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Cartoon Showing Steve Irwin Welcoming Dead Bushfire Animals To Heaven Goes Viral

A cartoon of Steve Irwin welcoming animals that have died in the bushfires to heaven has gone viral.

Sharnia-Mae Sturm, from Atlanta, the United States, posted the heart-rending sketch to her Instagram account on New Year’s Eve to help raise awareness of the devastating impact the fires are having on the country’s wildlife.

The illustration shows the late Irwin greeting a host of the country’s animals that have perished in the fires, including kangaroos, koalas and others.

Kneeling down with his arms wife open, the Crocodile Hunter can be seen saying: “Don’t worry little guys! I’ll take care of you!”

And it didn’t take long for the picture to gain traction online, and just a few days later it had already been shared widely across social media.

The Georgia native has since said her account was inundated with so many likes and comments that it was deleted.

Writing on her Sketchy Koala Facebook page, Sharnia-Mae said she hopes Steve is looking after the deceased animals in heaven.

She wrote: “So… it’s sad to say that I’ve spent about 3 weeks or so on this and the subject is still relevant.

“This little tribute drawing goes to all the innocent animals caught in the blazes across my home country, it breaks my heart to see it’s still going on but there’s only so much that can be done to keep it from spreading.

“I hope all the animals who couldn’t make it are now in heaven with Steve Irwin, being taken care of, and not having a care in the world or memory of how they got there. Rest In Peace fuzzy babies, we will miss you.”

This post also received an outpouring of emotion from people touched by gesture.

One mum wrote: “I’m actually crying seeing this. My daughter has asked where all the animals have gone after they passed away from the fires and now I can show her this and she will be able to understand.”

A second person commented: “I love these drawings, they say it all, well done, it touched my heart.”

A third said: “Just beautiful. Thank you for taking the time to do this and share it.”

While another added: “This is absolutely beautiful. Actually made me cry. I love Steve Irwin and still can’t believe he’s gone. Our loss of animals is so truly heartbreaking.”

Sharnia-Mae later thanked people for getting in touch, writing: “I appreciate all this love and support more than you can believe. I’m so happy to see many people be so touched by this.”

Featured Image Credit: SketchyKoala

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Border Collie Saves Flock Of Sheep From Wall Of Fire In Australia

Besides the number of firefighters and volunteers that put their life on the line fighting against the massive bushfires that rage on the territory of Australia, animals also do their best to save not only those of their kind but every living soul that is in need of help.

The story of the brave border collie Patsy from the rural town of Corryong in Victoria, Australia has melted the hearts of people from all around the world. She and her unnamed owner braved the catastrophic fires on New Year’s Eve and helped herd a flock of sheep away from the blaze making sure they are at a safe place.

A picture of the ‘wonder dog’ was first shared by Patsy’s owner’s sister, Cath Hill. Along with the photo she explained how Patsy rounded up the flock and directed them to the safest part of the farm.

The dog was aware she was risking her life for the sake of the sheep’s but she didn’t mind that and stayed by her owner’s side until they both made sure the rest of the animals as well as the houses and the hay bales and silage were saved from the fire.

Allow me to introduce Patsy the wonder dog. In the early hours of 31 December 2019, while fire in Corryong was bearing down them, she and my brother rounded up the sheep and brought them to the safest paddock on the farm. She then found a safe spot while my brother fought the fire with a tractor and a tank of water. Almost all sheep are safe, along with the hay bales and silage, the shearing shed, and both farm houses. My brother doesn’t do social media, but Patsy does. Great job little girl 🙂Update 7 January 2020 – Patsy and her family are busy cleaning up the farm and helping others get sorted out. You can help too! They would love you to donate to these bushfire relief fundraising collections: https://www.wildlifevictoria.org.au/?view=article&id=145:helping-wildlife-during-bushfires&catid=11:wildlife-informationhttps://blazeaid.com.au/donations/how-donate/https://www.redcross.org.au/campaigns/disaster-relief-and-recovery-donateUpdate 5 January 2020 – Patsy is now on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/p/B67HA-xHJSH/?igshid=126abkbj2hytc #patsythecorryongwonderdog #strongincorryongUpdate 4 January 2020 – Patsy’s story is spreading, so for those people who would like to donate funds to help the Upper Murray community, please support these links which are confirmed to be genuine and keep sharing Patsy’s post 🙂https://www.parksideproduce.net.au/products/feed-for-fire-gift-voucherhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/xycjem-cudgewa-has-burnt?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheethttps://www.gofundme.com/f/a-little-town-and-its-community-need-some-help?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet

Posted by Cath Hill on Friday, January 3, 2020

Speaking to Metro, Cath described the impact the fires had on local farmers.

Everyone is just trying to get water and feed to their animals, shoot the ones that can’t be saved, get temporary fences up to keep stock secure, and put out all the logs and stumps still burning.

And there’s people who have nothing left but the clothes on their backs.

The recent rain the whole world was praying for has finally arrived and it helped slow the pace the fires are spreading at, but since it’s the middle of summer in Australia, no one really knows if things would turn for the worst or the situation would be put under control.

They are expected to get worse around Thursday this week (January 6) when hot windy weather returns.

It’s unbelievable and it’s only going to get worse. That’s why we put Patsy’s story out there. People need something positive.

Since Cath uploaded the video of Patsy it has been shared thousands of times so Cath used it as a chance to ask from people to donate and help fight the fires.

People from all over the world, as well as celebrities, are donating as many GoFundMe pages have been set up. In case you want to make a contribution, you can do it by donating at the bigger charities like the Australian Red Cross too.

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5 Ways How To Show Your Dog Love That They Can Understand

To say that I love my dog would be an understatement. I adore him. He is one of the best things in my life, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to keep him healthy and happy. Showing him how much he means to me can be a little tricky though.

Even though I know that most dogs aren’t the biggest fans of big hugs, I sometimes have to fight the urge to give Chilly a loving squeeze. After all, hugging is one of the most natural ways for humans to show affection. However, for our many of our canine companions, a hug is unwelcome or even threatening, especially if they feel trapped.

Some dog parents make the mistake of thinking that the best way to their dog’s heart is through his stomach. Don’t get me wrong — treats and goodies do have their place (especially as rewards when training), but too many of them can easily lead to weight gain and all of the health issues that come with it.

While treats should be limited and hugs should usually be avoided, there are still lots of ways that you can shower your dog with endless love in language he’s sure to understand.

1. Gaze Into His Eyes

One way to show your pup you love him is through eye contact. Take a quiet moment, speak softly to him and pet him gently, and just stare into his eyes. Try raising your eyebrows (especially the left one). Your dog will view this as a display of affection.

A word of caution: you should only maintain direct eye contact with a dog who knows and trusts you. A dog who is not familiar with you is more likely to interpret this gesture as a threat or a challenge.

2. Rub His Ears

Instead of patting your pup on the top of the head, try giving him a gentle rub behind the ears. Watch his reaction — he will most likely melt into a ball of doggy happiness. This is because rubbing a dog’s ears actually stimulates the release of endorphins – hormones that relieve pain and bring on feelings of pleasure.

3. Lean on Him

Has your dog ever pressed up against your legs or leaned into you while you were sitting together? This is one way that dogs seek affection – kind of like a doggie hug. You can “hug” him back by doing the same thing.

4. Have Fun Together

Spend some time every day doing something that your dog enjoys. Try teaching him a new trick or practicing ones he already knows. Take him out in the back yard or down to the dog park for a game of frisbee or fetch. Not only will your dog feel loved, but the exercise will help to keep him (and you) healthy.

5. Snuggle

Dogs may not enjoy being hugged, but they love cuddling. Dogs are pack animals, and close contact makes them feel safe and secure. Allowing your pooch to sleep with you is the ultimate display of trust and affection since this is when you are the most vulnerable. However, even if you’d prefer to keep your bed dog-free, you can still create opportunities every day to tell your dog you love him by snuggling up on the couch or in a cozy corner with him on the floor. He’ll be sure to get your message.

One of the best things about dogs is how well they know their favorite people. They can tell when we’re stressed out and when we’re calm and happy. And we can be sure that our voices, our body language, and our actions communicate to them how much they mean to us.

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5 Things Your Senior Dog Will Thank You For Doing

Gray hair, creaky bones and lots of midday naps…aging happens to the best of us and our dogs are no exception. During this time, many of his basic needs, from diet to exercise, will begin to change. Dogs are very good at hiding their health problems so it’s our responsibility to keep an eye on our senior dogs to ensure that we’re adjusting his routine to match changes in his body and immune system. Routine exams, preventive medicine and adjustments to your dog’s lifestyle can help your pooch stay healthy even as the years creep up. These tips will help you understand what it takes to keep your senior dog happy and healthy for years to come

#5. Keep Active

Just because your dog is old in body doesn’t mean they are in mind! Your senior dog will still want to spend time with you. You might not go on backpacking trips or play frisbee as long as you used to, but keep tossing your pup’s favorite toy and going on walks as long as your dog can do so without pain. Being active will also help keep your dog’s body and mind functioning well. The more active they are, the healthier they’ll be.

#4. Increased Veterinary Care

As your dog ages, you’re likely going to be visiting your veterinarian more often. This is because so many ailments come with age. Joint pain and mobility issues, weakened immune systems and other age-related illnesses often set in during your dog’s senior years. You’ll also want to switch to regular check-ups more often if your veterinarian recommends it, as certain ailments such as cancers and organ diseases should be detected as early as possible.

#3. Weight Control

In the same way, your dog will need different nutrients in their senior years, they’re going to need different amounts of calories as well. Weight change is very common in senior dogs. They are either getting too many nutrients and calories and become overweight or are struggling to maintain a healthy weight because their muscles are weakening and they are becoming thinner. Work with your veterinarian to make sure your dog maintains the appropriate weight.

#2. More Beds

Senior dogs generally spend more time sleeping than their younger selves, so giving them some extra beds and blankets to lie on will be much appreciated. The softer the better, because as our dogs age, their bodies become stiffer with arthritis and hard surfaces will be painful to lie on.

#1. Diet Change

Just like people, a dog’s nutritional needs will change over time. Older dogs need different amounts of certain nutrients than young dogs and puppies, and they need less of others. Work with your veterinarian to decide which diet is best for your senior dog. You might not need to change your dog’s food, but you’ll likely change the amount and any supplements you’re giving them. At this age, proper dental health is vital, as your senior may already be suffering silently from periodontal disease.

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Top 5 Ways To Bond With Your New Dog

Dogs are one of the best friends you will ever have, but that doesn’t mean your relationship doesn’t take work. Building a bond with a dog can actually be quite challenging, especially if your best friend has a past life that wasn’t very nice. Here are 5 ways you can strengthen your bond with your dog – whether you just adopted him or you have owned him for 8 years.

#5. *Pay attention to their body language

Learn about canine behavior and read up on body language specifically. This will help you understand what your dog likes, dislikes and what scares them. This will allow you to prevent problems before they start, and to remove your dog from situations that scare them or make them uncomfortable. Once they learn that you will keep them safe, the trust between you will grow. Also, this will allow you to prevent bad behavior before it happens, meaning less frustration and less punishment, both of which can hurt the bond with your dog.

#4. *Playing with them

Have fun, let loose and let them be a dog. Toss a ball around the yard or play tug of war. Learn their favorite games, buy some of their favorite types of toys, and just play. Not only will it help strengthen your bond, but it will also relax and allow you to truly enjoy what it means to have a dog in your life. It’s not all hard work and frustration after all!

#3. *Remain calm

Yes, owning a dog – especially a puppy – comes with frustrations and anxiousness. And sometimes it’s not even about your dog, but life in general. But yelling, screaming and throwing a temper tantrum will frighten most dogs, even if that anger isn’t directed at them personally. And if it is, then it’s even more damaging. Do your best to always speak to your dog in a calm voice, even when they just ate your favorite shoes. Yelling doesn’t do anything to fix the problem, it only causes lasting damage to the relationship you have with your dog.

#2. *Have Quiet Time Together

This may sound strange, but when was the last time you really just sat with your dog and focused on him? Petting him in his favorite spots, telling him your secrets? No TV, no smartphone – just you and him? Trust us, your dog notices and appreciates a little “you and him” time.

#1. *Training

Yes, a well-bonded dog will be easier to train, but it goes the other way as well. Training your dog will help you bond with them. Not only is a trained dog allowed more personal freedom, but they mere act of training them – in a positive fashion – will bring you closer together.