Talking Animals

Ted and Karen Koran--founders and operators of The Critter Place

Ted Koran–who, along with his wife Karen, founded and operate The Critter Place, a non-profit sanctuary in Weeki Wachee, FL that’s taken in an array of abused, neglected or abandoned and provided them a forever home for nearly 25 years–discusses the history of the sanctuary. We also talk about how, after a quarter century of helping all these animals, the Korans need help: Karen is battling ovarian cancer, while Ted was recently laid off. Ted remembers Ruby, the severely-neglected horse the Korans rescued in 1988, launching them on the path toward offering a safe haven to multiple species. (Current population 80+ animals; sadly, Ruby died last year, after spending 24 years with the Korans.) He also addresses Skiddles, the pot-bellied pig whose horrific pre-Critter Place saga involved a hunter using her as bait for his hunting dogs to practice on. Full disclosure: after reading about her on the sanctuary’s website, http://thecritterplace.weebly.com/ –where there are mini-profiles of some animals and opportunities to sponsor them or contribute to the Hay & Feed fund, etc–I donated to the Skiddles fund. There was further discussion about how folks can help. (thecritterplace.weebly.com, www.facebook.com/TheCritterPlace)

COMEDY CORNER: Jackie Kashian’s “New Dog”(www.JackieKashian.com)

MUSIC: Midnight Oil’s “Mosquito March,” Natacha Atlas’ “Eye Of The Duck,” instrumentals

NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Echo & The Bunnymen’s “Crocodile”