The charity Bring Pets Home has partnered with more than 140 retailers – yes, more than 140! – to help you maximize your holiday cheer.  How? Go to www.bringpetshome.org when you do your online shopping this holiday season. Find the retailer you want. When you click on that store through Bring Pets Home, a part of your sale will be given back to the organization, which benefits shelter pets nationwide. (The percent varies by retailer. For example, Walmart gives back 4 percent. iTunes gives 5 percent. Some places even give up to 10 percent.)

So, this Christmas considering combining three fantastic things: shopping, the holidays and helping animals.

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

• Baby chimpanzee Zoe to get first look at public. (Oklahoma City, video below)
• Chains take wag out of dog’s tail. (Oklahoma City)
• Pet Tales: Dog found after family prays. (Oklahoma City)
• Dove release honors victims. (Chickasha)
• Purina products joining the battle to defeat breast cancer. (nationwide)

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

15% Hog Grower & Finisher Feed
Agriflex Betonite
AIM Magnesium Oxide 56%
Barley Flakes
Beef, Land O’Lakes Steak Maker Grower
Bi-County 17% Layer Mash
Bi-County Coop Farm Ration
Bi-County Coop Ground Shell Corn
Bi-County Feed Oats
Bi-County Shell Corn
Bi-County Super 12 Plus
Bio-Cube Alfalfa Cubes
Calf Manna, Manna Pro
Cattle Mineral Triple Trust
Champions Choice Mix-N-Fine Salt
Champions Choice Trace Mineral Salt
Coastal Brand Poultry Shell
Country Acres Horse Feed
Crimped Oats
Diamond Crystal Pellets, water softener
Diamond Yeast Culture
Equine Merit Horse Balancer
Farmer’s Friend Vitamin A, D & E
Feed Grade Sodium Bicarbonate
Gran-I-Grit, Mt. Airy insoluble
Herd Maker Supreme
High Calcium Hydrated Lime
HomeGrown Game Bird & Poultry
Horsemans’s Edge Pelleted
Kemin Calcium Proprionate
Land O’ Lakes Calf Primer
Layena
Legends Grow & Perform
Legends Racing Textured
Legends Show & Pleasure
Limestone Calcium Carbonate
Merry Mixer Dehydrated Alfala
Pork Supreme LG Premix 100/75
Purina Chow Turkey Starter
Purina Omalene 100
Purina Pig Startena
Purina Start & Grow Sunfresh
Rabbit Pellets 25 lbs.
Reliance Pleasure 11T
Reliance Pleasure HP
S.S. Dairy 18% Supreme Dairy
Scratch Feed
Solvent Extracted Soybean Meal
Tizwhiz Train N Maintain
Triple Crown Complete
Triple Crown Growth
Triple Crown Senior Formula
Triple Trust 20-15 Red Calf Manna Milk Replacer
Triple Trust Dried Molasses
Triple Trust Feed Dicalium Phosphate
Triple Trust Horse Feed
Triple Trust Rabbit Pellets
Triple Trust Textured Goat Feed
Ultralyx Dried Distillers Grains

Staff Write Carrie Coppernoll

Enter Fetchstix.

What is it? Sticks. Sticks you buy. Sticks that cost $12.95 for two.

This is the perfect product for … people who who have no access to sticks? I have no idea. The only scenario where I would think you’d have to buy sticks if if you lived on the space station or you were in solitary confinement in a prison. In either of those scenarios, I doubt you’d be worried about playing fetch.

I have several more thoughts:

1. The makers of Fetchstix market them as the “funny eco-gifts for dog lovers.” I don’t think chopping down a forest (as shown on the Fetchstix homepage) and shipping sticks across the country from Vermont is exactly eco-conscious. The only thing they have right is that the idea is funny.

2. The sticks come with an owner’s manual. Use the owner’s manual to hit yourself over the head for spending $12.95 on two sticks.

3. There’s a technical support line. Yes, really. Call the support line when you need to ask questions like, “How do I play fetch with my dog? What do I do? Why did I spend $12.95 on sticks?”

I don’t wish anyone ill will in these tough economic times, but I have to say, this might be the worst business plan ever. And to anyone who has paid $12.95 for two Fetchstix: maybe you should build a fire with those sticks and throw your money in there.

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

• 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

The American Pet Products Association put out a list of its favorite eco-conscious products in honor of Earth Day:

• The NuHemp line by KicX Nutrition is made with certified organic hempseed and hempseed oil. All parts of the hemp plant can be used and grows easily without pesticides making it an eco-friendly option. The NuHemp line includes Gourmet Dog Treats made up of 100% natural holistic ingredients, 100% biodegradable pet-friendly shampoos and conditioners, and recyclable pet bedding for the earth conscious small animal in your life. www.nuhemp.com.
• Simple Solution® Naturals line offers great natural solutions to the pet owner’s everyday problems. The Simple Solution NATURAL Biodegradable Training Pads for pups are 100% biodegradable and are able to compost, including the packaging. The NATURAL Stain and Odor Remover is an all natural, eco-sensitive alternative to harsh chemicals that are found in traditional household cleaner, eliminates all odors and stops your repeat carpet-soiling offenders. The Natural Pet Odor Eliminators are made from a natural, non-toxic volcanic material called Zeolite, this mineral has an ionic charge that attracts odors. Millions of micro-sized pores provide superior odor absorption and long lasting results. This product is 100% natural with no fragrances and no harsh chemicals. Great for indoor or outdoor use. Available in granule and crystal form making this a great addition to the safe and smart Simple Solution Naturals line. www.simplesolution.com.
• Worlds Best Cat Litter is made from whole-kernel corn. The highly absorbent proteins and fibers found naturally in corn actually bind cat urine and odor molecules in the litter. So, GPC Pet Products developed a patented process that turns corn into a natural litter! It clumps better. It controls odors without the need for perfumes and scents. It’s flushable, biodegradable and more sanitary. www.worldsbestcatlitter.com.
• Imperial Cat Scratch N’ Shapes are made from 100% recyclable materials. These fun and unique cat scratchers come in all different shapes and sizes and are designed to complement your décor. They will save your furniture while offering your felines an earth-friendly option for recreation, napping, catnip and clawing. The scratchers also come with a generous bag of Certified Organic Catnip and are produced in the United States. www.imperialcat.com.
• Planet Dog’s Recycle Bone toys are made specially from leftover Orbee-Tuff material that otherwise would just be discarded. Some are even designed with a special treat spot for hiding kibble, spreads and other tasty treats dogs love, making it an interactive toy your dog can’t play without. 2% of every Planet Dog purchase is donated back to non-profit canine service programs nationwide. The dog toys are produced in the United States, are non-toxic, recyclable and easily rinse clean. www.planetdog.com

 Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

There’s a new product that apparently is making waves in the pet world, and I have to say, it’s ridiculous. It’s the BOLT Interactive Laser Toy, made by FroliCat. You set the toy on the ground and it basically points a laser all over the room while your cat (or dog, I guess) chases it.

That is it. If you are too lazy to point your own laser, you shouldn’t own a cat! Unless you are not physically able to hold a laser pointer, you need to be doing this yourself. This is the ultimate in laziness.

“But it’s won all kinds of awards,” you say. True. It was named the Best in Show in the cat category (or category as I’ll call it) at the Global Pet Expo earlier this year. The only thing this tells us that the judges are advocates of laziness.

“Maybe you could leave it on while you’re gone,” you say. No. Unless you are gone for a silly long time every day, no. Want a better solution? Get your cat a friend! Adopt a second cat or maybe even a dog.

“But it’s only $20,” you say. No. Spend $20 on taking your cat to the vet or donate $20 to an animal cause.

Don’t buy an automatic laser pointer, unless you’re too lazy to hold your own laser pointer, in which case you are too lazy to even own a cat in the first place.

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

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

A Fort Worth brewing company has created a series of beers called Rare Species. Read the full story on our beer blog, The Thirsty Beagle!

By the way, The Thirsty Beagle himself gave the brewer a thumbs up. And if a dog says it’s good, you know it’s the truth.

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

Ten Oklahoma dogs, including two beagles named Hank, are featured on the new Oklahoma Lottery scratch-off ticket, Lucky Dog.  The tickets are for sale beginning today. Owners of the 10 dogs each won a $200 gift card to PetSmart.

In addition to the Hank beagles, Huskies also won the day. The breed is repersented twice on the card. Skiatook and Broken Arrow were big winners, too. The cities had two pups apiece on the ticket.

The lucky winners:

- Erin, a Corgi from Tulsa

- Hank, a beagle from Bethany

- Hank, a beagle from Tahlequah

- Krikkit, an Italian greyhound from Broken Arrow

- Lucy, a border colie from Skiatook

- Mya, a Siberian husky from Edmond

- Orie, a Brittany border collie from Broken Arrow

- Rowdy, a Yorkshire terrier from Enid

- Xavier, a Siberian husky from Stillwater

- Tiger, a Labrador retriever from Skiatook

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll