Pets in the paper – Bo under the microscope
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Puppy’s origins raising questions. (Washington, D.C.) (No offense to this story, which questions whether the Obamas dog is a rescue, but there’s really nothing to figure out. The AKC released a statement yesterday naming the dog’s breeders, who live in Dallas. I mean come on, Associated Press reporter. You totally should have read our Pet Show blog entry yesterday!)
- Dogs seized after attack. (Enid)
- Honor will boost stray-pet efforts. (Oklahoma City)
- Art, horse racing come together. (Oklahoma City, page 1d)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
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
Pets in the paper –
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Black bear hunting. (state capitol)
- Increasing quality and lives of pets. (state capitol)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper
Check out these animal stories from The Oklahoman today, yesterday and Saturday:
- Make your pet a video star in NewsOK.com contest.
- Bug Fest has creepy-crawlie stars. (Norman)
- Mailed jailed in doe shooting. (Vermont)
- Equine dentist law has teeth. (statewide)
- State park just made horse sense. (Wagoner)
- Zoo welcomes baby elephant. (California)
- Condor suffers from gunshot. (California)
- Oil soaks pelican, Australian beach. (Saturday, page 7a)
- Don’t make impulse bunny buy. (statewide)
- Oklahoma City Zoo exhibit revives dinosaurs.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Why your dog eats poop
It’s one of those eternal mysteries. It’s like “What’s the meaning of life?” and “Why are we here?” Even though we may have come up with our own reasons, it still doesn’t seem logical. So we wonder anew: why do dogs eat poop?
I have the answer.
The geniuses at Pet Comfort Products, makers of all kinds of pet items, have come up with a list of 20 reasons why dogs eat poop. It’s, of all things, fascinating. Here’s a recap of their list:
- He’s hungry.
- She’s cleaning her living space.
- His doggy instinct could be telling him to carry it around like prey.
- She has parasites or worms.
- He’s looking for nutrients from other animal poop.
- She’s bored, lonely or neglected.
- He’s nervous.
- She’s covering her tracks. She doesn’t want you to be angry that she pooped inside.
- It’s a novelty to new puppies.
- She’s protecting her puppies. Mama dogs sometimes eat the evidence that young, vulnerable puppies are nearby.
- He’s watched you picking up poop and thinks it’s an acceptable behavior. But he has no scoop.
- She saw other dogs do it.
- He likes the taste.
- Her food isn’t good enough and she’s looking for a diet supplement.
- He’s confused his low-quality dog food for poop.
- She’s eaten too much, especially too much fat.
- He wants your attention, even if it’s negative attention.
- She’s showing she’s submission to other, more dominate dogs.
- He wants to eat more often than you’re feeding him.
- It’s an accident. She didn’t know it was poop.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper
- Martha Stewart’s dog dies. (Pennsylvania, photo shown here)
- Defendant faces charges in slaying of 26 cattle. (Missouri)
- Bill puts a target on state feral hogs. (statewide)
- Livestock will take the stage at 95th annual youth expo. (Oklahoma City)
- Will perform for fish. (Oklahoma City, pages 4d)
- Animal emergency expert to be event speaker. (Midwest City)
- Dear Abby: allergic cousin asks host to board cats. (nationwide, page 5e)
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
Obamas pick pup – FINALLY!
It seems like the campaign to get the Obama girls a puppy lasted longer than the campaign to get Obama in the White House. But finally – FINALLY – the family has chosen a dog.
The first dog will be a Portuguese water dog.
Our diplomatic relations with Portugal just shot through the roof. The Portuguese love us now!
First Lady Michelle Obama reportedly told People magazine that they chose the breed because it’s good-natured, medium-sized and hypoallergenic. The Obamas will pick up their new pooch some time in April, after they return from a Spring Break vacation.
Some fun facts about Portuguese water dogs:
- They were bred for, surprisingly, water work. They were used to dive for broken fishing net, to carry messages from boats to the shore and to guard boats.
- It has waterproof fur.
- The breed was first recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1983.
- Its coat can be curly or wavy.
- Its the 69th most popular dog breed in America and is climbing the ranks. The Obama choice is likely to draw even more attention to the breed.
- The Top 10 most popular dog breeds in Washington, D.C., are from first to last: Labrador retriever, boxer, golden retriever, poodle, Yorkshire terrier, shih tzu, bulldog, German shepherd, chow chow, pug and cocker spaniel. Maybe the Portuguese water dog will break the Top 10 next year.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
ASPCA predicts 1 million animals will be homeless
As the economy continues to sink, people aren’t the only ones feeling the effects. More families are losing their homes, and many people aren’t sure what to do with their pets.
That problem could leave up to 1 million homeless pets homeless. The ASPCA makes the prediction based on foreclosure and pet ownership rates.
To help ease the blow, the ASPCA recommends pet owners who lose their living space to take one of these steps:
- Ask a loved one to look after your pet until you get back on your feet.
- Choose a rental property that allows pets.
- Seek out a shelter that will accept your pet before you move.
Volunteers who want to help out can do a lot to improve the situation, the ASPCA suggests. There are some steps many of us can take to help shelters and rescues deal with the possible influx of animals:
- Adopt a pet.
- Foster a homeless pet.
- Donate towels, blankets and toys to rescues and shelters.
- Support community services that help home owners who are teetering on the brink of foreclosure.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Eat at Johnnie’s tomorrow!
If you ever needed a burger, tomorrow’s the day!
All Johnnie’s Charcoal Broilers in the metro area are donating 10 percent of their sales to the Oklahoma Humane Society. Want to help? Here’s how:
- Step 1: Get hungry.
- Step 2: Go to any Johnnie’s Charcoal Broiler in the metro area. (Click here to find one!)
- Step 3: Tell them when you order your helping the Oklahoma Humane Society!
- Step 4: Eat.
Come on. You know you were going to eat anyway. Why not help out some lovable pets while you do? If you can’t go tomorrow, that’s OK. Go every third Wednesday of the month and eat up to help a pup!
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
