Prepare to CRY: Tornado Victim Reunited with Pet During Interview

 

We are all deeply saddened here at Animal Planet HQ over the devastation in the Oklahoma City area.  Our hearts go out to all the victims -- including family, friends and pets.

Watch this touching video where survivor Barbara Garcia is reunited with her dog. They took shelter together in the bathroom of her home when the monstrous twister hit.  Ms. Garcia never lost consciousness but she was separated from her precious companion in the aftermath and rubble.  Watch the reunion: 

 

Our friends at the ASPCA and the Humane Society of the United States have provided us with top pet preparation tips to ensure pet safety in disaster situations.  Get more tips on pet emergency preparedness from our Daily Treat blog >>

 

For more information on how you can help, visit:

Central Oklahoma City Humane Society - find our how to help displaced or injured pets.

Red Cross of Oklahoma City - You can donate online directly to help Oklahoma City. Or, find information on locating loved ones, finding hot meals, shelters and more.

The Salvation Army is providing food and emotional support to survivors. You can donate directly to their efforts here.

 

 

 

Ice Cold Gold: Meet Geologist Eric Drummond

 

 

Credit: Ezra Wolfinger

We had a a chance to catch up with Ice Cold Gold's Eric Drummond. We asked him about his life in California, what it was really like in Greenland and more. Tune in for another episode of Ice Cold Gold Sunday, May 19, at 10PM E/P!

Animal Planet (AP): Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from and what's life like for you there?

Eric Drummond (ED): I'm a professional geologist and I live in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., part of North San Diego County. The area is sort of rural and I've been here since 1992. My day to day life is variable. I'm a consulting geologist, so my work schedule varies, but typically I'm up at 6, have coffee with my wife, read the newspaper, feed the cats, then plan my day out. Once I've got that figured out, I work out, then I'm off to work - either out in the field or with projects at home. It really depends on whatever the day may bring.

WATCH: We Really, Truly Hope This Deer is OK

 

A Pennsylvania bus driver got the surprise of his life after a deer crossed the street in front of him then crashed through the windshield - and lived.

The poor, stunned creature seemed to be OK as it jumped around looking for a way to get out while a lone passenger sat in the back. Eventually the deer was able to escape through the open front door, hopefully going on to live a long life - with a story to tell his friends.

See another deer who survived another perilous situation:

Cutest Puppy Ever Taunted By Owner, Goes Ballistic

 

... BALLISTICALLY CUTE, that is!  LOOK at this wittle guy:

Watch this puppy workin' hard for the money!  What a great role model of persistence, diligence and hard work, all with a smile on his sweet face!  Will he get his treat?!  Watch and experience the best minute of your day:

 

Visit the TOO CUTE show site for more CUTENESS >>

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Betty Chu is a Digital Media Executive Producer for AnimalPlanet.com. Follow her on Twitter @beddychew or Facebook for the cutest animal posts EVER.

Ice Cold Gold: Meet Dredger Chad Watkins

 

Credit: Ezra Wolfinger

We know - you're all ready to see some action on Ice Cold Gold. And we're hoping this Sunday's episode won't disappoint! Tune in at 10 PM E/P to see the latest with the group in Greenland.

Until then... Get to know another member of the crew, dredger Chad Watkins, who hails from Colorado.

Animal Planet (AP): Tell us about yourself and your life in Colorado.

Chad Watkins (CW): My life in Colorado is pretty good. I'm fourth generation native and there's not too many of us left. We're a rare breed any more. I more or less grew up about 10 miles from where I live now and have always lived in or around the mountains. I'm looking at them right now - we've got a nice view of Mt. Evans and another range out here. I crawled down my first mine shaft when I was about 10 years old and really didn't get into prospecting until about 24 years ago, so this will be my 24th season. I operate a small guide business in Colorado where I teach people how to pan, dredge and all that good stuff.

See what's in store this Sunday at 10PM E/P in the clip below!

The Internet Cat Video Festival is Back!

If you're local to Oakland, Calif., (and the Bay Area), grab your furry feline friend and head to the Bay Area's premiere of the Walker Art Center’s Internet Cat Video Festival benefiting the East Bay SPCA on Saturday, May 11 from 3-10 PM PT on West Grand between Telegraph and Broadway. Grab your ticketes here!

Cats and kittens will be on hand for adoption and visitors can learn about fostering felines as well. Additionally, festival-goers will be able to enjoy bands playing cat-themed music, visit pet product vendors, pick up some grub from local food trucks, enjoy the work of local artisans and much more. The night will conclude with a screening of what everyone on the Internet loves - super amazing cat videos - all projected on the Great Wall of Oakland!

Not local? Don't fret! You can still enjoy cats at their finest by watching a few of last year's favorites or by sitting through our adorable You've Got to be Kitten Me! playlist - which, not surprisingly, features kittens at their cutest.

It's Party Time at Animal Planet HQ with Cleo the Cat and Sandy the Dog

 

Prepare yourselves. Get ready to see the most AMAZING cat-dog dance duo of your lives. Thank you, Fab.com for introducing us to this fabulous pair, Cleo the cat and Sandy the dog — these are the coolest speakers you will ever own!

Just plug your iDevice into one of these guys, play your favorite tune (or, the song playing in the video) and watch them get down. Their hips don't lie. Watch:

 

 

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Betty Chu is a Digital Media Executive Producer for AnimalPlanet.com. Follow her on Twitter @beddychew or Facebook for the cutest animal posts EVER.

Shiba Inu Just Says NO to Kissyface

 

Sometimes Dad can get WAY embarrassing. And, this Shiba Inu has clearly had it. Sorry, pops! No kisses from Mari!

And, thanks to HuffPo, here's a translation of the video:

"Mari-kun, you are so cute, aren't you? Kissies!"
"Mari-kun, you're a handsome devil, aren't you? Kissies!"
"Mari-kun, you only have good sides. Let me kissie your best side. Kissies" (ring) "...you can go on ahead!"
"Mari-kun, kissies!"
"Mari-kun, kissies!"

 

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Betty Chu is a Digital Media Executive Producer for AnimalPlanet.com. Follow her on Twitter @beddychew or Facebook for the cutest animal posts EVER.

River Monsters: Jeremy Wade Hunts a Bride Slasher in the Colombian Amazon

 

A bride on honeymoon is dragged to her death in the Amazon in Colombia, one of the most dangerous countries in South America, notorious for its drugs, remote jungles and hostage-taking rebels.

Tune in Sundays @ 9PM e/p for all-new episodes of RIVER MONSTERS.

Jeremy Wade's investigation in this episode is turned on its head by a crucial piece of evidence. He concocts a farfetched hypothesis about the bride's death and in proving it, he uncovers a little known method of killing which reveals the true horror of this tragic story. To complete the puzzle, Wade pushes himself and his gear past breaking point to understand what killed this bride in Colombia’s Rivers of Blood. 

How did he catch this monster? Watch the How to Catch a River Monster series and see for yourself:

Visit the RIVER MONSTERS site for more photos and videos >>

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Betty Chu is a Digital Media Executive Producer for AnimalPlanet.com. Follow her on Twitter @beddychew or Facebook for the cutest animal posts EVER.

Pit Boss: Shorty's Top Dog: Mario Crowned Future Top Dog!

 

Mario has been settling into the family and training for many months now, learning all that he'll need to know to be a service dog to Shorty.  And, it's now time to decide if he's got the chops to take the spot of Top Dog someday, when Hercules retires.

Is Mario ready for this big role?! Shorty breaks down his decision - watch it now:

 

 

 Watch all the episodes at the Pit Boss: Shorty's Top Dog site >>

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Betty Chu is a Digital Media Executive Producer for AnimalPlanet.com. Follow her on Twitter @beddychew or Facebook for the cutest animal posts EVER.