Pets in the paper – closer to teeth floating
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Eagle enclosure collapses at animal nonprofit. (Noble)
- Committee OKs horse dental bill. (state Capitol)
- Zoo gears training toward volunteers. (Oklahoma City)
- Pet Tales: Dachshund enjoys penthouse. (Edmond)
- Cats proving agile in contests. (nationwide)
- Animals aboard space rocket. (Iran)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Snake with a bad habit
Apparently some guy in Taiwan taught his snake how to smoke.
I’m not sure how much of this story I trust, and not just because of how ridiculous it sounds. The story identifies the nicotine-addicted snake as Po the pit viper, but the snake in the picture is obviously not a pit viper, which is a venomous subset of snake you would want nowhere near you. 
The commenters on the story say it is a Taiwanese beauty snake, and a quick search on Google seems to indicate that is correct.
Either way, this is just wrong.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Pet Show – keeping safe during the storm
Listen to Pet Show! Our guest is Dr. Louise Murray, medical director of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Impressed? We are, too. Dr. Murray talked to us about how to keep your pets safe during the impending ice storm, otherwise known as Ice Storm of Doom 2010.
In other news, police in Mexico City saved 150 ferrets, and the Brits have taught crocodiles to recognize their own names. Maybe that’s not as important right now as winter weather safety, but it’s still interesting. Kind of.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
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Rescue group robbed, dogs stolen
A dog rescue group is looking for help after someone robbed their Doggie Care Center in Johnson City, Tenn.
The group, led by Tammara Josselyn, keeps all its rescue animals in the center while they are nursed back to health so they can be adopted. Josselyn’s niece, who lives in an apartment above the center, came down to check on the dogs when they wouldn’t top barking in the middle of the night.
She was confronted by the robbers, one of whom pulled a knife and cut her. The woman was treated at a nearby hospital. The robbers made of with 14 dogs. Twelve were dobermans, one was a labrador retriever and one was a miniature pinscher. Some of the dogs have special medical needs.
Animal advocates in the area fear the robbery could be the work of a local dogfighting ring. There has been a strong of break-ins at shelters recently, with thieves taking large breeds known to be used by dogfighters, along with declawed cats, puppies and small dogs.
The small animals are used as bait to test the larger dogs’ fighting instincts. They are often mauled and killed. As the owner of a miniature pinscher mix, this story is particularly disturbing to me.
Supporters have set up a Web site with the full story along with photos and contact information for anyone who might be able to help bring these dogs home.
- 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
This is my dog, Shyanne Thailand Moo Goo Guy Pan
PetFinder.com released its annual lists of pet names. These are great!
Top 10 most popular dog names of 2009:
- Buddy
- Max
- Daisy
- Lucy
- Charlie (When I got my dog, he was already named Deter. I love the name Charlie so decided I’d try to go ahead and call him Charlie anyway. Every time I did he looked at me like I was a complete idiot. I gave up and he’s still named Deter. Oh well.)
- Bella
- Molly
- Jack
- Sadie
- Lady
Top 10 most popular cat names of 2009:
- Lucy
- Smokey
- Midnight
- Bella
- Molly
- Daisy
- Oreo
- Shadow
- Charlie
- Angel
I’m going to guess that the popularity of the name Bella has something to do with the Twilight series. Aside from those lists, PetFinder.com also puts out this other fabulous list:
Top 10 unusual names of 2009:
- Shyanne Thailand Moo Goo Guy Pan
- Mr. Tomfoolery Scardeycat Eliot
- Rusty Buckets
- KeelHaul
- Too Fancy for You
- Angry Donut
- Maple Syrup
- Hoseclamp
- Prince Xavier Binxley
- Hoku-ho’okele-wa’a
My husband and I celebrated the birth of our first child in September. Her name is Mia. If only we had thought of Angry Donut. Oh well. Next kid.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Dognappers run amok!
Apparently dog thefts are on the rise. Through last month, the American Kennel Club has tracked more than 115 stolen pet stories this year. The group only heard of 71 thefts all of last year. Here’s some more info from AKC:
The FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC), which tracks stolen property nationwide, currently lists 200 stolen dogs, according to Steve Fischer, FBI Spokesperson. According to Fischer, “Dogs listed in our database must have permanent owner-applied serial numbers, such as those from embedded microchips. Unfortunately not all dogs have permanent ID, so we know this is only a fraction of the number of missing dogs.”
Earlier this year, a bill was introduced in Texas which would have made it a state felony to steal a pet, including the family dog, with a possible two years in prison if convicted. California and Delaware have tried to regulate roadside pet sales as a way to combat the trafficking of stolen pets to unsuspecting consumers.
Keep your pet safe:
- Keep your dog leashed.
- Don’t leave your dog alone in the yard, in your car or tied up outside a store.
- Have your pet microchipped.
What to do in a worst-case scenario:
- Call the police.
- Search the neighborhood.
- Post fliers. (This is why it’s important to have a current photo of your pet!)
How can you curb pet theft:
- Don’t buy dogs from the Internet, flea markets or roadside vendors. (Better yet – ADOPT!)
- Use reputable breeders and adoption agencies.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – reindeer poop necklaces
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Rabies test not possible on beaver. (Durant)
- Zoo raises cash with droppings. (Illinois)
- Roundup of horses gets OK. (Washington, D.C.)
- Pet Tales: Photogenic felines have purr appeal during holidays. (Oklahoma City)
- Pet Tales: Christmas trees are cats meow. (Edmond)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – pack your (antler) bags
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Vet gives fawn a new chance at seeing. (Oklahoma City)
- Zoo has name contest for 12 Nigerian goats. (Oklahoma City)
- GPS helping keep track: Wildlife researchers using technology to follow birds, animals. (statewide)
- Radio equipment helps track state wildlife. (statewide)
- United Airlines rescinds recent no antlers baggage rule. (Outdoors blog)
- Pony Express riders deliver Christmas mail in style. (Missouri)
- Two dogs find home after police say they fed on owner. (Nebraska)
- Fishers want locks closed. (Michigan)
- Government to jail tiger’s killer. (China)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – invasion of the tree frogs!
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today, yesterday and Saturday -
- Giving a pet as a gift? Think twice, experts say. (Edmond)
- Living on the edge: Rancher tells of harrowing experience in Colorado mountains. (Crescent)
- Winter bird feeder survey. (statewide)
- Christmas tree frogs invading Alaska. (Anchorage, AK)
- Bullfighting bill advances. (Spain)
- Enviro-crime drama to air. (Oklahoma City, Monday, pages 1C)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
