Kodi the Singing Dog Escapes

April 20, 2001 Lafayette, Indiana, USA

If you happen to be in the Lafayette area, and if you happen to see a stray dog, and if that stray dog breaks into a round of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat", here's what you should do:

When he gets to the "Merrily, merrily, merrily..." part, that's when you're supposed to join in with "Row, row, row your boat..."

But aside from that, you should call the Columbian Park Zoo at 491-2679.  Kodi escaped on Tuesday, and as of last night, he still hasn't been found.

Kodi is a rare New Guinea Singing Dog, pictured below with his pal Buka.

Kodi is not dangerous, but all the same, you should not attempt to capture him yourself.  He's very shy, and rather than traumatize the poor pup, you should immediately call the zoo specialists, whom Kodi recognizes.

Kodi gave zookeepers the slip during a leisurely stroll, when, cleverly disguising his intent by rolling around on the grass, he managed to remove his collar. He ran through a nearby gate and disappeared.

Described as an 8-year-old male weighing 27 pounds and standing about knee high, Kodi has short, tan fur with a black muzzle and a half-inch white tip on his tail.

His particular breed, the New Guinea Singing Dog, "has several unique vocalizations. The howl they are named for is similar to a wolf howl with overtones of whale song.  When in a group, one animal starts and then others join on different pitches, each with its own unique voice" (quoted from the New Guinea Singing Dog Conservation Society).

But can he play "Melancholy Baby"?

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Related: Opera-singing hound makes debut

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