The Bascope Zoo

New Web Adress

2009-10-28T11:41:00.001-07:00

This site will be shut down in a month or so, so make sure to change your bookmarks to:

http://www.bascopezoo.com/

Blog Action Day 2009 by the Bascope Zoo

2009-10-15T12:51:00.000-07:00

So, my momma, Holly, signed up for this thing called Blog Action Day. This year the topic is climate change. However I am not a scientist (I am just a cat!) and I don't know that much about the technical side of it all, but I do know enough to recognize that we all can do our part to help save our planet by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants.

If you want more information or want to read some of the other blog participants visit here: Blog Action Day.

With some helpful tips from the EPA website; my friends and I have put together a list of 10 little things we can all do to help! (Especially you humans)

Number 1: Change 5 Lights
By replacing conventional light bulbs in your most used light fixtures with energy star bulbs you can help the environment and save money on your electric bill.

Number 2: Conserve Electricity
A few simple things you can also do around your home to save money on your energy bill and help the environment is to unplug appliances and other electronics when not in use. Even though they are turned off they can still drain power. (Plus, this way I don’t have to worry about getting shocked when I play with the cords!)

Spend some time where you turn down the heat and snuggle up next to a warm candle or fireplace!

Another simple way is by remembering to turn off the lights when you leave a room. Simple enough and effective!

Number 3: Search for Energy Star qualified products
New energy efficient appliances can offer you new features and performance; while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Number 4: Heat and Cool Smartly
There are many ways to use your own heating and cooling system to reduce green house gas emissions. Simple things like cleaning your air filters regularly and having your system maintained by professionals once a year. If you have the money, replacing your equipment with newer high efficiency products will also improve efficiency and help the environment.

We also came up with a few other ways to help reduce costs and save on your heating bill with these two tips.

Replacing your old thermostat with a newer programmable thermostat will help reduce your energy bills by setting the temperatures for different times of the day when your not home.

My momma also found this simple DIY product at Bed Bath and Beyond. It’s a draft guard. All you need to do is slip it under your doors and windows and it blocks air from escaping or coming in. It’s a simple and inexpensive way to save on your energy bill and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Number 5: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
Now we’ve all heard this one before and it’s so simple. Most communities have recycling programs. If your community doesn’t pick it up, look for the nearest recycle plant near you.

Also try to find other uses for common household items. (The dogs love new toys. Hint, Hint). This will reduce waste in landfills and save the environment. You can also look for recycled items when you are out at the store, like paper, bags, etc.

Another easy way is to buy reasuable shopping bags and take them to the stores with you while shopping.

Number 6: Conserve Water
Another simple tip that we have all heard before. Try to conserve water in every way. Watering your lawn only when needed and at the coolest part of the day. Turn off water while brushing your teeth and shaving. Also keep up with the maintenance with your toilets and faucets. Leaky faucets and sinks can waist hundreds of gallons of water per day!

Number 7: Tune your ride
Keeping your car well maintained will make your car more fuel-efficient and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions and is also safer!

Number 8: Check your tires
Under-inflated tires increase wear and tear and reduce fuel economy, which in return leads to higher greenhouse gas emissions and more air pollutants.

Number 9: Carpool or Take public transportation if possible
Just like checking your tire pressure taking public transportation, carpooling, walking, or biking will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants. According to the EPA “leaving your car at home just two days a week will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by average of 1,600 pounds per day.” Also if your employer is flexible try telecommuting one or two days a week. Even walking to the store if you live close enough would make a big difference!

Number 10: Spread the word
Just by telling your family and friends how simple it is to conserve energy can in turn help reduce greenhouse gasses. These steps are easy for any of us to follow. Imagine if everyone told 5 people and they told 5 people (and they told their dogs and cats!). We could reach millions! That is one of the objectives of Blog Action Day 2009! It shows us that everyone has a voice and we can all make a difference.

Now get out there and do your part!! (Besides, I am tired of typing. It’s time for a good old fashion catnap!)

Love,

Miko, Seargent, Shelby, and Boo

Paws for a Cause

2009-10-06T09:10:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we participated in Fairfax Pets on Wheels annual Paws for a Cause 3k walk. The walk is held at Weber's Pet Store in Fairfax City. This is the second year in a row that we have done it. Its a great time. We get to see all types of people and dogs come out! Sometimes you will even see a cat come out for the festivities (we have proof)!

Our friends Megan and Danny joined us as well for the second year with their 2 year old Chihuahua, Sully. Julie also joined us this time for the first year and brought Holly's parents Cocker Spaniel, Sandie.

The walk lasted about an hour and afterwards we continued the tradition and had lunch at this little Peruvian chicken place. Which we would recommend to anyone in the area. It was delicious!

Below are some photos courtesy of Megan!

Time out!

2009-10-01T12:34:00.000-07:00

Miko has the personality of a typical cat, but way out in left field. He hates doing anything you want him to do (probably one of the reasons he won't wear a collar). So I was so upset with him after he ate his pumpkin, I decided to put him in timeout....well of course he enjoyed it. Here are some pictures of him playing under the laundry basket.

I know you are probably thinking that its pretty strange to be putting a cat into timeout, but trust me, having Miko is like having a toddler! The only thing that seems to work sometimes is holding him against his will!

The evil PUMPKIN...

2009-10-01T12:05:00.001-07:00

So for some reason Miko does not like wearing collars. Even though I have been putting them on since he was 10 weeks old, he always tries to get them off! And often....he accomplishes this goal. We had to switch from the standard plastic snap kind to a more "belt like" collar cause he figured out how to get them off. Well, he eventually learned how to get the belt ones off as well.

Anyways seeing as October is upon us, I decided it was time to put all the animals in their new Halloween collars. Well not even 2 hours after putting them on, Brad discovered Miko had already destroyed part of his! The cat's collars have a little bell and pumpkin charm hanging down from them. Well, Miko decided he does not like PUMPKINS!!!

Evidence below:

This is the sweet Innocent face where Miko says "But MOM it wasn't me!"

And lastly a close up of the pumpkin that never saw it coming....

More of Shelby's graduation pictures

2009-10-01T11:47:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned before we had a camera malfunction and missed the video of Shelby doing the agility course, but here are some still shots! She was pretty nervous during the whole thing, especially with the blue stairs. But she got a hang of it by the end and was a happy girl!

Shelby 's Dog Training Graduation

2009-09-29T16:45:00.000-07:00

We recently enrolled Shelby in Petsmart's Beginner Dog Training class. We were hoping it would give her some confidence and gain some skills. Here are some pictures of her Graduation day. They also set up a mini-agility course, but unfortunatly our camera wasn't cooperating and we didn't get the video.

Welcome to our blog!

2009-09-25T08:31:00.000-07:00

First lets introduce everyone!

I'm Holly. I'm an avid blog reader and decided that its time for me to start my own!

This is Brad...my wonderful husband. Hopefully he'll jump on the blog bandwagon and write some posts in the future.

Now on to the ANIMALS. They are our life, our children, our pride and joy.

First up is Sergeant...the oldest of the group. He is a 3 year old Shar Pei. We got him as a puppy when he was 3 months old.

Next up is Miss Shelby. Although we don't know her true age she it definitely young at heart. We estimate she is about 2 years old. We adopted her from H.A.R.T.S in January of 2008. She is a very active beagle mix.

This is Boo. She has a loving heart and is a wonderful cat. Holly and her parents discovered her living in a sewer behind their house in fall 2007. One day Holly and her friend Julie couldn't resist and we rescued the little black cat with no tail. A couple days later we took her to the vet and tried finding an owner. We quickly fell in love with her and decided that since no owners ever came forward we would keep her. She is approximately almost 2 years old.

Last but not least is Miko Bear. He was definitely a spur of the moment addition to our family. What started as a bet soon became an adventure. Miko has the most spirit out of the animals and always keeps us on our toes. We adopted this Maine Coon mix from Fancy Cats rescue in May of 2008 at only 7 weeks old! Miko is a ball of energy and is ready to play ALL day!

We hope you enjoy reading about our adventures as much as we like going through them. And be patient with us while we learn about all the wonders of blogging.