TIDBITS® STUDIES SOME FAMOUS PETS
by Kathy WolfeWe love our pets! Nearly 70% of us have an animal in the home, and, according to a survey, 90% of pet owners think of their pets as members of the family. For some, pets go way beyond cats and dogs, as you’ll see as you read these Tidbits’ facts.
• American soldier Lee Duncan was on a World War I battlefield in France when he happened upon a litter of German Shepherd puppies abandoned in the trenches. Duncan brought the pups back to America and began training them. One of dogs became Rin -Tin-Tin, starring in 22 Warner Brothers films from 1922 to 1932. Rin-Tin-Tin’s descendants – Jr., III, and IV – were also stars, with Rin-Tin-Tin IV starring in the celebrated TV series, “The Adventures of Rin-Tin-Tin,” from 1954 to 1959. Duncan was a natural-born trainer, training more than 5,000 war dogs for the U.S. Army K-9 Corps during World War II.
• Actor George Clooney gifted his girlfriend a Vietnamese potbellied pig, which grew to 300 lbs. (136 kg). Max was frequently seen on Clooney’s movie sets, was allowed to sleep in his master’s bedroom, and grunted and squealed when his breakfast was late. When Clooney’s romance went south, Max stayed for the next 18 years, until the pig’s death at age 19. turn the page for more!
FAMOUS PETS (continued):
• Actor Nicolas Cage has owned several exotic pets, including an octopus for which he paid $150,000. His two albino king cobras, Moby and Sheba set him back $276,000. Cage kept a supply of antidote in his home in the event that he was bitten by the cobras, considering that he would have just 15 minutes to live without it. His menagerie also included a five-foot-long Asian water monitor lizard, a shark, and a crocodile. Cage was forced to surrender them all when faced with a $14 million IRS settlement for unpaid taxes.
• The Roman Emperor Nero was the owner of a pet tigress named Phoebe, a fighting brute he rescued from a match at the Coliseum. She was housed in a luxurious golden cage in the emperor’s palace, but was often allowed to roam free and dine at the table with guests. Those who offended or opposed Nero ran the risk of becoming Phoebe’s dessert.
• A white Japanese white Akita dog has been memorialized for his incredible loyalty to his owner. In 1924, Tokyo University professor Hidesaburo Ueno took Hachiko to live with him in Tokyo. Every day, Hachiko met Professor Ueno at the train station after the commute home from the University. The dog always turned up at the exact time of the train’s arrival. In 1925, while delivering a lecture to his class, Ueno suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and died at work. For nearly ten years after his master’s death, Hachiko waiting at the station for his return. As commuters recognized the pattern, Hachiko was fed and given treats, and the Akita became a national symbol of loyalty. A bronze statue of this devoted canine stands at Tokyo’s Shibuya Station.
• Oprah Winfrey’s five spaniels will have no trouble surviving if anything happens to their owner. These canines are protected by a $30 million trust, a small fraction of her estimated net worth of $2.5 billion.
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FAMOUS PETS (continued):
• Monkeys have been the pet of choice for several celebrities, but not with the best outcomes. Michael Jackson purchased his chimp Bubbles from a research clinic, and brought his pet along with him on tour, with Bubbles even enjoying tea with the mayor of Osaka, Japan. Jackson frequently dressed Bubbles in a costume identical to his own, taught him how to moonwalk, and put him to bed in a special crib on Jackson’s ranch. When Bubbles became large and aggressive, he was moved to a Florida primate sanctuary. A relative gifted singer Justin Bieber with a capuchin monkey, Mally, on his birthday, and Bieber took his pet on tour to Germany. Unbeknownst to Bieber, the capuchin is an endangered animal in Germany, and authorities confiscated the animal, and charged Bieber $8,000 to cover the costs of moving Mally to a zoo. Elvis Presley had numerous pets, including donkeys he kept in an empty swimming pool and a turkey named Bowtie, but his favorite was his chimpanzee, Scatter. Scatter accompanied the King on tour, but was unruly and out of control, biting the crew and even swigging whiskey when left unsupervised. The chimp was sent back to Graceland, where it’s alleged that a cleaning lady poisoned him after being bitten severely.
• Taylor Swift might be described as a “cat lady,” as she is the happy owner of three felines, all of which are named after television/ movie characters. Cat #1 is Olivia Benson, named after actress Mariska Hargitay’s character in the “Law & Order” TV series. Kitty Meredith Grey takes her name from the female doctor in “Grey’s Anatomy,” played by Ellen Pompeo. Her third cat is Benjamin Button, named for Brad Pitt’s character in the 2008 movie, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”
FAMOUS PETS (continued):
• Napoleon Bonaparte’s wife Josephine kept a primate, a female orangutan that joined her at the dinner table attired in a white cotton dress. The ape supposedly had flawless manners and had a love of turnips. Josephine also kept an emu, black swans, and several kangaroos.
• In 2020, the Guinness Book of World Records introduced a new category to their lineup, that of “Most Followers on Instagram for a Cat.” It came as the result of Nala, a Siamese-tabby mix owned by Varisiri Methachittiphan, affectionately known as Pookie. Pookie rescued 5-month-old Nala from a Los Angeles animal shelter and, upon the advice of her sister in Thailand, began documenting Nala’s adorable charm on Instagram in 2012. Her postings were an instant hit, and by 2019, Nala had more than 4.2 million fans on the site. The number now tops 4.5 million and the feline has a net worth of $100 million. In addition to the enormous amounts of paid advertising she generates, Nala has her own cat food line. In 2019, the cat was also named TikToker of the Year, getting the better of four human competitors.
• Actress Audrey Hepburn met her pet fawn, Pippen, on the set of “Green Mansions,” a 1959 film with a script that called for Hepburn’s character to followed around by a small fawn. In the off-hours, in order to foster a relationship with the animal for the film, Hepburn took Pippen home and fed her from a baby bottle. When filming was concluded, Hepburn kept the deer, giving her a bed in a custom-made bathtub, although Pippen sometimes slept in Hepburn’s bed. Pippen was a guest at parties, and was also taken to the grocery store.
Craving Coconut? Celebrate Spring with Irresistible Coconut Macaroons
As spring blooms around us and Passover is upon us, it's time to savor the simple pleasures of the season with a classic treat: coconut macaroons.
Picture this: Moist, chewy coconut mingling with hints of vanilla, crowned with a delicate golden crust. Bonus points they're gluten-free! Passover, a time of remembrance and renewal, calls for dishes that honor tradition. Enter the coconut macaroon, a timeless treat with a rich history. With its origins dating back to medieval Italy, this dessert has evolved into a beloved staple of Passover celebrations around the world.
What makes coconut macaroons perfect for Passover? These delectable delights are inherently kosher for the holiday, free from leavening agents and grains such as flour. Just check your vanilla extract, as some are made with grain alcohol.
Now, you might be wondering: How can something so delicious be budget-friendly? With just a handful of pantry staples coconut, sweetened condensed milk, egg whites and a splash of vanilla you can whip up a batch of these coconut macaroons in no time, all without breaking the bank.
There can be confusion between macaroons and macarons. While they share a similar name, they are distinct desserts with different characteristics. Macaroons are dense, chewy coconut-based cookies, while macarons are almond meringue sandwich cookies with a smooth exterior, and a wide range of colors and flavors, often filled with
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ganache, buttercream or jam. Both desserts offer unique and delicious experiences for dessert lovers. Today we're on team macaroon! For a macaron recipe, go to my website: divasonadime.com/easy-french-macaron-recipe/ Easy Coconut Macaroons
Yield: 14 to 18 cookies
Total Time: 35-40 minutes
14 ounces sweetened shredded coconut
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 egg whites, at room temperature
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Optional: 1/2 cup chocolate chips for dipping
Preheat the oven to 325 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the coconut, condensed milk and vanilla. In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites and salt until they form firm peaks using a stand mixer or hand mixer on high speed. To ensure a light and airy texture, carefully fold the whipped egg whites into the coconut mixture in three stages, using a gentle hand with a wooden spoon. This step is crucial for maintaining the meringue's integrity and preventing deflation.
Drop mounds of batter onto your prepared sheet pans using either an ice cream scoop or two spoons. Shape them with moist hands to prevent sticking. There is no bad shape for a macaroon. If you're making nests, press your thumb or a wine cork into each cookie to make an indent.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown.
Cool and serve.
To dip and drizzle with chocolate, melt chips in the microwave. Dip the cookie as desired. Sometimes the egg white can puddle around
the cookie while baking. Simply cut around it and eat the delicious scraps when no one is looking.
For extra fun, add a half cup of finely chopped nuts. I'm partial to macadamias, but pecans and almonds are spectacular. Toast the coconut first for golden crunchy macaroons. Shape like bird's nests and fill the indent with jam, chocolate or Nutella.
To make larger or smaller macaroons, don't change the recipe but adjust the baking time to match (longer for big macaroons; shorter for small macaroons). I love to dip tiny ones completely in dark chocolate for little pop-in-yourmouth goodness. This recipe also makes a delectable pie crust.
Until next time, happy baking and may your days be filled with the sweet joys of spring!
These coconut macaroons are about to become your new favorite treat!
BEAUTIFUL BODY: THE PANCREAS
It may be small – just 4.7 to 5.9 inches (12-15 cm) long – but the pancreas is vital to the digestive process. This week, Tidbits delves into the functions of this important organ
• A Greek surgeon named Herophilus was the first to formally identify the pancreas around 300 B.C. The organ was first referred to as the pancreas about 400 years late, when another Greek surgeon, Ruphos, came up with the name using the Greek word “pankreas,” which translates “all flesh,” perhaps because of its lack of bone or cartilage.
Where is the pancreas anyway? It’s located just behind the stomach in front of the spine. It’s surrounded by the gall bladder, liver, and spleen. The two main functions of the pancreas are to make digestive juices and to produce hormones. The pancreas aids in digestion by producing a fluid containing enzymes that flows into the small intestine help break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats and neutralize stomach acid. The pancreas also secretes two hormones directly into the bloodstream. These hormones, insulin and glucagon, are the ones that control blood sugar. When there’s too much sugar, known as glucose, in the blood, insulin is released. Glucagon is released when the blood doesn’t have enough sugar.
• The most common pancreatic ailment is diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce insulin. The immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, preventing other cells from accessing the blood’s glucose for energy, producing an unhealthy build-up of sugar in the bloodstream. Type 2 diabetes arises when insulin is produced, but usually not enough, and the body doesn’t use it correctly. The cells become resistant to insulin, frequently due to obesity, causing glucose to accumulate in the blood.
(Continued page #7)
How to Greet Other Dogs on the Street
DEAR PAW'S CORNER: I adopted a sweet but somewhat rambunctious little mutt, "Karla," who is about 13 months old. The problem is that she wants to jump and bark at other dogs when we're out for a walk. How can I calm her down? Jen in Duluth, Georgia DEAR JEN: Reactivity is natural behavior for a puppy that loves to play with other dogs, but of course, it's not desirable behavior. Jumping and barking can trigger an aggressive response from some dogs, or stress out other dogs. It can scare humans. Fortunately, it's a behavior that you can moderate with a specific, daily training regime that will teach Karla to stay calm on the leash.
First, gather your tools: A sturdy leash that is about 5 feet long (no retractable leashes allowed), a harness and a pocketful of Karla's favorite treats, cut into tiny pieces. I recommend the harness over a collar because it allows you to strongly control Karla if she starts jumping, without risking an injury to her throat. Next, teach and reinforce three crucial commands: sit, stay and heel. From the moment you put on Karla's harness and leash, to when you take them off at the end of the walk, she needs to follow your commands. Karla should sit calmly while you attach and remove the leash. During the walk, she should remain next to you, with a little slack in the leash. If she starts to tug ahead, stop, command her to sit and, once she sits, start off again, giving the command "heel." Keep the training positive, and remember that it will take time and consistency. As she learns what you expect from her, Karla will become a great walking companion.
THE PANCREAS (continued):
• If the body produces too much insulin, the result is hypoglycemia, which causes low blood sugar levels. Hyperglycemia occurs when the body produces too much glucagon, creating high blood sugar levels.
• Painful inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, can be the result of gallstones blocking the bile duct, trauma to the abdomen, certain infections, or excessive use of alcohol.
• It’s possible to live without a pancreas, but it would require daily insulin shots to control blood sugar and a dose of enzyme pills to aid in the digestive process.
• Pancreatic cancer accounts for about 3% of all new cancer cases, but nearly 8% of all cancer deaths. It’s the tenth most common cancer. It’s a sneaky disease as it doesn’t cause symptoms until the cancer is advanced. At the time of diagnosis, the cancer in half the patients has already spread outside the pancreas to other organs, which denotes Stage Four cancer. The most common type originates in the cells lining the ducts that carry the digestive enzymes out of the pancreas. The cancer is difficult to discover because the symptoms are nonspecific, such as abdominal pain, back pain, weight loss, tiredness or weakness – all things that are more likely to be caused by something else. Type 2 diabetes, smoking, pancreatitis, obesity, and alcohol abuse can raise the risk, as well as family history and older age, as most people diagnosed are over 65. The five-year pancreatic cancer survival rate is about 12.5%.
