Obese dog lose more than 20 pounds and becomes calendar template

There was never any moment when Obie wasn't adorable and affectionate. But his health was not the best so far. About two years ago, the little dachshund five years led a lifestyle that could lead to an early death.

Initially, Obie belonged to an elderly couple with the best of intentions but who often gave him food and sweets as a way to show affection by the animal. Being elderly, the couple not practiced much the animal and with the excess food that was given, Obie came to weigh 35 pounds, more than twice the normal weight for a dog of this breed of small businesses.



Eventually, a relative of the couple realized the plight of the animal and contacted an Association of animal rescue to help in the case. Shortly before, Nora Vanatta, a veterinary technician, had knowledge of the situation of Obie and volunteered to stay with the animal. So he took the animal in August 2012, Vanatta started improving the health conditions of the little dog.

No more excess food and high-calorie, which was traded for a diet with fewer fats and high protein content, designed especially to help dogs like Obie to slim down. Progressively, the excess weight of Obie began to disappear. In the first week the animal lost three pounds, but his body was not yet ready to support the exercise.

With the passage of time and as the dog was going to lose weight, the new owner was introducing new activities for which Obie if shifted more. After six months the animal was weighing about 20 pounds, closer and closer to the ideal weight-11 lbs. But in the spring of 2013 came a new problem to Obie. As had lost so much weight, excess skin was making your new healthy lifestyle.

Then, in April 2013, Obie underwent a surgical procedure to remove excess skin. After recovering from the operation, Obie was totally unrecognizable and more playful than ever.



In total, Obie has lost more than 22 pounds in 12 months. "Obie is evolving very well and with a stable weight, between nine and ten pounds", indicates Nora Vanatta, cites the Dodo. "There's some residual fat pockets on the sides and has no muscles toned as you would expect, but is healthy overall," he adds.

To celebrate the feat of Obie, Vanatta created a calendar where each month corresponds to the evolution of the little dog. The aim is to help animals, or even people in the former situation of Obie.

Fotos: Obie Dog Journey

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American company makes popcorn with solar energy

The Bjorn Qorn is a company based in Broolkyn, United States us, which produces popcorn the way more unlikely: with solar energy. To fabricate the popcorn, the Bjorn Qorn uses mirrors giant solar reflecting the Sun's rays, concentrating them in a pot with the grains of corn. As the pot gets warmer, the corn turns into popcorn.

The company was born from the hands of two friends, Bjorn and Jamie, who met at the University of Bard. Bjorn is the son of farmers and grew up on a corn farm in Minnesota. Jamie is an inventor and advocate of solar power, writes the Inhabitat.

Years later, the two friends realized they could reconcile their talents. Bjorn provided the family's secret recipe for yummy popcorn and Jamie technology to manufacture popcorn and so was born the Bjorn Qorn.

Currently, the company sells only to shops in the area of Brooklyn and New York.

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Greenpeace activists damaged the Nazca lines

The Peruvian Government accuses various environmental organization Greenpeace activists of causing "irreparable damage" in an area of 1,600 square meters of the Nazca lines, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Attorney General of Peru opened a preliminary investigation after receiving a complaint filed by the Ministry of culture of the country. The prosecution wants to now determine the identity of the Greenpeace activists who were in the area of the figure of the "Hummingbird" â€" where were caused the damage â€" inaccessible to the public.

Than the Peruvian judicial entity established now, all indications are that are involved 12 people who "incurred a crime against cultural heritage," writes the Guardian, a crime that can be punished with up to eight years in prison.

However, Greenpeace issued a communiqué apologizes "without reservation" for the activists ' action associates. "Without reserve, Greenpeace apologises to the people of Peru for the offense caused by the recent activity that left a message of hope in the historic site of the Nazca lines. We deeply regret the event. Instead of transmitting a request for urgency and hope the leaders who gathered at the UN Climate Summit, held in Lima, our message had a very distinct effect, perceived as disrespectful ", indicates the organization.

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Pousadas de Portugal will accept animals

The Pousadas de Portugal are going to allow access of animals to their installations. So, when you want to stay in one of the many hostels around the country won't have to give up your pet company.

The measure will enter into force on 15 December and will allow small dogs up to 15 pounds, have partial access to Hostels.

According to news the Publituris, the cost of accommodation for animals is € 25 per night and includes the provision of a complete kit consists of bed, feeders and water fountain, floor base, hygienic bags and a bag of snacks.

Initially, the measure will be in force at the Inns of Marvão, Arraiolos, Estoi, Tavira and Sagres. From January 1, the measure is extended to the Hostels of Caniçada, Guimarães, Amares, Desgravo, Serra da Estrela, Ria, aimed at, palmela, Alvito, Vila Viçosa and Alcácer.

Foto: rschnaible/Creative Commons

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Climate change are decimating the microscopic marine life

Microscopic marine life has an important role in oceanic ecosystems but also in the global terrestrial ecosystem, as these microscopic beings wage a daily battle against climate change â€" who are losing battle.

Whether 11 pairs of legs or fins, the marine animals play an important role in absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2). The conclusion is a new study by the International Union for conservation of nature, which indicates that animals such as small fish, krill, and various forms of plankton are itinerant CO2 absorbers.

According to the study, these beings consume CO2, stored in their body and dissolve when they swim, float or are eaten. To keep the gas out of the atmosphere, these small animals catch the pace of climate change.

Although they are small, the amount of CO2 that these creatures absorb is significant. Plankton, for example, is a kind of "biological drinker" responsible for the storage of 150 tonnes of CO2 per year on the seafloor. Since krill can consume 22.8 million tons of CO2 per year.

However, the storage capacity of gas for these animals may have been compromised. Warmer seas, as a result of global warming, threatening the survival of krill. The eggs of these animals hatch only within a narrow range of temperatures and a 2013 study concluded that about 20% of the habitat of Antarctic krill is at risk of becoming too hot.

The International Union claims that attempts to control CO2 emissions have been focused on protecting the coasts and continents, but that the projects of protection and conservation of the oceans often forget. "The overlooks the ocean and asks if the ineffectiveness of measures or manages and restores the ocean to increase food security and reduce the impact of climate change," says Dan Laffoley, an expert on protected areas of the International Union, cites the Dodo.

Thus, the Organization argues that international intervention is needed and even the creation of a green background for the oceans.

Foto: moduplan2014/Creative Commons

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Quercus requires the demolition of all the buildings on the islands of Ria Formosa barrier

In a statement made to 27 years of creation of Ria Formosa Natural Park, which pointed out this Tuesday, Quercus argues that it is "imperative" to "immediate" demolition of all private buildings and public utility exist in free five Sandy barrier islands of Ria Formosa.

"It is essential to proceed immediately with the removal of all buildings which are not present in the public utility and barrier islands in the Ancão peninsula", indicates the Organization in a statement.

"Currently, many areas of the Natural Park are at risk due to strong tourist and urban pressure, comprising building in dune areas and the use of such parking areas, movement of vehicles and illegal camping," reads the document.

This situation, according to the environmental organization, "generates the destruction of dune cordon and loss of habitat, due to water pollution as a result of urban and industrial wastewater discharges, and also due to excess of boats and motors and washes the uncontrolled extraction of inert".

Quercus proposes, therefore, to adopt new management measures to protect the lagoon system and conserve the species and habitats of ria, which should be protected by the land-use plan of the Ria Formosa.

The Ria Formosa covers an area of about 18,400 hectares along 60 kilometres, extending from the Ancao River down to the beach of Manta Rota. The ria is protected by National Park status, granted in 1987. Previously, this wetland Natural Reserve status was established in 1978.

Foto: Carlos Pinto 73/Creative Commons

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BP loses appeal to reduce compensation by the spill in the Gulf of Mexico

Following the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, BP admitted an appeal in the Supreme Court of the United States to reduce the amount of consequential damages. However, the supreme organ of Justice made known this Monday the final verdict and ruled that the oil company will have to pay the compensation stipulated in the multi-million dollar agreement 2012.



The 2010 spill killed 11 people and was the largest maritime oil spill in history of the United States. Since then, the oil company paid compensation already amounting to €1,87 billion. The agreement with American Justice assumes a total compensation of €3,45 billion. Additionally, the company had to pay €3,66 billion in fines, writes the Inhabitat.

According to BP, the agreement was interpreted incorrectly by the administrator appointed by the Court, which resulted in the payment of any compensation to companies that failed to prove that their losses were caused by the stroke. Indicates that oil company paid € 366,000 a hotel which closed due to a fire that had no relationship with the stroke and € a 539,000 kindergarten which closed before the oil disaster.

However, the Supreme Court turned down the request by the company to reduce the value of any compensation and sentenced that BP will have to pay the amount agreed in 2012. BP has set aside € 35 billion to pay claims and fines resulting from the Deepwater Horizon platform spill.

"On behalf of all our stakeholders, we will continue to defend the investigation of suspicious orders or implausible and combat fraud," says oil spokesman, Geoff Morrell. In total, BP estimates pay €7,9 billion in compensation to businesses harmed by the spill, but false compensation claims may increase the value.

Foto: EPI2oh/Creative Commons

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