Pets in the paper – Vick dog in Oklahoma update
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Former Vick dog finds new life here. Fighting still a problem in some areas, experts say. (statewide, photos below)
- Training pups to help people is no easy task. (Oklahoma City)
- Kids can ride in style. (Yukon, page 1d)
- Zookeeper camp offers hands-on fun. (Norman)
- Pet Tales: Mischievous dog a real Diamond. (El Reno)
- Know when pet needs prompt vet care. (nationwide)
- Big catch reels in funds for the MDA. (Lake Thunderbird, page 3d)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Just because: yodeling cats
A friend of mine passed this along to the Pet Show crew because it is hilarious to say the least. Don’t worry, no cats were harmed. Make sure to watch this video through to the end.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Monkeys play “Deal or No Deal”
I’ve never been a big fan of “Deal or No Deal,” the game show where contestants pick from a series of suitcases with different dollar amounts in them, hoping the smaller numbers are revealed so they end up with a big payout.
My gripe is that it takes very little or no skill. I like games where if I perform well, I have a chance to improve my odds. This game is all about random chance — pick a number and hope it’s the right one.
Now science has confirmed that a trained monkey can play Deal or No Deal, and the primates actually feal regret when they find out they’ve picked wrong.
Researchers at Duke University gave a group of rhesus macaques a choice of eight white squares to choose from. Underneath each square was a different color corresponding to a reward, the best being sugary fruit juice. After choosing, the monkeys were also shown the rewards they missed out on. When shown they missed out on the juice, the monkeys tried harder.
Brain scans revealed that when playing the game, the monkeys used a center of the brain which analyzes the consequences of actions. That same area also became active when the monkeys were shown what they passed up, suggesting they were thinking about what they might have won.
As interesting as these findings are, I find myself feeling sorry for the monkeys who missed out on the juice, knowing they that understood they missed their chance at a sweet reward.
Now if I could just get a group of scientists to analyze my theory that a trained monkey could replace Howie Mandel as the host of Deal or No Deal.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Pets in the paper – inspections for livestock
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Bill updates: Livestock. (state capitol)
- Little River Zoo planning campout. (Norman)
- Technician behind “The Lion King” masks runs a class menagerie. (Oklahoma City)
- Show’s popularity benefits zoo. (Oklahoma City)
- Dogs with arthritis may benefit from acupuncture treatments. (nationwide)
- Pet products draw warning. (nationwide)
- Pet Tales: Second chance, sweet success. (Oklahoma City)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pet Show – the flying disc guru
Listen to Pet Show! Our guest today is Lee Fairchild of OK Paws K-9 Sports Club and Friends for Folks. Lee talked to us about the Spring Fling, the disc dog competition beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday at Washington High School. The contest is open to everyone from complete novices to advanced pros. (As a side note, Lee is quite the accomplished disc dog athlete. He’s head for the world championship. Read about it and watch videos here.)
Here are the news and tips we talked about on this week’s show:
- New Zealand hosts penguin sports tournament.
- Swine flu doesn’t really affect pets except for, well, you know, swine.
- Parrots join humans on the dance floor. (video below)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
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Pets in the paper – bullies aren’t bullies
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Bully dog shows will go on for fans. (Ardmore)
- “Run benefits animals. (Edmond)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Oklahoma man going to world disc dog contest
Lee Fairchild of Goldsby has once again qualified for world disc dog competition.
I pasted a story down below that I wrote last year about Fairchild and his pal, Mark Seyfried. Aside from the YouTube video of their outstanding run to world competition, you can check out a NewsOK video from last year of Fairchild and Seyfriend doing tricks with a few of their pups. Pretty amazing.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Saturday, May 17, 2008
WASHINGTON, OK — Not every dog can use its owner as a springboard.
Lee Fairchild’s dog can. Gracie, a 28-pound Australian shepherd, uses her owner as a catapult, a way to leap even higher into the air to catch a flying disc.
Gracie and dozens of other dogs from Oklahoma and nearby states will compete today at the Spring Fling, a disc dog competition hosted by OKPAWS K9 Sports Club. Dogs will sprint, leap, catch, retrieve and show off to win the top prizes.
“These dogs don’t get paid, so they thrive on that applause,” Fairchild said. “Of course, we thrive on it, too.”
Eight years ago, Fairchild saw the sport on television. As a dog trainer, he thought it would be fun. Fairchild recruited friend Mark Seyfried.
A rough start
“We went to our first competition,” Fairchild said, “and it was terrible.”
The dogs were spooked. The competition was full of barking dogs, cheering fans and distractions. Fairchild’s dog didn’t catch any discs; Seyfried’s dog didn’t even retrieve them.
The duo has been putting on a disc dog competition since, but this is the first year they’ve partnered with OKPAWS K9 Sports Club.
The events are toss-and-catch and freestyle. Most dogs weigh between 30 and 55 pounds, said Fairchild, who is a case manager and hostage negotiator at Lexington Assessment and Reception Center. Common breeds that compete are border collies, heelers, Australian shepherds, Labradors and other retrievers.
Anyone can enter, Fairchild said, and categories include novice and advanced. Amateurs from throughout the state are expected to attend, he said. The entry fee is $10 per event.
“You can be a total amateur and come out here,” Fairchild said. “That’s how you get into the sport.”
A Purina Incredible Dog Challenge champion owner will judge the competition and give a demonstration.
Pets in the paper – Safe in Wichita
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Refuge wins support in state. (Lawton)
- Berry will have to sit out Derby. (Oklahoma City / Kentucky)
- Transition period is suggested for familiarizing cats to babies. (nationwide)
- This dog is family’s friend, fur-ever. (Kingston)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Best man, I mean bear
Don’t try this at home, folks.
Naturist Casey Anderson has drawn some attention because of his best friend, an 800-pound grizzly bear named Brutus. Anderson raised Brutus from a cub after he was born at an overpopulated wildlife park.
Brutus even served as Anderson’s best man when he recently got married.
The pictures are undeniably amazing, and the story of this relationship is wonderful, but I can’t help but worry. Grizzlies may not be blood-thristy manhunters as they are often portrayed, but they are wild animals capable of turning on their keepers at any moment. Anderson is taking his life into his hands with this relationship. Maybe he sees his relationship with Brutus as worth the risk, but he needs to be especially careful about bringing Brutus near others.
As awful as it would be if Brutus turned on Anderson, he would probably never get over it if his best friend hurt or killed someone else.
For now, enjoy the photos.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Pet Show! Keep your dogs calm during storms
Listen to Pet ShowAs we all know, spring is a pretty volatile season in Oklahoma, and this season is the prime time of year for thunderstorms. For many pets, this can be scary.
Dr. Debra Horwitz, of Veterinary Behavior Consultations in St. Louis, talked to us about all the great ways you can keep your pup calm during the storm.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
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