Bear Fights Crime
Turns out bears aren’t just against forest fires. A bear in Utah invaded a secret marijuana growing operation so many times that the cultivator abandoned the fields. Investigators found evidence that a black bear invaded the camp including torn open food containers and cans with bear teeth marks. Law enforcement officers are crediting the bear with ruining the operation. Perhaps it was just the food the bear was after but if it helped out law enforcement, why not?
- Staff Writer Dawn Marks
Sneaky cat has his eye on you
Most of us have pets like this. They do something suspicions and then look innocent. This video made me laugh out loud, so I thought I’d share.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pet Blessing
Some coworkers of ours from NewsOk.tv went to a pet blessing and filmed some of the animals getting blessed. The folks at Church of the Servant and Central Oklahoma Humane Society plan to make this an annual event. Check out the video and some of the little and not so little animals.
-Staff Writer Dawn Marks
Oklahoma City dogs need new home
Two dogs rescued from a metro area shelter are in need of new homes again.
Sammy, the tan mix breed shown here, and his best friend, Laddie, are in need of a new home because they were adopted by someone who can no longer care for them. In fact, they were on in his care a few months before he changed his mind.
It reminds me of when my fiance and I adopted one of our dogs, Skye. She came from Pets and People, a no-kill shelter out in Yukon. The folks out there drilled us about whether we were really able to care for her and give her a home for the rest of her life. At the time, we were a little offended. We are responsible people, and we weren’t adopted her on a whim, even though discovering her was by chance. But there are people out there who don’t think adoptions through. Folks don’t imagine caring for an animal for potentially 15 years, the longer end of a domesticated pet’s lifespan.
That’s why Pets and People asks all potential adopters to consider these points before taking a pet home.
- - Think of how old you’ll be in 15 years.
- - How many times will you likely move? Are you willing to live somewhere that accommodates your animal?
- - What big things are coming in your life in the next 15 years? Marriage? Children?
- - If you’re getting a pet for your kids, how old will they be in 15 years? Are you willing to take care of the animal if your kids are grown.
- - Have you ever had to get rid of a pet? Why? Would things be different now?
So, if you’re interested in giving Sammy and Laddie a forever home, email me at ccoppernoll@oklahoman.com, and I’ll put you in touch with the dogs’ owner.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Dog dials 911, saves owner
Buddy the German Shepherd recently made a call to 911 when his owner, Joe Stalnaker, of Arizona, had a seizure.
Stalnaker had a brain injury 10 years ago that makes him prone to seizures. Buddy, his service dog, is trained to bring the phone in case his owner begins having health issues. Last week, Buddy brought the phone and dialed himself by biting down on the speed dial.
The dispatcher who took the call heard Buddy barking, sensed there was a medical problem and sent help. She said in all her years as a dispatcher, she’s never taken a 911 call from a dog before.
No word on whether Stalnaker is buying buddy the steak he undoubtedly deserves.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Microchip Helps Cat Get Home
We’ve spoken on Pet Show and this blog many times about putting identification on pets and the possibility of microchipping them. A cat in England has returned home after nine years with the help of a microchip. The family says 15-year-old Dixie disappeared in 1999 and they thought she must have been killed. However, a concerned resident called animal control officials about a disheveled cat not long ago. After a quick check, a microchip revealed that she was Dixie and she was soon reunited with her family. They said she hasn’t stopped purring since she got home. Nine years is a long time. I bet she doesn’t stop purring for a while.
Staff Writer Dawn Marks
Woman registers dog to vote
An Oregon woman registered her dog to vote in protest of lax regulations. Of course, she got into trouble. Charges were filed and later dropped. She still had to pay $240 in court costs and do 10 hours of community service.
She was able to register her dog, Duncan M. MacDonald, to vote using a water bill in his name. This news story says she didn’t try to vote in her dog’s name but she did put the Australian shepherd terrier mix’s paw print on an absentee ballot envelope instead of a signature.
I wonder how Duncan would vote in the upcoming election?
Staff Writer Dawn Marks
Oklahoma City Pet of the Week
Jillie, a 7-year-old cat
Jillie came from a wonderful home. Her owner passed away, and Jillie is patiently waiting in the adoption center for her new family. She is a friendly and affectionate 7-year-old cat. Whenever someone comes into the room she’s staying in at the shelter, she runs up to them and lets out a big meow. Her number at the Oklahoma City Animal Shelter is 57206.
The shelter is having a special event, Fall in Love with a Shelter Pet, during the month of September, and the adoption fee for cats and dogs has been reduced to $25. This includes spay or neuter, shots and health check. Pictures of many of the adoption pets can be seen at www.okc.petfinder.com and www.okc.gov. The shelter, 2811 SE 29, is open from noon to 5:45 p.m. seven days a week for adoptions, and from 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. seven days a week for receiving. For more information, call 297-3100.
Chihuahuas are most expensive
It seems that a new study shows that chihuahuas are the most expensive dog breed over their lifetimes. This story states that chihuahuas cost their owners more than 6,000 pounds a year. One U.S. dollar equals about .6 of a British pound.
The story goes on to state that the reason for this probably could be that many wealthy people, including celebrities, seem to prefer the small breed and pampering it. I guess diamond studded collars can really add up.
I must admit it is fun to put little shirts and sweaters on my chihuahua, but I don’t go this far for sure. Besides, George thinks he doesn’t need clothes.
Staff Writer Dawn Marks
BREAKING NEWS: Tulsa woman pleads no contest to sex with dogs
A Tulsa County woman has pleaded no contest to charges of crimes against nature Tuesday. Her co-defendant pleaded not guilty.
Diane Whalen, 55, waived her right to a trail. Her co-defendant, Donald Roy Siegfried, will go to trail Oct. 13. The two are accused of creating videos of sexual acts with dogs.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
