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Fascinating True Stories From the Flip Side of History

On the Web Since 1994

Podcasting Since January 2008

Slippery the Sea Lion – Podcast #207

Published on November 14, 2023

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Escape and Survival, Podcast

Cyril, the sea lion, embarked on an epic escape from a London, Ontario zoo in 1958, setting his sights on the vast Atlantic Ocean. Could he make it?

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Man Can Only Have Home If Goat Moves In Too (1946)

Published on August 19, 2023

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Tidbits

Housing was in short supply after WWII. One woman agreed to rent her home only if the occupants agreed to bring a goat with them.

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1938: Deer Stabs Man and Evens Score (Footnote)

Published on July 12, 2023

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Bizarre & Oddities, Escape and Survival, Footnotes to History, Tidbits

Albert Christianson was out hunting near his home and shot a buck. Next thing you know, a deer stabbed him with a knife...

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Frasier, the Sensuous Lion – Podcast #196

Published on May 3, 2023

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Love & Marriage, Podcast

Frasier was a decrepit old circus lion whose best days were far behind him, or at least that was what his caregivers believed. While he wasn’t much to look at, he proved popular with the lionesses.

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1954: Duck Has Mental Problem—Thinks He Is A Bow Wow (Footnote)

Published on April 10, 2023

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Footnotes to History

George Dugan was a duck. But George had one unusual problem: he thought that he was a dog. At least he acted that way...

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1937: Dog Found to Have Ring Lost Three Years Earlier (Footnote)

Published on March 10, 2023

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Footnotes to History, Love & Marriage

For three long years, Mrs. David Hann searched for her wedding ring. Then, one day, her dog spat it up. Where had it been all this time?

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1967: Dead Elephant Her Valentine

Published on March 7, 2023

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Love & Marriage, Tidbits

Would you give a dead baby elephant to your significant other for Valentine's Day? Well, this Oregon man did...

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Marty, the Marijuana Mouse – Podcast #190

Published on February 2, 2023

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Bizarre & Oddities, Crime & Punishment, Humor, Podcast

The crazy true story of Marty, a mouse who was stealing marijuana and other drugs from the evidence room of the San Jose police department in 1974.

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1915 – That Must Have Been One Hungry Cat

Published on January 26, 2023

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Tidbits

A stray cat spotted its next meal sitting in a goldfish bowl on a table. The only thing in its way was a glass window...

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1961 – A Stewed Duck Is Too Saucy to Suit Cops (Footnote)

Published on August 29, 2022

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Bizarre & Oddities, Footnotes to History, Humor

Two policemen set out to capture a drunk duck. It wasn't as easy as they had hoped...

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1950 – Dogs Shoot Owners (Footnote)

Published on July 29, 2022

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Bizarre & Oddities, Footnotes to History

It's rare that a dog shoots its owner. Yet, it happened twice in one month in Olney, Texas.

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1957 – Ottawa Newspaper Finds Pet Parakeet

Published on July 18, 2022

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Bizarre & Oddities, Tidbits

When Mrs. Ann Recoskie lost her pet parakeet Joey, she called the Ottawa Journal to place a Lost Pet ad. They had some good news for her.

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1927 – Unidentified Body Found by Hartford Police

Published on July 11, 2022

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Crime & Punishment, Death and Murder, Tidbits

A man told police that he had witnessed someone being murdered. Investigators raced to the scene, saw the blood, and then discovered a very unusual corpse.

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Footnote – 1950: Dog Saves Lives of 60 Men College Students

Published on May 10, 2022

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Death and Murder, Escape and Survival, Footnotes to History, Tidbits

The lives of 60 dormitory residents were endangered by carbon monoxide poisoning. A pooch named Piedmont was credited with saving their lives.

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Footnote – 1949: Nimrod Gives Bizarre Excuse

Published on May 6, 2022

Posted in: Animals & Pets, Crime & Punishment, Footnotes to History, Tidbits

Can you tell the difference between a deer and a groundhog? These two hunters in Maryland apparently could not.

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