Puppymageddon

This is a puppy

There's very few things that people love to see when they watch the news. Sadly a lot of what people do want to see is the bad side of life be it a house fire, car accident, or the latest sex scandal. I'm not a shrink so I can't say if it's the need to reinforce how well off they are, or if it's because people are drawn to train wrecks(my personal belief). Which ever reason it may be I don't really care. As long as people keep watching and thus allowing me to continue doing what I love, I'm happy.
Due to people wanting to see "train wrecks" I often have to cover breaking news. It's one of the down sides of the job but it's one I have come to find enjoyment in. No, I don't enjoy watching someones house burn to ash. Nor do I enjoy watching as someone is carted off the highway on a stretcher. It's the jokes with the fire fighters who are laying exhausted in the grass type moments that I enjoy.

There has been no shortage of disasters for us to cover this year. From record setting blizzards to historic thousand year flooding. There has been something for us to fill the space between commercials with every single night.
There is however one thing I can think of that people want to see more than mayhem, animals.

Petey

Puppies and Kittens specifically, elicit a response from people that I have yet to find an equal to. There is something about seeing these little guys and gals run around that makes people want to stop what they're doing and watch. Don't believe me? Well then have a look HERE. For months now that webcam has had thousands of viewers at a time watching puppies do nothing but be puppies. After 31+ million viewers I feel comfortable making this claim. When the idea of covering some dogs and cats who were recently rescued from Alabama after the deadly tornadoes was pitched, I was hooked.


Don't let their cuteness fool you. Trying to get a usable amount of video of puppies is a lot like trying to catch lightening in a jar. Most of the footage you get looks like the above photo of Petey. Sometimes it can get a bit frustrating especially if you're under a tight deadline. This is one of the few instances I will break my rule and put myself into the story. There are only so many puppies licking the lens shots you can put into a PKG so when they start taking an interest in you and try to eat your shoes, turn that lens towards yourself! The only warning I can offer is try to keep their paws of your camera or you might have to clean some puppy poo off the microphone.