Enter the Canine Mind at Museum’s Final Friday, Feb. 24
For immediate release ‐ February 14, 2017
Contact: Jon Pishney, 919.707.8083. Images available upon request
RALEIGH, N.C. — Do poodles have a sense of humor? Can you tell what your husky is thinking by the position of its tail? Why does Fido roll in putrid things despite having an amazing sense of smell? Explore these questions and more at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ Final Friday, Feb. 24.
Starting at 5:30 p.m. visitors can check out interactive stations that delve into the science behind dog behavior, as well as some true stories of pets navigating vast distances to return to their owners. Plus, you can participate in games and activities like “Dog Breed ID,” hear from a dog body-language expert, and meet police dogs face to face.
At 7 p.m. it’s time to sit back and watch “The Incredible Journey,” the 1963 live-action Walt Disney movie about two dogs and a cat that have to find their way home across 200 perilous miles of Canadian wilderness. Following the show, Dr. David Dorman, Professor of Veterinary Medicine at NC State, will be on hand to talk about the science behind how dogs really navigate their world.
Narrated by Rex Allen, “The Incredible Journey” follows the adventure of three pets, Luath the Labrador retriever, Bodger the bull terrier, and Tao the Siamese cat. Tao was played by Syn, who also starred in the title role of the Disney film “That Darn Cat!” (1965) alongside Hayley Mills and Dean Jones. Rex Allen started out in movies in the early 1950s as a popular singing cowboy, often paired with his horse Koko and sidekick Slim Pickens. He also starred in his own western TV series, “Frontier Doctor” (1958) and in the 1960s was the narrator on many nature documentaries for Disney. In 1993, Disney made a new version of the film, entitled “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey,” featuring the voices of Don Ameche, Sally Field and Michael J. Fox. In the original film, the animals were speechless.
Final Fridays take place on the last Friday of each month. A/V Geeks’ Skip Elsheimer provides a fun night of trivia and tongue-in-cheek commentary on not-so-mainstream movies as well as samples from his vault of 24,000 films. Movies are also complemented by experts and hands-on science stations related to each night’s theme. Dinner (such as sliders or tacos), drinks (including NC beer and wine) and popcorn will be available to buy before the show. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., movies and presentations begin at 7 p.m. Admission: $5/person. For more information, a list of future Final Fridays, or to buy tickets, visit naturalsciences.org/finalfridays.
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (11 W. Jones St. and 121 W. Jones St.) in downtown Raleigh is an active research institution that engages visitors of every age and stage of learning in the wonders of science and the natural world, drawing them into the intriguing fields of study that are critical to the future of North Carolina. Hours: Mon.- Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sun., noon-5 p.m. Visit the Museum online at www.naturalsciences.org. Emlyn Koster, PhD, Museum Director.
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. NCDNCR’s mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state’s history, conserving the state’s natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development. For more information, visit www.ncdcr.gov.