DAVID ADAMS provides a round-up of some stories on the odder side of life…
• A nursing home therapy dog from Cincinnati in Ohio has been named this year’s ‘Cadbury Bunny’ in the US. Hershey’s announced that a four-year-old English Doodle named Annie Rose has received the most votes in its annual online contest, beating rival finalists who included a bearded dragon named Cheeto Puff the Magic Dragon Mitchell, a hedgehog named Maple, and a llama named Eclipse. Annie Rose will now star in the 2022 Cadbury Clucking Bunny commercial and take home a $US5,000 cash prize. This year’s judges panel included three of the contest’s previous winners – Henri the English Bulldog (2019), dog Lieutenant Dan (2020) and Betty the Frog (2021). Annie Rose’s owner, Lori R, expressed her surprise at the win. “Our community rallied behind and supported her just as she has for them for years as a therapy dog. All of us are still shocked by the news but can’t wait to get Annie Rose those iconic Cadbury Bunny ears.”
• Speaking of animals, this week also saw the marking of the annual Respect Your Cat Day (just don’t expect any response). The day, which is celebrated on 28th March, may apparently have its origins in an edict issued by King Richard II on that date in 1384 in which he condemned the eating of cats. Respect Your Cat Day is not the only annual celebration of cats – in the US, 29th October is National Cat Day, 8th August International Cat Day and 10th July is National Kitten Day – and its not even the only special day marked on 28th March – in the US that date is also National Hot Tub Day, National Triglycerides Day, National Black Forest Cake Day and Children’s Picture Book Day.
• “When Life Gives You Lemons, Call a 5th Grader”. That’s the tagline given a new phone service in the US state of Indiana which people can call and access recorded messages – in English and Spanish – which include jokes, advice and inspirational quotes. Cheryl Can Laeken, who teaches fifth grade at Milford School in Wawasee, reportedly said the idea for the phone line – the number is 574-832-4965 in the US – was inspired by a story she read about a class of Californian kindergarteners doing something similar. “We just thought it would be nice to lift people’s spirits,” says Sam, one of the students involved in the initiative.
