MATES
FOR LIFE (for Valentine's Day)
Many animals, like people, do not have lifelong
mates. Some, like the praying mantis and
black widow spider, devour their mates.
But there are some animals that pick a partner
for life, and they hold the benchmark for
romance in the animal kingdom.
ANIMAL
MOMS
We share one very powerful characteristic
with animals-all of us have a mom. This
Mother's Day, discover our common kinship
in qualities that transcend species.
ANIMAL PRESENCE - OUR PRESENT
Animals gift us with the most marvelous
of presents every single day. During
this holiday season, listen in for
a reminder of how to appreciate the
presence of your animal friends as
your present.
THE
GEESE ARE BACK
From Mother Goose to the master yogis
of Hindu belief, geese enjoy a rich
heritage of welcoming the seasons,
being honored with ancient heroes,
and guarding the temple of a goddess.
THANK A TURKEY (our very first show!)
If more people knew the story of Turkey
and the role he played in insuring
the survival of agriculture, they
might think differently about their
Thanksgiving menu.
TURKEY: A FRIEND AND ROLE MODEL
Turkeys are loyal, compassionate,
and courageous. Discover why turkeys
belong with their friends over Thanksgiving,
and not atop a platter on the holiday
dinner table. www.adoptaturkey.org
FLYING
REINDEER?
You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer
and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner
and Blitzen. But what do you know
about that most famous reindeer of
all? Discover how Rudolph keeps company
with Arctic shamans, flying goats,
and the god of thunder and lightening.
A
DONKEY FOR THE DIVINE
Did the Baby Jesus awaken to the sound
of a donkey braying on Christmas morning?
Donkey's divine status is celebrated
around the world.
GALACTIC
ANIMALS:
ANIMALS
AND THE FULL MOON: WHAT'S IN A NAME?
From wolves to worms, many of the
names for the Full Moon every month
have been inspired by animals. Discover
how our lunar companion reflects the
activities of our animal friends.
WHO
LET THE DOGS UP?
Take your dogs for a walk under the
night sky and let them pay homage
to their galactic canine counterparts,
placed in the heavens by the Greeks,
Romans, Egyptians, Helen of Troy,
and an American astronomer.
LAIKA - RUSSIAN ROCKET DOG
Laika, a small dog from the streets
of Moscow, captures-and breaks-the
hearts of the world when, in 1957,
she orbits the earth in Sputnik 2.
AND
THE AWARD GOES TO ... BEARS, LYNX,
AND A UNICORN
If we wonder what occupied the minds
of our ancestors, we need only look
to the heavens, for it is the canvas
on which their thoughts and dreams
were projected, and one reason they
populated the unfamiliar with the
familiar-animals.
