Crowd was 'Out Here With Animals' Saturday

Twin Towns Area residents and visitors were "Out Here With Animals" Saturday, Aug. 25.

From 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Tractor Supply Company, Wahpeton, hosted animal adoptions, a pet supplies drive, live music and more in its parking lot. All proceeds benefit Chahinkapa Zoo and 4-H of Richland and Wilkin Counties.

"We're very grateful to have Mike (Rosley) and TSC as a great community partner," Zoo Director Kathy Diekman said. "It's fun to see the other animals from different places. This is outstanding and we're really looking forward to continuing this partnership."

Youth of all ages enjoyed petting and playing with the livestock provided by Brad Abel. The petting zoo included five goats, a donkey, a pig, three ducklings and three guinea chicks.

Guests also viewed the 11 antique tractors on site and a vendor fair. Everything from canned goods to glass works was available for purchase.

"We've got vendors from as far as Fergus Falls," Rosley said. "There's 100 racks of ribs (to eat)."

Throughout August, Tractor Supply Company is accepting new sealed food, toys, cleaning supplies, bed, scratching posts, leashes and bowls. They'll be donated to area animal rescue facilities and shelters.

"The supplies drive is an important component to Out Here With Animals because it allows our customers who don't have the ability (to adopt) to still give back in a much needed way," stated a TSC press release.

If all of the activities weren't enough, Out Here With Animals included music from Mike Morris of The Roosters, nail trimming and checkups for animals and a dunk tank sponsored by Heritage Insurance Services. Eric Issendorf, head coach of the North Dakota State College of Science Wildcats football team, was among the community members who volunteered to be dunked.

"It slipped," joked Sarah Abel of the Wahpeton Breckenridge Area Chamber of Commerce as she helped a youth send Issendorf into the water.

Dozens of animals saved thanks to new animal sanctuary in Jonesborough

JONESBOROUGH, TN (WJHL)- It's a place where every animal has a heartbreaking story but where they all get to live happily ever after. Tilted Tavern Animal Sanctuary opened this year in Jonesborough.

The goal is to rescue and provide care for farm animals who have been abused or neglected. It's a unique mission the Jones family said never expected to take on.

About a year ago, in her role as a veterinarian, Brooke Jones took a phone call from someone looking for a place to take a hen in bad shape. "They asked if we know anyone that would help and so I said sure," Tilted Tavern co-owner Brooke Jones said with a laugh.

After the hen, "We rescued one cow and a chicken and now we have around 50 animals," Tilted Tavern co-owner Robert Jones said. "We would've never thought we would be here."

The husband and wife team have turned their historic 50-acre farm into Tilted Tavern Animal Sanctuary.

"Right now we have chickens, ducks, cows, horses, a goat, and a pig, and two roosters," Robert Jones said.

He said animals like Skittles the goat and Dumbleboar the pig have come along way since they first arrived. Like most of the animals here they have a heartbreaking story.

"We've had neglect, we've had animal cruelty, our pig is from an animal fighting ring," Robert Jones said.

Without the animal sanctuary, "Some animals would've just died at where they were at the beginning before we got there, others would've been euthanized," Robert Jones said.

Once an animal is rescued, if they are not fit for adoption they come here where they are rehabilitated, loved, and safe.

"The fact that I can not only help the community out but also help animals and have something for them is really wonderful for me personally," Brooke Jones said.

Now after living through nightmare situations, the animals get to to live out their days on this peaceful Jonesborough farm.

Why do Polish animals talk on Christmas Eve?

If you have a dog, cat, or other animal around at midnight on Christmas Eve, listen up!

According to legend, this is the one night of the year when they gain the magical ability to speak.

Where does this myth come from? While there is no definite answer, scholars have offered a few possibilities.

Some connect it to a tale that the farm animals which surrounded St. Mary on the first Christmas bowed to the baby Jesus when he was born.

Others trace its origins even further back, to the ancient Roman festival Saturnalia. During this week-long winter holiday, social roles were reversed – most famously, it was during this time that masters traditionally served their slaves.

As with many fairy tales, some of the stories are quite dark. For example, some say that the only people who can hear animals speak are fated soon to die. Other legends even say that the animals speak to each other to plot revenge against neglectful owners.

Now, though, the myth is  observed lightheartedly in Poland and some other European countries on Christmas Eve.

For example, asked if she expected her hamster, Kwant, to say anything, high schooler Michalina Smoleń replies, "I hope not! His favorite tidbits were finished a month ago… and he is not happy."

Neuropsychology student Ania Starowicz reports that her cat Jerry would probably say, "I hate you."

And then? "‘I love you.' He's bipolar."