For some reason, a group called The Pet Collective has done a parody video of their video “One Thing.” With dogs. Yes. It’s just dogs running around. Let’s just be grateful that the dogs aren’t barking along. The doggy suspenders are pretty hilarious, though.

1. Prescription medicine for humans.
2. Insecticides.
3. Over-the-counter medicine for humans.
4. People food. The top culprit: chocolate. Don’t celebrate Valentine’s day by making your cat throw up.
5. Household items. This includes things like paint and fire logs. 
6. Veterinary products.
7. Rodenticides.
8. Plants.
9. Lawn and garden products.
10. Automotive products.

The ASPCA’s poison control line is open 24 hours a day at (888-426-4435).

Hi! I’ve read a lot about pets and flooding, but not so much on earthquakes. I have two cocker spaniels and a cat who hides when she’s scared. I’m worried that if there’s an earthquake, I won’t have time to find them in order to protect them. And when I do find them, what’s the best way to protect them? Thanks!
—Thea N.

You are right, there is less notice for an earthquake than other types of disasters. But again, it all comes down to proper planning. Work to develop a plan—if you know where the animals hide, is that a safe area of the house? Or could you set up a nice hiding space where you want them to be? Can you do training with the dogs (and maybe even the cat) so they come when called, regardless? Those things may help to save their lives.

How can I make sure my cat is safe during an earthquake? Thanks!
—M-A

Typically, a cat’s natural inclination is to hide under things when she’s scared. In the event of an earthquake (and also flooding), this can prove to be fatal. It’s a good idea to avoid storing lots of stuff under beds and dressers—when items shift during an earthquake or flood, your hiding cat could become trapped. If you must store things this way, please arrange them in a way that creates multiple exit points. This will increase your cat’s ability to escape from that hiding spot should one route become blocked.

I’m pretty sure my dogs will do the same things before and after the rapture.

One will be napping and the other will be trying to sneak off to chew one of my shoes.

I’m not sure how the rapture would go down, but I imagine rivers of lava dotted with drifting boulders. My old dog would be asleep on his dog bed on one of those boulders. The young dog would leapfrog away with one of my flip-flops in her mouth.

I guess that’s what they’ll be doing Saturday morning.

The world’s ending Friday, you know. True story.

Detective Sergeant Darin Morgan and his canine partner Lux have been selected as the 2011 State of Oklahoma K-9 Team of the Year by the Association of Oklahoma Narcotics Enforcers (A-ONE).

Detective Morgan and Lux are assigned full time to the Norman Police Department’s Interdiction Unit. From March 2010 to March 2011, Detective Morgan and Lux have seized 45.1 pounds of high grade marijuana and in excess of $79,000 dollars in drug proceeds. Additionally, Detective Morgan was responsible for disrupting a multi-state criminal enterprise in which the perpetrators were making and selling fake computers.

Although primarily focused on interdiction, Detective Morgan also assists other divisions within the police department with narcotics related incidents. In December 2010, Detective Morgan assisted the Patrol Bureau with an interview of an individual believed to be dealing in large quantities of high grade hydroponic marijuana. The interview resulted in Detective Morgan acting as the lead case agent. This case resulted in the seizure of more than 50 lbs of hydroponic marijuana, drug proceeds in excess of $130,000, and has lead to several other investigations by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Detective Morgan and Lux are a highly motivated, experienced, and skilled team of investigators. Their tireless efforts in the field of Drug Interdiction have earned them the A-One 2011 State of Oklahoma K-9 Team of the Year. The Norman Police Department is extremely proud of the favorable recognition they have brought to the Norman Police Department and the City of Norman.

For more information on A-One, please visit their web site at www.okienarc.com or Facebook (AONE).

ASPCA workers help rescue a chicken saved from flooding in Nashville, Tenn.

As Nashville residents bail out of a massive flood, volunteers and animal workers are trying to help save the animals that were also affected. Here’s information the ASPCA sent out about their work:

The ASPCA ® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ® ), under the authority and request of the Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society in Dyersburg, Tenn., has dispatched its field investigations and response team to assist in the recovery and sheltering of animals displaced by recent flooding.

ASPCA responders arrived Tuesday afternoon and are helping care for more than 70 companion animals, including dogs, cats and various birds that were rescued from floodwaters, trees, rooftops and abandoned homes in the Dyersburg city limits, approximately 80 miles north of Memphis. The ASPCA has established a temporary shelter behind the humane society to handle the overflow of animals, and set up a decontamination station where animals affected by the flooding are washed and cleaned. In addition, the ASPCA provided extra cages, bowls, food industrial fans, and other necessary supplies to help care for animals.

“Our city has been declared a disaster area and many neighborhoods have been evacuated,” said Dr. Carol Feather, president and co-founder of the Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society, which services all of Dyer County, Dyersburg and Newbern. “We’re grateful for the ASPCA’s assistance, and to our own staff and volunteers, all of whom have been working non-stop to help animals that are abandoned or lost. We want to save all the animals we can–that’s our job.”

The Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society’s animal control officers have been navigating some areas in a small motor boat to access abandoned pets. Most of the 70-plus pets received so far are owned and were removed from homes at the request of owners who were forced to evacuate. They will be housed at the humane society until they are claimed, according to Dr. Feather. Residents wishing to contact the humane society may call (731) 285-4889 or visit in person at 1120 E. Court Street, Dyersburg, 38024. Volunteers high school age and over who are interested in caring for animals at the shelter may also contact the humane society.

Allison Cardona, the ASPCA’s Director of Disaster Response, said the temporary shelter has “helped ease the strain on the already full humane society.” She added, “The Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society and its staff and volunteers have been extremely dedicated toward the pets in their community during this life-threatening event. The ASPCA will continue to provide supplies, support and manage the temporary shelter and decontamination area, an important component in this operation, as long as we’re needed.”

According to Dr. Feather, all incoming animals are given a physical exam, and if veterinary records cannot be located, they are being vaccinated as a precaution. “A few pets have already been claimed, but the rest we will be holding onto until their families get situated,” she said. “In most instances, even if they have identification, we’re not yet able to reach their owners because they’ve had to evacuate.” Dr. Feather added that the Humane Society is not charging owners for boarding or vaccinations.

In addition to the ASPCA, local businesses assisting Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society include Hollywood Feed, which provided cages, and Pet Stop, which relieved the organization of some of its adoptable pets so room could be made for incoming animals.

“We are making sure that the animals’ immediate needs are being met, and that they receive appropriate care,” said the ASPCA’s Cardona. “The ASPCA is glad to be in a position to provide relief.”

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

• Pet Tales: Silly Snuggle. (Edmond)
• Owners should help dogs weather storm. (statewide)
• Plan bans human-animal hybrid. (state capitol)
• Senate adds requirements to bill on equine dentistry. (state capitol)
• Dog squeaks by with old habits. (nationwide)

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

• Dog found after blaze. (Yukon)

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

It’s not that I dislike the sentiment. Punxsutawney Phil looks cute enough when they take him out of that stump, and I have no more problem with a groundhog weatherman than a human one.

What bothers me is that Phil always sees his shadow, as he did again this morning. According to Wikipedia, the little hairball has predicted an early spring only 15 times in 114 years. That works out to about 13 percent.

I’m a warm weather person. This has been an especially hard winter with all the ice and snow, and I, for one, am ready for it to end. Although I’m not ready to take rash measures like Bill Murray’s character in the movie “Groundhog Day,” I am launching a protest against Phil until he becomes more early-spring friendly.

- Staff Writer Bryan Dean