Pets: Wild at Heart

Filmmaker John Downer's two-part PBS-aired NATURE documentary focuses on the sometimes wild, natural side of our pets, using technology such as attached mini spy cameras and moving x-ray enhancement. “Playful Creatures” kicks off with five seven-week-old cockapoo puppies rolling around on a bed, just the start of a series of cute animals that include Russian hamsters who compete on a wheel, sable-spotted two-month-old Bengal kittens, five-week-old lop-eared rabbits, and a verbose parakeet named “Disco.” Also featured is a deconstruction of behaviors at a New York City dog park (butt-sniffing actually indicates another canine's identity, diet, health, and emotional state); a visit to the Japanese island Okunoshima, home to an almost-scary mass of bunnies who beg on hind paws; and a ride-along with traffic-savvy pups in Cusco, Peru. “Secretive Creatures” looks at a hamster on a “secret mission,” who frolics amongst cutesy toys at night; “love at first sniff” dogs using scent in Paris; and cats going bonkers for catnip (with trippy music). Also seen here are the goggle-eyed stargazer fish (who can detect water currents), birds who sense air movements and UV invisible to the human eye; and high-Andes guinea pigs who greet their owners with squeals. Reminding us that pets are “part of the family, yet in very different worlds,” this informative and entertaining documentary is recommended. Aud: P. (J. Williams-Wood)