fascination. Just sayin’ . . . .
Karen, LOL!
Caren Crane on 22 Aug 2007 at 3:10 pm #
Zambi, how cute are those hedgehog cakes?! I totally want one for my next birthday! I’m sure my favorite local bakery could whip one up if I gave them some pictures. I could have a whole hedgehog theme! Sorry, I may be getting carried away.
But you guys have to admit, hedgehogs are pretty darn cute!
twolilhahas on 22 Aug 2007 at 3:15 pm #
Oh, Cassee…I have to agree with you. I looked up Zorse and they’re adorable!
Suzanne Enoch on 22 Aug 2007 at 3:30 pm #
All right, KarenH. What can I say? I’m a romantic at heart. *g*
J Perry Stone on 22 Aug 2007 at 4:55 pm #
I totally agree about hedgies … and the cake idea is so cute, I’m thinking my daughter’s birthday is set.
dbrown3400 on 22 Aug 2007 at 7:28 pm #
One of my other favorite different animals is the armadillo. When I was going to college in Texas we would see them along the side of the road. Unfortunately, I’d also see them made into pocketbooks. They are in the same family as the anteater. Do they fit into the theme here?
Here is a pic.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Armadillo.jpg
Claudia, Michael Connelly has a recurring coyote theme in his Harry Bosch novels. The symbolism is well done with the coyote in Malibu showing no fear . . . See, no need to be defensive. I like coyotes, too.
db
doglady on 22 Aug 2007 at 8:14 pm #
Well, gee, I guess my favorite animal would have to be the . . . DOG. And for anyone who thinks that is a domesticated animal let me introduce you to my chihuahua, Frodo. We had to go to the vet today. Poor baby had a temp of 104. I was mortified because he tried to bite EVERYONE!! He growled the entire time! My favorite “wild” animal is a pangolin. It is an endangered species from China that looks like an armadillo/anteater cross. Some students and I were in the New Orleans Zoo at closing time. The curator of the night animal house was closing up and heard me telling my students about the pangolin we were looking at. She said “Would you like to meet him?” While we waited in the exhibit room she went and got him and let him walk across the room to us. It was absolutely amazing! It felt like such an honor to meet something SO endangered and so sweet. The best part? Those students are grown now and they STILL talk about meeting the pangolin whenever they see me.
Julia London on 22 Aug 2007 at 8:14 pm #
What about beavers? They have to be the most industrious and practical animals in the kingdom.
ladydawgfan on 22 Aug 2007 at 9:59 pm #
I was hoping someone would bring up the armadilllo. We had them in Mississippi as well, little armored rats that would waddle across the road. They are the goofiest looking things, so ugly that they are cute.
Suzanne Enoch on 22 Aug 2007 at 10:25 pm #
I’m seeing that hedgehogs are winning the odd animal popularity poll, with a close second of coyotes and aardvark/anteaters and poo-flinging monkeys (okay, not really the monkeys, but I’ve been wanting to type that all day *g*).
Suzanne Enoch on 22 Aug 2007 at 10:25 pm #
And considering KarenH’s insinuations about my fondness for long, stiff appendages, I’m not going to mention elephants. So there. Not a word about…Oh, drat.
Karen Hawkins on 22 Aug 2007 at 11:25 pm #
Walk away from the elephant, Suzanne. Walk AWAY!
Kathryn Smith on 23 Aug 2007 at 9:45 am #
I like moose myself. Should I not mention all those big, hard antlers, Suzie?
Oh and porcupines. Did I spell that right? I think they’re adorable, but definitely not cuddly!
Suzanne Enoch on 23 Aug 2007 at 10:51 am #
You are evil, Kathryn Smith. Just evil. *g*
Santa on 23 Aug 2007 at 9:43 pm #
I think emu (s) are pretty cool. It may just be that I like the name.
Armadilloes and aardvarks are also cool. They always make me think of the old Pink Panther cartoons. The aardvark had his own cartoon for Pete’s sake!
And I did not snore at National. At least I don’t think I did. I don’t think I slept enough to get a snore in there.
J Perry Stone on 24 Aug 2007 at 7:57 am #
Santa said: “And I did not snore at National. At least I don’t think I did. I don’t think I slept enough to get a snore in there.”
Well I wouldn’t know either since I had in earplugs.
And why else do you think i could fall asleep at 11:00 while you guys talked till 1 or 2?
I never heard a thing.
LYG,
J