Hop on my board, roo!
An Australian surfer was catching waves outside Queensland when he spotted a kangaroo in distress. A rip tide was pulling the poor, scared animal out to sea in shark-infested waters. So what did the surfer do? Save that kanga, of course! Here’s the video:
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Edmond Pet of the Week
Tigger is a spayed female, brown and white pit bull terrier mix. She is about 9 months old and is current on her vaccinations. She has been at the shelter since March 13.
Ginger is a spayed female, tan and white boxer mix. She is about 8 years old and is current on her vaccinations. She has been at the shelter since April 14.
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.
A Cat’s Eye View
Does a cat really sleep all day? Does he eat cat food and flip his tail? Cooper, a cat in Seattle, doesn’t. His owners put a small camera on his neck once a week and see what kind of pictures he comes up with. Cooper meets up with other cats. He explores the jungles of his owners’ yard. He plays with his favorite toy and watches out the window. There’s so much more to life than sleeping!
I think I could try that with my cat, but judging from her weight, I’m guessing we really would just see photos of her front leg splayed out in front of her as she sprawled out for another marathon nap. Thank goodness, we’ve got Cooper’s photos to enjoy.
- Staff Writer Dawn Marks
Monkeys play “Deal or No Deal”
I’ve never been a big fan of “Deal or No Deal,” the game show where contestants pick from a series of suitcases with different dollar amounts in them, hoping the smaller numbers are revealed so they end up with a big payout.
My gripe is that it takes very little or no skill. I like games where if I perform well, I have a chance to improve my odds. This game is all about random chance — pick a number and hope it’s the right one.
Now science has confirmed that a trained monkey can play Deal or No Deal, and the primates actually feal regret when they find out they’ve picked wrong.
Researchers at Duke University gave a group of rhesus macaques a choice of eight white squares to choose from. Underneath each square was a different color corresponding to a reward, the best being sugary fruit juice. After choosing, the monkeys were also shown the rewards they missed out on. When shown they missed out on the juice, the monkeys tried harder.
Brain scans revealed that when playing the game, the monkeys used a center of the brain which analyzes the consequences of actions. That same area also became active when the monkeys were shown what they passed up, suggesting they were thinking about what they might have won.
As interesting as these findings are, I find myself feeling sorry for the monkeys who missed out on the juice, knowing they that understood they missed their chance at a sweet reward.
Now if I could just get a group of scientists to analyze my theory that a trained monkey could replace Howie Mandel as the host of Deal or No Deal.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
TV station hammers national Humane Society
This story aired Thursday night on an Atlanta TV station, WSBTV. The story takes a look at how the Humane Society of the United States spends its money.
This was posted on YouTube on by the Center for Consumer Freedom, so take that as you may.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Former thoroughbred agency director arrested
A press release from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation -
OSBI agents served a warrant for the arrest today on the former executive director of the Oklahoma Horsemen’s Benevolent Protective Association (a.k.a. Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma) for three counts of embezzlement by employee.
George Ronald Canady, 55, was arrested at his business, RGIS Inventory Specialists, at 300 N. Meridian, Suite 102 N. He was booked into the Oklahoma County Jail.
The Oklahoma County District Attorney’s office requested OSBI assistant last year after an audit by the association showed more than $200,000 was missing.
Canady resigned from the association in May 2007.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – gift horses’ mouths
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Senate votes take teeth out of law on horse dentists. (state capitol)
- “Lion King” deserves roar of applause. (Oklahoma City)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Join the pug parade!
As if a pug isn’t ridiculously cute all on his own, imagine a whole bunch of pugs, which I’m pretty sure would be referred to as a gaggle.
Homeward Bound Pugs, an agency we’ve had visit us at Pet Show a couple times, is hosting “Pugs on Parade.” The event begins at 11 a.m. Saturday at Canine Sports Academy, 30217 Santa Fe Ave. in Norman.
All dogs are welcome, pug or not. For the non-puggers, dog owners can enter their pups into the costume contest. For the puggers, owners can participate in the “Pugs on Parade” contest, which has three categories: best sports theme, best evening wear and fun in the sun. The entry fee is $10 per dog for both contests, and proceeds benefit Homeward Bound. Registration closes at noon.
If you don’t want to enter your dogs in the contest, that’s OK. You can enjoy the gaggle of pugs anyway. How cute will it be? Check out these photos we’ve run in The Oklahomanof Homeward Bound pugs. I guarantee it’s the cutest thing you’ll see all day.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – inspections for livestock
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Bill updates: Livestock. (state capitol)
- Little River Zoo planning campout. (Norman)
- Technician behind “The Lion King” masks runs a class menagerie. (Oklahoma City)
- Show’s popularity benefits zoo. (Oklahoma City)
- Dogs with arthritis may benefit from acupuncture treatments. (nationwide)
- Pet products draw warning. (nationwide)
- Pet Tales: Second chance, sweet success. (Oklahoma City)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pet Show – the flying disc guru
Listen to Pet Show! Our guest today is Lee Fairchild of OK Paws K-9 Sports Club and Friends for Folks. Lee talked to us about the Spring Fling, the disc dog competition beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday at Washington High School. The contest is open to everyone from complete novices to advanced pros. (As a side note, Lee is quite the accomplished disc dog athlete. He’s head for the world championship. Read about it and watch videos here.)
Here are the news and tips we talked about on this week’s show:
- New Zealand hosts penguin sports tournament.
- Swine flu doesn’t really affect pets except for, well, you know, swine.
- Parrots join humans on the dance floor. (video below)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
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