Phil must be stopped
I’m anti-Groundhog Day.
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
Squirrel Appreciation Day
In honor of National Squirrel Appreciation Day (yes, that’s really a thing), I offer some cute photos of squirrels from the archives of The Oklahoman. My personal favorite is the last of the bunch, a baby squirrel being hand-fed. Enjoy.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Furry weatherman to try texting
In this Feb. 2, 2009 file photo, John Griffiths, a handler of the weather-predicting groundhog Punxsutawney Phil, holds Phil in the air after removing him from his stump at Gobbler's Knob on Groundhog Day, in Punxsutawney, Pa. The state's tourism department says Phil will text his weather prediction to those who sign up to have texts sent to their mobile phones. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The world’s most famous animal weatherman, Punxsutawney Phil, will try some new technology this Groundhog Day.
Phil will text his weather prediction to those who text “groundhog” to 247375.
Mickey Rowley, Pennsylvania’s deputy tourism secretary, said he realizes that not everyone can come to Punxsutawney for Groundhog Day, so this is a good way to get the word out.
On Feb. 2, Phil will come out of his home in the morning to make his annual prediction. If he can’t see a shadow, it means we are in for an early spring. If he sees his shadow, prepare for six more weeks of winter.
Each year, thousands of people descend on Punxsutawney in western Pennsylvania to find out whether Phil sees his shadow. Members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club pull the marmot from its hiding spot and, they say, listen for his prediction in a language they call “groundhog-ese.”
Thankfully, the text will be translated into English.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Pets in the paper – where’s Santa?
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Made in Oklahoma: Barking Dog Bakery. (Oklahoma City)
- Pet Tales: Canine helpers assist in finding Santa Claus. (Oklahoma City)
- Whale of a deal. (California)
- Dogs get new homes. (California, page 4a)
- Woman, daughter killed by elephant. (Kenya)
- Dog-training difficulties unleashed in new list. (nationwide)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Happy New Year!
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – I give up. Here’s a funny cat.
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Plant’s beef recalled over E. coli link. (Owasso)
- Wildlife group wants more outdoor activity. (nationwide)
OK, I’ll be honest. That’s not much of an animal story offering for today. So here’s this:
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Merry Christmas
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – pack your (antler) bags
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Vet gives fawn a new chance at seeing. (Oklahoma City)
- Zoo has name contest for 12 Nigerian goats. (Oklahoma City)
- GPS helping keep track: Wildlife researchers using technology to follow birds, animals. (statewide)
- Radio equipment helps track state wildlife. (statewide)
- United Airlines rescinds recent no antlers baggage rule. (Outdoors blog)
- Pony Express riders deliver Christmas mail in style. (Missouri)
- Two dogs find home after police say they fed on owner. (Nebraska)
- Fishers want locks closed. (Michigan)
- Government to jail tiger’s killer. (China)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – invasion of the tree frogs!
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today, yesterday and Saturday -
- Giving a pet as a gift? Think twice, experts say. (Edmond)
- Living on the edge: Rancher tells of harrowing experience in Colorado mountains. (Crescent)
- Winter bird feeder survey. (statewide)
- Christmas tree frogs invading Alaska. (Anchorage, AK)
- Bullfighting bill advances. (Spain)
- Enviro-crime drama to air. (Oklahoma City, Monday, pages 1C)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Have a Very Gastric Christmas!
Everyone has their own family traditions when it comes to the winter holidays. Regardless of faith, I know for sure there’s one thing you don’t want to do on Christmas: take your pet to the vet.
But that can happen with all the commotion and extra temptations during the holidays.
Most animals visit their vets on Christmas day because of tummy trouble, according to a VPI Pet Insurance of claims. Here’s a list of the top five reasons pet owners take their animals to the vet on Dec. 25.
- Gastritis/Enteritis
- Lacerations or Bite Wounds
- Soft Tissue Trauma
- Foreign Body Ingestion
- Chocolate Poisoning
During the rest of the year, skin conditions, ear problems and other conditions are the top insurance claims. Only gastritis is in the top 10.
Long story short: keep your food to yourself.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
