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Painting by four-legged Van Gogh sells for five figures

A very good boy named Van Gogh has raised a hefty sum of money for a good cause. The one-eared four-legged artist has used his extraordinary talents to create his own rendition of his namesake’s masterpiece Starry Night. At an online benefit auction for the <a href="https://www.happilyfureverafter.org/">Happily Furever After Rescue</a> in Connecticut, USA, pet food company Pedigree paid $10,000 for the artwork. The rescue home was the one that found Van Gogh his new forever home, after sharing his artistic talents online. All the proceeds of Van Gogh the dog’s auction will benefit the rescue efforts of Happily Furever After, which specialises in rehoming dogs like pit bulls, who can sometimes have a hard time finding homes. The paintings in the current auction, titled “Van Gogh Reimagined,” are all based on compositions by the original Van Gogh. However, unlike a painting by the Dutch master, the dog’s art starts the bidding at just $25 a piece. “Having Van Gogh create some of history’s most famous paintings felt like big shoes to fill,” founder Jaclyn Gartner told <a href="https://news.artnet.com/market/van-gogh-rescue-dog-charity-auction-2264707">Artnet News</a>. “There was a lot more attention to detail this time around to make sure to incorporate all the colours and try to recreate the pieces as closely as possible.” Since finding his new home, Van Gogh has created more than 150 new works of art. To make each masterpiece, a person applies blobs of colours of paint to a canvas placed inside a plastic bag. The talented dog then completes the artwork by licking off a coating of peanut butter or other dog-friendly treats from the outside of the bag, making the artwork inside. “The most exciting part about Van Gogh painting is never really knowing what it’s going to come out to look like as it depends on how his tongue slides across the peanut butter coated bag,” Gartner said. “Since we did the art gallery in October, Van Gogh has explored more tasty toppings,” she added. “We have begun incorporating other things like ground up liverwurst, pumpkin puree, and goat whip. Painting has become an even more delicious hobby for Van Gogh!“ Image credits: Happily Furever After Rescue

Art

New Zealand police farewell four-legged hero

A beloved member of the New Zealand Police Force has been farewelled, after Dunedin police dog Gill died from cancer. The 10-year-old was the oldest police dog working in Dunedin’s police dog section when he passed away. Senior Constable Tim Roy, who fostered Gill as a pup, worked with the German Shepherd for most of his operational years, according to a <a href="https://www.police.govt.nz/news/ten-one-magazine/farewell-dunedins-oldest-police-dog" target="_blank" rel="noopener">press release</a>. “He’s been an amazing dog right up until the end," Roy said. "Gill was everything I could have asked for and more as a handler. He was big, strong, fearless, super driven, loved to work and known for his deafening excited howl when being deployed. “Gill was more than an outstanding police dog. His goofy personality, playfulness and loyalty were what made him extra special.” Sergeant Mike Calvert, head of the Dunedin Dog Section, described the canine as a strong all-round police dog with numerous successful tracks and catches. “He also thrived as an AOS-qualified dog, and as recently as last month was taking part in AOS callouts and training days,” Calvert said. “Old age hadn’t slowed him up and he kept his place on AOS leaving Tim’s younger dog Leo, aged 3, to pick up the active running around for general patrol dog work.” Senior Constable Reuben Whalley, who worked with Gill in Christchurch, described him as “a lovely dog” who could switch off from work and enjoy family life at home. Gill, who’s policing career began back in 2013, has done more than catch criminals and find people, having fathered a litter of puppies in 2016 and featured on the 2017 and 2023 Police Dog Trust Calendars. “Gill just loved to please his handler, whether responding to jobs or taking part in the softer side of community policing, including community events and Christmas parades," Calvert said. "It’s a shame he didn’t get to enjoy retirement." Images: New Zealand Police

Family & Pets

"Dear leg, I'll miss you so much": Boy's tragic farewell

A young boy has left a heartbreaking message on his leg after learning that it had to be amputated due to a rare cancer. Chandler Tran, 8, from Australia, and his family first discovered the illness when they found a “pea-sized” bump on his leg and noticed he was walking with a limp when he returned from holiday care around Easter time. Seeking an X-ray at the local hospital, he was then taken to a children’s hospital in Sydney and was given the devastating diagnosis of osteosarcoma, which is a rare bone cancer. The following months comprised of chemotherapy treatment. Doctors then wanted to amputate his leg to alleviate the pain, but the amputation will not cure him. Chandler’s dad Cong Tan, 42, recalled the moment. He said: “Can you take a photo of my leg on my tablet?” “He drew a little love heart over his leg and wrote a little message.” “He wrote: ‘Dear leg, I’ll miss you so much when you’re gone, love Chandler.’ “He was sad about the prospect of losing his leg, but he was like, ‘If that’s what I need to do to not have pain, then that’s okay.’ “For us seeing him coping so well, that really helped us.” Days after recovering from that operation, his family were told the tumours in Chandler’s lungs had grown and the doctors couldn’t do anything more to save his life. “They said any treatment would just be palliative, to try and slow the cancer down,” his mother Trang said. The family has set up a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/jwxjw-support-the-trans" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe</a> page to help cover eventual funeral costs but also to fund any LEGO that Chandler wants. “The sickness is coming on and we are at the point where we can’t treat it and so it is about keeping him happy,” Mr Tran said. “We appreciate everyone who has donated and is helping us give Chandler whatever his heart desires to make the last bit as enjoyable as possible.” Image: NZ Herald

Body

Happy ending for four-legged wedding crasher

When a couple’s special day was interrupted by a stray dog, not only did he steal the show, but he stole their hearts too. Tamíris Muzini and Douglas Robert were preparing for their wedding ceremony at a church in the city of Vila Velha, on Brazil’s southeastern coast, when a stray dog joined the 150 invited guests in attending, as reported by the <a href="https://nypost.com/2022/08/08/a-stray-dog-who-was-adopted-after-crashing-a-wedding/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NY Post</a>. “Before the ceremony started [the dog] entered the church and went straight upstairs, where he met the groom and guests,” Muzini told the outlet. After that he returned downstairs, where he lay outside the door until Muzini arrived. “He stayed there, just waiting for me to enter,” she said. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/08/wedding-dog2.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> A stray dog that gatecrashed Tamíris Muzini and Douglas Robert’s wedding has since become a member of their family. Image: @caramelodejesus (Instagram) As the crowd turned to watch her come down the aisle, they were greeted by the sight of the stray doing the same. “Everyone was delighted with him because he is very cute and was super comfortable there,” Muzini added. The sweet pooch watched as Muzini and Robert exchanged vows, then ran up to them as they left the church, jumping up to pose for photos with them. “When he greeted us at the end, he asked, “Take me home. Take me,’” she told TheDodo.com. Having stolen the couple’s hearts, they made him a part of their family - and quickly came up with a name for him. “Everyone started calling him Caramelo, and that was it,” Muzini told the Post. With a first name fitting his golden coat, Muzini and Robert decided his full name would be Caramelo de Jesus “because, without a doubt, he was sent to us by God”. “It was surreal and inexplicable,: Muzini said. “He marked an important day in our history. He was part of our big moment and he enchanted us with his charisma.” <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/08/wedding-dog1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Caramelo even posed for photos with the newly-wed couple. Image: @caramelodejesus (Instagram) Ever since, Caramelo has become an inseparable part of the newlywed’s family - even earning himself his own social media profile where the family’s adventures are shared. “In the one month we’ve shared, we have had several adventures with him,” Muzini said. “Each day is a different surprise. “One day he pees in the kitchen, another day he climbs on top of cars, then he steals grandma’s bread and runs away with it. “But every day, he is sad when we go out to work. He welcomes us home with jumps, hugs and kisses when we return.” With all his antics, Muzini said Caramelo is preparing her for motherhood. “Undoubtedly, Caramelo is a beautiful training for a not-too-distant future with a human son,” she said. “He’s like a naughty child, but he is also very docile and super loving. He fills us with so much love all the time.” Image: @caramelodejesus (Instagram)

Family & Pets

Nurse who lost both legs to Russian landmine gets married in hospital

The first dance is a big moment for any bride and groom, but it was even more special for Oksana and Victor. Oksana lost both her legs on a Russian landmine in March, in their home town of Lysychansk, located in the Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine region of Luhansk. The explosion didn't injure Victor, although they were together at the time, but the bride lost both of her legs as well as four fingers on her left hand. Oksana underwent four surgeries and was later evacuated to Dnipro to recover and prepare for prosthetics, and eventually to Lviv, in the west near the Polish border. As she waited for the next part of the healing process, the couple, who have two children together, took the opportunity to wed in a Lviv hospital last week. “Life should not be postponed until later, decided Oksana and Victor, who in six years together never found time for marriage," Lviv Medical Association said, sharing video of the couple's special moment. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> ❤️🇺🇦 Very special lovestory. A nurse from Lysychansk, who has lost both legs on a russian mine, got married in Lviv. On March 27, Victor and Oksana were coming back home, when a russian mine exploded. The man was not injured, but Oksana's both legs were torn off by the explosion. <a href="https://t.co/X1AQNwKwyu">pic.twitter.com/X1AQNwKwyu</a> — Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine - Ukrainian Parliament (@ua_parliament) <a href="https://twitter.com/ua_parliament/status/1521194382682202113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2022</a></blockquote> The footage was also shared by Ukraine's Parliament, which wished the couple well in their new life together. The sweet dance shows the groom carrying his new wife in his arms as she buries her head in her husband's neck. The couple are said to have wed at a local registry office before the hospital reception took place. Oksana is set to travel to Germany for further treatment. Image: Twitter

Relationships

1 millipede, 1,306 legs: we just discovered the world’s leggiest animal hiding in Western Australia

Millipedes were the first land animals, and today we know of more than 13,000 species. There are likely thousands more species of the many-legged invertebrates awaiting discovery and formal scientific description. The name “millipede” comes from the Latin for “thousand feet”, but until now no known species had more than 750 legs. However, my colleagues and I recently found <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-02447-0">a new champion</a>. The eyeless, subterranean Eumillipes persephone, discovered 60 metres underground near the south coast of Western Australia, has up to 1,306 legs, making it the first “true millipede” and the leggiest animal on Earth. <h2>Finding life underground</h2> In Australia, most species in some groups of invertebrates are still undescribed. Many could even become extinct before we know about them. Part of the reason is that life is everywhere, even where we least expect it. You could be excused for thinking remote areas of Western Australia such as the Pilbara and the Goldfields, where the land is arid and harsh, are not home to too many species. <img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/437949/original/file-20211216-15-11fkzif.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /> The arid landscapes of Western Australia harbour a surprising diversity of life. Shutterstock But the reality is very different. An enormously diverse array of poorly known animals live underground, inhabiting cavities and fractures in the rock several metres below the surface. One way to find out about these creatures is to place “troglofauna traps” far below the surface. E. persephone was found in one of these traps, which had spent two months 60m underground in a mining exploration bore in the Goldfields. <h2>A lucky discovery</h2> At the time I was working for a company called Bennelongia Environmental Consultants, which had been hired by the mining company to survey the animals in the area. I was lucky enough to be in the laboratory on the day the leggiest animal on Earth was first seen. Our senior taxonomist, Jane McRae, showed me these incredibly elongated millipedes, less than a millimetre wide and almost 10 centimetres long. She pointed out how their triangular faces placed them in the family Siphonotidae, comprised of sucking millipedes from the order Polyzoniida. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/437938/original/file-20211216-21-3yvudt.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/437938/original/file-20211216-21-3yvudt.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> A female Eumillipes persephone with 330 segments and 1,306 legs. Paul E. Marek, Bruno A. Buzatto, William A. Shear, Jackson C. Means, Dennis G. Black, Mark S. Harvey, Juanita Rodriguez, Scientific Reports, Author provided Their long, thin and pale bodies, with hundreds of legs, reminded me of a paper I had read years earlier, which redescribed the leggiest millipede in the world, the Californian Illacme plenipes, bearing 750 legs. Back in 2007, while teaching zoology at Campinas State University in Brazil, I used that paper to explain to students how no millipede species in the world really had 1,000 legs. Often, popular names are scientifically inaccurate, but in front of me I had an animal that stood a chance of finally making the name millipede biologically correct. <h2>A true millipede at last</h2> I suggested to Jane that our new specimens might be more consistent with I. plenipes, which belongs to another order of millipedes, the Siphonophorida. We consulted Mark Harvey from the WA Museum, and together were surprised to realise Siphonophorida are very rare in Australia: there are only three known species, all found on the east coast. Next, I contacted Paul Marek at Virginia Tech in the United States, a millipede expert and lead author of that paper about the 750-legged I. plenipes. He was excited to receive the specimens a few weeks later. This new species turned out to have up to 1,306 legs, making it the first true millipede. Paul named it Eumillipes persephone, in reference to its “true 1,000 legs” nature, and to Persephone, the goddess of the underworld in Greek mythology who was taken from the surface by Hades. <h2>Why so many legs?</h2> E. persephone was most likely driven to its underground life as the landscape above became hotter and drier over millions of years. We eventually discovered Jane was right about the nature of E. persephone: it is in fact a member of the Siphonotidae family, only distantly related to I. plenipes, and is therefore the only species in the whole order Polyzoniida with no eyes. We classify any millipede with more than 180 body segments as “super-elongated”. E. persephone has 330. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/437943/original/file-20211216-15-zklige.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/437943/original/file-20211216-15-zklige.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> Just a few of the legs of a male Eumillipes persephone. Paul E. Marek, Bruno A. Buzatto, William A. Shear, Jackson C. Means, Dennis G. Black, Mark S. Harvey, Juanita Rodriguez, Scientific Reports, Author provided With a genetic analysis, we found that super-elongation has evolved repeatedly in millipedes, and it might be an adaptation to living underground. The large number of legs likely provides enhanced traction and power to push their bodies through small gaps and fractures in the soil. But this is just a hypothesis at this stage, and we have no direct evidence that having more legs is an adaptation to subterranean life. <h2>Finding the unknown</h2> Finding this incredible species, which represents a unique branch of the millipede tree of life, is a small first step towards the conservation of subterranean biodiversity in arid landscapes. This starts with documenting new species, assessing their vulnerability, and ultimately devising conservation priorities and management plans. A large proportion of the species of arid Australia are undescribed. For subterranean fauna, this may be more than 90%. Not knowing these animals exist makes it impossible to assess their conservation status. Biodiversity surveys, and especially the taxonomy that supports them, are incredibly important. Taxonomists such as Jane, Paul and Mark are the unsung heroes of conservation.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/173753/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/bruno-alves-buzatto-185830">Bruno Alves Buzatto</a>, Principal Biologist at Bennelongia Environmental Consultants, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-western-australia-1067">The University of Western Australia</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/1-millipede-1-306-legs-we-just-discovered-the-worlds-leggiest-animal-hiding-in-western-australia-173753">original article</a>.

Domestic Travel

Mother gives grave warning after daughter loses leg

A mother is urging parents to think again before they let their children near and around adult equipment after her own daughter lost her leg in a horrific lawnmower accident in August. Mum Sarah Reardon said her three-year-old daughter Abigail Reardon, is dealing with her new circumstances “far better than all the adults in her life” after she was reversed over by the mower in Franklin, Massachusetts. The horrifying accident took place on August 22 and resulted in extensive damage to Abigail’s left foot and leg. It left her needing an amputation from her mid-calf. Ms Reardon said the accident happened quickly. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838231/baby-loses-leg-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/3ab4b3d15ae448858175ce9b20d1172b" /> “She was out playing and the lawnmower was put into reverse and she was there,” the heartbroken mother told Boston 25 News. The driver of the ride-on mower has not been identified because what happened was an accident, she said. Abigail spent 16 days at the Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence. The little girl has undergone five surgeries and her mother said more surgeries are likely to come. Ms Reardon aid she had an “amazing, determined, resilient little spirit”. “Abby lost her left foot and leg up to the middle of her calf, endured plastic reconstructive surgery, has significant soft tissue injuries to recover from, and is fighting bacterial and fungal infections from her wounds,” she wrote on a GoFundMe page. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838232/baby-loses-leg-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/7f7598eb86a447d78768670d345f38d9" /> Her mum also said she faces ongoing issues, including requiring medications, and “will need many prosthetic leg fittings over the course of the next 15+ years, or until she’s done growing”. “As the bones in her amputated leg grow, it’s likely the skin won’t stretch fast enough to keep up, so she’s expected to go through many procedures to ‘shorten the bone’ as she grows.” The mum said the accident was also witnessed by Abigail’s older sister Alexa. She has also expressed she wants said Alexa to begin counselling to help her understand the accident. Ms Reardon said she wants parents to be aware of the dangers of ride-on mowers. “They’re obviously very dangerous machines,” she said. “I’ve learned way more statistics than I wanted to about what happens to over 9000 children a year.” Ms Reardon was citing statistics from the American Academy of Paediatrics. AAoP advises children be kept indoors while ride-on mowers are in use. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Abigail’s family pay for medical costs.

Body

Dream holiday turns into horror: Family sues after baby loses legs and fingers

A British family is suing the Royal Caribbean cruise line after their nine-month-old daughter left their trip a triple amputee following a major misdiagnosis onboard. Phoebe Moon and her parents boarded the Symphony of the Seas in February, and found that their baby girl had become ill after they had settled in. “We had never taken her away before and we thought we would have the time of our lives in America, but sadly, it didn’t turn out that way,” said Phoebe’s mother Aimee. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838022/phoebe-baby-amputee-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f23261177ed24fb184dfd8d9c75adf58" /> “We actually visited the infirmary five times that day and she just got worse and worse throughout the day,” she said. “Every time we went down (the infirmary), we were sent back to our cabin.” When they refused to leave, the parents say Phoebe was handed antibiotics. Eventually they got off the ship mid-cruise in St Martin to seek help. “When we got to St Martin’s hospital, they said they’ve got about 15 minutes to save her life,” explained Phoebe’s father, Luke. “They said to prepare for the worst because she’s very sick.” Phoebe’s feet, legs, and hands were handed swollen and purple - caused by a severe form of meningitis. “We were just in utter shock to think you left to go on holidays with your daughter and the prospect that you’re not going to be going home with her is unimaginable,” Aimee said. The family say that doctors in Fort Lauderdale had to amputate to save her life. Phoebe lost her feet and the fingers of her left hand. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838023/phoebe-baby-amputee-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/94a00cd7e23d46218b7bc82551f82bd8" /> The family has since filed a lawsuit against Royal Caribbean in Miami, with the family alleging that the cruise line’s doctors misdiagnosed Phoebe with “a stomach bug” despite her showing “classic signs of a life-threatening meningococcal meningitis infection”. Some of those symptoms included lethargy and high fever. Thomas Scolaro is the attorney for the family and told NBC 6: “Listening to their story just breaks my heart every time. “This would otherwise be the world’s most horrific case of medical negligence and damage to the world’s sweetest little child, but it gets substantially worse.” Her parents say every day is a struggle following their daughter’s life-changing surgery. “Even now all she wants to do is get down and walk, and it’s so difficult that she is unable to do that,” Aimee said. “And these challenges are just going to get harder as she gets older.” The family has given a message for other families planning to sail in the future. “We were always under the impression that the medical facilities and staff on a ship were world class and world leading,” Luke said. “We now think that isn’t the case. You are on your own at sea.”

Legal

120 million years ago: Giant crocodiles walked on two legs

Fossilised footprints and tracks provide a direct record of how ancient animals moved. And some preserved behaviours leave us marvelling in disbelief. In research published today in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-66008-7">Scientific Reports</a>, my international team of colleagues and I detail our discovery of exquisitely preserved crocodile footprints, formed about 120 million years ago in what is now Sacheon, South Korea. These trace fossils reveal multiple crocodiles undertaking a very curious behaviour: bipedal walking, much like many dinosaurs. The ancient footprints uncovered resemble those made by humans, as they are long and slender, with a prominent heel impression. But they have additional features, including thick scaly imprints from the sole and toes that are comparatively long with broader impressions. The shape of these footprints compares very well with crocodile tracks known elsewhere, notably Batrachopus tracks from the Jurassic <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10420940490428832">found in the United States</a> – with “Batrachopus” being the name assigned to the tracks themselves. However, instead of being made by quadrupedal, cat-sized crocodiles, the Sacheon fossil tracks are large. With footprints that measure around 24 centimetres long, they come from animals with legs the same height as human legs and bodies more than three metres long. A distant ancestor Today, crocodiles walk on four legs in a wide, squat stance. The Sacheon crocodile trackways we discovered indicate a different pattern of movement. They do not have “handprints”, and the trackways are exceptionally narrow, as if the animals were making the footprints while balancing on a tightrope. This suggests these ancient crocodiles had their legs tucked beneath their body, much like a dinosaur, rather than assuming the typical sprawling posture seen in today’s crocodiles. The tracks could not have been made by dinosaurs. One clear difference between dinosaur and crocodile tracks is that crocodiles walk flat-footed, leaving a clear heel impression. Dinosaurs and their bird descendants walk high on their toes, with the heel off the ground. The devil is in the detail Fossil tracks can be found in many different states of preservation, ranging from excellent to comparatively indistinct. This can make it hard to accurately identify the animals that made them. Often, track sites are either not composed of sediments that help retain the finer features of tracks, or they erode after lengthy exposure to the elements. We know the Sacheon trackmakers were ancient crocodiles because the tracks have been preserved in extraordinary detail. This is due in part to fine, muddy sediment around an ancient lake that was able to hold the footprints while covered by sediment-laden water. Also, the site was freshly excavated for a new rural building development and hadn’t been exposed to erosion. A helpful reference point The perfectly preserved Sacheon tracks became our reference to reassess other unusual trackways that had been described in the area, but were more poorly preserved. Our attention focused on sites at Gain-ri and Adu Island just ten kilometres away from Sacheon, that had eroded trackways within the <a href="https://www.crd.bc.ca/education/our-environment/ecosystems/coastal-marine/intertidal-zone#:%7E:text=The%20intertidal%20zone%20is%20the,high%20and%20low%20tide%20lines.">intertidal zone</a>, between the low and high tide. These narrow trackways with long, slender footprints but no hand prints or tail drag marks echoed the Sacheon crocodile tracks. A <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10420940.2011.625779">decade earlier</a>, the footprints had been interpreted as made by another ancient animal known as a <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2017/11/pterosaurs-weirdest-wonders-on-wings/">pterosaur</a>. This ancient winged creature – related to dinosaurs but not officially classified as one – was famed for ruling the skies when dinosaurs ruled the land. Crocodiles and pterosaurs were quite distinct, being predominantly land and air dwellers, respectively. They had very differently shaped hands, but interestingly, the impressions they left with their feet can look very similar. When pterosaurs were on the ground, they typically walked on all fours, using their back feet and hands to support themselves as they moved, just like today’s crocodiles. However, as the “pterosaur” Gain-ri and Adu Island trackways lacked hand prints, they indicate bipedal walking. Thus, the tracks were wrongly ascribed to a pterosaur. When first discovered, pterosaur tracks were known to be very common in South Korea, while crocodile tracks were rare. In the absence of well-preserved footprints, the preferred interpretation was that these tracks were likely evidence of unusual behaviour of the pterosaur, a common trackmaker in the area. With the new evidence from the Sacheon site, it became possible to reevaluate the Gain-ri and Adu Island trackways too, which we now suspect were made by the same crocodile trackmakers strolling around Sacheon 120 million years ago. Written by Anthony Romilio. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/120-million-years-ago-giant-crocodiles-walked-on-two-legs-in-what-is-now-south-korea-140335">The Conversation.</a>

Travel Tips

Mum stirs heated debate online after asking if she should shave her 6-year-old’s legs

A mum has sparked an intense debate online after asking a controversial question on a parenting forum. The mum, who goes by the username TellerTuesday4Eva, posted on <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.mumsnet.com/" target="_blank">Mumsnet</a> about whether she should shave her six-year-old daughter’s body hair. “A big part of me knows this is ridiculous, but there’s another part that wants [my daughter] to make her own choices,” she wrote. “She has and always has had very hairy legs and a hairy lower back. I presumed it was baby down, and would go away in time, but it hasn’t, and it’s gone darker as she’s gotten older.” The concerned mother mentioned that the body hair is affecting her daughter’s self-esteem as she notices other young girls her age are not dealing with the same issue. The poster did say that she has had conversations with her child about how all bodies are made differently but worries that the message isn’t coming across to her daughter. “In the summer she became aware of it,” she wrote. “She asked me if there was a way to get rid of the hair, we talked about it and everyone’s bodies being different. “Since she’s gone back to school she’s mentioned it again quite a few times. I have to point out here that nobody else has mentioned it, classmates etc. It’s [my daughter] herself that has the issue … she’s now getting upset about swimming and not wanting to go because she says when her legs get wet it looks worse. The hair’s quite long so when it gets wet and lays flat she is right in what she’s saying.” She asked for users on the site to offer their advice if they were in her situation. Surprisingly, she received an overwhelming amount of support, with many parents reacting positively to her daughter’s concern. “I was a very hairy child (well still am quite) and I desperately wanted to shave but my mum wouldn’t let me. I did it myself when I was 13 without my parents – with a cheap Bic razor! I think helping her is better than refusing and then her doing it herself,” wrote one user. “I would help her remove the hair. It’s really embarrassing being the first hairy girl and just because her peers haven’t noticed yet, doesn’t mean they won’t. She’s not comfortable with the hair on her legs, and given most women choose to remove theirs, she’s not expressing a controversial opinion that is likely to change when she gets older,” added another. “If when she’s a teen she decides to hell with it, she’d rather be hairy all over, the hair will grow back. It’s not an irreversible decision or something she’ll grow out of.” After sifting through all the advice that was given, the mum took to the forum to update everyone on how she spoke to her daughter and they both decided that removing the hair was the best way to go. “Thank you all so much for your replies. I was well prepared to get flamed, but overwhelmed with how supportive you’ve all been,” she wrote. “We’ve talked about it at length tonight and decided that we’ll try a mitt first to see what the outcome is.” Do you think the mum is making the right decision? Let us know in the comments below.

Body

Princess Mary flashes endless legs in gorgeous frock at fashion show

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark put on a leggy display in a pastel pink dress during a fashion show in København. The Australian-born royal looked right at home in the front row as she watched students showcase their designs at the Kolding Design School and the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts joint show Future of Fashion. <img width="406" height="608" src="https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/08/08/18/4EF02C2D00000578-6040297-image-a-29_1533747910855.jpg" alt="Initially Mary looked every inch the royal in her dress, which featured a respectable high neck and had a floor-sweeping length (pictured arriving at the Academy)" class="blkBorder img-share b-loaded" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" id="i-61472699e619d857"/> The ever-stylish Mary wore a floor-sweeping flowy frock cinched at the waist with a chunky belt and finished off with pink stilettos, fitting right in with the chic crowd. The royal even showed off her tanned pins when she swept her dress to the side as she sat down to watch the fashion parade. <img width="445" height="596" src="https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/08/08/17/4EF028D500000578-6040297-Sitting_in_the_front_row_Australian_born_Mary_had_pulled_her_lon-m-8_1533747196080.jpg" alt="Sitting in the front row, Australian born Mary had pulled her long dress up above her knees (pictured)" class="blkBorder img-share b-loaded" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" id="i-11b93c6830b18a0a"/> Later in the day, she attended the Fashion Fair in Copenhagen, of which she is patron. The annual event sees upcoming designers showcase their clothes in displays and fashion shows. What do you think of Princess Mary's dress? Let us know in the comments below.

Beauty & Style

Warning against pedicures after woman almost loses leg

A woman in America has warned of the dangers of getting a pedicure at a nail salon after almost losing her leg. Tracy Lynn Martinez suffered a serious infection in her foot and leg after indulging in a pedicure at a local salon, which she claims was caused by a callus cutter. "I just wanted to share my story to save someone from going [through] what I'm going through or even death," Martinez wrote on Facebook. Martinez believed the "grade A salon" in Winston Salem to be very clean. "The whirlpool baths have the disposable bags, and they bring the new fresh tools in a new bag," she said in her Facebook post, "but also bring a nice bacteria infected callus cutter too." Martinez visited the nail salon on June 22 for her pedicure and the next day, was suffering nauseousness, chills and vomiting. She attempted to sleep off the symptoms of what she thought was the beginning of a cold, but by June 24 – just two days after the pedicure – she had no strength, lack of balance and her leg had swollen to a huge size. She continued explaining on her post on Facebook, "I am [in an] ambulance to the Emergency Room to find out [if] I am toxic and have a serious case of cellulitis caused by a strep infection in my blood stream caused by the scrapes on the outside of my heel from the callus cutter." Martinez added, "I have been through hell, pain, shock, all of it.... But I want to raise awareness. Say NO to the callus cutters/shavers." The 35-year-old has since discovered that callus cutters are not permitted in nail salons in North Carolina, writing, "There is no way to properly disinfect this tool to continually [use] on people. I no longer recommend pedicures but definitely say NO to these callus shavers if you do go!" She is still recovering from the infection after a two-week stint in hospital and is required to take medication for the next 3 months. Martinez explained that she will also have to wear compression stockings for the rest of her life, to protect herself from another infection, as well as take a separate medication for life. "Every day was a new chapter of what was going to happen to my leg. Was I going to lose my leg? Was I going to lose my life?" Martinez shared. Do you regularly get pedicures at nail salons? Tell us in the comments below.

Body

Do this simple yoga move to relieve tired legs

Tracy Adshead is a yoga teacher specialising in yoga for seniors. She is passionate about bringing healing and healthy ageing to the community. The yoga posture 'Legs Up the Wall' has many great benefits for the body. While reversing the effects of gravity on legs and feet this posture enables stagnant fluids to move, fluids that may build up if you have low blood pressure or edema. Standing or sitting for long periods requires the circulation to work hard pumping blood from the legs back to the heart. Practising Legs Up the Wall allows gravity to assist with both the circulation of blood and the drainage of lymphatic fluid in the legs and feet. If you’re wondering where these fluids go as they drain, the lymph system is the bodies ‘rubbish collection’ system - it picks up toxins and stagnant fluids such as those that collect with edema and carries them away for elimination. <img width="498" height="425" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7818224/image__498x425.jpg" alt="Image_ (62)"/> Resting in 'Legs Up the Wall' is also good for relieving tried leg muscles and draining away tension. Use gravity to your advantage by allowing your body to fully relax in the posture for 10 to 15 minutes or you may like to start with a just few minutes. Although Legs Up the Wall is safe for most individuals, including those who have osteoporosis, it’s not suitable if you have glaucoma or for those taking medication for high blood pressure. Also if you have serious neck or spine issues talk to your doctor first. Three ways to get into Legs Up the Wall posture: <ol start="1"> <li>The first way is very simple - lay down on the bed with your head towards the foot of the bed, wiggle yourself as close as you can towards the bedhead. Lift your legs up on to the wall, try to get as close as you can to the wall. </li> <li>If you are able to get down on the floor - place a blanket (or a yoga mat) and a pillow on the floor beside a wall, make sure there is plenty of space around you. Sit down on the floor with your right hip touching the wall. In one movement, lift your legs up on to the wall as you lye down on your back making a sort of 90 degree angle with you body. </li> <li>Alternative using a chair - lie down on the floor on your back, lift up your legs and place the calf muscles up on to the base of a chair or the couch.</li> </ol> To come out of the posture draw your knees towards your chest, roll over on to one side and pause there for a minute or two checking on your blood pressure - is there any pounding between your ears? If so, stay here for a few more minutes. When you feel ready gently sit up, take a few deep breaths here before carefully coming up to standing. For more, follow Tracy on Facebook <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/%20https:/www.facebook.com/TracyChairYoga/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf" target="_blank">here</a>.

Body

Does crossing your legs cause varicose veins?

It’s the catchcry of mothers around the world – “Stop crossing your legs, you’ll get varicose veins!” But is there any truth to the rumour? <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2017/08/13/does-crossing-your-legs-cause-varicose-veins_a_23076331/" target="_blank">HuffPost Australia</a> spoke to Dr Mark Malouf, president of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Phlebology to find out. “The short answer is no, it does not,” he revealed. “However, sitting for long periods of time, with legs crossed or not, if you already have varicose veins can worsen the situation because the blood sitting around in those varicose veins can pool and slow down, and may develop a clot (called ‘thrombosis’).” So we can all breathe a sigh of relief there, but why is it that some people are so much more prone to them than others? “Men and women both suffer from varicose veins, but much more so in women,” says Dr Malouf. “Many patients suffer symptoms from their varicose veins while others do not. “The main reason people develop varicose veins is hereditary – mum or dad has them in 70 per cent of cases that I see. That goes for the large bulging grape-like varicose veins as well as the unsightly blue and red ‘spider veins’ that many women and some men find very distressing.” So you can blame your parents for your unsightly veins, then! Thankfully, Dr Malouf explains, varicose veins and spider veins can be treated and even prevented. Here are a few preventative measures you can take today. <ol> <li>Change your lifestyle – If you’re overweight or lead a sedentary lifestyle, your veins could be paying the price. To avoid vein issues, get moving, try not to sit or stand in the same place for too long and ensure you’re wearing supportive shoes.</li> <li>Take supplements – Your doctor may recommend oral Ventonics or Vento-active drugs which work to strengthen the walls of your veins, slowing deterioration of varicose veins.</li> <li>Get supported – Support stockings, socks and pantyhose reduce the backward blood flow to diseased varicose veins, slowing the process of enlargement and relieving symptoms such as swelling.</li> </ol> If you’re concerned about your varicose or spider veins, book a visit with your doctor – there are a number of treatments available, both surgical and non-invasive.

Body

Slow-roasted lamb leg with green olive gremolata

Slow-roasted lamb is such a great way to feed a crowd because you can forget about it for hours while it's in the oven. Gremolata, sprinkled over the meat when served, cuts through the fattiness with its punchy flavours. Serves: 6-8 Ingredients: <ul> <li>2kg (approx) lamb leg </li> <li>2 tablespoons olive oil </li> <li>Generous pinch of flaky sea salt </li> <li>1 red onion, quartered </li> <li>4 large garlic cloves, skin on, lightly crushed</li> <li>1 lemon, cut in half </li> <li>1 cup beef or lamb stock </li> </ul> For the gremolata <ul> <li>½ cup chopped green Sicilian olives (pits removed) </li> <li>½ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley </li> <li>2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest </li> <li>1 garlic clove, crushed </li> <li>1 tablespoon lemon juice</li> </ul> Method: 1. Heat oven to 160°C. Place lamb leg in a roasting tray. Stab a few holes in the fat then drizzle olive oil over and rub in salt. Place onion in dish along with garlic cloves. Squeeze lemon juice over then add lemon halves to the pan. 2. Pour stock into dish, cover with foil and roast for about 3 hours. 3. Take from oven and remove foil (set it aside to use later for the resting period). Baste lamb with pan juices then return to the oven, uncovered, for another hour or so. Baste a couple of times during this period to get a rich golden-brown colour. 4. Remove meat from oven, cover loosely again with foil and allow to rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. 5. To serve, place lamb on a serving board and shred with two forks; it should fall off the bone. Sprinkle with gremolata. 6. To make the gremolata, combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Written by Delaney Mes. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz. </a> Have you ordered your copy of the Over60 cookbook, The Way Mum Made It, yet? Featuring 175 delicious tried-and-true recipes from you, the Over60 community, and your favourites that have appeared on the Over60 website, <a href="https://shop.abc.net.au/products/way-mum-made-it-pbk" target="_blank">head to the abcshop.com.au to order your copy now</a>.

Food & Wine

Woman with superbug faces losing her leg

A 75-year-old Australian could face losing her leg due to a superbug she contracted in Zambia last year. Sandra Hocking was helping orphans in Zambia when she fell into a hole and cut open her ankle. She returned to Australia with a gaping wound that was not healing. In April, doctors told Sandra that she had contracted a deadly antibiotic-resistant superbug and there was no medication to treat it. Doctors believe Sandra’s situation is one of the worst superbug infections ever seen in Australia and she now faces the prospect of having her leg amputated. "It's a total bastard of an organism in that it's one of the most resistant," Sandra’ s doctor, Lindsay Grayson, told the Sydney Morning Herald. "It's one of the worst cases I've seen." <img width="300" height="455" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/38789/in-text-superbug.jpg" alt="In Text Superbug"/> Two years ago, the superbug, called pseudomonas, was treated with antibiotics but it has since become resistant to them all. "The pus coming out of her leg was loaded with this superbug. We only needed the slightest error by staff and it could spread to equipment and other patients," Professor Grayson said. In isolation at Austin hospital, Sandra was treated with two old antibiotics, one which was phased out due to causing kidney failure in high doses. Sandra was faced with the horrific choice of taking the drugs or losing her legs. "I'd heard of superbugs ... but the fact that I got it ... I was devastated. I cried and I cried," Sandra said. An expert team of doctors from Austin hospital and Melbourne and Monash universities administered the drugs using an intravenous drip. Sandra has also had multiple surgeries and the doctors grafted her skin from her arm onto her ankle to increase blood flow to the area. "This is her last chance," Professor Grayson said. "If this fails, she'll lose her leg. She has a very anxious wait." Professor Grayson believes Australia is facing a superbug crisis as patients are coming into Australian hospitals once a week with superbug infections. "We need people to understand that if we continue to recklessly misuse and overuse antibiotics, as we have for the past 50-70 years, doctors will be faced with the choice to amputate infected limbs or risk their patients' lives," Professor Grayson said. Professor Grayson called for a coordinated national authority in infection control, enforced mandatory reporting and more research. Image credit: Wayne Taylor

Body

Passenger woken on flight by kid pinching his leg

When you’re flying in cattle class there’s not much space between you and the person directly in front of you, as one passenger found out in the video below. On a flight from south to north Vietnam, Christian Ochoa was awoken by a stinging pain in his right leg. But it wasn’t some intrepid mosquito – it was a boy in the seat in front yanking on his leg hair. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oPaupb3pdMY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> Ochoa said, “I was on a plane from Hanoi to Saigon when I felt a stinging pain on my leg. “I was asleep and it happened to wake me up. I look and see this kid pulling my leg hairs. I immediately started recording because the situation seemed so absurd. “Apparently the kid was not used to seeing a hairy leg.” Have you ever seen a kid up to mischief on a flight? Have you arranged your travel insurance yet? Tailor your cover to your needs and save money by not paying for things you don’t need. <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-insurance/?utm_source=over60&utm_campaign=travel-insurance&utm_medium=content&utm_content=travel-insurance" target="_blank">To arrange a quote, click here.</a> For more information about Over60 Travel Insurance, call 1800 622 966.

International Travel

Celebrating three-legged dogs in photos

When Dylan Delia took to Twitter to share post-op photos of his three-legged dog who just beat cancer, he had no idea he was about to start something special. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 4 legs down to 3 but he beat cancer! Good job buddy 🐾 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Survivor?src=hash">#Survivor</a> <a href="https://t.co/XzP4KZfrqX">pic.twitter.com/XzP4KZfrqX</a> — Dylan Delia (@dylandelia87) <a href="https://twitter.com/dylandelia87/status/853088180983050241">April 15, 2017</a></blockquote> After attracting tens of thousands of likes and retweets, more and more owners of “tripod” dogs came forward to share their appreciation for their beloved pets. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <a href="https://twitter.com/dylandelia87">@dylandelia87</a> I have a tripod doggo too! 😬🐶 <a href="https://t.co/FwGxRnuO4v">pic.twitter.com/FwGxRnuO4v</a> — Andrea (@TheDinoPrincess) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheDinoPrincess/status/854236025555636224">April 18, 2017</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <a href="https://twitter.com/dylandelia87">@dylandelia87</a> Twins! <a href="https://t.co/Luze02NNJ7">pic.twitter.com/Luze02NNJ7</a> — lilly (@LillianPiccolo) <a href="https://twitter.com/LillianPiccolo/status/854488817142829056">April 19, 2017</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <a href="https://twitter.com/dylandelia87">@dylandelia87</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/dog_rates">@dog_rates</a> I also have a three legged doggo <a href="https://t.co/fHPjNY1ltf">pic.twitter.com/fHPjNY1ltf</a> — One (@JeckLM) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeckLM/status/854545726889762816">April 19, 2017</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <a href="https://twitter.com/dylandelia87">@dylandelia87</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Bethany_a11">@Bethany_a11</a> Ugh I love 3 legged dogs! <a href="https://t.co/MPR2KLdPP9">pic.twitter.com/MPR2KLdPP9</a> — bell⚓️❣ (@Bellaaa_7) <a href="https://twitter.com/Bellaaa_7/status/854427922597380096">April 18, 2017</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <a href="https://twitter.com/dylandelia87">@dylandelia87</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/deefizzy">@deefizzy</a> Awe what a cutie❤ I have a three legged cat to match <a href="https://t.co/6HLx9hP1kF">pic.twitter.com/6HLx9hP1kF</a> — Ashley ␌ (@3Ashleyt) <a href="https://twitter.com/3Ashleyt/status/854547048108052488">April 19, 2017</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <a href="https://twitter.com/dylandelia87">@dylandelia87</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/dog_rates">@dog_rates</a> he'll feel so much better and get the hang of three legs quickly, promise! I know my pup feels better! <a href="https://t.co/o04ls2epS5">pic.twitter.com/o04ls2epS5</a> — hannah bettis (@hannahcbettis) <a href="https://twitter.com/hannahcbettis/status/854556662161694721">April 19, 2017</a></blockquote> It just goes to show, a tri-paw’d pet has just as much love to give as any other dog in the world. Tell us in the comments below, do you have a three-legged pet? We’d love to see a photo!

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Warning against pedicures after woman almost loses leg

Do this simple yoga move to relieve tired legs

Does crossing your legs cause varicose veins?

Slow-roasted lamb leg with green olive gremolata

Woman with superbug faces losing her leg

Passenger woken on flight by kid pinching his leg

Celebrating three-legged dogs in photos