February 17, 2022

Cute Cats, a Lost Dog, and Insect Exes


Cute Cats, a Lost Dog, and Insect Exes
In Odder News

In this week's Odder News: a troublesome impersonation, digging for a dog, and a street sled.

  • Who has the time to look for cute cat pictures these days? Fortunately, you don't have to! For the small fee of R500 ($6.50) per month, an entrepreneur from Kemerovo will send you your daily dose of cute kitties, no questions asked, if that’s something you really need.
  • Several zoos across Russia took a less-than-loving (albeit profitable) approach to celebrating Valentine's Day. Zoo-goers were able to pay a small fee to have cockroaches named after their exes before the park animals chowed down on the insects. Seems like a mature way to cope.
  • As shocking as it may seem, police officers don't always have the best sense of humor. They especially dislike impersonators, and now one unlucky Russian blogger is facing fines for acting like a rooster while wearing a police uniform on camera.
  • The Olympics are still a big deal in Russia, even if their athletes are not allowed to compete under the Russian flag. To show their support for the Russian bobsled team, some fans in Yekaterinburg rode around the city in an improvised sled made out of a bathtub towed behind a car. I wonder where they got their inspiration?
  • Some pet owners will stop at nothing to help their furry family members. One such Russian hunter dug for five days straight to save his dog, which had gotten stuck in a badger burrow. The man and several of his friends dug 10 huge holes before they finally found the Jagdterrier, who has since made a full recovery.

You Might Also Like

International Women's Day: A Look Back
  • March 08, 2021

International Women's Day: A Look Back

Tired of having to do Valentine's Day and Mother's Day separately? Try it the Russian way and combine them into International Women's Day! A closer look at this convenient holiday's socialist origins and not-so-socialist present form.
Love in the Time of Protests
  • February 17, 2021

Love in the Time of Protests

“…there was no direct violation of the law. Yes, individual people went out with flashlights. Fine. Maybe someone was in love. There was someone, maybe, who was protesting something. Someone was there just for company, not understanding the need to light a flashlight. But most importantly, they didn’t break the law. And so everything was calm.” – Dmitriy Peskov spreading the love to Moscow activists on Valentine’s Day 2021.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals
[INVALID]
[INVALID]

Some of our Books

Survival Russian
February 01, 2009

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.

93 Untranslatable Russian Words
December 01, 2008

93 Untranslatable Russian Words

Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.

The Little Humpbacked Horse
November 03, 2014

The Little Humpbacked Horse

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.

Fish
February 01, 2010

Fish

This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.

The Latchkey Murders
July 01, 2015

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...

At the Circus
January 01, 2013

At the Circus

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955