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14 of the funniest photos from the 2023 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

Funny kangaroos, monkeys and more!

comedy wildlife photography awards, funny pet photos, nature photography

The 2023 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards.

The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, known for being one of the most entertaining photography contests, has just wrapped up, and this year’s top prize goes to Jason Moore for his hilarious and brilliantly captured photo of a kangaroo, cheekily named “Air Guitar Roo.” Not only did this fantastic shot win the overall competition, but it also rocked the Creatures of the Land category, too.

Jason's photo stood out among a whopping 5,300 entries submitted by 1,842 photographers from 85 countries. Moore’s photo of the female western grey kangaroo was taken in the outer suburbs of Perth, Australia when Jason visited a field of wildflowers to snap some pics of the many adult kangaroos and joeys playing there.

“The shoot turned out to be a great session, and I am quite fond of several images that I captured,” Moore said in a statement. “Not many people know that kangaroos are normally fairly docile and even a bit boring most of the time if I’m honest. However, when I saw this roo striking the air guitar pose, it immediately brought a smile to my face, and I knew that I had captured something really special."

The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards was started in 2015 by Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE and Tom Sullam to create a competition focused on the lighter, humorous side of wildlife photography while assuming an essential role in promoting wildlife conservation.

Here are 14 of the big winners.

1. Overall Winner: "Air-Guitar Roo" (grey kangaroo) by Jason Moore, Australia

A kangaroo rocking out.

"On this day, I had been out with my camera photographing some waterfowl at a nearby lake. I had been up at sunrise to take advantage of the 'golden hour' light, but it turned out to be a disappointing morning on the water. After leaving the lake, somewhat dejected, I decided to swing past an area of open bushland, because there are often a 'mob' of Kangaroos feeding and sunning themselves in a field close to the road. ... The morning light was still favorable so I grabbed my camera and headed off to a spot where I could get down to eye level with my subjects. I ended up shooting about 40 or 50 frames of the kangaroos with various content including mum’s, joeys and also some action shots of them bouncing along through the yellow field. The shoot turned out to be a great session, and I am quite fond of several images that I captured. However, when I saw this animal strike this pose it immediately brought a smile to my face and I knew that I had captured something special." — Jason Moore

2. Creatures of the Air Award: "Unexpected Plunge" (heron) Vittorio Ricci, South Africa

A heron takes a dive.

"An unusual end of a perfect moment." — Vittorio Ricci

3. Creatures Under the Water Award: "Otter Ballerina" (smooth-coated otter), Otter Kwek, Singapore

An otter with perfect form.

"The otter was leaping while attempting to grasp the overhanging leaves, and during an unusual landing, it ended up in the Arabesque pose. I showed this photo to a ballet teacher, and she commented that the otter is a natural but just needs to tuck in its tummy a bit — precisely what a ballet teacher would advise." — Otter Kwek

4. People's Choice Award: "Dispute" (greenfinch), Jacek Stankiewicz, Poland

This greenfinch is very adamant about something.

"I caught this scene while watching birds in the Bialowieza Forest. My friends interpret this scene in two ways. One, a young naughty kid is arguing with a parent. Two, a kid is reporting to the parent that their brother did something wrong: 'Look he broke a window!'" — Jacek Stankiewicz

Highly Commended Winners

5. "The Happy Turtle" (swamp turtle), Tzahi Finkelstein, Antarctica

A turtle is about to have a meal.

"The swamp turtle is surprised and smiles at the dragonfly resting on its nose." — Tzahi Finkelstein

6. "The Monday Blahs" (great grey owl) John Blumenkamp, USA

This owl is so over it.

"While photographing the great gray owl shown in my image, I had been busy working to capture that majestic-looking pose. As the owl preened and then sat still for a short while, it stretched once more and for a quick moment gave the pose shown. As it did, I grinned and thought… now that’s funny!" — John Blumenkamp

7. "One for the Family Album" (gannets) Zoe Ashdown, UK

A proud family of gannets.

"At RSPB Bempton Cliffs, each year between March and October, around half a million seabirds use the chalk cliffs towering above the North Sea to nest and raise a family. Gannets mate for life and they return to the same nest year after year to raise their young. Lying safely at the top of the cliff face, I was able to observe the affection shown between the gannets each time one returned to the nest. They have a greeting ritual, they rub beaks and entwine their necks; it’s how they strengthen their bond. But it’s also a brilliant opportunity to catch them in various poses. I didn’t realize I’d taken this image until I got home, but as soon as I saw it I laughed out loud! They look like proud parents, posing with their baby." — Zoe Ashdown

8. "Don't Look Down" (Atlantic puffin), Brian Matthews, UK

A puffin doing the upside-down Snoopy routine.

"A puffin does an inverted snoopy impression while watching jelly fish." — Brian Matthews.

9. "Boing" (grey kangaroo) Lara Mathews, Australia

Silly little joey!

"Taken at Westerfolds Park, a beautiful and surprisingly wild pocket of land in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, famous for its kangaroo population. The mob was enjoying some morning sunshine when this joey decided to get silly and try his hand at boxing." — Lara Mathews

10. "The Rainforest Dandy" (monkey) Delphine Casimir, Bali

A sophisticated monkey.

"This picture was taken in the monkey forest in Ubud, Bali, a crazy place where monkeys are king! This forest is special even magical and sacred to the Balinese people. Maybe our dandy is the reincarnation of a divinity?" — Delphine Casimir

11. "Look Right, Bro" (macaque, deer) Pratick Mondal, India

"And on my right, is a deer."

12. "That Wasn't Here Yesterday" (white-winged dove) Wendy Kaveney, USA

A white-winged dove disrupted mid-flight.

"A white-winged dove appearing to fly head-on into a cholla cactus skeleton." — Whitney Kaveney

13. "Snowball" (white grouse) Jaques Poulard, Norway

Why is that snowball alive?

"The white grouse is coming towards me and looks like a snowball with eyes." — Jaques Poulard

14. "Excuse Me Sir But I Think You're a Bit Too Young to Be Smoking" (grey fox) Dakota Vaccaro, USA

A grey fox that looks like it's enjoying a fine cigar.

"While I was working deep in the Virginian woods, a family of grey foxes took up residence under the deck of the abandoned cottage next to my work housing. One day, while practicing their hunting skills on bits of moss and branches, one of the kits lunged at a small chunk of wood and started rolling around with his prize. Tired after his hunt, the kit lounged on his belly still holding the wood in his mouth which gave the strong resemblance of a cigar." — Dakota Vaccaro

This article originally appeared two years ago.

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nature photography

Pop Culture

Cool video shows why everyone used to wear hats and then suddenly stopped

The change started around 1960.

via Warmbru Curiosity/YouTube

When did everyone stop wearing hats?

If you see old newsreel footage of men in the office or on commuter trains from the advent of the motion picture camera to the early ‘60s, nearly everyone is wearing a hat. Hats were just as common for women in that era. For a woman to go out without a hat in the first half of the 20th century was akin to going out without clothes.

The funny thing is that everyone’s headgear is so similar in the old-timey footage that it makes previous generations look like big-time conformists. Then, in the early ‘60s, everything changed, and men and women started to go out in public with their hair exposed. Why did such a big aspect of fashion seem to change overnight?

Warmbru Curiosity investigated the question recently in a popular YouTube video. Warmbru’s channel is a lighthearted look at some of the more unusual people and events from our history and how they have influenced the world in which we live.

Why did people stop wearing hats?

Warmbru says fashion changed dramatically after World War II, when people in developed countries began to care less about expressing their social status. “This was especially true among the younger generation the rise of youth culture in the 1950s and 1960s emphasized rebellion against traditional norms, including formal dress codes,” the YouTuber says.

- YouTubeyoutu.be

Another big reason for the change in fashion was technology. Cars became the preferred mode of transportation for many after World War II and indoor environments became more hospitable. “People spent far less time exposed to the elements as people increasingly moved to urban areas and started using cars,” Warmbru says. “The practicality of wearing hats diminishes. Hats can be cumbersome in cars and on public transport, improvements in heating and air conditioning reduce the need for hats to provide warmth.”

Warmbru adds that President John F. Kennedy, elected in 1960, rarely wore a hat and his decision to go bareheaded became associated with modernity. Further, in 1963, the mop-topped Beatles proudly flaunted their hatless heads as they shook them while singing, “Wooooo.” Hat-wearing among women began to decline around the same time as the restrictive and complex headgear clashed with the burgeoning women’s liberation movement.

The decline in hat purchases meant that manufacturers closed and the headgear became harder to come by. This reduced availability further contributed to the decline in hat-wearing. As fewer people wore hats, there became a greater demand for high-quality hair products and services. “Why spend a fortune at the hairdressers or the barbers just to cover the end result with a hat?” Warmbru asks.

Ultimately, there were many reasons why people stopped wearing hats. It appears that it was a combination of technology, influential people such as Kennedy and The Beatles, and the overwhelming mood of change that swept most of the Western world in the 1960s. But if one thing is true about fashion, it goes in cycles. So, it seems that hats may be ready for their big comeback.

This article originally appeared last year.

From Your Site Articles

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Celebrity

Heidi Montag's old single is topping charts after fans learn they lost everything in the fire

"We were house poor as they call it, so we have a house and everything else is a hustle, is a grind."

Photo Credit: Flickr

Heidi Montag's old single tops charts after losing home in fires

If you're a Millennial then you likely remember the reality show "The Hills." It was a show that followed a bunch of freshly minted young adults around Los Angeles as a spin off of the wildly popular reality show "Laguna Beach." Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt's romance helped the show garner massive ratings as the couple people loved to hate.

Like many people in Los Angeles, Montag and Pratt have been living through the devastation of the wildfires burning through the city. They recently revealed that they have lost their home with all of their possessions inside but unlike many of the celebrities that have become household names, they're not rich.

The couple have tried their hand at several other reality shows and business ventures never really finding their footing. It has also been hard for them to escape the reputation they gained during and shortly after "The Hills" ended. But over the years, Spencer has become a fan favorite on social media, displaying a more mature version of Montag and himself. People have grown to love him and their family so as he gave updates on their home and financial situation, fans wanted to help.

@spencerpratt ♬ original sound - Spencer Pratt

Pratt's idea, encourage people to stream Montag's 2010 debut album, "Superficial." The fans understood the assignment, including other celebrities who have encouraged people to stream her songs. The song has begun climbing the charts across the globe. In a recent interview with Good Morning America, the couple emotionally described what it was like to not only lose the home they put all their money into but to lose things that are irreplaceable.

Montag admits to being overwhelmed when it was clear they were going to lose their home and she needed to decide what she wanted to take. "How do you choose. My brain actually stopped working because I was so overwhelmed with so many things you can't replace. So I grabbed my kids' teddy bears," Montag says through tears.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Good Morning America (@goodmorningamerica)

Pratt holds back emotion when he recalls, "the worst was like...we...sorry. Our kid's room is like so magical. We do story time every night, it's such our routine. So much love is in there."

Since the fire the two have documented what life has been like, including trying to buy affordable clothes as most of their clothing was lost in the fire. This raw look into their daily life has been eye opening to some fans evoking empathy for a couple that was once notorious for creating drama. During the interview, Montag admits that they count their pennies to make ends meet.

@spencerpratt ♬ original sound - Spencer Pratt

"We were house poor, as they call it. We have a house and everything else is a hustle, is a grind. So yeah, we're definitely counting every dollar that we make. It's like we're working really hard to take one trip a year," Montag shares.

Thanks to Pratt instructing people to stream Montag's old song, the couple may have additional income flowing soon to help them rebuild. The song is currently sitting at number one on the iTunes charts and people can't get over the couple's determination and love for each other.

@spencerpratt ♬ original sound - Spencer Pratt

"Honestly, him hustling and wearing her merch and celebrating her success and constantly calling her a global popstar… That’s the kind of support we all want. I’m obsessed with them," one person writes.

"This whole time I thought they were the villains on the show, but I was so wrong! I love them and feel so terrible," another admits.

"I could never have believed this couple would last after all these years. Now, seeing Spencer wearing a t-shirt promoting his wife, and still together going through such sad moments in life, makes me want to support them and listen to the whole album. Give them a show," someone else says.

@spencerpratt ♬ original sound - Spencer Pratt

"So many of us “grew up” with Spencer and Heidi on The Hills. We relate to them as millennials, parents, ppl just trying to figure out how to make it every day. I love the support they’re getting and I hope it continues as they rebuild," another person adds.

The fires continuing to burn in Los Angeles are devastating. If you're in the area and need assistance or would just like to help no matter the distance, you can find information here. We are wishing Spencer and Heidi, along with everyone else who has lost their homes an abundance of support in all areas.

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heidi montag and spencer pratt

Culture

Dad’s 5-year-old daughter's hilarious answers to his questions have the internet screaming

“Do I have to change my name if I get married? Call me Shredder.”

via James Breakwell / Twitter

Raising kids is tough, but there's a lot of laughs along the way. Comedy writer James Breakwell has four daughters under the age of eight and shares their hilarious conversations on Twitter. And, from Breakwell's tweets, it looks like his five year old has a future in comedy. Here's a sampling of some Breakwell's funniest kid-inspired tweets.

1.

Me: What did you do at school today?\n\n5-year-old: Learned about dragons.\n\nMe: Your class learned about dragons?\n\n5: I learned about dragons. I don't know what everybody else was doing.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1524164098

2.

5-year-old: *stares off into space*\n\nMe: What's wrong?\n\n5: What happens if a kangaroo jumps on a trampoline?\n\nMe: *stares off into space, too*
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1512655067

3.

5-year-old daughter: Why does Mom wear makeup?\n\nMe: To look pretty.\n\n5: But she's already pretty.\n\nMe: Aww.\n\n5: Dad, you should wear makeup.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1434719335

4.

3-year-old: Do boys like Frozen?\n\n5-year-old: Nobody cares what boys like.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1522195727

5.

5-year-old: I wish we all had infinity dollars\n\nMe: That\u2019d wreck the economy\n\n5: I just-\n\nMe: Go to your room until you understand inflation
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1441628973

6.

5-year-old daughter: I think a boy likes me. He drew me a dinosaur.\n\nMe: That could mean anything.\n\n5: The dinosaur had a hat.\n\nOh shit.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1435237545

7.

[watching a guy on TV do CPR]\n\n5-year-old daughter: Why is he kissing her?\n\nMe: He's not. He's saving her life.\n\n5: I'd rather die.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1458752016

8.

Me: Who ate all the cookies?\n\n5-year-old: Ninjas.\n\nMe: I didn\u2019t see them.\n\n5-year-old: No one ever does.\n\nCheckmate.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1433627847

9.

5 y.o.: Why do people congratulate you when Mom is the one making the baby?\n\nMe: I helped\n\n5: How?\n\nMe:\n\n5:\n\nMe: I read her the instructions
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1446746149

10.

Me: You can't like Kylo Ren. He killed his dad.\n\n5-year-old: Maybe he deserved it.\n\nI'm never sleeping again.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1460388284

11.

Me: What happened on the coffee table?\n\n5-year-old daughter: Elsa killed all the stormtroopers.pic.twitter.com/36hCfd1z5s
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1432591871

12.

13.

5-year-old: I'm writing a book.\n\nMe: What's it called?\n\n5: I Ate Too Many Cupcakes.\n\nMe: Oh.\n\n5: It's just pretend because you can never eat too many cupcakes.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1523975066

14.

5-year-old: *eats a cupcake for breakfast*\n\nMe: Cupcakes aren't a breakfast food.\n\n5: I know. They're an all-day food.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1523364754

15.

Me: It snowed last night.\n\n5-year-old: *flops on the floor* We already did winter.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1523279528

16.

Me: You're still in your pajamas.\n\n5-year-old: I'll get dressed soon.\n\nMe: It's 4 in the afternoon.\n\n5: Don't rush me.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1523131531

17.

[spring break]\n\n5-year-old: When do we have to go back to school?\n\nMe: Monday.\n\n5: *slides me a penny* When now?
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1522870699

18.

Me: Wake up. Time to get dressed.\n\n5-year-old: Not again.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1522158012

19.

5-year-old: *won't get out of bed*\n\nMe: I don't want to fight you every morning.\n\n5: Then let me win.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1522847748

20.

Me: Why are you being mean?\n\n5-year-old: I ran out of nice.\n\nIt's going to be a long night.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1522786515

21.

[lightning strike super close to our house]\n\n5-year-old: Missed me.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1522762976

22.

5-year-old: Can we have pizza?\n\nMe: We just had pizza yesterday.\n\n5: The pizza doesn't know that.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1522096312

23.

Me: Hurry.\n\n5-year-old: I am.\n\nMe: You're still in bed.\n\n5: I'm sleeping faster.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1521811809

24.

5-year-old: Leprechauns are fairies.\n\nMe: They are?\n\n5: I thought you went to college.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1521326336

25.

5-year-old: Do I have to change my name if I get married?\n\nMe: Only if you want to.\n\n5: Call me Shredder.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1521585950

His 5-year-old isn't the only (often unintentionally) hilarious child in the house; the 7-year-old and 3-year-old turn up from time to time. There's also a 2-year-old, but she hasn't been the subject of many tweets yet.

26.

Me: *gets burned by bacon grease* Ow!\n\n7-year-old: Love hurts.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1512230800

27.

Me: What are you doing?\n\n7-year-old: Counting the presents under the tree.\n\nMe: There aren't any presents under the tree.\n\n7: I know.\n\nPassive aggressive level 9000.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1511896968

28.

3-year-old: *holds up a baby doll* What's her name?\n\nMe: She doesn't have one. You can name her.\n\n3: *kissing baby* I love you, Stupid Face.\n\nShe'll make a great mother.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1511877311

29.

7-year-old: I'm glad I'm not a boy.\n\nMe: Why?\n\n7: I like being smart.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1512136729

30.

3-year-old: Mommy married you.\n\nMe: Yeah.\n\n3: Why?\n\nWife: Nobody knows.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1522527335

31.

2-year-old: *touches my beard* It's soft like a kitty.\n\nMe: You mean rugged and manly.\n\n2: Purrrr.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1493775467

32.

4-year-old: What happens when you die?\n\nMe: You go to heaven.\n\n4: No, I mean when you die, do I get your stuff?
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1412245842

33.

4-year-old: Why do you go to work?\n\nMe: They pay me a salary.\n\n4-year-old:\n\nMe:\n\n4-year-old: I don\u2019t even like celery.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1425155143

34.

3-year-old daughter: Will I have a baby in my belly someday?\n\nMe: If you want to.\n\n3: No thanks. That's where I put my candy.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1459859421

35.

7-year-old: Why do we have to dress up?\n\nMe: It's Easter.\n\n7: Jesus just wore robes.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1522592817

36.

Me: Do you know why they call it Good Friday?\n\n7-year-old: There's no school.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1522427812

37.

7-year-old: Why does my teacher keep testing what I know?\n\nMe: What should she do?\n\n7: Trust me.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1522246883

38.

7-year-old: You should let me eat more candy.\n\nMe: Why?\n\n7: Then you won't eat it.\n\nShe's my new diet plan.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn) 1522092561

This article originally appeared four years ago.

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Family

15 of the funniest lies parents have ever told their kids. Some are classics.

"My dad always told me he was terrified of mice and rats, so we couldn't go to Chuck E. Cheese.”

via Flickr/PirateJohnny and Canva/Photos

A child eating some watermelon. Chuck E. Cheese and the ice cream man.

Kids will believe everything their parents tell them. Some parents may tell the occasional white lie to protect their child’s innocence. At the same time, others will elevate the act of lying to their children as an art form, getting them to believe the craziest things to amuse themselves. It's not always the right thing to do. But it's often hilarious.

Some lies are passed on from generation to generation, such as “Don’t make a face like that; it’ll stick,” “You can’t swim right after lunch, or you’ll get sick,” or “The stork brings babies.” Even though the occasional lie seems harmless, especially if it’s protecting the child, experts say we should be careful about eroding our children’s trust.

“It seems important that children can trust adults, particularly their parents. Lying to children jeopardizes that trust and may be associated with other negative outcomes, such as higher levels of psychosocial maladjustment later in life,” Rebecca Brown, Senior Research Fellow at the Uehiro Oxford Institute, University of Oxford, writes for The Conversation.

That being said, some lies parents tell their kids are pretty darn hilarious. We’ve compiled a list of the best of them that we pulled from 2 viral posts on Reddit. Just pinky swear that you won’t use them on your kids the next time they hear the ice cream man ask to go to Chuck E. Cheese or swallow their bubble gum.

1. The kid cops

"My grandma would point at the armored money trucks outside stores and would tell me that those are the trucks that take misbehaved children away. Shit freaked me out."

"My mom used to tell my sisters that the barred-up closed stores in the mall were mall jail, and that's where they put the bad kids. My sisters also somehow got it in their heads that they would turn into mannequins."

2. Lies about lying

"Telling kids that lying makes your ears turn red was a brilliant idea. I'll have to use it."

"My variation of this was their tongue turned purple. When they lie, they get nervous, their heart rate increases, and the blood drains from their tongue, changing its normal pink color into a darker purple. I'd ask to see their tongue. If they told the truth they were happy to oblige. If they lied, they refused. This lasted about two months. They practiced lying to each other and concluded I was the liar."

3. 'Popeye eats it!'

"My mother told me that spinach would make me strong like Popeye and if i ate it i could lift the house. I would have a few spoonfulls and then she'd rush outside with me and i'd try and lift the house, squeezing my eyes shut with the effort. She'd go "'t moved! It moved! Quick, eat some more!' and i'd run back inside and finish it off."

4. Ice cream lies

"I told both of my kids that the ice cream truck was the 'music truck.' Its purpose was to drive around and cheer up all the sad people."

5. Terrified of Chuck E. Cheese

"My dad always told me he was terrified of mice and rats, so we couldn't go to Chuck E Cheese. I legitimately believed that until my cousin told me her dad (my dad's twin) had said the same thing."

6. How to save money on batteries

"'They don't sell replacement batteries for that toy' has officially been added to my rotation."

7. Religious lies

"My father told me (and my Catholic cousin) that Easter was the day that Jesus rolled back the rock, and if he saw his shadow we'd have six more weeks of winter. My aunt was beyond pissed when my cousin broke that out at her first communion."

8. The watermelon lie

"I was told swallowing watermelon seeds would grow in my stomach. I had a very nerve-wracking couple of months waiting."

9. Classic gum lies

"My mom used to tell me that when I swallowed gum, it would stay in my stomach for 10 years."

"My mom just told me it would never go away, instead there would be a pile of it in my stomach forever."

"My dad told me if I swallowed chewing gum, I would blow a bubble in my pants if I farted."

10. Seasonal TV

"My flatmate grew up on a farm and was told by her parents that their TV only worked when it rained. She believed this for far, far too long..."

11. Tooth Fairy's sense of smell

"As a kid I lost a tooth, put it in a plastic bag, slid it under my pillow, then went to bed early so the tooth fairy could come. When my parents forgot to put money under my pillow my dad said 'You shouldn't have put the tooth in a bag. The tooth fairy couldn't smell it.'"

12. The angry penguin

"My mom told my brother and I that a penguin lived behind the fridge, and if we left the door open too long we'd steal his cold and he'd get mad and come out and bite us. It worked on my brother. I asked my mom to move the fridge so I could pet the penguin."

13. Rainbow betta

"I work at a pet store; there's a lady who comes in every so often for a new betta fish, always a different color for her kids. Instead of trying to match the exact color and size of the fish so they don't know it died, she told them it was a rainbow fish. So not only are they not upset over a dead fish, they're excited every time the fish 'changes colour.'"

14. Planetary pears

"My mother told me that Pears were Space Apples. She told all of my siblings this, and it always worked."

15. Penny Elaine

"My mom's name is Elaine. My grandmother (her mom) told her that she was named after the song 'Penny Lane.' My mom went her whole life telling people this. It wasn't until last year that my dad looked it up and found out that the song came out 2 years after my mom was born. My grandma died about 10 years ago, so now my mom is trying to figure out what else she lied about."

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Joy

Proud owners of this dog breed quickly call out a trainer who dubbed it a 'terrible choice'

The trainer thought these dogs were "frenzied lunatics." Others heartily disagreed.

Photo credit: Canva

Are Springer Spaniels really "frenzied lunatics?"

Will Atherton, an England based Clinical Canine Behaviourist (MSc), recently dubbed the Springer Spaniel a “terrible choice” of dog breed for most people. In a video posted to his TikTok, Atherton explained that while many people get them because they “look awesome” and “match a barber jacket which makes it cool for Instagram pictures,” they aren’t taking into account what Springer Spaniel were bred for—hunting.

These dogs, Atherton notes, are bred to “work non-stop like frenzied lunatics,” rather than sit on the “sofa and chill.” Since the latter is so “rarely achievable” with Springer Spaniels (since they “don’t have an off-switch”) Atherton sees so many of them being sent to his center for “problem behaviors.”

However, an overwhelming amount of Springer Spaniel owners were quick to disagree.

@iamwillatherton Let’s talk about the honest truth behind Spaniels shall we... p.s. before you comment I know there are some that are chill but they’re the outliers and congratulations you got lucky! And remember, I’m honest about these things because I want people to be happy with their dogs and I see SO many that aren’t with their Spaniel because their Spaniel was a terrible choice for them because they can’t train it well. #springerspaniel #springer #spaniel #englishspringerspaniel #cockerspaniel #dogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingadvice #dogbreeds ♬ original sound - Will Atherton (MSc)

“My springer is probably the laziest dog I’ve ever seen.”

“My springer just sleeps most of the time.”

“Mine is either running around like a lunatic or sleeping and chilling, just two extremes it’s great.”

“My springer must be a bit dodgy because you’ll never meet a dog who wants nothing more than [to] cuddle. Yes when he’s out he’s a lunatic but as soon as he’s home all he wants is sleep and hugs, love them.”

“I must be lucky my Springer [is] both brilliant outside and chilled outside.”

“We had a Springer Spaniel when I was growing up. Yes he was very active but he was also very friendly and good around kids. I loved that dog.”

Photo credit: Canva

While the American Kennel Club does echo Atherton’s sentiment that Springer Spaniels are built for “long days in the field,” the site notes that they are also “highly trainable people-pleasers,” in addition to being highly affectionate, good with both children and other dogs. The AKC also recommends adding enrichment activities that require not only physical exercise, but mental exercise as well. Otherwise they’ll find their own projects, “and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.”

And while everyone might not agree with Atherton’s point of view, it does provide a great reminder of the importance of researching dog breeds before you buy one. Studies have shown that certain behaviors are indeed passed down through lineages (this goes double for purebreds). And those natural behaviors might not align with a person’s lifestyle, making a satisfying situation for both dog and human.

Still, other research indicates that environment plays a much bigger role in a dog’s personality. So providing things like training and/or socialization from an early age can help things mesh better.

Bottom line: Dogs are individuals, with their own personalities. Not carbon copies. However, in order to give them the best possible life (which is what every dog owner wants to do, right?), one should probably know about a dog’s breed before purchasing.

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