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Speaker 2: Welcome to Animaltopia on pet Life Radio. I'm your host,
Robert Simro, and it's my privilege to share animal Topia with.
Speaker 3: All of you.
Speaker 2: On today's show, we buy a zoo, splash with dogs
and share several wonderful animal toopian stories. We'll be right
back with buying the zoo after these messages from our sponsors.
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Speaker 6: Hi, this is Ken Jones from the new Prince of
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invite you to come get your feet wet at Prince
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Join me here on pet Life Radio where I answer
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Speaker 2: Welcome back to Animal Toopia on pet Life Radio. By
now you've seen the advertisements for the latest in a
series of wonderful animal inspired movies. Twenty eleven may go
down as the year of the feature animal movie. This
year we saw successful features including African Cats, Water for Elephants,
Dauphintial Warhorse, and one that I'm really looking forward to seeing,
We Bought a Zoo. As someone who has read the book,
I'm really anxious to see the movie and how they
capture this wonderful story in live action and of course
adapted to Hollywood. For those of you unfamiliar with the
book and thinking about seeing the movie, let me share
some information about the story with you now. I promise
this will not deter you from wanting to see the movie.
In fact, I want to share with you the real story,
not just the Hollywood story. To begin with, The story
is based on Ben Me's book We Bought a Zoo,
The amazing true story of a young family, a broken
down zoo, and the two hundred wild animals that change
their lives forever. The actual zoo is the Dartmoor Zoological
Park in southwest England. It is a thirty acre zoological
park that has been opened since nineteen forty eight by
Ellis Dahl on farmland that the Dall family owned. The
zoo ran into a number of problems and issues over
the years and eventually went up for sale. The Mees,
who had just lost the patriarch of their family, decided
that they were going to change their lives. Their mother,
Amelia me who was mourning the loss of her husband,
decided to sell her home and saw that this zoo
had become available. While her children, including Ben and his
brother Duncan, as well as Ben's family, were open to
the idea, they did have their reservations, but were open
minded to the experience, so they went off to a
showing of the property and were hoping they could purchase
it as they fell in love with the zoo and
the area immediately. However, there were too many obstacles to
overcome and they thought they had lost their chance. Well,
some time went by when Ben discovered that the property,
the zoo and all the animals were up for sale again,
and this time it was a much more desperate situation.
If the property was not sold, the animals would be
moved to other willing sanctuaries or they would have to
be destroyed. Ben and his family could just not let
this happen, so they immediately sought to purchase the place
and overcome the previous hurdles that prevented it. Well as
fortune and fate would have it, they succeeded. Despite numerous setbacks,
they were able to purchase the property, the zoo, and
all of their animals well that, as time would teach them,
would be the least of their challenges in this new
dream that they were all sharing and living. But on
October twentieth, two thousand and six, the seventy six year
old mother Amelia, her son Duncan, and her son Ben
me and his wife Catherine, and their young children Milo
and Ella finally moved in to the property. The house
that they were to live in on the property was
once a grand twelve bedroom mansion. However, by the time
they moved in, the peeling wallpaper and the spotting plumbing
showed them that their new home needed urgent attention. Still,
they had very unique neighbors in the parkland, including five
Siberian tigers, three African lions, nine wolves, three big brown
European bears, two pomas a lynx, four Asian short clawed otters,
two flamingos, many owls, and a total of nearly two
hundred animal friends to excite them and inspire them. As
Ben describes the feeling that he felt, he gleefully says
it was hard not to feel excited. Well, that's easy
to see, and it was important because that excitement helped
carry them through the daunting tasks and challenges that they
would be faced with. They had to work through a
multitude of challenges as they attempted to repair and rebuild
the zoo to meet the laws and regulations that required
if they were ever to turn the zoo back to
what it once was and open it to the public again. Still,
they persevered and met those challenges. They met him head
on with the effort and faith that they held inside
that their zoo could be what they dreamed it could be.
They were able to accomplish their goal of licensing the
zoo and opening up to the public, and today the
Dartmore Zoological Gardens is a special place with plenty of
special animals and people. These days, you can find the
following animals at the Dartmoor Zoo, including tigers, lions, jaguars, lynx, cheetahs, bears, wolves,
tapier capybara, raccoons, merracants, monkeys, deers, owls, and a whole
collection of bugs, reptiles and many more animals. So now
you know a little bit more of the real story
behind the Hollywood movie featuring Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Thomas
Hayden Church and other excellent actors. Well, next up, we're
gonna splash with some very athletic and very fun dogs
of all sizes. Do you know what a splash dog is? No,
it's not a dog who loves the splash and puddles
or takes lots of bubble bass. Splash dogs are dog
athletes who fly through the air trying to catch up
to a favorite toy that has been thrown twenty to
thirty feet into a specially signed pool that is connected
to another specially designed platform. In simpler terms, it's dock
jumping and big ear by dogs of all sizes and breeds.
Dock jumping for dogs is fast becoming one of America's
most popular outdoor events. Pets compete for distance diving from
a dock into a forty foot pool of water. Proud
pet owners travel to these events from all over the
region to compete. It's really an incredible sport for dogs
that everyone loves, dogs, their owners and plenty of spectators.
We spend some time with the splash dogs this year,
and they are something to watch. Splash dogs are not
as specific breed as we discovered. In fact, you'll find
dogs of all sizes and all breeds, all competing within
the same divisions. These divisions are established by ability, again,
not by size or breed. Needless to say, these dogs
must also love water and search for a bit of adrenaline.
Splash Dogs was founded by Tony Reid after he discovered
that his beloved black labidor Sierra, took to the water
like a flying fish. Sierra is not only Tony's best friend,
but also a big hit on the splash Dog circuit.
So on any given weekend throughout the year, you can
find the competitors along with their human handlers, getting ready
for those jumps of glory. Some of the dogs jump
twenty four feet on a regular basis. The record jump
is over twenty seven feet. Now that is certainly a
jump of glory. It's really a fun sport to watch it,
and you can tell that the dogs are having a blast.
In fact, it's not uncommon that a dog will make
his leap from the dock into the water, retrieve his reward,
and then take a victory lap or two around the pool.
It's also a wonderful interaction for the dogs and their owners.
The dogs in their owner develop a very strong bond
as well as communication, trust, and a lot of enjoyment
out of participating it this fun sport. It all begins, though,
with trust and communication. The owners will give the dogs
their commands an attempt to get the dog really excited
about making the run down the specially designed dock. That
specially designed dock is built upon the top of a
truck trailer. Now the dogs are anxious yet focused at
the same time. Now that can be a challenge as
the dog is eager to get to the rewards. The
owners often have to reset their dogs where they want
them to start, then get them revved up, and finally
give the command that says go get that. The dogs
burst into action, blazing down the dock and flying off
it in an attempt to catch or retrieve their reward
or toy. Some might call this extreme water fetching. And
if you haven't seen a splash dog fly, you haven't
seen anything yet. Ears, flopping tails, wagging legs, pumping tongues, waving,
and the biggest smiles you will ever see as they
launch themselves into the air. Then they splash down in
the pool of water, dog paddle over to their reward,
grab it, and then dog paddle back to the exit
ramp to exit the pool where their owner is joyfully waiting.
Then one of the best moments, in my opinion, happens.
The dog owner goes to give the dog a congratulatory hug,
and the dog celebrates by shaking the water off himself
and all over to the people standing there, including his owner.
Well after that, both owner and dog wait to hear
the official numbers on the dog's jump. A special system
was designed by Tony and partners to have cameras in
different angles right above the water that measure the length
of the jump of the dog. So they measure from
the dock to where the dog touches water, and they
do that with precise measurements. Because of these specially designed
cameras and computer systems, it's really remarkable to watch them
dial in and see exactly where that dog hit the water.
If you haven't had a chance to see Splash Dogs,
I'd strongly urge you take your family out to one
of the nearest events, whether it's the official Splash Dogs
or doc jumping in one of the other areas across
the country. It's truly an enjoyable experience, and these dogs
will certainly put a smile on your face while putting
a smile on theirs. Tony, I want to say thank
you to you and all of your Splash Dog participants
for truly creating and pushing a sport to its limits
for all of us to enjoy. Coming up after this
short break, we'll be taking a look at several wonderful
animal Toopean stories. So stay tuned. We'll be right back
after these messages from our sponsors.
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Speaker 3: Welcome to Sasy Seniors, a show about our fabulous older
dogs and cats. I'm your host, Kelly Jackson. I wanted
to create a show to really showcase our senior pets,
and you know us, a human population ages and lives longer.
Of course, so are our wonderful pets, but many of
us with Asian pets, it's so interesting, we have a
tough time realizing or really admitting that they are seniors.
So in a way, I'd kind of like to think
of our senior pets as as wise puppies.
Speaker 6: What do you think about that?
Speaker 3: Be sure to join us for another edition of Sassy Seniors,
and remember, celebrate your senior Pets.
Speaker 4: Every week on demand only on pet life Radio dot com.
Let's Talk Past, Let's Done Pets headline Radio.
Speaker 5: Pet live radio dot com.
Speaker 2: Welcome back to animal Topia on pet Life Radio. I'm
your host, Robert Simro, and I'm happy to share animal
Topia with all of you. Up next, we've got some
great stories from animal Topia sent to us by listeners,
and you two can share your animal topiin stories with
us via email or by phone. Our email is Robert
at petlifradio dot com. Even better, you can tell us
you're funny, you're heartwarming, your quirky and your amazing stories
on our toll free listener hotline number at eight five
five two six four six two five eight. That's eight
five five two six four six' two five. Eight or
you can always do WHAT i. Do and that's just
dial eight five Five Animal. Topians share your stories and
you may be featured on an upcoming episode Of Animal.
Topia what are you waiting? For drop us a line right. Now,
well our first story is every pet owner's nightmare turned
into a. Miracle there's a family In washington with a
wonderful dog Named. Scamp scamp had escaped the yard Of rita,
McKinley and, Unfortunately scamp was hit by a. Car the,
Terrier sheetzoo, mix was found bleeding and its eyes were glazed. Over,
Also scamp wasn't. Breathing rita's husband Wrapped scamp up in
a blanket and placed him under a wheelbarrow so they
could Bury. Scamp in the, Morning rita broke the sad
news to her grandchildren that, Unfortunately scamp had gone to. Heaven,
however When rita's husband, returned there Was scamp sitting up
and full of. Life the mckimleys immediately Got scamped to
the vet And scamp is well on his way to
more thrilling, adventures And rita says That scamp's return is
the family's Best christmas present. Ever, well if that story
warms your, heart this next one is sure to blow you.
Away In, Halton, texas tragedy struck when an explosion and
a fire destroyed a. Home the family was able to escape,
unharmed but their beloved, Dog, diva was nowhere to be.
Found they prepared for the, worse as it was a
miracle that anyone had survived the blast and. Fire the next,
day when The diazes returned to the home to try
and salvage some, belongings that's when the story took a
turn for the. Better as they walked into the, home
they heard some. Whimpering they searched and, searched and as
the search, intensified they Found diva in the. Kitchen she
was between the pantry and the, freezer underneath some hampers
of clothes behind the. Freezer they scooped her, up gave
her some quick, love and immediately Took diva to the nearby. Vet,
Diva i'm happy to, say is also happily on her
way to many more, adventures incredible, stories and our Next
animotopian story forward to us by, listeners is a journey
of faith and also shows the importance of having our pets.
Microchipped Kristin pruitt and her family have a farm In, Spotsylvania.
Virginia they also had a dog Named petunia who loved
to explore and roam the family. Farm In november of
two thousand and, three YES i did say two thousand and,
three eight years, Ago petunia went out for a morning
walk of the. Farm, unfortunately she did not. Return the
family did a lengthy search and tried numerous ways to
find their Beloved. Petunia, unfortunately the three year old dog
was nowhere to be. Found fast forward eight years, later
and The pruet family recently received a call from the
vet clinic letting her know That petunia had been found
almost three thousand miles away at an animal shelter Near, Sacramento.
California years, ago The pruetz had the foresight to Have petunia,
microchipped and that microchip Allowed petunia saviors to locate the
clinic that had Microchip, petunia and that clinic was able
to notify The pruetz the incredible news That petunia had
been found after all this. Time they were shocked and
overjoyed at this incredible. Present eight years is a long
time to be, missing but they are now reunited and,
everyone Especially, petunia is very happy to be a family.
Again our next story takes us back to our last.
Episode in our last, episode we told you about the,
freedom flights and efforts Of Orange Dog. INC a few
listeners sent me this last story about some wonderful people
doing what they can to help pets and people connect and.
Unite you, know there have been a number of recent
stories about the recent efforts of, truckers, pilots animal rescue,
groups and volunteers who provide layover homes to all kinds
of creatures as they journey to new and happier. Lives
they pay these expenses on their own and give of
their time and expertise freely as. Well one such group
is The Operation roger, program which was founded by a
retired truck driver Named Sue. Weese In september of two
thousand and, five we'see Founded Operation, roger an organization made
up of regional and long haul truckers who transport pets
in the cabs of their trucks as they deliver freight
all across The she had. Gotten the effort started After
Hurricane katrina had left an estimated quarter of a million
pets stranded in struggling to survive and find new. Homes
since two thousand and, Five Operation roger has given transportation
to nearly six hundred. Animals the organization has detailed requirements
and checks in place to make sure its drivers aren't
transporting animals to or from for profit, breeders puppy, mills
or show. Circuits, instead the emphasis is on rescued animals
who need permanent homes and pets who have an opportunity
to be reunited with their. Owners for, instance if a
lost pet turns up hundreds of miles away and is
identified with a, microchip again the importance of micro tripping your.
Pets that pet can get that much needed transportation to
that final home in the cab of a. Truck thank
you to All Operation roger. Participants your work is truly
important and, appreciated and we look forward to more wonderful
stories and transportation to those final homes for those pets in.
Need and AS i close out the last episode of this,
YEAR i THOUGHT i would end with the most memorable
and maybe emotional photo of an animal THAT i saw this.
Year for, me it was the photo Of, hawkeye The labrador,
retriever laying patiently and lovingly at the coffin of his
beloved owner and best, Friend Navy Seal John. Tumilson tumblson
lay in a coffin draped in An american flag in
front of a tearful audience who were mourning his death In.
Afghanistan hawkeye had walked up to the casket With tumulsson's
very good friend And hawkeye's new, Caretaker Scott, nichols at
the beginning of the, service and then dropped down with
a heaving sigh as about fifteen hundred mourners witnessed a
dog accompanying his master until the. End that devotion and
that image was captured By tumlinson's cousin and posted on
Our facebook page for family members who couldn't make it
to the, Service and on that day we all became
extended family, members and we were once again reminded the
importance of our families two and four, legged and that
each moment we share with them should be cherished and
captured in our minds and, hearts as they are so
precious and so. Fleeting thank you to all who serve
in all, capacities whether it be, military law, enforcement rescue,
personnel therapy, personnel and all of the important working areas
that utilize and cherish animals of all. TYPES i look
forward to next year And i'm excited to share that
we have some new segments and ideas that we'll be
bringing to you in the new. Year as, always we
would love to hear from. You you can share your
animaltopian stories or idea with us via email or by,
phone and once, again our email Is robert atpetlifradio dot.
Com even, better you can tell us you're, funny you're,
heartwarming your quirky and your amazing stories on our toll
free listener hotline at eight fy five two six four
six two five eight or just dial eight y Five Animal.
Toopians AS i closed out this last episode of the,
year my hope for all of us is that next
year is our best year ever and that we find
even more wonderful things to celebrate in our lives as
well as in Animal. Topia For Animal, topia Pet Life,
radio and everyone who makes this show, POSSIBLE i say thank,
you AND i look forward to sharing more of Animal
topia with all of you.
Speaker 4: Soon Let's Talk pets every week on demand only On
Petlife radio dot. Com t