Pets in the paper – butterflies celebrate faith
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today and yesterday -
- St. Louis pet group cries foul over prize. (Missouri, Sunday, page 3a)
- Though pay varies, many here earn less. (statewide)
- Churches release sign of new life. (Yukon)
- Questions raised in puppy auctions. (Missouri)
- Zoo’s zebra breaks neck. (Arkansas, Sunday, page 20a)
- Texas war hero helps nab suspects in dog shooting. (Sunday, page 21a)
- Touring production of “The Lion King” goes beyond animated film. (Oklahoma City)
- Film to address dog dealer issues. (Stillwater)
- Zoo animals find ways to celebrate Easter, too. (Oklahoma City, Monday, page 7a)
- Dog Bo to join Obamas. (Washington, D.C.)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Military tested armor on pigs
Odds are if you’re reading this blog, you probably aren’t a fan of hurting animals. (Hence all the discuss about Michael Vick.) So when this story came to my inbox, I was surprised and saddened, and I figured other Pet Show fans would want to know about it.
The military spent 11 months testing body armor on pigs. How? By putting them in Humvees and blowing them up.
Long story short, the military discovered that body armor is, you know, important. Officials discovered that pigs with body armor lived and pigs without body armor died.
Thank goodness we did lots of testing to figure that out.
The Humane Society of the United State is upset, as expected. They say blowing up pigs isn’t necessary. The Pentagon says that the pigs were treated humanely. Except for the part where they, you know, blew them up.
While the cause is noble and our soldiers must be protected from harm, maybe the military should figure out a better way to do that than blowing up animals.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper
- Puppy killed in house fire. (Oklahoma City)
- Dog rescue brings partner for Webbers Falls officers. (Webbers Falls)
- St. Bernard saved from ice. (Montana)
- Healing animals needs to be vet schools’ focus. (Stillwater)
- See eagles being born. (Oklahoma)
- Creativity soars in artists’ works. (Oklahoma City)
- Eight states to guard predator canines. (northern United States)
- Horsemen take bankruptcy of track’s owner in stride. (Oklahoma City)
- Horse art on display. (Oklahoma City)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Cold kitties help real ones
So apparently chilly digital kittens are helping real ones.
A new iPhone application called ShiveringKittens is raising money for the ASPCA. The application developer, GiantCrayon Games, is partnering with the animal advocacy group in March and April for the first ever iPhone fundraising campaign.
The application costs $2.99 to download, and GiantCrayon will donate $1 of each download to the ASPCA.
A statement from ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres: “The ASPCA is thrilled to work with GiantCrayon to raise funds through this new technology. The object of the ShiveringKittens game is to rescue as many kittens as you can – and even though this is just for fun, in reality the ASPCA works tirelessly each day to save the lives of countless animals. Now, just by playing this virtual game, animal lovers everywhere can help the ASPCA continue that work.”
A statement from Tim Goggin, vice president of GiantCrayon Games: “I’m so excited to be working with the ASPCA. We’re really keen to pioneer such a different way of fundraising. And most importantly, I value the wonderful work the ASPCA does rescuing animals, so I’m really thrilled to find a way to help such a great organization.”
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
And the Oscar goes to …
Slumdog Millionaire, which isn’t really about a dog at all, received eight Academy Awards this year for all the wonderful work done by people, but several other Hollywood films were recognized for their animal workers.
The American Humane Association - the group behind the famed “no animals were harmed in the making of this movie” line during the credits – has had a little awards ceremony of its own. Folk in the AHA’s Film and TV Unit gave out awards of their own:
- Best Movie Magic Featuring an Animal: The Dark Knight. Filmmakers used movie magic – like prop dogs and fancy angles – to illustrate a dramatic dog fight.
- Best Behind-the-Scenes Rescue Story: Beverly Hills Chihuahua. A trainer discovered one of the dogs who played Papi a day before the pup was set to be euthanized at a California animal shelter.
- Best Group Effort to Protect Horses: Appaloosa. One of the scenes includes horses crossing a stream. AHA employees pointed out this could be dangerous because the horses wouldn’t be able to see sharp rocks and debris, the crew jumped in and cleared the stream of any possible dangerous material.
- Best Rescue by a Snake: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. A “vine” turns out to be a snake at one point in the movie, and filmmakers used a real python for “establishing shots” and then used a prop for the rest of the show.
- Most Poignant Movie Illustrating the Human-Animal Bond: Marley & Me. See the movie. That’s all there is to it.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pet Show – helping hoarders
In news, we talked about the Captive Primate Safety Act making its way through Congress. We also talked about a local issue: a bill to allow shelters to sell dead animals failed to make it through a House of Representatives committee.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
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Pets in the paper – Mom skips trial in son’s mauling
Check out these animal-related stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Mom waives trial in baby’s fatal dog mauling. (Tulsa)
- California livestock law spurs group to seek protection for state farmers. (Oklahoma)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- - Birds to get special treats. (Oklahoma City)
- - Please entered in dog killings. (McAlester)
- - At city zoo, sun will set on visits after closing. (Oklahoma City)
- - Fair park upgrades are on track. (photo above, Oklahoma City)
- - Pets now frequently mentioned as family member in obituaries. (nationwide)
- - Study up before adding dog. (nationwide)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Words of wisdom from Pamela Anderson
There are many ways to make a good point. But maybe Pamela Anderson’s way of making a good point isn’t the most, um, let’s say, congenial way.
In a plea to sterilize street dogs in Mumbai instead of kill them, Anderson gave this heart-felt, honest, clearly thought out statement: “”Dogs cannot use condoms, but with the municipality’s help, they can be fixed – painlessly, quickly and permanently.”
Thanks for pointing out dogs’ complete disregard for condom use.
Great. Good job there, PamAn.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
A new year, a new chance at life
The Michael Vick dogs are America’s dogs. I learned that from Molly Gibb, an Oklahoman who helped rehabilitate one of the pit bull terriers rescued from Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels. I’d never really thought of it that way, but she’s right. When the case became so public, everyone who’s ever loved a dog felt sick. We imagined our dogs inside those kennel walls, inside those fighting rings. And when those dogs were saved, we looked at our dogs with renewed joy and hope. Even the ones who were hurt the most – beaten, starved, mangled – could find a way to overcome.
Sports Illustrated has written a wonderful story about Michael Vick’s dogs in light of the new year. One of the dogs – Sweet Jasmine – is featured on the cover of the Dec. 29 issue. If you haven’t had a chance to see it, check it out. It’s worth reading.
If you haven’t had a chance to read about Molly Gibb and Alf, you can do so here. He’s an amazing pup, and Molly’s an impressive trainer.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
