Please vote for one of the following Pet News of the Week candidates by (1) sending an e-mail to jgerber@ideastream.org or (2) calling the WCLV Contest Line at 1-800-343-WCLV (9258) and leaving a message. The winner will be announced on WCLV Monday, May 23 at 7:20 a.m. EDT and posted here. This week's contenders:
- Ruby, the recently deceased K-9 officer who served 11 years with the Rhode Island State Police. Ruby was a former shelter dog who was deemed unadoptable, but who was taken in by a state trooper who developed her talents;
- Luna, the 12-year-old dog swept away from her home by floodwaters in Haskell, Okla., but who miraculously returned two days later, once the water receded;
- Baby Girl, who was found tied to a Green Bay, Wisc. residential street fire hydrant next to a backpack full of dog food, toys and supplies plus a note from the previous owner asking that someone please help the dog. The note revealed that the owner was having serious medical issues and could no longer care for the dog. A passer-by took the dog to a local shelter;
- Eva, a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois, who came to the aid of her owner, who was attacked by a mountain lion on a trail in northern California. Eva attacked the cat, which fought back, injured her and dragged her off the trail. After the owner went to her car for a tire iron and flagged down a passing driver for help, the cat was subdued by pepper spray and ran away. Eva was treated for puncture wounds and remains under observation. Her owners have a steak dinner planned for their dog when she returns home;
- Persik the cat (meaning “peach” in Ukranian), who was flown from Ukraine to the U. S. Persik’s owner, Larysa, was visiting relatives in Arkansas at the start of the Russian invasion. In Odessa staying with Larysa’s cousin, Persik was evacuated to Warsaw, Poland, and from there, flown to Arkansas accompanied by a staff member of the Humane Society International. Persik’s voyage was expedited by the fact that he was vaccinated, microchipped and had his pet passport.