Every sniff and squeak of six newborn puppies huddled together in Finland is captured by cameras that monitor their development during the first weeks of their lives, all for scientific purposes, of course. Although the puppies mainly nap and nurse, they have fascinated millions of Finnish viewers and others around the world on “Pentulive,” a 24/7 live “slow TV” broadcast of Finland’s national public broadcaster, Yle, according to the AP. “Pentu” means puppy in Finnish. The puppies’ mother, a 5-year-old Lagotto Romagnolo dog named Hilkka, gave birth to four males and two females on October 10. “They just open their eyes and ears,” Pirjo Koskinen, a journalist from Yle who came up with the idea for “Pentulive,” said Thursday. “They take their first awkward steps.”
In less than two weeks, the live broadcast, now in its sixth season, has been viewed more than 6 million times on social networks alone in this country of 5.7 million inhabitants. A nomination ceremony is planned for Saturday. Programming integrates science through discussion sessions with viewers three times a week, as well as a podcast and online articles detailing dog development. The public can watch the puppies grow and follow their milestones. Seeing puppies attempt to rush to their mothers for milk can trigger an increase in levels of a hormone called oxytocin in the human brain, Koskinen said. This so-called love hormone can help build social connections and reduce anxiety. “It’s a sign of the times that people are craving… this kind of little escape,” said “Pentulive” producer Jyri Loikkanen. The puppies will be adopted in mid-December by people chosen by the breeder. More here.
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