Hug your cat today!
Today is Hug Your Cat Day! So … go hug your cat! Unless your cat is moody. In that case, just wave at your cat for your own personal safety.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Duck cuteness at Lake Hefner
Patricia Smith of Oklahoma City sent these wonderful picture of ducks out at Lake Hefner.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Strutting their stuff
Tom Maupin, a member of The Oklahoman newsroom team, was lucky enough to attend Kayne Gillaspie’s fundraiser for the American Hearth Association this weekend. He took some great pictures of the models and their pups. (Listen to our Pet Show podcast about the event!)
Michelle Bruffet and a Yorkshire terrier friend show off a dress at a May 17 benefit fashion show at Kayne Gillaspie’s home in Norman for the American Heart Association.
Samantha Evans, left, and Brooke Scott model dresses at Kayne Gillaspie’s home in Norman. The fashion show on May 17 was a benefit for the American Heart Association.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Pets in the paper – I guess Bigfoot counts
Check out these animal (real and questionable) stories in The Oklahoman today.
- Find could cast light on elusive Bigfoot. (Honobia)
- Nutro recalls dry cat food. (nationwide)
- Twitter’s latest star is tabby. (New York)
- Vets thanked for saving dog. (Oklahoma City)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pet Show – fashionista fidos
Listen to Pet Show! Our guest today was Meagan Key, a spokeswoman for fashion designer Kayne Gillaspie of Norman. Last week Kayne hosted a fundraising event called “Fashion with a Heart” to benefit the American Heart Association. Part of the show was dogs modeling Kayne’s newest line, Kayne9. And as if pups strutting in ostrich-feather boas weren’t great enough, the show raised $5,000 for the American Heart Association.
In honor of Hug Your Cat Day - which is Friday for those of you with feline friends – we talked lots about cats today. Bryan gave us interesting pet news, including a story about a tiger that killed its keeper in New Zealand and a cat with wings in China. And Dawn shared some great tail tips for Hug Your Cat Day. These come from SeeFido.com.
Playing in the home: All cats need to spend time outside to get their exercise, but often times we want them inside to avoid them from getting hurt etc. Whatever the reason to keep your cat in the house, your cat will appreciate it, as long as it’s always kept busy. Cats that never leave the house need for their owners to dedicate more time everyday to play with them, otherwise the cat will get very bored and this can cause stress.
Hunting game: When cats are outside they love running after anything that moves, like an insect, or a dry leaf blowing in the wind etc. So there are many different games that you can invent to give your cat the opportunity to “hunt” without even stepping out of the house. As with all games, the cat must learn that there are certain rules. The most important rule is that the cat does not use your hands or feet as it’s hunting objective. Cats have very sharp claws and they grow as the cat grows making them very dangerous. It is not fun to have an adult cat scratch you with it’s claws and it can really hurt you.
Safe play: Before you begin to play a game with your cat, make sure to check everything, avoiding at all costs that your cat, you, or anyone else gets hurt. Make sure to always follow these guidelines when playing with your cat:
- Never use toys that break easily since this could really hurt your cat, kitten and even you.
- Never “hit” your cat with your hand or with its toys, and never “drag” the cat, even if this is done gently and as a game.
- Don’t play with the cat’s toys (if you are not intending on playing directly with the cat) because it can get very mad about you touching its stuff.
- Stay away from pools, wells, or bathtubs as the cat could drown if it does not know how to swim. (Little kittens generally cannot climb out of water that covers their head).
- Cats become easily afraid when they hear loud noises. Make sure, when there is a party (like New Year) to leave the cat inside the house or in a distanced room. Fireworks or a balloon that pops can really terrorize a cat.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Painted bunting perches in Oklahoma City
Conna Wilkinson of Oklahoma City sent us this neat picture of a painted bunting. “Though painted buntings are relatively unusual in this part of the state,” Conna said. “there are 3 pair of them nesting on my property this summer.”
Read more about these beautiful birds from the Audubon Society.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – columnist says Vick should play
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Berry Tramel: Give Vick another chance.
- Butterflies spread their wings at zoo. (Oklahoma City)
- Animal adoption event set. (Midwest City, page 2d)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – a million stories
Wow! We have lots of catching up to do when it comes to sharing our animal stories in The Oklahoman. Here are the stories that have run from Saturday through today -
- Fish kill said to be natural. (Woodward)
- Cattle drive honors late announcer. (Claremore)
- Couple plan appeal of horse decision. (Coweta)
- Milk glut squeezes farmers, buyers. (Missouri)
- Livestock tracing plan is not a hit with some. (Washington)
- Free fishing at lakes June 6-7. (Oklahoma City)
- Fun for kids at Bass Pro. (Oklahoma City)
- Dog training classes set. (Oklahoma City, Tuesday, page 1d)
- Partial welcome given mutts in AKC contests. (Texas)
- Home notes: Mind your wild neighbors.
- Zoo’s rhino getting used to new digs. (Oklahoma City, photo shown here)
- Dog event scheduled. (Oklahoma City)
- Junior zookeepers preparing to learn. (Norman)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Even cats love soccer
As the 2010 World Cup draws nearer, interest in the beautiful game is mounting worldwide. And why should we expect any less of cats? Apparently this cat to watch a match in Turkey this week. Apparently the cat enjoyed the game for a bit before he got spooked and headed out. Go hear to see the rest of the pictures.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Edmond Pet of the Week
Gus is a neutered male, cream and gold domestic longhair. He is current on his vaccinations and is about 2 years old. He has been at the shelter since April 21.
Sherry is a spayed female, black and white domestic shorthair. She is a bout 5 months old and is current on her vaccinations. She has been at the shelter since April 21.
Adoption fees are $70 for cats and dogs at Edmond Animal Welfare Shelter, 2424 Old Timbers Drive in Cross Timbers Municipal Complex on Covell Road east of Interstate 35. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Saturdays are only for adoptions and pickups.
For more information, call 216-7615.
