Not kidding! All these stories are in the Thursday issue of the Corpus Christi Caller Times.
1. "11-foot python sneaks up on family in California" - Seems it was seen slithering through their back yard. The first animal control person called for "back-up". The article said the owner was a long-distance trucker. No wonder. Pythons have become a real problem in Florida.
2. "Study: Mercury in fish widespread" - This story from Washington informs us that mercury was found in fish sampled from 300 streams across the country. Fishermen have got to quit using mercury in their lures. No more tiny drops to your goldfish. Moving on.....
3. "Man cares for eight fawns" - A man in Lubbock is feeding fawns, orphaned or otherwise, until they weigh about forty pounds. They are then released in the wild. He has a license to do this. It is against the law for individuals to have deer as pets.. I hope they don't see the ones in our front yard eating Ann's flowers, as pets. It's off to jail for her. They aren't MY flowers!
4. "Texas Man Will Give Up Fight To Keep Elephants" - Seems the Feds (U.S. Fish And Wildlife) are going to rip three long-kept pets from Willie Davenport's arms. He says Boo, Tina, and Jewel are his family. He has had them for years. They still perform at circuses from time to time. The problem: Jewel and Tina have lost 600 pounds this last year. This makes it appear they aren't being cared for properly. If you weigh 8,000 pounds that is not a great loss. Anyway, poor Willie may lose his pets. Couple of questions: Do the Feds have a giant scale-truck to weigh these animals? Are they house-broke? Oh, and this, are they allowed on the sofa? ..... moving on.
5. "New Movie Increases Guinea Pig Sales In Abilene" - Thanks to the new Disney movie, "G-Force" the sale of Guinea pigs is booming. This will probably spread outside of Abilene and engulf us all. Warning to parents: They demand a large cage, vitamin c, greens, and water. They weigh about two pounds and will sit in your lap, if you are so inclined. They will squeal and walk on a leash and live as long as ten years. That means your little nine-year old guinea pig lover will be away at college and you will be taking care of old "Oscar"...... there's more.
6. To cap it off...(all of this from one issue) my eye caught this classified ad: "Precious Pit Bull pups! Red/Blue nose. 8-10 wk. $100 - $250. How about two or three of those little critters in your back yard?
Summary: It is no wonder we are being deluged with animal stories. I casually checked in the comic strips and discovered of the twenty-four, SEVEN have talking animals in them.
Remember, you heard all this first from Pogo.
