In The News

The heartbreaking stories behind 5 adorable bionic dogs

2013-05-17T14:28:00Z

Tortured, shot at, or left to die, these brave pups each got a new lease on life with the help of artificial limbs

Naki'o. (Reuters)

When Naki'o was a puppy, he was found, along with his litter mates and dead mother, abandoned in a foreclosed home in Nebraska. Naki'o was literally frozen into a puddle on the floor, and had to have all four of his paws and part of his tail amputated as a result. A Colorado Springs veterinary assistant named Christine Pace got wind of the dog's woeful story and was so taken that she adopted the severely handicapped puppy. At first, Naki'o was able get around on his stumps, but as he grew, his weight limited his activity. Pace raised enough money to get him outfitted with prosthetic limbs for his back legs, which suffered the worse damage. Seeing that the playful pup managed so well on his bionic paws, Martin and Amy Kaufman of Orthopets created a pair of front-leg prosthesis as well. (You can watch a short documentary on his inspirational little life — but beware: You will cry.) (REUTERS/Rick Wilking)

Pay de Limon. (Reuters)

In 2011, Pay de Limon was reportedly the victim of a Mexican drug gang assault. It's believed that Mexico City gang members used the Belgian shepherd mix — whose name means lemon pie in English — as practice for other gruesome crimes. They reportedly cut off his two front paws to test out intimidation tactics they would later use on human hands. The dog was left in the trash to die, and a passerby heard his cries and took him to Milagros Caninos, a local sanctuary for abused animals. The staff nursed Pay de Limon back to health and raised more than $6,000 through donations to pay for two front-leg prosthetic limbs. He's now accustomed to his new legs and can be seen happily trotting around the sanctuary like any other dog. (REUTERS/Tomas Bravo)

Abayed. (Reuters)

Abayed was once a working sheepdog in Jordan. But in 2011, a stranger, mistaking him for a stray, shot Abayed and paralyzed his hind legs. His owner found the howling dog and took him to a local animal shelter, where the medics said it was clear the dog had a will to live. Instead of putting him down, the shelter took the handicapped dog in as their own and eventually outfitted him with a pair of wheeled legs. The harness gives the former shepherding dog the freedom to roam the shelter's grounds, wrangling the occasional rogue sheep or goat just for the fun of it. (IMAGE: REUTERS/Ali Jarekji)

Maulee. (Getty)

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Blind wild horse rescued from sea

2013-05-16T14:43:00Z

Lifeguards rescued a blind wild stallion caught in a rip current along North Carolina's Outer Banks this month, the director of a horse protection group said.

The horse, already blind in one eye, had its other eye damaged in a fight with another stallion May 2 near the small community of Corolla in Currituck County. Karen McCalpin, director of the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, told The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot the injured older stallion ran into the ocean and was caught in a strong current that carried him away from the beach and more than a mile down the shore.

The wild horse reached a sandbar where he was able to get his footing, allowing lifeguards to use rescue buoys to push the horse from behind and gradually guide him to land, McCalpin said.

Chief Sylvia Wolff said saving a horse was a first for the Corolla rescue unit.

The stallion, since named Amadeo, meaning "blessed by God," is recovering but remains nearly blind and will not return to the wild herd.

"He's going to be our responsibility for the rest of his life," Wolff said. "He can't go back."

www.bignewsnetwork.com

Service Dog Arrives At College Graduation In Cap And Gown, Becomes A Celebrity

2013-05-15T16:29:00Z

A young woman and her service dog caused quite a stir over the weekend when they both showed up to her college graduation ceremony dressed in matching caps and gowns.

On Sunday, this photograph -- which shows the graduate at the side of the stage in a wheelchair accompanied by her pooch -- went viral after it was posted online by Redditor tcjones54:

"The girl and the dog received the loudest applause hands down. Very adorable," tcjones54 wrote.

According to posts on Reddit, the photo was taken at the Saturday convocation ceremony of the College of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign.

"This picture is everything that is right in the world," wrote Redditor AndreThreeHundred.

Then, a day after the original post went viral, the woman in the photograph uploaded another picture to Reddit.

"This is my service dog, Hero, after we graduated with our Master's degrees at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign," she wrote in a caption accompanying this Imgur photo.

Justin Bieber Parts With His Monkey

2013-05-15T15:17:00Z

Shelter Dogs, Cats Now Colorado's Official State Pet

2013-05-15T15:13:00Z

As you’ve probably figured out, we love shelter pets! Rescuing an animal from a shelter saves lives, and you get lots of unconditional love in return. That’s why we’re so happy to see the entire state of Colorado put them front and center!

Yesterday, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, accompanied by his own rescue dog, Sky, signed into law a bill making shelter dogs and cats the state’s official pet, The Denver Post reports. The bill, “Concerning the designation of dogs and cats that are adopted from Colorado Animal Shelters and rescues as the state pets,” was proposed by schoolchildren and signed into law at the Denver Animal Shelter.

Other states have chosen a specific dog breed to honor as state pet, but Colorado is honoring any dog or cat adopted from a shelter! How awesome is that?

If you’re interested in a shelter animal of your own, please visit our virtual Adoption Center! Join the conversation on Twitter using hashtag #ShelterPets.

http://blog.aspca.org/content/shelter-dogs-cats-now-colorados-official-state-pet

Pets now 20 percent of new TPR members

2013-05-15T14:56:00Z

"Thurber" stands in his Irish garb with owner Christine Saalbach at the Beethoven Hall as St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 16, 2013. Photo: TOM REEL

Christine Saalbach and â€œThurberâ€ compete in the 5th annual Purim Pet Parade at the Barshop Jewish Community Center, Sunday, March 3, 2013. Proceeds from the event benefitted the National Council of Jewish Women and the San Antonio Humane Society Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

This year, Texas Public Radio's membership drive is going to the dogs — and cats, and even chickens, a horse and a sloth — with the addition of pet memberships.

So far, of the 743 new TPR memberships that have been sold, 137 of those — 18 percent — are pets. And the pet memberships are outselling the new children's memberships more than 4-to-1; 31 new kids' memberships have been purchased.

Chula, a 3-year-old quarter horse belonging to Uvalde resident and longtime member Bruce Kingsbery, now has a membership in her name.

“It appealed to me as something a little different,” he said. If pet memberships continue, Kingsbery said he'll buy one for Chula “until she objects.”

Longtime TPR members Brad Lundin and Jean O'Leary had paid in the names of different pets over the years, “before it became fashionable,” Lundin said.

New to their household are four chickens — Lulubell, Daisy, Gertrude and Hattie — who became pet members this year under their “rock band name,” Lulubell and the Nuggets.

“It was a laugh,” Lundin said. “We've done the dogs and cats, now it's time to do the chickens.”

Janet Grojean, TPR's director of development, had the idea for pets years ago when she was director of corporate relations.

“I mentioned this to the past development director, and she looked at me like I had three eyes,” Grojean said. “Now that I'm in that position, I thought, 'What do I have to lose? Let's give it a try.'”

Instagram now lets you tag your photos

2013-05-14T14:42:00Z

Facebook is probably the first platform you think of when seeing the words "photo tagging." Now, Instagram's plan for tagging is coming into focus.

Called Photos of You, Instagram says it's now as easy to add a person to a photo as it is to add a hashtag. Currently, your Photos of You section is only available to you, and Instagram recommends that you use this time to get used to the feature before it's rolled out completely on May 16.

Here are a few things to keep in mind regarding the new feature.

•Only you can add people to the photos you upload. You cannot add people to anyone else's photo, but anyone can add you to a photo as long as you haven't blocked the user. Also, visibility matters. If the photos in your account are public, anyone can see what's on your profile. But if you have your profile set to private, only your confirmed followers can see your content, and that also goes for Photos of You tags.

•Any account is eligible, so you can tag a friend or a business such as the Chicago Tribune. [Power tip: Tag your favorite photos of Tribune Tower with @chicagotribune. We love to see those.]

•Photos of You is its own section on the Instagram app, so you'll receive a notification when you are tagged.

•Tags can be automatic or you can approve them manually.

•You'll need the latest version of the App (3.5) for either iOS or Android. Both are available in the iTunes Store and on Google Play.

Because Facebook owns Instagram, I was expected a bit of a learning curve. I must admit that I'm impressed at how simple the process is.

To add someone to your photo as you are uploading it, simply tap "add people" from the share screen, near where you enter the caption. Tap on a person and then start typing their name. You'll see suggestions in a menu, and you can search for someone if they don't pop up. If you make a mistake, just tap the name and an "x" will appear to remove it. If you need to or prefer to tag at a later date, you can go back to the photo, tap "..." under the photo and then tap "add people."

Get a pet, protect your heart

2013-05-10T14:37:00Z

If there was any doubt about the benefits of sharing your home with a pet, here is something to mull over -- scientists claim that the presence of a pet greatly reduces the risk of heart disease.

According to a report in Science Daily, the American Heart Association has published a scientific statement attesting to the benefits to the heart from a pet.

The statement is published online in the association's journal, Circulation.

"Pet ownership, particularly dog ownership, is probably associated with a decreased risk of heart disease," said Glenn N. Levine, MD, professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.

"In essence, data suggest that there probably is an association between pet ownership and decreased cardiovascular risk," Levine said.

"What's less clear is whether the act of adopting or acquiring a pet could lead to a reduction in cardiovascular risk in those with pre-existing disease. Further research, including better quality studies, is needed to more definitively answer this question."

Big News Network (IANS)

Scientists: Ubiquitous household chemical could be killing cats

2013-05-09T14:24:00Z

SEATTLE -- A chemical threat lies hidden in millions of American homes, and top government scientists believe it could be killing cats.

Right now in the special session of the state legislature, lawmakers are fighting powerful interests to ban versions of the chemical.

Dr. Dennis Wackerbarth is a top expert on hyperthyroidsim, and he said countless numbers of cats die from the disease each year.

Millions of indoor cats have been hit in recent decades by thyroid glands that go crazy, switching their metabolism into high gear. They become ravenous, yet their bodies waste away until they die.

Scientists examined the places where indoor cats spend their time, especially on furniture and the floor. A groundbreaking government study found "significant association" between the cat illness and certain flame retardants.

The chemical, in one variation or another, is added to all sorts of things found in nearly every American home, including foam padding, carpet pads, appliance chords, electronics, children's clothes and more.

At precisely the time flame retardants became heavily used in the 70s and 80s, indoor cats started dying of thyroid problems. Now those flame retardants are widely viewed with concern about unintended effects.

The next question scientists asked was that if the chemicals are harming cats, then what are they doing to humans? That's where the state legislature comes in.

"I mean, everything right now has these toxins in it. And we're not giving our kids a chance, at all," said Sen. Sharon Nelson, D-Maury Island.

Nelson is among the lawmakers fighting to extend existing bans on flame retardants that have become so pervasive they're now found in nature, wildlife and almost certainly in people. Experts believe you would find traces of the chemical in everyone.

"We're hearing a lot from citizens," Nelson said. "The difficulty of being in Olympia is the strength of different lobbyists."

The chemical industry and business lobbyists say it would be too expensive and burdensome to ban more kinds of retardants, which several other states have already done.

Some of the more toxic forms have already been banned. The chemical industry creates replacement forms of flame retardants they feel are safer, but critics say they're still too toxic.

Read More.

Cat displaced by Sandy makes 8-mile trek home

2013-05-09T14:21:00Z

CHADWICK BEACH ISLAND, N.J. -- A pair of New Jersey women whose cat escaped after they evacuated their home after superstorm Sandy said the cat showed up six months later.

Mother and daughter Uranie Roberts, 86, and Carol Baumann, 62, said they evacuated their Chadwick Beach Island home after the storm in November and stayed with in-laws about eight miles away in Point Pleasant from where their cat, Porsche, escaped, Philly.com reported Wednesday.

Roberts, 86, said Porsche's tags were attached to a breakaway collar that he could have easily removed, but she still believed she might find the feline.

"I never gave up hope," she said, but she admitted she feared that "maybe he crossed the rainbow bridge, as they say from that poem about animals that pass on."

The women said they returned to their home April 29 and two days later they heard a noise on the back deck.

"I saw the green eyes and I said, 'My God in heaven, it's Porsche!'" Baumann said.

Roberts said Porsche appeared fit and well-fed after his "journey of a lifetime."

"I would not be surprised at anything," Roberts said. "It's like waiting for the other shoe to drop or the other piece of the puzzle. ... It clearly looks like he must have been somewhere."

Big News Network (UPI)

Does where you live impact your pet's longevity?

2013-05-08T15:05:00Z

A new study shows that dogs and cats have a better chance at a long, healthy life in some states than in others. How does your state rank?

Some dogs sleep outside and guard the house. Others have wardrobes and spend their day in a purse.

It's not clear which lifestyle is pet-preferred, but a new study shows that dogs and cats have a better chance at a long, healthy life in some states than in others.

Louisiana and Mississippi have the shortest lifespan for dogs and cats, while pets in Colorado and Montana live longer, according to the 2013 State of Pet Health Report released by Banfield Pet Hospital, the world's largest veterinary practice.

Why the difference? Experts say states with the healthiest and longest living pets also have the highest neutering and spaying rates, more pets living inside and fewer regional infectious diseases.

"It's all about lifestyle, what your pet means to you and how you take care of them," says veterinarian and epidemiologist Dr. Sandi Lefebvre. "There are different attitudes, different levels of education and they tend to cluster in certain areas of the country."

Cats live the longest in Montana, Colorado, Rhode Island, Illinois and Nebraska and they have the shortest lifespan in Delaware, Ohio, Louisiana, Kentucky and Mississippi.

States with the longest lifespan for dogs are South Dakota, Montana, Oregon, New Mexico and Colorado. As for the shortest: Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana Delaware and Massachusetts.

Southern states have high rates of heartworm because of heat and mosquitoes. Northeastern states are most likely to have Lyme disease because of the ticks that carry the disease.

State-by-state lifespans for dogs from the Banfield Pet Hospital State of Pet Health report.,(Photo: Banfield Pet Hospital)

In warmer states more pets live outdoors where they are more susceptible to these diseases. If they haven't been neutered or spayed they will have more aggressive behaviors, says Lefebvre. "They are out roaming, fighting, looking for partners."

Because of the roaming, unneutered dogs are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car or bitten by another animal. Unneutered cats are four times more likely to be hit by a car and three times more likely to be brought to the veterinarian for treatment of an animal bite compared to a neutered cat, the study shows.

For homes in the north, pets are more likely to be indoors because of the weather. "You do not want a sexually intact cat in your home," Lefebvre says. "It howls, pees all over the place so spaying and neutering is obviously important."

Adonica Jones-Parks, 45, Cincinnati, Ohio says she learned the hard way, "When I had my first cat I did not have him neutered and he was spraying everywhere – which really makes your house stink – and then he ran off for a few days. Now I know it calms them down and it's the responsible thing to do."

Nearly 20% of the cats in Louisiana and Mississippi aren't spayed or neutered but in Montana and Colorado, the states with the longest lifespan, that number is closer to 8%.

Neutered male dogs live 18% longer than un-neutered male dogs and spayed female dogs live 23% longer than unspayed female dogs, according to the report.

"But even if a pet is spayed or neutered it still needs shots, training, nutrition, dental care and parasite control to live a long, healthy life," Lefebvre says.

Julius Caeser, an 18-year-old Yorkshire Terrier lives in Rapid City, South Dakota. The average Yorkshire Terrier lives to about 11.3.

Mike Deal, 55, Julius Caesar's owner, says Rapid City has been an exceptional place to have a dog.

"Having a hard winter kills the ticks and sand fleas and the summer doesn't get too hot," Deal says. "I have never seen such a pet friendly area."

And Julius Caeser certainly lives like a king. "He has an actual seat at the table," Deal says. "He's never really been treated like a dog. He has always been part of our family."

In Mississippi, the state ranking lowest for pet longevity, 44% of the dogs are not neutered or spayed, says Dr. Brandy Boykin a veterinarian in Jackson, Mississippi.

"When people come in and don't spay or neuter their pets – they usually say they want to breed their pet or they are afraid to put them under anesthesia," Boykin says. "A lot of Mississippi is still rural."

Unneutered or spayed pets are also at greater risk for certain cancers, she says.

Neutering male pets decreases their chances of developing prostatic enlargement and disease and eliminates the risk of testicular cancer. Spaying female pets eliminates the risk of pyometra, a life-threatening infection of the uterus. If a female is spayed before her first heat cycle, chances of developing breast cancer drop dramatically as well, according to the report.

Pamela Cropley, 42, Staten Island, N.Y.'s first dog, Shadow, a German Sheppard Collie mix, was not spayed and developed mammary cancer.

"It came on so quickly, Cropley says. "We devastatingly had to put her to sleep. It was horrid. The doctor said that if we had just spayed her it would have significantly dropped her chances of getting the cancer."

Now Cropley has four female dogs, all of which are spayed.

"Shadow was my first dog so it was all a learning experience," she says.

State-by-state lifespans for cats from the Banfield Pet Hospital State of Pet Health report.(Photo: Banfield Pet Hospital)

However, cost is an issue when it comes to pet care. Prices range for spaying and neutering, but on average, dog procedures cost $278-$395 and cat procedures cost between $135-$248. Additional fees may apply based on a pet's weight and other variables.

Why some owners look, act like their dogs

2013-05-08T15:02:00Z

Usually, it is said that dog owners bear a striking resemblance to their pets but now researchers have asserted that they even act like them.

The study of British dog owners has revealed that people are inclined towards choosing animals that mirror their own personality.

Agreeable types are drawn to Labradors, a breed known for their friendliness, while hard-working and responsible sorts favour no-nonsense bulldogs.

Mayor hopefuls' pet project

2013-05-07T14:34:00Z

This town will go to the dogs if most of the mayoral candidates get their way.

Five mayoral contenders pledged at a forum last night to revoke all pet restrictions in housing within the five boroughs for seniors 62 and over once Mayor Bloomberg leaves City Hall.

“Yes, absolutely,” declared Comptroller John Liu. “It’s an incredible benefit that allows them to stay independent and live longer.”

“I would absolutely fight for it,” agreed Public Advocate Bill de Blasio.

“There is a therapeutic value to our seniors having pets,” said former Comptroller Bill Thompson.

Former City Councilman Sal Albanese speculated that his mother-in-law probably added years to her life by caring for a chihuahua named Joey.

“She lived for that dog,” he said, adding his name to the dog-on list.

Even businessman John Catsimatidis, the only Republican attending the forum devoted to city policies on animals, endorsed the idea of requiring landlords to accept household pets if their owners are seniors.

If enacted, the end of pet bans would result in sweeping changes in the city’s housing policy, including at the Housing Authority, where pets are not allowed except in special circumstances.

Kevin Spacey Rescues Dog, Names Her to Honor Boston

2013-05-07T14:28:00Z

Kevin Spacey and new dog Boston

Kevin Spacey found a very special – and, well, very adorable – way to honor an American city that has seen both tragedy and triumph in the last few weeks.

"New member of the family," he Tweeted Saturday, sharing a photo of his new puppy (seemingly adopted from the North Shore Animal League America). "Her name is Boston in honor of the city."

Since three people were killed and more than 260 injured on April 15 when two bombs exploded near the Boston Marathon finish line, the actor, 53, has visited both victims and the cops who came to their aid.

He "had to get on a plane," he told the Boston Herald. "I'm not a doctor or first responder, but if people know me from movies, and walking into their work space or room brings a smile to their face – with the challenges these amazing citizens have in front of them – then that's worth coming."

Read More.

Jon Stewart Takes His Three-Legged Dog For A Walk

2013-05-07T14:26:00Z

Source: Brian Flannery / FAMEFLYNET PICTURES

State Assembly bill would ban pet tattoos and piercings as animal abuse

2013-05-03T14:53:00Z

Ernesto Rodriguez, a tattoo artist, said he put the intricate tattoos on the bellies of his two dogs so they could be easily identified if they were lost.

ALBANY - A Manhattan pol is trying to stop tattooing and body piercing from going to the dogs.

Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, a Democrat, has introduced legislation to ban the piercing or permanent tattooing of companion animals.

“These are living beings and they should not be subject to human whims and fashion choices,” Rosenthal told the Daily News Thursday.

Rosenthal said subjecting pets to body piercing or tattooing is cruel and “just like any other abuse.”The bill has the support of the Humane Society of New York.

Nicholas Cage's lizard new celeb at Lake Forest sanctuary

2013-05-03T14:50:00Z

Since he’s been with actor Nicolas Cage since birth, it’s no wonder the actor’s former pet lizard is hungry for the limelight at his new home in the north suubrbs, Pioneer Press is reporting.

“He’s kind of a ham,” Rob Carmichael, curator of the Wildlife Discovery Center in Lake Forest, said of the carnivorous lizard. “He’s got quite a personality.”

The 4-foot speckled Asian water monitor arrived in an overnight FedEx box in early April after a mutual friend in the zoo business suggested Cage send his pet there for keeps.

“Nicolas loves reptiles, he’s passionate about reptiles. But with his busy schedule, he had too many animals to take care,” Carmichael said.

In a brief phone conversation with the actor, Carmichael learned what he could about the pet named Michael — now dubbed Grug for the character Cage voices in his animated movie, “The Croods.”

The lizard, he found out, was one of Cage’s favorite pets and the star wanted to find a good home for him.

“He raised him from a baby,” Carmichael said. “Nicolas did a really nice job. He had him around people at an early age. He got him used to being handled and being around different people.”

That early exposure created an animal that fit in quickly at the Discovery Center, which is open to the public and attracts school groups, Scouts, families and private parties.

Carmichael and his crew realized the star power they had as soon as the 5-year-old lizard emerged from his shipping box.

“He’s just real chill. He’s at ease around people,” Carmichael said of the Center’s only current celebrity animal.

Animal keeper/wildlife conservation educator Addy Robinson admits to quickly losing her heart to the newest arrival.

“I instantly fell in love with him. He’s so personable and friendly,” she said.

Thousands of Britons scrap holidays because of fears for their pets: Rising cost of kennels and lack of goodwill from friends are blamed

2013-05-01T15:04:00Z

Thousands of Brits will sacrifice a holiday this year because of their pets, according to new research.

A new survey has found that the rising cost of kennels and sitters will prevent a quarter of families with pets from taking a vacation this summer.

Many say they are unable to rely on the goodwill of friends and family to help out, or are too embarrassed to ask.

Faithful friend: A quarter of us are scaling back our holiday plans because we can't leave our pets behind

Others feel guilty about 'abandoning' their pets, even on short breaks, and worry about their welfare in cheaper boarding.

Two per cent of respondents said financial constraints or 'emotional ties' had stopped them from taking a holiday without their pets for five years.

The figures were released yesterday by the free pet-sitting service Petaround.com, which polled 1,250 pet owners about their holiday plans.

Founder Phil Harris said: 'Pets bring so much joy to people, but they do require constant care and as the survey shows, this can cause problems when planning to go abroad.

'Family members and friends aren't always there to help, and a professional pet-sitter or boarding can prove very expensive.

'There's also the issue of trust. Pets are part of a family and like with children, you wouldn't entrust them into someone's care without being certain it's the right environment for them.

It seems we can't bear the thought of leaving our four-legged loved ones in kennels when we go on holiday

'Finding a service or professional that ticks all the boxes can be a time-consuming task and stressful task. With all these obstacles in the way, it's no wonder that so many pet owners are planning to stay at home this year.'

According to figures released in 2012, 49 per cent of British households own at least one of the UK's 27million pets. But the demands of looking after one can impact on travel plans.

Some 24 per cent of those polled said they planned to take at least one weekend break this summer, but were forced to 'scale back' their holiday arrangements because of the hassle and cost of prolonged pet-sitting.

New cancer treatments keep pets alive longer

2013-04-30T15:01:00Z

Veterinarians treat millions of case of canine cancer each year, but new treatments are helping pets live longer and better lives with fewer side effects than chemotherapy drugs and radiation.

Golden retriever Dakota needed a fast-growing lump removed at the age of 9. The vet followed up with a new treatment called Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), which he hopes will cure the dog's cancer.

"We can kill cancer cells with those dosages of radiation that spare all the normal tissues around that area," said veterinary oncologist Dr. Gerald Post.

Veterinarians are also using the new chemotherapy drug palladia, which targets and kills certain molecules in cancer cells.

Read More.

Bionic Dog! Mutt Makes History As First Canine To Get Four Bionic Paws

2013-04-29T15:35:00Z

He was abandoned in a foreclosed house in the middle of a Nebraska winter as a puppy and when he was discovered, his feet and tail were frozen solid in a puddle of water.

Now Naki’o has a new leash on life and is making history as the first dog to receive four prosthetic paws.

After being rescued, the mixed breed pup got medical attention and his feet healed to rounded stumps, but he couldn’t walk or play.

Fortunately veterinary assistant Christie Pace of Colorado Springs learned of the pup’s plight and took him in.

She organized a fundraiser, connected with a company called Ortho Pets and Naki’o was fitted with two prosthetic rear paws. Company execs were so impressed, they kicked in the other two prosthetics and Naki’o is now believed to be the first canine ever to have all four of his limbs replaced.

Rescue me: New study finds animals do recover from neglect

2013-04-23T15:08:00Z

Animal sanctuaries can play an important role in rehabilitating goats and other animals that have suffered from neglect, according to scientists at Queen Mary, University of London.

In this first scientific study of rescued animals, the researchers examined moods in 18 goats, nine of which had endured poor welfare, such as inappropriate diet, and lack of space or shelter before arriving at a sanctuary. They created a spatial awareness test, which involved giving the animals an opportunity to look for food, to understand the link between poor welfare and the goats' mental health, by comparing the behaviour of the mistreated goats with that of the goats that had been generally well treated.

The scientists observed whether some goats were faster to explore specific areas that resulted in the reward of food and others that did not. They assessed how the goats judged previously unknown locations, described as ambiguous because they were situated between spaces known to contain food and areas without food.

"Mood can have a huge influence on how the brain processes information. In humans, for example, it's well known that people in positive moods have an optimistic outlook on life, which means they are more resilient to stress. In the same way, measures of optimism and pessimism can provide indicators for an understanding of animal welfare," explains co-author Dr Elodie Briefer from Queen Mary's School of Biological and Chemical Sciences.

It was thought that the goats from the poor welfare group would be more 'pessimistic' and slower than the well-treated goats to explore ambiguous locations for food, where the promise of reward was not guaranteed. However, a surprising result of the study was that female goats that had been mistreated in the past were more optimistic than the other well-treated female goats.

Justin Bieber 'gives away' his lonely pet monkey instead of rescuing it from German animal clinic

2013-04-23T14:57:00Z

Justin Bieber has allegedly decided to give away his pet monkey Mally instead of rescuing it from a Munich animal clinic.

German authorities say the teen star doesn't want the Capuchin back after it was seized by customs officers from a private jet on March 28 and placed in quarantine.

They say his management team in New York contacted them this week asking if they could find a 'safe and sheltered place, or a zoo' for the lonely creature.

Scroll down for video

Justin Bieber, pictured with Mally the capuchin monkey, has been given an extension to complete paperwork to get his pet back

Mally the monkey is now in quarantine at a German animal shelter

The capuchin monkey, taken from its mother at nine weeks, is treating a cuddly toy as its surrogate parent

The star and his entourage had no paperwork or health certificates to bring Mally - just a few weeks old - into the country.

After a night spent at an airport quarantine centre, Mally was moved into the care of vets at a clinic in the city.

'We have to discuss now the way forward with customs officials and other responsible departments,' said a clinic spokesman. The statement from 19-year-old Bieber's people in New York thanked the Munich authorities for the 'caring support' offered to Mally.

Conn. lawmakers are considering providing advocates for animals in custody and abuse cases

2013-04-22T14:31:00Z

HARTFORD, Connecticut — Man's best friend is lawyering up.

Although animal cruelty laws have been on the books for over a century in some states, only recently has the idea of legal representation for animals started to be taken seriously. The most high-profile instance was the guardian-special master appointed in 2007 to represent the interests of 48 dogs in the Michael Vick dogfighting case.

And the practice seems to be catching on. The Connecticut legislature is considering introducing the notion of animal advocates to its court system after Rhode Island made a similar move last year. State lawmakers have discussed making them available in pet custody disputes as well as in animal abuse cases.

That prospect has animal rights supporters across the country optimistic that the practice could catch on. They say it reflects not only an attempt to reduce animals' suffering but also a growing recognition that humans' welfare is intimately linked to that of animals. But lawyers and even some veterinarians question the wisdom of starting down what they call a "slippery slope."

David Favre, a law professor at the University of Michigan, says it is almost always at the judge's discretion about whether to consider how a ruling affects involved animals. Appointing an advocate would create a regular system for incorporating their interests into court proceedings.

"It's not saying that the animal is a legal person," Favre said. "It's saying that the animal has interests independent of the owner, and that these interests should be taken into account

The Connecticut bill introduced by Rep. Diana Urban, D-North Stonington, originally called for animal advocates in custody disputes as well as in criminal abuse proceedings. Its scope was later limited to abuse cases after opposition from some lawmakers.

Urban points to a link between cruelty to animals and violence towards humans, calling animal abuse an early indicator of mental illness and propensity to commit mass violence.

"This bill is not so much about animal cruelty as it is about what animal cruelty means," she said. "And it means that you have a proclivity for future violence. It's a red flag."

The proposal has garnered support from legislators seeking early warning signs about people who might commit acts of mass violence like the Newtown school shooting on Dec.14. It's unclear whether the gunman in that case had a history of abusing animals, but Urban said the perpetrators of most school shootings do.

The bill passed a major legislative hurdle last week and may come before the full legislature in this session. Urban said there would be an opportunity to expand the scope of animal advocates to include custody disputes in the future, once their role in animal cruelty cases was secured.

Rep. David Baram, D-Bloomfield, said he expected civil law to evolve to permit animal advocates in custody cases. He pointed to existing laws against animal cruelty and a recent law that provides for the establishment of trusts for animals and said providing a court advocate for animals "ties everything together."

"I think it can be very helpful to the court in much the same way that we appoint guardians ad litem for minor children who can't really voice their opinions or speak for themselves," Baram said.

"The laws are evolving to recognize that animals should be treated humanely and they have standing under law," he said.

More Pets Donating Blood

2013-04-22T14:28:00Z

Pet owners are opting for more surgery to keep their pets alive and as a result demand is rising for dog and cat blood donors.

The University of Wisconsin Veterinary Teaching Hospital has a list of nearly 2-dozen dogs and cats who give blood on a regular basis to help meet the need.

Vets say that a pet’s temperament is critical to their ability to be a blood donor, as they have to sit through the drawing. Dogs have to lie on their side for five minutes during the process.

Read More.

Some dogs need their space

2013-04-18T15:13:00Z

Is your dog a DINOS? The acronym hasn’t quite caught on yet, but it stands for Dog in Need of Space. Coined by Maine dogwalker Jessica Dolce, the term is used to describe dogs who don’t like being approached by other dogs or strange people -- they need space to be comfortable.

If you haven’t heard of DINOS, perhaps you’ve heard of The Yellow Dog Project, which is making its way around Facebook in the form of a screenshot of a poster asking people with less-than-social dogs to tie yellow ribbons to their collars and leashes, as a sign that they shouldn’t be approached. To date, the movement has almost 16,000 “likes” on the site.

There are lots of reasons dog owners don’t want strangers coming up to their pets. Mocha, the sweet chocolate lab I had for 10 amazing years, loved people to no end, but really did not like other dogs. This forced me to yell, “She’s not friendly!” when other dog owners would let their pets approach, and stifle saying “moron” when they ignored me and brought their dogs over anyway (which happened more often than I care to remember). The Labragator loves dogs, but she’s more enthusiastic than many other dogs, she’s big and powerful, and she does not understand the concept of tangled leashes. So while I’m happy to let her romp with her furry friends in a fenced-in yard or dog park, doing it on a walk is less than fun for everyone involved.

Hypoallergenic Dogs Don't Have Lower Household Allergen Levels Than Other Dogs, Study Finds

2013-04-18T15:11:00Z

Contrary to popular belief, so-called hypoallergenic dogs do not have lower household allergen levels than other dogs.

That's the conclusion of a study by Henry Ford Hospital researchers who sought to evaluate whether hypoallergenic dogs have a lower dog allergen in the home than other dogs. Hypoallergenic dogs are believed to produce less dander and saliva and shed less fur.

The findings are to be published online this month in the American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy.

"We found no scientific basis to the claim hypoallergenic dogs have less allergen," says Christine Cole Johnson, Ph.D., MPH, chair of Henry Ford's Department of Public Health Sciences and senior author of the study.

"Based on previous allergy studies conducted here at Henry Ford, exposure to a dog early in life provides protection against dog allergy development. But the idea that you can buy a certain breed of dog and think it will cause less allergy problems for a person already dog-allergic is not borne out by our study."

This is believed to be the first time researchers measured environmental allergen associated with hypoallergenic dogs. Previous studies analyzed hair samples from only a handful of dogs in a small number of breeds.

Britons Prefer Pets to Children - National Pet Census Results Revealed by My Social Petwork

2013-04-18T15:07:00Z

Britons prefer cuddles with pets over children, cancel social plans to be with them and spend hours every week uploading their pictures to social media sites according to the findings of a UK Pet Census.

(PRWEB UK) 17 April 2013

- Half of pet owners would rather hug their pet than a child, parent or sibling when feeling low

One in five have cancelled social plans to be with their pet
A third of UK pet owners spend up to 30 days a year caring for their pet
One in five pet owners regularly use Facebook or Twitter to share their pet pictures and videos
One in ten people have taken their pet to special occasions such as christenings or weddings
43% of pet owners have re-homed a rescue centre pet or taken in a stray

The UK’s first Pet Census was commissioned by http://www.mysocialpetwork.co.uk as part of National Pet Month. A cross section of UK pet owners were questioned to uncover ownership habits and the lengths that we will go to for our furry (and not so furry friends).

A quarter of UK pet owners (24%) admit that their pet is more like a child to them than a pet, while 15% say that their pet is someone that they talk to and confide in with their problems. Half of pet owners would rather hug their pet than a child, parent or sibling when they feel low.

Although rats may be scary to some, 83% of rat owners chose a rat to help them relax. Reptile owners seek companionship from their pets; one in five chose a reptile to stop them getting lonely. Dog owners are most likely to go to their pet for a cuddle (59%), whereas 67% of horse owners questioned would choose to give their equine friend a hug when in need of comfort.

Not only do Britons go to their pets in times of need, they like to tell the world about them too. One in five pet owners regularly use sites such as Facebook or Twitter to share their pets’ cute pictures, videos and exploits, with one in ten doing so at least once a week. Facebook is the most popular social networking site for pet owners. 38% of dog owners who post updates to social media have a Facebook account especially for their pooch.

The findings also revealed how high up spending time with our pet is in our priorities. One in five people have re-arranged social plans to spend more time with their pet, 7% of owners have even cancelled a date and 4% have called in sick to work.

One in ten people have taken their pets to special occasions such as christenings and weddings so they don’t feel left out, while 1 in 10 have left a special occasion early to get home to their pet. Many of us can’t bear to be parted from our pets during the working day, with 8% regularly taking their furry companion to work.

Britiain is a compassionate nation according to the Pet Census findings, and 43% of pet owners have given a home to a rescue centre pet or have taken in a stray. Horses (63%), Cats (57%) and Guinea Pigs (53%) are at the top of the re-homing list consecutively. One in five people have taken in a pet from a friend.

Commenting on My Social Petwork’s findings, Emma Milne, TV vet and pet expert, said: “It is no secret that we are a nation of pet lovers but it is overwhelming to see just how far people in the UK go to make their animals an integral part of their day-to-day life."

“As a vet and animal welfare spokesperson it is extremely heartening to see the lengths that people go to ensuring that our pets are well cared for and looked after. Everyone must be aware of the responsibility they are taking on when they choose to own any pet - whether that be a dog, cat, guinea pig or fish - and the results of the census shows that the majority of pet owners in the UK are doing a fantastic job in providing their pet a healthy and happy life by putting their pets first.”

The UK Pet Census was collated to mark the launch of http://www.mysocialpetwork.co.uk, the UK’s first social networking site dedicated to all pets. Luke Patten, Chief Executive of Pep Publishing which owns My Social Petwork, said: “The census findings have firmly cemented the fact that not only do we go the extra mile for our pets, we love sharing sharing their exploits online for the world to see."

“My Social Petwork is the UK’s first social networking site to give pet owners of all breeds and species the chance to come together in one place to share their pictures, videos and updates and make friends with other like-minded pet owners.”

Xena the Warrior Puppy and boy with autism: match made in heaven

2013-04-17T15:34:00Z

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. -- A puppy, thrown away and left for dead on the side of a DeKalb County street, almost starved to death.

Seven months later, she is living up to the name her rescuers gave her -- Xena the Warrior Puppy.

She is alive, well, and working miracles for all in her life.

One miracle is that Xena survived the abuse.

Another is what she is now doing for other abused animals.

And the biggest miracle is what Xena is doing for the little boy in Johns Creek with autism whose family just adopted her:

This just might be a match made in heaven.

Tuesday afternoon, Xena the Warrior Puppy was running around the yard of her new home in Johns Creek with her new best friend, Jonny Hickey.

How far they've both come. Together.

In September, Xena was near death, a victim of severe neglect.

The rescue group "Friends of DeKalb Animals" found Xena and somehow was able to nurse her back to health.

At a fundraiser in November, 11Alive News shot some video of Xena, wagging her tail, nuzzling up to the people around her, healthier and stronger. Xena's miraculous recovery had made her an international Facebook sensation, and she was raising tens of thousands of dollars for the care of other abused animals.

'Like furry counselors': Comfort dogs deployed after Boston bombings

2013-04-17T14:40:00Z

NBC's Kerry Sanders gets some canine comfort.

Tales of hope abound in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings, and even four-legged workers are pitching in to provide relief (and cuddles) to those in need. Throughout the week, the Boston community can count on canine comfort from five specially-trained golden retrievers deployed by Lutheran Church Charities in Addison, Ill.

On Tuesday, three of the organization’s comfort dogs flew from Chicago to Boston, where they joined two retrievers who have been working with bereaved students and parents at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., every day since December.

“People talk to the dogs — they’re like furry counselors,” Tim Hetzner, president of Lutheran Church Charities, told TODAY.com. “It’s a chance to help bring some relief to people that are shaken up because of the bombings.”

Lutheran Church Charities

Golden retriever Isaiah waits to board his plane to Boston.

The dogs are set to remain in Boston until Sunday, and possibly longer depending on the needs of the community. They’re stationed at First Lutheran Church, which is a few blocks from the finish line of yesterday’s marathon — the site of Monday’s bombings. Hetzner says the team will likely visit the area’s hospitals as well, where over 100 victims are being treated.

“I would imagine their effect will be the same as it was in Newtown,” Hetzner said. “They bring a calming effect to people and help them process the various emotions that they go through in times like this.”

Lutheran Church Charities

Therapy dogs comfort the Newtown, Conn., community on Dec. 17 in the wake of the school shooting.

The therapy dogs are especially equipped for extremely stressful situations: Each of the organization’s retrievers has gone through eight months to a year of service training, starting at the age of 6 weeks. Those touched by the dogs can keep up with their newfound friends on Facebook and Twitter, since each dog has his own social-media accounts.

Virbac Recalls Six Lots of Iverhart Plus Flavored Chewables

2013-04-17T14:37:00Z

Virbac has issued a voluntary recall for six lots of their heartworm prentive, Iverhart Plus Flavored Chewables, due to a failure to meet stability specifications during the life of the product.

The following lots have been included in the recall:

Lot 120076 (Large 51-100 pounds)
Lot 120086 (Large 51-100 pounds)
Lot 120856 (Large 51-100 pounds)
Lot 120202 (Medium 26-50 pounds)
Lot 120196 (Small up to 25 pounds)
Lot 120844 (Small up to 25 pounds)

According to a Virbac letter obtained by petMD, the recalled lots met all of the specifications at the time of their release to distributers, but further product testing showed that the ivermectin potency failed to meet stability specifications during the life of the product.

The recalled lots may not fully protect dogs in the upper third of each weight range against heartworms. At the time of this letter, no heartworm-related adverse reactions or illnesses have been reported.

Read More.

Nutrigenomics Offers New Insights Into The Why And How Of Companion Animal Obesity

2013-04-16T15:03:00Z

According to the World Health Organization, more than two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese. And it's not just humans who are packing on the pounds. Our furry companions are plagued by an obesity epidemic of their own. More than 50 percent of the dogs and cats in the United States are overweight or obese.

In a new paper on pet obesity in the Journal of Animal Science, University of Illinois professor of animal and nutritional sciences Kelly Swanson and his colleagues describe how nutrients and biological compounds in foods can affect gene expression in animals. Their field, called nutrigenomics, offers new insights into the why and how of companion animal obesity.

There are many reasons for the uptick in pet obesity, but they stem from the domestication of cats and dogs, Swanson said. Because most pets no longer hunt or compete for their food and do not mate - as a result of having been spayed or neutered, the typical dog or cat of today has a much smaller need for energy than the typical wild dog or cat of yesterday, he said.

When a person or an animal consumes more food than the body needs, the excess energy is converted into fat that is stored in adipose tissue. These fats can then be converted back to an energy source during fasting or times of food scarcity.

Adipose tissue secretes more than 50 substances known as adipokines, cell-signaling molecules that are involved in metabolism, immunity and inflammation, the authors write. Two of these adipokines, leptin and adiponectin, increase or decrease, respectively, within obese or insulin-resistant subjects.

The excess adipose tissue that develops in pets often leads to chronic disease and a shorter lifespan, Swanson said. While a new diet or exercise regime may help relieve some of these symptoms, a better understanding of the molecular underpinnings of pet obesity could further increase the quality of life for household animals.

"There are a lot of issues that contribute to pet obesity, but we're focusing on the animal biology side of it and trying to use some of these tools to learn things we couldn't learn in the past," he said.

New tools that allow the researchers to determine how pet obesity affects gene expression within these animals offer promising new insights. These new approaches mark a huge change from the traditional approach to studying obesity, said Maria de Godoy, a postdoctoral researcher in the Swanson lab.

Read More.

LAX unveils new program using dogs to relieve airport stress

2013-04-15T15:08:00Z

On a recent morning, Jackie, age 8, waited patiently in the security line of Terminal 6 at Los Angeles International Airport.

When it was his turn to walk through the metal detector, he did so quietly and without incident. And after he set off the alarm, he patiently allowed a Transportation Security Administration screener to pat him down. He hardly reacted.

Jackie is a dog. A Doberman to be specific.

He likes eating carrots, barking at squirrels and lounging in human laps.

He is also key to

an ambitious plan to turn around an airport that historically receives some of the worst marks in passenger satisfaction surveys. (Travel + Leisure magazine called it America's second-worst airport in 2012.) Beginning today, LAX will unveil its "Pets Unstressing Passengers" program, or PUP, to use the acronym preferred by airport officials. The goal: To keep waiting passengers calm.

So far, about 30 handlers have signed up. They're all volunteers, and for two-hour shifts they'll walk from gate to gate, introducing passengers to their dogs. For now, there might only be two or three dogs at the airport at any one time. But eventually, airport officials would like to have one in each terminal at all times. And petting is encouraged.

Airport officials say this is the most intense doggy rollout ever attempted, noting that the only other facility with a similar de-stressing program - Mineta San Jose International Airport - has fewer than a dozen dogs.

Don't worry: The airport has cleared the program with its risk managers and with the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office. And each animal is certified by Therapy Dogs Inc., a national organization with more than 12,000 approved handler/dog teams.

No program can be perfect, but program coordinator Heidi Huebner said the dogs - and their owners - are well-trained and docile. And all should be able to last an entire shift without an accident, although the airport has four small patches of fake outdoor grass just in case. (They're called doggy relief stations.)

"The dogs know they're working," Huebner said. "The volunteers are very good about making sure they go potty before. If a dog has to go, the owner is going to take it outside. "

Led through the airport last week by owner Marwick Kane, Jackie appeared to be enjoying himself. During the trial run, he was patient - even when children tried to pull his tail. Dog and owner slowly walked through the Terminal 6 seating areas, engaging with passengers.

Books are canine; the Web is feline

2013-04-15T15:04:00Z

NEW YORK — Reader, if you and I can agree on anything, it’s that the Internet is made of cats. But we may differ on the follow-up: What else could it be made of? When cats took over on our screens and in our minds, whose regime, exactly, did they replace?

For too long we’ve talked as if the online feline emerged from nowhere, to fill a niche that hadn’t yet existed. We’ve made out cats to be the brand-new products of a brand-new age and ignored the fact that before we had the Internet, and before the Internet had its furry totem, media consumers held a different set of animal predilections.

We’ve forgotten that the readers from that ancient age of dusty books preferred dogs, and so they do today. Before the Web page there was the written word. Before kittens ruled the Internet, puppies reigned in print.

The real mystery, then, is not how cats took precedence online, but rather how they managed to dethrone the dog. Our media have been split in two, and each opposing camp — the old against the new — has a spirit animal suited to its ethos. We’re reading dogs and clicking cats. Knopf is a borzoi. BuzzFeed is a Scottish Fold.

When did our entertainments break along these species lines? And what will happen to the dog, once so proud in literature, as the industry that championed it limps into the future?

Surely you’ll be inclined to grant the premise: Think of “Maru the Cat"; think of “Marley & Me." But let me try to make the case using more objective means. Precisely how do dogs and cats compare online, and then again in print?

The other day I went to visit Yahoo and plugged in the words “cat" and “cats." (I tried them 10 times each.) My searches pulled an average of 1.8 billion hits, nearly two giga-cats of data on the Internet. Then I did the same with “dog" and “dogs," and received one-third as many results. For every Web-enabled pooch, three kittens danced on YouTube.

Bing produced a similar comparison: 1.7 billion cats against 775 million dogs, for a ratio north of 2-to-1. Google was more even-pawed, but still the Web evinced a preference for felines: Its worm crawled 2.5 billion sites on cats and just 1.7 billion sites on dogs.

These searches tell us what we knew already: That stats on cats are unsurpassed online. But what’s the mix for books?

On Amazon, canines held the lion’s share of search results, by a healthy 2-to-1. A look at Google Books returned the same disparity: The corpus holds 87 million cats and almost twice as many pups. What’s more, this trend in published work appears to date back centuries.

What about the future? To get a more specific sense, I consulted an online database of book deals and sifted through the last few years for references to animals. Since 2008, editors have signed up at least 44 dog-related works of fiction, compared with 20 books on cats. Among nonfiction deals — including memoirs, how-to guides, photography, and pet-related humor — the spread was even more severe: Over the last two years, the database lists 57 such arrangements for canine printed matter against 18 for kitty-lit.

So there we have it: Dogs really are the champs in print, while kittens win online. Which brings us back to where we started.

There’s an old joke, often (and erroneously) attributed to the founder of Random House, Bennet Cerf, that since people love to read books about Abraham Lincoln, and people love to read books about doctors, and people love to read books about dogs, then the best-selling book of all time ought to be a book called “Lincoln’s Doctor’s Dog."

That wisdom first appeared in print in 1938, in an essay for the Saturday Review by editor George Stevens. His piece, called “Lincoln’s Doctor’s Dog and Other Famous Best-Sellers," looked at how book publishers try — and often fail — to manufacture hits. The principles of viral marketing that he laid out 75 years ago (“advertising sells a book that is already selling," for one, and “it is up to the publisher to know when the iron is hot") have since become gospel in media both old and new. Whether it’s “The Art of Racing in the Rain," or just the “Keyboard Cat," the lesson is the same: Success must be nurtured, not designed.

That’s the point of the joke, of course: You can’t squish together trends and expect to sell a million copies. But it’s just as telling that the line itself still circulates in old-school publishing, and in old-school publishing alone. (I first heard of “Lincoln’s Doctor’s Dog" from a literary scout, who got it from an editor at Houghton Mifflin.)

This long-running fad for dogs in books suggests a deep and strange connection. Consider that in ’38 the dog itself was somewhat scarce: Around that time, the country had just one of them for every nine of us. The doggy boom did not occur until the 1960s, when the ratio of dog-to-man would rise to 1-to-5. (These days it’s 1-to-4.) In other words, dogs were selling books before they sold themselves.

Needless to say, no one in the business ever wondered if Lincoln’s doctor had a cat. The parade of canine hits started with the corny classics — “Old Yeller" and “White Fang" — and now includes some very modern books of science, the kind that tell us what it’s like to be a dog.

Along the way, it swept up a few of the most famous writers ever to have written: Steinbeck did a doggy book, and so did Virginia Woolf. This highfalutin pedigree lingers even to this day. In the last few years, several of our leading journalists — old-media types, of course — have joined the long procession: The New Yorker’s Susan Orlean and the Times’ Jill Abramson have lately gone into the doghouse, and so has New York Magazine’s executive editor John Homans.

Brainy writers have been so inclined to scrutinize the pooch, in fact, they’ve often tried to get inside its head. Jack London did an early version of the dog-narrator, but so have many others: Paul Auster and Dave Eggers, William Maxwell and Peter Mayle.

Kitties, for their part, have mostly failed to earn the same regard. I’ve seen omniscient cats, but only on the Web. And here’s another, final way to show that canines get respect in print: Dogs in stories die; cats almost never do. (That’s just as true in movies, and really any form of narrative. According to one database, the ratio of lifeless dogs to lifeless cats on-screen is 4-to-1.)

Cats have their place in art, of course. They’ve had it since the dawn of culture. In the Chauvet cave in France, where early humans sketched out animals in 30,000 B.C., the evidence suggests a preference for kitties: Among the horses and the bison, cavemen drew a pride of lions and a panther.

I’m guessing that since ancient times, the cat has been more an image than a text. One scholar of feline memology notes that in the 1870s, photographs of cats were put on cutesy cartes de visite. Nice to look at; nothing much to say. In later years the cat became a star of comic strips, starting with the black-and-white called Felix, and then on and up through Garfield, Hobbes and Heathcliff.

Electric shock collars: Ministers reject invisible fences plea

2013-04-12T14:54:00Z

The Welsh government has rejected calls to relax the ban on electric shock collars for cats and dogs so pet owners can use so-called invisible fences.

Petitioners say invisible fences can stop cats and dogs straying on to roads

Ministers say they see no reason to change the law after a petition to the Welsh assembly.

Petition organiser Monima O'Connor from Cardigan says invisible fences can protect pets from busy roads.

The devices automatically shock animals through their collars if they wander too far from home.

Electric shock collars have been illegal in Wales since 2010 and anyone using them can be fined £20,000 or jailed for up six months.

The ban also applies to what are known as invisible or containment fences.

They deliver a shock through the pet's collar if it crosses a boundary, such as a wire buried at the edge of a garden.

'Physical and mental harm'

A petition was handed in at the Senedd in January saying the law should be changed so pet owners can install the fences at home.

However, in a letter to the assembly's petitions committee, a minister says the regulations were made because of the "physical and mental harm that could occur with the use of devices such as 'invisible' electric fences".

Former Environment Minister John Griffiths, who has since been moved in a Cabinet reshuffle, wrote: "An electric shock is an electric shock whether caused by a remote or an underground circuit."

He said regulations were reviewed periodically to make sure they are fit for purpose.

"We will also review if there has been a change in the science of the use of these collars.

"So far, no significant proposals or change has been seen to warrant an amendment or reversal of this legislation."

Mrs O'Connor, 52, said she supports the ban on electric shock collars which are sold as training devices.

But she said invisible fences were "harmless" and animals quickly learned to obey alarms which warn them they are about to be shocked.

Hospitalized kids, their pets will visit

2013-04-11T15:27:00Z

They’ll reunite at new facility in Cincinnati

CINCINNATI — A southwestern Ohio hospital soon will be welcoming the furry, four-legged friends of children who face long hospital stays.

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center broke ground last week on a Family Pet Center. Hospital officials said they think the center will be the country’s first hospital-based facility to reunite kids and their pets.

The center will be open to children battling cancer and others with other serious medical conditions.

John Perentesis, executive co-director of the hospital’s Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, said pets can be “very therapeutic” to patients.

He said the pets will bring joy, comfort and a positive mindset to ailing children.

A shaggy dog story: Boy and his pet pose for pictures every day for his father while he is away serving with the navy

2013-04-11T15:14:00Z

These adorable pictures show Julian Becker and his 165 pound pet Max, the shaggy Newfoundland that never leaves his best friend's side.

Five-year-old Julian's mother Stasha started taking pictures of the odd couple every day before they got in the family car in Whidbey Island, Washington, although both Julian and Max were born in England.

With her husband away regularly in his role as a U.S. naval officer, the pictures began as a way of keeping in touch.

Found you! Max (left) and Julian are best friends and pose for a picture with different props every day

Shelter: Julian and Max snuggle under an umbrella. The pair were both born in the UK, and Julian still drinks tea in the morning

They have evolved into a charming document of a boy's love for a four-legged friend he began walking with his mother from the age of three.

Mother Stasha says: 'My husband is a naval officer and I am a self employed lifestyle photographer. My son Julian and Max, our Newfoundland, were both born in England, where we were stationed before moving back to the States.

'My boy still drinks tea every morning but has mostly lost the accent. Max still barks with a Yorkshire twang. Max will turn six in May and Julian is five. They have been together all day, every day since Julian was born.

Superdog: The caped canine watches over his human friend

Contact: The pictures are a way of staying in touch with his father, a naval officer

Den: Max peeps out from a shelter on a sunny day

'I started taking photos of them in front of the garage everyday before we got into the minivan when I joined Instagram. It was mostly to send them to family and my husband when he travels.

'Although my son usually refused to have his pictures taken with my camera he warmed up to the iPhone shots quickly and started directing them soon after.'

Pose: Max is incredibly protective of Julian and the two go for a walk every day

Items that appear in shots are usually things Julian takes for show and tell at his preschool or gadgets he wants to take with him to the beach.

She added: 'Max usually sits there and takes orders from Julian. I just snap a few and post the photo that made me giggle the most.

'When I take photos on our hikes and adventures I tend to click as moments evolve too.

Very rarely will I ask if they can stand still for me and when I do photos never have the same "soul".'

She says Max never takes his eyes off Julian when they are out and he likes to swim.

She said: 'He is always slightly-to-very damp. He endures brushing and likes to be scratched just above his tail.

'The only time he barks is at whales, one particular UPS guy and if you stop scratching him before he had enough. He snores loudly and loves sleeping outside in cold weather.

'Julian, true to his NY Italian roots, talks non-stop. He loves hiking, documentaries and golf. He is pretty much great at everything he does, including bossing his 165 pound dog around.'

Max's pet peeve is random strangers suggesting he should put a saddle on and ride his dog.

Medical Marijuana For Dogs, California Vet Says

2013-04-10T22:56:00Z

As more Americans give their pets prescription medication initially intended for humans, at least one U.S. veterinarian is advocating for medical marijuana for pets.

A woman on the upper west side of Manhattan buys lunch at Starbucks for her dog, a shepherd mix who hasn't been feeling well lately. Another patron, in full yoga regalia, says she buys her own dog bottled water and hypoallergenic puppy chow, taking him to a "holistic veterinarian" as well as doggy daycare for socialization.

(Photo : Creative Commons) Though no studies exist to prove efficacy, at least one American veterinarian says medical marijuana might be considered for pets when other prescription medications fail in treating pain and distress-based disorders.

The scene is not a typical in a country that spends $50 billion per year on pets, including an average of $655 on health care for dogs, with some even buying insurance premiums for doggie health care. Since receiving regulatory approval in 2007, pharmaceutical company Eli Whitney and Company has marketed Reconcile, an antidepressant in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor class that is intended specifically for dogs.

Now, at least one veterinarian in California is advocating for a more "holistic" approach: Medical marijuana for dogs.

Veterinarian Doug Kramer said he got the idea from a customer whose dog "Nikita" failed to respond to steroids and other pain medications for cancer - and has now set up a website to advocate for the cause.

"A glycerin tincture is, to me, by far the optimal way to do it because it offers the greatest accuracy in dosing," Kramer told media. "It's also sweet tasting. Obviously you can make it into butter or oil, so anything that you can cook or make with butter or oil would work, like homemade dog biscuits."

Rescued pup with cleft palate becomes Internet sensation

2013-04-10T14:39:00Z

No one can resist little Lentil’s cuteness!

Lentil, a 9-week-old French bulldog puppy with rare facial deformities, is melting hearts and gaining thousands of online supporters with his inspirational story. His foster mother, Lindsay Condefer, was quite surprised her puppy became a viral hit when multiple news outlets from all over the world covered the story.

“All of a sudden this baby turned my life upside down,” Condefer, 34, told TODAY.com.

When Lentil was born Feb. 2 with a cleft palate and deformed nose and lip, The French Bulldog Rescue Network knew he would need special love and attention. As founder of the nonprofit Street Tails Animal Rescue and a pet foster parent with 12 years of experience, Condefer was a perfect choice to take in Lentil, who was the only surviving member of his litter. She took him home a couple days later and now feeds him through a tube every three hours.

Lindsay Condefer

The French Bulldog Rescue Network is amazed by the attention Lentil is getting. FBRN President Joan Cleveland said Lentil “is a very special little puppy whose beauty is in his imperfection and indomitable will to survive.”

Amazed by Lentil’s fight to survive, Condefer created a blog and Facebook page to record his progress. His page has already garnered over 48,000 likes on Facebook.

“I have received more support than I can ever in my mind imagine possible. I don’t know how it happened,” Condefer said.

While she isn't sure why Lentil’s story has touched the most hearts out of all the dogs she’s fostered, Condefer hopes something good will come out of all the attention, such as raising awareness for rescue pets and those born with cleft palates.

Lindsay Condefer

According to Dr. Lewis, a “cleft palate is a congenital deformity that occurs during gestation in utero.” Lentil’s condition is rarer than the usual types.

Cleft palates usually cause problems in puppies shortly after birth, before the clefts are even noticed, said Dr. John Lewis, assistant professor of dentistry and oral surgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Lentil’s rare combination of deformities makes him more at risk for inflammation of his lungs and nasal passages, which can make it difficult to breathe. While he’s survived longer than his siblings, he’s not out of the woods yet.

Condefer is taking Lentil to see Dr. Lewis at the end of April, when surgical options for the puppy will be discussed. Multiple surgeries may be necessary, but there is hope that Lentil won’t have to eat from a tube forever.

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Let’s play! Lentil doesn’t let his health problems get in the way of being a lively puppy.

“Long-term, once the palatal surgery heals, Lentil should be able to live a normal life. He will always look a little different, but dogs don't tend to dwell on these things,” Dr. Lewis told TODAY.com.

Sexy Bar Refaeli sizzles in the sun with her furry friend in pictures to make you very jealous

2013-04-09T14:37:00Z

It is a tough being one of the most beautiful women in world,when you're literally rushed off your feet and are laying horizontal, tweeting beside a pool in the searing hot sun.

The lingerie model and ex beau of Leo DiCaprio posted these snaps of her banging body and adorable dawg with the caption: “A dogs life.”

But then Bar Refaeli has never held back when it comes to smugging off about her amazing life. Not that we’re bitter or anything.

It’s been a good year for Bar with a lingerie shoot, which like the sun, was too hot to stare directly at and later her lol-tastic appearance playing tonsil tennis with a nerd at the Superbowl, which you can see in all its absurd glory below.

So yeah, it’s official, this picture has cemented her as the most desirable woman in the world right now by combining two extremely good things.

Hyperbaric Chambers Breathe New Life Into Pampered Pets

2013-04-09T14:31:00Z

Even in a land of pampered pooches, Mayumi Niizuka's miniature schnauzers are considered spoiled.

Berun, 5, and Kilche, 6, get aroma massages and mud packs twice a month. They bathe in hot springs and dress in designer clothes. Combined with monthly veterinarian fees, Niizuka shells out more than $1,000 on the two pups, far more than she spends on her and her daughter.

"We may not be celebrities but we treat our dogs like one," she says, laughing.

She's now adding bimonthly oxygen treatments to the list.

The latest addition to Japan's $16 billion pet industry, dog spas are increasingly offering hyperbaric-chamber sessions, better known as medical therapy for athletes like Michael Phelps.

Veterinarians have long used oxygen treatment to aid recover for ailing animals, but Japanese spas are turning need into luxury, offering 10- to 30-minute sessions for weight loss and anti-aging. The most pampered animals sit in the capsules for basic R and R.

"Dogs are increasingly becoming a valuable part of the family," said Masahito Kitoh, the owner of Aspet, one of two companies selling the canine chambers. "Owners are doing everything they can to extend their lives, more than ever."

First launched by Japanese company Air Press in 2007, the capsules pump 100-percent oxygen at elevated pressures so the blood absorbs more oxygen, and speeds up the body's recovery time, Kitoh says. The treatments are now offered in more than 100 locations throughout the country for roughly $15 for a 10-minute session. Kitoh says they offer the same aerobic benefit as two hours of exercise.

At the swanky Wag Style dog spa in Tokyo, owners who are too busy to walk their pooches schedule sessions to breathe new life into lethargic dogs. The barometric pressure inside the capsules is equivalent to diving 7 feet under water.

"Lack of exercise, stress and obesity are all reasons [for the oxygen boost]," therapist Sanae Hagiwara said.

In real estate-challenged Tokyo, where dogs live in cramped quarters, Hagiwara says the capsules offer canines the perfect place to unwind.

Much like Americans, the Japanese have been known to coddle their pets, treating them to posh treatments, gourmet meals and couture fashion, with labels like Chanel and Dior offering luxury canine products. There are hot springs resorts for dogs, "strollers" to carry tiny lapdogs, anti-aging supplements and even doggy beer.

SPCA to hold seminar on planning pet's future when you're gone

2013-04-09T14:25:00Z

Shelter cat (Maisie Crow, Baltimore Sun Media Group / February 10, 2008)

Sadly, the Maryland SPCA receives pets that are surrendered by neighbors of people who have passed away, because no one has made plans for the animals ahead of time. No pet lover wants to think of their dog, cat, bird, or other animal being put up for adoption, so the SPCA is hosting a seminar to help owners make plans for pets who may outlive them.

The seminar will be held Sunday, March 17 at 2 p.m., and again Wednesday, March 27 at 7 p.m. at the SPCA’s administrative office, 3300 Falls Road, Baltimore.

Read More.

Dog found after nine days on mountain pass

2013-04-04T14:16:00Z

A Colorado woman said she has been reunited with her dog nine days after the female Shar-Pei vanished on a mountain pass.

Judy Dunn, of Aspen, Colo., said she was walking her two dogs on Independence Pass March 23 when 4-year-old Sophie ran off and disappeared, The Aspen Times reported Wednesday.

"I was up there until midnight looking for her," Dunn said, adding she returned at 7:30 a.m. to resume her search.

However, there was no sign of Sophie until Monday morning, when Aspen resident Andre Mpitsos spotted her while walking his own six dogs on the pass.

"About 200 or 300 yards past the gate, I see this little face peering from behind a tree. I said, 'You want a treat?' and she came barreling out," Mpitsos said.

Mpitsos said he recognized Sophie from the missing dog advertisements and fliers around town.

Hero dog helps pull girl from icy river

2013-04-03T14:55:00Z

Rocky's been a fictional hero for decades, but in Edmonton, Alberta, today there's a hero named Rocky who is definitely real -- only he's 8 years old and has four legs.

This Rocky, a Labrador retriever-husky mix, is being hailed for pulling a 9-year-old girl from an icy river on Easter Sunday. His owner, Adam Shaw, 27, is getting similar praise.

"If that man and dog weren't there -- I just try not to think of it," Miranda Wagner, the mother of Samara, 9, and her 10-year-old sister, Krymzen, said in an interview with CNN affiliate CTV.

"I just want to give him a big hug and tell him he's my hero. If he wasn't there I wouldn't have my girls," Wagner said. "Doctors said two more minutes and Samara would have been gone."

Rocky and Shaw's heroics played out on the icy North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton on Sunday afternoon. The girls were tobogganing in a riverside park when they ended up on ice extending from the riverbank, their father, Corey Sunshine, told CNN affiliate CBC.

"From what I was told was, one of the toboggans came off the snowbank and onto the ice and they were trying to come back and the ice broke," he said.

Shaw said he was walking on a bridge over the river when he heard screams. Looking down on the river he saw one girl in the icy water and her sister trying to pull her out.

By the time he and Rocky sprinted down to the river, both girls were in the water.

He was able to pull Krymzen up onto the ice, but the current was carrying Samara downstream, about 4 or 5 feet from the edge of the ice, her head going in and out of the water, Shaw told a press conference Monday.

He asked the girl if she could swim to him.

Animal rescue is just like home for adoptable pets

2013-04-03T14:52:00Z

Lucas, a 9-year-old cocker spaniel, stands in his room at the Our Companions Animal Rescue shelter in Ashford, Conn. Our Companions Rescue strives to provide a home-like environment for the cats and dogs that it rescues. / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dogs tend to stay where their caretakers leave them, thinking they'll come back to take them home.

"It's a little psychological thing," Marie Joyner explains before breaking into laughter over Dudley, a young dog at Our Companions animal rescue in Ashford.

Dudley is bouncing around with a tennis ball in his mouth.

"He's just a hoot," she says.

Dudley was abandoned in a Bloomfield cemetery and was found — still waiting for his owner — in "bad shape," says Joyner, the rescue center's canine operations director. Now, after medical treatment and proper care, he's happy, healthy and, most important, adoptable.

"That's the idea, to be able to provide this level of care, because otherwise these animals would be destroyed. It certainly isn't just," says Our Companions CEO Susan Linker, who works at facility headquarters in Manchester.

It was 10 years ago that Linker and Joyner started working toward creating the rescue and sanctuary, whose core mission is to provide animals with the best possible level of care and attention while helping them become more adoptable.

In the first animal cottage built on the donated 43-acre parcel, cats inhabit the main floor and dogs live downstairs, both floors equipped with toys, human furniture, crates and plush pet beds. The decor not only gives visitors an opportunity to see the animals in a home like their own, but it also acclimates the animals to an environment that closest resembles where they'll ultimately go.

"It's like a rehab center, really," Linker says, referring to both the home-like environment and the many training courses Our Companions offers to animals and humans. "That's the idea of the sanctuary, to be a safety net for a lot of animals who otherwise wouldn't survive a shelter experience but are adoptable."

Humane Society shelters are adequate stop-gaps only for what Linker calls "hearty" animals that are less frightened in a cage-and-concrete environment and are therefore more approachable. They can be in and out of a pound in two weeks. But some have more trouble with the cages and the other animals, and the longer they stay in the shelter, the more they deteriorate.

Our Companions has relationships with certain animal control units and shelters and will contact them for potentially adoptable animals when there's room at the cottage.

Recently, they collected Barnaby, a boxer-beagle mix dropped off at the Windsor police station by someone who said they found him wandering loose. He was so frightened by his surroundings at the Windsor pound that he would back into the corner of his cage, bare his teeth and growl when approached.

"He looked vicious. He looked horrible. No one would adopt him," Linker says. "Cats get very sick, and dogs become emotional. I've seen dogs self-mutilate because they go crazy."

Within one week of arriving at Our Companions, Barnaby became an entirely different dog, she says, adding that such a transformation would never have been possible in a shelter.

Shy with strangers, he watches rescue visitors from a distance but sneaks in for a curious sniff when they aren't paying attention. He's a regular lap dog with the volunteers with whom he's become familiar, and he and Dudley, both young, together annoy the friendly cocker spaniel (and tennis ball hoarder) Lucas after coming in from outdoor recess.

"These rehabilitations take time," Linker says. "Putting a dog in a cage for even three months, if they can't handle it, is, in my opinion, a death sentence."

Linker had been working at a Humane Society shelter for eight years when she realized there had to be a different way to care for animals. After a chance meeting at a dog-training class, she and fellow animal lover Joyner began developing their plan.

In 2002, they received the Ashford land as a gift from Helping Paws, a cat rescue group that had received the old chicken farm as a donation 10 years prior.

Between 2007 and 2008, Our Companions raised $300,000 for demolition of the farm's three chicken coops, removal of underground tanks and contaminated soil and land restoration.

Phase One of the rescue mission's capital campaign raised nearly $1 million between 2009 and 2011, funding the construction of the first rescue cottage, a garage and a gazebo, as well as site work to support additional cottages. The goal is to have the full campus built in the next five to seven years, but there's a more immediate campaign to raise $650,000.

Read More.

Man tattoos his dogs; sparks outcry on Facebook

2013-04-01T15:01:00Z

By Carter Coyle, FOX News

STOKES COUNTY, N.C. -- A dog with a tattoo? She's getting a lot of attention from all over the country.

Ernesto Rodriguez is a tattoo artist who owns a shop in Pilot Mountain. He admits he tattooed his puppy for identification purposes, but many say it's an example of canine cruelty.

Rodriguez is a disabled Army veteran and father of three who says he loves his dogs as if they were his children.

"Even my kids are like -- man those dogs eat better than we do!" he said.

His puppy, Duchess, is a 4-month-old American Bully who now boasts a belly tattoo. 7-year-old Duke has one too.

"They both have it. They both have their tattoos on them just in case something happens to them," said Rodriguez.

He says he gave Duchess the intricate identification after taking her to the vet to have her ears clipped.

"I took her to the shop, tattooed her, and she slept the rest of the day. Really that's kind of suspicious in my mind," he said.

Animal advocate Caleb Scott says the whole story just doesn't add up.

"Usually when you pick up a dog or cats they're already awake after the procedure. They don't usually hand you over a dog that's asleep. On his first Facebook post, he said he was bored and tattooing. I think now he's backpedaling saying he's identifying it."

We asked him several times and Rodriguez insists the dog was asleep following the procedure.

"It's just like judging someone for wearing a tattoo. You judge and you think that they're bad people. It's not. It's just art. I'm an artist. I want to put art on my dog. She was already asleep so I took advantage of that," he said.

US cops capture suspects by barking like dogs

2013-04-01T14:25:00Z

The New Haven Police Department had to improvise during a standoff to coax two suspects - wanted for stealing a car - out of a house by literally barking like dogs.

The standoff came after investigators said that the two suspects led them on a chase through Hamden into the Elm City.

Police officers were called to a home on Emerson Street after masked men were seen entering the house at 10:40 a.m.

The cops knew that the first floor was vacant, and no one was at home on the second floor and there was a family on the third floor, who were told by police to lock their doors and stay put.

According to police, Kwame Wells-Jordan, 20, of Hamden and Norman Boone, 23, of New Haven were hiding in the stairwell of the home.

Police hostage negotiators threatened to unleash the canine units as the suspects were not coming out of the house, but the dogs weren't available, CBS affiliate WFSB reported.

Justin Bieber's Pet Monkey Taken Into Quarantine After Singer Attempts To Smuggle Pet Into Germany

2013-04-01T14:13:00Z

Justin Bieber is clearly trying his best to make his ongoing tour of Europe his most memorable, as the the singer has been involved in yet another bizarre incident on the continent, this time at a Munich airport. Biebs flew into the Germany city from Los Angeles with his pet monkey, named Mally, in tow last Thursday (March 28) but when he arrived it turned out that Biebs did not have the correct documentation needed to bring an animal into Germany with him. The monkey is being detained in a quarantined zone, under Bieber's expense, until the hefty fine (potentially up to $100,000) is paid by the singer.

The story was broken by The Sun, which also claims to have spoken to a source close to Bieber who was on the flight, who described the 'Baby' singer's behaviour leading up to the German incident as "diva"-ish. The singer broke strict health laws by smuggling his primate companion on board the private jet he had flight him over to Munich in and he will rightly face the consequences for attempting to smuggle Mally into Germany. The source went on to say, "Justin has been acting like a right diva. He is out of control and lives in an alternative reality to the rest of us."

RENTERS WITH PETS GET LEGAL REFUGE

2013-04-01T14:07:00Z

Alan Pentico, executive director of the San Diego County Apartment Association, is the author of this guest post.

Pets and pet lovers have caught a break with the passage of an animal-welfare bill that protects renters from having to declaw or devocalize their animals.

SB1229 makes it illegal for landlords to force their tenants to declaw their cats or debark their dogs in an attempt to alleviate property damage or noise. The bill was authored by Sen. Fran Pavley, D-Agoura Hills, and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in September.

The law was sponsored by the Paw Project, a pet-protection organization dedicated to creating awareness of the crippling effects of declawing.

The bill also says landlords cannot turn down tenants who refuse to have their pets undergo the surgeries or advertise for their properties in a way that discourages pet owners from applying.

The animal-friendly legislation makes landlords liable for civil fines of up to $1,000 for each pet if the restrictions are violated.

The consequences of the bill are life-changing for pet-loving renters, some of whom previously had to choose between securing housing for their families and subjecting their pets to expensive, unnecessary surgeries.

Two dogs rescued from Ottawa River

2013-03-26T14:30:00Z

Firefighters rescued two dogs that had fallen into the icy Ottawa River on Sunday and safely returned the animals to their owner.

The dogs were walking near the open water about 45 metres off shore just north of 975 Orléans Boulevard around 4 p.m. when they either slipped off the edge of the ice or fell through. One firefighter went into the frigid water and helped the first dog into a small inflatable rescue boat. The second animal was pulled out about 30 metres further down he river.

Ottawa Fire Services reminds everyone to keep dogs on a leash whenever they are near water or ice.

Alma Dominguez's Lost Dog, Leia, Found After 2 Years And 700 Miles; Owner And Pet Reunited

2013-03-21T15:10:00Z

When Alma Dominguez’s beloved dog, Leia, went missing from El Paso, Texas, during a rainstorm, Alma and her husband, Alberto, were devastated. The couple searched for their lost dog for more than two years, and had almost given up hope of ever finding her. Then a phone call changed everything.

In this clip from the OWN series “Lost and Found," Annmarie Anderson -- a dog rescuer in Denver, Colorado -- recounts the amazing phone call she received from Alma. “She said, ‘You might have my dog,’” remembers Annmarie. But was it really the same Leia, two years and 700 miles away?

After looking at the Dominguez's pictures of Leia on Facebook, Annmarie put Alma on speakerphone so the dog could hear Alma's voice. “[Her] little tail was wagging and she was doing the little cry in her throat,” Annmarie says. “We realized right away that we had the right owner and dog.”

Alma was overjoyed, tears running down her face. “I wasn’t expecting it,” she says. “I’d found my Leia.”

How Leia got from El Paso to Denver is still a mystery, but the only thing that mattered was bringing her back home. Alma and Alberto traveled to Denver to reunite with their dog.

Watch the video to see the couple's emotional reunion with Leia after two long years and hear what they have to say now that they have their beloved family member back.

"Lost and Found" airs on OWN.

SPOTLIGHT: Couple wants shelter for hospice pets

2013-03-19T14:31:00Z

In this March 2, 2013 photo, Jessica Sempek and Scott Stewart, founders of Hospice Hearts Sanctuary, pose with their pets from left, Emmie, Stella, and Lady Bug at their home in Penfield, Ill., where they hope to build their shelter for pets of hospice patients. MANDATORY CREDIT Photo: The News-Gazette, Bradley Leeb

In this March 2, 2013 photo, Jessica Sempek and Scott Stewart, founders of Hospice Hearts Sanctuary, pose outside their home in Penfield, Ill., with one of their dogs, Chewie, where they hope to build a shelter for pets of hospice patients. MANDATORY CREDIT Photo: The News-Gazette, Bradley Leeb

PENFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Scott Stewart has witnessed the anxiety hospice patients suffer when they don't know what's going to become of their beloved pets.

Unfortunately, he said, too many dying patients have to give up their pets when they go into hospice care and don't see them again.

"What happens to some of these animals is they end up in kill shelters or somebody in the family puts them down," he said.

Stewart, who is a Carle hospice nurse, and his wife, Jessica Sempek, want a kinder solution for people who are dying and the animals that have been part of their lives.

They've launched Hospice Hearts Sanctuary, a new organization, with a goal of building a sanctuary on their own property in Penfield for several of the pets of area hospice patients.

Sempek said she and her husband will donate the land, and they hope to raise $20,000 for the building shell to house the animals. They have plans for donated labor to finish the inside, she said.

The shelter would house about three to five dogs and eight to 12 cats for hospice patients from Champaign, Ford, Piatt, and Vermilion counties with six months or less to live, and volunteers would work to maintain a relationship between pets and their dying owners, Sempek said.

After the owners pass away, she said, the organization will work to find a new home for the pets and continue to provide a home for those that aren't adoptable.

"We want it to be a peaceful place," she said.

Stewart said the idea for the sanctuary grew out of his work as a hospice nurse and seeing patients worrying about their pets. "During the course of my career, I've had many encounters with patients who had pets where there was just no place for them to go," he said.

Hospice is about providing comfort at the end of life, Sempek said.

She and her husband hope to see some hospice patients comforted knowing their dogs and cats will be OK, she said.

As for the animals themselves, they'll need comfort, too, and space to grieve, Sempek said.

"They are little emotional beings with psychological needs, too," she said.

Champaign County Humane Society Executive Director Mary Tiefenbrunn said the local Humane Society doesn't have the resources to maintain a relationship between a pet and its person — even a dying person — once a pet has been surrendered, though death of an owner is one of the reasons animals are given to the Humane Society.

Tiefenbrunn said she's familiar with the Hospice Hearts Sanctuary plans.

"What they want to do, I think, there is definitely a need for it. It's a wonderful, humane thing to do for the humans and the animals, to allow them to have a relationship. It's just not something we're able to do."

Stewart and Sempek are both well familiar with the animal-human bond. They have three dogs and four indoor cats of their own and take care of two or three outdoor feral cats at any given time. And they consider their pets family, they said.

Sempek also has a health care connection through her work for Carle, coordinating the continuing medical education program for physicians, she said. While both she and her husband work for Carle, the organization is an independent project of their own, they said.

Construction of the sanctuary in northeast Champaign County would start in the fall, with a goal of opening by next January, Sempek said.

Hospice Hearts Sanctuary has applied to the state to be registered as a charitable organization and is in the process of seeking nonprofit status from the IRS, the couple said.

Humans evolved to identify animal emotions: study

2013-03-18T14:31:00Z

Fear (Photo:agencies)

Angry (Photo:agencies)

Disgust (Photo:agencies)

Happy (Photo:agencies)

Sad (Photo:agencies)

Surprise (Photo:agencies)

We all know that guilty look on the dog’s face when he swipes a sausage from the kitchen work top.

But it seems that’s not the only emotion we can recognize in our canine friends.

Scientists believe humans have developed a natural empathy with dogs as we have evolved side-by-side for the past 100,000 years.

A study found people are able to identify a precise range of emotions in dogs from slight movements in their facial expressions.

Humans are naturally attuned to detecting how their pets are feeling and can correctly spot when the animals are happy, sad, angry, scared or even surprised and guilty, the experts say.

Volunteers were shown a range of different images of the same dog and they were able to detect the exact emotion of the animal.

Dr Tina Bloom, a psychologist who led the research, said: ‘There is no doubt that humans have the ability to recognize emotional states in other humans and accurately read other humans’ facial expressions.

‘We have shown humans are also able to accurately – if not perfectly – identify at least one dog’s facial expressions.

Although humans often think of themselves as disconnected or even isolated from nature, our study suggests there are patterns that connect, and one of these is in the form of emotional communication.’

The study, published in the journal Behavioural Processes, used images of a police dog named Mal as it experienced a range of different emotions.

Researchers praised the five-year-old Belgian shepherd to make it feel happy resulting in the dog looking straight at the camera with its ears up. Mal, was then reprimanded to trigger a ‘sad’ reaction, causing the animal to pull a mournful expression with eyes cast down.

Surprise was generated using a jack-in-the-box causing the animal to wrinkle the top of its head into a frown.

To stimulate disgust causing Mal’s ears to flatten, scientists fed him some medicine and nail trimmers were brandished to create fear causing his ears to prick up and the whites of the eyes to show.

To elicit anger a researcher pretended to be a criminal causing Mal to snarl. The photographs were then shown to 50 volunteers who were split into two groups according to their experience of dogs.

Happiness was by far the easiest emotion to recognize with 88 per cent of the volunteers correctly identifying it.

Anger was identified by 70 per cent of participants.

About 45 per cent of volunteers spotted when Mal was frightened, while 37 per cent could identify the relatively subtle emotion of sadness.

The canine expressions that were hardest for humans to identify were surprise and disgust.

The study by Dr Bloom and Prof Harris Friedman, both from Walden University in Minneapolis, found those with minimal experience of dogs were better at identifying negative emotions.

She said this was perhaps because dog owners convinced themselves their pet was not aggressive and so the associated facial expression was just playing.

The animal psychologist is now hoping to explore whether this apparent natural empathy with canines was something we shared with all mammals.

Beverley Cuddy, editor of Dogs Today, said dog lovers would feel vindicated by the research.

She said: ‘I am not at all surprised science has finally accepted what we knew all along – dog and owner communicate perfectly well without words.

Safety program aims to cut dog attacks on kids

2013-03-14T14:55:00Z

PRIMARY-aged children will be taught how to behave safely around pets to reduce the incidence of dog attacks.

Environment Minister Ian Hunter said dog attacks continued to have an impact on the safety of children - and adults - in the community.

The program, called Living Safely with Pets, is a structured learning program that aims to reduce the incidence of dog-related injuries in the community and encourage responsible pet ownership.

"Children will learn how to behave safely around dogs and cats, what it means to be a responsible pet owner and the wonderful role pets play in our lives," Mr Hunter said today.

The plan has been developed by qualified junior primary educators and includes school visits, take-home information for students and their parents as well as a teacher resource package.

School visits will be delivered by a trained team of pet educators, who use strategies such as role play, music, dance and interactive media to help convey their messages.

Medical Detection Dogs train animals to "sniff out" breast cancer

2013-03-14T14:51:00Z

Jobi is the first dog in the new study to be trained to to identify the scent of breast cancer

A Buckinghamshire scientist, whose dog apparently "sniffed out" her breast cancer, is leading research to see if a breath test for its detection is possible.

Medical Detection Dogs chief executive Dr Claire Guest was training dogs to detect other cancers, when she said one of them "started to warn her".

She was subsequently found to have an early stage breast tumour.

Now in remission, Dr Guest is training dogs to recognise the cancer from a breath sample, in the hope an electronic nose can be developed.

Medical Detection Dogs is a charity that works with researchers, NHS Trusts and universities to train specialist dogs to detect the odour of human disease.

The charity was started in 2004 after a letter from Dr John Church to medical journal The Lancet claimed dogs could detect bladder cancer.

Dr Guest said stories of dogs finding their owners' cancer had been reported for a while.

"We started to wonder that if dogs were finding it by chance then perhaps we could actually train dogs to do this reliably," said Dr Guest.

'Specialist bi-sensor'

The charity started to work with dogs, and they can now pick out cancer samples from control samples, but research has been mainly limited to bladder and prostate cancer.

Dogs are now being taught to detect breast cancer from a breath tube, after an animal Dr Guest was training to detect other cancers started to warn her.

"I was a bit bemused as to what she was doing, but I was subsequently found to have a very early stage breast tumour," she said.

"It was very deep and had my dog Daisy not warned me, I was told it could have been very serious and life-threatening because by the time I felt the lump it would have been very advanced."

Now in remission, the scientist has joined forces with her surgeon and other cancer specialists to search for the clinical proof that breast cancer can be "sniffed out".

In particular, they are looking to see if dogs can recognise it reliably from a breath test.

"There is a huge amount of potential for this work, not only in finding out where cancer is present but also in the development of an electronic nose in the future," said Dr Guest.

"A dog is in fact a very, very specialist pattern recognition bi-sensor - but he has got a waggy tail.

Daisy was being trained to detect prostate cancer when she "discovered" Dr Guest's disease

"He can tell us when something is there and when it's not and how quickly it disappears [when a sample is in contact with the air] and they can tell us how difficult it is to find.

"If we can find out how the dog is doing it then we can make machines in the future that could screen our breath and our urine for cancer volatiles."

Early stage

This research is at a very early stage, but next step will be a clinical trial with samples from local hospitals.

"We need to find out how reliably dogs can indicate this and also if they can reliably indicate early grade and stage, because that would be the key for survival," said Dr Guest.

Latest figures from Cancer Research UK show nearly 50,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK and just under 12,000 die.

The hope is this research "has the potential to save thousands of lives."

"All our work with cancer is incredibly exciting," added Dr Guest.

"Everybody has a personal story [about cancer] and we know that anything that can assist in our fight against cancer is worthwhile, we know we can make a difference."

$1.11 in pennies removed from dog stomach

2013-03-14T14:49:00Z

A New York man said veterinarians conducted life-saving surgery to remove 111 pennies from his dog's stomach.

Tim Kelleher said Jack, his Jack Russell terrier, ingested the $1.11 in pennies while trying to eat bagel remains from his desk Friday, the New York Daily News reported Wednesday.

"He climbed on my desk to get at the bag with the bagel and knocked the change all over the floor. While he was licking up the crumbs, he swallowed the pennies," Kelleher said.

He said veterinarians at BluePearl Veterinary Partners were worried the zinc in the coins could pose a lethal threat to the 13-year-old dog's liver and kidneys, so the pennies removed in a two-hour operation.

"If Jack would not have had the pennies removed the consequences would have been fatal," Dr. Amy Zalcman said.

Kelleher said Jack is recovering nicely from the procedure.

"He's doing great," Kelleher said Tuesday. "He's driving me crazy again."

Safety program aims to cut dog attacks on kids

2013-03-13T15:41:00Z

PRIMARY-aged children will be taught how to behave safely around pets to reduce the incidence of dog attacks.

Environment Minister Ian Hunter said dog attacks continued to have an impact on the safety of children - and adults - in the community.

The program, called Living Safely with Pets, is a structured learning program that aims to reduce the incidence of dog-related injuries in the community and encourage responsible pet ownership.

"Children will learn how to behave safely around dogs and cats, what it means to be a responsible pet owner and the wonderful role pets play in our lives," Mr Hunter said today.

The plan has been developed by qualified junior primary educators and includes school visits, take-home information for students and their parents as well as a teacher resource package.

School visits will be delivered by a trained team of pet educators, who use strategies such as role play, music, dance and interactive media to help convey their messages.

Crufts it ain't! Take a look at the colourful canines from the bizarre world of extreme dog grooming

2013-03-13T14:58:00Z

There was controversy when Crufts allowed owners to use hairspray on their pets - but that's the bare minimum for these extreme dog stylists.

Intensive grooming - or intergrooming - is where pet owners spend hours preening their pets into the most innovative shapes and creations.

Intergroom's Creative Challenge is an extreme hairstyling competition in America where dogs are sculpted and coloured into miniature, fluffy, works of art.

The competition brings together 3,000 professional groomers from around the world every year.

About 150 exhibitor stalls offer everything from tools (scissors, clippers, combs and brushes), equipment (cages, tubs and dryers), and products (shampoos, conditioners, gels, glitter and dyes).

The favourite name in the world of intergrooming is Angela Krumpe, 35, who has won the Intergroom Creative Challenge twice.

She has even won $1500 as prize money for clipping and coloring the fur of a dog to make it look like a grieving angel, abandoning her original showstopper when her mother died just days before the competition.

The artwork was reflected in the hind legs of the dog along with parts of its coat, showing a weeping woman among flowers in purple colors and green foliage.

Another regular winner in intergrooming events is Diane Betelak who once groomed a dog as the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland.

The dog was made to wear a brown coat made from fur, the rear leg on the left side of the dog was clipped as March Hare and the right legs had impressions of tea cups on them.

Well, it's certainly not Crufts.

Abandoned mongrel pup Becky wins Crufts award

2013-03-12T14:39:00Z

Mervyn Jess went along to meet Northern Ireland's latest celebrity

An abandoned dog, found in a sack on a Northern Ireland riverbank, has claimed a top award at Crufts.

Becky was a six-week-old pup when she was saved by passers-by, seven years ago.

She was adopted by retired teacher Margaret McKnight and at the weekend was picked by former Eastenders actress Pam St Clement as the champion mongrel.

The Scruffts awards have been going for 12 years but this is the first time they have been part of Crufts.

Margaret, from Bangor, County Down, told how the dog had been saved from extinction.

"A litter sack was dumped in the towpath near Lisburn and a couple of ladies saw the gentleman leaving the sack and they went over and lifted it," she said. "The rest is history.

"Assisi animal sanctuary got them all homed and I got the only blonde in the litter, which turned out to be Becky.

"I had her DNA taken a few years ago and she really is a mongrel of mongrels.

"She has a lovely personality and she is a really friendly dog.

"She is a 'pets-as-therapy' dog so she is used to meeting and greeting people.

"We have dogs in the charity who would go into nursing homes, units for people with Alzheimer's or special schools, all sorts of places where you don't normally have a dog."

Margaret also paid tribute to the Kennel Club for introducing the new category for mongrels to the competition.

"This is new, but it is wonderful that they have acknowledged this wonderful variety of dogs that are out there and that make super pets," she added.

"They might not have the breeding but they certainly have the temperament and the good looks."

Study says dogs at work lower humans' stress

2013-03-12T14:34:00Z

I work at home most of the time and usually enjoy the Labragator’s close company near my desk (except on rainy days, when she heads upstairs for a snooze on my bed). She’s a great office mate: She doesn’t burn popcorn, play awful music, gossip on the phone while I’m trying to write, or swipe my pens (unlike my children, but that’s a different post for another day), and she’s great for curing the mid-day slump with a quick walk around the block or game of catch. As far as I’m concerned, having my dog in my office is a serious perk.

Researchers this week agreed with me, finding in a new study that having dogs in the office can reduce workplace stress levels and make one’s job feel more rewarding.

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) published its findings in the International Journal of Workplace Health Management, comparing employees who bring dogs to work, workers who have dogs but leave them at home, and employees who don’t have dogs at all. The study compared stress, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and support, and found that dogs in the workplace made a big difference in all four areas.

Interestingly, the study found that employees who had their dogs with them all day had lower stress levels by the afternoon than they had in the morning, while those who didn’t have dogs or left their pets at home were more stressed as the day went on. They also found that interaction between non-dog owners and the office dogs, such as short walks together, lowered stress levels in that group.

“Pet presence may serve as a low-cost wellness intervention readily available to many organizations, and may enhance organizational satisfaction and perceptions of support,” said principal investigator Randolph T. Barker, Ph.D., professor of management at the VCU School of Business. He cautioned that policies need to be put into place to keep everyone involved safe and happy before welcoming pets at work.

Green cleaning for humans can still sicken pets

2013-03-12T14:28:00Z

Caroline Golon of Columbus, Ohio, shown with her two Persian cats, Romeo, 9, and Pugsley, 8, uses only unscented green products or vinegar and water to clean her home. She uses a water-only steam mop on floors and washes the cats' dishes and litter boxes with hot water and green dish soap.

As the time nears for spring cleaning and companies offer more environmentally friendly alternatives to toxic cleaners, veterinarians say pet owners should keep in mind that what’s green to a human can be dangerous — even deadly — to animals.

“People expose their animals without even realizing the risk,” said Dr. Karl Jandrey, who works in the emergency and critical care units at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at the University of California, Davis. “That’s the most common thing that happens when you come to our emergency room — the clients put their pets at risk because they were unaware of how significant the damage could be.”

Most household cleaners are safe if used as directed on labels, but pet owners who make their own cleansers using natural ingredients don’t have the warnings or instructions that come with commercial products.

Cats, for example, can get stomachaches from essential oils added for orange, lemon or peppermint scents in cleaners, said Dr. Camille DeClementi, a senior toxicologist at the Animal Poison Control Center run by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Urbana, Ill.

TAKE PRECAUTIONS

Most commercial green products are safe for animals, DeClementi said, but owners should still exercise the same precautions as with chemical alternatives, such as keeping pets away from an area being cleaned, not using sprays directly on a pet and making sure that dogs don’t chew on the products.

If a product says “Keep out of reach of children,” keep it away from pets too, DeClementi said.

Caroline Golon, an Ohio mother of two children under 5 and owner of two Persian cats, said she became concerned about cleaning products before her children were born, when she noticed how often the cats jumped between floors and counters. The Columbus resident uses only unscented green products or vinegar and water to clean, a water-only steam mop on floors and washes the cats’ dishes and litter boxes with hot water and green dish soap.

“There are varying degrees of green, and there are a lot of mainstream brands now that have a green version. You have to do a little research to see what you like best,” said Golon, a pet blogger.

The “green” label on products can be misleading because it still can be dangerous, Jandrey added. “Some still have their own toxicities. In general, they probably are a little less toxic, but not free of toxic potential. They just have a need for a larger dose to cause the same kind of symptoms,” he said.

He cited antifreeze as an example. The pet-friendly version of antifreeze, propylene glycol, is “still an antifreeze product. It’s still intoxicating to patients, our dogs and cats. It’s just not as intoxicating as ethylene glycol.”

It takes more of the propylene glycol to be as deadly as the ethylene glycol, “but it is still intoxicating though it might say pet-friendly in the ads or on the bottle,” Jandrey said.

LABELS DON’T TELL ALL

Labels can’t always account for every reaction, Jandrey said. “Each intoxicating product has different concentrations and each dog or cat, each species, has a different sensitivity to that product. So what might be intoxicating to a dog is really, really intoxicating to a cat because cats might be more sensitive,” he said.

Nancy Guberti, a New York City nutritionist and healthy lifestyle coach for the past 15 years, said some products will say green when they are not.

“Natural means nothing. The consumer has to be educated. It’s all about awareness,” she said.

Extra care also should be taken when cleaning around a pet’s area, such as its toys or bedding, the experts say. Don’t use fabric softener sheets that contain cationic detergents because they will give your pet — especially cats — stomach distress, DeClementi said, referring to a type of chemical soap that kills bacteria.

Such detergents and soaps, normally associated with helping to get clothes clean and fresh-smelling, can have chemicals that can sicken humans and pets alike.

Guberti switched to green cleaners out of necessity when her youngest son developed a liver disorder and many allergies. Guberti said the whole family became green — even their family’s 6-year-old Shih Tzu, Flower, because her son can’t hold Flower “if she is full of toxic chemicals or perfumes.”

She recalled how she took the dog to a groomer for the first time, and Flower came out covered in perfume. Guberti washed her again at home, and now she brings her own bottles to the groomer.

“I have a bottle of shampoo and a bottle of conditioner with her name on it. I always remind them: ‘No perfumes whatsoever,’” Guberti said.

Golon, who uses a maid service once a month, said she had the same problem when they brought their own products when they first started cleaning the house.

“I hadn’t thought about it but the smell was so overpowering, it really bothered me. I can just imagine what it was doing to the cats with their sensitivity to scents,” she said.

Why little dogs outlive big dogs

2013-03-07T15:44:00Z

Big dogs apparently die younger mainly because they age more quickly, researchers say.

These new findings could help unravel the biological links between growth and mortality, the scientists added.

Normally, across species, larger mammals live longer than their smaller counterparts. For instance, elephants can get up to 70 years old in the wild, while house mice reach only 4 years. Puzzlingly, within species, the opposite seems true — in mice, horses and perhaps even humans.

The apparent cost of bigger bodies is especially conspicuous with dogs, a species that people have bred over the millennia to come in an extraordinary range of sizes. The heaviest known dog may have been Zorba, an English mastiff that weighed 343 pounds (155 kilograms), while the smallest dog alive may be Meyzi, a terrier less than a quarter-pound (110 grams) in size.

Large breeds often die young compared with smaller ones, with a 155-pound (70-kilogram) Great Dane having an average life span of about 7 years, while a 9-pound (4-kilogram) toy poodle can expect to live up to 14 years. [The 10 Most Popular Dog Breeds]

To shed light on the possible tradeoffs of large size, researchers analyzed ages at death in 74 breeds, using data from more than 56,000 dogs that visited veterinary teaching hospitals. The researchers focused on why large dogs lived shorter lives on average.

"My main scientific interest is life-history evolution. I'm also a bit of a dog nerd in private life," said researcher Cornelia Kraus, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Göttingen in Germany.

The scientists found that large breeds apparently aged at faster rates. The speed at which the risk of death increased with age was greater with larger breeds than smaller ones. Indeed, among dog breeds, an increase of 4.4 pounds (2 kilograms) in body mass leads to a loss of approximately 1 month of life expectancy.

"Their lives seem to unwind in fast motion," Kraus told LiveScience.

The investigators now want to follow the growth and health histories of a large number of dogs and pinpoint the leading causes of death for large dogs. For instance, bigger canines apparently suffer from cancer more often, which could make sense; large dogs grow more than smaller breeds do, and cancer is rooted in abnormal cell growth.

"This research should be feasible in dogs, since I found that dog people in general seem very open, interested in and interested to contribute to research on their favorite species," Kraus said.

Kraus and her colleagues Samuel Pavard and Daniel Promislow detailed their findings in the April issue of the journal American Naturalist.

Food Stamps ... For Pets?

2013-02-28T15:36:00Z

When man falls on hard times, what's his best friend to do?

A new donation-based program called Pet Food Stamps aims to provide food stamps for pets of low-income families and for food stamp recipients who otherwise could not afford to feed their pets, reported ABC affiliate KVIA in Las Cruces, N.M.

Based in New York, the program is open to anyone in the United States. More than 45,000 pets have already been signed up in the past two weeks, according to the program's founder and executive director Marc Okon. Once need and income is verified, the families will receive pet food each month from pet food retailer Pet Food Direct for a six-month period.

"We're not looking for government funding at this point," Okon told ABCNews.com. "Should the government be willing to provide assistance further down the line, we will look into it."

The only way to apply for the program is through an online application, but Okon said applications would be accepted through mail once the program moved to its new office.

Okon said the program's nonprofit status was still pending.

There is currently no federal pet food stamp program in place, although the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service tries to provide protection for animals in case of emergencies or natural disasters. The 1966 Animal Welfare Act also makes no mention of providing food for pets.

Okon's program isn't revolutionary. Other animal shelters and rescue leagues around the country, such as the Washington Animal Rescue League, have been providing pet food banks, in addition to discounted pet care, for years.

"One of our missions is to provide income-qualified families with discounted pet care, vaccinations, vaccine clinics, neutered clinics and vet care," said Washington Animal Rescue League spokesman Matt Williams. "We have a new medical center on site. … We also have a food bank run entirely on donations."

The new pet food stamp program comes at a when monthly food stamp assistance could be phased out. A temporary food stamp boost for low-income families was initiated in April 2009 to help offset the effects of the 2008 recession and is set to expire on Oct. 31, 2013, unless Congress passes legislation to extend the benefits.

Approximately 46.6 million people used the federal food stamp program in 2012, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Castle Rock rallies for beloved 18-year-old dog

2013-02-27T15:24:00Z

Bear Dog, left, walks slowly with his owner Don Caulfield and another dog, Tommy at Castle Rock's North County Recreation Sports Complex on Feb. 20, 2013 in Castle Rock, Wash. (AP Photo/The Daily News, Bill Wagner)

Bear Dog has a new fishing pole and treats galore.

And when the time comes, the 18-year-old black Lab mix is ensured a peaceful end.

Since The Daily News published an article Sunday about Bear Dog, the popular Castle Rock canine known for frequenting the North County Recreation Sports Complex had received a slew of visitors, gifts and phone calls, owner Don Caulfield said Monday.

"Every time I turn around, there's something," said Caulfield, 62, a retired trucker.

The ink on Bear Dog's article was barely dry when well-wishers began showing up Sunday morning at Caulfield's mobile home on Mosier Road. A woman told Caulfield she'd already arranged with her veterinarian to "adopt" Bear Dog. She would pay for Bear's medical treatment - and, if necessary, the cost of putting the old boy to sleep, Caulfield said, calling her a "wonderful, wonderful lady."

"He'll be well taken care of," Caulfield promised. "I really appreciate everybody offering."

When Caulfield got home from church, people were parked in front of his mobile home, and Bear Dog was looking out the window. A man had a new fishing pole for him. Bear, who loved joining fishermen at the Cowlitz River in his younger days, had his own pole until it was stolen a year ago.

Another man brought over a top sirloin steak, a roast and a big tub of dog bones for Bear and Bear's sidekick Tommy, a Dachshund/ yellow Lab mix. Someone else brought over real bear-meat sausage.

Caulfield is thrilled and deeply touched by the attention to his loyal friend. A couple of months ago, he thought it was over for Bear, and Caulfield even started digging a grave. Bear's back legs suddenly stopped working, and he had to crawl. Because Caulfield couldn't afford the vet's $150 euthanasia fee, he considered shooting Bear Dog to put him out of his misery. But neither Caulfield nor his friends or children had the stomach to pull the trigger.

Then Bear Dog fell down the porch steps, tweaked his back - and miraculously regained his ability to walk.

Monday, Bear Dog sat under a cedar tree and groomed himself "all pretty," as if he was preparing for visitors, Caulfield said.

"If you see him right now, he's all soft, furry and clean," he said.

Bear Dog had a big day. A KATU 2 news team from Portland came up to film a segment on him. He greeted kids who were walking by. When Caulfield returned home from Longview, more people were waiting to see Bear Dog, who barreled onto the porch to meet them.

By late Monday afternoon, a tuckered out Bear Dog was snoring away in front of a heater in Caulfield's living room.

"He's soaking this stuff right up," Caulfield said. "It's like he's making a liar out of me - 'I'm not ready to go yet.'"

Melanie Griffith, Antonio Banderas Adopt Two Rescue Puppies

2013-02-22T15:41:00Z

Two Hollywood greats who have won accolades for their performances have now won the admiration of animal lovers for choosing the option of pet adoption. After the loss of two four-legged family members, Antonio Banderas and Academy Award winner Melanie Griffith (who learned her passion for compassion from her famous mother Tippi Hedren, founder of The Shambala Preserve) recently honored the memory of their late pets by adopting two sibling Shepherd/Lab mixes.

Although the pups began life abandoned and abused, today the brother and sister have starring roles in the hearts and home of two high-profile parents, thanks to Ace of Hearts dog rescue.

The happy news was reported by TMZ, which has helped Ace of Hearts in the past through sales of Harvey Levin’s rendition of the Paul Anka-penned classic, “My Way.”

Dog missing for 10 years reunited with owner

2013-02-21T16:04:00Z

Ginger, who was reunited with her first owner after 10 long years

Credits:

Courtesy of Emily Lafasciano

How long will a dog remember its first love? Apparently at least 10 years, as a N.H. man can attest to.

As reported by ABC News on Feb. 20, 2013, Jamie Carpentier of Nashua was recently browsing online at the Humane Society of Greater Nashua and came across the listing of an elderly female Basset Hound that piqued his interest. While there were no photos of the dog online, the description sounded like his beloved Ginger, who went missing when Carpentier was going through a divorce in 2003.

Following his gut, Carpentier contacted the Humane Society and told them about Ginger, who surprisingly still bore the same name that he had given her years ago. Based on the estimated age of the dog and after comparing photos, they were all in agreement that it could very well be Jamie’s long lost friend.

Because of Ginger’s age, shelter workers fostered her in their homes rather than relegating her to a cage at the facility. When Carpentier went to meet her, there was no question that this was the dog that came into his life as a puppy so many years ago, and the bond was still there.

So where was Ginger all these years? Records show that Carpentier’s ex-wife had surrendered her to the Humane Society of Greater Nashua during the divorce. Adopted into a loving home, she was returned to the shelter in October 2012 because the elderly couple could no longer care for her.

One family in Chillicothe, Ohio is holding out for similar success in finding their dog. Soza, a female Shar-Pei, went missing on Thanksgiving Day in 2012 and the Davis family hasn’t given up hope that she’ll be found and returned.

Ginger brought love to another family for many years, and at 13, no one knows how many years she has left. What we do know is that she will spend the rest of her days with Jamie Carpentier, her first love. Let’s hope that Soza and the Davis family are as lucky.

Have a dog-related business or event in South/Central Ohio that you’d like to share? Email OhioDogExaminer@gmail.com to learn how to be featured.

Dog Dies During Facelift Demanded By Chinese Breeder

2013-02-19T17:10:00Z

A Chinese man has sued a Beijing animal hospital over the death of his dog during plastic surgery. Chinese animal welfare advocates have been appalled at the surgery, a facelift that was performed specifcally to meet “the aesthetic desire” of the man, as Qin Xiaona, director of the Capital Animal Association, says to the Global Times.

Mr. Yu (as the media are referring to him) owns a Beijing dog farm. He wanted the dog to have a “facelift” to improve his appearance and thereby increase profits, as he says in the Global Times: ”The skin of my dog’s head was very flabby, so I wanted to cut part of his forehead and straighten the skin….. If my dog looks better, female dog owners will pay a higher price when they want to mate their dog with mine.”

Yu is demanding 880,000 yuan ($141,240) in compensation for the dog’s death; he claims that he bought the dog, a Tibetan Mastiff, from another owner for that price in March of 2012. He had previously had other dogs undergo surgery to make their ears more erect. The Global Times says that Yu owns 30 dogs and has been breeding them with dogs from other farms for fifteen years, for a price of 30,000 to 300,000 yuan. He also keeps female dogs whose puppies can sell from several thousand yuan to several million yuan.

The Tibetan Mastiff has become a canine status symbol for China’s nouveaux riche. One sold for 20 million yuan last year; a coal magnate in northern China bought a mastiff, Hong Dong for 10 million yuan in 2011. “If you are rich, you can easily buy a big house or a Lamborghini. But owning a pure-bred mastiff is quite another thing. It’s solid evidence of your wealth, power and taste,” millionaire dog breeder Li Yongfu is quoted as saying in the Telegraph.

Not only have Chinese animal welfare advocates expressed outrage at the use of plastic surgery to make the deceased mastiff look “better” according to the eyes of Yu. It is presumptuous for us to think that what humans consider “attractive” is the same as what animals do.

Advocates also point out that it is abusive for Tibetan mastiffs, which are native to the grassland plateaus of Central Asia and were originally bred as guard dogs, to be raised in lowland cities including Beijing and in urban areas, period.

In the Global Times, Zhang Mingming, who owns two cats, shuddered at the use of plastic surgery on a pet as such treats him or her “like a toy instead of a living being.” As Care2 blogger Judy Molland writes about the current rage for dog tattoos in the U.K.

Isn’t tattooing, or any other kind of adorning, taking away your pet’s dignity? How would humans like it if they had to submit to such embellishments against their will?

In the case of the deceased mastiff, the facelift was intended for the profit of the dog’s owner, in blatant disregard for the “rights and interests of the dog,” says Qin of the Capital Animal Association. It is horrendous that Yu is still seeking to make money from the now deceased dog who more than deserves to be left in peace.

De-Stressing Inspiration From Cats And Dogs (PHOTOS)

2013-02-19T16:04:00Z

After a long, hard day on the job, there's nothing like a loving tail-wag or an empathetic purr to help you feel at peace.

Pet owners will tell you that their dogs and cats help them de-stress and feel good, and there's science to back those claims: Studies have shown owning a pet makes you more likely to be happy and have a better sense of self. An office dog might even help to lower workers' stress.

Those with pets at home could also have a lower risk for dying after a heart attack, better ability to stabilize blood pressure in response to stress and a more adaptable heart rate.

And even if you don't have the means to care for an animal of your own, the physical act of petting a dog could boost your levels of oxytocin -- those feel good hormones -- while reducing levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.

Since our animals possess all these relaxation powers, we thought it'd be fun to see how they de-stress -- hey, perfecting the piano and retrieving the mail can be stressful, for sure!

So we asked you to send in photos of your pets at their most relaxed. It looks like there's a lot we stressed out humans can learn: from sitting on a favorite cushion to contemplating in the sun. See how these cats and dogs chill out, then submit a photo of your own four-legged friend in the slideshow below.

Dogs can pick out pictures of their species among other animals

2013-02-15T15:32:00Z

Dogs can recognize their species among several other animal species on a computer screen, a new study has found.

Dogs pick out faces of other dogs, irrespective of breeds, among human and other domestic and wild animal faces and can group them into a category of their own, according to the research by Dr. Dominique Autier-Derian from the LEEC and National Veterinary School in Lyon in France and colleagues.

Individuals from the same species get together for social life. These gatherings require recognition of similarities between individuals who belong to the same species and to a certain group. Research to date has shown that in some species, individuals recognize more easily, or are more attracted by images of, individuals belonging to their own species than those belonging to another species.

Autier-Derian and team studied this phenomenon among domestic dogs, which have the largest morphological variety among all animal species. Indeed, more than 400 pure breeds of dogs have been registered.

They explored whether this large morphological diversity presented a cognitive challenge to dogs trying to recognize their species, when confronted with other species, using visual cues alone.

On a computer screen, the researchers showed nine pet dogs pictures of faces from various dog breeds and cross-breeds, and simultaneously faces of other animal species, including human faces.

Overall, the dogs were shown more than 144 pairs of pictures to select from. The researchers observed whether the nine dogs could discriminate any type of dog from other species, and could group all dogs together, whatever their breed, into a single category.

The results suggested that dogs could form a visual category of dog faces and group pictures of very different dogs into a single category, despite the diversity in dog breeds. Indeed, all nine dogs were able to group all the images of dogs within the same category.

"The fact that dogs are able to recognize their own species visually, and that they have great olfactory discriminative capacities, insures that social behavior and mating between different breeds is still potentially possible," the researchers concluded

Their work has been published online in Springer's journal Animal Cognition. (ANI)

Dog kisses owner for 45.8 secs to retain canine kissing contest title

2013-02-14T15:14:00Z

A 12-year-old Yorkie and dachshund mix, was crowned the winner and still champion of the ninth annual Valentine's Day Canine Kissing Contest and Cocktail Party at the Planet Dog Company Store in Portland on Tuesday night.

Beau's winning, unbroken smooch with owner Linda Walton of Saco lasted 45.8 seconds, Bangor Daily News reported.

It was a little off the pace of nearly a minute he set last year, but still good enough to lick the competition.

Second place went to Sunny, a Staffordshire terrier, and owner Casey Mountain with a time of 16.8 seconds.

Third was lapped up by a dog named Django and owner Erik Boucher, who locked lips for 11.7 seconds.

For their winning effort, Walton and Beau were awarded a 75-dollars gift certificate to the Planet Dog store.

Walton donated most of her winnings to the runners-up. (ANI)

Pet owners baffled by 'super fleas'

2013-02-13T15:27:00Z

(WXYZ) - Some dog and cat owners across the country have been noticing something strange the past few years: Their pets' flea and tick medicine doesn't seem to be working as well.

And fleas seem to be showing up on their pets even during the winter.

Is it their pet? New "super fleas?" Warmer weather? How they're applying the medicine? Or something else?

Nothing Seems to Work

Dean Carroll loves his two terriers, Fred and Ginger, as in the famous dancers.

But the only dancing going on in his home in Arlington Heights, Ohio, is the constant dance of fleas, for the past two years.

"Fleas have been absolutely terrible," he said. "They were scratching constantly. We were using a brush, and every day we would get eight or nine fleas off each of them, and it didn't seem to work."

Carroll tried a spray in addition to capsules and tried switching medicine. No change.

So he Googled the problem, and found dozens of other pet owners complaining, some wondering if fleas are developing a resistance to flea medicine.

"I am not a scientist, I am not a doctor, but you hear about a lot of things developing resistance these days," Carroll said.

Pet Medical Mystery

Dr. Tabacca of Cincinnat's MedVet Medical & Cancer Centers for Pets says several studies by manufacturers and universities have found no evidence of resistance.

"We have not been able to demonstrate any fleas have become resistant to any product," she said.

So why are Carroll's dogs still scratching?

Despite a more "normal" winter this year, Dr Tabacca says evidence points to 2012's record warmth, and longer growing seasons in recent years.

"We're getting more fleas earlier, and they are lasting longer, " she explained. "Those eggs and pupa are hardy and can live outdoors as long as there is warm enough temperature."

Bayer, maker of K9 Advantix, agrees, telling us in a statement:

   "Recent mild winters have extended flea and tick season across the country. It now seems to be a constant pressure year-round."

Merial, maker of Frontline Plus ®, told us:

   "Perceived resistance to Frontline® plus has not been documented in any studies. When used according to the label, frontline products are highly effective."

3 Things You Can Do

So what can you do? Dr Tabacca suggests you:

    --Always apply flea medicine to the pet's skin, not fur.

   --Ask your vet if you should increase dosages (but don't do that without a vet's consent)

   --Treat your lawn for insects in the spring, if pets spend time outdoors.

What this means is that pet owners like Dean Carroll are going to have to be extra vigilant all year long.

Bottom line: If you notice a flea or tick issue this spring and summer, see your vet.

A change in medication or change in the way you apply it may be all you need. That way your pet stays happy, your house stays clean, and you don't waste your money.

Pet Safety Tips: Valentines Day

2013-02-13T15:21:00Z

Valentine’s Day Pet Safety Tips

Death by chocolate
If giving or receiving or simply buying chocolate, remember that that dark stuff that we love and crave is deadly to our pets. Potentially life-threatening dangers lurk in baker’s, semi sweet, milk and dark chocolates. While all chocolate is dangerous for pets affecting gastrointestinal, neurological and cardiac functions—dark chocolate can cause vomiting/diarrhea, hyperactivity, seizures and an abnormally elevated heart rate. The high-fat content in lighter chocolates cause pancreas inflammation. Enjoy your chocolate but put in the cabinet on a high unreachable shelf.

Candy is not dandy
Most candy and frosting and some other products have xylitol, a sweetener. Xylitol can cause hypoglycemia or a drop in blood sugar which causes seizures, loss of coordination, and depression in pets.

Flower power
Roses and lilies are deadly to dogs and cats. Cats, especially, can jump up on the table and help themselves to toxic flowers and plants. It only takes a nibble to cause a severe reaction like upset stomach or vomiting. You may want to remove what’s toxic from the arrangement. Here’s a helpful list.

Another problem is thorny stemmed flowers like roses. Pets can bite, step on, or swallow sharp spines which cause serious infection if a puncture happens. De-thorn the roses, please, dispose safely.

Cocktails, anyone?
If having a romantic dinner or cocktail at home, don’t get caught up in the moment and forget to clean up half drunken cocktails or wine. A little bit of alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lack of coordination, central nervous system depression, tremors, difficulty breathing, metabolic disturbances and even coma.

Hot stuff
Put out the candles or fireplace before leaving the room. The glow, the warmth attract pets. They can harm themselves or knock over candles causing a fire.

It’s a wrap
Fun to chew or shred stuff like wrapping, cellophane, bows, ribbons, glitter present chewing hazards and get stuck in your pet’s throat causing them to choke or vomit.

Pets as gifts
You might think that a dog or cat or pup or kitten is the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. While the sentiment is borderline thoughtful, a person should be able to pick out their own pet and prepare for vs. being ambushed or surprised. Instead offer to accompany your loved one when he or she chooses a pet, buy the pet some dog food, and a dog bed.

If you’re in Tucson, please note Pima Animal Care Center is running a $14 “Be Mine” pet adoption special at 4000 N. Silverbell Road. The special run from Feb. 11 through Feb. 17. The fee will get you a pet who is vaccinated, micro-chipped and spayed or neutered. There is an additional dog licensing fee of $15 for dogs over the age of three months.

And if you’re not ready to adopt, but want to help, animals at the shelter appreciate donated dog treats.

Source: PetMD.com and ASPCA.org

Apartments: Wooing Dogs and Their Owners

2013-02-12T15:31:00Z

Source: thespotexperience.com

The Spot Experience

Americans spend more than $50 billion a year on their pets. It should therefore come as no surprise that apartment owners would want to take a bite out of that lucrative market. After all, not every Rex or Rover lives in a single family dog house in the back yard. Many are apartment dwellers.

"You've really got to figure out what adds the most value for what the residents want, and for right now, in a setting like this, especially in a dog-friendly building, it's 'what can you do for my pet?'" says Mark Hannan, manager at Senate Square apartments in downtown Washington, DC.

Hannan's building offers a rooftop dog park, complete with puppy-sized playground equipment and side-by-side water fountains for mutt and master.

"Pet areas are great opportunities for underutilized areas. Even during the downturn, the pet business continued to thrive. People love their dogs and are willing to pay for them," says Stephen Adams, Managing Director for LaSalle Investment Management, which owns Senate Square. (Click here to see the rooftop dog park at Senate Square)

Tenants must pay a $500 fee upfront for access and then $50 a month. Depending on the building, location and amenities, the fees can be far higher.

"We had no idea the dog park was even here, but as soon as they said that, I was like, we're done!" remarks Michele Shakeshaft, dog owner and tenant.

Doggie business is becoming big business, especially in large urban markets where the apartment market is raging hot. In Manhattan, The Spot Experience describes itself as New York's premier and fastest-growing dog services provider. Founded by a former NFL player and hedge fund manager, Mitch Marrow, the company offers pet amenities to 30 residential buildings in Manhattan and just announced it is partnering with Gateway, a residential complex in lower Manhattan. According to the press release:

"The dog amenity program provides Gateway residents with a complimentary Spot membership along with exclusive discounted services and priority access to the highest level of daycare, cage-free overnights, dog walking, transportation, grooming and training services at Spot locations in New York City. Spot also provides a designated shuttle service, which includes highly trained dog handlers for pick-up and drop-off of pets."

"Our dog concierge program continues to grow at lightning speed," says Morrow in the release.

Charges vary building to building, depending on the level of services, and those services are getting ever more creative. From dog washing stations to pet "spas," from "Yappy Hours" to free swim for dogs in the pool, a "paw-dicure" is becoming paw-r for the course.

Just today Fisher Brothers, a New York-based commercial and residential development and property management company, announced the groundbreaking for a new, Class A apartment complex on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. On the list of amenities, in between the business center and the rooftop pool deck, it boasts that residents, all residents, may enjoy the "Interior Pet Spa with exterior dog walk."

(Read More: America's Most Expensive Rentals)

Lonely days ahead for Mark Buehrle

2013-02-09T00:07:00Z

A brief scouting report on Slater Buehrle:

He's 2 years old and weighs 65 pounds. His coat is slate blue, his ears are floppy and his eyes are a doleful shade of gray and green. He loves sleep and long walks, has a weakness for chasing four-wheelers, and is considerably less menacing than his reputation suggests. Belly rubs are his kryptonite.

Courtesy of Jamie BuehrleMark Buehrle and his dog, a 2-year-old pit bull named Slater, won't see much of each other once the regular season starts.

Slater is an American Staffordshire terrier and bulldog mix -- a DNA-tested member of the pit bull family -- and controversy follows him around like a wagging tail. In the span of a year, he has been declared canine non grata in two countries encompassing both the National and American Leagues.

Slater made headlines last year when his owner, pitcher Mark Buehrle, signed a four-year, $58 million contract with the Miami Marlins. Because pit bulls are prohibited in Miami-Dade County, the family bought a house in nearby Broward County, and Mark commuted roughly 30 minutes each way to the park.

Things got a lot more complicated when the Marlins sent Buehrle to Toronto in a 12-player blockbuster trade in November. Pit bulls are outlawed throughout the province of Ontario, so the Buehrles had three options: 1) They could live across the U.S. border in Niagara Falls or Buffalo, N.Y., and Mark could commute roughly 90 minutes each way to Toronto; 2) They could leave Slater in someone else's care for the entire season; or 3) Jamie Buehrle could stay behind in St. Louis with the rest of the family while her husband heads north to pitch for the Jays.

After lots of internal debate and anguish, the Buehrles chose Option 3, which means Mark will spend his 14th big league season in Canada while Jamie lives more than 800 miles away with 5-year-old son Braden, 3-year-old daughter Brooklyn, Slater and the family's three vizslas, Drake, Diesel and Duke. As the family settles in for spring training in Dunedin, Fla., Buehrle is struggling to accept the idea that togetherness is short-lived and he will be coming home to an empty house in April.

"We're not trying to make people feel sorry for us," Buehrle says. "Obviously they're going to say, 'You make a lot of money. Boo-hoo.' I know it's part of baseball and every person deals with it, but this is our first time being away from each other all season. We're going to travel and see each other and make it work. But those nights when we have a Sunday day game and I can go home and have dinner with the family and give the kids a bath and put them to bed, that's what I'm going to miss."

During the decision-making process, numerous well-wishers or armchair problem-solvers suggested the Buehrles leave Slater with a family member or a trusted friend for the 2013 season. Of the three choices available to them, that's the one they considered least.

"A lot of people have said, 'We'll just keep Slater for you,'" Jamie says. "To me, that would be like if we moved somewhere that only allowed boys. I wouldn't leave my daughter behind. Six or seven months is a lot of time. Slater would adjust. He's real easygoing. But I don't want him to bond with someone else. He's our dog. That wasn't really an option."

Growing up in St. Charles, Mo., Mark Buehrle never had a dog because his parents were resigned to the likelihood that the kids would quickly lose interest in feedings, walks, poop-scooping and other canine-related chores. But the family had rabbits, hamsters, cats, birds -- indeed, just about every other pet under the sun.

Courtesy of Jamie BuehrleSlater, left, is among four dogs owned by the Buehrle family.

His fondness for dogs has developed through seven years of marriage to Jamie. To say she's a passionate advocate for canines would be a monumental understatement.

During Mark's tenure with the Chicago White Sox, the Buehrles did public service announcements for animal rescue facilities, appeared on pet adoption billboards and spearheaded a Sox for Strays promotion at U.S. Cellular Field. During the Gulf oil spill in 2010, Jamie traveled to New Orleans with a group of Major League Baseball wives to help out after some local families lost their jobs and were forced to surrender their pets as a result.

In the spring of 2011, Jamie met a certain American Staffordshire terrier at Hope Animal Rescues in Alton, Ill., and was smitten. Slater was among 18 dogs scheduled to be euthanized when Jamie's group arrived with 24 hours to spare and had them transferred to a facility where they would have a reprieve to find homes. She is convinced that a little divine intervention was at work.

"Slater was the epitome of when people say, You don't pick your dog, your dog picks you," Jamie says. "We didn't need four dogs. We still don't need four dogs. But I kind of felt it was meant to be. Mark said: 'I've never heard you talk about a dog this much. Just get him.'"

Slater has quickly achieved a higher purpose as an aspiring therapy dog, a designation that will allow him to visit schools in conjunction with the Sit Stay Read literacy program and visit terminally ill patients in hospitals. He has received his Canine Good Citizenship award. And judging from this Humane Society summer camp video, he can certainly work a room.

He is not so welcome in the cities where his owner pitches. Miami-Dade County has outlawed pit bulls since 1989, and the Buehrles chose to stand on principle and fight the ban from neighboring Broward County rather than try to work around it. During the family's stay in South Florida, Jamie Buehrle said she encountered numerous pit bull owners in Miami who kept their dogs in the house, walked them early in the morning or late at night and took their chances that neighbors simply wouldn't notice or care.

The Buehrles, like many pit bull owners, contend that the problem is reckless owners, not vicious dogs.

"I don't think everyone should own a pit bull, just like I don't think everyone should own a Lab or a poodle or a Chihuahua," Jamie says. "I think you should be responsible for whatever dog you choose. If you tether a Lab outside in your backyard all the time and treat it cruelly, I can guarantee it will be aggressive. People need to realize that. And if you do that, you should be held responsible."

“We're not trying to make people feel sorry for us. … But those nights when we have a Sunday day game, and I can go home and have dinner with the family and give the kids a bath and put them to bed, that's what I'm going to miss. ” -- Buehrle on being away from
his family while he's in Toronto

Bans on pit bulls continue to spark debate among groups that believe they help ensure public safety and opponents that consider them counterproductive and a form of canine discrimination. Ontario's ban, which went into effect in 2005, subjects violators to a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $10,000 fine.

Barbara Kay, a columnist for the National Post newspaper in Toronto, has argued passionately in favor of the bans. Dogbites.org, a dog bite victims' group, published numbers showing that pit bulls accounted for 22 of 31 fatal dog bites in America in 2011, even though they make up less than 5 percent of the U.S. dog population.

But numerous organizations, from the American Veterinary Medical Association to the Humane Society to the National Canine Research Council, argue that bans are ineffective. In February 2012, the American Temperament Test Society released a study that showed American Staffordshire terriers score an 84.2 percent rating in their ability to interact with humans and the environment. They fared better than cocker spaniels, collies, beagles and numerous other popular breeds.

Cynthia Bathurst, executive director of Safe Humane Chicago, said bans are expensive because they generate so many lawsuits and are difficult to enforce, and they are rife with opportunities for mistakes because even dog experts cannot agree on the definition of a pit bull. Bathurst said the Buehrles should inspire others because they've gone to great lengths to promote safe, humane communities for people and pets. Instead, they've had their lives turned upside-down.

"Bottom line, a pit-bull ban that keeps the compassionate, loving Buehrle family from staying all together, as the ban in Toronto does, can't be right," Bathurst said in an email, "and all the evidence supports that such a ban does not do what it was intended to do.

"Dogs are individuals as people are. People are responsible for providing for their welfare, their safety and the safety of those around them. Slater depends on Jamie and Mark and their children and other dogs, and he's part of the family. He even does 'community service.' It's very impressive that Mark and Jamie put their family and compassion first, and they should be emulated. It doesn't matter how much or how little money someone has."

Buehrle stepped into a controversy in January 2011 when he told MLB.com that he and Jamie were watching a Philadelphia Eagles game and wished ill will upon Michael Vick as a form of payback for his involvement in an illegal dogfighting operation. Although the statement caused a major furor, Buehrle refused to back off his remarks.

He has never been hesitant to speak his mind. After the Marlins dealt him to Toronto, Buehrle released a statement that accused the team of lying to him about its long-term plans. He stands by those comments as well.

Steve Mitchell-US PresswireBuehrle accused the Marlins of lying to him about their long-term plans after they traded him to the Blue Jays in November.

Family hardships aside, he's thrilled to be joining the Blue Jays, who have added R.A. Dickey, Josh Johnson, Jose Reyes and Melky Cabrera to the mix and increased their payroll by about $40 million in the quest for their first postseason berth since 1993. Buehrle, with 12 straight 200-inning seasons on his r�sum�, is a big part of the excitement.

If he's a lightning rod for attention in Toronto because of his dog, that's part of the equation. As Jamie Buehrle is quick to point out, some families don't have the luxury of maintaining two homes and are forced to surrender a cherished pet when they encounter breed-specific dog bans. The Buehrles consider themselves fortunate in that regard.

Wherever this story leads, it has been an educational man-bites-dog experience for Buehrle.

"I remember being at school and somebody's dog would pass away and I would say: What's the big deal? It's just a dog," he says. "But now that I own these dogs, I know it's going to be terrible when one of them passes away. It's like having another kid. They cuddle with you in bed. They're your buddies. They follow you around, and you play catch with them with the ball all the time. You really bond with them."

Family togetherness will be in vogue until spring training ends, the equipment trucks go north and it's time to say goodbye. Mark Buehrle is ready to bring his competitiveness and pinpoint fastball to the Rogers Centre for a fun summer of baseball. His wife, kids and man's best friend won't be along for the ride.

Tori Spelling and Her (Furry) Family Hit Speed Bump in Road Trip

2013-02-08T15:31:00Z

Looks like Tori Spelling had a ruff day on Wednesday.

The actress Tweeted a photo of herself and kids Liam, 5, Stella, 4, Hattie, 15 months, and Finn, 5 months, as well as canine companion Mitzi, stranded by the side of the road.

"4 kids. 1 dog. 1 car leaking gas broken down on the side of the road= not a great road trip," she wrote.

Luckily for Spelling, she and husband Dean McDermott didn't decide to bring their entire animal menagerie along. The two are also pet parents to dog Minnie, a pair of baby ducks, chicken Coco and pig Hank.

Pet parrot saves owner Ben Rees in Llanelli house fire

2013-02-07T15:31:00Z

Cookie the cockatiel has been hailed an "angel" by his owners

A pet parrot died a "hero" by saving his teenage owner when fire ripped through his bedroom.

Cookie the cockatiel squawked, flapped his wings and repeatedly "dive-bombed" Ben Rees, 17, to alert him to the blaze at his home in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire.

Ben escaped through thick smoke and called the fire brigade but Cookie could not be saved.

Firefighters have said the blaze was started by an incense stick.

Ben said: "I'm heartbroken at losing my pet - he saved my life."

Ben lit an incense stick before going for a shower

Vicky Rees, 48, the teenager's mother, said: "He was Ben's guardian angel - he's a hero and he died a hero.

"Cookie sensed danger and seemed to know that Ben hadn't realised his bedroom was on fire.

"If he hadn't squawked and flapped like that I'm sure Ben would have died in there too."

The fire broke out when Ben was home alone and lit an incense stick in his bedroom then went into the shower.

Continue reading the main story

"If he hadn't squawked and flapped like that I'm sure Ben would have died in there too”

Vicky Rees Ben's mother

Embers from the stick set fire to his bed and within minutes the bedroom was engulfed in flames.

Cookie, whose perch is in Ben's bedroom, was alarmed by the smoke and started flapping wildly making a lot of noise.

Then he flew into the bathroom and repeatedly "dive-bombed" Ben who realised something was seriously wrong.

Mrs Rees said: "Thank goodness Cookie went to look for Ben - a few moments longer and he would have been trapped in the bathroom.

"It is so sad that he didn't make it out alive. We will never forget what he did."

Ben, who is studying bricklaying and plastering, was given oxygen at the scene and treated for shock by paramedics after the incident last week.

Cookie has been buried in the family garden

The pet detectives, the Spice Girl, and her heartbreak over missing chocolate labrador Phoebe

2013-02-07T15:26:00Z

They scoured the woods and heathland, shouted her name across the fields.

On lamp-posts, trees and telegraph poles they pinned ‘missing’ posters bearing her photograph, then banged on every door in the neighbourhood. From around the country and abroad, celebrities pleaded on Twitter for her safe return, or volunteered to join the hunt with the pet detectives.

But a massive search for former Spice Girl Emma Bunton’s dog ended in tragedy yesterday with the most terrible news. Phoebe, her faithful labrador, was found dead on a railway track, two days after she disappeared.

'Devastated': Emma Bunton tweeted her sadness on Wednesday after discovering her beloved pet dog Phoebe had been found dead

Adorable: Phoebe vanished 'on her daily walk' around the East Barnet, Hadley Wood and Trent Park area on Monday

The 37-year-old singer turned radio DJ said she was ‘devastated’ at the loss of the chocolate brown dog, a birthday present from her partner Jade Jones, and a much-loved companion for the last six years.

Last night, surrounded and consoled by family and friends, she paid tribute to the remarkable campaign to reunite a beloved pet with its celebrity owner.

‘To all the amazing people who supported us at this horrible time. Our precious Phoebe has been found and it’s terrible news. We are devastated,’ she wrote in a post on the social networking site that helped drive the search.

Last night the heartbroken message stood as an epitaph to the remarkable campaign that used the power of the internet to unite the world of showbusiness, Miss Bunton’s local community, experts from pet tracing agencies and fellow dog-walkers after Phoebe disappeared on Monday.

She and Miss Bunton’s other dog, JoJo, were being walked on Monken Hadley Common, in the north London borough of Barnet, when she ran out of sight – and never returned.

Efforts to find her became increasingly frantic, and at one stage more than a dozen volunteers were separately combing the area. When darkness fell, however, it was clear something was horribly wrong.

'So gentle': Phoebe and the Spice Girl's other dog, JoJo, were being walked on Monken Hadley Common, in Barnet, when the labrador ran out of sight - never to return

Sadness: The 37-year-old singer admitted she was 'devastated' over the tragic loss of Phoebe

Sad times: Emma put on a brave face as she left the Heart FM studios on Wednesday morning

One theory was that Phoebe, described by Miss Bunton as ‘so gentle’, might have been lured away by dog-nappers.

But hopes were pinned on the possibility that she somehow became disoriented and was being looked after by a well-meaning stranger. But the hours passed – and it was time to call in the pet detectives. Former police officer Tom Watkins and a team from Animal Search UK mounted a poster campaign and made house-to-house enquiries.

Others undertook physical searches and mapped out the most likely areas of the 180-acre site where Phoebe, named after the character in the American TV series Friends, might have gone. And her description was posted on the DogLost internet database.

Mr Watkins described it as the biggest search ever mounted for a dog in London.

Extensive search: Animal Search UK combed the area around where Phoebe disappeared in Barnet, north London

No stone unturned: The hunt for Phoebe was the 'biggest ever' hunt for a missing dog in London

Eventually a member of the public alerted searchers to something they had seen on the high speed rail line that runs through the area from King’s Cross in central London.

Yesterday Mr Watkins told the Daily Mail: ‘That is where she was found, lying between the tracks. It is very sad but at least now the family have closure. Network Rail was contacted and a worker went on to the track and retrieved the body.

‘She must have slipped under the fence and been hit by a train. I believe the accident happened on Monday, shortly after she went missing.’

Speaking close to the scene yesterday he added: ‘Phoebe is now with her owners.’

Search party: Former police officer Tom Watkins and his team from Animal Search UK carried out house-to-house inquiries, a poster campaign and searches of the surrounding area

The grim discovery prompted an avalanche of internet condolence messages for Emma, who had used her 890,000 Twitter followers and listeners to her Heart FM breakfast programme to plead for help in finding Phoebe.

On the radio show she told listeners: ‘I’m desperate and so upset and worried sick. She’s a big softie and I know she will be so scared.’

Tragically, however, Phoebe was almost certainly dead by that stage.

Part of the family: Emma's partner Jade Jones said he was 'devastated' to have said goodbye to Phoebe

Yesterday strangers joined celebrity friends to send messages of sympathy.

TV presenter Dawn Porter sent ‘much love’ to Emma and added: ‘Heartbroken for you all.’ Actresses Danniella Westbrook and Denise Van Outen, and presenter Emma Forbes all sent love, while former Boyzone star Ronan Keating tweeted: ‘I’m so sorry Emma and Jade. Just heard. X’

Singer Rachel Stevens, of Strictly Come Dancing fame, added: ‘Sorry to hear your sad news. Sending you big hug and lots of love x’

Former All Saints band member Nicole Appleton, who is married to former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, said: ‘oh my darlin...thats so so sad!!!...my heart really goes out to you and your family!!!...xxxx.’

Putting on a brave face: Emma Bunton had to put the dog searching on hold to attend the launch of the Viva Forever! cocktails on Tuesday

Lost: Emma Bunton lost her brown Labrador on Monday afternoon

Help! Emma tweeted her plea to her many Twitter followers

Pets Beat Partners in the Battle for Women's Hearts

2013-01-29T15:37:00Z

Survey conducted by Petplan pet insurance reveals that when it comes to Valentine’s Day, ladies love pets the best; men prefer their significant others.

Philadelphia, Pa. (PRWEB) January 28, 2013

Who is your main squeeze this February 14? Depending on your gender, it might be your pet. According to an online survey conducted by No. 1-rated Petplan pet insurance of more than 4,300 American pet parents, 66% of women said they would rather receive Valentine’s kisses from their four-legged friends than their two-legged sweethearts.

And that’s not all. Petplan’s survey reveals that 67% of female pet parents would end a relationship with a significant other if their partner clashed with their pet, and nearly 60% of women plan to spend more on their four-legged loves than their lovers this Valentine’s Day. Move over diamonds – it looks like pets are a girl’s best friend!

Men picked their partners over their pets in every category; nearly 60% said kisses would be sweeter from their significant other, and nearly 70% plan to spend the most money on their two-legged honeys this February 14. Less than half of the men surveyed said they would leave a partner who didn’t connect with their pet.

Despite these differences, men and women agreed that their pets make a cute Cupid; 68% polled say their dogs and cats bring them and their significant others closer. And the overwhelming majority (81%) of pet parents plans to give their fur-kids a special gift for Valentine’s Day. According to survey results:

54% of pets will get a new toy
44% will feast on a special Valentine food/treat
6% will sport a Valentine accessory or clothing

Other gifts pet parents plan to give include trips to doggie day camp, a comfy new bed and (our favorite) a fresh-ground lamb burger shaped like a heart.

Our pets may have won our affection, but what about our wallets? 74% of respondents plan to spend up to $25 on Valentine treats for their furry sweets. Men will spend about the same as women on pet gifts, even though 60% of women said they’ll spoil their pets over their partners.

“When it comes to our pets, we wear our hearts on our sleeves,” says Natasha Ashton, co-Founder and co-CEO of Petplan. “The survey results reflect the love we have for our pets and the lengths we go to show them our thanks for the unconditional love they give us every day.”

For tips and information on showing your pet your love this Valentine’s Day and beyond, visit http://www.GoPetplan.com.

ABOUT PETPLAN

Top-rated pet insurance provider, Petplan, is the only pet insurance company to have been included on Inc. Magazine’s list of 500 fastest-growing, privately held companies in America. Petplan’s fully customizable dog insurance and cat insurance policies provide coverage for all hereditary and congenital conditions for the life of the pet as standard, and meet the coverage requirements and budget for pets of all/any age. Petplan pet insurance policies are underwritten by AGCS Marine Insurance Company in the U.S. and by Allianz Global Risks US Insurance Company in Canada. The Allianz Group is rated A+ by A.M. Best (2011). For information, about Petplan pet insurance, visit http://www.GoPetplan.com, read the Petplan “Vets for Pets” Blog, or call 1-866-467-3875.

Bill Tierney
Brian Communications
484-385-2985
Email Information

Coiffed at Crufts! Dog show to lift its ban on hairspray and other 'performance-enhancing' products

2013-01-28T15:36:00Z

Crufts is changing its rules to allow dogs to be treated with ‘performance-enhancing’ items, such as hairspray.

The break with tradition at the competition means that owners may use chalk to enhance the appearance of breeds which have white fur.

Poodle hair can at last legitimately be tamed with hairspray.

Let us spray: Competitors at Crufts will now be allowed to spray their animals with hairspray and other cosmetic products (file picture)

The move comes after furious owners said banning the products would be like 'Miss World being made to go on without her make-up'.

The new rules, which break almost 100 years of tradition, mean owners of breeds with white fur will be able to use chalk to clean their pets before the competition and poodle owners can use hairspray to tame their animals' long hair.

The decision to change the Crufts code of practice comes after a farcical row at last year's show, when dogs were for the first time randomly selected to be tested for banned products, like in athletics.

To check for cheats, hairs were removed from the dogs selected and sent to a forensics laboratory.

Under the Kennel Club code of practice, which dates back to the 1920s, owners are banned from using any grooming products on their dogs before the show.

But because the use of hairspray and white chalk was so common, all four dogs selected at the 2011 show failed the tests.

Two West Highland terriers showed traces of chalk substances and two miniature poodles were tested positive for lacquer, indicating the use of hairspray.

Doggy divas: The use of cosmetic products was given the go-ahead by organisers after an outcry from competitors (file picture)

Attempts to disqualify the dogs were, however, suspended after protests by a group of owners calling themselves the 'Elnett revolutionaries', named after the hairspray brand.

The Kennel Club eventually agreed to suspend tests and promised to look at the aggrieved competitors' arguments.

It has now reported back and has sided with the revolutionaries, agreeing to allow the use of 'block white chalk' to brush dirt out of white dogs' coats and the 'light use of hairspray' around a dog's head and face.

Chalk can be applied before the contest but must be brushed out before the dog is judged. Powder will, however, remain banned.

Traditionalists are angry, saying rules banning grooming products should not be changed and that competing dogs should be judged in as natural a state as possible.

But many dog owners argue the rule changes are a victory for common sense.

One poodle owner said the hairspray ban is 'like Miss World being made to go on without her make-up' (file picture)

Where did you get your hair cut? An Afghan Hound stands on a grooming table during the final day of Crufts at the 2012 final (file picture)

Sandy Vincent, the secretary of the Standard Poodle Club of Great Britain, told the Sunday Telegraph: 'The Kennel Club's position was ridiculous. The majority were using hairspray anyway.

'It made us look foolish in the eyes of everybody overseas. In the US they think nothing of using hairspray.

'It's a beauty competition. [The hairspray ban] is like Miss World being made to go on without her make-up.'

The new rules will now be put to the Kennel Club general committee, which will report to the annual general meeting in May. They are expected to be put in place in time for the 2014 competition.

Caroline Kisko, secretary of the Kennel Club, said: 'The aim is that this will allow us to crack down on real cheats, because everyone agrees that it is straightforward cheating to use hairspray extensively all over to make the hair stick out from the body and change the coat's appearance.

'This could be a step forward. If exhibitors don't feel they are being hounded over something they view as perfectly reasonable, they will start to treat the rule book as fair and abide by it.'

Animal Shelter Adopts Out Puppies and Kittens to an Abba Soundtrack

2013-01-28T15:33:00Z

This adorably upbeat and irresistibly catchy adoption video from the SPCA has me chair dancing to the music and also, tearing up a little. All those sweet adoptable animals, why can't I have them all? And while we're making wishes, I'd also like a full-time puppy poop picker-upper, a master chef, and an Infinity pool. And a few more puppies.

Read More.

Man arrested for allegedly putting dog in heated oven

2013-01-22T15:48:00Z

LYONS, Ore. -- A Lyons man has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated animal abuse for allegedly placing a Chihuahua-Pincher dog in a heated oven.

Kevin Dean Parrish, 20, was booked Monday in the Marion County Jail in lieu of $10,000.

Marion County deputies said Parrish was watching the 9-pound dog, Kudo, for his grandmother, who was out of state.

Parrish told deputies he became enraged on Friday after Kudo nipped him, so he grabbed the dog and allegedly started punching him in the head. Deputies said Parrish also admitted to trying to strangle Kudo, according to a news release from the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

Since he had already pre-heated the oven to 350 degrees to cook some enchiladas, Parrish told investigators he then decided to allegedly put the dog in the oven, deputies said.

"Parrish said he was prepared to leave him there, but he suddenly heard his brother coming into the house," the news release said.

Parrish' brother and father rescued 6-year-old Kudo, taking the dog to a veterinarian. Kudo suffered cuts and bruises, his hair was singed and three of his legs were badly burned, deputies said.

The suspects father notified deputies about the case, and they launched an investigation.

Parrish, who has no criminal record, admitted to deputies that he has anger issues and snapped when dealing with the dog.

Parrish's father is taking care of Kudo and the dog will continue receiving care at the vet clinic.

New Zealand to eradicate pet cats? Purr-ish the thought!

2013-01-22T15:46:00Z

Gareth Morgan has a simple dream: a New Zealand free of pet cats that threaten native birds. But the environmental advocate has triggered a claws-out backlash with his new anti-feline campaign.

Morgan called on his countrymen Tuesday to make their current cat their last in order to save the nation’s unique bird species. He set up a website, called Cats To Go, depicting a tiny kitten with red devil’s horns. The opening line: “That little ball of fluff you own is a natural born killer.”

He doesn’t recommended people euthanize their current cats – “Not necessarily but that is an option” are the site’s exact words – but rather neuter them and not replace them when they die. Morgan, an economist and well-known businessman, also suggests people keep cats indoors and that local governments make registration mandatory.

But Morgan’s campaign is not sitting well in a country that boasts one of the highest cat ownership rates in the world.

“I say to Gareth Morgan, butt out of our lives,” Bob Kerridge, the president of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, told the current affairs television show Campbell Live. “Don’t deprive us of the beautiful companionship that a cat can provide individually and as a family.”

For thousands of years, New Zealand’s native birds had no predators and flourished. Some species, like the kiwi, became flightless. But the arrival of mankind and its introduction of predators like cats, dogs and rodents has wiped out some native bird species altogether and endangered many others.

“Imagine a New Zealand teeming with native wildlife, penguins on the beach, kiwis roaming about in your garden,” Morgan writes on his website. “Imagine hearing birdsong in our cities.”

But many New Zealanders are against the campaign. Even on Morgan’s website, 70 percent on Tuesday were voting against making their current cat their last.

Morgan could not be reached on Tuesday.

And the science remains unclear. Some argue that cats may actually help native birds by reducing the population of rodents, which sometimes feed on bird eggs.

Pet owners urged to protect cats and dogs in cold

2013-01-22T15:42:00Z

A dog is bundled up against the cold outside a grocery store in Montreal on Friday, Jan. 8, 2010. (The Canadian Press/Paul Chiasson)

The Canadian Press
Published Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013 5:46AM EST

TORONTO -- Don't let the fur fool you.

Dogs and cats can be somewhat insulated by their warm-feeling coats but in the face of frigid temperatures, pet owners need to take extra measures in protecting Fluffy and Fido.

Assessing how long to let pets stay outdoors should be based on numerous factors including the animal's breed, coat type, general health, and age, according to an online article originally published in 2010 by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.

Determining whether the pet has been acclimated to colder weather and its desire to spent time outdoors should also be considered, the association wrote. For example, "smaller, short-coated, ill or geriatric dogs" have less tolerance for cold, and consequently, are limited by the time they may be able to spend outside, the CVMA noted.

"If you like to let your cat out in the backyard, let's say, to roam around on your own property for a short period of time, you should be supervising your animal in a cold weather environment," said Ontario SPCA inspector Paul Harrison.

"Cats are good in the snow, they're pretty hearty; but you may have an older cat whose systems may not be as strong as a younger cat."

If an animal is left outside unsupervised and snow, sleet or rain develops, it won't be able to hold its body temperature without proper shelter to take refuge, he noted.

If a dog is kept outside in the backyard, Harrison said owners should ensure the shelter is raised above the ground and is well-insulated with shingles or a proper roof to repel rain. The door should be facing away from prevailing wind.

It's also key to check that an animal's water supply hasn't been frozen and is housed in a non-spillable dish, with the option to consider purchasing a heated water bowl, he added.

Koryn Greenspan, owner of Toronto-based Urban Dog Walks, believes in the BBC acronym for winter pet protection: booties, balms and coats.

Greenspan said her 2 1/2 year-old pooch, Georgia, is "very finicky" when salt gets into her front paws. Prior to taking her German shepherd-husky-collie mix outdoors, Greenspan tries to ensure her pet stays calm as she applies protective balm on Georgia's paws.

"You just want to always instill trust and comfort because it's uncomfortable for the dogs at first to have their paws handled in that way."

The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association suggests trimming excess hair from between a pet's toes, where it tends to trap salt. Ensure any residual salt is rinsed off or removed with a damp cloth and fully dried back at home. Coating the hair between the undersides of the toes with a thin layer of petroleum jelly can help to repel the ice, the association wrote.

Harrison said if a dog is visibly shivering and lifting up its paws, seemingly unwilling to stand on them, that could be an indication of discomfort.

"Most people know their animal so well," he said. "If they start acting differently than they normally would, it could be an indication that they're uncomfortable."

And both Greenspan and Harrison agree that leaving dogs locked up in vehicles is a definite -- and dangerous -- don't.

"Some people think that because it's colder out they can sustain themselves in a car. They can't," said Greenspan. "If it's cold for you, it's cold for them, and dogs unfortunately can fall ill due to extreme cold weather."

Lady Gaga teaching pet dog Fozzi 'how to draw'

2013-01-18T15:56:00Z

Lady Gaga is said to be flaunting her pet dog Fozzi's creative talent by teaching him to draw portraits.

According to a source, the 26-year-old singer has been attaching pens to the canine's legs and popping him on to paper, the Sun reported.

The source added that all of the 'Poker Face' hitmaker's crew has been treated to a portrait by her pet. (ANI)

Pets head to Vatican and Spain churches for blessing

2013-01-18T15:54:00Z

Dogs, cats, parrots and farm animals gathered at the Vatican and churches across Spain on Thursday to be blessed on the feast day of Saint Anthony, the patron saint of animals.

Pets head to Vatican and Spain churches for blessing

Donkeys, pigs, cows and chickens bayed and clucked in St. Peter's Square, as Cardinal Angelo Comastri, general vicar for the Vatican, gave his yearly blessing to all God's creatures.

"We've always had dogs, it's time to get them baptised!" said a cheerful Federica Veneto.

Bemused looking sheep were kept away from overly enthusiastic dogs as dozens of horses with their manes braided pranced up the via della Conciliazione -- the main street leading to the Vatican -- ridden by police officers or leading colourful horse-drawn carriages.

A group of Italian vets stood by offering free check-ups for doted-upon pets.

In Madrid, animal lovers lined up outside the main entrance to the Church of San Anton with their pets on leashes or wrapped in blankets in their arms as they waited for a priest to sprinkle the animals with holy water.

Many dressed their dogs in their finest for the occasion, decking them in coats to guard against the cold or tying bows in their fur.

Jose Martinez, 74, dressed his blonde cocker spaniel Poki in a scarf in the yellow and red colours of the Spanish flag and a grey sweater.

"We brought him here to be blessed to see if he becomes less naughty," he said, standing in the queue while his pet barked at other dogs waiting nearby.

Dogs were the most numerous species but rabbits, hamsters, canaries and other birds were also blessed.

Lucia Perez tried in vain to get her grey and white parrot Ursi, wrapped in a green blanket, to say hello as she waited for her turn.

"I come almost every year. We are very pleased with her and want her to have a long life," the 57-year-old said before kissing the bird's beak.

Nearby the line of faithful waiting to present their pets to be blessed, another queue formed outside a separate church door to buy buns.

They are traditionally kept alongside a coin in a cupboard to be eaten on the feast of Saint Anthony the following year to ensure good health and to gain the blessing of the saint.

The buns are baked according to a secret recipe meant to keep them soft for longer.

Pets and their owners, police dogs and guide dogs for the blind could be seen marching through the streets around the church in the afternoon.

The church celebrated several masses throughout the day in honour of Saint Anthony, with dogs sitting in the pews or on the church floor alongside their owners.

"We come every year because it is traditional and it is beautiful," said Mario Perez Blanco, 57, who brought his seven-year-old labrador retriever Gaspar to be blessed.

The festival has been celebrated in Madrid largely uninterrupted since the 19th century. It is also held in other parts of Spain such as the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean and the northern city of Burgos.

Animals are said to have been instinctively drawn to Saint Anthony throughout his life. Anthony, who was born in Lisbon, Portugal in 1195, is often depicted addressing a menagerie of animals attentively listening to his words.

Homeless man helps save burned dog

2013-01-16T19:03:00Z

Rocky the boxer was hurt in a fire, but a man who was down on his luck gave the dog a chance. 'If a homeless guy can give him a blanket, who are we to walk away?' says one of Rocky's rescuers.

It was in a rundown industrial area in Houston, Texas, a known dumping place for unwanted animals. As a three-alarm fire consumed the warehouse, bystanders tried to tell firefighters there may be animals trapped inside. But rescue workers were focused on taming the blaze. That’s how a boxer named Rocky was able to slip out and run away with severe burns on his body.

The day after the fire, a group gathered at the burned-out warehouse to search for animals.

They didn’t find any survivors. What they did find was a homeless man who was asking for help -- not for himself, but for Rocky. He had found the dog under a car, wrapped him in a blanket and shared his food with the animal.

“A person down on his own luck, who just lost his apartment, gives up a blanket and shares what food he has with Rocky -- that engages anyone with a soul,” says Jae Malik, one of the volunteers helping out on that Saturday night. “Then you see Rocky, that clinches it… If a homeless guy can give him a blanket, who are we to walk away?”

The rescuers took Rocky to a vet and thought for sure this would be a case of “mercy” death -- euthanasia. About 25% of the dog's body was burned, including his ears. But Rocky had other plans -- to survive the blaze.

He now has a tough road ahead of him: He’s had one of three surgeries during which doctors must remove dead tissue in order to allow new tissue to thrive. He has to be anesthetized for the procedures and then go through hydrotherapy afterward, twice a day in an ice bath.

“We’re not a formal nonprofit with board members. We're everyday people trying to make it better,” says Malik. She is part of an independent rescue group that volunteers in shelters and spreads awareness about animals in need on social networking sites.

The bill they’re now facing for Rocky’s procedures, medicines, therapy, etc., could cost them thousands -- up to $10,000.

“This dog has not growled, has not snapped, has shown zero aggression with all of us, while undergoing such a tribulation,” says Malik. “That will to live that he shows, while he remains loving, you have to help.”

They’re spreading Rocky’s story to help raise money for his care and also to send this message:

“If you sit and wait, nothing will continue to happen. Rocky is proof that it only takes one person caring to be a catalyst for positive change.”

If you want to follow Rocky’s progress -- or make a donation -- you can find more information on the Rocky the Boxer Facebook page.

Watch Evening Express weeknights 5-7 p.m. ET on HLN.

Coffee shop for stray cats

2013-01-14T15:36:00Z

A cat sits on a customer's lap looking at a cup of black tea at a coffee shop on Beiluoguxiang Street in Beijing, Jan 13, 2013. Some well-known species of cats can be found at the coffee shop which has become a home for stray or abandoned cats. Eligible customers are welcome to adopt the cats as pets. [Photo/CFP]

A cat plays with rope on a guest's laps at a coffee shop on Beiluoguxiang Street in Beijing, Jan 13, 2013. Some well-known species of cats can be found at the coffee shop which has become a home for stray or abandoned cats. Eligible customers are welcome to adopt the cats as pets. [Photo/CFP]

A cat lies on a mat at a coffee shop on Beiluoguxiang Street in Beijing, Jan 13, 2013. Some well-known species of cats can be found at the coffee shop which has become a home for stray or abandoned cats. Eligible customers are welcome to adopt the cats as pets. [Photo/CFP]

A cat takes a nap on a mat at a coffee shop on Beiluoguxiang Street in Beijing, Jan 13, 2013. Some well-known species of cats can be found at the coffee shop which has become a home for stray or abandoned cats. Eligible customers are welcome to adopt the cats as pets. [Photo/CFP]

A cat watches from behind a cushion at a coffee shop on Beiluoguxiang Street in Beijing, Jan 13, 2013. Some well-known species of cats can be found at the coffee shop which has become a home for stray or abandoned cats. Eligible customers are welcome to adopt the cats as pets. [Photo/CFP]

Two cats plays at a coffee shop on Beiluoguxiang Street in Beijing, Jan 13, 2013. Some well-known species of cats can be found at the coffee shop which has become a home for stray or abandoned cats. Eligible customers are welcome to adopt the cats as pets. [Photo/CFP]

Pet owners warned of medication mistakes

2013-01-11T15:46:00Z

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Sarah Schuck only has pictures and memories left of her beloved 8-year-old Labrador, Rafter. The dog died after a mistake was made concerning medication dosage.

The drug store that filled Rafter's prescription made the error. The bottle's label said to give Rafter "2 1/4 teaspoons." But Schuck says the dosage her vet called into the pharmacy was for 2 1/4 cubic centimeters, which is much less medication.

That high dose, combined with other health problems, was too much. Schuck had to put Rafter to sleep.

"It was a tough realization," she said.

Just days after Rafter's death, the FDA issued a warning about a pattern of pet prescription mistakes. Investigators discovered errors stemming from simple issues like look-alike packaging, drugs with similar names and simple penmanship errors.

"The consequences can be completely devastating," said Dr. Howard Silberman, a veterinarian.

Silberman takes a lot of prescription precautions. All medications and dosages are typed into a computer, only vets or vet techs fill prescriptions and pet's pictures are printed on the label so there are no mix ups.

"We do a tremendous amount to make sure that those things don't happen," he said.

FDA investigators also found many pet medication errors come from pet owners misreading or misinterpreting labels and accidentally giving pets human drugs.

Brazil inmates train cat for prison break

2013-01-08T15:29:00Z

A penitentiary agent holds a cat with a package of tools and a mobile phone tied to its body at Luiz de Oliveira Souza prison in Arapiraca, Brazil. AP photo

A cat trained by prisoners to deliver cell phones and tools to dig tunnels was caught at a jail in northeastern Brazil after sneaking in with forbidden items strapped to its body.

“An agent saw the cat and went to look at it closely because something about it seemed wrong,” Marcelo Avelino, the head of the prison guards’ union, told the O Globo newspaper.

The agent found a bag tied to the animal’s body filled with saw blades and drill parts for concrete drilling and digging tunnels, along with a cell phone complete with battery and charger, Avelino added. The cat had often been seen coming in and out of the Alagoas jail.

Prison officer Luiz de Oliveira Souza told the G1 news website that prisoners had raised the cat and that relatives would often take it home after a prison visit.

“We were very surprised by this new tactic of prisoners,” who trained the animal so that it returned to the prison and even managed to carry materials, the agent added.

Baxter, Bella protect child lost in woods near Seneca

2013-01-07T15:34:00Z

SENECA, Mo. — Ryle Smith could not have had two better companions with him on Friday night.

Smith, 6, of Seneca, followed two of the family’s dogs, Baxter and Bella, into the woods behind his parents’ house Friday evening, and became disoriented and lost as it grew dark.

It prompted a five-hour search that put Ryle back in his parents arms at 10 p.m., thanks to his four-legged friends and efforts from search parties from all over the area.

When Ryle was found, his two dogs were lying on top of him in a ditch, sharing their warmth with him as temperatures dipped into the low 20s.

“I wasn’t scared, I was just really cold,” Ryle said from his home Saturday. “Bella was my guard dog and Baxter was next to me the whole time.”

Ryle was reported missing by his parents, Ryan and Holly Smith, after he didn’t return from playing near his house shortly before 6 p.m. Friday. After checking the woods near the house, Ryan Smith contacted authorities.

“I was nervous because it was getting dark and some of the area in the woods can be really dangerous,” he said. “He was outside with the dogs, and we didn’t see or hear from either of them.”

Emergency officials from the Joplin, Seneca and the Redings Mill fire departments, in addition to the Newton County Rescue and Recovery team and the Newton County Sheriff’s Department, descended on the area to search for Ryle, Sheriff Ken Copeland said.

“We got into action quickly, and that’s what helped us find him,” Copeland said. “The Highway Patrol chopper was even in the area with infrared to see if they could help. It really was an areawide search that got him home.”

Ryle was found without his shoes, cuts on parts of his body and holes in his clothes from his excursion in the woods.

Ryan Smith said his son followed the dogs into the woods and became lost when the sun set. Despite his appearance, Ryle was released from Freeman Hospital in Joplin with no injuries, his father said.

“When we got to him at the ambulance, he was wrapped up like a mummy,” Ryan Smith said. “I hugged him and told him I loved him. I was just glad to have my son back.”

Baxter is a large boxer that has been with the family for more than 10 years, while Bella, a mixed Labrador, was a recent addition to the family over Christmas.

“They both were incredible in the way that they protected him,” Ryan Smith said. “They wouldn’t have left him for anything. You can’t ask for more in a dog than that.”

He also said he was extremely thankful for the way that everyone in the area sprang into action.

“It amazes me how quick everyone came out to look for my son,” Ryan Smith said. “An hour after word got out, you couldn’t get anywhere close to the driveway. I still haven’t got to meet the men who actually found Ryle, but I just want them to know how thankful we are.”

Copeland said Saturday he was not sure of the identities of the rescuers who found Ryle.

Tax breaks for pet foster parents...make sure you claim yours

2013-01-07T15:31:00Z

In a landmark tax court case, Jan Van Dusen emerged victorious against the IRS. Van Dusen claimed many tax deductions on her 2004 tax return, for all the expenditures she'd put out for the 70 (yes, you read that correctly) stray and feral cats she had fostered, as part of her volunteer work with Fix Our Ferals, a non-profit California charity.

Van Dusen claimed over $12,000 related to cat food, vet bills, garbage bags, and other items for her care of the cats. In 2009, a judge finally ruled that because her expenses were used toward a charitable organization, she was legally allowed to claim them. In fact, 90 percent of her vet bills, cleaning supplies, and food was tax deductible.

What does this mean for you?

If you've ever fostered an animal or know anyone who has, you're probably aware of the expenses associated with it. Beside just opening your heart and home to an unfamiliar animal, you also usually have to provide food, gas used to transport the animal to vet appointments or potential adopter meetings, and all the supplies that come with taking care of an animal.

"People have claimed these types of expenses before, thinking it makes sense because they're doing this service for a charitable organization, they should be able to recoup some of their out-of-pocket costs," said Rachel Hirschfeld, estate planner since 1999 and pet trust lawyer who created the Pet Protection Agreement found on LegalZoom.com. Hirschfeld was one of the first in the country to focus on pet trust laws for the security of pets' futures in cases where their owners might no longer be able to care for them.

Hirschfeld is thrilled with Van Dusen's victory. "There are so many people who want to foster and help animals, and this ruling will make it easier for everyone. More people will foster knowing it's a legal expense and this will help the whole community," she said. She suggested that a great next step would be tax deductions for people even after they've adopted the animals. "If you're adopting from a charitable organization or shelter, you're really helping out the shelter. The whole world would be a better place if people adopted more animals." (Side note: I adopted my foster dog, and would love to know I could claim her expenses! Wouldn't many of you feel the same way? I know I'm not alone as a "foster failure").

How to get the most money back

Hirschfeld has some tips for foster parents planning to claim deductions on their taxes.

Collect and retain all your receipts associated with foster pet purchases
Write a note on every receipt and be specific (ie if you go to a hardware store and buy cat litter or lights for the room the dogs are kept in, circle the items on the receipt and write a note about the purpose of the item)
Remember that as of right now, the only tax-deductible purchases are for foster pets, not resident pets

"This is huge what's happened here!" said Hirschfeld, and encourages all pet foster parents to take advantage of this and share with all their animal networks to help raise the rate of fostering, and thus saving, animals in shelters across the country. "This shows that people are starting to really see animals as actual beings."

Ironically, Hirschfeld used to be terrified of animals. Now she tells the story of adopting her foster dog. "When you adopt an animal, it actually changes your heart."

NOTE: An approved charity is one that is recognized by the IRS with the 501(c)(3) designation as a Non-Profit organization.

Justin Bieber Accused of Animal Cruelty ... By Hamster Org.

2012-12-20T16:18:00Z

Justin Bieber issued a DEATH SENTENCE to his pet hamster PAC when he gave it away to a screaming fan (who promised to love and cherish it forever) outside of a concert earlier this month ... this according to the California Hamster Association (yes, there's actually a California Hamster Association).

TMZ spoke to a rep for the group ... who tells us Bieber committed an act of "animal cruelty" when he gifted away the animal ... even if his intentions were good.

The CHA tells us ... hamsters are fragile creatures that "often succumb quickly to illness and death," especially when faced with "sudden environmental change."

In short ... "The moment that hamster was handed off to a screaming girl in a harsh, frenzied environment was likely the moment it gazed at the short path to its doom."

DOOM!!!!!!

So what should Bieber have done instead? The CHA says if Justin no longer wanted the pet, he could have left it in the care of an animal shelter or rescue center ... so they could've handed it off to a responsible new owner in a safer manner.

As for PAC, he's currently alive and well in the care of Bieber's 18-year-old super-fan Tori ... who has vowed to treat the animal like a tiny rodent god.

So far, no comment for Bieber.

PETA slams Lady Gaga for buying fur coats in Russia

2012-12-20T16:17:00Z

Lady Gaga has landed herself in hot water with the animal rights group PETA, after buying several fur coats in Russia.

The singer is said to have purchased a Russian sable coat and a silver fox coat worth a respective 210,000 dollars and 19,600 dollars at the Helen Yarmak store in Moscow over the weekend.

Activists at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have spoken out against the 26-year-old pop diva.

"Out of place, out of time, and possibly out of her mind: While the country focuses on rejecting violence and we are deep into the season of peace, giving, and kindness, Gaga is busy decking herself out in a coat made of at least 30 slaughtered animals' skins," News.com.au quoted a statement from the organisation to GossipCop as saying.

The 'Poker Face' hit-maker in August, spoke out against militant PETA campaigners and others voicing their criticism over her choice to wear fur, after being targeted in a similar campaign.

"I want you to know that I care deeply about your feelings and views, and I will always support your philosophies about life," she wrote on her website.

"I do not however support violent, abusive, and childish campaigns for ANY CAUSE," she wrote.

Gaga said she respects the animal rights movement. But chose not to comment on whether she wears real or faux fur.

"You see a carcass, I see a museum piece de resistance," she wrote.

"I respect your views, please respect mine," she added. (ANI)

Miley Cyrus grieving over pet dog's death

2012-12-13T15:26:00Z

Miley Cyrus has been mourning over the death of her dog Lila's death on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old singer-and-actress and her fiance Liam Hemsworth adopted the little Yorkie into their family in 2011.

The couple are animal lovers and house several orphaned pets in their home.

Unfortunately Lila didn't live very long under Cyrus and Hemsworth's care, as she died on Tuesday.

"For everyone asking ... I have never been so hurt in my life," Stuff.co.nz quoted her as tweeting.

"My heart has never been so broken..... Lila my sweet baby girl has passed away," she wrote.

Cyrus' depression was overwhelming at the news of Lila's death.

The star confesses that she found it difficult to face the day.

"Can't think of one good reason to get out of bed today," she tweeted.

Cyrus didn't reveal the exact cause of Lila's demise, but apparently the animal was abruptly hospitalised in October to be treated for an undisclosed illness. (ANI)

Mobile device ensures home alone dogs are never lonely

2012-11-21T15:28:00Z

An Australian student has designed a device that would allow her to talk, see and play with her dog when he is at home alone.

According to the Southern Courier, University of NSW student Angela Lam was worried about leaving her dog Dopey home alone in Maroubra while she was at university.

The 23-year-old feared that Dopey could develop anxiety and behavioural problems.

"I felt so sorry for Dopey who was bored at home all alone while I was at uni, so I thought up this device so that I could play with him, even when I wasn't there," she said.

As part of her industrial design degree at UNSW, Angela built a model prototype of the device PawsyWalsy, operated remotely over an app, news.com.au reported.

The mobile phone enables her to watch and speak to her dog through a video.

She could order the device to release six balls that roll around the house to entertain the dog and release odours to freshen the air, or calm the dog if its gets agitated.

"Dogs get lonely and that can create bad behaviour in long separations," she said.

"Research shows a familiar voice can calm dogs and make them feel better when they are alone," Lam added. (ANI)

Fiona Apple Postpones Tour to Care for Dying Dog

2012-11-21T15:22:00Z

Béatrice de Géa for The New York Times

Fiona Apple with a wooden rendering of her dog, Janet, made by the artist Patrick Bucklew.

Fiona Apple said on Tuesday she is postponing a tour of South American cities because her dog is dying.

Ms. Apple posted an image of a hand-written letter on her Facebook page explaining that her dog Janet, a pit bull she found as a puppy in Echo Park in Los Angeles, suffers from Addison’s disease and has a tumor in her chest. She said the dog’s health has worsened in recent days and the animal appears to be close to death.

“I just can’t leave her now, please understand,” Ms. Apple wrote to her fans. “If I go away again, I’m afraid she’ll die and I won’t have the honor of singing her to sleep, of escorting her out.”

Ms. Apple recently finished the North American leg of her tour to promote her most recent album, “The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do.” She was scheduled to do three concerts in Brazil next week, then travel to Argentina and Mexico.

In her letter, Ms. Apple described her extremely close relationship with her pet, writing that “Janet has been the most consistent relationship of my adult life, and that is just a fact.”

“She’s my best friend and my mother and my daughter, my benefactor, and she’s the one who taught me what love is,” Ms. Apple wrote.

Ms. Apple said the dog “slept in bed with me, her head on the pillow, and she accepted my hysterical, tearful face into her chest, with her paws around me, every time I was heartbroken, or spirit-broken, or just lost, and as years went by, she let me take the role of her child, as I fell asleep, with her chin resting above my head.”

“She was under the piano when I wrote songs, barked any time I tried to record anything, and she was in the studio with me all the time we recorded the last album,” Ms. Apple said.

Ms. Apple said she had found the dog about 13 years ago with a rope around its neck. It appeared to have been pitted against other, more aggressive dogs to build up their confidence in illegal dog fights, she wrote. She added that the dog was “a pacifist” that never barked or growled.

Saying she “will not be the woman who puts her career ahead of love and friendship,” the singer-songwriter said she intended to stay home and bake tilapia for her pet and make it comfortable during its last days.

“I need to do my damnedest to be there for that,” she wrote. “Because it will be the most beautiful, the most intense, the most enriching experience of life I’ve ever known. When she dies.”

Dog's three-year wait for owners ends with a new home

2012-11-20T15:20:00Z

ATLANTA -- An abandoned chow who waited three years for his owners to return has been rewarded with a new home.

For years, neighbors saw Chen loitering outside of a Gwinnett County house. Often he was seen sleeping on the carport that he claimed as his home.

The house was empty. Chen's owners were gone.

"He absolutely would not leave that house," Lisa Renstrom of Chap's Chow Rescue said. "In the middle of the day he would go run and get scraps of food. There was a Kroger and he would pull scraps out of the trash."

A neighbor told Lisa Renstrom about the lonely pooch.

"He was waiting and waiting for his people to come home," Renstrom said. "The people on either side would throw rocks and try to chase him away. He would not leave."

It took weeks, but with food and a gentle voice, Renstrom was able to coax the nervous pup close enough to capture him. The next step was finding Chen a permanent home.

No one would guess what would happen next.

Hundreds of miles away in Ohio, Ben Rupp had just lost his pet of 13 years, a Chow mix named Goldie. Rupp's search for a new dog took him to a web site with Chen's picture. After a few phone calls, Ben Rupp booked a private jet and was on his way to Georgia.

His features are very similar to my old dog," Rupp said. "The pictures and the story, it all came together."

There was one problem.

In the weeks since rescuing Chen, Lisa Renstrom had grown quite attached. Letting go would be bittersweet.

At the Dekalb-Peachtree Airport, Renstrom gave Chen one last kiss.

"I hope he'll be happy," Renstrom said. "He deserves all the happiness.

If Chen was nervous about his flight to Ohio, he didn't show it.

Then again, he wasn't just a taking a trip to another state, but another life.

Animal lover Pamela Anderson says horse-drawn carriages are out of date

2012-10-25T14:22:00Z

Big News Network (ANI) Thursday 25th October, 2012

Pamela Anderson has revealed her displeasure over the use of horse-drawn carriages in New York, and thinks that they should be replaced.

The former 'Baywatch' star was at a NYClass gala at the Edison Ballroom to promote a proposal that would replace New York's horse-drawn carriage rides with the horsepower of classic cars.

"They don't do it in London anymore," the New York Post quoted her as saying.

"They don't do it in Toronto or Paris, and we're still doing it in New York.

"It seems very behind the times," she said. (ANI)

Italian lady bequeathes $2.5 mn to her dog

2012-10-22T14:46:00Z

The 84-year-old woman, living in Caserta town with her daughter and several grandchildren, has made the will stating her mongrel dog called Kikko will inherit two apartments, several land estates and also bank accounts.

The old woman has decided this soon after her husband's death, according to her lawyer Lucia Esposito who announced the lady's decision Saturday. She has signed the will with her own hand, Esposito said, adding that her client also consulted with other lawyers who had had the practice of attesting documents like this.

Under the Italian law, bequeathing any property to domestic animals has no legal force. Therefore, people willing to bequeath their property to their beloved cats or dogs must appoint an executor of their will, either a private individual or a public organisation.

The executor is obliged to ensure a worthy life-long existence of the domestic animal after receiving the right of access to all bequeathed valuables.

The woman has appointed her lawyer Esposito as the executor of her will.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

6 Remarkable Police Animals

2012-10-18T15:05:00Z

We’ve seen bookstore cats, animals trained to sniff out bombs and heroic dogs, but now we’re here to focus on animals who have served, or are currently serving, their local police departments.

1. Momo, Nara Police Department, Japan

We’re used to seeing large police dogs because, let’s face it, a lap dog can’t take down a running fugitive. But there are a lot of other duties for police dogs out there—and a pup doesn’t have to be big to sniff out bombs, drugs, or people buried under rubble. So why not have some small dogs work in these specialized areas?

The Japanese made news last year when they hired a tiny little Chihuahua as the Nara Police Department’s newest police dog. Momo passed her search and rescue test with flying colors by finding a person within five minutes after smelling their hat. While the little pup might not be able to drag anyone from the rubble, officers do point out that her size provides her with a major advantage when it comes to squeezing into small openings that would be too narrow for most rescue dogs. Of course, in between earthquakes and fires, she’s still doing good community service by looking absolutely adorable.

2. Mattie, Connecticut State Police, United States

When it comes to arson investigations, dogs are better at sniffing out accelerants than most of the investigator’s instruments. But the idea of using dogs for that task is still pretty new; the first dog, a black lab named Mattie, was put to work in 1986. In order to graduate from Accelerant Detection Canine School, which is run by the ATF, she had to be able to identify 17 different types of accelerants in a fire’s aftermath, even when there were only a few drops of the compounds. (Dogs and their handlers can only pass if they have a perfect score in the final test.)

Mattie was placed in service with the Connecticut State Police that same year. While waiting for fires to be put out, she would be brought out to the scene, where she would sniff at any onlookers. In many cases, Mattie was able to identify suspects in the crowd who still had residue from the accelerants on them. Mattie worked with the state police for 11 years before retiring in 1997.

3. Lemon, Kyoto Police Department, Japan

If you think a Chihuahua is a bad police dog, then just imagine having a police cat. To be fair, Officer Lemon operates in a small town in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, which has a population made up of mostly elderly folks, and his only cases involve suspicious phone calls. Lemon doesn’t help track down the prank callers, but he does help relax the victims—an important job for police handling these kinds of situations.

Lemon has been with the police since he was two weeks old. Of course, that’s probably why he’s so comfortable in his adorable little uniform; most cats that grew up without clothing probably wouldn’t be so willing to wear the tiny jacket and hat that Lemon sports while on duty.

4. Santisuk, Saiburi Police Department, Thailand

This officer might monkey around a bit, but you’d still better take him seriously—no matter how cute he looks in his little police shirt. Santisuk, a pig-tailed macaque, was adopted by a police officer after he was found with a broken arm. They soon started training him to pick up coconuts and then they realized that he might just help alleviate tensions at police checkpoints.

Their plan worked. When Santisuk stands duty at the checkpoints, motorists happily stop their vehicles and many even pull over to take their picture with the monkey. He has changed the public image of the police force so much that many other police precincts in the area are considering adding their own monkeys to the force.

5 & 6. Echo, Metropolitan Police Department, and Sefton, Household Calvary, United Kingdom

Echo and Sefton are probably the best remembered police horses, and it’s for a rather sad reason.

The horses were survivors of the July 20, 1982 bombing of Hyde Park. A car bomb—made from 25 pounds of explosives surrounded in 4- and 6-inch nails—killed four soldiers and seven other horses. Echo, part of the Metropolitan Police Department, was left was a piece of shrapnel in his side. Household Calvary horse Sefton had 38 shrapnel wounds, and his jugular vein was severed. Another Calvary horse, Yeti, also survived the blast. After the incident, Echo, too nervous to go back to the police department, was retired from duty. Sefton did go back to work for a bit, but eventually, all three horses were retired at the same stable, where they would live for the rest of their lives. When the horses made public appearances, people were touched—Echo and Sefton even received a standing ovation when they appeared at the Horse of the Year show.

Dog separated from family in Hurricane Katrina found in NC

2012-10-10T15:30:00Z

CABARRUS COUNTY--A Cabarrus County vet is asking for the public's help in returning to a dog who was separated from his owners following Hurricane Katrina. The dog, Shorty, was taken to Cabarrus Animal Hospital after a man spotted him in a roadway about two weeks ago and is a long way from home.

"We traced the dog to Louisiana and thank goodness the gentleman did not change his cell phone number,” said Brenda Tortoreo, the receptionist at Cabarrus Animal Hospital.

The news was exciting for his original owners, who had to give Shorty up seven years ago, following the disaster in New Orleans.

"It was hard enough for them to get through Katrina, let alone trying to provide for their dog, and they felt and they still do, felt they did the right thing by finding him a proper home,” said Tortoreo.

Nearly half of Shorty's life later, they're ready to be reunited.

"He did tell me whether he lives on this earth for three months or three years, they would love to have him back,” said Tortoreo.

But it's been a long journey for the dog.

"He looks like a white poodle now, he obviously looked more gray or black at the time. Very, very matted coat, matted eyes, could barely see out of his eyes,” said Dr. Blake Peurifoy of Cabarrus Animal Hospital.

While no one knows how he ended up in the Tar Heel state, Peurifoy says Shorty currently has a severe heart murmur and some very serious oral disease that they're going to take care of for the family first.

"I don't want to add additional hardship to them, because if anyone were to have this dog with it's heart condition and the condition his mouth is in, it's like saying, 'Here. Here's your sick dog back and you've got $2,000 worth of stuff to deal with in his mouth,'” said Peurifoy.

Then, once he's healthy in a couple of weeks, he'll head home.

"We're trying to get the dog so far, maybe to Atlanta, and Atlanta someplace else. It's just really important to us to get this dog back to the proper owner,” said Tortoreo.

They're asking for the public's help. They want to hear from anyone who can step up and let this little guy hitch a ride back to his home state.

"I know these people have had the past seven years or so a hard life, thank God I'm not in their position and we just hope this serves as a sort of a bright spot for them because they certainly deserve it,” said Peurifoy.

The Cabarrus Animal Hospital says the best way to ensure you will be paired up with your pet again if anything ever happens to it is to microchip the animal. They say things such as collars or tags can easily come off, but in cases such as this one, the microchip is what helped them track down the original owners.

Pets may get the flu more often than thought

2012-10-10T15:27:00Z

Humans aren't the only ones at risk for contracting the flu this season: our furry friends can fall ill from the disease as well.

In fact, flu infections in cats and dogs may be much more common than thought, experts say. And pets can catch the flu from their owners, research finds.

One study of cat blood samples found about 30 percent of cats in Ohio had been infected with seasonal flu, and 20 percent had been infected with the H1N1 flu strain that caused the 2009 pandemic. Studies also suggest there has been an increase in cat flu infections since 2009.

Researchers have known since the 1970s that cats can get the flu, and since 2000 that dogs could get it, but detailed reports of such cases have been rare, said Christiane Loehr, an associate professor at Oregon State University's College of Veterinary Medicine.

Loehr and colleagues are conducting a broader study of blood samples from cats across the United States to pin down exactly how often cats get the flu.

It's not possible to know how sick the cats in the Ohio study were — the blood samples only show that they were infected at some point. It's also not clear whether these cats caught the flu from their owners, from other cats or animals, Loehr said.

But when human-to-pet transmission happens, researchers worry not only about the health of the pets, but also about the evolution of the virus. A flu virus that hops across species has the potential to undergo changes to its genetic code that could make it more virulent and dangerous to people.

"All viruses can mutate, but the influenza virus raises special concern," because it can change large segments of its DNA fairly easily, Loehr said. "In terms of hosts and mutations, who's to say that the cat couldn’t be the new pig? We'd just like to know more about this."

So far, the researchers have confirmed 13 cases in which a pet cat or dog caught the pandemic H1N1 flu strain from a person.

One of the first known cases occurred in Oregon in 2009. An 8-year-old cat became ill with flu and developed pneumonia after catching the disease from its owner, who was eventually hospitalized with H1N1.

In another case, a 10-year-old cat with a fever and breathing problems was found to have pandemic H1N1, and died after four days. The cat likely caught the flu from a child in the house who had been sick the week before. Four other cats in the house also showed signs of respiratory disease, but recovered.

Whether sick pets can transmit the flu virus back to people is not known, Loehr said.

Animals infected with the flu develop symptoms similar to those in people, including breathing problems, a running nose or eyes, and fatigue.

To protect pets, Loehr advised that owners get the seasonal flu shot which will reduce the chances of catching flu and spreading it to others — both people and pets.

People who become sick with the flu should take the same precautions with their pets as they would with other people, such as minimizing contact with them, Loehr said.

Because of the large increase in flu in cats after 2009, the researchers are also investigating whether the pandemic strain of H1N1 is particularly adept at infecting felines, Loehr said.

Dogs getting high on marijuana is an increasing problem in Colorado, vets say

2012-10-03T14:58:00Z

WTSP

Dogs that get into their owner's medical marijuana stash can become very sick — even die, vets say.

Pooches getting high on pot is an increasing problem in states like Colorado, where medical marijuana is legal.

Veterinarians say what used to be a rare problem is becoming alarmingly more common — and the results can be deadly.

“There are huge spikes in the frequency of marijuana ingestion [among pets] in places where it’s become legal,” veterinarian Dr. Debbie Van Pelt told CBS 4 in Denver.

When dogs get into their owner’s stash, they can get sick, staggering and vomiting.

“They basically [lose] a lot of their fine motor control, they have a wide-based stance and they are not sure on their feet,” said Pelt, who works at the Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital in Englewood, Colo.

Dogs most commonly get stoned by eating their owner’s pot-enhanced foods. Dr. Stacy Meola, a veterinarian at Colorado’s Wheat Ridge Clinic said she saw two dogs die when they got into baked goods made with marijuana butter, commonly sold at dispensaries.

WTSP

Marijuana-enhanced baked goods can be a danger to pets.

“[Marijuana] needs to be treated like any other drug,” Meola told CBS 4. “If you came home with a prescription of Vicodin from your doctor, you wouldn’t just leave it sitting there.”

The number of dogs that have gotten sick from marijuana has quadrupled in Colorado since the state legalized marijuana in 2000, according to a study by Meola.

While most dogs that ingest marijuana are back to normal within 24 hours of treatment, vets urge pet owners to keep the drug at a safe distance from animals.

Poll: N.J. voters support pet seat belts

2012-09-27T14:41:00Z

TRENTON, N.J. -- A poll of New Jersey voters indicates 45 percent support a bill requiring pets to be restrained during car trips, with 40 against.

The Fairleigh Dickinson University PublicMind poll of 901 registered voters, conducted Sept. 6-12, found 45 percent of respondents support a state Assembly bill that would require pets to be in restraints or crates during car trips, with 40 percent saying they oppose the bill, The (Newark, N.J.) Star-Ledger reported Wednesday.

The measure would carry a $20 fine for violations and could lead to animal cruelty charges bearing fines of up to $1,000.

Assemblywoman Grace Spencer, D-Essex, the bill's sponsor, said police in East Brunswick believe an unrestrained dog may have contributed to an incident leading to the deaths of two pedestrians.

"Not to trivialize text messaging, but people didn't think people having cellular phones in cars were going to be a problem until they became a problem," Spencer said. "How many people died or were in accidents prior to the legislation being written?"

A competing bill from Assemblyman Jay Webber, R-Morris, would clarify failing to restrain pets in cars does not constitute animal cruelty.

"These proposals have received both attention and ridicule," said Dan Cassino, a professor of political science at Fairleigh Dickinson and poll analyst. "But it seems like New Jersey voters are taking this seriously."

The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.3 percentage points.

FTC Reopens Public Comment Period for Pet Medications Workshop

2012-09-19T15:19:00Z

The Federal Trade Commission has reopened the public comment period for next month's workshop focusing on competition and consumer protection issues in the pet medications industry, and will now accept comments through November 1, 2012. The Commission is seeking the views of consumers, veterinarians, pharmacists, manufacturers, business representatives, economists, lawyers, academics, and other interested parties prior to that date.

The October 2, 2012, workshop agenda includes sessions examining the ways pet medications are distributed to consumers, and how these distribution practices affect consumer choice and price competition. Among other issues, the workshop will consider the extent to which consumers are able to obtain written, portable prescriptions that they can fill wherever they choose, and their ability to verify the safety and effectiveness of the pet medications they buy.

The Commission vote to reopen the public comment period was 5-0. Comments can be submitted electronically here. (FTC File No. P121201; the staff contact is Stephanie Wilkinson, Office of Policy Planning, 202-326-2084)

The FTC's Bureau of Competition works with the Bureau of Economics to investigate alleged anticompetitive business practices and, when appropriate, recommends that the Commission take law enforcement action. To inform the Bureau about particular business practices, call 202-326-3300, send an e-mail to antitrust@ftc.gov, or write to the Office of Policy and Coordination, Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade Commission, 601 New Jersey Ave., Room 7117, Washington, DC 20580. To learn more about the Bureau of Competition, read Competition Counts. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources

MEDIA CONTACT:: Office of Public Affairs
202-326-2180

AvoDerm Dog Food Recall

2012-09-12T14:48:00Z

Breeder’s Choice Pet Food of Irwindale, CA has announced a voluntary dog food recall involving one of its products due to possible contamination with Salmonella bacteria.

The event was reported by L. A. Biz in a news article dated September 11, 2012.

The recall includes AvoDerm Natural Lamb Meal and Brown Rice Adult Dog Formula in the 26 pound bag only manufactured with Best Before dates of August 28, 2013, August 29, 2013 and August 30, 2013.

The company claims it was able to contain the affected product at distribution centers. And it was not delivered to retail outlets.

The recall was confirmed by the US Food and Drug Administration in a news bulletin dated September 11, 2012.

What Products Are Being Recalled?

Products with the following UPC codes and Best By dates are being recalled:

Where Were the Recalled Products Sold?

The recall affects products distributed in the following U.S. states:

California
Georgia
Illinois
Nevada
Virginia
Washington

What to Do?

Salmonella is serious business — for both you and your pet. So, if you can confirm your dog’s food is one of the products being recalled, stop feeding or handling it immediately.

If you’ve discarded the packaging (something we recommend you never do) – or you’re in any way in doubt – do not take chances. Be safe. Stop feeding the product anyway.

For more information, the company suggests:

Go to the AvoDerm website at http://www.avoderm.com/ or call the AvoDerm consumer line at (866) 500-6286

You can report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in your area.

Or go to http://www.fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints.

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When Cops Shoot Dogs

2012-09-06T15:03:00Z

Every week in cities and towns across the United States, police officers shoot and kill an owner’s dog. Many times a dog poses a legitimate threat to the safety of the officer or the public, but too often cops show little discretion and butcher an innocent pet when it could have been avoided.

While nation-wide statistics of cop on dog shootings are difficult to find, it is evident that there is a problem. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, a 2008 lawsuit revealed that Milwaukee police shot more than 400 dogs over a 10 year period. The Village Voice reported 30 incidences of New York City Police Department officers shooting dogs in 2006. One expert with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that he sees between 250 and 300 such cases reported in the media every year but estimates another thousand go unreported.

There is no doubt that this trend is disturbing. After all, it is every dog owner’s worst nightmare to see their beloved pet gunned down by those who are supposed to protect and serve. However the unspoken tragedy in many of these cases has more to do with our civil liberties and constitutional rights.

A review of several police on dog shooting cases over the past several weeks demonstrates a general disregard in our law enforcement and judicial systems for citizens’ Fourth Amendment right to “be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures.” Many of these stories are enough to bring dog-lovers to tears.

Last Monday in Spartanburg, SC a police officer shot and killed a 35-pound dog that was tied to his owner’s front porch. According to examiner.com the officer arrived at the wrong house and was there to serve child support papers on a man who had not lived at the residence for years. “He really had no choice,” Sherriff Chuck Wright told Channel 7 of the officer who walked past a “Beware of Dog” sign before shooting and killing the small chained dog. The officer will not receive any disciplinary action.

On August 25 Rita Hairston of Buffalo, NY returned home to find that her house had been broken into and that her 10 year-old Labrador Retriever, Prada (pictured above), was missing. She soon discovered a search warrant, bullet holes and a pool of blood in her ransacked home. According to WKBW Buffalo, the warrant was for the address of another property that Hairston owned. That house was rented by her daughter’s boyfriend, Lance Thompson. The police claim they had probable cause to search Hairston’s home because they believed that Thompson, who was suspected of dealing cocaine, sometimes used her home to conduct illegal activities. No drugs were found in Hairston’s home during the raid that killed Prada.

On August 23 in Riverside, CA a police officer shot and killed a family’s pit bull while attempting to set up a perimeter as other officers closed in on a murder suspect two doors down. The dog’s owners claim that the dog was fenced in at the time and that the officer shot their dog to gain access to their yard. Riverside police Lt. Guy Toussaint told The Press Enterprise that officers were already in the backyard when the dog threatened them.

Last week in Thornton, CO police shot and killed a dog they say charged at them with its mouth opened while the officers were pursuing a man wanted for a misdemeanor drug charge. However one neighbor who witnessed the shooting told Fox 31 Denver that the dog posed no threat to the officers. “He wasn’t running, he wasn’t growling, he wasn’t barking. He was not lunging.” The dog’s family and witnesses say that the dog was in his own front yard when he was shot.

The above stories are all slightly different variations of the same sickening story: cops show up where they do not belong and slaughter the innocent pets of innocent people. It is bad enough when law enforcement agencies cross the line and destroy or seize our property without just cause, but pet-killing is on a different level. After all, we cannot replace a dog like we can a front door or a fence post. It is disturbing that police officers can so often be careless with the lives of dogs who are normally just trying to do their jobs: defend their families and their homes.

Of course, accidents will happen. Sometimes an officer must take the life of a dangerous animal when it becomes aggressive and threatens public safety. Too often however cops display almost thuggish behavior and complete disregard for the pets of the people they purport to protect and serve. In many ways this is a natural side effect of decades of police militarization and no-knock warrants brought on by the war on drugs. This is clearly on display in the case in Buffalo.

Every day across the United States police brandishing assault weapons and wearing full body armor break down doors and sweep houses, usually looking for illicit drugs. Most of the time, the police get the right address and no innocent people or pets are injured. Far too often however cops and judges get it wrong – the SWAT team kicks down the door of a hapless neighbor or a judge is too lax in his standards for issuing search warrants – and it is innocent people who pay the price for law enforcement’s overzealous prosecution of potential drug dealers.

In some of these cases, police simply display a lazy attitude and prefer to shoot dogs that get in the way, even when it is unclear that the dog is a legitimate threat. With relatively few incidences of attacks on professionals like meter readers and postal workers (all puns aside), it is difficult to see how police officers so frequently find themselves in situations where killing someone’s family member is the only option.

As Radley Balko pointed out in an excellent editorial in The Daily Beast, “There’s no question that in some circumstances, a police officer may have no choice but to shoot an aggressive animal. The problem is that in too many of these cases, the use of lethal force isn’t the last option taken, but the first.”

Whether law enforcement is overzealous, lazy or simply negligent there is no excuse for taking the lives of innocent pets other than as a last resort to protect against a legitimate and serious danger to the lives of police officers and members of the public. Police departments should do more to train their officers to better understand dog behavior and deal more humanely with animals that may pose a threat. While these are important steps to protect the lives of our pets, we must also address the larger issue which is the protection of our constitutional right to be secure in our own property and possessions.

Yes, dog-killing cops are infuriating enough on their own, but we must realize they are a product of an underlying lack of respect for our civil liberties that permeates many law enforcement agencies and our justice system.Too many police officers believe that they have a job to do and you, your dog and your constitutional rights better stay out of the way.

When informed voters are willing to elect leaders who are more concerned with the rights of their constituents than appearing “tough on crime” our pets and civil liberties will be more secure.

Special thanks to theagitator.com for supplying some of the links.

Kunis, Kutcher to adopt a pet

2012-09-05T15:27:00Z

Actors Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis are planning to adopt an abandoned dog. The couple, who are yet to officially confirm their romance, want to rescue an abandoned pooch, and are particularly keen to provide a "loving home" for a large canine, reports femalefirst.co.uk. "Mila (Kunis) and Ashton (Kutcher) have been touring shelters looking for an abandoned dog that needs a loving home," femalefirst.co.uk quoted a source as saying. "They have their hearts set on a big dog - either a golden retriever or a Labrador," the source added.

Bill Bohlke Dead: Texas Mayor Reportedly Killed By Donkey

2012-08-30T19:19:00Z

Hollywood Park, Texas Mayor Bill Bohlke died in an apparent donkey attack.

A small town Texas mayor was killed in an apparent attack by his own donkey Monday.

Hollywood Park Mayor Bill Bohlke was found dead Monday evening on his farm in Atascosa County, Texas. According to MySanAntonio.com local law enforcement officials believe that Bohlke's donkey attacked him.

MySanAntonio.com reports:

He was found on his Atascosa County ranch about 50 yards from his truck about 10 p.m. Monday, at least 10 hours after a stud donkey apparently attacked him, Atascosa County Chief Deputy David Soward said Wednesday.
“They can become very aggressive, very mean, sometimes triggered by a female in heat,” Soward said. “We'll probably never know what triggered it, but it was evident that this particular donkey was involved, based on the evidence at the scene and what we saw on this donkey.”

When asked if Bohlke was kicked or trampled, Soward replied, “We can just surmise, based on the evidence that we have, all of that.”

WOAI.com reports that Bohlke's family grew concerned when the first-term mayor had not returned home following a day on the ranch, and they gathered a group of neighbors who used a caravan of all-terrain vehicles to search for Bohlke.

Bohlke, an Air Force veteran, was elected mayor of the town of 3,200 in May. Hollywood Park, 1.5 square miles, sits just outside of San Antonio. Bohlke defeated Councilman Tim McCallum by a vote of 707-384, according to the Bexar County Elections Department. The town's website indicated that services for Bohlke will be held next week. A statement from the Bohlke family noted that the mayor enjoyed serving in the part-time post.

Bohlke made an impact in his first days in office in May, repealing three ordinances that he had campaigned against. These included a push to give him the authority to hire and fire department heads, raising his unilateral spending limit and giving Council members the ability to talk to city employees without his permission.

Illinois Pastor Find Dogs Alive After Church Burned

2012-08-30T14:55:00Z

The pastor of a Des Moines church that suffered extensive fire damage Friday had something to smile about Tuesday when his dog was found alive in the building, four days after the blaze took place.

The Rev. David Reasby said arson inspectors had just completed a walk through of the Lighthouse Full Gospel Baptist Church at 1600 E. Capitol Ave. Monday morning when his chihuahua Lil Bit followed them out of the building. He thought the dog had died in the fire.

"She was hungry, thirsty, dirty, her eyes were matted, but she survived," Reasby told the Des Moines Register this morning.

Lil Bit has been a part of Reasby's family for 10 years, and the pastor even contemplated buying a cross and flowers to place outside the building for the dog over the weekend, he said.

"I cried," Reasby said of seeing the dog alive. "You hear about people who love their animals like their children, like a part of their families. That's what Lil Bit was to us, a member of the family."

For Reasby, it was a bright spot in the long days that followed Friday's fire.

One person, James "Chief" Galbo, 56, was arrested Friday night and charged with first-degree arson in relation to the fire. Galbo had been living at the church and Reasby has identified him as an assistant there.

A sale was pending on the building at the time of the fire, Reasby said. Des Moines Fire Department spokesperson Brian O'Keefe told the Register over the weekend that the church had been used as a shelter for several years and had been cited for several fire code violations.

Reasby said disagreements with the city over the building's use were a primary reason he put it up for sale.

On Wednesday, the pastor said he's seen an outpouring of support from people around the city and the state. It hasn't been determined whether the building will need to be torn down, he said.

Des Moines Register

THE MEANING OF RESCUE

2012-08-17T22:05:00Z

Now that I'm home, bathed, settled and fed,
All nicely tucked in my warm new bed,
I'd like to open my baggage,
Lest I Forget,
There is so much to carry
So much to regret.
Hmmm ... Yes, there it is, right on the top,
Let's unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss,
And there by my bed hides Fear and Shame
As I look on these things I tried so hard to leave
I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain.
I loved them, the others, the ones who left me,
But I wasn't good enough .for they didn't want me.
Will you add to my baggage?
Will you help me unpack?
Or will you just look at my things
And take me right back?
Do you have the time to help me unpack?
To put away my baggage, to never repack? I pray that you do - I'm so tired you see,
But I do come with baggage - WILL YOU STILL WANT ME?
~Author Unknown

Dog left on mountain rescued

2012-08-16T16:15:00Z

When a dog was stranded high on a Colorado mountain, it was a group of men that came to the rescue. (CNN/KUSA)

COLORADO (CNN/KUSA) - When a dog was stranded high on a Colorado mountain, it was a group of men that came to the rescue.

A photo started circulating on the Internet about a dog named Missy found abandoned near Mt. Bierstadt at 13,000 feet. The dog was injured too badly to walk, having been there for 8 days without food or water.

Chase Lindell and Alex Gelb, along with six others, only knew the dog from the photo, but they set out to find her. And find her they did.

"The dog seemed really weak and it couldn't move much at all. And given the terrain there was no way the dog was walking out of there. So, we were able to get the dog into a backpack," said one of the rescuers.

The rescue took nine hours and conditions were anything but good as a "full blown snowstorm" rolled in.

They took Missy to a veterinarian where she is being treated for injuries to her paws and dehydration.

When word of the dog's rescue got out, her owner came forward. He says he was hiking with the dog when she became injured with a storm approaching. He says he tried to carry the dog down the mountain, but couldn't so he left her behind, assuming she had died. Instead, Missy survived and now he wants her back.

The Clear Creek County Sheriff's Department is currently looking into who should keep the dog. It may not be a simple issue.

"This may be an animal welfare case, more than it is an animal legal case or property case. This is a case about an animal's welfare and it may come down to what the best interests of what the dogs standard would be," explained attorney Jennifer Edwards.

The original photo that sparked the rescue was taken by a hiker who found Missy by couldn't get her off the mountain by himself.

Barry White helps flamingos mate at Sussex zoo

2012-08-16T16:11:00Z

Soul crooner Barry White has been helping a group of Chilean flamingos at a Sussex zoo mate after his songs were piped into their enclosure at night. The Walrus of Love’s classic hits such as I Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe and You’re the First, the Last, My Everything, were played to the creature to help romance blossom Barry White helped flamingos in a Sussex zoo get in the mood for romance It seems to have done the trick as two of the birds, Maurice and Gabriella, have hatched a chick. The new addition to Drusillas Park in Alfriston will be a much-welcomed one as flamingos are a threatened species, with water pollution and human activity near breeding sites driving down the population. The latest addition is the first successful flamingo hatching at Drusillas Park since 2009. Zoo manager Sue Woodgate said: ‘We are absolutely delighted with the progress of the flamingo chick. ‘I was lucky enough to be at the enclosure when it hatched. The keepers and I were so excited to see the little grey flamingo emerge from its shell under the watchful eye of its parents.’ Keepers at the zoo are hoping for another baby, as the flamingos are sitting on a further three eggs which could hatch in up to three weeks following a 27 to 31-day incubation period.

Grey Parrots are Smarter than Your Toddler

2012-08-16T16:09:00Z

Humans are animals. We're apes. We're highly sophisticated, yes. But we're just apes. I think people often forget that and end up placing homo sapiens sapiens on a pedestal. OK, so there are the great apes. They're pretty close. But surely no non-primate animal could possibly exhibit human-like abilities. As it turns out, an animal people previously considered pretty dumb are showing signs of being pretty smart.

We've known that grey parrots were quite smart for some time now. We know that these birds have impressive counting abilities and verbal prowess. Now a recent study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B has shown that grey parrots have the reasoning abilities of a three-year-old human.

This is something hinted at previously, but this study attempted to address criticisms. According to Smithsonian.com:

In several previous experiments, researchers claimed they'd revealed the ability of parrots to make inferences based on their skill in completing an extremely simple task. The animals were shown a pair of closed canisters, one with food inside and one empty, and the top of the empty one was briefly opened. Afterward, when they were given the chance to choose one or the other, they reliably selected the one with food. Critics, though, said that this didn't necessarily demonstrate any sort of inferential reasoning-they could simply be avoiding the empty canister, rather than realizing its emptiness implied there was food in the other.

This time, however, the researchers didn't open the can. They shook the can so the parrots could hear the food (walnuts, in this case) or not. This alone would be open to the same criticisms as the previous experiments. That's why the researchers did something a bit different:

To confirm that the parrots were actually making inferences about the location of food, and not merely avoiding a silent box, the researchers introduced one more variation to the task. Instead of using the actual canisters to make the noises, they wore small speakers on their wrists that emitted shaking noises. In some cases, they shook the box in their right hand, but emitted the shaking noises from a speaker on their left wrist; in other cases, they played the sounds from the correct side. The parrots only made the right selection on a consistent basis when the sound lined up with the shaking-so they were making an inference not based on a visual or aural cue alone, but from noting the connection between both.

Whoa! Do you know what this means? A bird can show abstract, inferential thinking. No other non-primate species has demonstrated this ability. Not only that, but humans are incapable - incapable! - of this kind of reasoning before the age of three. This bird is smarter than your baby!

Grey parrots, of course, aren't the only super smart avians. Crows can use tools and recognize your face, for crying out loud! I guess the next time someone calls me a bird brain I'll take it as a compliment.

Top dogs! Andy Murray's proud pooches show off his Olympic gold and silver medals

2012-08-10T15:53:00Z

Barely a day after winning his Olympic medals, Andy Murray has already had them snatched away from him... by two dogs.

Maggie May and Rusty, the gold and silver medallists in the photograph, belong to Murray and his girlfriend Kim Sears - who sat and cheered the Scot on as he beat Roger Federer in straight sets yesterday.

Tweeted by Sears, who set up an account for Maggie May last year, the photo shows the dog, and another dog, Rusty, wearing Murray's medals with pride.

And the medals go to... Maggie May (right) and Rusty (left) don Andy Murray's two Olympic medals

The real deal: Andy Murray (left) and Laura Robson (right) won silver medals in the mixed doubles

Barely a day after the Scot took gold in the singles and silver, with Laura Robson in the mixed doubles, the two pooches appear to have snatched them for themselves.

Sears tweeted on the dog's account named @maggiemay_hem: 'Here we go folks... Just checking to make sure Rusty definitely has the silver, obviously. pic.twitter.com/Gk48XWBI

It was accompanied with the above picture, where Maggie May appears to be looking longingly at the silver medal - despite possessing the gold herself.

Rusty looks proud to have the silver medal draped around his neck, as the gold medal-winning border terrier looks on.

Sears, a true animal lover, paints all sorts of creatures as a hobby, and has her own website where she showcases her work and links to Maggie May's Twitter feed.

Maggie May - or Sears - is a prolific and witty tweeter, the dog once quipped: 'Kate Middleton's dog is stealing column inches.

'This has not gone unnoticed, and I'll step out without underwear tomorrow to compensate.'

Maggie May tweeted the photograph of the dogs donning the medals

Kim Sears set up a Twitter account for the couple's dog Maggie May a year ago

The dog was named after the Rod Stewart hit Magie May

Murray took Federer to pieces on the same court where he lost the Wimbledon final just 28 days earlier.

With barely a moment's rest-bite, the Olympic champion was back out on court with doubles partner Robson.

Unfortunately for Sears, Maggie May, and Rusty, he could not win another gold, as the Belarusian pair of Victoria Azarenka and Max Mirnyi in three sets.

It was ultimately a disappointing result for Murray not to have achieved double gold, but Rusty seems to be more than content with the silver medal regardless.

Magnanimous in defeat: Murray and Robson only just missed out on a gold medal in the mixed doubles

Sealed with a kiss: Murray and Sears celebrated after his victory in the Olympics final

Signature: Murray did his trademark salute to the skies after his win

Watch The Video - CLICK HERE

Saving Diesel: The Rescue of a Gas Station Refugee

2012-08-08T16:28:00Z

In September of 2011 I went on a family roadtrip to Utah. My boyfriend at the time and I stopped at a gas station in Nephi, Utah, and while he went to the restroom I pumped gas, and as I was killing time waiting, I spotted a horrifically thin dog slinking from pump to pump. He would approach customers pumping gas, and they would shoo him in fear.

He was gaunt and had sores and lesions all over his body, but he was absolutely beautiful. I knew right away that he was a purebred German Shorthaired Pointer, and he was small, so I figured he was young. He had a beautiful chocolate head, and liver ticking scattered across his dirtied white coat.

My boyfriend returned from the restroom, and I asked him if he could buy a sandwich while I attempted to coax the dog over to me. The dog looked at me with wary eyes, but the smell of ham sandwich did the trick. When he finally reached me I felt a spike of fear in my gut.

This dog looked extremely sickly – perhaps he had rabies, but when he came close enough to bite, he just sat instead. He looked up at me with eyes I will never forget. Just typing this story brings me back to that moment, and I can feel the tears well in my eyes. I dropped slabs of ham into his mouth, and he took the food so gently, despite his obvious state of hunger.

He ate the sandwich in mere seconds, and gulped down an entire bowl of water. I then decided to examine him, since he had not shown any signs of aggression thus far. I made a choice that most would advise against: I sat on the filthy cement at a roadside gas station, to perform a routine physical exam, on a dog I had met 10 minutes ago.

I had once volunteered as a veterinary technician’s assistant, so I knew how to check his vitals. My heart raced as I gently restrained the skeletal dog. I ran my hands over his entire body checking for parasites, examined his sores and gashes, and checked his gums, teeth and vitals. His gums were pale, but his teeth were pristine, which told me he was young. He was intact but not fully developed, which confirmed my assumption. My guess was 8 months.

His tail was docked, single dew claw was removed, and the other was hanging by a mangled string of tissue. He had infected scabs on his face, rear and legs, and he trembled as I ran my hands over his ears. Those eyes…they were the color of amber in summer sunlight. I began to choke up as I realized this poor puppy had been here for a very long time. Countless people had stopped at this station, yet no one had paid him any attention.

As I released my hold on him he slumped into my lap, his long body stretched all the way across my intertwined legs, and he released a deep sigh as he closed his eyes. I looked up at my boyfriend with tears in my eyes and we called the SPCA. Within ten minutes a woman arrived with an animal control truck, and took the emaciated dog away. As I handed him off, she told me I was a wonderful person for helping him, but all I could think of was what would happen to him next.

We told the woman to call us when someone claimed him, but a tone of doubt hung heavy in her voice. She told me that the shelter was at capacity, and if no one claimed him in a week, he would be euthanized. My boyfriend and I called every day from that day forward, and at the end of the week, no one had claimed him. No one had even visited the shelter, and upon our trip to the facility, we understood why.

The woman who took the dog away, was the only person who worked in a shelter that housed over 30 dogs. The kennels were drowning in feces and urine, and the stench was so potent, it burned our eyes. It wasn’t her fault. She apologized for the filth, and explained that no one ever comes for the dogs, no one ever volunteers to help, and that the majority of these dogs would die in this shelter. There were beautiful dogs everywhere, and the sight of several of them crammed into runs fit for a single dog was heart wrenching.

We wanted to take them all, but couldn’t even justify taking this dog home. Against our better judgment, we adopted the dog for a whopping $20 (and donated another $30). No paperwork, no questions asked, just $20 and this beautiful dog was ours. We decided to name him Diesel, since we had found him at a gas station.

Getting him into a car was a mission in itself. He was horrified of it. I feared that he would panic once the car started to move, but to my surprise, he laid his head on my lap and slept the ENTIRE ride. For 8 hours I pondered our decision. I lived in a “no pets allowed” tiny studio apartment in a quiet neighborhood. He was a bird dog, a breed notorious for high energy and a zest for adventure.

We decided to just foster him until we could find him an appropriate home. The first night was spent posting an ad on craigslist, and replying to potential owners. Within two days I had over 25 responses to my post, and many of them sounded wonderful, but every time I looked into Diesel’s eyes I felt as if he was my own.

I found excuse after excuse to not meet with the inquiring potential owners, and I eventually deleted the post all together. My boyfriend had posted fliers everywhere, and calls continued to pour in. I finally told him I couldn’t let Diesel go, and I began to look for a new place to live. I left my beautiful studio apartment in the woods, moved in with my boyfriend, had to commute 30 minutes to school and work everyday, and when the relationship failed, I took Diesel back home with me (6.5 hours away).

It has almost been a year since I found Diesel, and with every passing day I watch him grow stronger. He was 35 lbs when I found him, he is 55 lbs now, and when he fully fills out, he will be about 65 lbs. His wounds have healed, but some of the deeper ones have left scars. His coat is brilliant, soft and exceptionally beautiful. He is well muscled and runs 10 miles a day, with the biggest grin you have ever seen stretched across his face. He has come on many roadtrips since I found him, and he considers the car his first home.

I have 1 semester of college left, and raising a high energy puppy while balancing school and work has been anything but easy, but I wouldn’t take back a single day. I hope that my story inspires people to stop when they see a dog in need, or for that matter any creature in need – because they could change your life in ways you would never imagine.

Steven Tyler Loves His Yorkie & Morkie

2012-08-03T15:55:00Z

In a recent interview with TIME Magazine, Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler gushed about his two dogs.

“I have a Yorkie and a Morkie… (Yorkie + Maltese = Morkie) One is a teacup I put in my pocket. And the other one I put in a sling over my shoulder, and I walk around, and it’s the cutest effing thing on the planet.”

He went on to describe how he has turned to his dogs during rough (ruff?) times including of drug addiction.

“Dogs have a lot of love… They sleep right next to my neck,” he added.

The dogs have also helped him stay clean and away from the party scene. “I miss going out to a club, yacking it up. So I talk to my dogs.”

Wondering what the dogs’ names are? The Yorkie is named, “Butch Cassidy,” and the Morkie is named, “The Sundance Kid.” (maybe shortened to Sunny in reality?)

Steven didn’t mention whether he is tempted to sing, “Walk this way” when he takes the dogs around the block, but I could see either of those little guys inspiring him to break into, “Dude Looks Like a Lady.”

Welcome Rosie

2012-08-02T14:49:00Z

Billy and girlfriend Alexis Roderick adopt Rosie, a 4 year-old Pug, from the North Shore Animal League America. Rosie was rescued from a puppy mill, where she lived life in a small wire cage with no human companionship, toys, or comfort. That's all behind her now as she joins a loving home and the company of Sabrina, Billy's beloved 8 year-old Pug. Alexis says Rosie can't keep her eyes off Billy...."she is in love with him!"

Judge: L.A. Zoo elephants 'not happy, healthy, thriving'

2012-07-25T15:56:00Z

Offering harsh criticism of the Los Angeles Zoo's treatment of elephants, a judge has ordered keepers to exercise the animals, till their soil and not use bullhooks or electric prods.

But Superior Court Judge John L. Segal stopped short of ordering the $42 million elephant exhibit shut down, as called for in a lawsuit by the late actor Robert Culp and real estate agent Aaron Leider.

In a 56-page decision that followed a six-day trial in June, Segal on Monday said "all is not well at the Elephants of Asia exhibit."

"Contrary to what the zoo's representatives may have told the Los Angeles City Council in order to get construction of the $42 million exhibit approved and funded, the elephants are not healthy, happy, and thriving," Segal wrote.

But, he added, "evidence is inconclusive on the issue of how much space an elephant needs (or three elephants need) ..."

Leider and Culp sued Zoo Director John Lewis and the city five years ago for an injunction to shut down the city's new exhibit on grounds it was too small to humanely house elephants.

The lawsuit alleged the zoo was guilty of animal abuse.

It also asserted government waste and injury to public property, including the deaths of 14 elephants over the years.

The 2007 lawsuit came on the heels of an attempt by animal welfare activists to prevent the exhibit from opening in December 2010, and to pack off its remaining pachyderms to a sanctuary.

The zoo currently houses three Asian elephants within 3.8 acres: 27-year-old Billy the bull, and Tina and Jewel, both females once rescued from an abusive circus.

Elephant welfare activists were disappointed the judge didn't close the exhibit, but were thrilled by judicial findings of insufficient care - which they say warrant the conclusion it should be closed.

Attorneys are considering whether to appeal.

"Twenty-three zoos across the United States have either closed, or are in the process of closing," said David Casselman, a Tarzana-based attorney who has worked pro bono on the case for five years.

"This decision cries out for the mayor and the City Council to take this new information to heart - and to reconcile their decision to continue the suffering of elephants at the Los Angeles Zoo."

Zoo spokesman Jason Jacobs released a statement Tuesday afternoon saying that, while zoo leaders were pleased the elephant exhibit would stay open, they disagreed with the judge's opinion regarding "the competency and validity of our elephant program."

The case, he said, "focused largely on outdated information and animal care practices and does not reflect the animal care decisions that have been made in recent years to improve the elephant habitat at the Los Angles Zoo."

Assistant City Attorney Valerie Flores agreed, saying the zoo's keepers already exercise the elephants, and haven't employed bullhooks since the lawsuit was filed in 2007.

"We're pleased that the court recognized that, although the zoo must undertake certain practices to improve the condition of the elephants, the court allowed the exhibit to remain open, and the elephants to stay in Los Angeles."

In an injunction regarding the treatment of Los Angeles elephants, Segal prohibited zookeepers from using bullhooks and electric shock in the management, care and discipline of the elephants.

But the zoo does not use bullhooks, and hasn't used cattle prods and other electric instruments on elephants in decades, Jacobs said in the statement.

The judge also required the zoo to exercise the elephants at least two hours a day, if weather or other conditions permit.

To help prevent health problems such as arthritis or degenerative bone disease caused by hard-packed dirt, he also required the zoo to till the exhibit's soil, or substrate, regularly.

Segal, in his descriptions of the elephants' Los Angeles environment, was sometimes harsh. He was also critical of zookeepers' knowledge of elephant behavior.

He said a "preponderance of the evidence" showed that the untilled ground within the elephants' compound created a risk of injury to the elephants' joints, feet, and nails.

But while he said the evidence also showed the quality of life for elephants at the L.A. Zoo was not good - and was having serious repercussions for their physical and emotional well-being - he fell short of calling the zoo abusive.

"Thus," Segal said, "the Elephants of Asia exhibit at the Los Angeles Zoo is not a happy place for elephants, nor is it for members of the public who go to the zoo and recognize that the elephants are neither thriving, happy, nor content. Captivity is a terrible existence for any intelligent, self-aware species, which the undisputed evidence shows elephants are.

"To believe otherwise, as some high-ranking zoo employees appear to believe, is delusional. And the quality of life that Billy, Tina, and Jewel endure in their captivity is particularly poor."

Leider of Brentwood called the judge's ruling "fantastic - because our pursuit was always one of the truth, and the truth has not come out.

"I believe the public will demand the exhibit be closed."

Catherine Doyle, of In Defense of Animals, agreed.

"Today's decision sends the clear message that the L.A. Zoo's $42 million exhibit has not improved the elephant's health or well-being as promised," she said Tuesday.

"It's time to shut down the exhibit at the L.A. Zoo."

Now it's s*** my pets ruined! Animal lovers reveal the damage and destruction their beloved pets cause to their expensive property

2012-07-17T17:15:00Z

It is said there is nothing like the unconditional love only an adorable pet can give you - just try remembering that when you get home from work and find your home resembles a war zone.

Hilarious images of torn up letters, chewed up furniture, ransacked gardens and graffitied windows have been collected and put together to form a website called S*** My Pets Ruined.

Created in March 2010, the website updates regularly with new pictures of the chaos and destruction caused mainly by dogs and cats while their owners' backs are turned.

Want to make something of it? This boxer looks decidedly belligerent after having made a meal out of his owner's computer chair

Modogliani? The owner's window might be a mess, but she thinks it's 'pretty damn good for a dog'.

Shredded: The puppy, above, has found a way to get rid of junk mail while right, a Jack Russell has had a ball with a bumper pack of loo roll.

And it is a moment almost every pet owner is only too familiar with - as Rover or Whiskers look up at you with those adorable eyes, innocently cocking their heads as if to say, 'What have I done?', you try to hold in your anger and rage as you survey the damage around you.

The website was set up after the success of the similar site S*** My Kids Ruined, which was put together by exasperated mother Julie Haas Brophy from New York, after her son spilled a tub of black paint all over her rug.

After posting it on Facebook, it grew from there and has since been turned into a book.

Green pawed: This cat decided to make its own kitty litter out of the house plant.

Eating out: The tabby cat fancied an Italian for dinner and got more than it fair share of meatballs.

Room with a mew: This puss hadn't quite mastered the art of pulling up the blind so decided it would be best to go through it instead.

Christmas came early: These dogs created their very own winter wonderland.

In a similar vein, the pets' version pictures are submitted by frustrated owners who have discovered some beloved item or place ruined by their equally as beloved pet.

As one dog owner, Joelle Para wrote on the Facebook site after posting her dog beside chewed up blinds: 'She's so precious though, so it's difficult to be mad at her. I still love her.'

Another dowg-owner wrote: 'I don't care what they tear up when they are so cute.'

Bonnie Tracey-Faronne wrote: 'S**** my pets ruined? Where do I even start? How about my dog, Guillermo, deciding to use my Stickley table ($10K+) as a fire hydrant and warping the finish on two out of four of the legs?'

The website says: 'We know your pets have ruined some s***. Or maybe just the smell of your home. We want to know about the s*** your pets ruined! Commiseration is our salvation........... CONTRIBUTE! It's therapeutic.'

Root of the problem: Seven-month-old Shih Tzu Abby takes her destruction outdoors: Her owner said: 'This poor shrub was unearthed and shredded before it even had a chance to get put in the ground'.

Guilty: Relaxing after destroying the sofa cushions, this dog was caught with a mouthful of evidence.

Never liked that rug... Not content with ruining his own bed the bull terrier obviously thought his owner's carpet was good to go as well

See these images and more at the website.

Alaska town elects a cat for mayor

2012-07-16T16:10:00Z

A cat named Stubbs has been the mayor of a small Alaskan town for about 15 years, locals say.

Known locally as "Mayor Stubbs," the part-manx was named mayor of Talkeetna shortly after he was born, KTUU-TV, Anchorage, Alaska, reported.

As the story goes, about 15 years ago, some residents of Talkeetna were unhappy with the candidates who were running for mayor, so as a joke, they encouraged others to elect Stubbs the cat as a write-in candidate, and he actually won.

Since then, he has held the title of honorary mayor.

Stubbs mostly hangs out at Nagley's General Store, where thousands of tourists ask to see him every year, the report said.

"Oh my gosh, we probably have 30 to 40 people a day come in who are tourists wanting to see him," said Lauri Stec, who works at Nagley's.

Belfast dog Lennox put to sleep after 2-year fight

2012-07-11T16:52:00Z

DUBLIN— A pug-nosed black Belfast dog named Lennox, who inspired a two-year legal fight and animal-rights protests on both sides of the Atlantic, was put to sleep Wednesday amid claims that city council staff had been threatened with death.

Belfast City Council confirmed the 7-year-old dog was put down after a deadline for legal appeals expired.

Dog wardens deemed the pit bull-type dog to be a public danger and seized him from his owners in April 2010. Lennox spent two years in a municipal dog pound while his owners and city authorities battled in the courts. Northern Ireland's senior appeals judges last month upheld two 2011 rulings that the dog should be put down.

His owner, Caroline Barnes, argued that Lennox was a bull dog mix, not a pit bull terrier, never attacked anyone and could be resettled outside Northern Ireland in a jurisdiction that permits ownership of pit bulls, specifically the United States.

An online "Save Lennox" petition and social media campaigns with tens of thousands of followers, many of them using the Twitter hashtag LennoxArmy, spurred protests in Belfast and New York seeking his freedom. Among its supporters was First Minister Peter Robinson, leader of Northern Ireland's regional government, who has no role in enforcing animal welfare laws.

Barnes said the council had rejected her request to be present when the dog was put to sleep and instead would send her the ashes by mail.

City council staff said experts had found Lennox to be menacingly erratic in his behavior and a clear qualifier for the U.K.'s dangerous dogs law that bans the ownership of pit bulls or dogs similar to them. And they condemned a campaign of hate messages to council staff, which included the public naming of dog-control officers and threats to wage "war" against Belfast City Council.

"The council's expert described the dog as one of the most unpredictable and dangerous dogs he had come across," Belfast City Council said in a statement. "Over the past two years, council officials have been subjected to a sustained campaign of abuse, including threats of violence and death threats."

Councilman Pat McCarthy said Lennox's owners appeared to be in denial about the public safety risk posed by their dog.

"The people looking after Lennox for the past two years said that one minute the dog was placid and friendly, and the next he would try to get through the fence to get at you," McCarthy said. "Now, do we release that dog into society?"

McCarthy said dog catchers and other council staff had suffered campaigns of intimidation to the point where they felt obliged to flee their homes. '

'We've had petrol poured through letter boxes. We've had people named on the Web. There have been attempts to demonize our staff for doing their job," he said.

Victoria Stilwell, who hosts the Animal Planet dog-training program "It's Me Or the Dog," said she felt crushed that Belfast officials hadn't permitted Lennox's resettlement in a U.S. sanctuary for pit bulls.

"I hoped Belfast City Council would realize that there were alternatives that provided a sanctuary for Lennox in the USA where he would be safe, but they did not listen," she said.

Struggling With Vet Bills?

2012-07-10T17:35:00Z

Even before the economy took a nose dive in 2008, our rescue was getting requests for help from guinea pig owners blindsided by vet bills for illnesses and unplanned surgeries. Our friends in other rescues for dogs, cats, birds, bunnies, ferrets, chinchillas, and reptiles tell us that they similarly can't go a month without getting at least one request for help from a pet owner overwhelmed by an existing vet bill, or emotionally strung out because they have a pet that needs surgery but they just don't have the money to pay.

The requests for help fall into one of the following buckets:

a straight handout that doesn't have to be paid back
a loan that will be paid back over a period of time
the chance to let them run their pets through the rescue's often-discounted account with a local veterinary hospital
surrender the ailing pet so that the rescue can foot the bill, handle the medical care (e.g., antibiotics, wound care, post-operative care), and rehome the animal (or pay to have the animal put down if the problem reveals itself to be incurable)

Cash-strapped rescues rarely (or never) have extra funds to loan or grant to pet owners, and few will jeopardize their own relationships with vets in order to falsely funnel someone else's pet into surgery under whatever discount the vet has extended to the rescue. Some may have special arrangements with vets that allows them to provide "compassionate interventions," but they're more likely the exception than the norm.

It breaks our hearts to have to tell an owner whose guinea pig, say, has bladder stones that we can't help them financially, knowing that the animal may well die because the owner can't afford the surgery bill and the vet, for whatever reason, refuses to work out a payment plan. The best we can do is offer the suggestions we know about, and pray that one of them will pan out.

More Options Available Than You Think

Negotiate with a vet. In instances where the owner says they haven't asked their vet about installment payments over a course of two or three months, we encourage them to try negotiating such an arrangement. Vets may be willing to work out such installment payments if they can bill to a credit card number, or deposit post-dated checks, on mutually agreed-upon dates. Beyond that, we suggest vets whom we know have been reasonable with arrangements for critical-care patients whose humans are struggling financially.

Apply for a grant. There are some medical grants available, for which individuals can apply on their own or with the involvement of a veterinarian. These grants come from organizations like Help-A-Pet, United Animal Nations, and the AAHA Helping Pets Fund.

Repayment plans. Because the vets we know often won't extend payment plans more than three months from the original date of service, you might need to look elsewhere if you know that 90 days isn't going to be enough time. We are hearing more and more about financing arrangements, like Citi Health Card and Care Credit, that can give pet owners repayment plans stretching as long as 18 months. (If you can discipline yourself not to use it for other purposes, you could also simply have a separate low-interest credit card tucked away just for vet bills.)

Insurance and savings accounts. Some advice articles suggest creating health savings accounts (HSA) or flexible spending accounts (FSA) for your pets, the same as you can for humans. On the insurance side, we're aware of pet insurance plans from ASPCA, Purina, and 24PetWatch. The VPI Avian & Exotic Plan is the only one I've heard of (so far), that covers exotic pets, birds, and reptiles.

The best time to start contingency planning for the unexpected is before you need it. Doing so means that when your pet is in crisis, you can stay calm and focus on its needs and not on the growing hole in your wallet.

Dogs and cats may help kids escape respiratory illnesses

2012-07-10T17:33:00Z

Dogs and cats might offer protection against respiratory illnesses in the first year of an infant's life, a new study has revealed.

Finnish researchers have found that having pets during infancy may actually protect children from respiratory illnesses during the first year of their life.

They followed 397 children from the time their mothers were pregnant through age 1.

The scientists found that those who were exposed to dogs at home had fewer respiratory illnesses or symptoms compared with children who didn't have dogs.

Children with dogs also had less-frequent ear infections and needed antibiotics less often as compared to those children who were never exposed to dogs. Cats offered similar protective benefits, but to a lesser degree.

According to the authors, the findings suggest that early contact with dogs or cats may ramp up infants' immune systems.

"We speculate that animal contacts could help to mature the immunologic system, leading to more composed immunologic response and shorter duration of infections," ABC News quoted them as writing.

The amount of time a dog spends inside the home also has an impact on children's respiratory health.

Children who live in houses where dogs are inside less than six hours a day are at lowest risk for respiratory problems.

The authors think that it could be because dogs that are inside track less dirt. More exposure to dirt leads to more exposure to different types of bacteria, which can help strengthen the immune system.

Other studies also suggest that pets can lower children's risk of certain illnesses.

Research out of the University of California, San Francisco published in June found that dust in homes where there are dogs may protect children against respiratory syncytial virus, a common cause of potentially severe cold-like illnesses.

But the Finnish study didn't include parents with allergies to dogs or cats.

Parents with these allergies are more likely to have children with the same allergies, and having pets around very young children who are allergic may not be very safe.

"If an infant has an allergic predisposition, their reaction will be more pronounced than an older child's," said Dr. Nina Shapiro, director of pediatric otolaryngology at UCLA's Mattel Children's Hospital.

Dr. Shapiro meant that if an allergic infant is exposed to a dog or cat, it can potentially be dangerous.

That's what kept David Bakke from getting a pet for his son, even though the little boy always wanted one. Bakke, an editor at Money Crashers Personal Finance, is allegic to several animals.

"We decided against it because of potential health risks for myself as well as the possibility of long-term respiratory illness for my son," Bakke said.

The study was recently published in the journal Pediatrics. (ANI)

Keeping dogs may help fight off respiratory infection linked to asthma

2012-06-20T21:50:00Z

Dogs not only protect your house from thieves, they may also help ward off a virus linked to childhood asthma development.

According to researchers from the University of California, house dust from homes with dogs appears to protect against infection with a common respiratory virus that is associated with the development of asthma in children.

"In this study we found that feeding mice house dust from homes that have dogs present protected them against a childhood airway infectious agent, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV infection is common in infants and can manifest as mild to severe respiratory symptoms. Severe infection in infancy is associated with a higher risk of developing childhood asthma," said Kei Fujimura, a researcher on the study.

In the study Fujimura and her colleagues compared three groups of animals: Mice fed house dust from homes with dogs before being infected with RSV, mice infected with RSV without exposure to dust and a control group of mice not infected with RSV.

"Mice fed dust did not exhibit symptoms associated with RSV-mediated airway infection, such as inflammation and mucus production. They also possessed a distinct gastrointestinal bacterial composition compared to animals not fed dust," said Fujimura.

Pet ownership, in particular dogs, has previously been associated with protection against childhood asthma development, said Fujimura.

Recently she and her colleagues demonstrated that the collection of bacterial communities (the microbiome) in house dust from homes that possess a cat or dog is compositionally distinct from house dust from homes with no pets.

"This led us to speculate that microbes within dog-associated house dust may colonize the gastrointestinal tract, modulate immune responses and protect the host against the asthmagenic pathogen RSV," said Fujimura.

"This study represents the first step towards determining the identity of the microbial species which confer protection against this respiratory pathogen," the researcher noted.

Identification of the specific species and mechanisms underlying this protective effect represents a crucial step towards understanding the critical role of microbes in defining allergic disease outcomes and could lead to development of microbial-based therapies to protect against RSV and ultimately reduce the risk of childhood asthma development, added Fujimura.

Researchers presented their findings at the 2012 General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.

Blind puppy adopted by baseball team

2012-06-19T22:25:00Z

Fans of minor league baseball team the Albuquerque Isotopes will have something new to cheer about this season in addition to the great plays on the field.

The newest Isotope is a 6-month-old German Shepherd mix named Stevie Wonder, and he really knows how to work the crowd. The adorable pup has already become a hit at the ballpark after being adopted by the team.

Isotopes pitcher John Ely first met Stevie while on a team volunteer trip to Watermelon Mountain Ranch, an animal rescue shelter in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

“We were just there to walk the dogs and help out,” Ely says of the Isotopes’ visit to Watermelon Mountain Ranch. “They brought Stevie out and said they were trying to raise money to help him get adopted. We started talking about what we could do to help.”

Ely was especially affected by Stevie’s story. When the Watermelon Mountain Ranch staff first met Stevie, it was clear that the young puppy had been a victim of cruel abuse. As a result of his injuries, Stevie had to have both of his eyes removed.

But being blind didn’t affect Stevie’s spunky personality at all, Ely explains. “He’s got no eyes, but he’s about as happy as they get,” Ely says of Stevie.

When the Ranch staff brought Stevie by the team’s stomping grounds, Isotopes Park, Ely and the rest of the team knew right away that the dog would be the perfect addition to the Isotopes family. So the decision was made to adopt the lovable pup.

“He won everyone over, so we all agreed to pitch in,” says Ely, who serves as Stevie’s primary guardian. “Everyone loves him,” says Ely. “The players, the coaches, clubhouse guys, everyone. Stevie’s way more popular around here than I am,” he adds.

“He’s pretty amazing,” says Isotopes outfielder Brian Cavazos-Galvez of Stevie. He explains that although Stevie is blind, the Shepherd mix is getting around just fine and adjusting to his new home. “He already knows his way around the locker room, and you can tell his other senses are really keen,” Cavazos-Galvez says. “As soon as he walks on carpet, he gets kind of cautious and follows you around. When he gets on grass, though, he goes crazy.”

Ely’s home base is back in Chicago with girlfriend Betina Gozo, and that’s where Stevie will stay long term. “It’s better for him to have a permanent place, but the guys aren’t too happy with me right now,” Ely says.

Ely plans on bringing Stevie back to Albuquerque to visit with the rest of the Isotopes clan, and for that, the guys are grateful.

“[Stevie] just kind of makes you smile whenever you see him,” says Cavazos-Galvez.

Isotopes manager Lorenzo Bundy agrees: “Old Stevie really has been fun to have around. He’s pretty special.”

Why 50 Cent Named His Dog Oprah

2012-06-13T16:40:00Z

50 Cent and Oprah Winfrey haven't always had an easy relationship, especially since the rapper accused the media mogul of catering to "old white women" in 2006. But the pair sat down to discuss their differences for the latest installment of Oprah's Next Chapter, where Winfrey went after the hip-hop star about a peculiar slight.

"Let me ask you, I heard you have a dog named Oprah," she says in the episode, airing Sunday at 9 p.m. on the OWN Network. "I consider that a compliment, whether you meant it to be one or not."

While 50 Cent at first deflects her inquiries, saying, "I was just looking for real cute names for pets," and admitting he also has a cat named Gayle, he later reveals the reasons behind naming his schnauzer after the star.

"At the time I was just looking at the situation and I saw I was developing negative feelings for someone who doesn't even know me," he says. "I gave it to the dog because I was excited about the dog."

Though his feelings have since changed for the talk show host, 50 Cent does acknowledge he's gotten into trouble for some of the comments he's made through dog Oprah's Twitter account.

"I say crazy stuff on Twitter," he says. "It made an impact because it was associated with me saying it to you."

Police: W. Pa. man blamed dog for apartment arson

2012-06-13T16:37:00Z

LILLY, Pa. (AP) -- A western Pennsylvania man who blamed his dog for causing an apartment fire has been jailed on charges that he set the blaze himself.

The Tribune-Democrat of Johnstown reports Wednesday that Cresson Township police have charged 58-year-old John Saparo with setting the July 12 fire, though police have yet to specify how.

What police did say is that they've determined the fire didn't start the way Saparo claimed. He allegedly told officers he was cleaning and had several fans running when his dog knocked over one of the fans, which, somehow, started the fire.

Saparo remains in the Cambria County Jail awaiting a preliminary hearing June 20 on arson and related charges. Online court records don't list an attorney for him.

Kate Moss thinks twice what to wear before taking out dog

2012-06-13T16:34:00Z

Kate Moss has revealed that she has to "rethink everything" when it comes to clothing choices, thanks to her new dog, a Staffordshire mix named Archie.

The 38-year-old supermodel admitted that her new pet is making her think twice about her dressing daily.

"So, I've got a dog, and the dog's making me (dress) more Day. It's a nightmare. You can't do a dog in a heel." the Telegraph quoted the model as telling Grazia magazine.

"I think of a character when I get dressed. I don't think of it as, 'Ooh, it's me.' I think, 'Who do I want to be? They're usually from decades. Like I want to be...a 70s, from a film," she said.

Moss added that she still gets excited about clothes despite having wardrobes full of them in her Cotswolds home, London pad and in storage - citing a Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen gown she donned in a recent US Vogue shoot as her latest item du jour.

She also revealed that her biggest problem are zips.

"Zips. I've got a problem with zips. Sometimes I just forget to do them up!" she said.

Loyal Puppy Waits Days for Owner at Truck Stop

2012-06-08T14:54:00Z

Time waits for no one, but dogs certainly do!

Nine-month-old Rambo patiently waited for his owner for two days at a Hannibal, Mo., rest stop after being accidentally left behind.

Truck driver Michael Siau was journeying to North Dakota with his furry buddy, and managed to get to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, before he realized the Yorkie was gone. Knowing that the Missouri rest stop was the only place Rambo could have escaped, he contacted the town's animal control in hopes of being reunited with his puppy.

"I was in tears, sobbing," Siau told the Hannibal Courier-Post about his attempts to get help finding his dog.

Animal control officer Tim Ledbetter went to the rest stop, witnessed a family trying to take Rambo, but intervened just in time.

Following the completion of his work trip, Siau hitched a ride with a delivery truck back to Hannibal, and was reunited with his canine companion on Wednesday.

Designer Dogs Dooming Mutts

2012-06-06T15:33:00Z

(ANIMAL SHELTER) A surge in admiration for generated designer dogs has unfortunately magnified the general amount of dogs in animal shelters. The primary problem here is that people continue to breed these dogs when there is already a massive surplus of canines across the country. Read on to see how these designer dogs are cramping up shelters and subsequently increasing the amount of euthanized dogs each year. — Global Animal

Dogspired, Julie Patterson

Imagine holding an adorable puppy with a tan short coat, stumpy legs, a white belly and paws. This puppy is like most puppies, loving and energetic.

However, one thing sets him apart from the other dogs; this puppy is a “Chiweenie,” part Chihuahua and part Dachshund. Like many designer dogs, this puppy is a precise combination of two breeds. Even though this puppy is not even a year old, Chiweenies, and other modern dog breeds, such as the “Laberdoodle” (Labrador and Poodle) and the “Puggle” (Pug and Beagle), have been popular since 2005.

“Designer dogs” are an outcome of the latest understanding in animal husbandry, created by many litters where breeders mate two different pure breeds together and then a pure breed with the mix till the dog possess the phenotypes desired. However, not all science is infallible, and the once desirable designer dogs are ending up where the undesirable ones go—the shelter.

Sadly, the popularity of designer dogs has increased the amount of dogs in the already cramped shelter system, but are also out-adopting mutts in the shelters.

Is the designer dog really the problem? In reality, the tragic fate of today’s mutt in the local shelter system cannot be blamed on man’s new best friend, but should be blamed on man himself.

Many people are attracted to designer dogs because they believe that they will possess guaranteed qualities they desire, such as a calm demeanor or intelligence. Sadly, the designer dog is an example of why you should never act on belief. Many people do not realize that designer dogs do not always breed true, and that temperament, behavior, and intelligence, are probabilities in the breeding world, unlike a phenotype.

Similar to the influx of Dalmatians in the shelter system after the Disney movie “101 Dalmatians,” people have bought designer dogs out of uniformed and popularity-based reasons. In fact, the term “designer dog” was coined due to the increased demand for them by celebrities willing to pay four-figure price tags for them. Could you imagine how many dogs could be saved if four figures went to the local shelters instead?

The website for The Humane Society of The United States estimates that approximately 3-4 million cats and dogs are euthanized each year. It also states that factors like temperament, health, space and resources of the shelter are the criteria used to determine a dog’s fate. The tragedy that the designer dog has created for mutts in the shelter system is that they will more likely be saved from euthanasia before the mutt because they will pass the criteria to be put up for adoption before the mutt will.

Not only are designer dogs bred for temperament, but breeders rarely give buyers unhealthy dogs and breeders tend to try their best not to send them to abusive homes; which is definitely not the common past of the shelter mutt. According to the peer-reviewed journal “Prediction of Adoption Versus Euthanasia Among Dogs and Cats in a California Animal Shelter” there is strong evidence that coat, color and breed also affect a dog’s chances to be adopted over other dogs.

Laberdoodles and many other designer dog poodle mixes with hypoallergenic and low shedding coats, not only have the coat that breeders have bred for, but their exclusive coat and carefully bred status, are more reasons why they will out-adopt a mutt.

However, there is hope for dogs in the shelter system. Let this story be the example of why this issue can change now. If more people become educated about their new best friend before they adopt them, then stories like this one, and stories about dogs in the local shelters in general, will dramatically decrease.

New Jersey says drivers should buckle up their pets, or face a fine

2012-06-06T15:29:00Z

New Jersey is cracking down on pets in transit — and says “click it or ticket” now applies to cats and dogs, too.

The SPCA and Motor Vehicle Commision teamed up at a public education event last week in the Garden State to talk about the dangers of transporting animals without proper restraint .

New Jersey is the only state where driving with pets loose in the car is a violation of animal cruelty law. Drivers cited for failing to properly secure their petcan face a ticket of between $250 and $1,000 and as much as six months in jail.

Pets hanging out the window, riding in the back of a truck or curling up on the driver’s lap are among ticketable offenses under the law.

Animals roaming free in a car are not only a distraction to the driver, they can fly out of the vehicle in a crash or sudden stop and cause a lot of damage , Robert Sinclair Jr., spokesman for AAA New York, told the Daily News.

Lack of attention while driving is the no. 1 cause of traffic deaths in the U.S., Sinclair said, with between a quarter and a third of all crashes a result of some sort of distraction.

According to a 2010 AAA survey, 20 percent of people admitted to driving with pets loose in the car and 31 percent said doing so was a distraction.

"It certainly makes sense from a safety aspect,” Sinclair said. “It's probably one of those flaws in the law that most states haven't dealt with."

Dogs should be retrained in harnesses that click into the car’s seat belt buckle, and cats should go in a carrier that’s also buckled down, officials say.

Only a few other states are cracking down on pets in vehicles. Arizona, Connecticut and Maine can charge a driver for an unrestrained pet under distracted driving laws. Hawaii specifically prohibits driving with a pet in your lap.

SPCA spokesman Mike Stanton told the Daily News that out of roughly 5,000 animal cruelty citations a year, only 10 are for improper transit.

“We are not actively cruising the roadways of New Jersey looking to write people up,” he said. “Just be sensitive to the safety of the animal and your own safety when you have the animal in your car.”

Bronx veterinarian busted for dumping dead pets along the Hutchinson River Parkway in Westchester

2012-05-30T15:41:00Z

A Bronx veterinarian has been busted for dumping 35 dead pets along the Hutchinson River Parkway in Westchester County.

Andrew Manesis of Animal Clinic & Surgery of Throggs Neck was arrested by Westchester County police following an investigation that began April 5 when the remains of 26 dogs, eight dogs and a lizard were discovered in dense brush roughly 10 feet from the Hutch in Harrison, N.Y.

"It appears he simply pulled off...and tossed the animal carcasses into the woods," said George Longworth, Westchester public safety commissioner.

The pets were wrapped in garbage bags and lobbed into the brush on several occasions from March 2011 to April 2012, cops said. Many decomposed before they were recovered.

Police used evidence collected at the scene to identify two pet owners and link the remains to Manesis, 66, of New Canaan, Conn. The owners paid the vet $100 to $300 to dispose of their pets in a dignified manner.

Ernest Lungaro, director of humane law enforcement at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Westchester, called the crime "very disturbing."

"People put their trust in their veterinarians - and [Manesis\] betrayed that trust," he said.

Lungaro said a road crew found the pets, including a cat in a shoebox with a legible bar code.

Detectives traced the box to a Las Vegas seller and obtained the identity of the buyer, a grieving cat lover from the Bronx who paid Manesis to cremate her pet.

Police later tracked down a second owner and are looking for more victims to come forward.

Necropsies revealed that some of the pets were put to sleep and others died from natural causes.

Animal Clinic & Surgery of Throggs Neck, located on E. Tremont Ave., was closed Tuesday and Manesis didn't respond to requests for comment.

He was charged in Harrison Town Court with fraud, violation of environmental conservation law and two counts of petit larceny - all misdemeanors.

The clinic opened in 1981, according to its website.

Local pet owners out shopping Tuesday on E. Tremont Ave. said the vet has a poor reputation.

Michael DiMaggio, 57, said he went to the clinic only once, 15 years ago. Manesis conducted costly tests that failed to save his cat, he said.

"I never liked him," DiMaggio said. "He never showed any compassion toward the animals.

"I was very attached to the cat. He saw I was very distressed and he took advantage of me…The bill was close to $1,000."

Potential victims are encouraged to call the Westchester detectives at (877) 220-3560.

Man divorces cat lady after she adopts 550 cats

2012-05-29T16:29:00Z

"THE cat goes in" and in this case, the husband leaves.

Imagine coming home to find you'd been replaced by a new pet. Now imagine that new pet is not one but 550 adopted cats your wife decided she just had to have.

This is the bizarre situation an Israeli man found himself in.

The man has now filed for divorce from his wife citing the "stress" that arose from her adoption of the kitty army.

The man told a rabbinical court in Beersheba he was unable to sleep in his own bed as it had been claimed by the cats as their own, reported The Times of Israel.

The man also alleged the cat army had become so overwhelming he could no longer reach his own bathroom and was no longer able to prepare or consume food in the house as to do so would spark a feeding frenzy.

Despite attempting reconciliation at the behest of the court - the woman chose her new 'babies' over her husband and the pair have agreed to go their separate ways.

Pets help fill pews at Florida church

2012-05-25T14:59:00Z

CORAL GABLES, Fla., May 20 (UPI) -- A Florida pastor said if bringing dogs helps bring people to church then who is he to argue.

Pastor David Hughes preached the good word to 1,350 people and nearly 500 dogs Saturday at Dog Day Weekend services at the Church of the Glades in Coral Springs.

"To bring someone to Jesus, doggone it, we'll have a dog service," Hughes told the congregation in the first of two pet friendly services this weekend. "Grab your dog and grab your Bible."

Saturday's service was a veritable dog show of mutts from teacup poodles to towering Irish wolfhounds, the South Florida Sun Sentinel said. And Noah would have been proud of the other guests, which included eagles and a 600-pound lion.

Hughes, who brought along his Australian shepherd Rev. Bob Diesel Dog, said man's best friend had a lot in common with the values of loyalty, love and protectiveness. "One term that theologians use for Jesus is the 'Hound of Heaven,'" he said. "I like that."

As boomers age, will their pets become peeves?

2012-05-18T14:37:00Z

Hazel the schnauzer and Wrigley the black lab mix mean everything to Harriet Buscombe. The dogs protect her on her pre-dawn runs around her Champaign, Ill., neighborhood, but mostly they make her feel great.

"My children are grown now and having dogs around keeps me 'still a mom' in many respects," Buscombe said in an email interview. "I always feel a lot better — like all of my problems have lessened — because I have spent times with my dogs."

The loving link between baby boomers like 49-year-old Buscombe and their pets is well documented. Boomers — typically defined as the generation born from 1946 through 1964 — are a major reason why Americans' spending on the likes of food, grooming, kennels, surgery, even souvenirs, is expected to top $52 billion this year.

"Boomers are different, for the most part," said Bob Vetere, president of the American Pet Products Association. "What did they call us? Helicopter parents, because we were constantly hovering over the kids. The kids left home and now we're looking to hover over something else. And so we wind up doing it over pets."

But will the beautiful relationship last?

Pet ownership rates tend to drop among people in their golden years. And boomers are starting to hit retirement age, with the oldest boomers turning 66 this year. The pet industry is already looking years ahead to when aging boomers eventually could be tempted — or forced — to give up high-maintenance dogs and cats because of fixed incomes, smaller homes or physical limitations. Routine veterinarian care alone can run $248 a year for a dog, according to an industry survey.

"I'm in a bit of a conundrum. I want to own a dog until the day I die, but it haunts me to think of dying and leaving a dog I've bonded with without a best friend," said Mike Lewis of Anchorage, Alaska.

At 55, Lewis is healthy, but he is thinking ahead. Lewis and his wife have three dogs now, but he says given his age, he probably has bought his last puppy. If he gets another new dog, it will be an older rescue.

Pampered pets
It's estimated that about 73 million American households keep pets. A report last month from the market research company Packaged Facts found that the generation after the boomers, Gen X, actually has higher pet ownership rates. But the spending habits of boomers — a generation that represents about a quarter of the population — is significant. And boomers do spend a lot, particularly "empty nesters" with children gone from the home, Vetere said.

Boomers — with their desire for flexibility and mobility — are sinking money into products and services previous generations never considered, like automatic feeding devices and litter boxes or pet-sitting services, Vetere said. They often treat their pets like humans, purchasing gluten-free dog food and heated kitty beds. The Nielsen Co. reported in 2010 that boomer households spent $211 a year on pet food, more than any other age group.

In suburban Detroit, Donna Blain has purchased comfy beds for her Yorkshire terrier-Pomeranian mix, Lola, as well as a wicker bike basket with a cage on the top and about 20 dresses.

"Lola likes the attention. Believe me, she likes going anywhere," said Blain, 56. "Does she like getting dressed up? Probably not."

In its report Packaged Facts noted that "pet product makers cannot afford to take Boomers for granted."

Benefit goes both ways
Already, the industry is promoting the benefits of pets for older people. The pet association is a founding sponsor (along with Petco and Pfizer Animal Health) of the Human Animal Bond Research Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the positive role animals play in people's health.

The group's website touts the role animals have in lowering blood pressure and reducing anxiety.

The pets-have-a-benefit message applies to people of all ages, but the argument might strike a deep chord with older people.

"For us, they bring a really a tremendous amount of joy, you know, because after your kids are gone your house is kind of empty and they're just a lot of fun, good company," said 70-year-old Phyllis Singler, of Philadelphia. She and her 61-year-old husband lead an active retirement with boating and trips to Florida and Europe.

The couple owns two biewers, Natty and Gio, that go almost everywhere they do. And when they can't, they hire a sitter. There's a provision in their will to set aside money so their children can care for the dogs, if need be.

Some researchers caution that the good of pet ownership has to be weighed against the bad. Hal Herzog, a professor of psychology at Western Carolina University, said there are so many studies on the "pet effect" with conflicting results that it remains an "uncorroborated hypothesis." Herzog, author of "Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat" noted, for instance, that the Centers for Disease Control estimated there are almost 87,000 falling injuries each year related to cats and dogs.

"The pet industry has really pushed the idea that pets are good for people and they've ignored the substantial literature showing there's no effect or there's a deleterious effect," Herzog said.

Herzog said pets can have a positive affect — he thinks his cat has a positive effect on him — but that the health benefits have been oversold.

Vetere said claims that pets are some awful tripping hazard or otherwise harmful are "greatly exaggerated."

"I don't see that as being even close to a trade off," he said.

Arabian show horse rescued after swimming three miles into the ocean

2012-05-17T16:58:00Z

As the sun set over Loon Point near Santa Barbara on Tuesday evening, waves crashed onto the sand, apparently spooking an Arabian show horse named William.

William, a 7-year-old grey stallion, had been part of a photo shoot with other horses. Frightened, he bolted into the surf.

He started to swim. And swim. And swim until he was nearly three miles offshore, headed for oil rigs.

On land, a team of four from the Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol, Carpenteria-Summerland Fire Water Rescue, and California State Parks set out to find the horse, whose official name is Air of Temptation. His owner, Mindy Peters, a movie producer, told Huffington Post that he had never been swimming in his life.

RAW VIDEO: William, an Arabian show horse whose official name is Air of Temptation, bolted into the surf Tuesday evening, swimming three miles offshore. A team of four search-and-rescuers saved him, slowly swimming him back to shore.

"Horses can swim, but not well,” she told HuffPo. Peters was driving when she learned about her sea horse and immediately bee-lined to the beach. She said William is worth about $100,000 to $150,000.

Ryan Kelly, a Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol Officer, was the first on site, heading out with a small motorboat. Overhead, a helicopter searched as well.

As the sun set further, the team worried they were losing light. But after a half hour search, they saw a nose and part of a face peaking above the water.

“It was a real needle-in-a-haystack kind of find,” Kelly told msnbc.com. “He looked like every other bird that was just sitting on the water.”

William was drifting with the current but still heading out to sea. When he saw the search and rescue team, he appeared startled but also exhausted.

They corralled the horse and used boathook to grab his reins. They made a makeshift harness to slip under his saddle and tie to the side of the rescue boat. They wanted to keep him buoyant so he wouldn’t sink and drown from exhaustion.

The return took two hours, because the horse moved at about a mile an hour. It was also occasionally scary for the rescue team.

“Some of the grunts and noises he was making along the way -- we weren’t sure how he was doing,” Kelly said. “We weren’t sure if he had other problems. He was making noise, thrashing around and other times he’d be completely still.”

One of the firefighters held his head above water and reassured him, Kelly said.

“It’s going to be all right,” the firefighter said, according to Kelly, petting the horse's head.

Once they hit the beach, the rescue team handed William off to a crew on paddle boats.

Waiting for William was a veterinarian who guided him to a trailer. William is now recuperating.

Peters, who has owned William for a little over a year, told HuffPo that her family was “scared to death we were going to lose him, that he was going to drown.”

“He is absolutely part of our family,” she said.

TV for Dogs Reaches Prime Time

2012-05-09T15:46:00Z

Bark if you love DogTV.

The new made-in-Israel U.S. cable channel is scientifically programmed to keep pooches stimulated, happy and comforted when they’re home alone.

When dogs are left alone, they can get depressed, lose their appetite and their desire to play, says DogTV CEO Gilad Neumann. There are 46 million households with dogs in the United States, encompassing a total of 78.2 million pet canines.

“That’s quite a few potential viewers and many lonely dogs,” he said. “It’s all very scientific, although I know it sounds like a joke. When you dig deeper, you see it’s a serious business.”

Time Warner Cable and Cox Communications began a six-month free trial of the 24-hour digital channel on Feb. 13 for their one million viewers in San Diego. If it is successful, DogTV will be distributed more widely as a subscription-based service, Neumann said.

The concept came from Ron Levi, a New York-born dog lover and chief content officer at Jasmine Group, a private media communications company in Ramat Gan.

At the time, Neumann was CEO of Jasmine TV, one of several subsidiaries of the Jasmine media conglomerate whose July-August Productions recently sold the format for the hit game show “Who’s Still Standing?” to NBC Universal.

“We’re always seeking interesting ideas with an emphasis on international expansion. So when Ron approached me with this idea, I thought it was crazy enough to look into,” Neumann said. He suggested that Jasmine invest some seed money to explore the idea.

Their research revealed that the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Humane Society of the United States all recommend leaving the TV on for dogs home alone, to provide stimulation and keep away stress and depression.

“We combined this with a lot of science on the effects of video on dogs, how they react to TV and what kind of visuals, music and sounds they enjoy,” Neumann said.

He recruited professor Nicholas Dodman of Tufts University’s animal behavior department as DogTV’s program director and chief scientist. Dodman explains on DogTV’s Web site that dogs won’t sit on the couch for hours at a time watching the channel. It’s more like a backdrop with a pleasing soundtrack that they can choose to view as long as they wish.

British trainer Victoria Stilwell, from the Animal Planet series “It’s Me or the Dog,” and Warren Eckstein, an animal rights activist and pet trainer, round out the crew of DogTV experts.

“They added their knowledge to our production experience,” said Neumann, who holds an MBA from Pepperdine University and a law degree from the Israeli College of Management.

As good as the idea was, it couldn’t have been put into action if not for the introduction of LCD television technology. Neumann explains that dogs’ eyes are bothered by the flickering frames on old analog televisions, though humans don’t notice them.

“Now they can see perfectly fine on LCD, but they can only see blue and yellow, so we enhance and recolor the contents for them,” Neumann explained.

As content developer, Levi organized the channel’s programming into three categories: shows meant to relax dogs, shows that stimulate them and shows intended to expose them gently to situations with which they may need to get more comfortable — such as a running vacuum cleaner or street traffic.

“This creates a companionship environment,” Neumann said, “a channel that is fully suitable for dogs. ”

This is hardly the first instance of an Israeli TV show hitting prime time in the United States. “In Treatment,” “Homeland,” “Traffic Light” and “The Ex List” went first. However, it is the first time a programming concept has gone directly from the Israeli drawing board to American TV screens. Neumann hopes DogTV is barking up the right tree.

More hospices stepping in to take care of patients' pets

2012-05-07T16:17:00Z

Niobe and Cha-Cha raced to the couch toward hospice volunteer Jim Hays during a visit to the Four Corners home of patient Joseph Luciano.

The pooches competed to get the volunteer's attention, barking and wildly wagging their tails. They darted off only after he rubbed behind their ears.

"They took to me right away," said Hays, 64. "I just visit with them and show them a little attention — and I bring treats. It's just part of the visit."

In Central Florida, hospice volunteers are stepping in more and more to care for the pets of dying patients — feeding and walking dogs, administering flea medication, driving pets to the groomer or veterinarian and more.

"Hospice is supposed to take care of the patient and the family," said Lisa Gray, volunteer department manager of Cornerstone Hospice and Palliative Care, which serves seven counties including Lake, Orange and Osceola. "For a lot of them, their family is their pet."

Cornerstone, which rolled out the pet-care program a few months ago in Lake, paid to board Luciano's dogs while the 85-year-old Navy veteran, his wife, Adriana, and Hays took a weekend trip to Pensacola. The hospice organization plans to offer the pet program to patients in Orange and Osceola counties within the next few weeks.

Adriana Luciano, 61, said she's still able to feed and walk the dogs — Niobe is a bichon frise and Cha-Cha a mixed breed — in between caring for her ailing husband. However, she said it's a relief to have Cornerstone in case she needs help with the dogs, who sleep with them in the bedroom.

"They're like children. We can't leave them alone for more than a few hours," she said.

Throughout the country, hospices are starting to recognize the therapeutic benefits of keeping the animal and owner together until the end, said Delana Taylor McNac, founder and manager of Pet Peace of Mind, a national organization that works with other hospices around the country. Nationwide, 50 hospices offer the program.

"It's catching on now that hospice is beginning to see a cultural change on the importance of pets," she said.

Cornerstone, which serves more than 700 patients and already has volunteers bring their pets into assisted-living facilities to visit hospice patients, is one of two nonprofits in the state to partner with Pet Peace of Mind. It received a grant to provide pet care, such as buying food for those who can't afford it.

Taylor McNac, a former hospice chaplain and veterinarian from Tulsa, Okla., estimated that 10 to 20 percent of hospice patients have pets. But only about half of them are receiving pet-care assistance. She said some patients have refused to go into hospice centers out of fear of giving up their pets.

"The pets provide them comfort when they're aging and going through the end-of-life journey. It's important to do whatever we can to keep them together," she said. At least three other hospices in Florida have applied to the Pet Peace of Mind program, she said.

Hospice of the Comforter, which serves about 500 patients a day in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties, doesn't have a formal pet program, but its volunteers have been caring for patients and their pets as long as the nonprofit has been around, volunteer services director Rose van der Berg said.

"Pets are another member of the family," she said. "We recognize that."

Feeding an animal or dropping it off at the vet is considered a "standard" task such as doing household chores and running errands. Occasionally, hospice volunteers help find the pet a new home once the owner dies.

"It gives them [patients] peace of mind to know that all those they love, including their pets, will be taken care," van der Berg said.

That's the spirit the South Lake Animal League brings as it helps Cornerstone Hospice provide a "safe haven" for orphaned animals until a home can be found to take them in, president Doreen Barker said.

The league is looking for a permanent home for a cat in foster care and housing another cat at its no-kill animal shelter in Groveland, she said

"We will love and care for these pets until we find them a happy new home," Barker said.

Police: Drunk woman bites mom, family bulldog -- dog bites back

2012-05-02T17:03:00Z

A 19-year-old woman was arrested Sunday after allegedly biting a dog during an argument with her mother after returning drunk to her home.

Analise J. Garner, 19, of the 300 block of Village Creek Drive in Lake in the Hills, was charged, police Sgt. Mark Smith said.

Officers responded to a disturbance at Garner’s home around 4 a.m. Sunday. Garner’s mother confronted her about coming home late and being drunk, Smith said.

Garner scratched and hit her 37-year-old mother in face, Smith said. She also bit her mother’s hand.

The family’s white, 80-pound, English bulldog was also bit three times on his back and shoulder. Garner was treated for a bite mark when the dog bit her arm, Smith said.

“The dog was defending himself,” Smith said. “The dog was not charged.”

Dogs Poisoning Veterinarians

2012-05-02T15:43:00Z

(Newser) – Some best friend. A few veterinarians and their workers are discovering dogs have made them very sick. Experts at the Centers for Disease Controls are warning of a bizarre poisoning that's occurring when dogs vomit in vet offices after ingesting pest-fighting chemicals aimed at rats, moles, and gophers. The dogs eat zinc phosphide, which is used as a rodent killer. But when it mixes with a dog's stomach acid, it produces potentially lethal phosphine gas.

In one case, six veterinary workers in Michigan were recently poisoned by exposure and suffered symptoms ranging from shortness of breath to bad headaches. They recovered with no known long-term effects, but the CDC has warned that more serious incidents could occur. Experts suggest inducing dog vomiting outdoors.

Study finds dogs may lower stress in workplace

2012-04-30T17:29:00Z

(CBS News) A new study finds that bringing your dogs to work can make you feel better, all day long.

According to a new study by Virginia Commonwealth University, dog owners who brought their pets to work had stress lower at the beginning of the day and throughout the day than workers who didn't bring their dogs to work or have pets. In the study, owners who did not bring their dogs to work stress increased steadily, and nearly doubled by the end of the day.

However, not everyone is a dog lover, so having your best friend at the office can cause some issues.

Disabled Dog Goes Off-Roading in His Wheelchair

2012-04-27T15:13:00Z

Don't let those wheels fool you. This border collie is just like any other dog, says his owner Stephanie Fox.

"The only difference between Roosevelt and other dogs is that instead of a collar I snap on his wheels to take him out," Fox tells the Bangor Daily News

Passersby are guaranteed to see the happy dog smiling when he's off-roading in the woods with Fox, who adopted the dog with deformed front legs from the New England Border Collie Rescue three years ago. He's named for the 26th president who was also a wheelchair user.

"People think he should have been put down because they think he's suffering," she says. "But he wakes up happy every day. If you had a child with a disability you'd try to enrich them, give them opportunities. So why not do the same with a dog?"

Cat Rescued from Iran Ends Up at San Francisco Animal Shelter

2012-04-27T15:08:00Z

SAN FRANCISCO -- Although the U.S. and Iran are at odds politically, a partnership between animal care groups in the two countries helped to save a cat found seriously injured in the Iranian capital of Tehran by sending it to San Francisco for treatment.

Earlier this month, a woman called the animal care group Sayeh Animal Guardians to say she saw a cat that was unable to move in a street in Tehran.

The group responded and found a small orange tabby and white cat that was soaked with gasoline and mud, covered with abscesses and wounds and had been shot in the face with a pellet.

Officials with Sayeh Animal Guardians happened to know someone who was about to fly to San Francisco from Tehran and reached out to San Francisco Animal Care and Control to see if they would take the cat named Maloos, which is Farsi for "very cute."

San Francisco's officials agreed and Animal Care and Control director Rebecca Katz went to pick the cat up from the airport on April 15.

Katz said despite the cat's injuries, "after a 20-plus hour flight, he was alert and sweet, much more than I would be after a 20-hour flight."

She said the agency's staff has since fallen in love with Maloos, who has begun recovering from his injuries.

Although the cat was born with congenital deformities in his hips and legs and his left hind leg was amputated after becoming infected because of a surgical mistake by poorly trained veterinary staff in Iran, he is still able to move around reasonably well, Katz said.

"He's so resourceful and able to propel himself," she said. "He's obviously done that for a couple of years now."

Katz said the agency is still holding him for evaluation but could soon put him up for adoption after a couple of weeks.

"I think a lot of people will fall in love with him," she said.

Maloos is one of many special needs animals treated by San Francisco Animal Care and Control, which depends on funds raised by the non-profit Friends of SF/ACC to pay for enhanced services at the public shelter.

People interested in donating to the nonprofit can visit their website at www.helpacc.org.

San Francisco Animal Care and Control's shelter is located at 1200 15th St. in the city's Mission District.

Are Pet Psychics Real?

2012-04-25T16:54:00Z

We can all name at least a handful of fictional characters who can communicate with animals: Tarzan, Aquaman, the Horse Whisperer (a character appearing in a Nichols Evans novel and Robert Redford film), Dr. Doolittle and others.

Of course, most people communicate with animals all the time; pet lovers are famous for cooing baby talk to their animals and repeatedly asking banal, rhetorical questions like, "Do you want some food?" or "Who's a good boy? Who's a good boy?"

But pet psychics claim to do something more remarkable: They speak to animals and get information back. This is done, they say, by some sort of interspecies psychic power or telepathy.

NEWS: Cats Adore, Manipulate Women

Of course, psychic communication between humans has never been scientifically proven, so claims of psychic communication between animals and humans begins on very shaky ground. At least humans can share a common language; how a psychic could possibly translate the thoughts and intentions of a parakeet, fish, hamster, horse, spider or any other animal into human language is a mystery.

Yet thousands of people in real life claim to have exactly such a remarkable ability. For example, a Canadian woman named Lauren Bode claims she's a real-life horse whisperer.

Bode says that several horses at Toronto's Far Enough Farm telepathically told her that they are upset about plans to move them from their current location to another farm nearby. They are anxious about the June 30 move and worried about whether they will like their new home.

Bode did not explain how exactly the horses told her this, nor how they got wind of the news about the planned relocation; perhaps they learned enough English to eavesdrop on their trainers' conversations. If so, it would not be the first time that a horse was able to fool humans into believing it could understand languages.

Human-Animal Communication

A 2008 poll found that 67 percent of pet owners say they understand their animals' purrs, barks and other noises, and 62 percent said that when they speak, their pet understands them (or at least their intent).

One in five owners claim that they and their pets understand each other completely. One-quarter of cat owners said they completely understood their pets' sounds, while only 16 percent of dog owners said they were fluent in barks. This is not necessarily psychic power, but intuition, guessing and common sense.

Even something as simple as tone of voice carries a huge amount of information about intent; sharp, loud phrases like "Stop!" convey a clearly different meaning than a smooth, sing-song phrase like, "Hey buddy!"

Most animals (including humans) pick up plenty of accurate nonverbal cues about each other's intents. And, of course, just because pet owners (or psychics) think they communicate great with their pets doesn't mean that the other party feels the same way; just ask any couple.

Testing Pet Psychics

One major problem with trying to prove pet psychic abilities is that usually there's no way to know if the information they give is accurate or not. For example, if a concerned pet owner consults a psychic about her kitty's unusual behavior and is told that her cat says he's acting out because he doesn't like the color of the new drapes in the living room, or a neighbor dog looked at him menacingly, or he senses tension in the marriage, who's to say the psychic is wrong? The psychic could be misunderstanding the cat's messages -- or even making it all up -- and there's no way to prove otherwise.

NEWS: Dogs Really Do Understand Us Best

Even though thousands of people claim to be able to communicate with animals, there hasn't been a single scientific test proving their abilities. Professional pet psychics often sell books and teach seminars about their power but don't prove that they can actually do what they claim.

Testing the claims of pet psychics would be fairly easy to do:

Put an animal in a room.
Do something specific the animal experiences for a few minutes -- feed it a certain treat, play with a specific toy, animal or person, etc.
Take the animal to another location nearby (but out of sight and earshot of the original room) and have three different pet psychics ask the animal what it did in the other room just a few minutes ago.

Then simply see if the psychics know the correct answer (or even agree with each other). Anybody want to place bets?

Many pet psychics not only claim to get messages from live animals, but dead ones as well (for $85 per hour or more).

The problem of pet psychics taking advantage of grieving pet owners plagues people like Dr. Wally Sife, founder of The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to providing grief counseling for people who have lost beloved animals. At its upcoming 2012 conference, the issue of pet psychics exploiting grief-stricken pet owners will be addressed.

Owners of Three-legged Dogs Say Pets Teach Them to Seize the Day

2012-04-23T15:01:00Z

MILL VALLEY, Calif. -- There was plenty of yip-yapping, tail-wagging fun going on in one particular park this month, and Sadie, Shelby and Dilly Two-Step didn't much care that they romped on three fast legs instead of four.

All manner of purebred and mutt - sleek, fuzzy, tall and small - converged on Mill Valley Dog Park for the monthly meeting of the Northern California contingent of Tripawds, an online community for canine amputees and their owners.

Cindy Sipple, of Dublin, Calif., whose chocolate Labrador Ruby had her right front leg amputated in December, said, "They don't think, 'Boy, I wish I had that other leg that I used to have.' They're so much in the moment."

Ralph Kanz, of Oakland, Calif., who cares for three, three-legged German shepherds, said Northern California members of Tripawds, including many from the East Bay, began getting together in Mill Valley about three years ago.

One couple traveled all the way from Southern California for Saturday's event. Carla Ocfemia of San Francisco prepared a cake for the dogs made from peanut butter, bananas and bacon. A few of the dogs - referred to as tripods by many owners - lost a limb due to a traumatic accident; but many more had a leg removed because of a cancerous tumor.

Jim Nelson and Rene Agredano created Tripawds.com after their German shepherd, Jerry, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2006 and had to have his left front leg amputated.

Agredano said she and her husband, Jim, created a blog to chronicle their experience dealing with Jerry's cancer. Agredano said that when readers of the blog began asking them medical questions they couldn't answer, they added a discussion forum to the website in 2007.

"All of a sudden people from all over the world started finding our site," she said.

Nelson and Agredano sold their business and house in Eureka, Calif., and traveled the country in a recreational vehicle with Jerry until he died in 2008. Their story was included in a documentary titled "Why We Love Cats and Dogs," which was aired on PBS's "Nature" program.

John Hollenbeck, a sergeant with the Orange County, Calif., Sheriff's Department, said, when his dog Max had his leg amputated because of cancer, "It felt like we were the only people in the world who had this problem. Then my wife happened to find the forum online, and it was a lifesaver for us."

Max died 15 months after losing his leg. Hollenbeck no longer owns a tripod; but he continues to stay in touch with the people he has met through Tripawds.

"These people are our friends," Hollenbeck said. "We talk to them online. We know these people a lot better than we know a lot of people we live near - because you go through such an experience trying to get your dog through cancer."

Karen Riley, of Livermore, Calif., whose three-legged pug, Maggie, died of cancer two years ago, said one of the things that Tripawds does best is help people decide whether to amputate or euthanize.

Agredano said, "For a lot of people, it's a shock to see a tripod. What we do is we try to change their reaction from pity to amazement and get them to see these dogs don't care."

Agredano said, "When you see these dogs getting along on three legs and not caring about anything except having a good time, it's a great reminder that we should all live our lives like that."

Riley said, "On the website, we say: Be more dog. Appreciate every day that you have."

ead more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/04/23/2763473/owners-of-three-legged-dogs-say.html#storylink=cpy

Justice For Cisco: Austin Police Officer Fatally Shot Dog While Responding To Wrong House

2012-04-18T14:38:00Z

An Austin police officer who responded to the wrong house on a domestic disturbance call is accused of fatally shooting an innocent man's dog.

The dog's owner, Michael Paxton, was playing Frisbee with the Blue Heeler, named Cisco, on Saturday afternoon when the officer entered his home, ABC reported.

"While I was at gunpoint, my dog came from my backyard barking at the officer," Paxton wrote on the "Justice For Cisco" Facebook page. "I yelled for the officer to not shoot my dog, that he will not bite, but the officer immediately shot and killed my dog right in front of me."

As of Tuesday afternoon, the Facebook page had 43,262 "Likes."

"I was unable to stop or restrain Cisco because I was being held at gunpoint," Paxton also said.

Austin Police Department Sergeant David Daniels said that the officer, Thomas Griffin, is "distraught" by the incident, according to NBC.

Paxton's neighbors admitted that they had been fighting at the time that officers were looking for their residence, the Austin American-Statesman reported.

Lawmakers Hope To Find More Homes, Faster For Abused Animals

2012-04-16T14:34:00Z

DENVER (CBS4)- Animals caught in abusive situations will find new homes faster under a new law. It will streamline the impound process to allow pets to become adopted by new families.

Some of the most disturbing animal abuse and neglect cases include a Jefferson County woman with more than 200 rabbits, a Teller County man with 100 dogs, 40 parrots found in a Colorado Springs home, 22 animals in a U-haul in Fort Collins.

“As the economy has become more challenging we’ve seen more of these cases with large volumes of animals,” said Lisa Pederson.

Pederson is the president of the Colorado Federation Welfare Agency. She said after those animals are rescued they can spend months and even years in a shelter as the owner awaits a court hearing.

“One of the problems right now is that while those animals are sitting in our shelters, not only is there a large cost of care, but those animals can’t go home,” said Pederson.

Rep. Robert Ramirez and Sen. Pat Steadman sponsored a bill designed to speed up the process. It would require a hearing within 20 days for owners whose animals are seized to determine if they should get the animals back or pay for their impound.

“It’s sad,” said Ramirez, a Republican representing Westminster. “So nobody is left holding the bag. Nobody’s animals are taken without a warning or probable cause, due process, and that’s really the big deal.”

“The costs are great and so the importance of having a fair procedure, a way for the animal welfare authorities to make sure that their costs are covered for impound and shelter, it’s very important,” said Steadman, a Republican representing Denver.

As Gov. John Hickenlooper signed the bill into law Thursday, one of those rescued animals was there to thank him.

Distracted by dogs? Rhode Island may ban pets from drivers' laps

2012-04-16T14:30:00Z

We know it's not advisable to drive with the family dog strapped to the top of the car -- just ask Mitt Romney, the Republican front-runner who recently drew the ire of animal lovers for sharing an anecdote about doing so decades ago. But, in Rhode Island at least, it may soon be illegal to drive with a dog on one's lap.

The state is considering such a ban to crack down on distracted drivers. The Providence Journal reported Monday that Rep. Peter G. Palumbo, a Democrat from Cranston, submitted the bill to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration after a constituent told him of her concerns after seeing a dog in the front seat of another driver's car at a busy intersection.

The bill proposes an $85 fine for first offenses, a $100 fine for second offenses and a $125 fine for subsequent offenses.

The bill was driven -- not just by the constituent's concerns -- but by the results of a 2010 survey by AAA. That survey found that an unrestrained dog in one's lap while driving is far more distracting than most people realize.

According to the survey, 21% of respondents admitted letting a dog sit in their laps while they drove; 7% said they'd given their dog food or water while driving, and 5% had played with the pup while the car moved. Thirty-one percent admitted to being distracted by their dog while driving, no matter where the dog spent the journey.

The online survey was based on answers from 1,000 dog owners who had driven with their dogs in the previous year. Beth Mosher, an AAA spokeswoman, said preventing a dog from running loose in a moving vehicle is better for the dog, as well as humans, in the event of a sudden stop or accident.

Several states have laws requiring that animals traveling in "open" areas of a vehicle, such as the back of a pickup truck (or the roof of the car?) be restrained; but according to Change.org, none has laws banning animals from running loose inside a vehicle. That may soon change, based on such things as the AAA study, the concerns of dogless drivers, and cases such as the one in South Dakota in 2010 -- in which a woman was pulled over for having 15 cats loose in her car.

The case made it all the way to the state's Supreme Court, which ruled against the woman, Patricia Edwards, and concluded that officials were right to stop her and impound the cats because they posed a risk to public safety.

As Chief Justice David Gilbertson wrote at the time: "Because of the cats in the back window, Edwards failed to see the patrol car behind her and nearly backed into it," Imagine if there had been a child on a bicycle instead of a patrol car there, he said.

Tennessee also is considering a ban on driving with a dog in your lap. And California lawmakers actually passed such a bill into law in 2008, but then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed it.

A poll being run by the Providence Journal, however, suggests that Rhode Islanders overwhelmingly support the ban. Of 380 people responding to the online poll, 74.5% favored such a law; 25.5% opposed it.

Dog braves traffic to stick by fatally struck pal

2012-04-16T14:23:00Z

LA PUENTE, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles county animal control officials are heralding the loyalty of a black Labrador retriever that braved traffic to stay by another dog that was fatally struck by a car.

A motorist who saw the dogs on a La Puente street Wednesday morning put down traffic cones to alert other drivers and shot video of the dogs. The video released Saturday showed the female Labrador lying next to a motionless, yellow Labrador as vehicles pass dangerously close to them.

The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control says the 2-year-old dog, who animal shelter staff and volunteers have named Grace, appears to have been well cared for.

However, nobody has come forward to claim her so she is up for adoption.

In Self-Control, Dogs Are Only Human

2012-04-09T16:26:00Z

Man and his best friend have something in common: Both get worn out by having to exert self-control and end up making dumb decisions, a new study finds.

Dogs required to sit and stay for 10 minutes were more likely to approach a caged, aggressive dog than when they simply had to wait in a cage for the same amount of time, according to the new research. The findings reinforce the biological nature of self-control, said study researcher Holly Miller of the University of Lille Nord de France.

"When humans are depleted, they are less helpful, more aggressive, gamble more, etc.," Miller told LiveScience in an email, citing a wealth of research regarding the depletion of self-control in humans. "Well, apparently, these consequences also have biological roots. When dogs are depleted, they too are more likely to behave rashly and impulsively."

Sit, stay and self-control

Miller and her colleagues had previously found that dogs give up sooner on a puzzle-solving task after they've had to hold a sit-stay position than if they didn't have to exhibit any self-control. In the same way, humans give up more quickly on puzzle tasks when they're mentally fatigued by having to resist temptations beforehand. As in humans, the drain on self-control could be reversed with a sugary drink.

Self-control research also shows that a mentally depleted person is more likely to take risks and make impulsive gambles than someone who is refreshed. Miller wanted to know if the same was true for pups.

To find out, the researchers had 10 family-owned dogs come into the lab for two variations on the same experiment. In one session, the dog was told to sit and stay on a mat while a distracting hamster (played by a robotic ZhuZhuPet toy) roamed around the floor. In the other session, the dog was caged for 10 minutes, and so did not have to exert self-control.

After the sit-stay session, the dog was brought into a room that held a cage. The cage held a territorial 11-year-old female bull terrier that snarled and barked when it saw the second dog.

The researchers recorded the dog's actions for four minutes, particularly noting where in the room it spent its time. A dog that chose to get closer to the snarling bull terrier's cage was judged as being more impulsive. A dog that kept its distance was judged as more cautious. [10 Things You Didn't Know About Dogs]

Impulsive dogs

The results, published online March 30 in the journal Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, showed a clear difference between a canine that was fresh and one that was dog-tired. Dogs spent 58.9 percent of their time in the portion of the room closest to the angry dog's cage after the sit-stay session, compared with only 41.8 percent after 10 minutes relaxing in a cage, a significant difference.

"There was literally a dog in a kennel barking the equivalent of 'I'm going to kill you! I'm going to beat the s--- out of you!' and depleted dogs would approach this dog. And sit in front of it," Miller said. "But when they were not depleted, they were more cautious, and spent more time farther away."

The results are important for humans and dogs alike, Miller said. People should realize that their tendency to make dumb decisions when tired isn't a sign of personal failure or even something that can be overcome with willpower, she said.

"We tend to believe we should have some superhuman power to avoid these things. We don't," Miller said. "What we do have the ability to do is to plan ahead. To recognize our weaknesses, and to prevent ourselves from having the opportunity to behave in ways that are not optimal for our lives."

For example, in both dogs and humans, a sugary drink seems to provide the brain with the fuel it needs to harness our silliest impulses. A dieter, then, might take care not to avoid food too assiduously, given that a small snack could boost the willpower needed to avoid a big food splurge. [7 Diet Tricks That Really Work]

Dog owners should take note, too, Miller said. A family dog that has to restrain its urge to snap at yelling, screaming kids all day may eventually reach a willpower limit and bite, possibly explaining a large proportion of the 4.5 million dog bites in America each year. It's up to people to recognize that dogs need breaks and rest as much as we do, she said.

"The average family dog lives a precarious life. If it inhibits the majority of its natural behavior, (barking, peeing in the house, chewing, etc.) it gets to stay and to live [in the home]. If it doesn't — it ends up in the animal shelter. And as humans, I think we owe it to the dogs to help them as best we can."

Alaska Airlines Partners with Banfield Pet Hospital for Fur-st Class Pet Care

2012-04-09T16:23:00Z

SEATTLE, April 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines today announced an exclusive partnership with Banfield® Pet Hospital, the nation's largest general veterinary practice, to help travelers prepare their pets for takeoff. With more than 800 hospitals in 43 states, Banfield Pet Hospital is offering Alaska Airlines customers traveling with or shipping their pets a free office visit, travel consultation and $10 discount on a health certificate, which is required for all pets traveling in the cabin, as baggage or as air cargo.

"We know pets play an important role in our lives and we share Alaska's commitment to fostering the human-pet bond by being one of the leading airlines for pet travel," said Dr. Karen Johnson, vice president and client advocate for Banfield Pet Hospital. "When it comes to pets, there is nothing more important than ensuring their health and safety whether at home or on a trip. We're proud to partner with such a well-respected organization that has a great track record of pet safety during travel."

Alaska Airlines employees receive specialized training in safely transporting pets and follow strict guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service and the Consumer Division of the Department of Transportation. The carrier's pet-friendly practices were recognized by the website Smarter Traveler.com when it named Alaska the "Most Pet-Friendly Airline" in 2009.

In addition to allowing customers to travel with their pets in the cabin through its Fur-st Class® Care service, the airline also offers PetStreak® Animal Express service for shipping animals via air freight in a safe and caring environment when their owner isn't traveling with them. To celebrate the new partnership with Banfield Pet Hospitals, Alaska Air Cargo is offering a 10 percent discount on PetStreak Animal Express shipments through June 9, 2012.*

"Alaska is one of few airlines that still welcomes pets onboard—both in the cabin and the cargo hold—and we're committed to pet care and safety," said Torque Zubeck, managing director of Alaska Air Cargo. "We are proud to partner with Banfield Pet Hospital to provide our customers a professional resource for ensuring their pet is prepared, safe and comfortable during air travel."

To further enhance pet well-being, Alaska Airlines is implementing new kennel standards for animals traveling in the airplane hold, starting May 1, 2012. Kennels will require nut-and-bolt locks to ensure the animals remain safely in their kennel throughout their travel.

"We also believe it is very important to acclimate pets to their kennel well in advance of the travel day to help reduce stress," Dr. Johnson said. "We recommend pet owners begin by putting the carrier in a common area in the house and gradually begin giving treats and feeding their pet inside the crate so they associate it as being a safe and positive place."

Alaska Airlines' travelers with a pet reservation can learn more about the partnership offer by visiting www.banfield.com/alaskaairlines. Travelers can also find a list of pet travel tips, provided by Banfield veterinarians, and learn more about Alaska Airlines' pet travel polices, including its new kennel requirements, at www.alaskaair.com.

Alaska Airlines flew nearly 83,000 pets throughout its route system last year.

About Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK - News), together serve more than 90 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers" in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 North America Airline Satisfaction Studies(SM). For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.

About Banfield Pet Hospital
Founded in Portland, Ore., in 1955, Banfield has become the largest general veterinary practice in the world, with more than 800 hospitals in neighborhoods across the United States. More than 2,600 veterinarians at Banfield are committed to giving pets the highest quality veterinary care. Banfield hospitals offer a full range of comprehensive medical services, computerized medical records, preventive care plans for pets and extended operating hours. Banfield Pet Hospital helps extend the lives of millions of pets each year through Optimum Wellness Plans®. For journalists seeking more information, please visit our press room at www.banfield.com/press-room or contact our 24-hour Media Hotline at (888) 355-0595.

*Alaska Air Cargo offer is a 10 percent discount off PetStreak Animal Express tariff rates. Customer must mention Banfield at the time of booking to receive discount. Contract rates do not apply and discount cannot be combined with other discounts or offers. Cargo rates are airport-to-airport and subject to taxes, fees, and fuel and security surcharges. Contact Alaska Air Cargo's Service Center at 800-2ALASKA daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific time to book PetStreak service or visit www.alaskacargo.com for more information.

Miley Cyrus hunting new home for rescue dog

2012-04-06T15:44:00Z

Miley Cyrus has appealed to her followers on Twitter to help her find a new home for an injured rescue dog.

The Disney star was hurt to read about the plight of Keller, a three-month-old Chihuahua that had suffered chemical burns and fractures before being taken in by Los Angeles' Saving Spot! Dog Rescue organisation.

Cyrus has asked her fans to help find a home for Keller, but admits she is keen to take the canine in herself, Contactmusic reported.

In a post on her page, she writes, "Please save this puppy... he deserves a good life possibly a part of the Cyrus Clan."

Pit Bull Shot In The Head Trying To Protect Owner, But Miraculously Survives

2012-04-05T14:27:00Z

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — There’s a dog that took a bullet, possibly saving his owner’s life. And surprisingly, the 12-year-old pit bull shot in the head survived.

The pit bull named “Kilo” was off to the vet Wednesday for a check-up, after taking a bullet for his owner, Justin Becker.

“He’s a hero. He saved my life. He went to protect me and he did his job,” Becker told CBS 2′s John Slattery.

Even Dr. Greg Panarello, the veterinarian who treated the dog, was impressed.

“Incredibly lucky. Incredibly lucky,” Panarello said.

It happened Saturday evening in Becker’s apartment house in the Graniteville section of Staten Island. A gunman, posing as a FedEx deliveryman, wearing a uniform, rang the bell and said he had a package, but then pushed his way into the apartment.

“He barged in. My first reaction after seeing the gun is push him out, so I pushed him to the door. Like I said, he fell like wedged right by the door. I slammed him inside the door and he was stuck and tried to get out now because he was getting crushed,” Becker said.

His girlfriend has been holding the dog and let go.

“I was shocked and I was terrified,” Nicole Percoco said.

The dog went after the gunman.

“Now Kilo came out to protect me. Grrr, he tried to come through the door at the guy, his head was out. Grrr, then I heard the guy, three gunshots,” Becker said.

One of the shots hit the dog in the head.

“It did ricochet off the skull and went straight down and exited at the neck,” Dr. Panarello said.

The vet staff put a superhero insignia on this bandage. Kilo was up and around Wednesday, going for walks just three days after being shot.

“I think it’s amazing. He saved my life,” Becker said.

You’ve heard of a cat with nine lives. Kilo seems well on his way.

Sick Pets May Feel Pain of Drug Shortage: Vets

2012-03-30T15:24:00Z

Veterinarians say sick pets may soon feel the pain of the drug shortage that has already affected some of their masters.

Animals use many of the same pain-relieving drugs used in human medicine and vets across the country say the current shortage will soon impact them.

Because the dosages in smaller animals, such as dogs and cats, are smaller than they are in people, veterinary stocks of those medicines are lasting longer.

But the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association has already told vets to start looking for alternative drugs.

An association spokesman says the effects of the shortage are likely to last longer on the veterinary side because human needs will have to be filled first.

Willie Nelson Rescues Two Abused Horses

2012-03-29T15:56:00Z

For two severely neglected horses, life is going to get a little sweeter thanks to Willie Nelson. According to Ray Rivera of Wistv.com, the singer and activist is adopting Whisper and Traveler from the Berkley County Animal Control Department in California.

The animals were seized by animal control from Dwight Benjamin McCloud, who had been abusing the horses. McCloud was charged with three counts of failure to provide veterinary care and treatment to animals, three counts of failure to provide humane care and treatment, and one count of failure to provide food and water. Veterinarian Howland Mansfield, who treated the stallion and mare, said this was one of the worst cases of neglect he'd ever seen.

Boy With Autism Wants To Bring Service Dog To School

2012-03-28T15:42:00Z

WEXFORD (KDKA) — The Pine-Richland School District is grappling the issue of whether a boy with autism should be allowed to bring his service dog to school with him.

The child, Sean Forsyth, is in the second grade at Wexford Elementary School.

While the district is looking for information before making a final decision, the boy’s parents say the answer should be yes.

The boy’s father, B.J., says the dog, a 20-month-old English lab named Sophia, was trained to keep the boy calm.

Sophia is a certified service dog, goes to training class once a week, is spayed and has received all of her shots.

Jennifer Forsyth, the boy’s mother, said Sean used to have meltdowns that lasted two or three hours. Now because of the dog, they last 15 minutes.

“She is able to alert,” she said. “The longer that she’s here, the more she’s been able to do that. She sees things before we do.”

Forsyth already gets special transportation to and from school and his parents say they are grateful.

Last month, the school district told Sean’s parents they didn’t think the dog was necessary in order for Sean to receive an appropriate education since he was making good academic, social and behavioral progress.

Since the boy’s parents made their request under provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the school needs more information before a final determination.

City Requires $100K Insurance for Pit Bulls

2012-03-27T16:50:00Z

ELEPHANT BUTTE, N.M. - One New Mexico town is requiring owners of pit bulls, rottweilers and German shepherds to get special liability insurance.

In Elephant Butte, something is keeping pit bull owner Chastity Cervantes worried. She has three blue-nose pit bulls. Cervantes said the dogs have no history of bad behavior.

But as of March 1, pit bulls, rottweilers and German shepherds are considered potentially dangerous dogs by the city of Elephant Butte. Anyone with those breeds now has 90 days to insure their dogs for $100,000 worth of personal property liability.
City Manager Alan Briley said it's the city's response to the fatal pit bull mauling in neighboring Truth or Consequences last year.

"These are the top three breeds according to the CDC that are more likely to attack people," Briley said. "I know our council wanted to be proactive and make sure if something like this happens, that our public is protected."

Briley said it shouldn't be difficult to find companies willing to cover dogs like pit bulls. However, Cervantes said she's finding the opposite is true.

"It's been a hassle. I've called every insurance place from here to El Paso, Las Cruces, Albuquerque -- and everyone tells me no," Cervantes said. "I don't know what to do anymore."

Cervantes said she's worried that she'll have to move or put her dogs down if she cannot find insurance. Briley said none of those things will happen, but admits that the council didn't come up with a backup plan for those who can't get their dogs covered.

"We pride ourselves on working with the people, and if they just can't find insurance, we'll be glad to work with them," Briley said.

T or C, which had the mauling, doesn't require insurance for those breeds. Albuquerque doesn't either.

Cervantes said she found one company that may cover the dog, but it would be more than double what she pays for her annual home insurance.

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Super Suits Help Horses Saddle Up for the Olympics

2012-03-27T15:27:00Z

In fact, these form-fitting garments come in many bright colors, making their wearers look like the equine equivalent of spandex-clad superheroes such as the X-Men (er, X-manes?).

But there’s a serious purpose behind these colorful costumes: They’re designed to help the animals recover from the rigors of travel and exercise as they gear up for the Summer Olympics in London.

The super suits are the creation of Matthew Spice, director of a Sydney, Australia-based company called Hidez. Spice says the compression the suits provide enhances the horses’ blood flow and reduces the vibration their muscles undergo when they’re traveling, in turn leading to better performance in equestrian sports. They also keep the animals dry and comfortable, he adds, and they can be customized with the horse’s name or team logo.

After all, Spice reasoned, horses are athletes too – so it’s only logical that they would benefit from the same kind of compression garments that many runners and professional golfers wear. Five high-performance sports zippers help the suits go on and off quickly. “It's surprisingly simple,” trainer John McNair told Australian website tophorse.com.au. “It takes me about three minutes to put on and 30 seconds to take off.”

Stuart Tinney, who won a gold medal for Australia in equestrian sports in 2000, uses one of the suits on his horse, Vettori. “I am confident it helps the horses muscles relax and recover after exercise,” he told the U.K. Mirror.

To capitalize on Olympic fever, Hidez is officially launching the suit in June. Makes sense – horse sense, that is. After all, they suit horses, don't they?

Tiniest Puppy Ever? Beyonce Up For Adoption

2012-03-23T15:04:00Z

A puppy the size of a business card -- yes, you read that correctly -- will be up for adoption in about two weeks.

And Beyonce may be the tiniest puppy ever born, according to The Grace Foundation of Northern California.

When she was one day old, Beyonce was so small, she could fit in a spoon. At two weeks, she's almost as big as an iPhone, the foundation says.

The El Dorado Hills organization wanted to share the dog's story to illustrate the importance of spaying and neutering pets, as well as adopting rescue dogs.

Beyonce's mother, a Dachshund mix, was picked up by Animal Control when she was pregnant with five puppies. She delivered March 8.

Vets thought Beyonce would be stillborn because of her size. She was the last of the five to be born, and wasn't breathing at the time. The tiny puppy didn't have a heartbeat, either.

A doctor performed chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth until Beyonce's heart started. Now, despite her size, the foundation says she's a normal puppy.

Who Are the Richest Pets in the World?

2012-03-21T16:38:00Z

Pets can make a person's life richer, and in the case of these lucky pets, their owners can return the favor long after they are gone. Here's a look at five of the richest pets in the world, including Betty White's dog, Pontiac; Tommaso the cat, who owns three Italian villas; Oprah's dogs; Chihuahua Conchita, who was owned by Gail Posner; and Gene Roddenberry's dogs, whose wealth is out of this world.

Pet: Pontiac
To inherit: $5 million
Owner: Betty White

At 90, actress Betty White is busier than ever. When she's not shooting her TV Land sitcom, "Hot in Cleveland," or promoting her latest memoir, "If You Ask Me (And Of Course You Won't)," you'll find her kicking back at her Los Angeles home with her beloved golden retriever, Pontiac. White has reportedly set up a $5 million trust fund to care for Pontiac and her other pets.

Pet: Tommaso
Net worth: $13 million
Owner: The late Maria Assunta

This 4-year-old stray alley cat was rescued from the streets of Rome by Maria Assunta, the wealthy, childless widow of an Italian property tycoon. When she died in December 2011, Tommaso inherited her entire estate, including cash and real estate in Rome, Milan and Calabria, Italy.

Oprah's dogs
To inherit: $30 million
Owner: Oprah Winfrey

OK, so the Oprah Winfrey menagerie will have to split the $30 million Oprah promised them several ways. If a dog can't make a go of it on seven figures in a down economy, it's just plain overindulging.

Pet: Conchita
Net worth: $3 million
Owner: The late Gail Posner

When Miami heiress Gail Posner, wife of corporate takeover king Victor Posner, died in 2010, she left her high-fashion Chihuahua Conchita with a $3 million trust fund and an $8.3 million mansion in Miami Beach, Fla. What suits a hairless heiress most? How about a $15,000 Cartier necklace?

'Star Trek' dogs
Net worth: $4 million
Owner: The late Majel Roddenberry

When Majel Roddenberry, wife of "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry and voice of the USS Enterprise's computer on the hit TV show, died in 2009, she enabled her dogs to boldly go into a tax bracket where few dogs have gone before, thanks to a $4 million trust fund.

The Canine Insiders on Capitol Hill

2012-03-20T16:19:00Z

Congress really may be going to the dogs.

Every day dozens of dogs, the canine companions of members of Congress, are brought to the United States Capitol building to spend days alongside their masters.

The dogs have the ultimate inside look at politics on the Hill; they are let into secret meetings and to committee hearings, and they're allowed to roam around in the workplace some of the nation's most powerful people.

Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., brings his two dogs, "Tink" and "Monique," to Capitol Hill nearly every day.

"One time one of my dogs escaped and the chairman of my committee found the dog drinking out of his toilet, so he was walking down the hallway saying 'who's dog is this, who's dog is this.?'" Sensenbrenner laughed, recalling the episode. "I picked him up and said 'Mr. Chairman this is my dog and he loves you just as much as he loves me'."

Perhaps the most famous dog on Capitol Hill is a bichon frise named "Dakota," the faithful companion of Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad, who represents North Dakota.

"We've even gotten to the point when senators, when I'm going to meetings, call up and ask if I can bring Dakota along with me," Conrad said. "So he has become a celebrity up here."

Back in Conrad's office, Dakota tends to take over the place.

Conrad's office is filled with dog bowls, doggie beds, and pictures of Dakota. A pale yellow formal arm chair originally intended for guests has turned into Dakota's bed, where she likes to recline while her owner works nearby.

There's even a framed photograph of Bo Obama, the first family's dog, addressed to "Dakota,'' and signed with a paw print drawn by President Obama himself.

"It does change the atmosphere in the office, it's clearly good for morale," Conrad says, "you can just tell it kind of warms up in the office, as I say, it kind of humanizes things."

Congressman Jerry Lewis, R-Calif., walks his dog Bruin from his home to his nearby Capitol Hill office every morning.

"When he arrives he kind of takes over the place. Wanders from room to room, says 'hello' to his friends," Lewis says. "Often (he) lies out in the couch in the living, in the front office."

Lewis' dog's fluffy toys are scattered all around the Congressman's office and he has a bed in two of rooms, including one underneath the senator's desk.

The congressman says when constituents or other members of Congress come in and see his dog in the office it indicates a "very human side" to what is otherwise a very serious business.

"No doubt that an animal like this tends to calm people," he said. "The real world is that we deal with intense challenges all the time but it's awfully important to keep somewhat in perspective."

"Whenever I am frustrated about how to figure out what are the questions to be asked," said Lewis, "well, I just look at Bruin and he says 'take it easy dad, no big problem'."

Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., is regularly seen walking his two small dogs, "Snuggles" and "Koda," around the Capitol Building and his Dirksen Senate office. He says Koda has been able to ease the tension in meetings on Capitol Hill.

"There have been times when people have a very serious issue and they are ready to rip my head off, and I walk in, you know, with Koda, and they say 'oh we can't yell at him because Koda will get mad'," Brown says.

Bringing dogs to work on Capitol Hill is a tradition that dates all the way back to the 19th Century, when members of Congress would bring their hunting dogs to work with them on the Hill, according to Senate Historian Donald Ritchie.

In 1811, Virginia Congressman John Randolph's dogs were ordered to be removed from the floor of the House of Representatives by the house speaker, as other members found his dogs too intimidating. From then on, dogs were banned from the floors of the House and Senate, and were later barred from the cafeterias on the Hill.

Ritchie says that over the years members of Congress who keep their pooches nearby while at work have included former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, R-Kans., the late Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.V., and Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass. On the Hill, Ritchie said, their dogs were as well known as they were.

"We've seen more and more of them over the years," Ritchie said, explaining that bringing dogs to the Hill was popularized in the 1970's. "It's become much more common place these days."

It's a funny tradition for a serious place. But members say just the presence of these dogs does a lot to lighten the negative, often divisive mood on the Hill.

"This place is so intense to have somebody that's just affectionate," Conrad says of his dog, "he's happy, he's not affected by the latest controversy over the budget or the cuts were making someplace. He's happy every day."

Members of Congress say they take themselves too seriously to begin with, so bringing a dog to work not only humanizes them to the outside world, but it also humbles them.

It isn't the job of an intern or staffer to clean up the inevitable accidents around the office.

"I am often seen picking up poop," Brown said, "I'll hear them whisper 'that's Senator Brown, I can't believe he's picking up his dogs' poop.' Really? Who else is going to do it?"

Costly 'No Kill' Shelters Leave Officials with Tough Choices

2012-03-08T16:20:00Z

As a growing number of animal shelters nationwide embrace a "no kill" philosophy, municipalities are looking to see how that movement toward limiting euthanasia can co-exist with their need to control stray and aggressive animals.

Advocates say it can be done — and has been done in at least 30 communities — but it takes money and cooperation.

"In the last four or five years, the movement has really taken off," says Nathan Winograd, director of the No Kill Advocacy Center in Oakland.

PHOTOS: No-kill animal shelter

But the trend can present a tough choice for municipal officials facing higher costs in a time of tight budgets.

The Lynchburg, Va., Humane Society adopted a no-kill policy in 2010 and is asking the city to more than triple its animal-control subsidy to $396,000 by 2015. City Councilman Hunsdon Cary says the policy change is admirable, but the city isn't obligated to pay for it, especially in light of an $8 million budget deficit this year.

"I value pets, but golly-day, the people who respond to fires and the police who are on the street every day, they're important, too," Cary says.

Allegany County, Md., became a no-kill community a year ago without increasing government spending by relying heavily on volunteers and donations, says County Commissioner Bill Valentine. A new shelter will be funded entirely by donations, he says.

Austin no longer euthanizes healthy and treatable animals to make room in its shelters and reached "no-kill" status a year ago, defined by advocates as euthanizing fewer than 10% of the animals that come into shelters and only those with untreatable illnesses, injuries or behavior problems.

"It was definitely, absolutely, unequivocally a community effort," says Abigail Smith, chief animal services officer for Austin.

To do it, Austin has increased its animal-control budget by about $2 million over three years to add officers, veterinarians, medical care and a larger shelter, Smith says. It also works with more than 90 rescue organizations, which received about $1 million in grants from national animal-advocacy groups for spay/neuter programs, shelter care, behavior training, advice for new pet owners and other services.

Austin officials considered the money "a bargain" because the effort relies on community support, says Councilwoman Laura Morrison. The city hopes to see long-term financial savings through low-cost sterilization services, more pet adoptions and fewer animals coming through the city shelter, she says.

The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City in Kansas spends about $17,000 a month to care for and find homes for animals from the city's shelter, an effort that has helped cut the city's euthanasia rate from 71% in 2007 to less than 1% now, says Charles Vreeland, the society's president.

In Wilmington, Del., city officials are looking for a new animal-control contractor to replace the Delaware SPCA, which did the job for 120 years but recently said the work was incompatible with its core mission of protecting animals.

The Delaware SPCA became a no-kill shelter a few years ago and said it could not afford to care for the animals — especially hard-to-place pit bulls — that it took in from the city.

The group says it spent about $350,000 on animal control but got only $250,000 from the city.

Wilmington officials are now seeking another group interested in running the program, but increasing the cost of the contract would be difficult because of a tight city budget, says John Rago, the city's director of communications and policy development.

"Beyond that, a municipal animal-control program is certainly an option," Rago says. "If the city were to be forced into the animal-shelter business, our goal would be 'no kill' also."

Many animal-welfare groups also are dropping their municipal contracts and the stigma that can come with them, says Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States.

About 4 million shelter animals are euthanized nationwide annually, a rate of about 50%, Winograd says. Most of them are healthy or treatable and could find homes with more promotion of adoption and support for pet owners, he says.

Pacelle says he expects the national euthanasia rate to be cut in half within the next five years because of the growing "no kill" movement among animal advocates.

"It's a much more invigorated community than you saw three or four decades ago," Pacelle says.

Dog Survives 53 Days in the Wild to Reunite with Owner after Horrific Car Accident

2012-03-07T17:39:00Z

RENO, Nev. -- Barbara Bagley says she never gave up hope that her dog would be found alive in the Nevada desert after the animal bolted from the scene of a crash that critically injured her and killed her husband.

But the Salt Lake City woman endured plenty of frustration until her beloved 4-year-old Shetland sheepdog, Dooley, was tracked down Feb. 18 after surviving 53 days in the wild on roadkill and scattered ranch water sources.

"I would think about Dooley constantly," she said. "There were TV commercials with dogs that made me think about him and cry. He's just the sweetest dog."

The Dec. 27 single-vehicle accident on Interstate 80 near Battle Mountain, about 225 miles east of Reno, sent Bagley and her 55-year-old husband, Brad Vom Baur, to the hospital in critical condition. Their other sheltie, Delaney, was killed in the wreck. Dooley ran away and vanished.

Bagley, 48, suffered a concussion, broken ribs, a shattered wrist and two punctured lungs. As soon as she mustered up enough strength, she turned her attention to a search for her dog in the sprawling sage-covered plains and hills of northeastern Nevada.

Realizing what Dooley could mean for her recovery, dozens of Nevada volunteers responded to a Facebook plea for help in looking for him. But the search was canceled before it began after the Jan. 6 discovery of what appeared to be the dog's remains along the interstate. The same day, her husband died.

"It was a horrible day for me," Bagley recalled. "But something inside me told me Dooley was still alive out there. I wasn't 100 percent sure, but I didn't grieve for Dooley like I did for my husband and our other dog."

More than three weeks later, Bagley's spirits were buoyed after a woman reported spotting "a Lassie-type" dog near the accident scene. A subsequent search joined by Bagley turned up nothing, but a railroad crew spotted a dog matching the same description in mid-February in the same area about 15 miles east of Battle Mountain.

Further searches netted a positive identification of Dooley but frustration as well because the skittish dog kept fleeing from Bagley and other searchers. Finally, Shannon Sustacha of Lamoille, who was on horseback, and a Bagley friend driving a Jeep cornered Dooley only five miles from the crash scene. The friend managed to nab the sheltie and put him in the Jeep.

An ecstatic, tearful Bagley arrived at the scene a short time later.

"Barbara got next to us and said three times, `You think he'll remember me?'" Sustacha said. "When Barbara opened the door and looked at him, she said, `My beautiful boy, my beautiful boy, you're home.' Oh, boy, all of us cried. I knew his adventure in Nevada was over. I also knew he and Barbara could start healing together."

A short time later, an exhausted Dooley sat on his owner's lap in the Jeep and fell asleep. He later began following Bagley around.

"I was overjoyed that I was going to have him back in my life. I think he felt the same about me," she said.

During his ordeal, Dooley's weight dropped from 44 pounds to 20 pounds. He was once spotted devouring a dead coyote along the roadway. A long bird bone was pulled from his throat by a veterinarian.

Since then, the dog has gradually put on weight and resumed regular walks with his owner. While Bagley is still going through the grieving process over her husband's death and recovering from her injuries, Dooley's presence has picked up her spirits immensely.

"He's the physical and mental affection that I need to recover," she said. "I owe him so much for the hope I have now and the renewed faith I have in prayer. Dogs are so great because of their unconditional love."

Bagley, a phlebotomy supervisor at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, also thinks her husband had something to do with Dooley's safe return home.

"It's a message from my husband who was looking out for him," Bagley said. "It was a miracle that we got Dooley. He couldn't have survived much longer out there."

Pet Therapy: How Animals And Humans Heal Each Other

2012-03-07T17:33:00Z

Those of us who own pets know they make us happy. But a growing body of scientific research is showing that our pets can also make us healthy, or healthier.

That helps explain the increasing use of animals — dogs and cats mostly, but also birds, fish, and even horses — in settings ranging from hospitals and nursing homes to schools, jails and mental institutions.

Take Viola, or Vi for short. The retired guide dog is the resident canine at the Children's Inn on the campus of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. The Inn is where families stay when their children are undergoing experimental therapies at NIH.

Vi, a chunky yellow Labrador retriever with a perpetually wagging tail, greets families as they come downstairs in the morning, as they return from treatment in the afternoon, and can even be "checked out" for a walk around the bucolic NIH grounds

"There really isn't a day when she doesn't brighten the spirits of a kid at the Inn. And an adult. And a staff member," says Meredith Daly, the Inn's spokeswoman.

But Vi may well be doing more than just bringing smiles to the faces of stressed out parents and children. Dogs like Vi have helped launch an entirely new field of medical research over the past three decades or so.

The use of pets in medical settings actually dates back more than 150 years, says Aubrey Fine, a clinical psychologist and professor at California State Polytechnic University. "One could even look at Florence Nightingale recognizing that animals provided a level of social support in the institutional care of the mentally ill," says Fine, who has written several books on the human-animal bond.

But it was only in the late 1970s that researchers started to uncover the scientific underpinnings for that bond.

One of the earliest studies, published in 1980, found that heart attack patients who owned pets lived longer than those who didn't. Another early study found that petting one's own dog could reduce blood pressure.

More recently, says Rebecca Johnson, a nurse who heads the Research Center for Human/Animal Interaction at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, studies have been focusing on the fact that interacting with animals can increase people's level of the hormone oxytocin.

"That is very beneficial for us," says Johnson. "Oxytocin helps us feel happy and trusting." Which, Johnson says, may be one of the ways that humans bond with their animals over time.

But Johnson says it may also have longer-term human health benefits. "Oxytocin has some powerful effects for us in the body's ability to be in a state of readiness to heal, and also to grow new cells, so it predisposes us to an environment in our own bodies where we can be healthier."

Animals can also act as therapists themselves or facilitate therapy – even when they're not dogs or cats.

For example, psychologist Aubrey Fine, who works with troubled children, uses dogs in his practice but also a cockatoo and even a bearded dragon named Tweedle.

"One of the things that's always been known is that the animals help a clinician go under the radar of a child's consciousness, because the child is much more at ease and seems to be much more willing to reveal," he says.

Horses have also become popular therapists for people with disabilities.

"The beauty of the horse is that it can be therapeutic in so many different ways," says Breeanna Bornhorst, executive director of the Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program in Clifton, Va. "Some of our riders might benefit from the connection and the relationship-building with the horse and with their environment. Other riders maybe will benefit physically, from the movements, and build that core strength, and body awareness and muscle memory."

On a recent day, one of the therapeutic riding program's instructors – speech therapist Cathy Coleman – works one-on-one with 9-year-old Ryan Shank-Rowe, who has autism.

Well, not really one-on-one. The co-therapist in this session is a speckled pony named Happy.

"Walk on" says Ryan, and Happy obediently does. "Excellent," Coleman replies.

As the session progresses, Ryan makes Happy trot, weave in and out of poles, and even rides bareback, all the while answering Coleman's questions and keeping up a continual back-and-forth chatter.

Coleman says she used to see Ryan in a more formal office environment. But since he's started horseback riding, his speech has actually improved.

"I get greater engagement, greater alertness, more language, more processing, all those things," she says. "Plus, he's just really good at it."

And Ryan's mother, Donna Shank, says the riding has helped with more than just his speech.

"It's helped his following directions, some really core life skills about getting dressed and balance — which really translate to a lot of safety issues, too."

But not all the research is focused on the humans. "We want to know how the animals are benefitting from the exchange," says Rebecca Johnson of the University of Missouri.

Much of Johnson's research, for example, has focused on the value of dog-walking by studying volunteers who walk dogs at animal shelters. She even wrote a book, Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound.

Those programs have clearly helped people get healthier, she says. Not only do they increase their exercise while they're walking the dogs, "but it increases their awareness, so that they exercise more during the week."

But it turns out the program was also helping the dogs.

"What we found was that they were significantly more likely to be adopted if they were in the dogwalking group," she says, thanks to the additional exercise and socialization they were getting.

Johnson's now working on a new project with likely benefits for dogs and humans. Military veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are providing shelter dogs with basic obedience training.

And while it's still early in the research, she says, one thing seems pretty clear: "Helping the animals is helping the veterans to readjust to being at home."

Now the research is getting an even bigger scientific boost.

The National Institutes of Health, with funding from pet food giant Mars, Inc., recently created a federal research program to study human-animal interaction. The program, operated through the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, offers scientists research grants to study the impact of animals on child development; in physical and psychological therapeutic treatments, and on the effects of animals on public health, including their ability to reduce or prevent disease.

Johnson says it's critical to establish the scientific foundation for the premise that animals are good for people, even if that seems obvious.

"The last thing we want is for an entire field to be based on warm fuzzy feelings and not on scientific data," she says. "So it's very important that now the NIH is focused on this ... and it is helping scientists across the country like myself to be able to do our research."

At 51, Shayne Could Be World's Oldest Horse

2012-03-02T16:16:00Z

A 51-year-old chestnut stallion from Brentwood, Essex, could be the world's oldest horse, the Daily Mail reported Thursday.

Shayne lives in the same town as Pip, the 24-year-old terrier who is thought to be the world's oldest dog.

The elderly nag has been living at the Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary since 2007, and is still in better shape than many of his stable mates.

He is believed to have inherited the title of the world's oldest living horse after the death of the previous holder in 2004.

He is now enjoying a laid back retirement with four meals a day at the 40-acre sanctuary, founded by Sue Burton, the newspaper added.

Burton said: "Shayne is a really good boy. He is still very active - sometimes we forget how old he is."

"I guess his secret to a long life is taking it easy in his old age and enjoying his retirement."

Shayne was brought to the sanctuary in April 2007 after spending many happy years with his previous owner in Chingford, Essex.

The previous title of oldest living horse in the world was held by Welsh/Arab steed Badger, from Pembrokeshire, Wales, who died aged 51, in 2004.

Shayne does not have a birth certificate but they were given his birth date by his previous owner and have since verified his age with medical checks.

Sammi, Quadriplegic Dog, Learns To Walk And Run

2012-03-01T18:03:00Z

The journey wasn't easy, but Sammi the springer spaniel has learned to walk again.

The 8-year-old dog had a bone growing near his spinal column that began to press on his spinal cord, according to a press release from California Animal Rehabilitation. Doctors operated, but were unable to remove the excess bone, leaving Sammi quadriplegic.

But after months of intense rehabilitation treatments, Sammi learned to sit up, walk and eventually run.

The rehab center captured Sammi's reunion with mom on camera, and the footage is sure to bring a smile to your face.

Since his recovery in 2008, Sammi has enjoyed quality time with his family, even swimming in the pool during the hot summer months.

While Sammi's story is inspirational, the dog isn't the only animal to overcome incredible obstacles.

Last year, a woman found Harper the puppy in a trash bag. The dog had "swimmer's puppy syndrome," a condition that "causes puppies to lie flat on their chests with their legs perpetually splayed out," MSNBC's "Today" reports.

However, after undergoing rounds of hydrotherapy, Harper learned to walk and run.

Motala the elephant also showed the world what she was made of when she received an artificial leg in 2006. The 50-year-old animal lost her left front leg after stepping on a land mine in Thailand in 1999.

Behind the big drop in euthanasia for America's dogs and cats

2012-03-01T17:55:00Z

Fewer dogs and cats than ever before are being put to death at animal shelters across the United States. Instead they're living out their lives in pet-care facilities or with families.

he number of animals euthanized each year has decreased dramatically over the past four decades, from some 20 million in 1970 to about 3 million in 2011. Meanwhile, the number of pets has more than doubled since the 1970s, to about 160 million dogs and cats, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The decline represents a big shift in the standard of care for America's pets – at shelters and by pet owners, say animal welfare experts.

"There's much more awareness of appropriate pet ownership nowadays," says Inga Fricke, director of sheltering and pet care issues at the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). "The progress that we have made in reducing shelter euthanasia rates shows not only a huge change in rescue operations but also positive trends that have transformed the way people care for pets."

Chief among them, Ms. Fricke says, is the higher priority put on spaying and neutering stray animals and new pets.

In the 1970s, animal shelter populations and euthanasia rates hit their peak. Overrun with stray animals, shelters routinely "put to sleep" animals they couldn't make room for, Fricke says. "That is the lowest point anyone can remember, when we were euthanizing some 20 million animals every single year," she says. "They were healthy and adoptable animals that no one wanted and no one had homes for."

That began to change when the first low-cost spay/neuter clinic opened in 1971 in Los Angeles, and the number of animals handled annually by shelters has declined rapidly ever since, according to HSUS data. Indeed, sterilization is practiced much more routinely in shelters today, to strike at the root of animal overpopulation and to find a closer balance between available animals and adoptive homes.

"It has become the standard practice of care," Fricke says. "Years ago, no one really thought or cared about it, but today, it's the exception to have an animal that's not [sterilized]. You make sure [your pet] is spayed or neutered the same way it's properly groomed and taken care of."

It's no small expense. While fees for spaying or neutering a pet vary widely by region, by clinic, and by the size of the animal, the bill often runs into the hundreds of dollars. That people are willing to incur such a cost speaks to the magnitude of the shift in attitude toward the importance of animal population control.

Sterilization is the biggest reason for the decline in shelter euthanasia, says Andrew Rowan, chief scientific officer of HSUS, but it's not the only reason. "There's more of a pet culture today," he says. "People who want dogs have dogs. People who don't want them don't, and they don't have them living outside on their street either."

Still, 5 million to 7 million companion animals enter shelters nationwide each year. Along with spaying and neutering, rescue operations focus on the broader concern for animal welfare, says Cindi Shapiro, president of the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem, Mass.

Founder of one of the largest no-kill animal shelters in the Northeast, Ms. Shapiro says the mind-set of shelter workers has shifted over time.

"In the past, it was acceptable to throw an animal away, the way you would an old television set," she says. "You would just bring them to the shelter and dump the old dog you don't want anymore."

Shelter personnel were no different, she continues. "For a long time, it's just what you did," she says. "[Animals] came in; you killed them. No one thought that was wrong."

Now, Shapiro says, fewer people see pets as disposable. "Very slowly, people have begun to understand that the lives of cats and dogs have value and that owning a pet is a privilege, not a right."

Shapiro says her shelter took in about 4,200 dogs and cats from overpopulated shelters around the US last year. Since opening in 1976, the shelter has placed about 105,000 pets into adoptive homes.

Thanks to careful planning and a detailed understanding of how many animals the shelter can realistically place in homes, no animal that enters the shelter stays permanently, Shapiro says. Two months has been the longest stay for any animal before being adopted.

There are no firm statistics on no-kill animal shelters in the US, but their numbers appear to be rising, experts say. Moreover, cities with no-kill shelters, such as Reno, Nev., have seen a boost in animal adoptions. Cat adoptions in Reno nearly doubled and dog adoptions increased by 51 percent within a year of putting the no-kill policy in place in 2006.

Shelters, most of which are funded with taxpayer dollars, and pet owners spend more to care for stray and neglected animals these days, according to Mr. Rowan. In 1975 they spent about $1 billion on animal protection, versus $2.8 billion as of 2007, he says, noting the figures are in inflation-adjusted dollars.

"When an animal crosses that threshold and into our care, it's ours, no matter what care they need," says Shapiro, in Salem. "Whether it's medical, behavioral, training – whatever we need to do to make them adoptable, we'll do it."

Is your office going to the dogs? Five top dog-friendly employers.

2012-03-01T16:34:00Z

Autodesk

From Chihuahuas to German shepherds, the software-design company based in San Rafael, Calif., has them all. With almost 7,000 employees internationally, the company says about 5 percent of them bring their dogs to work. “Having a pet also encourages employees to take breaks during the day that they may not take if they didn’t have a pet,” said Michael Oldenburg, an Autodesk spokesman.

About 17 percent of Americans report that their workplaces permit pets, according to a 2008 American Pet Products Association national poll.

Simon is a Chihuahua who comes to Autodesk’s Lake Oswego, Ore., offices regularly. As a rescued dog, Simon was terrified at first, but employees and other office dogs have helped socialize him. (Photo courtesy of Autodesk)

KIAH-TV NewsFixer Prompts Removal of Dog Toy from Petco Shelves

2012-02-28T17:21:00Z

HOUSTON, TX - An investigation by KIAH-TV’s “The NewsFixer” has led to a removal of a dog toy that threatened the health of a Houston canine. The toy “Snuggling Furry Friend,” sold as a private brand under the Petco label, was found to contain traces of Trimethyl Benzene, Arsenic, Cadmium and Lead, along with Naphthalene, the main ingredient in moth balls.

The toxins were detected in the Petco toy by an independent laboratory after a NewsFix viewer, Mark Smith of Houston, told the station his Chow Mix “Charlet” became sick after first chewing on the toy in December 2011. After inquiries by “The NewsFixer,” Petco agreed to pay for Smith’s veterinary expenses. Petco said it would also test all similar toys sold in its retail outlets for toxic substances.

Petco representative Lisa Epstein said, "We did, in fact, direct our stores yesterday (2/23) to remove the Lambswool Tug with Squeaker Dog Toy from our shelves, pending the results of random sample tests that will be conducted and analyzed at an accredited laboratory. The decision to take this action was out of an abundance of caution – and it is not a product recall."

“We’re pleased we could help one of our loyal viewers,” said NewsFix News Director Gary Jaffe, “And we’re proud that ‘The NewsFixer’ has continued to be an effective and relevant investigative force in the community.”

Previous “NewsFixer” investigations have revealed wasted resources by the City of Houston, and have prompted hastened municipal cleanup in residential areas.

'The Artist' star Uggie sets craze for Jack Russell breed soaring

2012-02-23T16:28:00Z

Silent movie 'The Artist' has sparked a surge in the number of people searching for Jack Russell terriers, according to UK's oldest and most famous home for dogs and cats.

According to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, audiences were so charmed by the antics of its star turn, terrier Uggie, that many have now contacted the charity in search of their own canine leading man.

Almost 630 people looked on the Battersea website for a Jack Russell when the BAFTAs took place on 12 February - more than double the number who browsed the website specifically for this breed on the previous Sunday, and more than any other night of the year so far.

In the week following the BAFTAs, Jack Russells were the second most popular breed rehomed by Battersea, beaten only by Staffordshire bull terriers, of which there are many more in the charity's three homes. Before the Baftas, jack russells were the fifth most common breed to find new owners through Battersea in February.

With the Oscars taking place this Sunday, the home is bracing itself for another peak in demand and is hoping its current jack russell residents will find new owners. Last year, Jack Russells made up 8.4 percent of the dogs who came into Battersea.

"Jack russells are always a popular breed here at Battersea, but this current increase in demand is giving them the opportunity to really enjoy their fame," the Guardian quoted Battersea's re-homing co-ordinator Carly Perry, said.

"Although we're pleased about this, we want to make sure people who do rehome their own Uggie are aware of the level of commitment required to own a pet, so their new four-legged friend can enjoy being the main attraction in a new home.

"Deciding to take home an animal is a lifelong commitment - which in some cases can span to around 15 years - and your pet will require daily care and attention to be happy and healthy. Potential owners need to understand the breed and ensure they can provide the right environment for these dogs," she said.

The Jack Russell Terrier Club of America warned that many dog owners, even experienced ones, are sometimes overwhelmed by the demands of looking after the dogs, "leading to them being abandoned even before they reach adulthood. Russells are first and foremost hunting dogs. The traits and skills that make them excellent hunting dogs - digging, barking, an aggressive nature and an ability to follow scent - are often interpreted as bad habits that cause people to give them up."

"Today, jack russell terriers are hot! Tomorrow, those of us who are truly devoted to the breed will be paying the price for this surge in popularity with greatly increased use of our rescue system," it said.

Uggie himself nearly ended up in a dog pound after being rejected by his first two owners for being too wild. He was adopted by animal trainer Omar Von Muller who only intended to foster the dog while finding him a new home, but decided to train him instead after finding Uggie to be smart and brave.

At the 2011 Cannes film festival Uggie won the Palm Dog award for his performance in 'The Artist', but BAFTA decided the dog lacked the essential attribute of being a human and was therefore not qualified to compete in its 2012 awards.

Not ready for kids? Get a pet!

2012-02-22T16:48:00Z

When statistics site that a growing number of households in America are inhabited by single people without children or by childless couples, it's easy to understand why the commercial world caters to pet owners. Pets are the new kids!

But, God love them, as much as we baby our dogs and cats, caring for a pet is nothing like caring for a child. Let me tell you some of the reasons why.

Dogs and cats don't roll their eyes when you tell them to do something. They don't throw themselves on the floor and pitch a fit. They don't lie and make you ask them forty questions before you get a straight answer.

They don't smart mouth you. You never hear them sass back when they don't get what they want. They don't hold their breath when you refuse them a treat before dinner. And, dogs and cats don't follow you around the house tattle-telling on the rest of the animals.

For that matter kids are nothing like pets.

As much as I'd like to, I can't leave a bowl of food on the floor and feed them just once a day. Children never stop eating, they want variety and the dishes pile up. They're never happy just drinking water.

You also have to bathe them often, sometimes three times a day depending on their age. And every time you let them outside to play they keep running back inside for more toys as if the ball and the thick rubber bone out back aren't entertainment enough.

Usually, kids don't have to be de-wormed and I've never had to flea-bomb my house because of them. My kids don't shed, they don't lick their tails and I don't mind if they hug my leg.

You see, there are important differences. Dogs rarely make it to age sixteen, and cats get slower and more senile. When my kids turn sixteen, they'll just be getting warmed up.

And at some point, my kids are going to think it's stupid to wear a party hat for their birthday. Most dogs and some cats will never realize this.

But, to be fair, pets and children are sometimes very much alike.

Both can be put on a leash. Both sometimes love to howl when they hear a siren. Both will do almost anything for a treat. Both look adorable and forgivable when they are sleeping.

I think the reason animals are equated to children is because humans have the capacity to nurture and childless individuals and mothers of older children lavish their pets with attention because of this. But lets not confuse the species.

I can train my kids to salivate when I ring the dinner bell, but I'll never have to form my pet's moral conscience.

Anthem College-Phoenix Students, Instructors Treat Veteran's Pets at Annual StandDown Event

2012-02-16T16:16:00Z

Eleven students and four instructors treated 173 pets and distributed donated intems

Phoenix, Ariz. (PRWEB) February 16, 2012

More than 100 Veterans took their beloved pets for check-ups and treatment provided by the Veterinary Technology Department at Anthem College-Phoenix during this year’s Arizona StandDown event.

The Arizona StandDown is a three-day event that provides assistance to homeless and at-risk Veterans that takes place every February at Phoenix’s Veterans Memorial Coliseum. More than 50 state and federal agencies participate, including the Department of Economic Security, county courts, the Social Security Administration, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans receive new clothes and shoes, meals, showers, and haircuts. They are also connected to housing, healthcare, and mental health services for Veterans.

The term StandDown comes from a practice during the Vietnam War where soldiers were given a three-day break from battle. The metaphor refers to veterans battling life on the very streets that they fought to defend.

Julie Carlson, an instructor with the Veterinary Technology Department at Anthem College-Phoenix, has run the veterinary services at StandDown for the past five years. Each year, she asks her students to volunteer.

“This year was no exception,” Carlson says. “Eleven students and four instructors gave their time and skills to help 125 veterans and their pets: 135 dogs and 38 cats. Our Vet Tech students took histories, performed physical exams, cleaned ears, trimmed toenails, and treated wounds.” Many pets received vaccinations as well.

The event, Carlson says, “exposes students to real-life situations that reignite their passion for veterinary medicine and their interest in helping others.” In January, Carlson appealed to her Anthem colleagues for donations and collected “enough pet food, toys, beds, coats, collars, and leashes to stuff my garage.” These items were distributed as well.

Almost 1,300 veterans attended this year’s StandDown, 245 more than in 2011. Carlson is already helping event organizers plan for next year.

Anthem College-Phoenix offers an Associate of Science degree in Veterinary Technology. The program holds provisional accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Program graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification exam to become a Registered Veterinary Technician. (RVT). The college also provides career-focused training in several healthcare fields and in paralegal and computer networking & security.

For more information, visit anthem.edu/phoenix-arizona.

Kristen Bell Thinks A-Rod Might Have Used His Dogs to Flirt with Her

2012-02-07T17:07:00Z

Kristen Bell believes that Alex Rodriguez might have been using his pet dogs to flirt with her on a flight from LA to New York.

The 31-year-old actress was on the same flight as the Yankees player two weeks ago, but Bell didn't realize he was a fellow passenger until his pet Chihuahuas escaped from their cages.

"Everyone else on the plane was dead asleep and the lights were down. I crawled up and I opened my eyes and I saw a dog running down the aisle of the plane, like a free range dog," Us Magazine quoted Bell as saying on the show 'Chelsea Lately'.

"So then I'm playing with this dog... and five seconds later, another dog!

"I look at this guy, Daniel, who I've been sitting next to and talking to for the past two hours, and I'm like, 'Are we in the Twilight Zone? Why do I have two dogs in my hands?'" she said.

The 'House of Lies' star "spent the next 20 minutes cuddling" with the two canines.

"They couldn't make an announcement because everyone on the plane was asleep, so the stewardess and I were trying to Veronica Mars our way out of this, and I realized I did clock two dog carriers," she said.

"I definitely saw these two Chihuahuas coming out of A-Rod's dog carrier," she added.

The actress said that she wanted to wake up the baseball star and inform him about the dogs but was refrained from doing so.

"I wanted desperately to walk over and shake him and say, 'Excuse me, Mr Rod? I think I found your dogs.

"But the stewardess wouldn't let me do it, so I had to shove them back in his case."

Upon further reflection, Bell realized that Rodriguez might be using his dogs to bait her into having a conversation.

"I thought, 'Is this Svengalian Don Juan actually planting these dogs for us to have an interaction?' Cause you know he's got a way with the ladies," she said.

"Did he just curl up and open the dog case and be like, 'See ya later, KB?'

"Was I being tricked into having an interaction? That's what you think of when you see somebody like that," she added.

Drew Barrymore Adopts Puppy

2012-02-03T16:04:00Z

Drew Barrymore has adopted an eight-week-old rescue puppy from Bark n' Bitches, a humane pet shop in Hollywood.

According to femalefirst.co.uk, Barrymore has adopted the cuddly canine with her fiance Will Kopelman and has named the pet as Oliver.

"They really were very thoughtful and not impulsive about making the decision. Drew, being such a huge dog fanatic, was great to Will. She really wanted him to feel it out and make the decision," store owner Shannon von Roemer told People magazine.

Barrymore is not the first star to provide a home for a needy pooch, as Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez recently adopted a 10-week-old husky puppy named Baylor together.

"Twilight" actor Robert Pattinson adopted a four-legged friend to keep him company while he's on location.

Eccentric Homes for Dog Lovers

2012-02-01T17:04:00Z

Ever thought of designing a living room for your Gucci-pampered puppy? How about a second-level perch or shin-level views for the plus-one member of the family?

"What I don't understand is why all homes are not built with the 'whole' family in mind," said David Beart, who runs the online magazine Professor's House and is planning to build a $1 million pet-friendly house from the ground up in Calgary, Canada.

See more pictures: A house that's for the dogs

Still in the preplanning stages, Beart's pet-friendly home in Canada will feature pet-accessible entrances and doorways and low-volatile-organic-compound-containing paints, among other interior and exterior features, he said.

Kobe, Japan-based Fauna Plus Design makes dogs an explicit part of their home design. The firm's dog-friendly design approach is about aesthetics as much as it is practicalities, said an assistant to Keiji Hirose, lead architect at Fauna Plus Design. "One day (Keiji Hirose) realized that it's a challenge for many pet owners to keep their homes beautiful, so he started to design houses based on animal behavior," said the assistant.

Part of the dog-friendly home design perspective at Fauna Plus Design, said the assistant, deals with trying to maximize limited space.

For example, the firm designed a remodel of a small Osaka home to fit a large Labrador retriever by placing a children's playroom on top of an indoor kennel. The design also placed windows that provided sightlines from the kennel into the living room and kitchen of the home.

For another project in Yokohama, Fauna Plus Design placed a waterproof indoor kennel for two dachshund dogs below a mezzanine study room.

In a remodeled Kobe, Japan, apartment, the firm installed a special ventilation system to facilitate hair removal and odor-absorbing materials in a cabinet-turned-kennel for a basset hound.

Another Japanese designer, FORM/Kouichi Kimura Architects, drafted a dog-centered design that features an under-house dog space, accessed from the backyard by a sliding glass door, with windows that peek into the interior of the home.

There's no doubt that dogs are on Americans' minds -- just under half of American households have a dog, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA) -- however, home designers in America are behind the dog-friendly design curve.

Michael Kimsal, a North Carolina-based Web developer, has been searching for pet-friendly house plans since 2006, but has yet to find any, which he said was shocking. "A big issue for my wife and I," said Kimsal, "is that we want to have a private area for our dogs to be in the house, and we haven't found any plans that specifically address this."

Regardless of an apparent high demand, dog-friendly home designs that go beyond post-design add-ons like doggy doors, resilient flooring and fabrics remain a fringe idea in the U.S. for architects and builders, if not homeowners.

It's not that Americans are afraid to blow the lid of the dog accessory bin: The APPA estimates that Americans spent more than $50 billion on their pets in 2011. "In my 30 years in the architectural business, I've never heard of a pet-friendly home design," said Joel Davis, owner of Architectural Designs, an American company that offers a reference of more than 21,000 home plans to prospective homebuilders.

Real estate agents in the U.S. cater to the pet-loving crowd through the Pet Realty Network. Jane Miller, a Realtor in Charleston, SC, who is a member of the network, recalls a multilevel home she sold that had an unused elevator shaft, which the new owners spent a lot of money to restore to allow their old basset hound, past stair-climbing age, to move easily upstairs and down.

Other Realtors who belong to the Pet Realty Network, like Valerie Crowell, in Walnut Creek, CA, mentioned homes with modified entryways to accommodate dirty dogs. "One house had a mudroom off the kitchen with a drain in the middle and a tiled-in dog wash," she said. "It was very cool."

Though these are exceptions.

Dog owners will ultimately decide if it's finally time to move beyond diamond-encrusted collars and take their love for dogs to its full-blown conclusion: a home design that fully incorporates that furry, four-legged member of the family.

Martin Scorsese Claims Breed Discrimination at Awards Show

2012-02-01T16:59:00Z

A number of canine actors are up for accolades at the first annal Golden Collar Awards, a type of Golden Globes for dogs that give memorable performances in feature films. But director Martin Scorsese is up in arms that Blackie, a Doberman that played a guard dog in Hugo with Sacha Baron Cohen, did not get nominated for Best Dog in a Theatrical Film, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

In an opinion piece in the Los Angeles Times, the award-winning producer and director points out that the Doberman may have been shunned because it is not cute or saving people like the other nominees - Uggie, a Jack Russell terrier in Water for Elephants and another canine star of The Artist.

"Jack Russell terriers are small and cute. Dobermans are enormous and - handsome," he writes. "More tellingly, Uggie plays a nice little mascot who does tricks and saves his master's life in one of the films, while Blackie gives an uncompromising performance as a ferocious guard dog who terrorizes children. I'm sure you can see what I'm driving at."

While the Golden Collar Awards may not be of the utmost importance, the breed discrimination that Scorsese claims is. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reports that dogs that have a historical reputation as "dangerous" are more likely to be left at animal shelters despite their individual characteristics, because of how the media unfairly portrays them.

Bill to End Miami-Dade Pit Bull Ban Passes Committees

2012-02-01T16:49:00Z

Update Jan. 31, 2012: The Florida House of Representatives Agriculture and Natural Resources subcommittee has now approved the House version of the bill that would end Miami-Dade County pit bull ban! The bill, H.B. 997, now goes to the Community and Military Affairs Subcommittee. For more on this bill including the Senate version, S.B. 1322, which passed its first committee yesterday, and how you can help pass it, read Animal Law Coalition's reports below.

Update Jan. 30, 2012: The Florida Senate Community Affairs Committee has approved S.B. 1322, the senate version of a bill that would end the Miami-Dade County pit bull ban. The bill must pass 2 other senate committees before it is taken up by the full Florida Senate. The Governmental Oversight and Accountability (GO) and Budget (BC) committees must approve the measure. The House of Representatives version, H.B. 997 is set to be heard by the House Agriculture and Natural Resources subcommittee tomorrow, Jan. 31, 2012 at 3:30 p.m.

Continue to contact your Florida state senator in support of S.B. 1322 and also your Florida state representative in support of the House of Representatives version, H.B. 997.

For more on the bill and how you can contact your state rep and senator, read Animal Law Coalition's report below.

Original report: A bill has been proposed that could end Miami-Dade County's long time ban on pit bull dogs. Or dogs that animal control say are pit bulls.

It's a simple fix to a Florida law: Section 767.14 prohibits breed discrimination in Florida except where there was a breed discriminatory ordinance in place prior to October 1, 1990. Of course, the only place that applies to is Miami-Dade which has banned pit bulls since 1989.

By simply amending Section 767.14 to eliminate the clause grandfathering in breed discriminatory ordinances in effect prior to October 1, 1990, the state could effectively bring an end to Miami-Dade's pit bull ban that has resulted in the death of thousands of family pets.

The bill, H.B. 997, was introduced in the state House of Representatives by Rep. Carlos Trujillo, a Miami-Dade County Republican. The Senate version, S.B. 1322, has been introduced by state Sen. Jim Norman.

Go here to find your Florida state representative and here to find your state senator. Let Rep. Trujillo and Sen. Norman know you support this legislation: carlos.trujillo@myfloridahouse.gov and norman.jim.web@flsenate.gov

A number of states prohibit breed discrimination: States that prohibit breed discriminatory laws

There is not one major animal or health organization including the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Centers for Disease Control, among many others, that supports breed discrimination.

Breed specific legislation does not work to make communities safe. Study after study has proven this. Dogs don't bite because of breed or appearance; they bite out of fear that could have been the result of poor socialization, neglect, abuse, tethering or confinement or isolation. In other words, it is the owner's negligent or criminal actions that are responsible, not the dog's breed or appearance.

BSL penalizes responsible dog owners and means the death of dogs that are not in any way dangerous.

It is also well-established that people cannot look at a dog and determine its breed. Recently, in Denver Dr. Victoria Voith did a little test on animal shelter directors, dog trainers and others who work with dogs.

They were asked to view 20 dogs on a videotape and identify each one by breed including whether the dog was a purebred or a mix. The professionals were surprised by how few dogs they identified correctly by breed. Voith believes as many as 75% of the pit bull identifications made by shelter workers, animal control or law enforcement are wrong. She is the author of Shelter Medicine: A Comparison of Visual and DNA Identifications of BREEDS of Dogs. As DNA testing becomes more reliable, it is proving that many of the dogs identified as pit bull are actually a mix of dozens of breeds with little or none of the DNA of pit bull type dogs.

That means a lot of dogs condemned by BSL are not even "pit bull" breeds.

BSL is a very costly negative for a community and state and will create a climate where dogs are viewed as enemies rather than family members requiring proper care, management and love. Go here for ways to improve relations in the community with dogs and also how to address the reasons dogs bite and keep communities safe.

___________

Sec. 767.14. Nothing
in this act shall limit any local government from placing further
restrictions or additional requirements on owners of dangerous dogs or
developing procedures and criteria for the implementation of this act,
provided that no such regulation is specific to breed and that the
provisions of this act are not lessened by such additional regulations
or requirements. This section shall not apply to any local ordinance
adopted prior to October 1, 1990.

Plan For Colorado Animal Abuse Registry Bill Fails

2012-02-01T16:45:00Z

DENVER (AP) – A proposal to create an online registry for animal cruelty convicts akin to databases for sex offenders failed Monday as Colorado lawmakers worried that it would unfairly label some people.

Supporters of the legislation argued that people who mistreat animals are at a higher risk of committing much more serious crimes. Karen L. Naiman, who testified in support of the bill, listed several serial killers that reportedly mistreated animals. But Democratic Rep. Roger Wilson said he was concerned people on the registry would be unfairly stereotyped.

“If all animal abusers were listed in a public registry, would there not be some implication then, with their name there, that they in fact were capable of some more heinous crime and might be considered possible serial killers and rapists, and therefore I would not want them living next to me, and therefore exclude them from society altogether?” he asked.

House lawmakers rejected the proposal sponsored by Democratic Rep. Jeanne Labuda on a 9-3 committee vote. House Bill 1087 would have required adults convicted of cruelty to animals to register with the Department of Public Safety. They would also alert authorities where they live.

The first animal abuser registry was set up in Suffolk County, N.Y. Similar registries have been considered in a handful of states.

Labuda said the registry would only be implemented if the Department of Public Safety could contract with a nonprofit agency that would be responsible for maintenance and costs. People on the registry would remain on it for five years. Labuda said the registry would not apply to livestock owners.

Labuda said a registry would allow animal shelters to screen potential adopters and alert law enforcement about residents with a history of hoarding animals.

Opponents of the bill said there is no evidence that having such a registry would prevent animal abuse or other serious crimes.

“We don’t think it serves any purpose,” said Linda Hart, with the Colorado Federation of Dog Clubs. “We also feel this bill would be even more restrictive toward the (animal) offenders than our child abuse laws or drunk drivers. Those people do not have their faces or their home addresses listed on a website online.”

LINK: House Bill 1087

How Kate Middleton, Prince William "Fell in Love" With Puppy

2012-02-01T16:30:00Z

Prince William and Kate Middleton have fallen in love all over again -- with an adorable cocker spaniel puppy, a boy, about a month old.

As confirmed earlier on Tuesday, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have adopted the puppy with whom they were photographed on a beach in Wales in early January.

"The puppy is theirs," a Palace aide tells Us Weekly, adding that Kate, 30, and Wiliam, 29, met the canine at Christmastime in Bucklebury, where Middleton grew up and where parents Michael and Carole still live.

"He belongs to a litter of cocker spaniels from one of Carole Middleton's friends near home," the aide explains, noting that William, 29, and Kate, 30, weren't 100 percent confident if they were ready for puppy parenthood.

"At first, they had just taken it home for a short period of time to see how they adapt," the aide says.

Didn't take long! "William and Catherine fell in love with the pup instantly and it wasn't long before they decided to keep him," the source says.

"He's now part of the royal fold!"

Vacaville Suicide Dogs: Dalmation Safe but Pit Bull Left to Die

2012-02-01T16:21:00Z

fter a horrific murder-suicide in which their owner was ruthlessly killed, these two family pets were taken to the county high kill animal shelter.

http://www.examiner.com/american-pit-bull-in-national/dalmation-and-pit-bull-are-victims-of-a-murder-suicide-vacaville-ca

The dalmation was saved by Dalmation rescue, but the pit bull was left alone to die at the shelter. Although the Dalmation has a name and rescue, the pit bull was left alone like garbage, nameless and forgotten.

Local animal lovers are trying to raise enough money to save this dog, but there isn’t much time. He can go to a wonderful nearby boarding facility run by a pit bull advocate in her home, but the chip in must be enough to cover his upkeep.

Please consider donating to save this innocent family pet who lived with three small children. Please don’t let there this dog die as senselessly as his poor owner.

A closer look at this poor dog's impound photograph reveals a blue collar with flowers, something given to him when he was someone's beloved pet.

http://peoplerescuinganimals.chipin.com/blue-pit-bull

Please subscribe to and keep reading the American Pit Bull column where this and other pit bull stories are followed and the truth, made known.

Senior-to-Senior Program Matches People to Pets

2012-01-26T16:28:00Z

There’s a lot to be said for seniors. They are more calm, patient and even-tempered than the young. Perhaps more importantly, they are usually housebroken.

But despite their positive attributes, the older residents of Pinellas County Animal Services are less adoptable than the puppies and kittens that share the shelter space in the adoption center.

Until now.

The Senior-to-Senior Program was initiated at Animal Services three months ago with the goal of getting more mature animals adopted by matching them with pet owners who are at least 50 years old. This benefits both companions. The pet gets a home for the rest of its life, and the human gets an animal with a lifetime of love to give as well as the proven health benefits of pet ownership.

The program has proved successful at Pinellas County Animal Services: an average of two senior pets that are now being adopted each week.

Tyson Youts, who coordinates volunteers and adoptions at Animal Services, said the program started because of the difficulty of trying to get older pets adopted. He has seen firsthand that, despite their sweetness, older pets are harder to get adopted.

“Historically, older animals that are otherwise adoptable are turned away or euthanized by the majority of animal shelters,” he said. “This is the kind of thing that makes your heart ache at night.”

All of the participants in the Senior-to-Senior Program have age requirements: cats and small breed dogs must be 8 years old, large breed dogs, 6 years old, and humans in the program are at least 50 years old.

In addition to a reduced adoption fee of $20 (the standard adoption fee is $40) the team works to place pets with the people that are compatible to their disposition and lifestyles. Some are more active, others appreciate more leisure time.

Whatever the activity level, pets provide health benefits that are documented. According to the Healthy Pets Healthy People website of the National Center for Infectious Diseases, pets bring many benefits, including the motivation and opportunity for exercise and socialization. Pet ownership also can decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels and feelings of loneliness.

Healthy pets are important, too. All pets that are adopted from Animal Services are examined, spayed or neutered, vaccinated (including rabies) and tested for heartworms or feline leukemia/feline immunodeficiency. They come with a county license and a five-pound bag of Hills Science Diet food.

“The program is a success to me in two ways,” said Youts. “The first is that animals, which would have been euthanized otherwise, get a good home. The second is that those animals very rarely get returned. This program saves animals, sure, and what I’ve seen is that people have been saved too.”

For more information on the Senior-to-Senior Program, contact Animal Services at 582-2600. For more information on pet adoptions, visit www.pinellascounty.org/animalservices.

Kellie Pickler Gives Up Cat Pickles for Her Allergic Husband

2012-01-26T16:07:00Z

She's made it through her first year of marriage to husband Kyle Jacobs, and Kellie Pickler is still feeling total newlywed bliss – almost.

"I love Kyle, he's my best friend," the country star told PEOPLE at the New York City unveiling of a cat sweater to benefit the ASPCA. "The only complaint that I would have with my husband is that I had to give up my cat."

Pickler's cat, Pickles, had been with the singer since 2006, when she wrapped American Idol. "I adopted him from an animal shelter out in Tennessee," she said. "He was my best friend. He went with me everywhere."

Pickler and Jacobs dated for four years, and when it came time to make it official, Pickler had to make a choice. "My husband's allergic to everything – he's, like, allergic to air," she explained. "So, unfortunately, I had to find my cat Pickles a home with a family back in North Carolina."

Saying goodbye to her beloved pet wasn't easy. "I cried, I was devastated," said Pickler, wearing the cat-themed Kitty Crooner sweater she helped create with fashion line Geren Ford. "My husband's going to be so sad when he reads this."

But the newlywed knows she made the right choice.

"Every time I look at my hand, I go, 'Good God.' What's behind this ring is such unconditional love, trust and respect. I see my husband every time I look at my ring. I'm a blessed woman – I have a good man."

As for her lost cat love, Pickler says she's living vicariously through friends with felines and helping to advocate for her favorite animal.

"Cats kind of get slighted sometimes," she said. "And there's the stereotype about people that love cats – they call us crazy cat ladies. I'm crazy, but it's not because I love cats."

Where Will Veterinary Medicine Go in 2012?

2012-01-25T16:35:00Z

Medical procedures that were once limited to humans have become available for our four-legged friends as well. Advances in animal neurology, dentistry, imaging, surgery and rehabilitation have given veterinarians the opportunity to provide our pets with the same kind of medical services that are available to humans. Veterinarians are able to provide the highest level of care and treatment that is humanly possible using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computerized Tomography (CT), ultrasound, laser surgery, stem cell therapy, endoscopy (a technique for viewing internal organs with a fiber optic scope) and echocardiography (specialized form of ultrasound to view the heart).

Currently, veterinarians are working on a formal knee replacement retrieval program for canine patients. This will start the first tissue archive program for knee replacement patients as well as track potential causes for complications. In addition, for more than five years, researchers have been working to improve osseointegration options for animals in need of prosthetics using biomodeling techniques. Osseointegration is the connection of living tissue and bone with an artificial implant, a procedure similar to that used in dentistry with artificial teeth and allows the patient to retain the integrity of the limb.

Rehabilitation is widely used in the human field of medicine and is now an integral part of the recovery process for many animals battling various chronic pain, neurological conditions, arthritis, orthopedic issues and weight problems. Rehabilitation can also help improve your pet’s recovery from injury or surgery and can significantly accelerate neurological recovery.

Veterinary medicine has also seen advancements in the areas of dental technology for cleaning plaque, tartar and calculus from pets’ teeth that can prevent heart and kidney infections that originate in the mouth. Root canals and dental restorations are also now frequently performed in pets.

Through these advancements in animal medicine, as well promising new developments on the horizon, veterinarians will continue to remain dedicated to enhancing the quality of your pet’s life. Although many of these treatments are relatively inexpensive, some can be quite pricey. Pet health insurance is an excellent way to provide your pet with a lifetime of the best care available while saving you money along the way.

Did Oscar Snub Dog Star Uggie?

2012-01-25T16:06:00Z

Uggie, the Jack Russell terrier who stole filmgoers’ hearts in “The Artist” as well as such other films as “Water for Elephants,” was up to his usual dog tricks in Studio 1A today: swiping the spotlight from human beings.

Wearing a natty bow tie for the occasion of hearing the nominations for the 84th Annual Academy Awards announced live on TODAY, the adorable pooch barked greetings to his “Artist” costars, hid his head in his paws, and generally eclipsed all the talented people on camera with his irresistible canine charisma. See for yourself:

But though “The Artist” garnered a whopping 10 nominations, including one for Best Picture, none of the nods was for Uggie, despite a “Consider Uggie” Facebook campaign. Which raises a metaphysical question: Do animals act?

Author Susan Orlean, for one, thinks they do. In “Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend,” her best-seller about the German shepherd who starred in dozens of films and arguably saved Hollywood in its early days, she argues that the dog wasn’t just doing tricks on camera; he was acting.

And the jury of international critics behind the Palm Dog Award (whose name is a play on the Palme d’Or or Golden Palm, the highest plaudit bestowed at the Cannes Film Festival) would probably agree; they’ve been honoring canine acting every year since 2001 and this year chose Uggie for the award (a handsome inscribed leather dog collar).

What do you think? Should the Academy have honored Uggie with an honorary Oscar – or perhaps even have launched a new Oscar category, Best Performance by an Animal?

Should dog star Uggie have gotten an Oscar nod for "The Artist"?

Hotels Fetch More Guests with New Rules for Bringing Pets

2012-01-24T15:52:00Z

Roscoe listens to a recitation of the room-service menu at The Curtis Hotel and appears to consider each item carefully.

The burger sounds good, but at his advanced age, it might be wise to go with something lighter. He perks up when he hears the words "chicken" and "fish," but he doesn't seem to care if they come in tacos or as pâté.

Who are we kidding? He'll take one of each, please, because Roscoe is an Australian shepherd of indeterminate pedigree and typically indiscriminate palate.

When the knock comes at the door, he cheerfully greets the bearer of a paper-doily-lined tray that holds two ceramic bowls — one filled with water and one with scoops of locally crafted peanut-butter frozen yogurt for dogs — and a pile of artfully arranged biscuits.

The Curtis is among the growing number of lodgings across the country that not only accept traveling animals, but cater to them. Forget having to watch Spot whimper as a pet sitter holds him back from lunging at your car while you drive off — these days, even the highest-end hotels are waiving fees, sending up house-baked treats and taking your pooch for a stroll while you lounge by the pool.

"Interestingly, almost all of the high-end hotel chains are pet-friendly to some degree," says Crested Butte resident Bridgette Maxwell, author of "Fido's Finest," a guidebook to lodging and dog parks in the Southwest. "They actually are competing for most pet-friendly at this point to outdo each other, and that's what makes it so fun."

It's in the under-$100-a-night category where there may be less room at the inn for your furry friend, although some of the midrange chains, such as La Quinta and Best Western, have changed their policies as well, and have dropped the fees too.

"In the midrange, it can be harder to find a place, and the ones that do often charge huge pet fees or nonrefundable deposits," Maxwell says. "A lot of times, it's the privately owned places that add fees because of the cleaning and liability issues."

Maxwell published her first guidebook to pet-friendly lodging in 2003, traveling through Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah with her dog, Shamus. The website, fidosfinest.com, now offers all of the updated lodgings for free.

"It's unbelievable how many more have come onboard since 2003," Maxwell says. "The book got quite a bit bigger on the third update."

Maxwell thinks it was simply a matter of money.

"I think the hotels got hit so hard through this tough economy, and it's not so much that they love pets or pet owners, but they looked around and saw that they were missing this business," says Maxwell. "It costs money to board a dog or pay a pet sitter, so people stay home. Why not get those people to your hotel with their dog instead?"

For one of the more recent additions to the pet-friendly roster, the Grand Hyatt Denver, it was a matter of wanting to say "yes" instead of "no" more.

"We just found that people are traveling with their pets more and more, and we got quite a few requests for it," says Maryann Yuthas, director of public relations for the downtown hotel, who says the hotel changed its policies about six months ago and charges $40 per dog weighing 50 pounds or less.

It also means that their sister hotel, the Hyatt Regency Denver two blocks away, has a place to send dog owners, as well.

"For the Regency, allowing dogs just doesn't make sense," Yuthas says. "It's just so big, and it's a different clientele. This way, when someone calls in there, they can just send them over to the Grand now."

The entire Westin Hotels & Resorts chain has been dog-friendly since 2003, and while Westin is well-known for its Heavenly Beds for its people guests, it also offers the same amenity for the canine ones.

"The Heavenly dog bed, water and food bowls and a mat are all delivered to the room when they check in, as well as dog biscuits and a dog amenity bag," says Kristen Pryor, director of sales and marketing for the Westin Riverfront at Beaver Creek Mountain. "We also have a mobile app for guests to download to their phones that shows maps to dog parks and trails in the area, places where they can take their dogs." There are no additional fees for any of the dog amenities, unless there is damage to the room.

And while the chain has a policy of allowing dogs that weigh under 40 pounds only, the Westin Riverfront lets that rule slide. "Our general manager thinks that bigger dogs do just as well," Pryor says, who adds that 5 to 10 percent of the hotel's guests bring their best friend along. "It's definitely on the higher side in the summer."

Dog on staff

The Westin Westminster is one of the hotels that has even added a dog as a permanent staff member. Westy, a chocolate lab, is so popular that the hotel sells a stuffed version of the affable pooch, and guests can sign him out for a walk.

The Hotel Monaco Denver has had several dogs on staff over the years; their last pooch ambassador, Lily, recently retired to Aspen, and they have a part-time dog, Tulo, who hangs out courtesy of a staff member. The Kimpton-owned Hotel Monaco chain also is known for allowing any type of animal — in fact, the Denver hotel this past week hosted a group of penguins visiting from Sea World and has had monkeys and ferrets, as well. They also welcome cats, which is far less common than dogs.

"A lot of hotels just don't want to deal with the litter issue," says Maxwell. "It's messy and tough to take care of. Plus, there's the allergy concern. So many more people are allergic to cats than dogs."

Alana Morris, who does public relations for the Monaco, says that Kimpton decided from the start that they didn't want to "discriminate against any animals," she says. "We welcome pets of all shapes and sizes." There are no fees, and they provide and clean the litter boxes for cats — and monkeys.

Kristal Eckley, director of sales and marketing for the Sheraton Steamboat in Steamboat Springs, says they haven't had any complaints about the hotel being pet-friendly in the four years since the property started allowing dogs.

"The only time we ever have an issue is when they bark, and that's why no one's allowed to leave their dogs in the room," Eckley says.

That's a common policy. At the properties where dogs are allowed to be alone in the rooms, guests are usually given a tag to put on the door alerting housekeeping to the animal's presence. Other ways hotels try to keep the peace between dog owners and other guests is to designate separate floors and offer rooms to allergic guests that have been certified pet-free.

Clearly, though, most of the perks are going to the dogs.

"My favorite amenities are when they provide homemade treats or things like bottled water (for the dog)," Maxwell says. 'But once I walked into the Loews Santa Monica and they asked, 'Beef, lamb or chicken?' They made actual entrees for my dog. He was in heaven."

Others, like the Hotel Teatro in Denver, offer a "pet concierge" that will connect you with grooming services or a veterinarian, or like the Hotel Curtis, pamper the dog owner, as well, by offering to walk the dog for you.

Roscoe clearly thinks this is a great idea. After he consumes his room service goodies faster than you can say "Scooby snacks," it's time for an evening stroll to check out the grassy offerings down the block. The Curtis' bellmen do the walking, and Roscoe decides to test congenial attendant Rob Rostig by seeing how many biscuits in the bowl by the front door he can snatch.

"Fortunately, we all love dogs," Rostig says. "It actually makes this more fun."

Uncle Chichi, Possibly the World's Oldest Dog, Dies

2012-01-24T15:39:00Z

After more than two decades spent traveling the world and hanging out on his stomping ground of New York City's West Village, one of the world's oldest dogs, ChiChi, died last Tuesday. The grey poodle was "somewhere between 24 and 26 years old."

ChiChi – fondly referred to as Uncle Chichi – had been suffering of complications from cancer, according to his owners, Frank Pavich and Janet Puhalovic. "Although he remained mentally alert until the very last moment, his body ultimately gave up on him," they wrote in a post on Uncle Chichi's Facebook page.

ChiChi was first adopted by Pavich in South Carolina 24 years ago. In his later years, the dog went blind and deaf, but "remained undeterred," staying playful and full of life in spite of his limitations.

Though he never received the official honor of being the world's oldest dog – lack of documentation was to blame – ChiChi lived a remarkable life, and in 2010, traveled to Croatia, Italy and Slovenia, among other places in Europe, and even lived in Switzerland.

Dealing With Diabetes In Your Pet

2012-01-18T19:35:00Z

Pets, like humans, can get sick. These illnesses range from minor to severe. One of the most dangerous, but easily manageable conditions, is diabetes.

What is animal diabetes?

The most common form of diabetes that dogs and cats develop is similar to juvenile diabetes in humans. This means the body is insulin-dependent. Insulin is needed for the body to absorb glucose so that organs and cells can function.

For pets with diabetes, their pancreas is unable to make insulin, or there is a problem with glucose reaching the cells in their bodies. As a result, insulin injections are given to help glucose get to cells.

The schnauzer and Shetland sheepdog, more commonly known as Shetland collie or shelties, are two dog breeds that are more prone to pancreatic disease, which make them more prone to diabetes as well.

Symptoms

Typical signs of diabetes in dogs and cats include:

Constant drinking

Frequent urination

Increased appetite while losing weight

Cataracts and blindness (more common in dogs than in cats)

Controlling animal diabetes

Fortunately, as it is with humans, diabetes can be easily managed in pets. The most basic way to control diabetes in your pets is to inject insulin into their bodies, which is often done twice a day, every day.

Consistency of insulin injections every 12 hours is critical in pet regulation. This will make sure there is an ideal level of glucose in the bloodstream at all times. This level of regulation involves careful monitoring by you and your veterinarian working as a team.

It is essential to document blood and urine sugar levels and note changes in drinking, urinating, eating and weight. Periodic daylong blood glucose curves are recommended to record blood glucose levels before and after each injection.

Another blood test that helps determine glucose level regulation will monitor fructosamine, a protein that attaches to glucose in the bloodstream. This test will let you know if your pet has been regulated for the past two weeks. In order to measure this, there cannot be changes in the dose or schedule of the insulin during the past two weeks. Changes will give inaccurate results.

You can also help control your pet’s diabetes with a strict diet. Prescription foods are available to specifically help cats and dogs with diabetes. Feeding is best done at least twice a day at the same time as the insulin injections. Be sure to listen to you veterinarian’s recommendations about how much to feed your pets, as obesity in pets can lead to diabetes.

Diabetes is a harmful condition that is controllable with regular monitoring and strict feeding guidelines. Always discuss your pet’s diabetes with your veterinarian for the best method of keeping your four-legged friend well-regulated.

Tim Tebow: Football Star, Dog Lover

2012-01-16T15:21:00Z

There is good reason to love Tim Tebow. He's a football hero, leading the Denver Broncos to a winning season with clutch victories no one would have thought possible. He's also a dog lover. While he stays mum on the subject of girlfriends, Tebow is happy to discuss the canine relationships he's had through the years.

Two dogs who have a special place in Tebow's heart:

Otis: In his 2009 memoir "Through My Eyes," Tim introduced fans to the Tebow family dog, Otis. He wrote, "Otis was loyal and protective, traits you'd hope to find in dog. If you came by, you would see blonde-haired Otis, who looked to be a mixture of half Lab and half Golden Retriever, walking down our long dirt driveway at the farm and toward the house, keeping my mom company . . . and safe."

One anecdote that resonated with fans was Tebow's response after discovering Otis after he'd gone missing. The dog was injured and had likely been beaten with a baseball bat. Tebow detailed his distress over the dog's disappearance and how he subsequently nursed the pup back to health in the family pool.

When asked what passages in the book fans responded to, Tebow said, "The story of Otis, my dog. I've gotten who knows how many responses or letters or tweets or whatever saying that they love that part."

Bronco: In 2010, Tebow introduced his "new best friend" on Twitter. Named, of course, for the NFL franchise he leads, Bronco is a Rhodesian Ridgeback. Friends say that Tebow's eyes "light up" when he talks about Bronco, whom he enjoys taking to the dog park in his free time.

Even though Ridgebacks are known for their bravery, sources close to Tebow say that Bronco is shy at the park and "plants himself between Tebow's legs." He's also been spotted around Tebow's neighborhood on a leash, accompanying his owner on bike rides through town.

Dogs Behind Almost 156 Family Arguments Every Year

2012-01-11T15:27:00Z

An average dog causes 2,000 family arguments in its lifetime, a new study has claimed.

According to the study, a dog causes will causes almost 156 rows a year, or three a week, over an average lifespan of 12.8 years.

The most common cause of canine-related conflict relates to what to do with the dog during holidays, closely followed by whose turn it is to brave the elements for walkies.

A quarter of owners also regularly row about where the dog should be allowed in the house, with the most frequent battlefields being the bed, the sofa and upstairs.

Discipline is another common source of discontent, with 18 percent of couples falling out because one thinks the other is too harsh on the dog and 15 percent fighting over who should be training their pet.

So deep are the divisions that 17 percent admitted a member of the family had slept in the spare room following a heated dog-related dispute, and more than a quarter have considered giving up their pet to restore household harmony.

"Owning a dog is not dissimilar to having a baby," the Daily Mail quoted Nikki Sellers, of insurance company esure as saying.

"Round-the-clock care and responsibility throughout a dog's life can become tiresome for any pet owner but should never be overlooked.

"Maintaining a dog's physical health through exercise plus regular stimulation to avoid them running riot around the house should at least help avoid some arguments.

"A healthier dog may also lead to fewer costly trips to the vet, but for advice on how to look after a dog properly, owners should seek professional help," Sellers added.

The other most common reasons for falling out over Fido include disagreements over who should clean up the mess in the garden, how much money is spent on the dog, whether it's acceptable to feed them treats from the table and whose idea it was to get a pet in the first place.

The top 20 dog related disputes were:

What to do with the dog when going away

Who should walk the dog

Whether the dog should be allowed on the bed

Whether the dog should be allowed upstairs

Who should clean up the mess in the back garden

Being too harsh on the dog

Letting the dog onto the sofa

Money spent on dog

Training the dog

Feeding the dog from the table

Who should babysit or look after the dog

Grooming the dog

Damage caused by dog

Who chose to buy the dog in the first place

Who clears up when dog wees or poos

Who clears up when the dog is sick

Humanising the dog

Allowing the dog into forbidden rooms

Children's toys being eaten

Shoes being chewed

Noted NY Animal Hospice Hit With Cruelty Charges

2012-01-08T05:10:00Z

Susan Marino started Angel's Gate animal hospice more than a decade ago to care for animals with special needs: Dogs paralyzed after being hit by cars; cats with severe deformities; a Labrador retriever born without lower limbs, now fitted with orthotics.

A registered nurse who for more than 35 years specialized in emergency and critical care, mental health, and the care of critically and terminally ill children and their families, Marino went back to school and became a veterinary technician, got a certification in canine rehabilitation and a license to rehabilitate wildlife and had her efforts noticed by Oprah Winfrey and Rachael Ray.

Winfrey did a segment on Angel's Gate; Marino's center won $50,000 from the Food Network star. There was an appearance on Martha Stewart, an ASPCA Founders award and a Woman of Distinction honor from the state of New York.

Not all the attention was welcomed. The hospice came under fire from animal rights activists whose undercover investigation led to five cruelty charges against Marino.

Acting on a tip from a job applicant, an animal rights group sent in an undercover agent posing as a volunteer to scout the 100-acre ranch in rural upstate New York that 75 dogs, 230 cats, three horses and nine birds currently call home. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said the investigation found paralyzed dogs dragging themselves around until they developed bloody skin ulcers while their wheeled carts hung on a fence unused; animals kept in diapers for several days, causing urine scald; animals with open wounds and respiratory infections that weren't taken to a veterinarian.

They turned over the video to a local prosecutor who charged Marino on Dec. 30 with failing to provide sustenance to five cats, a violation of the state's agriculture and markets law. The district attorney also charged her with possession of a controlled substance. They're all misdemeanors that carry up to a year in jail and/or up to a $1,000 fine.

Marino said the PETA video is edited in some places to give a misleading impression. She disputes claims that animals were neglected, and says many of PETA's complaints amount to little more than a philosophical disagreement over whether a damaged animal should live or die.

Acting on PETA's 27-page complaint, investigators from the county district attorney's office searched Angel's Gate in May.

"They had a warrant to remove any animal they deemed not properly cared for," Marino said in a recent interview. "They never removed any animal from here."

Holly Cheever, an Albany-area veterinarian with 30 years of experience in animal cruelty investigations, assisted in the probe of Angel's Gate. She told The Associated Press that she cited about a dozen animals that should have been humanely euthanized, including cats with active cases of feline AIDS.

She called Marino an animal hoarder and Angel's Gate a death camp.

"Hospice is a temporary situation that leads to humane euthanasia when the quality of life is no longer acceptable," Cheever said. "With Marino, they're essentially trapped inside of suffering bodies without the compassion to end their suffering. That's a hallmark of the hoarder. They refuse to recognize suffering."

After charges were filed, Marino invited a reporter to make a second trip to Angel's Gate; her lawyer later instructed her to cancel the visit and decline interviews.

"I've had death threats," Marino said before her lawyer intervened. "All I've ever wanted to do was do something good for these animals."

The Oprah show featured Angel's Gate in 2008 and donations poured in. Marino said the organization received more than $400,000 and its website got millions of hits from around the globe. Marino used the money to buy a farmhouse on 100 acres in rural Delhi, moving from suburban Long Island where neighbors had complained.

In 2009, Ray's pet rescue organization chose Angel's Gate as one of 64 shelters participating in a "Mutt Madness" competition. Angel's Gate won the top prize of $50,000, which Marino used to build a food preparation building she dubbed "Rachel's Kitchen."

"There is a vetting process with any organization that gets donations," Rachael Ray spokesman Charlie Dougiello said this week. "At the time of the donation, there were no allegations against Angel's Gate."

In videos on the Angel's Gate website and Facebook page, dogs romp on spotless white tile floors and doze in peaceful piles on dog beds. At breakfast time, a worker sets out 25 bowls of meat in a room filled with dachshunds, shih-tzus, beagles and other small dogs, some of them dragging themselves to their bowls because they're missing limbs or are paralyzed. Marino hugs, kisses and cuddles with the animals.

Video shot by PETA presents a different picture.

Daphna Nachminovich, a cruelty investigator for PETA based in Northrup, Va., said the group acted on complaints including one "from a job applicant at Angel's Gate who spent several hours there and was sickened by what she saw."

"There were animals suffering horribly at death's door, without the relief of euthanasia," Nachminovich said.

PETA's video, posted on YouTube, includes a frantic scene of dogs barking and fighting in the kitchen, apparently at feeding time, with Marino yelling and trying to break up the squabble.

When The Associated Press visited Angel's Gate in April, dogs were dozing on cots or playing with toys in large, bright rooms with clean tile floors. Many were disabled and some with spinal injuries dragged their hindquarters. Cats were in little cottages equipped with climbing poles, cubbyholes and scratching posts. It was apparent that remodeling had been done recently on some of the main buildings, and more construction was in progress. All of the facilities were clean and neat.

"She was very aware that the boom was about to fall" when PETA began investigating in November, Cheever said. "She put a lot of energy into cleaning up her operation. By the time I went there in May the physical plant wasn't as dirty, but was disorganized."

Rosemary Throssell, a dog breeder who provides a custom-made raw meat diet for Angel's Gate animals, said PETA's allegations are unfair.

"Those animals have a fantastic quality of life," said Throssell after she and her husband attended a brief court appearance for Marino on Wednesday.

The pitbull ban in Miami-Dade County forces Mark Buehrle's family to settle elsewhere

2012-01-06T20:23:00Z

Mark Buehrle's left arm may have been greeted warmly down in south Florida this offseason, but the same can't be said for one of his family's four dogs.

According to the Miami Herald, "Slater" Buehrle, an 18-month-old American Staffordshire terrier, falls under a pitbull ban that has been in place in Miami-Dade County since 1989. That means the Buehrle family didn't have the option of moving anywhere close to the Miami Marlins' new ballpark after Mark signed a four-year, $58 million deal with the team last month.

Mark Buehrle, a dog lover who made headlines when he said he hoped Michael Vick would get hurt, avoided the ban by moving his family to a dog-friendly development in south Broward County. And while he says he wouldn't have signed with the Marlins if there had been no housing alternatives for Slater and the rest of his family, Buehrle still wants to speak up against the injustice of the ban.

From the Miami Herald:

Mark Buehrle believes "it's kind of ridiculous that because of the way a dog looks, people will ban it. Every kind of dog has good and bad, and that depends on the handlers. If you leave a dog outside all the time, it'll be crazy. Slater would never do anything harmful.''

Mark Buehrle grew up with cats, rabbits and fish, but got his first dog with Jamie. They married in 2005 and are spokespeople for Utah-based Best Friends Animal Society, which accepted 22 of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick's pit bulls.

The Buehrles have three other dogs — Viszlas named Diesel, Drake and Duke — and adopted Slater after Jamie fell in love with him during work with an animal rescue group. Judging from his festive getup in the picture above, he sure doesn't look too menacing.

As a dog lover who has admired Mark and Jamie Buehrle's work with "Sox for Strays" in Chicago, I agree 100 percent with the pitcher's stance. Without getting into a long drawn-out debate on the subject, the danger with pitbulls lies more with the responsibility of its owners and not the breed itself. There's absolutely no reason why a well-trained dog and its family should be discriminated against through government legislation.

The good news, of course, is that at least this tale has a happy ending. Though Slater and the Buehrles were forced to go live elsewhere, perhaps their story will help end a ban that causes a much bigger hardship for other families.

After all, not everyone who moves to Miami-Dade County for a job has the luxury of being able to choose where to live. The awareness the Buehrles are driving could prevent dog owners from having to make a decision they shouldn't have to in the first place.

Decorated Police Dog Euthanized

2012-01-06T17:11:00Z

DODGEVILLE (WKOW) -- A decorated police dog that helped officers seize more than $700,000 worth of marijuana one year ago in Iowa County was euthanized, even though the animal had no health issues.

Iowa County Sheriff Steve Michek told 27 News the department's Belgian Malinois named Ava was put down because the animal had become unreliable, especially around the public.

Authorities said Ava was involved in a January 2011 traffic stop, where officers discovered more than 186 pounds of marijuana in the trunk of a car near Barneveld.

Michek said Ava and her deputy handler were recognized for their work in drug interdiction in 2009 by the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Canine Handlers Association.

Former association president Captain Jay Johnson of the Greenfield Police Department told 27 News canines in police work who exhibit aggression are sometimes returned to animal behavior experts for re-training. Johnson also said aging police dogs are retired and customarily given to their law enforcement handlers to become strictly family pets.

Michek said authorities intended to retire eight-year-old Ava, but Michek made the decision to have the dog destroyed instead.

Michek said no recent bite case prompted his decision to have the police dog euthanized. Michek acknowledged a past bite case involving the dog, but declined to provide any specifics of what happened. Despite the biting episode, Michek said the dog continued to work at the department up until the animal was destroyed.

In 2010 in Edgerton, a police dog bit and disabled a city employee. City officials decided to return the animal to its civilian trainer.

Michek said options other euthanasia were considered for Ava.

Iowa County Sheriff's officials adopted Ava five years ago from the Greensboro, North Carolina Police Department.

Greensboro police spokesperson Susan Danielson told 27 News Ava was made available for adoption because the dog was no longer safe to work in contact with the public because of aggression.

Danielson said police officials believed the dog could serve in narcotics enforcement elsewhere if closely monitored.

Officials involved with police dogs said the purchase of the highly-trained animals typically costs law enforcement agencies approximately $15,000. Michek said obtaining Ava cost a fraction of that sum. Last year, Iowa County Sheriff's officials added a second police dog of the same breed from a North Carolina trainer for $14,000.

Economic Euthanasia On the Rise

2012-01-06T15:37:00Z

Euthanasia can be the last act of love an owner shows her pet once disease or time has made death a greater comfort than life. This is the euthanasia veterinarians can accept and perform guilt-free.

But now euthanasia has taken on a new and unsettling meaning for some veterinarians’ clients. Economic euthanasias are occurring at higher frequencies in practices where the community has been hit hard by the down economy.

An increase in euthanasia performed when treatment is medically feasible leaves veterinarians to question how they can remain financially stable while helping clients and patients get what they need.

The logic behind clients’ reasoning for pet euthanasia can be colorful, and veterinarians might question if they could have said something different to change the owner’s decision. But they are in a tough position when the treatment option is eliminated because of the cost.

“We are seeing more euthanasias now than ever,” says Terry McInnis, office manager at After Hours Animal Emergency Clinic in Youngstown, Ohio. “The worst part is more clients are taking their pets home to die when they’re in need of treatment.”

The After Hours clinic takes emergency visits for general practitioners on their off hours and on weekends. Since every animal examined at the practice needs urgent care, the specialty practice has had a higher incidence of euthanasia than a typical small-animal practice, but even that number has increased.

"One of the most challenging moments in veterinary medicine is helping owners decide if euthanasia is right for their pet."
~ Dell Rae Mollenberg, Colorado State University

“The stop-treatment figure has changed dramatically,” says Patty Khuly, VMD, of Sunset Animal Clinic in Miami. “The bottom 20 percent of my clients are less likely to treat than in the past. I haven’t been performing more euthanasias than usual, but I see it coming.

“My clients’ lack of preventive medicine and lack of treatment for in-need pets will catch up with them. Come talk to me about a year from now and the effects of economic euthanasia will be obvious.”

No national tracking of euthanasia exists, but vets, humane organizations and industry officials say they have noted an increase.

Humane agencies and shelters have taken the brunt of the economic euthanasia burden. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that 3 million to 4 million animals are euthanized annually in the U.S. Those numbers are expected to rise in 2009.

“In time of economic need, the euthanasia count always increases in practices and shelters,” says Richard Bachman, DVM, a shelter veterinarian for HSUS who serves on the leadership council of the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Assn.

“People’s top reasons for leaving their pets at a shelter are having to move and being unable to care for the animal. The abandoned animal rate is increasing, especially in house foreclosures. It’s a tough time for veterinarians and their staff, mentally and emotionally, to deal with medically unnecessary euthanasia.”

The American Animal Hospital Assn. advises that clients be encouraged to invest in pet health insurance. This can help minimize the more expensive and unexpected costs.

AAHA spokesman Jason Merrihew says the organization is working to raise owner awareness of financial assistance and pet insurance.

“We have been providing grant money to owners through the AAHA Helping Pets Fund, but we have had to temporarily suspend the grants due to depletion of funds,” he says. “Since November 2008 the number of requests for funding has tripled. We have helped more than 3,000 pets receive needed care through more than $800,000 in grants.”

Only about 3 percent of the 154 million U.S. pet owners have pet health insurance, according to industry averages. The figure is much higher in the United Kingdom—30 to 50 percent.

“I think U.S. pet owners have a hangup with insurance in general,”says Janet Tobiassen, DVM, who writes about veterinary medicine on About.com. “Encouraging your clients to use pet insurance can help meet the emotional and financial needs for everyone. In addition to offering your best medical advice, you need to make yourself available to clients so they can discuss their needs with you.”

Most clients don’t prepare for the worst scenario until it’s sitting in their lap, some vets say.

“As a vet you can refuse to perform healthy euthanasias, and that may deter clients from making an unnecessary euthanasia decision,” says Nancy Kay, DVM, the author of “Speaking for Spot.” “Compiling a list of client financial assistance programs can be helpful, too.”

Clinics also can set up emergency funds. Clients who have been fortunate in the current economy may be more generous than usual.

“I have been seeing a lot more donations for my needy patients than in the past,” says Dr. Khuly, a Veterinary Practice News columnist. “I’ve had more donations in the past 12 months than I had collectively over a 10-year span. Recently, a client donated $500 to help another client’s cat that had a horribly broken leg and needed amputation. It’s nice to see acts of kindness. It’s sad, but in cases like this one, euthanasia would have been the only other humane option.”

Surviving these economic times can be a challenge mentally and emotionally for veterinarians, but organizations throughout the industry have come through with advice and money in many cases.

Colorado State University’s Argus Institute is offering a printed guide to help veterinarians support clients making tough euthanasia decisions.

“One of the most challenging moments in veterinary medicine is helping owners decide if euthanasia is right for their pet,” says Dell Rae Mollenberg, who works in public relations at CSU. “Each section of the guide describes the emotional process they’ll go through and offers help with decision making.”

OR-7, Rare Gray Wolf That Crossed Into California, Likely Photographed

2012-01-05T16:05:00Z

GRANTS PASS, Ore. — A young male gray wolf that wandered hundreds of miles across Oregon and eventually crossed into California as he searched for a mate has apparently been photographed for the first time.

The black-and-white photo shows a wolf sniffing the ground in a stand of dense forest. It is likely the animal known as OR-7, said Roblyn Schneider Brown, an Oregon state biologist.

The photo was taken Nov. 14 by an automatic trail camera set up by a hunter tracking blacktail deer on public land east of Butte Falls. Brown said the wolf in the photo appeared to be wearing a tracking collar, and GPS data showed that OR-7 was in the same area of the Cascades in southern Oregon around that time.

Though the 2-year-old wolf was captured and fitted with the collar by a state biologist last spring, OR-7 was not photographed. The animal made headlines last month when it wandered into the southern Cascade Range, becoming the first wolf in southwestern Oregon since 1946. Last week, he crossed into California, which has not seen a wolf in more than 80 years.

Tracking data on Wednesday showed the wolf was staying out of trouble in a forested section of the Cascade Range in Northern California and appeared to be heading south, said Mark Stopher of the California Department of Fish and Game.

"From Google Earth, it looks like it is habitat he can find both cover and food in," Stopher said. "A lot of people would like to see OR-7 become an Oregon wolf again. To me, it's a coin toss now what he is going to do."

Wolves usually mate during February, but there are no signs OR-7 has found one yet.

OR-7 left the Imnaha pack in northeastern Oregon last September, shortly before the state put a death warrant on his father and a sibling for killing cattle. He is a descendant of wolves introduced into the Northern Rockies in the 1990s, and represents the westernmost expansion of a regional population that now tops 1,650.

Since OR-7 left his pack, he has meandered more than 700 miles across mountains, deserts, and major highways to southwestern Oregon and onto Northern California.

A conservation group has dubbed him Journey, a name picked from a list of entries sent by children as far away as Finland. Oregon Wild said it was part of an effort to make the wolf too famous to kill.

"Journey is the most famous wolf in the world," said Steve Pedery, conservation director of Oregon Wild. "It is not surprising that the paparazzi finally caught up with him."

The photo was first published by the Mail Tribune. The hunter whose camera took Journey's photo declined to be interviewed by The Associated Press.

VIEW MORE PHOTOS: Click Here

Steven Seagal Sued for Death of Dog

2012-01-04T15:53:00Z

According to a recent report, actor Steven Seagal is being sued over the death of a dog that occurred in a home raid that was filmed for the actor's newest television show, Steven Seagal: Lawman.

The plaintiff, Jesus Sanchez Llovera, says that his 11-month old puppy was shot and killed during a raid on his Arizona home, in which Seagal and police showed up in a tank and full riot gear to investigate what they thought was an illegal cockfighting ring.

Llovera claims that he bred the roosters that were in his home for "show."

Llovera is suing Seagal and Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio for $100,000 to compensate for the loss of his dog and the loss of his roosters, which were also killed during the raid.

He also wants Seagal to issue a written apology to his children, explaining why they don't have their 11-month old puppy anymore.

Does Llovera have a case? Let us know what you think about this story in a comment!

Co-op board's no-pet rule killed my wife after dispute over therapy dog, widower says in lawsuit

2012-01-02T18:36:00Z

Sandra Biegel relied on her therapy dog for physical and emotional support. On days when the Long Island woman was wracked with depression or her pulmonary hypertension made it too hard to breathe, the obedient miniature schnauzer would lie in her bed, providing comfort and a sense of calm.

But just a month after the ailing 74-year-old was forced to give Mikey away or face eviction and fines by the co-op board at her Woodbury Gardens complex, Sandra Biegel died.

“She was heartbroken,” Sandra’s husband, Jack, said, choking back tears. “This dog was everything to her, and the stress of having to give him away hastened her death.”

Biegel, 78, who ran a beverage business in Queens, knows he can’t bring back his wife of 46 years, or Mikey, now 8, who lives nearby with a family friend.

Still, he’s eager to make sure that other people in need of a therapy dog will be allowed to keep their pet.

“I want justice,” the widower said. “The board made a horrific mistake, and I don’t want this to happen to anyone else.”

He recently won a legal round when the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development deemed probable cause to proceed in a case against the Woodbury Gardens Redevelopment Co. for violation of the Fair Housing Act.

The agency claims the co-op violated the Biegels’ rights by denying them a medically necessary emotional support animal, and illegally charging them thousands of dollars in fines and legal fees. Court papers show the co-op denies the allegations.

A lawyer for the Woodbury Gardens complex had no comment when contacted by the Daily News on Friday.

The Biegels moved into the retirement community with a no-pet policy on Jericho Turnpike in 2005.

The next year, Sandra began suffering from pulmonary hypertension, liver disease, diabetes and residual anxiety and depression. She became attached to Mikey after watching him when her daughter Rebecca went away.

A month after Mikey moved in, the co-op board sent letters threatening eviction and penalty fees, Jack Biegel said.

He and his son Brian, a writer/filmmaker, pleaded for an exception. They presented a letter from Sandra’s clinical social worker, Consuelo Alsapiedi, who said the dog helped raise her spirits and her depression.

Was chimp who died really Tarzan's pal Cheetah?

2011-12-30T17:17:00Z

PALM HARBOR, Fla. — A Florida animal sanctuary says Cheetah, the chimpanzee sidekick in the Tarzan movies of the early 1930s, has died at 80. But other accounts call that claim into question.

Debbie Cobb, outreach director at the Suncoast Primate Sanctuary in Palm Harbor, said Wednesday that her grandparents acquired Cheetah around 1960 from "Tarzan" star Johnny Weissmuller and that the chimp appeared in Tarzan films between 1932 and 1934. During that period, Weissmuller made "Tarzan the Ape Man" and "Tarzan and His Mate."

But Cobb offered no documentation, saying it was destroyed in a 1995 fire.

Also, some Hollywood accounts indicate a chimpanzee by the name of Jiggs or Mr. Jiggs played Cheetah alongside Weissmuller early on and died in 1938.

In addition, an 80-year-old chimpanzee would be extraordinarily old, perhaps the oldest ever known. According to many experts and Save the Chimps, another Florida sanctuary, chimpanzees in captivity generally live to between 40 and 60, though Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee, Fla., says it has one that is around 73.

A similar claim about another chimpanzee that supposedly played second banana to Weissmuller was debunked in 2008 in a Washington Post story.

Writer R.D. Rosen discovered that the primate, which lived in Palm Springs, Calif., was born around 1960, meaning it wasn't oldest enough to have been in the Tarzan movies of Hollywood's Golden Age that starred Olympic swimming star Weissmuller as the vine-swinging, loincloth-wearing Ape Man and Maureen O'Sullivan as Jane.

While a number of chimpanzees played the sidekick role in the Tarzan movies of the 1930s and '40s, Rosen said in an email Wednesday that this latest purported Cheetah looks like a "business-boosting impostor."

"I'm afraid any chimp who actually shared a soundstage with Weissmuller and O'Sullivan is long gone," Rosen said.

Cobb, the official at the animal sanctuary, said Cheetah died Dec. 24 of kidney failure and was cremated.

"Unfortunately, there was a fire in '95 in which a lot of that documentation burned up," Cobb said. "I'm 51 and I've known him for 51 years. My first remembrance of him coming here was when I was actually 5, and I've known him since then, and he was a full-grown chimp then."

Film historian and Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osbourne said the Cheetah character "was one of the things people loved about the Tarzan movies because he made people laugh. He was always a regular fun part of the movies."

In his time, the Cheetah character was as popular as Rin Tin Tin or Asta, the dog from the "Thin Man" movies, Osbourne said.

"He was a major star," he said.

At the animal sanctuary, Cheetah was outgoing, loved finger painting and liked to see people laugh, Cobb said. But he could also be ill-tempered. Cobb said that when the chimp didn't like what was going on, he would fling feces and other objects.

10 Signs That Your Pet Needs a Holiday

2011-12-29T23:40:00Z

Pet owners often think of their pets as extended family members. Pets are purchased or gained in a large variety of methods. Some people adopt a dog or kitten from a pound; and others take in stray pets. Some people spend meticulous hours and days searching through breeder’s records to find the breed of dog that will best suit their family’s lifestyle. No matter how you came across your animal, the fact remains that pets have a way of becoming part of the family and are treasured and cherished by their owners. Featured Image Courtesy | Source

Major motion films are produced around pets, the pet retail industry is extremely successful, and accessories and clothing are sold for pets because their owners are fully invested in their canines. Dog owners have a way of treating a dog like a child or like a sibling. Pets go on holiday with their families; and when this is not possible, the owners will hire a pet sitter. All of these financial investments in pets happen because the pets are highly valued and their owners have a deep bond or connection with their dogs.

Just as people need time off and a vacation away from the hustle and bustle of life; pets also need holidays from time to time. It does a house pet a world of good to be able to go on holiday with its owner and to experience new sights, the outdoors in new ways, and to enjoy the reconnecting and bonding time with its owner. Dog travel opportunities supply the dog owners with a chance to take their dogs with them and to enjoy their holiday accommodationwith their favourite pet or pets. This also provides a great opportunity to the dog to be able to relax and to be physically and mentally stimulated.

Pet friendly holiday cottages provide the perfect atmosphere and accommodation for pet lovers who care enough about their pets to take them on holiday. Many pets will show signs of depression and a decrease in health when they are stressed and overcome by daily routines that have put a strain on them. If you believe your pet may need a holiday, check out the list below to see if your pet is displaying any of these signs.

The Ten Signs Your Pet is in Need of a Holiday

1. Shows lack of interest in playing normal games the pet is typically interested in. These games may be fetch or Frisbee

2. Has a decrease in appetite and does not eat all of its food

3. Becomes lethargic and uninterested in normal activities

4. Acts despondent and listless

5. No longer greets you eagerly at the door when this has been a regular habit

6. Refuses to get out of “bed” or its dog house

7. Acts physically ill and not as active or perky as it normally acts

8. Whines and seeks out extra attention

9. Simply seems unhappy and not as full of life as it normally seems

10. Is not interested in toys or treats that it is typically interested in

Be Sure to Rule Out Health Problems

Pets who demonstrate these symptoms may need to be seen by a vet to rule out any health problems. However, you should also consider taking your pet to a pet friendly holiday cottage to stimulate and uplift your pet’s mood. Depression and stress can settle into a pet the same way it affects humans. Much of the time, dog travel opportunities will help to relieve your favourite dog from a monotonous routine and will physically and emotionally stimulate and motivate your pet.

Cheetah Dead: Chimpanzee Sidekick From 1930s Tarzan Flicks Dies At 80

2011-12-28T15:55:00Z

PALM HARBOR, Fla. — A Florida animal sanctuary says Cheetah the chimpanzee sidekick in the Tarzan movies of the early 1930s has died at age 80.

The Suncoast Primate Sanctuary in Palm Harbor announced that Cheetah died Dec. 24 of kidney failure.

Sanctuary outreach director Debbie Cobb on Wednesday told The Tampa Tribune ( ) that Cheetah was outgoing, loved finger painting and liked to see people laugh. She says he seemed to be tuned into human feelings. http://bit.ly/rRuTeJ

Based on the works of author Edgar Rice Burroughs, the Tarzan stories, which have spawned scores of books and films over the years, chronicle the adventures of a man who was raised by apes in Africa.

Cheetah was the comic relief in the Tarzan films that starred American Olympic gold medal swimmer Johnny Weissmuller. Cobb says Cheetah came to the sanctuary from Weissmuller's estate sometime around 1960.

Cobb says Cheetah wasn't a troublemaker. Still, sanctuary volunteer Ron Priest says that when the chimp didn't like what was going on, he would throw feces.

18 Holiday Foods Poisonous to Dogs and Cats (Part II)

2011-12-27T18:07:00Z

Source: Getty Images

18 Holiday Foods Toxic to Your Family Dogs and Cats

Please print out this list, post it on the fridge and keep your four-legged family pets safe! Small amounts of nutmeg, a handful of raisins, mushrooms, onions, rhubarb.....this list of toxins may surprise you.

By definition, holidays mean we're all sitting around a table with food, or on a couch with food, or making more food or cleaning up food while cooking more food.

You may be tempted to share the holiday bounty by sliding your plate beneath the table for your beloved dog to slurp. (Believe me, no judgment here.) But I keep getting urgent e-mails from my veterinarian's office and pet insurance about all the holiday hazards facing our family pets when there's so much holiday food around. So here's a quick list to put on your fridge to remind you – and all family members – about what's poisonous to our beloved dogs and cats. You'll be surprised by how many foods are dangerous and by how little it takes to harm our animals. For example, as few as FOUR grapes or raisins can cause significant damage to a 20-pound pet.

This list comes from the Toxic Food Guide for Pets here from VIP Pet Insurance.

What Not to Feed Dogs and Cats

1. Alcohol: "Alcohol is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and affects pets quickly. Ingestion of alcohol can cause dangerous drops in blood sugar, blood pressure and body temperature. Intoxicated animals can experience seizures and respiratory failure. Desserts containing alcohol or yeast-containing dough are often the unknown culprits."

2. Caffeine: "Coffee, tea, energy drinks, dietary pills or anything containing caffeine should never be given to your pet, as they can affect the heart, stomach, intestines and nervous system. Symptoms include restlessness, hyperactivity, muscle twitching, increased urination, excessive panting, increased heart rate and blood pressure levels and seizures."

3. Chocolate: "Different types of chocolate contain various levels of fat, caffeine and the substances methylxanthines. In general, the darker and richer the chocolate (i.e., baker's chocolate), the higher the risk of toxicity. Depending on the type and amount of chocolate ingested, dogs may experience vomiting, diarrhea, urination, hyperactivity, heart arrhythmias, tremors and seizures. Learn about chocolate toxicity."

4. Fatty Foods: "Foods that are high in fat can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Pancreatitis often follows the ingestion of fatty meal in dogs. Certain breeds like miniature schnauzers, Shetland sheepdogs, and Yorkshire terriers appear to be more susceptible to a bout of pancreatitis than other breeds. Fight the temptation to share fast food leftovers, junk food or foods cooked in grease with your dog."

5. Fat Trimmings and Bones: "Table scraps often contain meat fat that a human didn't eat and bones. Both are dangerous for dogs. Fat trimmed from meat, both cooked and uncooked, may cause pancreatitis in dogs. And, although it seems natural to give a dog a bone, a dog can choke on it. Bones can also splinter and cause an obstruction or lacerations of your dog's digestive system. Watch this vet video about dogs and bones."

6. Fruit Toxins: "The specific problem with persimmons, peaches, and plums are the seeds or pits. The seeds from persimmons can cause inflammation of the small intestine in dogs. They can also cause intestinal obstruction, a good possibility if a dog eats the pit from a peach or plum. Plus, peach and plum pits contain cyanide, which is poisonous to both humans and dogs should the pit be broken open and consumed."

7. Grapes and Raisins Especially Dangerous: According to Pet Poison Helpline, "Grapes and raisins have been known to cause acute renal (kidney) failure in dogs. With kidney failure, a pet's ability to produce urine decreases, which means they are unable to filter toxins out of their system. The reason for kidney failure and the amount of grapes/raisins necessary to be toxic to pets is unknown, so all cases of ingestion have the potential to be grave. Depending on the size of the dog, as little as four grapes/raisins can have an adverse effect on your fuzzy friend.

8. Milk and Dairy Products: "It may be tempting on a hot day to share your ice cream cone with your dog; however, milk and milk-based products can cause diarrhea and other digestive issues because adult dogs are deficient in lactase necessary for digestion of milk. Ask your veterinarian for safe alternatives."

9. Mushrooms: "Wild mushrooms — which may be found growing in your backyard or on the nature trail where you walk your dog — contain toxins that will trigger numerous organ systems, including the kidneys, liver and brain. Nervous system abnormalities, seizures, coma, vomiting, and death can all result when a dog consumes mushrooms."

10. Nutmeg: "Nutmeg can also be stored in the pantry with other potentially hazardous substances for pets. Often used as a spice for baking, nutmeg's rich, spicy scent is attractive to dogs. High levels can be fatal. Signs include tremors, seizures and nervous system abnormalities."

11. Nuts: "Abundant in many cookies and candies, certain nuts should not be given to pets. Almonds, non-moldy walnuts and pistachios can cause an upset stomach or an obstruction of your dog's throat and/or intestinal tract; macadamia nuts and moldy walnuts can cause toxic poisonings. Moldy walnuts can contain toxic chemical products produced by fungi which cause seizures or neurological signs. Lethargy, vomiting and loss of muscle control are among the effects of nut ingestion. Learn more about nuts dangers to dogs."

12. Onions and Garlic:"Onions contain an ingredient called thiosulphate which is toxic to cats and dogs. The ingestion of onions, onion powder, or even cooked onion causes a condition called hemolytic anemia, which is characterized by damage to the red blood cells. In other words, onion toxicity can cause the red blood cells circulating through your pet's body to burst. A small amount can be toxic to your dog or cat."

13. Raw Eggs (and foods that include them): "Have you ever accidentally dropped an egg on the kitchen floor while your dog is nearby? Be careful: there are two problems with allowing your dog to eat raw eggs. First: your dog could possibly get food poisoning from bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli. Second: excessive consumption of raw eggs may result in biotin deficiency that can cause skin problems and affect your dog's coat. Feeding your dog cooked eggs is a safer bet."

14. Raw Meat and Fish: "Raw meat and raw fish, like raw eggs, can contain bacteria that cause food poisoning. Certain kinds of fish such as salmon, trout, shad, or sturgeon can contain a parasite that causes "fish disease." If not treated, the disease can be fatal within 2 weeks. The first signs of illness are vomiting, fever, and big lymph nodes. Thoroughly cooking the fish will kill the parasite and protect your dog."

15. Rhubarb: "Rhubarb, a vegetable, contains oxalates which trigger abnormalities with the nervous system, kidneys and digestive tract."

16. Salt: "Believe it or not, common table salt is poisonous to your pet—but it's not usually from table scraps. The source is often what surprises pet owners: pets often experience salt toxicity as a result of eating household play dough, swallowing too much ocean salt water or ingesting paint balls, which are loaded with salt. Salt toxicity can be very severe and results in neurologic signs such as poor coordination, seizures and brain swelling, and needs to be treated carefully by a veterinarian."

17. Xylitol:"Xylitol is a sugar substitute commonly used in toothpastes, mouthwash, sugarless gum, certain cough medicines and children's chewable multi-vitamins. It also used in many baked goods and candies. This product is recommended for diabetics and those following a low-carbohydrate diet. However, xylitol is extremely dangerous to your dog. Ingestion of the product will cause the rapid release of insulin in dogs and result in hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia results in vomiting, weakness, and sometimes seizures. In some cases, xylitol poisoning can result in liver failure. As little as one stick of xylitol gum could be toxic to a 20-pound dog."

18. Yeast Dough: "Unbaked dough that contains yeast can expand in your pet's stomach or intestines. As the yeast ferments, it releases gases, resulting in nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and even life-threatening bloat and a twisted stomach. Some yeast dough also ferments into alcohol, which contributes to signs of lethargy and alcohol toxicity."

For more information: Here's the Humane Society's Toxic Foods List

Here is the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control information. Available for any animal poison-related emergency, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you think that your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call (888) 426-4435. (There may be a consultation fee.)

Retired Chicago Cop's Service Dog Not Welcome in Iowa Town

2011-12-22T19:13:00Z

For 32 years, nearly half as a tactical officer, Jim Sak was a cop chasing down bad guys on the streets of Chicago.

Now that he’s retired and living in tiny Aurelia, Ia., the townsfolk are chasing him — to get rid of “Snickers,” a five-year-old Pit bull-mix service dog he needs after suffering a debilitating stroke that left him with no feeling on the right side of his body.

On orders from the Aurelia City Council, a heartbroken Sak has shipped his beloved protector off to a kennel just outside of the Iowa town where he moved last month to be closer to his ailing, 87-year-old mother-in-law. If he hadn’t gotten rid of Snickers, city fathers had threatened to seize and destroy the dog.

The mandate sets the stage for a landmark lawsuit on grounds that the federal Americans for Disabilities Act (ADA) guarantees people with disabilities the right to have service dogs, regardless of their breed.

“I can’t believe they didn’t even try to talk to us. They just said, ‘No. You’re not having him. He’s outlawed in this town,’ “ Sak said Tuesday.

“I have spasms on my right side where the leg gives out whenever I get upset or try to do too much. When Snickers sees that my hand is moving, he sits down by me right away and waits for me to tell him what to do. Usually, he goes to get my wife so she can help me get back in the chair. Without him, I feel lost.”

He added, “I was a policeman for 32 years. I understand there’s black and white, but there’s also a grey area where you have to use your head. They’re not using their heads.”

Peggy Sak, Jim’s wife, said she’s “appalled and embarrassed by the town I grew up in…They have made our lives a living hell since we got here.”

She said she had no idea when she moved to Aurelia that the town had an ordinance banning pit bulls. That’s a crackdown that’s been talked about in Chicago, but never implemented.

“They called us to a city council meeting Dec. 14 and voted 3 to 2 to make no exceptions. I had to get him out of the house by the next day. That dog has never been away from us a night in his life. He’s the sweetest, most good-natured dog you’d ever want to meet,” Peggy Sak said.

“I left the meeting and threw up on the street outside the place. I can’t stop crying. Jim, being the Chicago cop, is stoic, but very depressed. It’s terrible. I’m afraid to leave him. My mother is now helping take care of Jim because the dog isn’t here to help him.”

George Wittgraf, an attorney representing the Iowa town, said Aurelia is “simply exercising its authority to protect and preserve the rights and property of its residents — whether or not that’s trumped by” federal law.

City Clerk Barb Messerole said the ordinance was approved in March, 2008 after a meter reader was bitten by a pit bull.

“They had several people come forward saying they were concerned about the pit bull because of the nature of the breed. They just feel it’s unsafe. They’re aggressive and could hurt somebody. If the service animal was anything but a pit bull, it would have been fine,” she said.

The Animal Farm Foundation said the group has hired an attorney to represent the Sak family and is paying to board the dog at the out-of-town kennel, pending the legal challenge.

“It’s about the injustice of this man having his service dog taken away — this man who is a Viet Nam War veteran and a retired Chicago Police officer who has always given back to the community,” said executive director Stacy Coleman.

“This town has taken away this man’s independence, his peace of mind, and his freedom to move about his house, go out in public and keep from having to go to a nursing home with 24-hour care. He’s physically in danger without his dog.”

Socks Beats Bo as Top First Pet

2011-12-22T16:20:00Z

American memories of Socks the Cat, the famous Clinton kitty, were strong enough to make the black and white feline the nation's favorite first pet, beating Bo Obama by a few whiskers in our latest Whispers poll.

While younger Americans with little memory of Socks chose Bo, the cat still won the top slot, 34 percent to 28 percent.

Rounding out the top five were Millie, the spaniel of former President George H.W. Bush, at 17 percent, Barney, George W. Bush's Scottie at 13 percent, and former President Reagan's dog Lucky at 8 percent.

Our poll revealed a remarkable division between older and younger Americans. Younger Americans clearly have a good impression of Bo, a Portuguese water dog, who stars in this year's White House Christmas decorations. Americans aged 18-34 went for Bo by a margin of 40 percent to 30 percent for Socks.

Older Americans went strongly for Socks and the 55-56 age group even picked Millie as No. 2 behind Socks.

[Obamas Showcase First Pup Bo for Christmas.]

The Whispers Poll

The first family's staff has made the Obamas' dog, Bo, the star in the annual White House Christmas decorations.

With that in mind, who do you think is the most famous recent presidential pet?

Socks, the Clinton cat 34%

Bo, the Obama dog 28%

Millie, George H.W. Bush's dog 17%

Barney, George W. Bush's dog 13%

Lucky, the Reagan dog 8%

Source: The Synovate eNation Internet poll was conducted December 9-13 among a national sample of 1,000 households by global market research firm Synovate.

NY OK's Burying Human Ashes in Pet Cemeteries

2011-12-21T16:24:00Z

Life is good again - and death is looking better - for animal lovers in New York who want to be buried with their Persians, Pomeranians or potbellied pigs.

The state Division of Cemeteries has issued regulations that once again permit pet owners to have their ashes interred with their beloved animals in pet cemeteries.

"My wish has been granted and I will be able to be with my furry family forever," said Rhona Levy of the Bronx, who has planned for years to have her ashes buried with her dog and four cats at the Hartsdale Pet Cemetery in the New York City suburbs.

"This was one of the best moments of my life," she added.

Under the new rules, approved Thursday in Albany, the interment of human ashes at pet cemeteries is permitted under certain conditions.

The pet cemetery must not advertise that it takes human ashes, and may not charge a fee for doing so. The cemetery also must tell customers who ask about human interment that they would be giving up some protections, such as mandatory record-keeping and restrictions on removal.

The 115-year-old Hartsdale cemetery has been adding human ashes to pet plots since 1925, and an estimated 700 people have joined the 70,000 animals there. But on Feb. 8, the cemetery division ordered a halt to the practice. Three days earlier, Hartsdale, 20 miles north of Manhattan, had been featured in an Associated Press story about the increase in human burials in pet cemeteries around the country.

The ban was issued statewide in April. The state said then that only not-for-profit corporations can take in human remains, even if cremated, and charging a fee violated not-for-profit law.

The state's declaration angered some animal lovers, especially those who had prearranged their burials at pet cemeteries.

"Suddenly I'm not at peace anymore," Levy said at the time.

Hartsdale asked the state for permission to at least accommodate those who had prepaid.

Taylor York, an attorney and law professor at Keuka College in Penn Yan, went further. She undertook to persuade the Cemetery Division that since pet cemeteries are private, they're not covered by nonprofit corporation law.

York's uncle, Thomas Ryan, had died in April. He had arranged - and prepaid - to join his wife and their two dogs, B.J. I and B.J. II, at Hartsdale. But the state ruling prevented that, and Ryan's ashes remained in a wooden box at the home of his sister, York's mother.

The Cemetery Division's new ruling means Ryan can finally be buried, and York said a ceremony is scheduled for Friday.

"This new compromise gets my mother what she wants and my uncle what he intended," she said. "It's a Christmas gift of a kind, but this was agonizing and it's a real shame that the state leaped before they looked."

Just as the Hartsdale cemetery was the first to be told it couldn't accommodate humans, it's the first to get permission to resume the practice. The state and the cemetery signed a "Memorandum of Understanding" that permits the immediate burial of human ashes at Hartsdale. The cemetery resumed human interments Friday.

Ed Martin Jr., president and director of the Hartsdale Pet Cemetery, said Monday he has no qualms about the restrictions. He said the cemetery dropped the $235 fee it used to charge to open an animal's grave for its owner's ashes.

"It's not that it was a big moneymaker. It was a courtesy more than anything else," he said.

York said she took some satisfaction that during the meeting last week, Cemetery Board Chairman Dan Shapiro acknowledged using private property as a cemetery himself.

"I spread my uncle's ashes under a peach tree in my backyard," Shapiro said.

Hugh Hefner & Crystal Harris in a Custody Battle over Their Puppy

2011-12-20T15:47:00Z

Shortly after Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris ended their engagement in June, the Playboy mogul said Harris let him keep Charlie, their shared Cavalier King Charles spaniel.

But now, Hefner, 85, says he and his former fiancée, 25, are still going back and forth about who gets permanent ownership of the pooch.

"We both love the puppy," Hefner told PEOPLE on Thursday at the Playboy Mansion in L.A. "I told her if she wants to keep the ring and the Bentley, then maybe I can keep the puppy. I [hope] we will work it out."

Hefner, who still insists he "missed a bullet" by not tying the knot with Harris – who was linked to Dr. Phil's son right after the split – points out, "The puppy's valuable, but not $100,000 worth."

Although he is still in talks with Harris about their canine companion, Hefner has moved on in his personal life with Anna Sophia Berglund and Shera Bechard, the women he calls his "two very special ladies."

Liz Taylor's dog ate her $11.8m pearl!

2011-12-19T16:11:00Z

Elizabeth Taylor's dog almost ate her world-famous La Peregrina pearl - which sold at auction this past week for a record 11.8 million dollars -just moments after she got it as a Valentine's gift from husband Richard Burton.

"Twenty minutes after she put it on, she lost it," the New York Post quoted Ward Landrigan, the former head of Sotheby's jewelry division who sold the 55.95-carat pearl to Burton for 37,000 dollars in 196, as saying.

After Burton bought the bauble for Taylor, Landrigan travelled from New York to Las Vegas, where he was picked up in a white Rolls- Royce at the airport to deliver the precious cargo to the glamorous couple at a Caesars Palace suite "the size of three tennis courts."

"They asked what I wanted to drink," recalled Landrigan, who'd sold Burton the 33.19-carat Krupp diamond a year earlier.

"I asked what they were having, and they said salty dogs, which is vodka and clam juice," he stated.

Landrigan presented the pearl and was chatting with Burton while Taylor left to try it on. She "came back running, showing her cleavage and saying, 'Ward! I've lost the pearl!'

"The room had pink shag carpeting, and I was crawling past a settee when I saw one of [Taylor's] two Lhasa apsos, and I heard the crunch. I said, 'Liz, I know where the pearl is,' " Landrigan revealed.

The pampered pooch apparently wanted the treasure for a quick snack.

Landrigan, who owns fine-jewellery company Verdura, says Liz grabbed the dog and put her hand into its mouth.

"She got the dog to spit it out. I was afraid it cracked because pearls do," he told us, adding that it suffered only a couple of scratches.

Taylor then had Cartier make a diamond-and-ruby necklace for the pearl.

The full piece was auctioned this past week at Christie's and sold to an anonymous buyer.

Helping Elderly Keep Their Pets

2011-12-14T16:03:00Z

Anyone in the pet rescue or animal welfare communities has sad stories to tell. Adelle Taylor is no different.

She is the founder of Seniors' Pet Assistance Network, an all-volunteer nonprofit that helps low-income seniors in the Dallas area hang onto their pets.

"We find they have often outlived all their family or all their friends, or they're estranged from their families," Taylor says. "(Their pets) are their family."

SPAN's goal is to keep the human-pet bond intact by working with veterinarians or donating food. In 2009, it added a pet food pantry.

"We're not a rescue, we don't find homes for pets, we don't offer spay and neuter," Taylor says. "We help with basic veterinary care. Shots, flea and heartworm meds, and clients can apply for the food delivery route."

That tightly focused mission is the rule rather than the exception. Small groups such as SPAN (seniorspets.org) carry much of the load around the country.

"There's not a lot of (national) stuff," points out Dianne McGill, executive director and CEO of Banfield Charitable Trust, a Portland, Ore., nonprofit that helps keep vulnerable populations united with their pets. "There are localized, smaller efforts, but on a national basis I know a couple or three. The (small) ones on the ground around the country, they're very engaged. We as an organization fund grants for other pet charities that focus on programs that keep seniors and pets together."

Two Banfield initiatives are national in scope: Pet Peace of Mind and Meals on Wheels Pet Food Distribution programs. Pet Peace of Mind enables hospice patients to keep pets home in their last days.

"We are hearing amazing stories of having the value of having people with their pets at the end of life," McGill says. "So many hospice patients hang on until they are absolutely certain there's a place for their pet to go to."

The Meals on Wheels program deals with the primary cost of pet ownership: food. McGill says that what usually happens is that rather than surrendering the pets, seniors will go without the things they need so they can keep their pets.

"The tragedy is no one gets what they need," she says. "Seniors go without food or other necessities to pay for the care of their pets. It's not so much surrendering the pets that's a problem, it's seniors going without that's the larger problem."

Banfield partners with the Meals on Wheels Association of America to provide food and/or funding so seniors don't have to share their meals with their pets.

McGill says Banfield (banfieldcharitabletrust.org, 503-922-5801) is always looking for shelters to help and can be a source of information for those in need.

"Our mission is to fund programs that keep people and their pets together," she says. "If we don't have a program, we will work to facilitate solutions for families. We can't always find the right program, but we will always give it a try."

Keeping pets at home

Seniors and their pets can be kept together. Sometimes it takes a little digging, though.

Check with your local senior center. It may have a pet food distribution program or it may recommend vets that it works with to hold down pet care costs.

Contact local shelters. Many offer low-cost pet care programs (routine shots, heartworm medicine, etc.) or can connect you with organizations that can help.

Will your vet negotiate? It's worth asking, says Adelle Taylor of Seniors' Pet Assistance Network. "I have one vet here (who gives) AARP members a 10 percent discount. And I'd be real direct with my clinic: 'I want to take care of my dog but I can't do every test. What can I do to take care of Buster's basic needs?'"

Studies consistently have shown the health benefits of pet ownership. Purina's Pets for Seniors program works with more than 150 animal welfare organizations nationwide to offer free pet adoption to qualified seniors over 60. More details at petsforpeople.com.

The California charity 2nd Chance 4 Pets (2ndchance4pets.org) instructs people how to provide for their pet's care after they are gone.

Do Dog Parks Fatten Dog Owners?

2011-12-14T15:57:00Z

A dog park opened up a few blocks from where I live. Now, instead of walking my dog Simon (a long-haired dachshund) around several neighborhood blocks I, along with my pet, invariably head toward the doggy play area. Once there, he runs around to sniff other dogs while I stand and chat with the dog owners who are usually known only by the name of their pet (as in, "Do you know Scuffy's mom?"). After several mornings of this, I realized that whereas in the past, both Simon and I got exercise in the morning, now he is the only one moving while I just stand and talk.

One of the basic recommendations for motivating people to exercise has been to tell them to get a dog and take the animal for long walks, and even runs. But now this advice seems to be subverted by not only the proliferation of dog parks but also the appearance of doggy gyms in shopping malls and, hard to believe but true, a kind of doggy treadmill that you can buy for home use. One remote but possible outcome of having the dog exercise while we stand or drive the dog to its gym is that the dog will be lean and fit while we will reap the unfortunate effects of gaining weight due to ever-decreasing physical activity.

Whether we walk our dogs or stand and let the dogs play in a dog park should not have any impact on our weight, should it? Of course not, if we follow a lifestyle that has many opportunities for physical activity besides going to the gym for a few hours each week. Alas, for many, long work hours, family and community commitments have eroded almost all opportunities to move.

A few days ago, I sat next to a woman at a dinner who complained that she had gained five pounds in one month because her new job compelled her to drive rather than walk to work. "I changed absolutely nothing else in my life. I ate the same way and kept the same workout schedule and errands on the weekends. But sitting in the car a couple of hours each day, rather than walking 45 minutes to work and then back home, decreased my energy use enough to cause this weight gain. It's dreadful. At this point I have no idea how I can squeeze some exercise time into my very limited hours at home."

When I asked why she couldn't exercise at lunch, she laughed. "Lunch? We eat at our desks or, if we are in a meeting, the food is brought in. The only way I could escape the office at lunch would be if there were a fire and we had to go outside. No one takes a lunch break. You would be regarded as lazy if you did."

National obesity experts have focused on the absence of gym time in many schools and play time when the kids come home as one cause of increased pediatric obesity. But very little attention is directed to the lack of exercise time for adults, even though we are becoming fat at an alarming rate. These same experts tell the country that physical activity is mandatory for our physical and mental health. What they don't tell us is how to fit exercise into our lives.

When can people with these schedules and obligations exercise? Consider the:

• Person working two jobs and looking for a third; or

• The college student with a long commute to school and both an afternoon and a weekend job; or

• The working parent taking children to daycare early in the morning, picking them up after work and going home and starting the second job as mom or dad; or

• The adult caring for a live-in parent who needs constant care; or

• A corporate worker whose day starts at 7 a.m., lasts until 10 p.m., and often includes weekends; or

• The regional manager who must travel constantly and spends "free time" at home catching up with work in the office, etc.

The list could go on and on, and indeed might be much longer than a list of people who do have the time to exercise regularly in addition to walking their dog. And it doesn't even include obstacles to exercise for those who do have the time, which include:

• No sidewalks or shoulders on the road on which to walk;

• Late sunrises and early sunsets;

• Snow, ice or excessive heat;

• Cost of health clubs or home exercise equipment;

• Danger (assaults on women has been a problem along a popular running path where I live and many areas may be unsafe for someone running or walking alone);

• Air pollution; and/or

• Medical problems that limit mobility.

If we are to achieve a fit country, we have to go beyond talk and public service announcements. Exercise has to be made as accessible as getting food when one is hungry. At present, having the time to exercise is a privilege granted to only a relative few in our society.

ALERT: Dog Food Recall

2011-12-09T23:45:00Z

Cargill Animal Nutrition today recalled River Run and Marksman dry dog food because of unacceptable levels of the toxin Aflatoxin. This recall follows one by P&G yesterday of its Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy dry dog food, also due to Aflatoxin contamination.

The recalled River Run and Marksman dry dog foods were distributed in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Hawaii, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and limited areas of Florida and California.

Retailers have already been instructed to remove the affected brands of dog food from store shelves. The dog food was manufactured at Cargill’s Lecompte, Louisiana, facility for one year starting Dec. 1, 2010. No illnesses have been reported, and no other Cargill Animal Nutrition pet food products were involved.

The recalled dog food includes the following list of products with packaging date codes (lot numbers) 4K0335 through 4K0365, LL0335 through LL0365, 4K1001 through 4K1335, and LL1001 through LL1335.

Professional Formula River Run Hi-NRG 24-20 Dog Food, 50-pound bags
River Run Professional Formula 27-18 Dog Food, 50-pound bags
River Run 21 percent Protein Dog Food, 40 and 50-pound bags
River Run Hi-Pro No-Soy Dog Food, 40 and 50-pound bags
Marksman Dog Food 24 percent Protein 20 percent Fat, 40 pound bags
Marksman Dog Food 20 percent Protein 10 percent Fat, 40 and 50 pound bags
Marksman Dog Food 28 percent Protein 18 percent Fat, 40 pound bags

For Pictures of the recalled bags of dog food click here.

Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring by-product from the growth of Aspergillus flavus, and can be harmful to pets if consumed in significant quantities. Pets which have consumed this product and exhibit symptoms of illness (sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, vomiting, yellowish tint to the eyes or gums, or diarrhea) should be seen by a veterinarian.

Consumers can return the recalled bags of dog food (whether opened or not) to their place of purchase for a full refund. For more information call 855-460-1532.

Pusuke, World's Oldest Dog, Dies In Japan At Age 26

2011-12-07T01:39:00Z

The world's oldest dog passed away on Monday afternoon at his home in Sakura, Japan.

Pusuke, a male cross-breed, was recognized as the oldest dog in the world by Guinness Book of World Records in December last year, reports ABC News.

Pusuke was 26-years-old when he died, reports the Kyodo News. Born in March, 1985, the dog had just over three months to go until its next birthday.

That's somewhere between 118 to 185 human years.

Pusuke died Monday afternoon just five minutes after Ms Shinohara, his owner, had returned home from a walk.

According to MSN India, the 42-year-old housewife said, "I think [Pusuke] waited for me to come home."

MSNBC notes that a 28-year-old beagle from the U.S. had previously held the record for oldest dog in the world, though it died in 2003.

The oldest dog to have ever lived is reportedly a 29-year-old sheepdog who lived in Australia.

Britain's most cowardly canine is scared of cats, afraid of the dark... and bites his NAILS (and desperately needs a new home)

2011-12-06T19:34:00Z

It's not enough that this Border Collie cowers from cats, can't go for walks in the dark and bites his nails, he has also become homeless because his owner's can't cope with his cowardice.

Bentley, six, is so nervous that he even hides behind the sofa when he is left alone and his anxiety has reached the level where he has to wear specially-made lace-up mittens on his paws.

Despite being bigger than the average Border Collie, rescuers at the Dogs Trust in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, take him home at night so that he is not on his own.

Sore paw: Bentley suffers from such bad anxiety that he has to wear mittens on his feet to stop him biting his nails.

Sandra Wilson, manager of the kennels, said that Bentley is the most cowardly dog they have ever tried to re-home.

She said: 'Bentley is terrified of cats and chews his nails as a reaction to the stress of being left alone or in the dark.

'He is afraid of everything when he is left on his own for even a minute. He can’t stand being in a dark room and he doesn’t like going out for walks at night without good street lighting.

'We have observed him without him knowing and when he is by himself he is scared of the dark and cowers when the doorbell rings.

'We’ve even seen him hide behind the sofa and bite his nails when he heard a cat meowing on the TV. He is probably the most cowardly dog in Britain - but he will make a lovely pet.'

Bentley’s behaviour changes completely when he is around people, however, and he loses all his nerves and insecurities.

Ms Wilson added: 'We’re looking for a loving home where at least one family member is at home for the majority of the day and evening. Bentley loves human company and will happily play fetch and curl up on your lap after a long walk.

Dogs Trust volunteer Helen Barlow (pictured) said that Bentley's 'monophobia' - the fear of being alone - stems from when his first owner died.

'He’s good with children and loves human company - all he needs is a second chance.'

Staff at the Dogs Trust discovered just how cowardly he really was after they put him in an observation room to see how he responded to being alone.

He whimpered at the site of a cuddly toy and bit his nails upon hearing a meowing cat on television.

Bentley was diagnosed with monophobia - the fear of being alone - after his first owner died in October 2009. He was then put into a boarding kennels before being sent to the Dogs Trust in March who re-homed him

But his second owner gave him back after just seven months saying they could not cope with his need for reassurance.

Helen Barlow, one of Bentley’s carers, said: 'He has very serious problems with abandonment. It stems from when his first owner died and left him alone.

'Dogs make very strong attachments with humans and Bentley is now petrified that every time someone leaves the room they will never come back.'

Now it's s*** my pets ruined! Animal lovers reveal the damage and destruction their beloved pets cause to their expensive property

2011-12-06T15:07:00Z

It is said there is nothing like the unconditional love only an adorable pet can give you - just try remembering that when you get home from work and find your home resembles a war zone.

Hilarious images of torn up letters, chewed up furniture, ransacked gardens and graffitied windows have been collected and put together to form a website called S*** My Pets Ruined.

Created in March 2010, the website updates regularly with new pictures of the chaos and destruction caused mainly by dogs and cats while their owners' backs are turned.

Want to make something of it? This boxer looks decidedly belligerent after having made a meal out of his owner's computer chair.

Modogliani? The owner's window might be a mess, but she thinks it's 'pretty damn good for a dog'.

Shredded: The puppy, above, has found a way to get rid of junk mail while right, a Jack Russell has had a ball with a bumper pack of loo roll.

The website was set up after the success of the similar site S*** My Kids Ruined, which was put together by exasperated mother Julie Haas Brophy from New York, after her son spilled a tub of black paint all over her rug.

After posting it on Facebook, it grew from there and has since been turned into a book.

Green pawed: This cat decided to make its own kitty litter out of the house plant.

Eating out: The tabby cat fancied an Italian for dinner and got more than it fair share of meatballs.

Room with a mew: This puss hadn't quite mastered the art of pulling up the blind so decided it would be best to go through it instead.

Christmas came early: These dogs created their very own winter wonderland.

In a similar vein, the pets' version pictures are submitted by frustrated owners who have discovered some beloved item or place ruined by their equally as beloved pet.

As one dog owner, Joelle Para wrote on the Facebook site after posting her dog beside chewed up blinds: 'She's so precious though, so it's difficult to be mad at her. I still love her.'

Another dowg-owner wrote: 'I don't care what they tear up when they are so cute.'

Root of the problem: Seven-month-old Shih Tzu Abby takes her destruction outdoors: Her owner said: 'This poor shrub was unearthed and shredded before it even had a chance to get put in the ground'.

Guilty: Relaxing after destroying the sofa cushions, this dog was caught with a mouthful of evidence.

Never liked that rug... Not content with ruining his own bed the bull terrier obviously thought his owner's carpet was good to go as well.

See these images and more at the website.

Pet Photos on Phones Function as Social Icebreakers

2011-12-01T15:51:00Z

Tricia Blasko will happily show you the many pictures of Lulu captured with her smartphone.

That's Lulu curled up in bed. And that one is how Lulu looks when she's in the kitchen. Oh, and here's one of Lulu with a cigar in her mouth.

Lulu is Blasko's chug -- a mix between a Chihuahua and a pug. There's no shame in having so many pictures of one tiny little dog, Blasko said. Everybody's doing it.

"A couple of weeks ago, we had a big symposium and a lot of us were pulling our phones out and showing each other our dogs," said Blasko, who counted only one photo of her daughter in the mix.

Pet photos, like cocktails, have become a social lubricant -- the icebreaker among strangers and colleagues.

Before technology allowed us to take photographs from our phones, most people didn't carry wallet-size pictures of their pets around. Flash-forward a decade, and there are apps such as Pet Pic that guarantee a smile, a head tilt or a head-on gaze from a pet with squeaker noises, cat sounds or a barking sound.

Employees at Zizzo Group marketing and public relations in Milwaukee talk about their pets all the time, said Mary Jo Garinger. So sharing an appealing photo from a smartphone is a natural for getting to know people.

"It's a conversation-starter and gives you a certain bond with that person," said Garinger, who met a fellow bird owner in the office after she showed off photos of her cockatiel Buddy.

"It makes me happy when I look through the pictures. It's almost like having pictures of your kids on the phone," she said.

Except that her camera-shy children won't pose for photos. But Buddy will.

Erin Boyle, a professional dog groomer in Milwaukee, has pictures of her three dogs and her cat on her phone, but the pets came before the career. Her friend has pictures of her lizards on her phone.

Pete Jest, who operates Shank Hall, carries hard-copy photos of his dog, his cat and his macaw in his work papers. He also has their digital images on his phone. When he meets someone whom he's only spoken with by telephone, they always want to know which animal makes all the noise. Hint: It's the macaw.

Family matters A potent combination of technology and a cultural shift in how humans relate to pets is fueling the trend of smartphone pet photography, said Hal Herzog, a psychology professor at the University of Western Carolina who looks at human-animal interaction. He's the author of "Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat." Herzog calls it the "humanization" of pets in the culture.

"Pets occupy a special place in people's lives. They've become our family," Herzog said in a phone interview. It's natural we'd like to show them off.

Herzog attended a party recently where a man shared photos of his new puppy from his phone. "Next thing I know, people were pulling out their phones and showing pictures" of their pets, he said.

Herzog was already familiar with pet paparazzi. In his book, he writes about Judy Moore, who rescues sea turtles. Herzog met Moore at a restaurant and decided to investigate her South Carolina rescue after she showed him pictures of the turtles on her phone. Baby sea turtles are exceptionally cute, he said.

After the party, Herzog was intrigued enough by the concept of how we look at pets to poll 110 students and faculty on the subject; 82% admitted having pictures of pets on their phone. Herzog said he scrolled through a lot of dog and cat pictures for research. Dogs seem to be the front-runners among smartphone pictures.

They're with the band Canines share space on phones and, in a growing number of instances, our work space. Dogs rule backstage at the Pabst Theater, the Riverside Theater and Turner Hall Ballroom. On the day that Paul Simon played the Riverside Theater, manager Gary Witt stepped into the hospitality suite with his chocolate Labrador Matilda in tow. Having dogs padding among the couches, album collection and foosball table makes it feel like we're "having bands come to our house," Witt said.

"The first thing people miss is their dogs, so as they see our dogs, they pull out their phones and show us their dogs," Witt said. "I almost never see anyone's cat." Plenty of big-name acts share their canine connections. Singer-songwriter Neko Case put a rider in her contract that there must be a dog backstage. Case, who founded a canine rescue, travels with photos of her greyhound pups on her smartphone and she's eager to share them. Former Stone Temple Pilots singer Scott Weiland showed off pictures of his bulldog. Emmylou Harris shared smartphone photos of the dog for which she named her pet rescue, Bonaparte's Retreat. Capt. Sig Hansen from TV's "Deadliest Catch" carries photos of his two tiny Pomeranian pooches.

With pups around, the mood lightens, said Cassie Bauman, hospitality director for Turner Hall Ballroom. Bauman has pictures of her pug Ruthie on her phone but often brings her along to work. She thinks it helps relax roadies and performers. "You feel the weight lift." And it's definitely the dogs that do it, Bauman said: "I can't think of when someone has shown me a picture of a kid." Showing people pictures of your child can seem like bragging or worse. But showing colleagues or strangers pictures of your dog is "a really good way to open up to the softer side," said Jordan Waraksa, who takes photos of his terrier mix named Jackson.

When someone shares a pet photo, "people start laughing and joking around," said Waraksa, who plays with the band Vitrolum Republic. "You don't bring out an animal's photo to evoke a sad or serious moment." 'Fur babies' Humans have become so urban-oriented that often pets are the only connection we have with animals, said Angela Mertig, professor of sociology at Middle Tennessee State University. That's one reason she, like Herzog, believes "it's becoming increasingly acceptable that pets are seen as family members." They're "fur babies," said Mertig, who has pictures of her four cats on her phone.

Amanda Maurer of Madison is unabashed about the many pictures of Violet, a West Highland terrier, on her phone.

"You talk about your dog like your kid," said Maurer, who shares Violet with her boyfriend. "That kind of has something to do with it, I guess." Maurer lets that love of animals bleed over into her work with wisconsinmade.com. "Any time I post anything about a dog or a cat or a pet, that just always gets more hits, more comments and links than anything. We had a week (dedicated to) on pets. That was a good week for us." How much is too much when it comes to pictures? Larry Widen, who runs the Times Cinema and the Rosebud Cinema Drafthouse, has 99 pictures of his dog Maya, a half bichon frise and schnauzer, and a startling 150 pictures of other people's dogs on his smartphone.

"Your pets bring so much joy into your life you like other people to see them," Widen said. "It's definitely sort of a conversational gambit. You know guys -- if they don't have a gun or a golf club in their hand, they can't talk about anything." Blasko in Racine thinks the reason she has so many photos of Lulu on her phone is simple: "She's so cute and so much fun to look at. She's got personality. She loves to play, but she loves to snuggle, too. It's the many faces of Lulu.

"You know they're not with you forever, so it's fun to capture them as much as you can so you have those memories," Blasko said.

Katherine Heigl Bares All for Pets

2011-12-01T15:47:00Z

Katherine Heigl has posed semi-naked in a saucy new advertising campaign for pets.

The dog lover covers her breasts with a puppy in the public service announcement for website IHateBalls.com.

The ad urges pet owners to spay and neuter their furry friends, The Daily Express reported.

Heigl wears nothing but panties along with high-heeled shoes and a grin in the provocative video, joking, "Unfortunately I can't cut the nuts off human men - yet. So I've dedicated my time to the neutering of dogs because that's legal." (ANI)

Horses Could Soon be Slaughtered in US for Human Food after Congress Lifts Ban on Inspections

2011-11-30T15:54:00Z

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Horses could soon be butchered in the U.S. for human consumption after Congress quietly lifted a 5-year-old ban on funding horse meat inspections, and activists say slaughterhouses could be up and running in as little as a month.

Slaughter opponents pushed a measure cutting off funding for horse meat inspections through Congress in 2006 after other efforts to pass outright bans on horse slaughter failed in previous years. Congress lifted the ban in a spending bill President Barack Obama signed into law Nov. 18 to keep the government afloat until mid-December.

It did not, however, allocate any new money to pay for horse meat inspections, which opponents claim could cost taxpayers $3 million to $5 million a year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture would have to find the money in its existing budget, which is expected to see more cuts this year as Congress and the White House aim to trim federal spending.

The USDA issued a statement Tuesday saying there are no slaughterhouses in the U.S. that butcher horses for human consumption now, but if one were to open, it would conduct inspections to make sure federal laws were being followed. USDA spokesman Neil Gaffney declined to answer questions beyond what was in the statement.

The last U.S. slaughterhouse that butchered horses closed in 2007 in Illinois, and animal welfare activists warned of massive public outcry in any town where a slaughterhouse may open.

"If plants open up in Oklahoma or Nebraska, you'll see controversy, litigation, legislative action and basically a very inhospitable environment to operate," predicted Wayne Pacelle, president and chief executive of The Humane Society of the United States. "Local opposition will emerge and you'll have tremendous controversy over slaughtering Trigger and Mr. Ed."

But pro-slaughter activists say the ban had unintended consequences, including an increase in neglect and the abandonment of horses, and that they are scrambling to get a plant going - possibly in Wyoming, North Dakota, Nebraska or Missouri. They estimate a slaughterhouse could open in 30 to 90 days with state approval and eventually as many as 200,000 horses a year could be slaughtered for human consumption. Most of the meat would be shipped to countries in Europe and Asia, including France and Japan.

Dave Duquette, president of the nonprofit, pro-slaughter group United Horsemen, said no state or site has been picked yet but he's lined up plenty of investors who have expressed interest in financing a processing plant. While the last three slaughterhouses in the U.S. were owned by foreign companies, he said a new plant would be American-owned.

"I have personally probably five to 10 investors that I could call right now if I had a plant ready to go," said Duquette, who lives in Hermiston, Ore. He added, "If one plant came open in two weeks, I'd have enough money to fund it. I've got people who will put up $100,000."

Sue Wallis, a Wyoming state lawmaker who's the group's vice president, said ranchers used to be able to sell horses that were too old or unfit for work to slaughterhouses but now they have to ship them to butchers in Canada and Mexico, where they fetch less than half the price.

The federal ban devastated "an entire sector of animal agriculture for purely sentimental and romantic notions," she said.

Although there are reports of Americans dining on horse meat a recently as the 1940s, the practice is virtually non-existent in this country, where the animals are treated as beloved pets and iconic symbols of the West.

Lawmakers in California and Illinois have banned the slaughter of horses for human consumption, and more than a dozen states tightly regulate the sale of horse meat.

Federal lawmakers' lifting of the ban on funding for horse meat inspections came about in part because of the recession, which struck just as slaughtering stopped. A federal report issued in June found that local animal welfare organizations reported a spike in investigations for horse neglect and abandonment since 2007. In Colorado, for example, data showed that investigations for horse neglect and abuse increased more than 60 percent - from 975 in 2005 to almost 1,600 in 2009.

The report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office also determined that about 138,000 horses were transported to Canada and Mexico for slaughter in 2010, nearly the same number that were killed in the U.S. before the ban took effect in 2007. The U.S. has an estimated 9 million horses.

Cheri White Owl, founder of the nonprofit Horse Feathers Equine Rescue in Guthrie, Okla., said she's seen more horse neglect during the recession. Her group is caring for 33 horses now and can't accept more.

"A lot of the situation is due to the economy," she said, "People deciding to pay their mortgage or keep their horse."

But White Owl worries that if slaughterhouses open, owners will dump their unwanted animals there instead of looking for alternatives, such as animal sanctuaries.

Animal rights groups also argue that slaughtering is a messy, cruel process, and some say it would be kinder for owners to have their horses put to sleep by a veterinarian.

"Euthanasia has always been an option," Pacelle said. But "if you acquire a horse, you should be a responsible owner and provide lifetime care."

The fight over horse slaughtering has pitted lawmakers of the same party against each other.

Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., said the poor economy has resulted in "sad cases" of horse abandonment and neglect and lifting the ban will give Americans a shot at regaining lost jobs and making sure sick horses aren't abandoned or mistreated.

But U.S. Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., is lobbying colleagues to permanently ban horse slaughter because he believes the process is inhumane.

"I am committed to doing everything in my power to prevent the resumption of horse slaughter and will force Congress to debate this important policy in an open, democratic manner at every opportunity," he said in a statement.

Snooki Raises Funds for ASPCA

2011-11-30T15:31:00Z

Bowling for the benefit of two worthy causes, reality personality Snooki helped to create a better reality for animals in need recently at Fall Fest in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Although her dream of becoming a veterinary technician may be on hold now that fame has found her, the Jersey Shore cast member’s admiration for animals has never waned. Since the start of the popular MTV series the multi-pet parent has helped Popcorn Park Zoo animal rescue and sanctuary and a Donations of Love fund drive for animal rescue, and on November 27, 2011 Snooki knocked down preconceptions as she knocked down pins at Pig Pen entertainment complex in Allentown, PA to raise funds for both Best Buddies of Pennsylvania (an organization which helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities) and the ASPCA. Bowling over fans with her winning personality, The Morning Call reports that more than 1,082 people paid from $15 for a general admission ticket to $100 for a meet-and-greet with the celebrity.

Willie Nelson Tells Ohio Senate That Breed-Specific Legislation Is Archaic

2011-11-25T23:12:00Z

Country singer Willie Nelson called Ohio’s 24-year-old law declaring the “pit bull” to be a “vicious” dog by virtue of its existence an “archaic breed discriminatory law.”

In an email to a Senate committee, Mr. Nelson, an ambassador for the Best Friends Animal Society, urged passage of House Bill 14. The bill would do away with the breed-specific language and make other changes to dog enforcement law.

“Ohio is the only state that discriminates against dogs who share a cluster of physical characteristics by classifying this group as ‘vicious’ without any regard to individual dog behavior,” the email reads. “These dogs are considered ‘vicious’ at birth, even though there are countless dogs of unknown heritage who are deemed ‘pit bulls’ who are wonderful family pets.

“In addition to being beloved pets, many ‘pit bulls’ are show dogs, search and rescue dogs, and service dogs,” Mr. Nelson wrote.

“The current law infringes on responsible dog owners’ rights to own any dog they choose, no matter what the dog’s appearance. Dogs, like people, are individuals and should each be judged on his/her own merits.”

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Barbara Sears (R., Monclova Township), passed the House 69-29 last spring. The Senate Judiciary Committee began its consideration of the measure Wednesday. Opposition has come primarily from lawmakers from urban areas where “pit bulls” have become a dog of choice for dog-fighting and to guard drug houses.

Current law defines a “vicious dog” as one that, without provocation, has killed or seriously injured a person, has killed another dog, or is of the general breed known as “pit bull.” House Bill 14 would replace that language with revised definitions of “vicious” and “dangerous” dogs and create a new classification of “nuisance” dog. None would include any breed-specific language.

“Recently, Toledo, the largest city in [Lucas County], had an extremely restrictive dog ordinance that is focused on pit bulls,” Ms. Sears told the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Toledo also has the highest dog license fees in the state and spent a large amount each year euthanizing innocent dogs that resemble pit bulls.

“Despite Toledo’s extremely restrictive ordinance that focuses on pit bulls, the number of dog bites actually rose in 2008,” she said. “Toledo’s ordinance did not address the irresponsible owners. It killed dogs.”

Toledo has since eliminated its breed-specific law. House Bill 14 would not overwrite local ordinances enacted in home-rule communities.

The state issue has attracted attention from across the nation as well.

More than 11,000 people have signed an online petition at Change.org calling on Ohio senators to remove “pit bull” from the state’s definition of vicious dogs.

Jean Keating, president of the Ohio Coalition of Dog Advocates, is leading the campaign, which has gained the support of actor Ian Somerhalder of television shows Lost and The Vampire Diaries.

In Ohio, this marks the second time that the House has passed a bill to eliminate Ohio’s distinction as the only state with a breed-specific law. Such a measure died in the Senate last session, but Ms. Sears said she’s confident that additions to the bill providing additional tools and fees to dog wardens will make the difference this time.

Under the bill, the most severe classification of a “vicious” dog would be one that, without provocation, has killed or seriously injured a person. A “dangerous” dog would be one that has killed another dog or been a three-time offender as a “nuisance” dog.

These two most serious classifications would trigger registration, liability insurance, signage, housing, microchip, and other requirements.

A “nuisance” dog would be one that while, off its owner’s property, menacingly chased, approached, or attempted to bite a person. The first offense would start a record with the dog warden. Critics have complained that the bill would essentially allow the dog a free first bite before restrictions are imposed on owners.

FDA Issues Warning About Jerky Chicken Treats

2011-11-22T17:27:00Z

I know how popular those jerky chicken treats are. Around Patterson Park, they're referred to as doggie crack.

So I want to pass on this warning from the FDA:

The Food and Drug Administration is again cautioning consumers that chicken jerky products for dogs (also sold as chicken tenders, strips or treats) may be associated with illness in dogs. In the last 12 months, FDA has seen an increase in the number of complaints it received of dog illnesses associated with consumption of chicken jerky products imported from China. These complaints have been reported to FDA by dog owners and veterinarians.

FDA issued a cautionary warning regarding chicken jerky products to consumers in September 2007 and a Preliminary Animal Health Notification in December of 2008. After seeing the number of complaints received drop off during the latter part of 2009 and most of 2010, the FDA is once again seeing the number of complaints rise to the levels of concern that prompted release of our earlier warnings.

Chicken jerky products should not be substituted for a balanced diet and are intended to be fed occasionally in small quantities.

FDA is advising consumers who choose to feed their dogs chicken jerky products to watch their dogs closely for any or all of the following signs that may occur within hours to days of feeding the products: decreased appetite; decreased activity; vomiting; diarrhea, sometimes with blood; increased water consumption and/or increased urination. If the dog shows any of these signs, stop feeding the chicken jerky product. Owners should consult their veterinarian if signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours. Blood tests may indicate kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine). Urine tests may indicate Fanconi syndrome (increased glucose). Although most dogs appear to recover, some reports to the FDA have involved dogs that have died.

FDA, in addition to several animal health diagnostic laboratories in the U.S., is working to determine why these products are associated with illness in dogs. FDA’s Veterinary Laboratory Response Network (VLRN) is now available to support these animal health diagnostic laboratories. To date, scientists have not been able to determine a definitive cause for the reported illnesses. FDA continues extensive chemical and microbial testing but has not identified a contaminant.

The FDA continues to actively investigate the problem and its origin. Many of the illnesses reported may be the result of causes other than eating chicken jerky. Veterinarians and consumers alike should report cases of animal illness associated with pet foods to the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator in their state or go to http://www.fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints.

Dog Learns to Drive Bus After Observing Owner

2011-11-21T22:18:00Z

A two-year-old dog was caught driving a double-decker bus after learning how to drive by watching his master.

Woodley, a German Koolie, was spotted hunched over the wheel as the mobile home sped down the street.

According to the dog's owner Richard McCormack, the clever mutt had learned to drive by observing him at the controls and it wasn't the first time that Woodley had driven.

"He sits next to me when I'm driving and in the driver's seat when I'm not. The handbrake is on the dashboard and he's seen me release it many times," the Sun quoted McCormack as saying.

"He was just copying me. He's tried it on before," he said.

The bus was eventually brought to a halt when bystander Phil Newton managed to jump in and put the hand brake back on.

Coyote-Wolf Hybrids Have Spread Across U.S. East

2011-11-18T21:56:00Z

Hybrid offspring of coyotes and wolves have spread south along the eastern seaboard, a new DNA study confirms.

Scientists already knew that some coyotes, which have been gradually expanding their range eastward, mated with wolves in the Great Lakes (map) region. The pairings created viable hybrid offspring—identified by their DNA and skulls—that have been found in mid-Atlantic states such as New York and Pennsylvania.

Now, new DNA analysis of coyote poop shows for the first time that some coyotes in the state of Virginia are also part wolf. Scientists think these animals are coyote-wolf hybrids that traveled south from New England along the Appalachian Mountains.

The study also identified another coyote migration route moving through the southern states.

"You have a situation where you have these two waves of coyotes coming into the mid-Atlantic, a terminus for coyote colonization," said study leader Christine Bozarth, a former research fellow at the Center for Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.

Northern Virginia in particular seems to be a convergence point for coyote migrations, Bozarth said—and the animals' numbers are increasing there, especially in suburban areas where food is more plentiful.

(See "Coyotes Now at Home in Eastern U.S.")

Versatile Coyote Already Widespread

Coyotes are originally residents of middle America, particularly between the Rocky Mountains and the Mississippi River, as well as parts of Canada and Mexico.

By the end of the 20th century, the versatile animal—which can eat almost anything, from shoe leather to fruit—had spread to nearly every corner of the U.S., even New York City.

The coyote is "one of the animals that will be left at the end, like the cockroaches, raccoons, and rabbits," Bozarth said.

For the new study, Bozarth and colleagues collected coyote scat samples in northern Virginia and extracted DNA. The team then compared the coyote DNA with that of representatives of every canid species found in eastern North America. (Get a genetics overview.)

The study, published October 17 in the Journal of Mammalogy, found evidence that Virginia coyotes mated with Great Lakes wolves but not with the rare red wolf, which is hanging on in just a few isolated spots in the U.S. South.

That's "good news for the red wolf," whose survival is already threatened by inbreeding, which reduces the species' genetic diversity, Bozarth noted.

Hybrid Coyotes Taking Down Deer?

For now, it's impossible to say how "wolfy" the newly identified coyote-wolf hybrids really are, Bozarth added—just that "at some point down the line, a coyote mated with a Great Lakes wolf-even generations ago."

Scientists have not yet studied the behaviors of the Virginian hybrids to see if they're killing bigger wildlife or otherwise changing the ecosystem, Bozarth added.

But other East Coast hybrids seen alive or identified by their remains are noticeably larger, with more wolf-like skulls, jaws, and teeth, Bozarth noted. (See pictures of new hybrid species appearing in the warming Arctic.)

Given this, coyote-wolf hybrids "should be able to do things like take down deer, which a little, scrappy Great Plains wily coyote would not be able to do on its own," Bozarth said.

Indeed, the research highights "just how successful and adapted these hybrids are to the eastern forests," said Roland Kays, curator of mammals at the New York State Museum in Albany.

For instance, Kays's research on the previously known eastern hybrids has shown that a third of their diet is deer—a much higher proportion than in western states.

Coyotes in Mid-Atlantic "Here to Stay"

Jonathan Way, a wildlife biologist and head of the Massachusetts-based education group Eastern Coyote Research, called the new paper "timely."

Coyotes coming from the west are moving not only through the Great Lakes but also south of the region, through Ohio. But until now, it was unknown how that southern route of colonization was influencing coyotes in the mid-Atlantic region, Way said by email.

According to Way, these two fronts of coyote expansion have probably made the Virginia animals "hybrids of a hybrid."

That's because the Virginia hybrids are most likely a combination of northeastern coyote-wolf hybrids, which are slightly bigger and more wolf-like, and nonhybrid coyotes coming through Ohio.

"The results of the paper are clear and important, and confirm that mid-Atlantic coyotes have DNA from [Northeast] animals ... and western coyotes," Way said.

Whatever their exact genetic makeup, one thing is clear, study author Bozarth emphasized: Coyotes and coyote-wolf hybrids in the mid-Atlantic are "absolutely established—they're here to stay."

Love Conquers All: 'Gay' Penguins Will Reunite in Spring

2011-11-16T21:03:00Z

Leave the gay penguins alone! That was the overwhelming reaction from TODAY.com readers last week to the news that the Toronto Zoo planned to split up a pair of male African penguins who had bonded closely and even displayed mating behaviors toward each other.

Buddy and Pedro groom each other, make mating calls to each other, and basically hang out together a lot. Zookeepers regarded it as homosexual behavior – something not at all unknown among penguins or many other types of animals (not to mention human beings).

Trouble is, African penguins are endangered, leading zookeepers to the decision that, for the good of their dwindling species, 20-year-old Buddy and 10-year-old Pedro needed to be broken up so they could get busy with female penguins.

Polled as to whether the zoo was doing the right thing, nearly 34,000 TODAY.com readers responded – and an overwhelming majority of 83.4 percent said that the birds of a feather should stay together. “They are happy and healthy, leave them alone,” MemoryintheMachine commented. “They chose, we need to respect that!” jag24659 agreed.

Well, everyone can rest easy: The Toronto Zoo says the penguin pals will be reunited by spring 2012. “There will be a limited time of separation, but it will not be permanent,” Tom Mason, the zoo's curator of invertebrates and birds, told PinkNews.co.uk. “If Pedro and Buddy wish to get back together, they will be welcome to do so.”

Missing Senior Pet Euthanized Without Permission of Owner

2011-11-15T18:39:00Z

Note: This is not Basie, the dog featured in the story.

A missing senior dog who turned up in a local animal hospital has been euthanized without the permission of the dog's owners.

According to Tampa Bay-based 10 News WTSP.com, 17-year-old Basie, a dog who belonged to Allen Holmes and his wife Alison, went missing from their yard on November 1. The dog, who the Holmes' believed couldn't leave the yard due to the fact that she was old and moved relatively slow, left without a collar that had been removed since it seemed to be bothering her.

After frantically searching the neighborhood the same day, the Holmes' visited the local animal shelter to see if Basie had been picked up. At the shelter, they found that the senior pet had already been euthanized and cremated without their permission. She had been put to sleep only a few hours after she had gone missing.

Basie had been picked up by a client of the animal hospital after she had been found roaming the woods. Veterinarians who examined Basie determined (after seeing she had a variety of health conditions) that it was in Basie's best interest to be euthanized.

Naturally, the Holmes family is devastated that they could not be with their family member in her last moments. They felt that she was not quite ready to leave them yet.

What are your thoughts on this story? How would you react if you found yourself in a similar situation?

Good Buddies: Grizzled Truckers Transport Rescued Animals to Safety

2011-11-14T20:59:00Z

Sean Kiel is a no-nonsense guy with a gruff voice and a tough demeanor. A truck driver for 30 years, he describes himself as an “alpha male” who tends to keep his emotions “hidden pretty well.”

But get him talking about the curly white Bichon Frise he helped rescue from a dark life in a puppy mill, and all of that changes.

“Here I am, a big ol’ tough truck driver, and I’m sitting here choking up right now,” said Kiel, 46, who just transported the grateful fluff ball to a woman in California who was eager to give the dog a good home. “She was so happy to get that dog — just absolutely happy. It was so touching to see.”

Kiel is a new recruit to an informal and ever-growing network of animal lovers who are transporting rescued dogs, cats, bunnies, ferrets and even the occasional monitor lizard or pot-bellied pig to loving homes, even if those homes are located hundreds of miles away. This unofficial Underground Railroad is powered by truckers, pilots, animal rescue groups and volunteers who provide “layover homes” to all kinds of creatures as they journey to new and happier lives.

Their work happens on their own dime and takes plenty of time, but these volunteers are determined to keep animals moving in the face of seemingly intractable problems: animal overpopulation, and downright abuse, neglect and abandonment of animals by their owners. According to the American Humane Association, about 3.7 million stray and unwanted animals are put to sleep in U.S. shelters each year.

Story: From Colorado to NYC: Willow the cat reunited with family after 5-year odyssey

“Shelters nationwide are filled with animals that are going to be killed,” said Sue Wiese, 68, a former truck driver from Joshua, Texas. “You just have to do something.”

‘I just love doing this’
In September 2005, Wiese founded Operation Roger, an organization made up of regional and long-haul truckers who transport pets in the cabs of their trucks as they deliver freight all across the country. She got the effort started after Hurricane Katrina left an estimated 250,000 pets stranded and struggling to survive.

“My heart was just breaking from all the stories about the pets,” Wiese recalled. “I was driving down the road and I was praying, ‘Lord, what can I do? I’m just a truck driver.’ And then I heard one word: Transport.”

Thanks to the abundance of animal lovers on the Internet, Wiese’s calling wasn’t all that hard to fulfill. An animal shelter or rescue organization might not be able to adopt out all its dogs and cats to homes locally — but what if nice people in other states read about those animals online and want to adopt them? Then, basically, those fortunate furry friends just need a ride.

Since 2005, Operation Roger has given nearly 600 animals a lift. The organization has detailed requirements and checks in place to make sure its drivers aren’t transporting animals to or from for-profit breeders, puppy mills or show circuits. Instead, the emphasis is on rescued animals who need permanent homes, and pets who have an opportunity to be reunited with their owners. For instance, if a lost pet turns up hundreds of miles away and is identified with a microchip, that pet could get a comfy ride home in the cab of a truck.

Story: To snag homes, shelter pets get glam makeovers

Robert Montagna, 56, a truck driver and Operation Roger volunteer who is based in Michigan, has witnessed some emotional reunions between pets and their owners. In one instance a waitress in Colorado had been separated from her chocolate Labrador retriever for several months in the wake of a divorce.

“When they saw each other, they just ran together toward each other like it was in a movie,” Montagna said. “She cried and cried when she saw that dog.”

In other cases, Montagna has fallen so in love with the pooches he’s transported that he’s had a hard time saying goodbye to them. He still speaks wistfully of Milo, a Jack Russell terrier who liked to curl up and sleep on Montagna’s chest when he napped in his truck.

“I just love doing this,” Montagna said. “I always say that if I won a big lottery, I’d buy a big RV and I’d call Sue up and say, ‘Where’s the dog at? I’ll deliver it.’ And after that, I’d call her and say, ‘OK, where’s the next dog at?’ I’d just keep doing this all over the country.”

The cat came back: 13 true ‘tails’ of survival

Sometimes the logistics involved with getting a pet transported exactly where it needs to go by truck can be tricky. That’s when pilots fill a huge need. Since it was founded in 2008, Pilots N Paws — a South Carolina-based organization that connects shelters and animal rescue organizations with more than 2,100 pilots and plane owners — has transported thousands of pets to safety in small airplanes.

Story: How one high-flying dad is making pet rescue a family affair

“People have just really pulled together over this,” said co-founder Debi Boies. “It’s actually a great combination. Pilots are everyday working people who love to fly — it’s a passion. If they’re going to spend the money to do what they love to do, why not make a difference while they’re doing it? Why not save a life? And they do.”

Occasionally volunteer pilots will team up with volunteer truck drivers to coordinate a pet transport. In other cases, when the weather turns bad and pilots know families are eagerly awaiting special animal deliveries, they’ll spend their own money to rent cars and make sure the deliveries happen. “You can’t imagine what these pilots are willing to do,” Boies said. “Some of them even end up adopting the animals they transported.”

Finding a new home — in a truck
Some organizations work with truckers — not by proving transport, but by helping to connect truck drivers with animals they'd like to adopt.

Susanne Spirit, a country and blues singer based in Southern California, has started an energetic, music-filled, on-site adoption program for the hundreds of truck drivers who visit the TravelCenters of America truck stop in Ontario, Calif. The Musical Truckin' Dogs Adoption Program founded by Spirit does not facilitate transport for animals, but helps match truckers with rescue pets of their own. The truckers who adopt dogs through Spirit’s program are set up with everything they need for seven to 10 consecutive days: water, bowls, collars, harnesses, leashes, blankets, a kennel if needed, toys, treats and food. She’s even arranged to have a mobile groomer and a mobile veterinarian in the parking lot. Over the course of 11 months, Spirit and a number of volunteers have managed to find rolling, loving homes for more than 900 dogs.

Newly Adopted Dog Runs Off Burglar From Ohio Home

2011-11-14T20:49:00Z

HILLSBORO, Ohio — A southwest Ohio couple who adopted a Saint Bernard to save him say he saved their home from burglary a few hours later.

Rubert "Lee" Littler says he was taking Hercules outside Wednesday night when the 135-pound dog started growling, then charged after a man running out of their basement. The dog bit into the man's ankle as he climbed a fence and got away. Police say the home's phone and cable lines had been cut.

Lee and Elizabeth Littler brought the dog home from Highland County's pound less than seven hours earlier. The dog had been found, bloody and dehydrated, by hikers on Oct. 31.

The Littlers tell The Times-Gazette of Hillsboro () they wanted to keep him from being euthanized but now figure he's earned a permanent home.

Gay Penguins Separated Out Of Love, Not Hate

2011-11-11T15:27:00Z

ENDANGERED SPECIES CONSERVATION) CANADA — The news that the Toronto Zoo is splitting up Buddy and Pedro, a homosexual African penguin couple, in order to pair them up with females ignited outrage in both animal lovers and the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities. But is this decision to split the penguins up really as anti-gay as it appears, or is there more to this story? Read on to find out why Pedro and Buddy have to mate with females, and what will happen to them after the breeding season is over. — Global Animal

TORONTO — Splitting up a pair of potentially homosexual African penguins and pairing them with females might sound anti-gay, but keepers at the Toronto Zoo insist they are simply trying to preserve the species. Pedro, 10, and Buddy, 20, were brought to the Toronto Zoo this year from Pittsburgh’s National Aviary to “pair-bond” with a couple of eligible females. Instead, the pair bonded with each other. Zookeepers now report seeing the pair snuggling, calling to each other and displaying courtship behaviour. This week, the Toronto Zoo says it will be forced isolate the pair. “The two girls have been following them; we just have to get the boys interested in looking at them,” said Tom Mason, curator of birds and invertebrates at the Toronto Zoo.

With Pedro and Buddy’s species on the cusp of extinction, Mr. Mason insists that the Toronto Zoo cannot afford to let a season go by without passing on the pair’s genes. “If [Pedro and Buddy] weren’t genetically important, then we’d let them do their thing,” Mr. Mason said.

In the 1990s, an estimated 225,000 African penguins lived in the wild. Nowadays the number is closer to 60,000 — and dropping fast. The cause, biologists suspect, is changing ocean currents that are driving food sources further and further away from penguin breeding grounds on the African coast. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has estimated that wild stocks of African penguins could be completely wiped out before the end of the century.

“We have to keep an eye on the population all the time, because if we let things slide we could lose the population forever,” Mr. Mason said.

As a result, the sexual partners of almost all captive African penguins are carefully mapped out by researchers at Chicago’s Population Management Center. There, penguins are paired, split up and even moved to different zoos purely on the basis of maximizing genetic diversity.

At the New England Aquarium, for instance, lovers are routinely split up and paired with other partners not because of orientation, but because they are too closely related, says Tony LaCasse, spokesperson for the New England Aquarium. “We joke that our staff are penguin yentas,” says Mr. LaCasse.

The story of Toronto’s star-crossed penguins made headlines through North America and the UK on Monday, prompting an outpouring of sympathy for the couple. Pedro and Buddy “may only have days left before they are wrenched from each other’s embrace,” reported the Daily Mail. One blogger even called the treatment of Pedro and Buddy “reparative therapy,” a reference to efforts in the United States and Canada to “cure” a person of homosexuality through drugs or electroshock therapy.

As zoo animals go, penguins are particularly difficult to breed. If Pedro and Buddy were wood bison, zookeepers could simply extract their sperm and use it to artificially inseminate an eligible female. But among penguins, the labour-intensive process of incubating and hatching an egg is next to impossible for one parent.

In 2004, Roy and Silo, a pair of male chinstrap penguins at New York’s Central Park Zoo became famous for incubating and rearing an egg given to them by zookeepers.

The pair’s story was later written up into the bestselling children’s book, “And Tango Makes Three.”

Roy and Silo eventually split when Silo became interested in a female penguin. In 2009, gay San Francisco Zoo penguins Harry and Pepper would similarly break up after Harry took up with a female penguin.

A 2010 study of penguin homosexuality by France’s Centre for Functional and Evolutionary Ecology concluded that penguin homosexuality is widespread, but rarely last longer than a few years.

Pedro and Buddy’s separation will only last as long as they can inseminate their respective female partners. While incubating eggs, the two may well be back “side by side.” Once breeding season is up, Pedro and Buddy will “probably” ditch their female partners and reunite, said Bill Rapley, executive director for conservation, education and wildlife at the Toronto Zoo.

Pet owners lie to get help: SPCA

2011-11-09T17:29:00Z

Pet owners who can afford private veterinary services are lying to get their pampered animals treated at SPCA clinics meant for the use of the underprivileged and unemployed.

“Many people give their pets to their elderly mother-in-law to bring in to benefit from the pensioners’ discount. We have had cases of domestic workers coming in with “their” dogs that they don’t know anything about” said Barbara Patrick of Kloof SPCA.

The deception was highlighted recently when the SPCA in Cape Town said they would start to blacklist pet owners who can afford vets, but send people who work for them to the SPCA with their sick animals instead.

Cape of Good Hope SPCA chief executive Allan Perrins said there were several instances where people who could afford private vets sent their employees to take their pets for treatment at cheaper rates at the SPCA.

Patrick said people have been taking advantage of the welfare organisation since it was created but the deception had been getting worse.

“Many people believe that when they bring their pets to the SPCA, they are doing us a favour as they are making a meaningful contribution to the organisation.”

Patrick pointed out that the SPCA subsidised the cost of their services so the underprivileged can care for their pets.

Those who are well off and who used the SPCA were placing strain on their resources and not doing the association any favours.

An SPCA client is charged according to a means test. This is done by gathering information like the person’s pay slip, pension card, bank statements, proof of address and an identification book.

“Once they have brought all this documentation and all seems well, we open a file and they are able to use our services.” Patrick said it was difficult to identify the culprits because people are good at lying. Perrins cited a recent Cape Town example where a businessman who lives in Bishopscourt went to the Domestic Animal Rescue Group (Darg) to adopt a puppy.

The puppy was later brought in to the SPCA with a fractured leg and two puncture wounds.

SPCA spokeswoman, Sarah Scarth, said the businessman’s gardener had brought the puppy in and listed his own home address and said he was unemployed.

Scarth then found that one of the businessman’s other dogs had also been admitted to their hospital by another employee three days earlier.

She said the employee was charged R550 which was calculated according to a means test.

It was only after the employee had paid and when pressed for further details, that the man said his boss had instructed him to take the puppy to the SPCA and told him to give his own details.

Perrins said the businessman had since been blacklisted from ever adopting or making use of services offered across the city’s animal welfare forum.

Veterinarians Lend a Hand at Zuccotti Park, Checking Pets of Occupy Wall Street Protesters

2011-11-08T03:24:00Z

Dogged supporters of Occupy Wall Street are getting some free medical care — thanks to volunteer veterinarians at Zuccotti Park.

Protesters’ pets - including pooches, cats and rats - can receive check-ups once a week from a ragtag band of animal caretakers doling out shots and deworming and flea treatments.

"It's reassuring to know you can take your pets here," said Chris Brown, who, with his mutt, Genevieve, camps at the park. "As things get worse in the economy, we have access to less and less health care, and the same goes for our pets."

Dr. Konstantine Barsky of Hope Veterinary Clinic in Brooklyn told Brown his dog was chubby, but otherwise healthy.

[for pets\], and we definitely have people asking if I can do things on the cheap," said Barsky, 30, of Fort Greene.

It's tougher in animal shelters, says vet tech Stephanie Figueroa, who worked for three years in a New York City shelter and now serves one in the Poconos, Pa.

Economic hardship has forced many people to say goodbye to beloved pets, surrendering them to shelters, the 28-year-old said.

"Things have gotten so tons of people can't take care of their animals," Figeroa said. "We're overcrowded, and a lot of the animals are put to sleep."

She recalled a woman in tears last week as she brought her two healthy dogs to the Poconos shelter. The woman had recently lost her home and moved to an apartment where pets are forbidden.

A supporter of the Occupy movement, Barksy said he started volunteering when he saw a need man’s best friends were among the 99% protesting at the park.

"I supported OWS right from the beginning," he said. "On the second night I realized there were a lot of animals here. I figured the best way I could participate would be giving my skills."

Barsky and his team treated about 10 animals Friday night.

The patients included two albino rats, Klepto and Bella, and Munchie, a kitten whose owner, model Mary Baker, brought for a check-up and vaccinations.

Baker, 19, also received a cozy, leopard-print blanket for the 5-month-old feline.

She has been at Occupy movement for weeks but she only recently chose to bring Munchie to the camp from her Richmond Hill home.

"I don't want her to be meowing for me at the door, bored," Baker said. "I'd rather she be here with me."

Until she got the blanket, Baker kept Munchie warm by stuffing handwarmers and the cat into the front of her black leather jacket.

"I call her my anar-kitty," Baker said. "She's my sidekick. It's never just me, myself and I. It's me and Munchie."

some of the pet owners are homeless people who have flocked to the park. But she said the vets and other volunteers don't judge — they just treat.

"We believe it's counterproductive to pass judgment on homeless people or traveling people who keep pets. A lot of these animals would be dead had it not been for the homeless people who took them in."

Why are the vets pitching in?

Tod Emko, a computer programmer from the Upper East Side who founded the Galapagos clinic, said the situation also poses a public health concern for people, especially as weather turns colder.

"We're doing a lot of flea and tick treatments," Emko said. "The parasites from outside are going to be looking for warm bodies."

But Emko, 36, said the animals' health is a real concern, too.

"They are very loyal companions, these dogs and cats and rats," Emko said. "Out here, they are all members of the 99 percent."

White Bear Cubs Risk Being Shot in B.C. Town

2011-11-04T16:14:00Z

A pair of rare white bear cubs and a young black bear sibling have become a nuisance in a small town in eastern B.C., and local residents are being urged to help the animals avoid being shot by conservation officers.

The three cubs, from two different mothers, have been gorging on garbage and the last of the season’s fallen fruit around the community of Elkford, just inside the B.C. border, about 130 kilometres southwest of Calgary.

“They've been spotted in someone's kitchen, on patios and in yards,” said Elkford spokeswoman Randi McDonald.

The district planned a special meeting Tuesday night to try to agree on a strategy, McDonald said.

McDonald has been speaking in schools and has had flyers distributed to every home in town as part of a campaign to encourage the bears to leave. If residents clean up their garbage and fruit trees, it would eliminate the bruins’ food supply.

“We don't want to see any animal destroyed because of human negligence, so we are really asking the community to step up,” McDonald said.

DNA testing underway

Biologists don't know yet if the two white cubs are related to the Kermode, or so-called “spirit bear” of B.C’s Central Coast. The white Kermode bears are a genetic variation, but other mutant, light-coloured bears are occasionally found among black bears all over B.C.

One black mother bear has been seen with two white cubs and a black cub, while another black bear has one white cub, one cinnamon-coloured cub and one black cub, according to the website HancockWildlife.ca.

Samples have been taken for DNA testing from some hair left behind by the bears.

Jutta Kolhi, a spokeswoman for the foundation Bear Aware, said her organization is doing everything it can to save the animals.

“[We want] to get these bears to move out of town and go into hibernation,” said Kolhi.

Conservation officers in the area valley shoot dozens of black bears every year.

Dogs Walked by Men More Aggressive

2011-11-03T16:00:00Z

Dogs being walked by men are four times more likely to threaten and bite other dogs and dogs on a leash are more likely to act aggressively than dogs off the leash.

These are just a couple of revelations about dog walking behavior from an extensive new study that examined how a dog's age, sex and size, as well as the owner's sex and use of a leash affect how canines act on their walks.

The study, accepted for publication in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science, surprisingly found that the sex of the owner had the biggest effect on whether or not the dog would threaten or bite another dog.

"We propose that the occurrence of threat and biting in dogs on a walk may have some connection with aggressive tendencies and/or impulsivity in people," Petr Rezac and his team wrote, adding that "dogs are able to perceive subtle messages of threat emitted by another dog. Simultaneously, dogs are unusually skilled at reading human social and communicative behavior."

NEWS: Dogs Probably Feel Sorry For Us

Rezac is an associate professor in the Department of Animal Morphology, Physiology and Genetics at Mendel University. He and his colleagues studied close to 2,000 dog-dog interactions on owner-led walks held in the city of Brno, Czech Republic. Observations were made in the mornings and afternoons at 30 different areas of the city where owners frequently walk with their dogs.

By far the most frequent interaction of dogs of all ages in public places was body sniffing, which should not come as a surprise to most dog aficionados. Other expected conclusions: males sniff females more often, males and females prefer play with each other than with members of their own sex, adult males mark the most, puppies play together more than twice as often as adults and 11 times as often as seniors, and dogs prefer to play with similarly sized individuals.

The Cost of Owning Pets on the Rise

2011-11-03T15:57:00Z

It's seems like we're paying more these days for basic things we need to live our lives, like gas and groceries, but now pet owners are also paying more to take care of man's best friend.

Whether it's a doctor visit for you or surgery for your pet, healthcare costs are going up.

The American Pet Products Association said the average dog owner will spend $655 on routine visits and surgery this year.

That's up almost 50 percent from a decade ago.

Medical bills for felines will run $644.

And that doesn't include kennel boarding, toys, grooming, vitamins or over the counter medicines.

All together, the pet industry in the U.S. rakes in more than $50 billion a year.

And while the human healthcare industry is much bigger, the increase in pet care costs through the past decade is similar on a percentage basis.

But there is a flip side to the rising costs - the American Pet Products Association cited a number of studies that show owning a pet has health benefits for us humans.

The group said having a dog, cat or other animal in your home can reduce stress, lower blood pressure and fight depression

Miracle Dog Gets Buried Alive - and Survives

2011-11-02T18:05:00Z

Warrior the dog has earned her name.

The stray was left for dead when she was buried alive in a field near a Cape Town, South Africa, school by two janitors who said they were told to get rid of the pooch by a supervisor last month.

The resilient canine survived being tossed in a pit at least 3-ft. deep and is now in the safe care of rescuers at the Mdzananda Animal Clinic in Khayelitsha, where she got her new name.

"We're all so hopeful that she's getting better. It's horrible to be buried alive, and by the X-rays, it appears she was beaten with a hard object," clinic coordinator Jane Levinson tells PEOPLE. "She's really very robust; it seems like she's recovering very well."

PHOTOS: Most Amazing Dog Survival Stories!

The homeless dog's life was saved by a single phone call. A cleaner at the Luhlaza Secondary School alerted workers at the animal clinic after she saw the two men digging a hole and placing the live dog into it.

"Veterinarian Dr. Edson Man'Ombe and Animal Welfare carer Lazola Sotyingwa immediately rushed to the school and apprehended two janitors on the school field," Christine Pretorius, a spokeswoman for the International Fund for Animal Welfare told the Cape Times. "The men initially claimed the dog was dead, but on further questioning admitted the animal was still alive when they buried it. They said one of the school's senior supervisors had told them to get rid of the dog as it was being a nuisance by hanging around the classrooms."

The veterinarians ordered the men to open the pit, where they found the mixed-breed dog clinging to life at the bottom, covered in dirt and debris. Dr. Man'Ombe used a catchpole to pull the pup, believed to be around 4-years-old, to safety.

"She's still very traumatized but she's very comfortable with the two vets," Levinson says. "Especially the one who saved her life, Dr. Edson Man'Ombe."

The two men were arrested, released soon after, and reportedly returned to work on Nov. 1. A trial is scheduled to begin on Nov. 21, Levinson says.

Bukelwa Mbulawa, the school cleaner who placed the call to the clinic was hailed a hero for speaking up, but has since been fired from her job, prompting outrage in the community.

Levinson hopes that Warrior's horrific ordeal will be an impetus for change. "We are going to be meeting with the senior prosecutor so that we can prepare and inform him of all the animal protection acts that [the men] should be charged under," she says. "We're going to fight all the way. We hope to set a precedent for animal rights in South Africa. We're determined to fight for justice."

The Dog Maxed Out My Credit Card

2011-11-02T17:36:00Z

For one New York family, it has been a pricey few years at the doctor's office: Jake was treated for a malignant tumor on his eyelid—for $7,000—and Daisy recently swallowed a rock that cost $3,100 to remove.

"It's hard, the money, but they are part of the family," says Agnieszka Onichimiuk, whose family lives in Staten Island with their two Bernese mountain dogs.

Pet owners are feeling sticker shock at the vet. The average household in the U.S. spent $655 on routine doctor and surgical visits for dogs last year, up 47% from a decade ago, according to the American Pet Products Association. Expenditures for cats soared 73% over the same time frame—on pace with human health-care cost increases. Expenditures for people in the U.S. were up 76.7% between 1999 and 2009, according to the U. S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

More advanced-care options in areas such as ophthalmology as well as treatment of conditions such as cancer are driving up costs for owners, as well as higher standards for routine care.

"All of the innovations on the human side [of medicine] have come on over to the vet side, from MRIs and CAT scans to chemo and radiation," says Dennis Drent, president and CEO of Veterinary Pet Insurance Co.

Last year, VPI policyholders submitted 51,927 claims costing more than $1,000, up 64% from four years earlier. The average annual payout per pet for cancer therapy rose 14% to $2,821.16 last year, according to insurance provider Petplan.

"Prices have gone up much quicker in the last 10 years than in the past 30 years, and it's hitting consumers in the face," says René Carlson, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. "Liability-wise, we now get in much more trouble if we've cut corners" on routine matters, she adds. That often translates into more X-rays, more blood work and other tests.

There are about 165 million pet dogs and cats in the U.S. When asked how much they'd spend to save their pet's life, 70% of owners said "any amount," according to a 2006 survey of 5,200 VPI policyholders.

Ms. Onichimiuk, a 33-year-old physician's assistant, and her husband doled out thousands of dollars on oncology treatments, X-rays, medications and lab work trying to keep Jake, their 5½-year-old dog, alive. After he died, she says, "I couldn't imagine losing another dog," so the couple spent whatever it took to save 2½-year-old Daisy after her rock-eating episode.

Price hikes are also part of an active push by the veterinary industry to improve the bottom line of its practices. Addressing the disparity between rising tuitions and stagnant salaries has been a top priority of the veterinary association, which represents 81,500 vets.

High student loans and lower salaries than other advanced-degree professions, such as dentistry and law, are putting pressure on vets to raise fees. The average 2010 graduate of a U.S. veterinary college earned a starting salary of $67,359 in private practice but carried roughly double that in debt, according to a study this year by Bayer AG's Animal Health Division.

Higher fees create a separate issue: People tend to take their pets to the vet less, according to the Bayer report, which can lead to costlier long-term health problems if ailments are left untreated.

To discourage such behavior, more vets offer or participate in third-party discount plans that for a monthly fee give pet owners price cuts on treatments or perks, such as unlimited office visits.

One is Pet Assure Corp., a Lakewood, N.J., company that sells discount plans to consumers who then receive savings at participating vets. The plans offer an average 25% discount on most procedures for $7.95 to $13.95 a month, depending on the type and number of animals covered. Pet Assure has signed up 1,700 clinics and 300,000 pets since its 1995 launch, according to Charles Nebenzahl, chief executive.

Rick Katz in Overland Park, Kan., saved almost $200 on an $800 bill through Pet Assure when Max the Wonder Dog, his 14-year-old black Labrador-golden retriever mix, suffered a seizure eight months ago. "We brought him to the vet and had that all-important question you have with pets, which is, 'How far do you go?' " Mr. Katz says. "The vet said he still had life in him, so we went and had him treated." Of the savings, he says, "It's a big deal. It adds up."

Other plans are designed to encourage owners not to skimp on preventive care. Enrollment in the "Optimum Wellness Plans" has jumped 15% over the past five years at Banfield Pet Hospital, a chain with 780 offices that is a unit of Mars Inc., the candy manufacturer that makes Pedigree and Whiskas pet foods. Pet owners pay on average between $17.95 and $49.95 a month for adult animals. They receive unlimited free office visits, vaccinations, heartworm tests, two comprehensive exams, annual blood work and in some cases dental cleaning, X-rays and more.

"We're trying to avoid the long-term illnesses," says Harry Smith, a South Carolina veterinarian and a medical director for Banfield. For clients not on the company's plan, dogs averaged 1.4 visits last year, versus almost three visits for those on the plan.

Sandra Fain of Kingwood, Texas, keeps her three pets on Banfield's Wellness plan, including six-year-old JoJo, a Maltese. Without the plan, she says she couldn't give her pets "the kind of care they've been getting." That included a $1,500 surgery discounted from $2,500 to repair JoJo's torn ligament and dislocated kneecap earlier this fall. Amputation was the other, cheaper, alternative, she says.

"But that's my baby, and I wouldn't just cut off his leg, the same way I wouldn't with a child," Ms. Fain. "Pets need just as much as humans do."

Selena Gomez and Other Celebs with Rescue Dogs

2011-11-01T18:17:00Z

Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber are quickly becoming Brangelina 2.0, but with dogs instead of kids.

Selena already had five rescue dogs back home when she decided to adopt an adorable husky mix she named Baylor. Her boyfriend joined her at D'Arcy's Animal Rescue Centre in Winnipeg, Canada, where Selena was hoping to find a new puppy pal -- the poor pop princess reportedly misses her dogs back home, and she apparently needs a fluffy ball of fur to keep her company when the Biebs isn't around.

And Justin is also a big fan of man's best friend -- he previously adopted a Papillion named Sam from an animal shelter. The Biebs decided to adopt because he had just moved to a city where he didn't know anyone, but it's fairly easily to make a forever faithful friend by adopting a rescue dog.

So talk about puppy love! Justin and Selena's caring attitude toward doggies in danger might make them perfect for one another, but luckily they aren't the only celebrities who have adopted dogs from animal shelters.

In fact, another young celebrity couple also visited a shelter together to pick a perfect pet. Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart decided that they wanted a canine companion while filming "Breaking Dawn," so they picked out an adorable mutt with mottled fur that they named Bear (it's impossible to decide which celebrity couple's canine is cuter!).

But while R-Patz and K-Stew adopted together, a breakup is what led their costar Kellan Lutz to rescue a very lucky dog. And like the Kardashian clan, Kellan seems to love "K" names -- he adopted his dog Kola when he broke up with his first girlfriend, and he found his furry friend Kevin on the street (wonder if he's arranged any dog playdates with his "Twilight" costars?).

Jennifer Aniston is another big-time dog lover that had two rescue pets, but unfortunately her beloved Welsh Corgi-terrier mix Norman passed away in May of this year. Jen loved her pet so much that she got her first tattoo in honor of his memory -- she now has her pet's name inked on her right foot. She also has a White German shepherd named Dolly that loves to sit in her lap (and chew up expensive rugs and shoes). Hopefully Jen's poor pet isn't getting too lonely without her old friend, but if she is, maybe it's time for her to consider adopting again.

America's other sweetheart, Sandra Bullock, also has a soft spot for dogs in danger -- especially those that are disabled. Back when she was with Jesse James, they adopted a one-eyed Chihuahua named Bebe, a three-legged mutt named Poppy, and a two-legged Chihuahua named Ruby (little Louis is certainly lucky to have so many friends to play with).

Sandra's former costar and rumored rebound Ryan Reynolds is also the proud owner of his own half Collie, half Golden Retriever shelter dog named Baxter. However, it's his new girlfriend Blake Lively's dog that recently made headlines -- in honor of his 35^th birthday, she tied a bunch of balloons around her maltipoo named Penny and brought her to the set of his movie "R.I.P.D." Puppy love seems to be contagious lately -- hopefully Baxter and Penny are also feeling it since they'll probably be spending a lot of time together.

But no celebrity lover of animals can top Kelly Clarkson -- the "American Idol" star owns a whopping 50 pets. She's got 30 dogs, as well as horses, goats, and even two rescue pigs named Miss Daisy and Boss Hog. But Kelly is no crazy animal hoarder -- she started Eddie's Rescue Ranch to save unwanted animals as well as those that need extra care and attention, and they've got plenty of room to run and play.

So hopefully celebrities keep up the good work by adopting unwanted animals from shelters -- it's pretty great any time they take doggone unlucky pups and turn them into top dogs.

Dogs Can Detect Lung Cancer

2011-10-28T16:37:00Z

According to researchers in Germany, dogs have now been successfully tested in their abilities to sniff out the presence of lung cancer in humans.

Writing in the European Respiratory Journal, they found that trained dogs could detect a tumour in 71% of patients.

Amazingly, scientists are still not sure just how dogs are able to perform this amazing feat.

The dog's ability to detect the presence of cancer has been acknowledged since the late 80's and man's best friend has been proven to be capable of sniffing out cancers such as skin, bladder, bowel and breast.

Dogs are able to detect bio-markers that signify the presence of tumours.

According to the BBC:

Researchers trained four dogs – two German shepherds, an Australian shepherd and a Labrador – to detect lung cancer.

Three groups of patients were tested: 110 healthy people, 60 with lung cancer and 50 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a narrowing of the airways of the lungs.

They all breathed into a fleece filled tube, which absorbed any smells.

The dogs sniffed the tubes and sat down in front of those in which they detected lung cancer smells.

They were successful 71% of the time. The researchers showed the dogs were not getting confused by chemicals associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or smoking.

Dr Thorsten Walles, the report's author from Schillerhoehe Hospital, said: "In the breath of patients with lung cancer, there are likely to be different chemicals to normal breath samples and the dogs' keen sense of smell can detect this difference at an early stage of the disease.

"Our results confirm the presence of a stable marker for lung cancer. This is a big step forward."

Dogs are unlikely to become regular fixtures in doctors surgeries so researchers are working on "electronic noses" which would be able to detect the same chemical as the dog. This chemical or combination of smells has not yet been found.

As the researchers lament: "Unfortunately, dogs cannot communicate the biochemistry of the scent of cancer."

Dr Laura McCallum, science information officer at Cancer Research UK, said: "Although there are now some intriguing studies suggesting that dogs may be able to smell cancer in some situations, we're still a long way from understanding exactly which 'smelly molecules' they are detecting and if these studies are accurate.

"Because it would be extremely difficult to use dogs in the clinic, further research is being carried out to learn more about these molecules that are released from tumours and whether devices such as 'electronic noses' could help sniff them out."

Dogs, continuing to prove that their role as man's best friend is confirmed.

Cats Versus Dogs

2011-10-27T18:09:00Z

What is a Cat?

1. Cats do what they want.
2. They rarely listen to you.
3. They are totally unpredictable.
4. When you want to play, they want to be alone.
5. When you want to be alone, they want to play.
6. They expect you to cater to their every whim.
7 They are moody.
8. They leave hair everywhere.

CONCLUSION: They are tiny little women in fur coats.

What is a Dog?

1. Dog's spend all day sprawled on the most comfortable piece of furniture in the house.
2. They can hear a package of food opening half a block away, but don't hear you when you're in the same room.
3. They can look dumb and lovable all at the same time.
4. They growl when they are not happy.
5. When you want to play, they want to play.
6. When you want to be alone, they want to play.
7. They leave their toys everywhere.
8. They do disgusting things with their mouths and then try to give you a kiss.
9. They go right for the crotch as soon as they meet you.

CONCLUSION: They are tiny little men in fur coats.

Guide dog, runner making winning cross country combo

2011-10-27T16:41:00Z

LEXINGTON -- Chloe is the first dog to ever approved by the Ohio High School Athletic Association to participate in a sport.

She and her owner, Sami Stoner, aren't letting any obstacles get in their way when it comes to being successful on the cross country course or in life.

Sami has Stargardt's disease and is legally blind. Stargardt is a juvenile onset macular degeneration that causes blind spots.

The 16 year-old was diagnosed in the 8th grade, just as she started to run cross country. This concerned her parents.

"She runs off into the woods with cross country and you are Always praying she comes back," says Keith Stoner, Sami's dad.

Until recently a family friend became her guide with the Lexington High School Cross Country team.

But when Sami's guide graduated high school, many thought she would hang up her running shoes. But then Chloe came into their lives.

Chloe is a guide dog from Pilot Dogs in Columbus. The year-and-a-half old golden retriever has become Sami's eyes. And Chloe is by Sami's side at all times, even at school. It has given Sami a sense of independence.

"Going shopping. Going to the mall. Everything is funnier with the dog," says Sami Stoner.

But when it came to competing, there was one huge obstacle; Chloe couldn't help Sami run in meets.

So, Sami's coach and school's athletic director made a plea to the Ohio High School Athletic Association. At first, they were turned down. The school persisted.

Just days before the first competition, Sami and Chloe were cleared to race.

Sami and Chloe don't start with the rest of the runners. Chloe guides Sami through rough terrain.

"Everybody was cheering we were all crying," says Lisa Stoner, Sami's mom.

With Chloe by her side Sami, this duo is on course to break down barriers for those who face challenges.

"She has changed my life so much," says Sami.

The first time they ran together, Sami ran her personal best, finishing in just under 30 minutes.

Antoine F. Goetschel: Legal rights for animals? It's not as crazy as it sounds

2011-10-27T16:39:00Z

How fascinating – filing a lawsuit against the owners of orcas with a view to expanding anti-slavery legislations to non-human vertebrates.

From my personal point of view, I cannot imagine that the creators of the 13th Amendment to Constitution of the United States ever considered that the prohibition on slavery could ever be extended to cover animals in captivity.

But it is not the first time this sort of thing has been tried. The 'why not also them' theory was put to the test in a 1986 case that called for the freedom of German seals. This attempt, and all others as far as I know, was in vain.

But the question remains. Why should it be appropriate to keep animals, be it orcas, or chimpanzees, in captivity? Probably because of the consequences to those who keep dogs and cats, and mice for animal experiments, or cattle in conditions that deprive them of even the most basic of rights. But this is not good enough. Therefore these lawsuits have to be filed when trying to stretch protection for animals.

Better is new legislation passed in Switzerland (and South Korea) where the "dignity of creature" is now protected.

Emily Ainsworth, 9-Year-Old Girl With Autism, And Service Dog Denied Store Entrance Twice

2011-10-27T16:38:00Z

After an Edmonton store apologized for turning away a 9-year-old with autism and her service dog, it kicked her out of the shop when she returned a second time, CBC News reports.

Winners issued a formal apology and a $25 gift certificate to Emily Ainsworth after her mom complained about the store's refusal to let her daughter in. But, when Emily came back to redeem the certificate, she was told that dogs are not welcome, according to the news outlet.

"I'm profoundly disappointed as a mother and as a human being," Alison Ainsworth, Emily's mom, told the Edmonton Sun. "We teach kids that 'Sorry' means 'I won’t do it again.' Where is the apology for not putting this into action?"

Doreen Thompson, a spokesperson for Winners' parent company, TJX, released this statement to The Huffington Post.

At Winners, we take customer concerns very seriously and are committed to conducting business in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations. Allowing service animals in our stores is standard operating procedure. We are looking into the particulars regarding this customer's experience and are reaching out to her directly, as well as taking whatever actions we believe are appropriate, which include contacting our stores to reinforce our acceptance of service dogs.

Ainsworth's grievance is just one of a slew of recent incidences where service dogs have been barred from private and public buildings.

Earlier this month, the Houston Chronicle shared the story of a school teacher with diabetes who was not permitted to bring her service dog to work.

Back in June, a Brooklyn man won a $20,000 lawsuit against New York City after he and his service pooch were not allowed inside a state building, according to the New York Daily News.

Dog Beach Pilot Program Proposed

2011-10-26T18:55:00Z

Could Santa Monica soon be home to the second off-leash dog beach in Los Angeles County? The picture could become more clear on Tuesday night, when the Santa Monica City Council weighs a proposed pilot program.

According to the agenda for the council's meeting, the pilot area would run on an unspecified area of Santa Monica Beach down to the waterline. During the pilot program, the beach and water would be monitored for potential environmental effects.

"We are proposing a pilot program that would allow us to evaluate the impact that an off-leash park might have," Mayor Pro Tempore Gleam Davis, who proposed the idea along with Councilman Terry O'Day, told Santa Monica Patch on Monday. "We would need state approval to run a pilot program. If the council approves the direction to staff, we hope, with the input of interested stakeholders, to create a proposal that the state will approve."

If it comes to fruition, the dog beach would be the second Los Angeles County beach area where dogs are allowed to roam without a leash, according to the Los Angeles Times. The other is Rosie's Dog Beach, a three-acre area located in Long Beach.

Proponents include pro-dog group Unleash the Beach, while detractors include water-quality groups concerned with dog feces that could potentially pollute ocean water and make swimmers sick, according to the Times.

Alameda animal shelter to be run by volunteers

2011-10-26T18:53:00Z

After 126 years, the city of Alameda is giving up the animal rescue business.

Faced with a severe financial crisis, the city will hand its animal shelter to a stalwart group of volunteers, officials announced Tuesday.

"The idea that local government provides all services is no longer operative," said City Manager John Russo. "We need more active citizen involvement in government, simple as that."

Several city employees who work in the shelter will lose their jobs, and the police department will halve its animal control enforcement staff. The shelter typically gets 1,400 animals per year.

The changes will help the city save more than $600,000 a year - a significant chunk of the $4.4 million it needs to cut from its general fund next year.

The city will pay Friends of Alameda Animal Shelter $300,000 a year to run a facility that now costs the city $935,000 annually.

Volunteers will feed animals, clean cages, walk dogs and oversee adoptions and licensing. The volunteers will contract with local veterinarians and the East Bay SPCA for spay, neuter and euthanasia. Police will take calls on animal abuse, vicious animals or other animal-related complaints.

Officials and volunteers said they are thrilled with the 15-year contract, which they described as a sound solution to a difficult problem. "This really is a joyous occasion," said Mayor Marie Gilmore. "It's the happiest outcome we could have hoped for."

The alternative, they said, was to contract with a neighboring city for animal shelter services. The cost would be less - about $250,000 a year - but Alameda residents would have to drive to Hayward, Fremont or beyond to find a lost cat or drop off a stray dog.

"For me, that was a no-brainer," Russo said. "This way we keep our shelter in Alameda."

Alameda's savings might be other cities' headaches, though. Staff members at neighboring city shelters fear they may be forced to pick up the slack for Alameda's reduced animal services.

"We have people coming in from Alameda already," said Megan Webb, director of Oakland's animal services department. "We hate to turn them away, but we have to. We don't have the space. I'm sure we're going to see more and more of that."

Friends of Alameda Animal Shelter said they hope to equal, and even surpass, the services the city has been providing since 1885. They plan to hire eight full- and part-time workers and rely on 100 or so volunteers to expand the shelter hours.

In addition to the funds they'll receive from the city, the group hopes to raise an additional $300,000 through donations, grants and increased fees for licenses and adoptions.

"We want them to be successful. It'll be better for the animals, better for the community if they are," said Alameda police Lt. Jill Ottaviano.

Animals are as much a part of Alameda as old-fashioned ice cream parlors and tree-lined streets. The city of 75,000 boasts two dog parks, four veterinary hospitals, three grooming salons and one of the lowest shelter euthanasia rates in the state, at 13 percent.

"You see people out walking with their strollers and their dogs. It's such a kid- and dog-friendly town, that's why it's important we keep a handle on strays," said Officer Diana Barrett, who runs the shelter.

With a reduced animal control enforcement staff, response times might be a bit slower but generally the service level will remain the same, said Alameda police Capt. Paul Rolleri.

Regular officers will perform more animal control duties, and expanded shelter hours will give officers more opportunities to bring in strays or vicious animals.

Alamedans can expect the city to relinquish more services in the coming months, Russo said.

"This partnership is a model for how services can be provided," he said.

Jahessye Shockley's Family Claims Police Let Race, Mom's Criminal Past, Stand In Way Of Search

2011-10-26T18:50:00Z

PHOENIX -- Nearly two weeks after a 5-year-old girl seemingly vanished outside her suburban Phoenix home, police were no closer Monday to figuring out what happened to her as her family criticized the investigation.

Jahessye Shockley has been missing since Oct. 11 after police believe she wandered from her apartment in Glendale, outside Phoenix, while her mother was running an errand. The girl's three older siblings were the last to see her.

Police have no evidence, suspects or promising leads, but the case points to a kidnapping because they found no trace of her after combing a 3-mile radius around her home.

"This little girl doesn't just fall off the face of the earth," Glendale police Sgt. Brent Coombs said Monday.

More than 100 officers and volunteers have looked in pools, garbage bins, and shrubs, interviewed and searched the homes of registered sex offenders in the area, and stopped at every door to spread news about the disappearance.

But Jahessye's family said that they don't believe that police have given her disappearance enough attention because she's black and her mother has a criminal history.

"We feel that law enforcement is not active in finding Jahessye and that they're more active in persecuting me instead of finding out where she is," said Jerice Hunter, Jahessye's mother.

In October 2005, Hunter and her then-husband George Shockley were arrested in California in a child abuse case. Hunter pleaded no contest to corporal punishment and served about four years in prison before she was released on parole in May 2010. Hunter's oldest child, 14 at the time, told police that his mother routinely beat the children.

George Shockley is a convicted sex offender and is still in a California prison.

Hunter condemned members of the media at a demonstration for her daughter on Monday at the state capitol in Phoenix, saying that they're too focused on her past and that she didn't know Shockley was a sex offender until his arrest.

State Child Protective Services removed Hunter's three other children from her home following Jahessye's disappearance but refused to say why.

Glendale police say that Hunter, who is eight months pregnant, is not a suspect and that police had nothing to do with the state's decision to take the children.

Jahessye's grandmother, Shirley Johnson, has said that Hunter changed after her release from prison and loves her children.

"I have been forthcoming with law enforcement from day one. I let them turn my home into a crime scene hours after I reported that I couldn't find my daughter," she said. "They didn't find anything, but they're holding my children hostage."

Hunter was joined by about a dozen family and friends at the demonstration, during which they held up signs with Jahessye's photo and begged for Gov. Jan Brewer's attention on the case.

Coombs said that Jahessye's race has no effect on their efforts to find the girl and that the department has treated her family the same as they would treat any family in a missing child case – by repeatedly interviewing them for new details.

He said detectives are aware of Hunter's criminal record, but "it cannot cloud the issue or make them tunnel-visioned."

"They have to keep an open mind and look at every detail that comes in," he said.

Coombs has repeatedly said that the case is the department's No. 1 priority, that dozens of investigators were working the case and that the department would not stop until she's found. Detectives were focused on following tips from the public and going over the information they've collected so far, he said.

The department also has offered a $10,000 reward for information that leads them to Jahessye, on top of a $1,000 reward being offered by Arizona's Silent Witness tip line.

Coombs said that it's very important for the public to realize that Jahessye may not look the same as she does in pictures of her that have been released.

"If I were an abductor or someone who has possession of her and I want to remain anonymous and I want to move about easily, I would alter her appearance as much as I could, even to the point of making her look like a little boy," he said.

Jahessye's case has drawn comparisons to the 1999 case of another Arizona girl, 11-year-old Mikelle Biggs. Mikelle vanished on Jan. 2, 1999, as she waited for an ice cream truck near her family's home in Mesa; all that was left behind was a bicycle and two quarters. She remains missing.

Hunter said that she believes that Jahessye was kidnapped and pleaded for whoever took her to "bring my baby back home."

"This is ridiculous," she said. "The family is in turmoil. We want our child."

Pets face housing-crisis horrors

2011-10-24T17:00:00Z

The 6-month-old Great Dane lay trapped in a cage in an abandoned home, emaciated and eating its feces to survive.

"Anybody who would lock an animal in a cage, leaving it no chance of escape, no food and no water - I'm half just livid and outraged and half just so sad that someone would think that's acceptable at any time, for any reason," Lehigh Acres resident Erin Helfert said.

Horrified, Helfert adopted Renata and founded Rescue Animals in Need.

That was four years ago, and the scenario has become more common since the real estate market tanked and triggered soaring foreclosure rates, say real estate agents, mail carriers and animal rescue groups on the front lines of the problem.

These pets have not only been left behind, but are locked in foreclosed and abandoned homes by their owners.

They suffer a slow death from starvation and dehydration, unless someone finds and rescues them in time.

"They are the silent and unfortunate victims of this," said Suzanne Sherer of Re/Max Realty. "Most of the time when the Realtor gets involved, it may be too late."

It was almost too late for the big orange tabby that Carolyn Herman, a mortgage broker, found on the lanai of a foreclosed home.

"When I first peeked in the sliding glass door, I thought the animal was dead. There was nothing but fur with some bones stuffed inside of it," she said.

Then the cat opened its eyes. "I thought, 'Oh my God, that animal is still alive,'" she said.

Herman, a former cardiac nurse, had an emergency kit with an IV in her car. "I was literally driving from this house to my house with one hand holding the IV needle between his shoulders."

The cat survived and was adopted by a loving home, Herman said.

Growing problem

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals estimated in 2009 up to a million animals would be abandoned at shelters, outdoors and in foreclosed homes.

There is no updated estimate or a centralized database tracking the problem, though, said Joan Carlson-Radabaugh, ASPCA community initiative director.

Some real estate agents across the country have banded together to help.

Cheryl Lang, president of Integrated Mortgage Solutions in Houston, formed the nonprofit No Paws Left Behind in 2008. Now a nationwide network, the group has rescued at least 1,000 animals.

"I can certainly help the collateral damage that has been left behind through these borrowers through ignorance," Lang said.

Denita McCarty, who works at the Lehigh Acres post office, steps in when mail carriers report abandoned animals.

Among her finds the past three years are an emaciated cat that had been left in a foreclosed condo for two weeks, and a dog and kitten abandoned in a garage with only a small hole to crawl through.

When McCarty got the animals to her home, the dog began nursing the kitten, and she realized the dog had kept alive the kitten.

There are other stories, such as the Labrador retriever that was so hungry the dog had eaten some of his tail.

"These people - there are times I just bawl my eyes out. It's just so sad. You have to stay strong and move on to the next one," McCarty said.

While there is no excuse for abandoning an animal, rescuers say, area shelters are bursting with animals.

Lee County Domestic Animal Services is overwhelmed with 10,000 strays a year and does not take pets surrendered by owners unless the pets were adopted from Animal Services, said spokeswoman Ria Brown.

"You have to be realistic," she said of those who know they're facing foreclosure. "Try to rehome them yourself. If you're desperate, you need to tell somebody and not move away and leave them inside the home, regardless."

Red tape

Animal Services will take animals abandoned in homes, but the process is long and full of red tape.

Animal control officers have to post warnings, document the evidence of neglect and not trespass on the property unless accompanied by law enforcement. To get into the home and take the animal, they need a search warrant.

Collier County takes in strays and owner-surrendered pets and focuses on Collier residents, but may consider hardship cases outside the county, said spokesman Daniel Christenbury.

Betty Hughes, board member and treasurer of the Animal Refuge Center, a no-kill shelter in North Fort Myers, said the top three reasons animals are sheltered are foreclosure, job loss and divorce.

"Every shelter and rescue is overcapacity," she said. "There are probably still about 10,000 animals a year that need to be surrendered."

Rescuers say pet owners, afraid their animals will be put down, will leave them in homes with food and water, believing someone will come in a couple of days to find them.

But it can be weeks or months before someone enters the home.

Helfert said she caught up with Renata's previous owners. They told her they left the dog because it wouldn't listen, she said.

The dog is deaf.

B.J. Gerald, a community volunteer for Lee's Animal Services, goes out on cat complaints.

She recounted finding scores of feral and domestic cats dead or dying outside a foreclosed Lehigh Acres house earlier this year. Buzzards picked at the corpses.

Inside the home were four kittens, two of them alive, one recently dead and the last decomposed so badly it was a dark splotch of fur on the floor, she said.

"There is nothing more heartbreaking than when you can smell the death," Gerald said.

Four more kittens were found in a swimming pool with its water almost evaporated, drowned in search of a drink.

"I buried them," Gerald said. "They deserved that."

I Waited For You...

2011-10-21T16:43:00Z

"Woof!" I said as you started the car,
"Hooray!" I said, it's my first time afar.
The scents we were passing were all new to me,
For it was my first introduction to this mystery.
As we got out of the car I embraced you with joy,
After all you remembered to bring my favourite toy!
You threw it once or twice, of which I retrieved,
But on the third it seemed you were ready to leave.
You threw it long and hard and I chased it like lightning,
But when I turned to bring it back I saw a sight quite frightening.
I gripped my toy hard as I tried to comprehend
What it was I did wrong to make our relationship end.
You walked back to your car as I sat there still loyal.
Why am I subservient and you so royal?
Your engine started, and you peeled out into the night,
You didn't even care about my overwhelming fright.
As I sat in my pose determined you would come back,
The sun faded behind me while the surroundings turned black.
Day after day I stayed in that park,
Lying... waiting... too feeble to bark.
As I lay there dying thinking of you master,
I asked myself how I got into this horrifying disaster.
With my last breath of life, I whispered your name
Then I collapsed in a heap overrun by pain.
Why didn't you love me master? Why didn't you care?
Had I no significance, was I just a clump of hair?
I stayed there master and I waited for you
I guess taking care of me was just too much to do.
I'm gone now master, no more You-and-I
But what I can't figure out is why you didn't even say goodbye...

-Author: Andrew Siegele-

DONT ABANDON YOUR PETS. You are their lives !