Love is defined as "a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person." In English, the word "love" describes a range of emotions, ranging from a romantic attraction to familial loyalty and friendship. Love is often symbolized by the shape of the heart... Read more
The poodle, also called a pudelhund or caniche, is a European dog breed. Developed as a water retriever, its characteristic grooming style was created to increase its efficiency in water. Poodles are very intelligent and have been used as working dogs in diverse settings, from hunting truffles to performing in circuses. The poodle has been bred in standard, miniature, and toy sizes... Read more
American pitbull terriers were originally bred in Scotland, England, and Ireland during the 1800s. Their ancestry drew on breeds known for hunting wild game and restraining feral livestock. While still not recognized by the American Kennel Club, the breed was registered by the United Kennel Club in 1898... Read more
A birthday marks the anniversary of one's birth. In many cultures, birthdays are marked and celebrated with parties, gifts, or special foods. Certain birthdays are considered rites of passage. For example, a girl's fifteenth birthday may be her quinceañera, or a girl's sixteenth birthday her "sweet sixteen." Jewish girls celebrate a bat mitzvah on their twelfth birthday, and boys a bar mitzvah on their thirteenth... Read more
Dumbo was the title character first of a children's book and subsequently of the 1941 animated film. Dumbo was born Jumbo Junior but given his moniker by other elephants making fun of his large ears... Read more
Pomeranians, also called Dwarf-Spitz or Poms for short, were named for the duke of Pomerania, a historical region in central Europe. Their ancestry can be traced to a common ancestor of sled dogs. It is said that they were bred down from a 30-pound sheepdog to their current size. They are classed as a toy breed, reaching a height of just 6 to 7 inches (15 to 18 centimeters) and weighing only 3 to 7 pounds (1.5 to 3 kilograms)... Read more
The chihuahua is a popular breed of small dog known for its sassy temperament. In fact, it is the smallest recognized breed, typically weighing 1 to 6 pounds and being about 5 inches tall... Read more
The hyena is a mammal that resembles a dog. The three species of hyena are native to Africa and Asia. Hyenas live in packs and are predators as well as opportunistic scavengers. Females serve as the alpha or leader in hyena society... Read more
Several hundred bird species around the world are considered pigeons or doves. These peaceful birds are known for making a gentle cooing sound. Most pigeons are grey in color, but in Australia and the surrounding areas, many have shades of green and are as brightly colored as parrots. The blue Victoria crowned pigeon of New Guinea is the largest in the world - it is the size of a turkey... Read more
A hug is a gesture recognized the world over. This universal posture can take place between friends, family members, or even strangers. It can be used as nonverbal communication in welcome, to express affection, to congratulate someone, or to comfort them. When many people hug at once, it is called a "group hug."... Read more
