The Long and Short Of It

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

14 Dec 2006 02:19 PM

Some things you just have to see to believe. Such is the case with the world's tallest living man. I saw his picture on the "Ripley's Believe It Or Not" website and my jaw nearly hit the floor. His name is Bao Xishun, and he stands 7-foot-9-inches tall. But, what makes his story even more interesting (and this has nothing to do with his inclusion on the website) is what he is doing with his record setting height.

Xishun made headlines yesterday for using his long arms to save two dolphins. It really is an incredible story. A couple of dolphins housed at a Chinese aquarium got sick after nibbling on plastic from the edge of the pool they swim in. According to news reports, after attempts to use surgical instruments to remove the plastic (apparently because the dolphins' stomachs contracted in response to the instruments), local veterinarians decided to ask for help from Xishun, a herdsman from Inner Mongolia, who happens to have those record setting 41.7-inch arms.

Aquarium officials told local reporters that the shape of the dolphins' stomachs made it difficult to push an instrument very far in without hurting the animals and people with shorter arms could not reach the plastic. Yesterday, vets held the dolphins' jaws open while Xishun reached his arms in and grabbed the plastic from their stomachs, thus saving their lives. Doctors say the two dolphins are in very good condition now.

On the other side of the size spectrum I recently saw a television news report about Brandy the Chihuahua who is 6 inches long and weighs less that two pounds. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, she is officially the smallest dog in the world. In fact, her owner told reporters that Brandy is not allowed on the furniture because if she jumped off, she'd break.

But, life's not that tough for the tiny pup. Brandy's owner totes her around in a sheepskin-lined purse and for fun she dresses her in a pink Hawaiian dress. Another interesting note, Brandy's owner says she doesn't pet Brandy so much as she rubs her with a thumb and forefinger.

Related Articles:

Welcome To "Yappy Hour"

Animals Get A Breath Of Fresh Air

The Raccoon Ate My Homework

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger