• Gator removed from home. (McAlester)
• Animal groups seek share of inheritance. (New York)

Also, check out this amazing story that was posted to NewsOK.com this morning: Dog wakes up man and alerts him to house fire in The Village. Here’s a video:

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

Come join the Oklahoma City Herpetological Society on the first Thursday of each month at the Midwest City Library! If you are interested in reptiles and amphibians, these meetings are for you. The OCHS promotes the scientific study and conservation of herps, emphasizing regional herpetology. This is your chance to learn about herps, and even show off your own. Any properly caged, nonvenomous reptiles or amphibians are welcome. For more information, call Larry Daniel at 737-8331, or send him an e-mail at jostoy1@aol.com.

The event is free and open to all ages.

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

Why is this alligator smiling? Because you’re not wearing him.

It’s one of the signs the economy is tanking. Yes, really. I read this by Don Mecoy on The Business blog, and it piqued my interest. There are all kinds of quirky signs the economy is struggling, according to a report by Kiplinger.com. The report lists everything from romance novels to eye makeup. Here’s what they said about alligators:

What do 100,000 alligators have to do with the economy? They’re all residents of Savoie’s Alligator Farm, one of the largest in Louisiana. Yet, the farm, which sells gator-skin hides to tanners who in turn sell them to luxury designers like Louis Vuitton, says it hasn’t sold a single hide since November.

People just aren’t buying alligator skin handbags and luggage. Yes, it’s tough on the gator farmers. They’re trying to keep the hides they already have in stock from spoiling. But it’s good news for alligators everywhere—if they only knew.

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

• Flu outbreak alarms hog farmers. (statewide)
• Alligators, hunger threaten Brazilians. (Brazil)
• Unbridled enthusiasm greets wild-horse sale. (Kellyville)

And check out these story now at NewsOK.com -

• Bartlesville police shoot pit bull.

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

The tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma were a reminder to pet owners how important identification is.

Severe weather can rip down fences, pull down walls and leave pets confused and scared. At least one veterinarian is helping reunite lost dogs with their owners. The best way to ensure a pet is returned is by microchipping, he said. Collars and tags can sometimes be caught and torn by debris. Microchips stay under the skin and can be tracked by any vet or shelter official.

Here is some more information from the ASPCA about disaster readiness: 

• The Pet Evacuation Transportation Safety (PETS) Act, passed after Hurricane Katrina, allows owners to take their companion animals with them to shelters. Contact the shelter before you show up to make sure it’s OK. Some shelters are designed for animal owners.
• Practice getting your animal out of the house so it isn’t scary or difficult. This is especially important for cat carriers.
• Owners with pets that require special temperature settings, such as reptiles, need to have duplicates of everything, such as heaters. Fish owners should have a small, transportable tank ready.
• Socialize your pet as much as possible in case they come in contact with rescuers or other people at the shelter.
• Keep an emergency kit of your pets needs, such as any medicines and some food, that you can take with you. Be sure to keep a photo of you with your pet if you get separated and have to claim him.

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

Check out these animla-related stories in The Oklahoman today -

• Bear hunts considered. (Oklahoma, page 3a)
• Workers find mammoth. (California, page 8a)
• Recovery of pet alligator becomes large-scale effort. (Wynnewood/Stuart)
• Poultry firms cite conflicting positions. (Colorado, page 18a)
• Agency to conduct state forest survey.

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

The alligators at the Oklahoma City Zoo most certainly are not cheering for the Florida Gators. They’re University of Oklahoma Sooner fans, of course!

Apparently, rumors about the gator’ loyalty began circulating at the zoo. The lions told the owls who told the buffalo who told the bears who told the gorillas that the gators were Florida fans. Of course, this got back to the gators, who were all very upset that their loyalty to the Sooner State had been questioned. So the gators typed up a petition requesting the mess be straightened out and turned it in to the zookeepers at a formal meeting.

Staff put these animal rumors to rest:

“Boomer Sooner!” the head gator said.  

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

• - Rural Texas town to let authorities shoot strays.
• - Store has bone to pick. (Utah, page 12a)
• - Aging horse is given happier trails ahead. (Kansas)
• - Man arrested in gator thefts. (Louisiana)
• - Missing Texas dog found. (Kansas)
• - Vets rescue injured dog dragged behind vehicle. (Bristow)

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

He recently walked into a bar with an alligator on a leash. My first question is: Why? My second question is: How?

Apparently people in the bar didn’t like the visitor and called police. When officers arrived at the bar, the alligator was already outside in a vehicle. They followed the man to his home where they impounded that alligator and another one he had since it’s illegal California to keep alligators as pets. Though I wouldn’t recommend keeping alligators as pets, I am somewhat impressed with his apparent training skills. I’m not impressed with his bravado.

- Staff Writer Dawn Marks

- John Quincy Adams had an alligator. An alligator? In the White House? I wonder if he kept it in the bathtub.

- Abraham Lincoln had a turkey, Jack, for a pet after his son talked him out of taking it off the menu. So much for Thanksgiving dinner.

- John F. Kennedy had multiple pets, on of which was Macaroni, Caroline Kennedy’s horse. I wonder if the name came from the song “Yankee Doodle.”

- George W. Bush’s dog Spot was born in the White House. Now that’s a pedigree.

Staff Writer Dawn Marks