Ace of Spades Pet Thread, March 23

Good afternoon and welcome to the almost world famous Ace of Spades Pet Thread. Thanks for stopping by. Kick back and enjoy the world of animals.

Would you like a treat?

Let's relax a little with the animals and leave the world of politics and current events outside today.

Time to relax:

What happens when you have heated tile flooring 😻 pic.twitter.com/ZehPfQ69ZI

— Madeyousmile (@Thund3rB0lt) March 22, 2024

A street canal in Japan so clean they even have koi in it.

Giant Goldfish Hybrid As Heavy As A 10-Year-Old Is A Reminder Not To Dump Your Pets

(But the huge fish below was stocked in a private lake.)

Mr Bubbles can grow to an enormous size out in the wild

In Champagne, France, an angler made an extraordinary catch at BlueWater Lakes--a record-breaking goldfish weighing a whopping 30 kilograms (67 pounds). The fish, known as The Carrot, was originally released into the carp fishery two decades ago and has since become one of the largest goldfish hybrids in the world.

Goldfish, typically hardy types of domesticated carp, come in various breeds and captivating arrangements, such as the celestial eye goldfish. Sometimes they are even hybridized with other fish, like koi, which was the case for The Carrot. Given the freedom to roam for 20 years, she has reached a remarkable weight of over 30 kilograms, equivalent to that of an average 10-year-old child. After a challenging 25-minute battle, angler Andy Hackett from Worcestershire, UK, successfully reeled her in, snapped a few photos, and released her back into the water.

Goldfish, typically hardy types of domesticated carp, come in various breeds and captivating arrangements, such as the celestial eye goldfish. Sometimes they are even hybridized with other fish, like koi, which was the case for The Carrot. Given the freedom to roam for 20 years, she has reached a remarkable weight of over 30 kilograms, equivalent to that of an average 10-year-old child. After a challenging 25-minute battle, angler Andy Hackett from Worcestershire, UK, successfully reeled her in, snapped a few photos, and released her back into the water.

But how do goldfish attain such substantial sizes? The remarkable growth of The Carrot serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of not releasing pets into the wild. Certain types of goldfish can reach immense proportions due to their hardiness. In parts of America, giant goldfish have become a problem, disturbing silt beds, uprooting plants, and disrupting ecosystems. Pet owners who release goldfish into waterways contribute to this issue.

Dumped goldfish become invasive species, often outcompeting native species for resources. Their insatiable appetites enable them to grow larger, but in the process, they can acquire and transmit parasites. Goldfish are opportunistic feeders, consuming whatever food is available, and depending on the breed, they can live surprisingly long lives. Certain breeds can exceed a foot in length, and if they are hybridized, like The Carrot, they can grow even larger.

Contrary to the common association of goldfish with small, bowl-dwelling pets, their size is influenced by their environment. Goldfish kept in small tanks with limited food resources will remain small, partly due to stress, until they pass away. However, when provided with larger tanks and ample food, they can quickly grow into much larger fish.

It is important to note that in the United States, it is illegal to release unwanted pets into natural waterways. The US Fish and Wildlife Service offers guidance on responsible ways to part ways with goldfish if necessary. Given the surprising potential of goldfish to thrive and expand in size, it is wise to take proper precautions and avoid the environmental consequences of pet dumping. After all, we wouldn't want to upset Mr Bubbles, especially now that goldfish are apparently capable of driving cars.

In China or Japan and have $8000 to spend?

Go for the Golden Butterfly Koi, the most expensive koi in the world.

They are prized for their unique coloration and their rarity.

They are also very difficult to breed, which contributes to their high price. pic.twitter.com/8FiERIYbn8

— Inter𝗫ting (@Tw_interesting) September 18, 2023

Here are some thoughts on various breeds of dogs which may help you understand your own pets and your friends' pets, or which may help you pick a new one. Dogs may help keep you active, if you think of life from their point of view!

Everyone who is thinking of getting dogs should read this because you need to understand this reality:

***I am a 21st century dog.***

-I'm a Malinois.

Overskilled among dogs, I excel in all disciplines and I'm always ready to work: I NEED to work.

But nowadays I get asked to chill on the couch all day everyday.

-I am an Akita Inu.

My ancestors were selected for fighting bears.

Today I get asked to be tolerant and I get scolded for my reactivity when another approaches me.

-I am a Beagle.

When I chase my prey, I raise my voice so the hunters could follow.

Today they put an electric collar on me to shut up, and you make me come back to you - no running - with a snap of your fingers.

-I am a Yorkshire Terrier.

I was a terrifying rat hunter in English mines.

Today they think I can't use my legs and they always hold me in their arms.

-I'm a Labrador Retriever.

My vision of happiness is a dive into a pond to bring back the duck he shot to my master.

Today you forget I'm a walking, running, swimming dog; as a result I'm fat, made to stay indoors, and to babysit.

-I am a Jack Russell.

I can take on a fox, a mean badger, and a rat bigger than me in his den.

Today I get scolded for my character and high energy, and forced to turn into a quiet living room dog.

-I am a Siberian Husky.

Experienced the great, wide open spaces of Northern Europe, where I could drag sleds for long distances at impressive speeds.

Today I only have the walls of the house or small garden as a horizon, and the holes I dig in the ground just to release energy and frustration, trying to stay sane.

-I am a border collie

I was made to work hours a day in partnership with my master, and I am an unmistakable artist of working with the herd.

Today they are mad at me because, for lack of sheep, I try to check bikes, cars, children in the house and everything in motion.

I am - - -

I am a 21st century dog.

I'm pretty, I'm alert, I'm obedient, I stay in a bag . . . but I'm also an individual who, from centuries of training, needs to express my instincts, and I am *not* suited for the sedentary life you'd want me to lead.

Spending eight hours a day alone in the house or in the garden - with no work and no one to play or run with, seeing you for a short time in the evening when you get home, and only getting a small toilet walk will make me deeply unhappy.

I'll express it by barking all day, turning your yard into a minefield, doing my needs indoors, being unmanageable the rare times I'll find myself outside, and sometimes spending my days sunk, sad, lonely, and depressed, on my pillow.

You may think that I should be happy to be able to enjoy all this comfort while you go to work, but actually I'll be exhausted and frustrated, because this is absolutely NOT what I'm meant to do, or what I need to be doing.

If you love me, if you've always dreamed of me, if my beautiful blue eyes or my athletic look make you want me, but you can't give me a real dog's life, a life that's really worth living according to my breed, and if you can't offer me the job that my genes are asking, DO NOT buy or adopt me!

If you like the way I look but aren't willing to accept my temperament, gifts, and traits derived from long genetic selection, and you think you can change them with only your good will, then DO NOT BUY OR ADOPT ME.

I'm a dog from the 21st century, yes, but deep inside me, the one who fought, the one who hunted, the one who pulled sleds, the one who guided and protected a herd still lives within.

So think **very** carefully before you choose your dog. And think about getting two, rather than one, so I won't be so very lonely waiting for you all day. Eight or ten hours is just a workday to you, but it's an eternity for me to be alone.

Note: Lots of dogs are adaptable to life in human homes, but they are not infinitely adaptable. They may want to join in your GAINZZZZ . . .

There are other ways to help dogs feel useful. Here are some therapy dogs waiting to visit children. They know that they have an important job do to:

Since you asked, here is Lucy the Fink with her resting happy face. She is actually enjoying our new space and likes to chatter at the birds and the squirrels. nurse r

Lucy looks very contented in her new digs. Thanks for the update!

My Owls: Hello Katy, spring has come and no good garden pictures yet, but this pair of Barred Owls is nesting across the street. You can see the nest in one of the photos; my favorite is the one where one of them is burning holes in me with his eyes, saying "what you doin' under my tree?" thanks, Tom Servo

Thanks for the owls and the description of their relationship with you, Tom. It's an adventure to have an owl nest across the street!

From a friend in the Southeast, Cotari, his brother Tiskawey and Cotari with their mom Patches. We need more horses on the Pet Thread.

By-Tor reports that Buddy didn't want to go out into the Atmospheric River, but he and Momma Cat enjoyed the first day of spring. By-Tor also took a photo of a happy dog ready to roll.

Thank you for sharing your pets with us today.

If you would like to send pet and/or animal stories, links, etc. for the Ace of Spades Pet Thread, the address is:

petmorons at protonmail dot com

Remember to include the nic or name by which you wish to be known when you comment at AoSHQ, or let us know if you want to remain a lurker.

Until next Saturday, have a great week!

If you start feeling nostalgic, here a link to last week's Pet Thread, the Ace of Spades Pet Thread, March 16. Some special PetMoron stories and photos there.

I closed the comments on this post so you wouldn't get banned for commenting on a week-old post, but don't try it anyway.

posted by K.T. at 03:24 PM

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