• Photo Ryn Gargulinski
• Abandoned small animals are Phoebe's favorite chew toys.

They are lucky to live at all.

The most recent case of an abandoned pet left to fend for itself was a plump, handsome lizard that somehow ended up in my yard. While he tried his best to blend in with all the wild lizards leaping around the scene, something about him was different.

For starters, he became up trapped in a piece of plastic grass netting that all wild lizards innately avoid. While I was gingerly cutting the rotund reptile out of his trap with a pair of snips, I got a closer look at the beast and realized he was trapped because of the spikes encircling his neck.

The thing was a bearded dragon, promptly nicknamed Trappy, and not a usual sleek, slinky lizard skittering from the sprinkler or doing push-ups on the cinderblock fence. Once Trappy was set free, he didn’t scamper behind the mesquite like all the wild lizards do, but rather sat and stared at me for some time before plodding off into the distance.

Then my dog Phoebe killed him.

"Higher... higher... there! Ahh...” Ethel loves a good back scratch. With both hands, please! A real people-pleaser, Ethel dives into friendships head-first and will no doubt be your instant, lifelong sidekick. Although she's a terrific dog, Ethel hasn't been feeling her best these days. And for good reason - Ethel was given up because her owner was sad. But Ethel is the happiest dog around! Nicknamed “dancy pants” for the wonderful way she wiggles, Ethel will have you smiling and offering up unlimited belly rubs. Ethel loves showing her enthusiasm and excitement to see you, but always minds her manners and isn't overly hyper. Ethel just wants to demonstrate her love for you and then crash for a good, lazy afternoon nap. The ideal family dog, Ethel will do well in just about any home. Ethel enjoys the company of other dogs and cats who know their boundaries. Won't you give this sweet, middle-aged gal the love she craves? In return, Ethel promises to fill your home with fun, affection and grateful joy for many years to come.

Come meet Ethel! She's currently living at the Humane Society of Southern AZ, 3450 N. Kelvin Blvd. The Humane Society is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The phone number is 327-6088.

It was a tough game for the Tucson Padres last night as they fell to the Salt Lake City Bees, 10-2.

But they've got a chance for revenge tonight—and it's Bark in the Park night at Kino Stadium, so you can bring your dog to the ballpark! Details here.

Tim Hagerty of the Padres has the details from last night's game:

One night after winning by ten runs, the Tucson Padres lost to Salt Lake 10-2 Saturday at Kino Stadium. Salt Lake scored nine runs on 14 hits against Wade LeBlanc, who suffered his first loss with Tucson. LeBlanc pitched 4.1 innings, striking out three and walking one. Kevin Richardson’s grand slam highlighted a five-run fifth inning for Salt Lake. Salt Lake’s Jeremy Moore was 5-for-5 in the win.

The Padres scored once in the first inning on an RBI single by Jarrett Hoffpauir after Will Venable singled and stole second base. After scoring in the first, the Padres didn’t have a baserunner reach second until the eighth inning, when Jason Bulger left two Tucson runners on base.

Andy Parrino was 3-for-4 for the Padres, and Hoffpauir, Jesus Guzman and Guillermo Quiroz had two hits each. Aaron Cunningham was 0-for-4, ending an 11 game hitting streak. The Padres bullpen was strong in the lopsided loss, with four different pitchers (Deduno, Munter, Hynes, Perdomo) combining to throw 4.2 innings without allowing an earned run

Next Game: Sunday, 7:00 pm — Tucson RHP Jeremy Hefner (0-4) vs. Salt Lake LHP Scott Kazmir (0-1)

Apparently, there might be as few as 50,000 koalas left in the wild. Not only is global warming an issue, but the koala population has also been ravaged by a variation of chlamydia. Gross and sad:

Every gum tree contains a koala, or so most Australians assume. But complacency could be killing off the emblematic native animal, according to scientists, who want it listed as an endangered species.

Already under pressure from habitat loss and disease, koalas now face a new threat: climate change. They cope poorly with the droughts and heatwaves that are expected to become more common in southern Australia in years to come. To make matters worse, increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is reducing the nutrient content of eucalyptus leaves, their sole food source.

Scientists say koala numbers have already declined sharply in some areas, and they warn that unless more energetic conservation measures are taken, the mammal's viability could be in doubt. "This species is supposed to be common, yet it's slipping to extinction under our noses," Christine Hosking, a nature conservationist at the University of Queensland, said yesterday.

[The Independent]

• Photo Ryn Gargulinski
• Lazlo the skink

We’re talking about why lizards do push-ups. While we can come up with theories that range from absorbing warmth from a tree limb to stretching their legs after a lengthy nap, the real reason lizards to push-ups is simply to get attention.

This is just one of the juicy local wildlife questions that keeps many a Tucsonan awake at night, kicking at the covers and unable to rest, lest we get to the bottom of such sweet mysteries.

It’s the male lizards that engage in the push-up practice, the Discovery Channel explains, for the sole purpose of letting other lizards know a lizard He-Man is on the scene.

And what a He-Man feat these push-ups are. Perched on all fours, the full-body push-ups fully thrust the lizard’s entire frame up and down in quick succession — probably more exercise than some people get in a month.

On page 23 of our May 19 issue, we picture a beautiful horse with a caption about the Arizona Paint Horse event on Saturday and Sunday, May 21 and 22, at Pima County Fairgrounds.

Due to the spread of Equine Herpevirus 1 (EHV-1) throughout the West, Pima County has suspended equestrian activities. Therefore, this event has been cancelled.

For more information from today's daily, click here.

Update: Force has been adopted! But don't cry, friend; there are many more animals at the HSSAZ that would love a home.

An unstoppable force! This remarkable Lab was found on the reservation in February with mange, ear infections, and a severe eye injury. Force, as his friends call him, is now back on his paws and ready for action! Among this perky pup’s many interests, Force enjoys going for strolls and taking in the sights, sounds and smells of spring. As a current student in the Humane Society’s Canine College program, Force is learning a variety of new tricks and soaking up some one-on-one attention from trainers to help him stay happy. What would really make this deserving dog’s day is a visit from you! What do you say? Please come down and meet Force and friends today at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona.

And here's Force in his own epic short film.

Come meet Force! He's currently living at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, 3450 N. Kelvin Blvd. The Humane Society is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The phone number is 327-6088.

Moose, a 2-year-old Labrador Retriever mix (most definitely not part moose, though his size is reminiscent of one), has fallen on hard times.

Poor Moose has been homeless 5 times in just 5 months. After unexpectedly outliving his owner, Moose has been bounced around from home to home for jumping a 4-foot fence (he’s a big boy!) and for not getting along with the smaller dog in his household. Despite his unfortunate track record, Moose is a wonderfully loving, happy, and easy-going boy who would do anything to impress you. Just ask his Canine College instructors! Moose is currently working one-on-one with trainers to learn basic obedience commands and becoming the best dog he can be. Moose knows not to jump on you, will proudly sit for a treat and loves to play fetch with squeaky toys. Good dog! If you could give this pup down on his luck the permanent, loving home he’s always wanted, please visit Moose today at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona!

And here's a video of Moose frolicking.

Come meet Moose! He's currently living at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, 3450 N. Kelvin Blvd. The Humane Society is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The phone number is 327-6088.

• Illustration Ryn Gargulinski
• Last rites for a bumblebee

All hail the black-and-yellow bumblebee.

Many of us are reminded daily of how annoying bees can be—especially when we see the big, fat carpenter bee that somehow manages to stay bobbling through the air with the body the size of Asia. But many of us have also forgotten how painful sting can be.

The first and only time I was stung was as a toddler at a fateful family picnic in Dearborn, Mich. The incident forever prompted me to eat grilled food in the car. I have since learned not to swat, bat or otherwise make panicked flailing motions in a bee’s general direction. I've also learned not to wear vanilla-scented skin lotion while trekking through the forest after an equally ill-fated hike in upstate New York.

I thought I had insect habits mastered.

But recently, a stealthy little devil bee caught me by surprise. As I stuck my hand in a bucket to scoop out dead leaves. I felt a searing, sharp prick on my ring finger. I, at first, thought the prick was from a mesquite thorn or one of those burry goat heads, but as I pulled my hand from the bucket, I saw the prick was attached to a writhing, dusty, deflated bee.

Did I mention the word prick?

Jackson is ready to put his rambling days behind him! Found tired, thirsty, and covered in ticks along a stretch of highway near Wilcox, Jackson made friends with a kind traveler from Nevada passing through for business. During their time together, Jackson was invited to sneak into the hotel room for a comfortable stay and a continental breakfast, followed by trips to jobsites where Jackson patiently waited. During their brief stay together Jackson was an excellent companion — loyal, appreciative and easygoing. Although he couldn’t follow his new friend to Nevada, this happy hound now has renewed hope for a brighter future. Won’t you give Jackson a happy ending so that he can enjoy a comfortable bed, tummy rubs and a satisfying breakfast everyday? Please visit Jackson soon at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona.

And here's a video of Jackson going to town on a chew toy.

Come meet Jackson! He's currently living at the Humane Society of Southern AZ, 3450 N. Kelvin Blvd. The Humane Society is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The phone number is 327-6088.