The bears say spring
Predictions from Will and Wiley at the Oklahoma City Zoo:
Check out The Oklahoman tomorrow for the story.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
House cat takes on bear
I wish I knew more about this video. If you trust the explanation on Youtube, this happened in Quebec. I’m a bit disturbed by the laughing from the woman apparently shooting the video and the child. If this were my cat, I’d be in a panic. Still, good for the kitty.
- 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
Puppy rescued from train tracks
egrees.
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
It’s raining lizards
In addition to record cold temperatures, Florida residents are dealing with another strange phenomenon — iguanas falling from the trees.
An iguana lies frozen, or possibly just in suspended animation, on the ground at a Florida Keys park following a cold snap - Tim Chapman, Miami Herald
The iguanas, which are not native to Florida, don’t do well in the cold. With record low temperatures in the state, the reptiles are falling frozen out of the trees in Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne.
The iguanas aren’t actually frozen. They are in suspended animation, coming back to life once they warm up. However, extended cold temperatures could kill them.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Can I be in the picture?
Remember that squirrel who crashed the couple’s photo on the bank of a lake and became an instant Internet star?
Apparently seals are getting in on the act too, only they are targeting penguins and their much bigger families.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Bartlesville man charged in theft, killing of dog
According to the Tulsa World, a Bartlesville man has been charged with two felonies after police said he stole a miniature poodle and killed it.
Gregory Tadd Arpin
Gregory Tadd Arpin, 20, was arrested and charged in Washington County District Court with grand larceny of a dog and animal cruelty. His bail is set at $20,000.
Police got a call about 1 a.m. from the dog’s owner, who said a man had stolen his $600 miniature poodle from the front yard Bartlesville home. The owner chased the thief, but lost track of him, according to police.
Bartlesville police caught up with a man fitting the thief’s description hiding in the shadows at a nearby home.
Arpin told police he did not steal the dog, but picked it up because it attempted to bite him, police said. When the dog continued barking and attempted to bite him, Arpin threw it down to the ground, police said.
Arpin told police he had been drinking before the incident.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my that’s cute
A Georgia rescue center has an unlikely trio of animal buddies.
Leo the lion, Shere Kahn the tiger and Baloo the bear share a home a the park thanks to their unlikely upbringing. The three animals, kept as pets by drug barons, were seized during a raid in Atlanta eight years ago when they were still cubs.
Shere Kahn, Leo and Baloo enjoy their new home at Noah's Ark
When they were turned over to the Noah’s Ark Rescue Center in Locust Grove, Ga., the decision was made to keep them together. Raised by the zoo’s founders, the three get along like siblings. Now that they have a new public enclosure, visitors can see the three eating, sleeping and playing together.
Enjoy the photos, courtesy of the Noah’s Ark Facebook fan page for the trio, which you can find here.
Leo and Shere Kahn play as cubs Baloo and Shere Kahn with one of the owners of Noah's Ark
The three animl buddies play as cubs
Baloo and Shere Kahn with one of the owners of Noah's Ark
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Another health insurance option available
Another health insurance option for pets in Oklahoma is available.
Purina offers two easy-to-use, comprehensive plans designed to help pet owners provide a lifetime of care for dogs and cats. Purina estimates there are about 1.9 million cats and dogs in Oklahoma.
“People love their pets like a member of the family and we believe no pet owner should be forced to let their wallets dictate the appropriate care when their dog or cat has an unexpected accident or illness,” PurinaCare chief executive and veterinarian David Goodnight said in press release. “PurinaCare helps give pet owners peace of mind that their beloved dog or cat is protected and will have access to high-quality care in the event any unforeseen issues arise.”
For more information about PurinaCare Pet Health Insurance, go to www.purinacare.com.
— Staff Writer Brian Sargent
