Pets in the paper – alpacas, red pandas and jumping cats
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Alpacas shine at group’s festivities. (Shawnee)
- Zoo strives to keep animals warm. (Oklahoma City)
- Pet Tales: Cat jumps over fence and into heart of cancer survivor. (Edmond)
- Columnist traumatized by creepy-crawly bugs. (Bartlesville)
- Scientists discover dinosaur was red. (Washington, D.C.)
- Target salmon goes wild. (nationwide)
- Set examples as responsible pet owner. (nationwide)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – a pack of alpacas!
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman since Saturday -
- Alpaca owners gather for wild, woolly show. (Shawnee)
- See the zoo for free. (Oklahoma City)
- Plane returns after hitting bird. (Virginia)
- Police rescue ferrets. (Mexico)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
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
How to help animals in Haiti
As aid pours into Haiti from around the world, animal advocates have joined together to help pets in the country devastated by a major earthquake and its aftershocks. Several organizations are partnering to create the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti, according to a press release issued this afternoon. You can donate to the three largest groups here:
- The American Humane Association
- The World Society for the Protection of Animals
- The International Fund for Animal Welfare
These are all reputable groups, but I would be sure to include a note in any online donations that the money is specifically for relief in Haiti.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
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 – Carrie Underwood loves Ace
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Pet showcase is set at mall. (Oklahoma City)
- Motorcycle rider totes a Maltese. (Warr Acres)
- Lab-grown skin could end cosmetic animal testing. (nationwide)
- Sheryl Crow riding to rescue of West’s wild horses. (Nevada)
- Giraffes’ deaths draw attention. (Arizona)
- Two-ton hippo escapes private zoo. (Montenegro)
- Blog: Carrie Underwood’s dog will have a role in her wedding. (Checotah)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Zoo hosts day camp, too
A little earlier today we told you about the Oklahoma Aquarium hosting day camps for kids put out by the weather. For those of you who don’t live in the Tulsa area, here’s a kid-friendly, animal-friendly day for you:
It’s warm and toasty inside the Oklahoma City Zoo’s Conservation Education Center and starting at 8:00 am Friday, January 8th, it’s also a quick solution for working parents whose kids are out of school due to the severe cold. A special Cold Weather Safari Camp will be held for a cost of only $20 per child. Pick-up is available till 5:30 pm and early drop-off begins at 7:30 am. This fee is discounted over 50% from our regularly scheduled day camps as a community service during this after-holiday, unexpected cold weather snap. This means parents can make it to work in a timely manner and have a safe, fun, educational place for their children for $3 or less per hour. Age appropriate activities may include live animal encounters, crafts, stories, songs, discovery stations and much more! Children are asked to bring a sack lunch. A morning and afternoon snack will be provided. Call ahead registration is recommended, but not required. Attendance is limited to the first 100 children between the ages of 4 and 15. Call (405) 425-0218 for registration or information.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
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
Pet Show – Pitt Boss star Ronald Lee Clark!
Listen to Pet Show! We are joined by Ronald Lee Clark, one of the stars of the new Animal Planet series Pitt Boss.
Clark is originally from South Korea, but he was adopted by an American family. He grew up in Choctaw and moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. He met Shorty Rossi and joined his team at Shortywood, a performing agency for little people. Though Clark is a booking assistant, he doesn’t just workin the entertainment industry. He helps Rossi with his side project – a pit bull rescue. Clark tells us he’s always been an animal advocate, but this job has given him a new appreciation for pits.
The show debuts Jan. 16 on Animal Planet. Check our local listings here.
Here’s the commercial:
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Pets in the paper – food and yoga
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman since Saturday -
- Zoo’s new elephant habitat to house expectant mother. (Oklahoma City)
- Instructor offers way to help animals. (Oklahoma City)
- City’s six-day horse show keeps eyes on ranking prize. (Oklahoma City)
- Safari park adds new tiger, center. (Tuttle)
- Nature loves flock to state’s salt plaines. (Great Salt Plaines)
- Pony Express to celebrate anniversary in re-enactment. (Missouri)
- Tortoises highlight disputes in energy. (California)
- Slithery pets are rescued. (Utah)
- “Best Job” winner stung by dangerous jellyfish. (Australia)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
