Snakebit man keeps cobras in apartment
A Japanese man nearly killed by a snake bite was arrested Wednesday by authorities after they discovered he was keeping 51 deadly snakes, including cobras and mambas, in his Tokyo apartment.
Nobukazu Kashiwagi called for help in July after one of the snakes bit him on the finger. The 41-year-old told police he was trying to feed one of the snakes when it bit him.
He was arrested after he was released from the hospital for keeping the dangerous reptiles in his apartment without permission from the government. The longest of the snakes was six feet.
Last year, before I adopted my dog, I did lots of research on what kinds of animals make good apartment pets. Let me assuure you that poisionous snakes are not on the list.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Panda pregnant
Zoo Atlanta’s giant panda Lun Lun is pregnant, according to zoo officials.
The zoo’s veterinarians have confirmed the panda is pregnant via ultrasound and that her cub could be born at any time. The Atlanta zoo is one of only four in the United States to exhibit a panda. The species, native to China, is extremely endangered, and Chinese officials rarely allow pandas to be exported to foreign zoos.
Lun Lun had her first cub, named Mei Lan, in 2006. Panda pregnancies are rare and difficult to detect.
Here is a photo of Lun Lun with Mei Lan:
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
First Dog
I have to admit, I’m not a big fan of poodles.
My grandmother had a sweet
toy poodle when I was a kid, but I’ve always seen the breed as kind of snobby and elitist. Which is why I can’t understand the results of a survey recently announced by the American Kennel Club.
The group asked Americans to decide which breed of dog Barack Obama should choose for his family. The kennel club ran a poll at www.presidentialpup.com after reports that Obama promised his daughters he would get them a dog win or lose in the presdential race. About 42,000 people voted in the poll.
I just don’t see a poodle as a good choice for Obama. He’s already been accused of being elitist, and I don’t see a poodle helping that image. Certainly, a poodle is a dignified breed worthy of gracing the White House, but I’m not sure it reinforced Obama’s message of change.
He needs an energetic breed, the kind to match his candidacy and the youth movement that swept him to the Democratic nomination.
My pick would be a labrador retriever. I can see his daughter’s playing fetch with the first pup on the White House lawn, and I can envision a well-trained lab laying at Obama’s feet in the Oval Office. A first-lab wouldn’t be unprecendeted, either. The last Democratic president, Bill Clinton, had a chocolate lab named Buddy.
I also agree with groups like Best Friends Network, which are advocating the Obamas adopt a rescue dog instead of buying a pure breed from a shelter. There are plenty of labs and lab mixes out there who need good homes, and I think the White House, or the Obama family home if McCain wins the election, would make a good home for one of these animals. It would also set an excellent example for Americans and bring attention to the issue of homeless pets.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Oklahoma City Pet of the Week
Freda, a 5-year-old shepherd, and Cookie, a 6-year-old heeler mix
Freda is a fluffy 5-year-old shepherd, and Cookie, her best friend, is a sweet 6-year-old heeler mix. They came into the Oklahoma City Animal Shelter together and are best buddies. We are hoping they go to the same home. If your family is thinking about adopting two dogs, Freda and Cookie would be a perfect pick. They are both easygoing and well mannered, and they are housebroken and like other dogs. Our veterinarian has treated Cookie for heartworms. She would like to thank the Healing Hearts Fund for paying for her treatment. Their shelter numbers are 66997 and 66998.The Oklahoma City Animal Shelter is having a special event, Dog Days of Summer, during the month of August, and the adoption fee for both cats and dogs has been reduced to $25. This includes spay or neuter, shots and health check. Pictures of many of the adoption pets can be seen at www.okc.petfinder.com and www.okc.gov. The shelter, 2811 SE 29, is open from noon to 5:45 p.m. seven days a week for adoptions, and from 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. seven days a week for receiving. For more information, call 297-3100.
Bambi and the Hounds
A 10-week old orphaned deer named Bam Bam (after Bambi) has been adopted by a pack of fox hounds after it was found outside a family farm in England. The deer has been accepted as one of the pack. Owners say the hounds, despite their reputation for blood-lust, are quite placid animals.
The pictures of this deer and its pack are undeniably cute.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Cutest slideshow ever
I’ve seen cute baby animal slideshows before, but this one from LA’s NBC affiliate takes the cake. It’s a compilation of some of the cutest baby animals born at zoos this year. Enjoy.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Helping Those Who Help
This week Best Friends Pet Care managers gave the first proceeds from their Dogs Who Serve campaign to Pathfinder Search and Rescue this week.
Pathfinder Search and Rescue sends dogs and their handlers to emergencies and natural disasters to help search for missing people. Best Friends is committed to matching all the funds raised for the organization.
Oberon, a German shepherd who is certified for search and rescue, and Kay Dawson, one of the founders of Pathfinder, accepted the $300 check Tuesday. Anyone who would still like to donate, can call 751-1944.
Staff Writer Dawn Marks
Two minutes and 54 seconds of cute
After my husband pointed out a cute chihuahua video to me online last night, I found myself sitting at the computer watching video after video of chihuahua puppies tromping around. It was like an addiction. They weren’t doing much of anything important, but how could I resist 2 minutes and 54 seconds of cuteness, like the joyous waste of time provided by this video?
Staff Writer Dawn Marks
World’s smallest snake
Researchers have discovered the world’s smallest snake living on the Caribbean island of Barbados. The snake, which is as thin as spaghetti, measures about four inches long at adulthood.
I think a lot of people consider smaller animals inherrently cuter, but I’m guessing my Pet Show co-hosts will not find this tiny reptile cuddly in any way.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Catch of the day
Imagine a relaxing father-son fishing trip at the lake. You get a nibble, start reeling it in, then this comes out of the water.
Jose Chavez and his father were reportedly using a chicken liver as bait in an Arizona lake when they snagged an alligator gar. The predtors, which are illegal in Arizona even to keep in a tank, have razor-sharp teeth and look like something you’d find at the natural history museum.
I think I’ll stick to fishing for striper and catfish. This thing scares me.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
