Chinese Zodiac
As the year turns, so does the Chinese Zodiac. For those who follow these things, 2008 was the year of the rat, and 2009 is the year of the Ox.
To celebrate, I give you a picture of an ox with a mouse on its head, courtesy of the Mainichi Daily News.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Having turkey for Christmas dinner
Like many others, Roger and Marianne Barron want to have a turkey for Christmas dinner. 
Actually, it’s not like everyone else. The English farming couple has grown so attached to their Christmas turkey that they decided to set him a place at the table rather than on the table. Terance the turkey separated himself from the rest of the birds at the Barron’s turkey farm by being fearless and becoming the alpha turkey of the group.
The act endeared Terence to the family, so he got a reprieve this year. While the Baron’s eat one of his mates, Terance will sit at the table and eat grain.
Merry Christmas, pet lovers!
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
So a reindeer walks into a bar…
You best just accept the fact that it’s Christmas and you will be treated to these kinds of stories for much of the week on this blog. 
Gordon Elliot who lives north of London, gets quite a response when he takes his pet reindeer for walks to the fast food joint or the local bar. Dobbey, who has 3-foot antlers, follows Elliot virtually everywhere, especially around Christmas. The man hand reared the renideer, along with many other animals, at his farm.
Unfortunately, reindeer antlers tend to fall off around early December, but that doesn’t mute the response when Elliot takes Dobbey for a Christmas walk to see local children and visit local schools.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Little River Zoo loses porcupine
A porcupine at the Little River Zoo in Norman died Dec. 5, zoo officials announced Thursday. Della was 8. The cause of death is pending veterinarian investigation.
Della was known for her community appearances as part of the Little River Zoo’s education programs, visitng hundreds of schools and churches. She attended parades and community events. Some of her famous appearances include a meeting with National Geographic and going on stage with Jack Hannah during his visit to Oklahoma City.
Della was born on Christmas Even 2000 to porcupine parents Lee and Mary.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Oklahoma City Zoo hosts holiday pet present workshop for kids
Kids can make holiday gifts for the family pets at the Oklahoma City Zoo this month.
The Pet Presents workshop will be from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 22 at the zoo. Kids ages 6-10 will create edible treats for their dogs, cats or birds, and zookeepers will show how they share the holidays with the animals they take care of. Snacks for the kiddos are included.
Registration is $15 for ZooFriends members and $20 for the general public. Call 425-0218 or register online.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Nom that pumpkin!
The Oklahoman‘s photo editor, Doug Hoke, passed these pictures along. His wife, Lisa, captured a squirrel demolishing a pumpkin. At least the squirrel got to decorations for holidays that have already passed.
Send us your pictures – wildlife or pets! We’ll post them on our fabulous blog!
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Snow lions
No, it’s not some offshoot species like the white tiger. These photos are from a safari park in Scotland, where a pride of lions had to trudge through some snow.
I can’t imagine snow is a common sight for lions that are used to roaming the African plains, but if nothing else, lions certainly look cool in the snow.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Who needs pockets? Not this toad fanatic
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
As if the zoo wasn’t cute enough …
Check out the newest arrival to the Oklahoma City Zoo. Read The Oklahoman tomorrow for all the details.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Chimp nurses tiger cubs
Far be it from me to engage in hyperbole, so I won’t say this is the cutest video ever. But I dare you to find a cuter one.
Seems a 3-year-old chimpanzee has learned to help her keeper nurse two young male white tiger cubs in Florida. If there is anything cuter than tiger cubs, it is a chimp nursing tiger cubs. Enjoy.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
