Support Peacock Not Allowed On Flight

[marylander1940]

OMG, that is the cutest little creature I have ever seen!

 

I saw a feature about miniature ponies trained as guide animals. Miniature ponies can do everything a seeing-eye dog can do. They're about the size of a Lab or golden retriever, two of the most common breeds for guide dogs. Miniature ponies are house-trained and don't need horseshoes, regular sneakers will do.

 

The big advantage of miniature ponies is that they live for ~25 years whereas Labs or goldens only 10 or so. Since the time & cost of training a guide animal is substantial, the longevity of miniature ponies is a huge plus.

 

Do you want them in planes too?

[Phil_musc]

Miniature ponies are house-trained and don't need horseshoes, regular sneakers will do.

 

The big advantage of miniature ponies is that they live for ~25 years whereas Labs or goldens only 10 or so. Since the time & cost of training a guide animal is substantial, the longevity of miniature ponies is a huge plus.

 

Well yes, but don't you have to offset the high cost of training a guide animal with the high cost designer sneakers? Once we determined that horse shoes were no longer necessary, we found that our horse used to go through them about every 3 months. It mounted up.

[samhexum]

Well yes, but don't you have to offset the high cost of training a guide animal with the high cost designer sneakers? Once we determined that horse shoes were no longer necessary, we found that our horse used to go through them about every 3 months. It mounted up.

 

2 questions:

 

1. What if your horse is named Imelda Marcos?

 

2. Shouldn't the It mounted up comment have been in the I LOVE A GOD PUN thread?

[samhexum]

American Airlines will no longer allow emotional support animals to travel on its planes other than as carry-on pets or in the cargo. The carrier is adopting a Department of Transportation rule that takes effect next week. It defines a service animal as a dog trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability, a narrower definition than in the past.

 

"When the rule goes into effect January 11, American will no longer authorize new travel for animals that do not meet that definition, such as emotional support animals," the airline announced Tuesday in a news release.

 

The airline said existing bookings involving emotional support animals will be honored through February 1, when the company's new policies go into effect.

 

Animals that had previously traveled as emotional support animals and no longer qualify as service animals can travel as carry-on pets or in the cargo provided they meet the airline's requirements, American added. The airline will collect a pet fee ranging from $125 to several hundred dollars for transporting pets, according to the Associated Press.

 

"We're confident this approach will enable us to better serve our customers, particularly those with disabilities who travel with service animals, and better protect our team members at the airport and on the aircraft," Jessica Tyler, president of cargo and vice president of airport excellence for American, said in a statement.

 

Alaska Airlines a week ago also said it would no longer accept emotional support animals. Other airlines are also expected to adopt the new policy.

 

The Transportation Department early last month said it was reversing its long-held position that required airlines to allow passengers to travel with emotional support animals as long they had note from a doctor.

 

The agency's switch follows an increase in service animal complaints from passengers with disabilities, misbehavior by emotional support animals, a lack of clarity around the definition of "service animal" and disruptions caused by "requests to transport unusual species of animals onboard aircraft," according to the DOT.

 

Airlines for years have struggled to contend with travelers who brought a menagerie of animals on board, including cats, turtles, pigs and other creatures.

 

High-profile incidents involving animals on flights include police being called to remove a woman with an emotional support squirrel from a 2018 Frontier Airlines flight and United Airlines bouncing a passenger who wanted to bring a peacock on board.

[samhexum]

Therapy bunny in stands a hit with San Francisco Giants' fans

 

A handsome, golden-colored therapy bunny named Alex came to the ballpark and stole the hearts of San Francisco Giants fans Thursday night, attending the series opener against Miami with owners Kei Kato and Josh Row.

 

Sporting a dark bow tie with orange crabs to represent the Giants' colors, 4 1/2-month-old Alex earned some major screen time in the early innings -- because it's just not every day you see a rabbit at a baseball game.

 

The bunny in the stands is believed to be a first in the 22-year history of Oracle Park, according to Giants spokeswoman Staci Slaughter.

 

"Never. Crazy. ... If we win tonight, she has to come back tomorrow," Slaughter said via text message, noting Alex became an instant Twitter sensation. The Giants did win, 3-0.

 

Daniel Kurish of the Marlins' media relations staff wasted no time getting in on the bunny fun: In the seventh inning, he was off to deliver Miami gear to the good-sized mammal.

 

"Tonight's attendance, 4,580, not including the rabbit," official scorer David Feldman announced in the seventh.

 

Giants CEO Larry Baer was thrilled to host Alex and his owners.

 

"Love this Therapy Bunny," Baer said. "We could all use a therapy bunny right about now!"

 

Alex has been an important, beloved companion for the 32-year-old Kato, who lost her brewery restaurant called "K-OZ" during the pandemic and now runs a small café in the U.S. Immigration office. The bunny helps her deal with the anxiety and stress of no longer having her main source of income and fulfillment.

 

"I lost it all because of COVID, so I've been really stressed a lot," Kato said. "We support local. I was a local. He's well trained, too."

 

Alex has hopped along with the Golden State Warriors' dance team at its practice outside nearby Chase Center in San Francisco's Mission Bay district. Kato and her fiancee, Row, plan to bring him to see Stephen Curry and the Warriors soon enough. Fans return for the Warriors' home game Friday night against the Nuggets.

 

"The bunny is welcome! If he's fast, we'll put him in the game to run the fast break!!" Warriors spokesman Raymond Ridder said.

 

The bunny has attended a NASCAR event and is even an ambassador for Lions Clubs International. Alex helped hand out 400 Easter eggs to children, brings smiles and loves to play, even giving kisses on command. He entertains the masses at farmers markets, has been tubing at Lake Tahoe and has even gone kayaking.

 

"We actually bring him everywhere," Kato said. "He brings joy to everybody. He brings joy to us."