Ricky Gervais helps stop breeding beagles for research

A big campaign blocked–for now–what would have been the UK’s biggest breeding farm for laboratory beagles. About 75,000 U.S. dogs are being tested on; the biggest US breeder, Charles River, has 736 dogs.

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I'll have a rare crocodile with my Mexican-themed kitsch, please

alligator mississippiensis at South of the Border's Reptile Lagoon

South of the Border now lures I-95 travelers with a roadside reptile lagoon full of alligators, turtles and snakes and endangered crocs.

Keep reading I’ll have a rare crocodile with my Mexican-themed kitsch, please

NC rescuer unaware they saved Heidi the cross-eyed possum

Heidi the cross-eyed possum was orphaned, probably by a car, then raised at the NC Zoo in Asheboro before heading to 3 European zoos and fame.

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Heidi, the fat, American cross-eyed possum, dies in German zoo

Heidi, who was orphaned in NC and hand-raised, became a celebrity in Germany. She was fat and ultimately arthritis did her in.

Keep reading Heidi dies. The fat, American, cross-eyed possum charmed the world from a German zoo

NC lab workers who abused beagles (including mine) indicted

Four workers at a NC lab that tested flea and tick drugs have been indicted for felony animal cruetly–a US court first. Then again, these women were particularly heartless. My beagles still show signs of abuse.

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See horseshoe crabs mate tonight and at full moon in June

The full moon, high tide is the best night this month to see masses of horseshoe crabs mate in Delaware Bay and all along the east coast. Also try the full moon in June.

Keep reading See horseshoe crabs mate tonight and at full moon in June

If you’ve got a beagle, take them on a trip down south

Beagles are treated like kings down south, especially by old men who have rabbit hunting tales. The dogs love the heat, the beach, the affection.

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My Beagle Beautician

Huckleberry, one of 200 beagles rescued from a NC laboratory, is sometimes perplexed by the outside world. He likes to help me dry my hair.

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Elk return to Missouri after 150 years

Missouri becoming the seventh state in the east to reintroduce elk. Kentucky, which now has 11,000, is giving them 50.

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Laboratory beagles like my Moxie and Huckleberry were specifically bred to be experimented on because they are small and docile. Other dogs are picked up by Class B dealers in shelters and “free to good home” ads.

Keep reading Where do laboratory beagles come from?