A 300-mile bike-a-thon through Arizona is underway today to show support for bringing back the jaguar as a native species to the American Southwest. The ride started today at 8 a.m. at Pena Blanca Lake. Riders will arrive in Reid Park on Saturday, April 17, around 9:30 a.m.

The bike-a-thon ends in Phoenix at the State Capitol on Thursday, April 22, with a rally at 11 a.m.

Riders will talk with people along the route, carry conservation messages and make short stops at jaguar habitat areas and where the animals face threats.

Interested parties can join the bike-a-thon en route, bike part of the itinerary, drive a support vehicle, host cyclists along the route, donate and more. Visit Jaguar Habitat USA for more information.

Republican J.D. Hayworth, the former congressman seeking to unseat U.S. Sen. John McCain, presents an entirely new idea about horsing around.

Huffington Post reports:

Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) primary challenger, former Arizona congressman J.D. Hayworth, warned this past weekend that the same-sex marriage decision handed down by the Massachusetts Supreme Court is so loose in its logic and wording that it could lead to a man marrying his horse.

Appearing on Orlando, Fla. radio station WORL on Sunday, the Arizona conservative had what could be described as a Rick Santorum "man on dog" moment.

"You see, the Massachusetts Supreme Court, when it started this move toward same-sex marriage, actually defined marriage -- now get this -- it defined marriage as simply, 'the establishment of intimacy,'" Hayworth said. "Now how dangerous is that? I mean, I don't mean to be absurd about it, but I guess I can make the point of absurdity with an absurd point — I guess that would mean if you really had affection for your horse, I guess you could marry your horse. It's just the wrong way to go, and the only way to protect the institution of marriage is with that federal marriage amendment that I support."

Here's a notice from Noreen Geyer Kordosky, who does wildlife rescue and rehab.

Wildlife Rescue Centers in the Tucson area receive many calls each year from people who have been watching “their” hummingbird nest, and suddenly think the adult female is no longer coming to feed the nestling. Also they might notice she isn’t sitting on the nest at night. Whether or not to cut down the nest and bring it to a rehabilitation volunteer is the question. Unless one can maintain a full hour of uninterrupted observation of the nest, one is likely to miss a 15-45 second visit from the adult. Only the female feeds the young. Before intervening, please take the full time to watch the nest site. Nests on branches that have been accidently cut down can be wired back onto the tree. Call if you have questions: 743-0677(h), 240-2686 ©

• Milo

This unusually cute dog is Milo and he's looking for a home. The folks at Tucson Cold Wet Noses say this about Milo at tucsoncoldwetnoses.com:

Milo is a very sweet boxer or pit mix who looks at you with big, brown eyes and is very mellow. He is a love bug and would be great with children. The only thing is he is also a thief and a counter surfer and cannot be left in a house unattended. When he is not napping and being a lazy

Sugar Booger is among the dogs that the folks at Cold Wet Noses are trying to find a home for.

Here's what Sugar Booger has to say at tucsoncoldwetnoses.com:

Hi my name is Sugar Booger. I am about 8 months old and a pretty mellow gal though I wouldn't mind another dog to play with. I like to flop over on my back belly up a lot and I am quite sweet though I need someone to show me the ropes and be a good pack leader so that I will grow up to be a good girl. I need to see the world and all that it has to offer. I am a little pit/aussie mix and am very beautiful I am told. I like to snuggle a lot and I walk quite nicely on a leash. I currently live with 13 other dogs and I was a bit overwhelmed at first but now I am fine with it all. I am spayed, microchipped and I know how to use a doggy door. Come see me!

Here's what it says about Amy at tucsoncoldwetnoses.com:

Amy is a lab/terrier mix (we think) and about 10 months old. She has easy to care for short, wiry black fur and she is long and lanky! She will probably fill out a bit more, but not much. Spayed, healthy, microchipped, and up to date on her shots. She is full of energy and a lovely lady who will also calm down enough to lay in your lap….although she does overhang the lap a bit! She is inquisitive and attentive. She has improved immensely in her training and will sit on command, knows ‘kennel’, ‘go potty’, and is learning to shake hands. Very good on a leash. She is great with other dogs too and would love a nice walk every day or a run in the yard! Not so great with cats! She is still a pup so you have lots of things you can train her, and she is ready to win you over and have her own forever home. Pictures and words never do enough to describe a dog, so call me and set up a meet and greet.

For more information, call Ann at 749-1167 anytime between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Doc is among the dogs that the folks at Cold Wet Noses are trying to find a home for.

Here's what Doc has to say at tucsoncoldwetnoses.com:

Doc is a 10-12 month old Pit/ Sharpei mix. The Sharpei is more obvious in person, he has a wrinkled brow and a big bark (as if from a 90lb dog vs his 47lbs). I think the pit is what makes him the snuggler he is. He would love to be a lap dog.

• Lucinda

The folks at Cold Wet Noses are trying to find a home for Lucinda.

Here's what Inga has to say at tucsoncoldwetnoses.com:

My name is Lucinda and I am a very sweet little girl with impish looks. I can smile with my teeth though you have to catch me cause I don't do it often. I am on the smaller side, just under 35 pounds, and I am about a year or a year and a half old but who's counting? I'm so glad to be out of the shelter and here with

• Inga

Inga is among the dogs that the folks at Cold Wet Noses are trying to find a home for.

Here's what Inga has to say at tucsoncoldwetnoses.com:

Inga Dinga Do, that's me, I am very special and cute, all 16 lbs and 5 years of me. I came from a tough neighborhood and believe me, I have seen a lot so I appreciate the good life and am very happy to have found it. Hopefully that will continue with you!

I love sleeping in bed (under the covers) and I'm learning to sit and walk nicely