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2010-08-02T13:32:00.001-04:00

Thank you readers of Dog Clothes Horse

2010-07-19T17:20:00.005-04:00

Hello to all our wonderful Dog Clothes Horse readers,

At this time we have decided to continue our efforts on Facebook instead of continuing publishing this blog. We love all that you've contributed to Dog Clothes Horse in the past three years but we want to focus our efforts to our Facebook page instead of maintaining multiple sites. We invite you to become a fan of Modern Tails on Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/moderntails] where you can still share all your beautiful photos, videos and stories. If you have any questions about this, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Thank you,
Modern Tails

Friday is "Take Your Dog to Work Day"

2010-06-24T17:36:00.003-04:00

Some people love the idea. Some people grumble about it. Regardless of how you feel about pets in the workplace, it's baaaack! Tomorrow, June 25th, is the official "Take Your Dog to Work Day."

If your employer permits animals in the office, but you're on the fence about introducing FiFi to your coworkers, consider that spending time in new places can help socialize your dog and get her more comfortable with new experiences. Pets also tend to have a calming effect on (most) humans. Studies show that having pets in the workplace can help create a more productive work environment, lower stress levels and aid in reducing employee absenteeism. A recent CNN survey revealed that 75% of people said they would work longer hours if they were able to bring their pet to the office.

Here are a few common-sense pointers to help ensure a positive experience for everyone involved during this annual event:

Pet proof your cubicle: Before your dog visits, remove all small, chewable items that could be a potential choking hazard as well as anything with sharp edges. It's also wise to cover exposed electrical cords or outlets. If you don't want to keep your dog on a leash, put up a baby gate at your office door to keep her from wandering off.

Create a happy home away from home: Make your dog comfortable by bringing in a cozy bed or favorite blanket where she can chill out. Also be sure to pack bowls, food, poo bags and a few treats to reward good behavior.

Keep boredom at bay: Give your pup a chew toy or other "job" to keep her occupied while you're working. It's also a good idea to designate a surrogate office pet parent to look after your pup in the event that you are stuck in a lengthy meeting.

Be realistic: You should only take your dog to work if she is healthy, up-to-date on her vaccines, well-trained, well-socialized and, of course, housebroken. If you already know that your dog can become skittish or aggressive in new situations, it may be best for her to sit this event out.

Practice good canine hygiene: No one likes a dirty dog. Be sure your pooch is clean and well-groomed before her corporate debut.

Be a responsible owner: Some of your cubicle mates may be allergic to or afraid of dogs, so never assume that everyone is happy to see your prized pup prancing down the hallway. Keep her on leash in common areas and always make your dog sit politely to greet other people and their dogs.

Have a "plan b" in place: Just in case your pooch doesn't dig the office scene, arrange (ahead of time) to take her to a reputable dog sitter or daycare place nearby where she can safely and happily spend the rest of the day until you are ready to retrieve her.

Are you planning to bring your favorite canine comrade to work tomorrow? How do you feel about having pets in the office?

[Source: Tails of the City]

Dog vitamins recalled, infected with salmonella

2010-06-24T17:33:00.001-04:00

The manufacturer of vitamin supplement for dogs that is sold nationwide has issued a voluntary recall for the product, because some of the products have been tainted with salmonella.

The Food and Drug Administration announced this week that United Pet Group is voluntarily recalling all unexpired lots of its Pro-Pet Adult Daily Vitamin tablets for dogs due to possible salmonella contamination.

The product comes in 100-count white plastic bottles with a light blue label; its UPC code is 26851-01800. The vitamins are being removed from stores and consumers should immediately stop feeding these supplements to their pets.

The affected products are those with expiration dates on or before June 2013. The expiration date can be found on the right side of the product label.

Although testing has shown that only one lot of the product was contaminated with salmonella, the company is recalling all unexpired lots of the product to be safe.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product, you need to contact your veterinarian.

People who handle salmonella-contaminated food can become infected, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after touching the products. Consumers experiencing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping or fever after handling the product should contact a doctor.

Consumers who have purchased the product are urged to contact the manufacturer or the place of purchase for further direction. Consumers can call United Pet Group at (800) 645-5154, ext. 3.

[Source: OregonLive.com]

Music for Dogs

2010-06-01T14:37:00.002-04:00

The World Premiere of a unique concert experience on the Sydney Opera House Forecourt, for you...and your dog!

Laurie Anderson has composed a 20 minute work especially for the hearing range of dogs – who can hear frequencies far outside the human audio spectrum. Taking the idea of the apparently inaudible dog whistle to new artistic heights, our canine friends will be treated to a glorious cacophony of sound, while all we will hear is the lapping of the water on the harbour.

The morning will be an inter-species social gathering on a scale never seen before in Australia. Breakfast can be purchased onsite including freshly brewed coffee and egg & bacon rolls, while you watch dog demonstrations and be surprised by some very special guests.

This is an event that you’ll be yapping about for years to come, an absolute must for any dog and their two legged friends!

[Source: Vivid Live]

Memorial Day Savings Coupon

2010-05-27T12:23:00.002-04:00

Shop for summer essentials and save 10% off your order. Use the coupon code SUMMER at checkout to receive your discount, good until May 31, 2010.

Limit one coupon per customer, per order; cannot be combined any other specials, discounts or coupons. Not redeemable for cash or gift cards, nor is it valid toward previous purchases.

Go here to start shopping!

Surfing Dogs at Loews Resort Surf Dog Competition 2010

2010-05-27T12:17:00.004-04:00

With Memorial Day around the corner, it's a reminder that summer is here! Check out this dog surfing competition from this past weekend and get beach ready.

It's Me or The Dog - Casting Call

2010-05-20T21:15:00.005-04:00

Now casting dog-owners from the Tri-state area for season three of Animal Planet's It's Me or The Dog.

The show, from the producers of Supernanny and The Real Housewives of New York, are seeking owners of one (or more) out-of-control dogs. Is your pooch an obedience school drop-out? Then we want you! The casting team is currently seeking dog-owners with a variety of backgrounds, which are ready for the ultimate doggy boot camp!

Click here for more details

Kanellos the Greek protest dog

2010-05-07T21:16:00.003-04:00

A dog that has been seen at nearly every demonstration in Athens over the last two years has turned up again during the recent protests against new austerity measures. View more images here: guardian.co.uk

Hair soaks up oil spills

2010-05-07T20:59:00.004-04:00

Watch this video to see how hair and fur can help clean up the oil spill.

Fight The Oil Spill By Giving Your Dog A Haircut

2010-05-07T20:55:00.003-04:00

Until today, Hair Balls thought pet hair clippings were only good for making you sneeze, but apparently the hair is incredibly absorbent, which could come in handy in the case of, say, a gigantic freakin' oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Pet Paradise, a chain of chichi pet spas, with two in Houston, has started collecting hair clippings from its 13 locations and is donating them to Matter of Trust, a San Francisco-based charity that uses pet and human hair wrapped in used nylon stockings to make "booms" to help soak up oil spills. Matter of Trust is collecting as much hair as possible to battle the BP oil slick covering about 3,500 square miles. (Weird fact: Pet Paradise Spokeswoman Lisa Pogue tells us that "it's estimated that one pound of dog hair can soak up one quart of oil in one minute.")

The chain collects about 100 pounds of hair a week, which, if our math is correct, means the BP oil spill can be cleaned up in four seconds. But that's just a rough estimate. The hair is shipped off to Matter of Trust's warehouses in boxes lined with garbage bags, to ensure that not one strand goes missing.

Check out the Matter of Trust website for info on how you can donate your pup's hair. (Or maybe you just want to send the whole dog.) Or, if you don't own a dog but are raising rabbits, horses, sheep or alpacas in the backyard, Matter of Trust accepts their hair, too.

And don't worry, the oily booms aren't just tossed in the trash when they're all used up -- Matter of Trust says they use a totally green disposal method that involves worms eating the booms. That's right: worms eating giant piles of oil-soaked animal hair. Hope we didn't ruin your lunch.

[Source: Houston Press]

Actress Katherine Heigl rescues England, the hog-tied pit bull of Bakersfield

2010-05-07T20:49:00.003-04:00

Grey’s Anatomy star Katherine Heigl and mother Nancy, co-founders of the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation, teamed up with Last Chance for Animals at a press conference Tuesday to announce they will be taking in the Bakersfield pit bull, England, who was found hog-tied and left for dead in the mud for several hours late last month.

"Anyone that would do this to an animal is a coward and would potentially do this to a child or a woman,” said Chris DeRose, president of LCA.

Katherine Heigl added, “We really need to send a message out and educate people about the breed. This cruelty cannot be tolerated.”

Petting her own black pit bull, Apollo, who affably accompanied her to the press conference, she continued, “How can you do this to an animal that’s this loving and playful? All they want is for you to love them.” And love him she did, albeit at the expense of her manicure, which after five minutes was covered in the good-natured slobber of Apollo’s returned affections.

JDHF and LCA officials also announced they will be offering a reward for abuse cases that LCA investigates. “We will do everything possible to find the person or persons responsible and make sure they are made accountable and punished to the full extent of the law for their actions,” said the Knocked Up actress.

In fact, Chris DeRose wants to see the courts take animal cruelty more seriously and said he also wants to help educate the public on what to look for and what to stand up for. He pointed out that violent tendencies often start early and more attention should be given to children who act out aggressively toward animals.

"LCA is a non-profit animal rights organization that exposes cruelty and abuse nationwide. Since 1984 their investigations on vivisection, pet theft, fur farms and circuses have been used to develop public education and outreach campaigns, and to draft legislation leading to lasting changes for the animals. From exposing companion animal meat being sold for human consumption and the mass slaughter of deer by the National Parks Services at Gettysburg, to the first ever conviction of USDA licensed B dealers, LCA is committed to bringing these issues to the forefront and effecting change,” states the LCA press release.

[Source: Examiner.com]

Four pet heroes inducted into Purina Animal Hall of Fame

2010-05-03T23:41:00.002-04:00

Four four-legged heroes have been inducted into the Purina Animal Hall of Fame for their bravery, determination, selflessness and devotion.

Chance, Patty, Gepetto and Bingo have demonstrated a powerful bond with their families and have done the incredible feat of saving human lives.

Mary Siemiesz, executive director of the Purina PetCare Legacy, said in a press release that 2009 marked an important year for animal bravery:

“This year’s Inductees have shown us that a hero is a hero no matter how big or small – all that matters is the size of their hearts. They remind us why we adopt, rescue and welcome pets into our lives, and why it is so essential they are responsibly cared for and cherished.”

This year, three dogs and a cat have been inducted. Since the Hall of Fame’s creation in 1968, more than 140 animals have been inducted: 120 dogs, 25 cats and one horse.

Gepetto is a mellow cat from Wetaskiwin, Alta.; Patty is a Border Collie mix from Westlock, Alta.; Chance is a Dalmatian-Fox Terrier mix from South Bar, N.S.; and Bingo, who won the distinction of Service Dog of the Year, is a Jack Russell Terrier from Shilo, Man.

[Source: National Post]

Canine Topiary - Where Creativity Wags Its Tail

2010-04-20T03:07:00.004-04:00

SECAUCUS, N.J. — Once they finished shaving the cats, the glamour event of the dog grooming show began.

Angela Kumpe had won the “creative challenge” event the past two years at Intergroom, one of the more prestigious competitions on the calendar. First, she clipped and colored a standard poodle into an ode to Elvis Presley — Elvis on one side, a guitar on the other. Last year, she turned a dog into a peacock. She is one of the best at canine topiary.

This year, Kumpe, a 34-year-old from Little Rock, Ark., spent more than six months turning a poodle into a buffalo. It probably would have won Sunday, beating the seahorse, the Lady Gaga and the Mad Hatter.

But Kumpe, who has become the groomer-to-beat at contests like this, changed her mind after her mother died Feb. 24. “She was my biggest fan in creative grooming,” Kumpe said.

So Kumpe turned a dog into a living memorial.

Intergroom is a three-day trade show for the industry. About 150 exhibitor stalls offered everything from tools (scissors, clippers, combs, brushes), equipment (cages, tubs, dryers), products (shampoos, conditioners, colognes, gels, glitter and coloring) and apparel (mostly smocks for groomers and showier items for the dogs).

There are few limits in creative grooming. Sometimes, people make dogs look like different animals. There have been lions and ponies and camels that have forced closer examination to verify the species.

“People sometimes say, ‘Oh, poor dog,’ ” the M.C. Teri DiMarino told the audience that surrounded the show area at the Meadowlands Exposition Center. “But their perception is limited to their front feet. Really. All they know is that people are paying attention to them. They love it.”

Contestants generally spend six months or more preparing the dogs. First comes the idea. Then the dog’s coat is shaved with clippers, cut with scissors and fine-tuned occasionally. Colors are added in the weeks before the event. Up until competition day, dogs look like nature gone awry, as if they were groomed in the dark with blunt instruments and dipped into a box of melting Crayolas.

“Some people ask, ‘Was she born that way?’ ” said Sami Stanley, busy putting finishing touches on her standard poodle, the dog of choice for its thick, grooming-friendly fur and relatively large size. Stanley’s dog, Skye, had a dragon sculptured on one side and a jumping gold fish on the other. Stanley called it Zen Poodle. “If you have a better name than that, let me know,” she said with a shrug.

Diane Betelak was the judge. A frequent winner of these increasingly popular contests, Betelak said she looked for whether the clipping was concise and the color vibrant, and whether the design was original, among other things.

“Some ideas have been used over and over, like a carousel horse,” Betelak said. “So if you bring me a carousel horse, it better be spectacular.”

She awarded third place to the Mad Hatter, accompanied by three people fully decked in other Alice in Wonderland costumes. The dog “wore” a fur-coat-colored brown, had the March Hare on its left rear leg and tea cups on its right. Brynn Haynes of Whitehall, Pa., the groomer and the Red Queen, said she spent 25 hours creating it.

Second place went to a dog that, when it stood on its hind legs, was meant to look like a poodle-size seahorse. It stood before a sea-themed vinyl shower curtain, which hid a man holding a plastic toy that made bubbles to drift through the scene.

The winner came as little surprise. After scrapping plans to bring her buffalo-themed poodle — a buffoodle? — Kumpe started from scratch a week ago with a friend’s standard poodle that had not been clipped in nearly a year.

A woman’s body was sculptured onto one side of the dog, head turned away and hair tied in a bun. “It’s a grieving angel for my mom,” Kumpe said. Her mother, Linda Smead, was 66. Kumpe was dressed in white and wore white wings. Down the dog’s rear leg, and on most of its opposite side, were fragile-looking purple flowers and green leaves, part of the dog’s manicured coat and marked with exacting detail. They matched artificial flowers and greenery at the dog’s table.

The design drew finger points and picture takers. When DiMarino told the audience that Kumpe’s design represented an angel for her mother, a buzz went through the room. Kumpe won the $1,500 first prize.

[Source: The New York Times]

The 101 Dalmatians Musical at The Theater at MSG

2010-04-05T18:35:00.004-04:00

The 101 Dalmatians Musical is an experience for the entire family about what it means to be a family, canine and courageous. More than a simple story about good versus bad, the family bands together to overcome every hurdle and hardship in the most difficult times.

Find ticket information at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Shelter dog and cat stamps get a nod from DeGeneres

2010-03-22T16:03:00.003-04:00

Ellen DeGeneres is working with the U.S. Postal Service and Halo, Purely for Pets, her holistic pet care company to promote a stamp campaign for shelter pets.

"This is a subject that I am extremely passionate about. By working together, we can find good homes for millions of adoptable, homeless and abandoned pets," said DeGeneres. "And until they get adopted, I'm happy to say that Halo and I are giving one million meals to shelter pets that are waiting for you."

USPS awareness stamps have highlighted causes including Alzheimer's disease, sickle cell anemia, the Amber Alert program to help find missing children, and adoption - but that one was about kids, not critters.

The stamps can be pre-ordered by clicking here or by calling 1.800.STAMP.24 (1.800.782.6724). Sales at post offices begin April 30.

DeGeneres and her partner Portia de Rossi have a household of rescue pets. They, like most of the readers who took our survey, let the dogs and cats pile into bed with them.

[Source: USA Today]

FujiFilm's Latest Camera Aims at Dogs, Cats

2010-03-12T13:08:00.003-05:00

If you own a dog or a cat then there's a good chance you've spent hours with a camera trying -- and probably failing -- to get a perfect picture of them. Now, technology is coming to the rescue.

FujiFilm's Finepix Z700 features a face-detection function that can recognize canine and feline faces, and it can snap a picture automatically when they look towards the camera lens.

There is one pet photography problem FujiFilm says its new camera can't solve: "Dogs or cats that are constantly in motion cannot be recognized."

It is demonstrating the animal face recognition feature at this week's Camera and Photo Imaging Show in Yokohama, Japan, albeit with stuffed toy dogs and cats. It works just like face detection does with a human. When it finds a face, a green box is drawn around it on screen and the camera automatically focuses. In the auto-shooting mode it waits until the animal turns to the camera before taking a picture.

It worked well with the stuffed animals but it turns out real dogs and cats can be a little bit trickier. FujiFilm has a list of dog and cat breeds that are easier for its technology to identify.

FujiFilm says the technology can also get confused if the animal has a dark coat, if it has large patches around its eyes, a wrinkly nose or hair over their eyes. All these things make it difficult for the computer in the camera to recognize the facial markers and determine whether it is looking at a dog or a cat.

The 12-megapixel FujiFilm Z700EXR has a 3.5-inch screen, and is 16.9 millimeters thick. It is available this month and costs US$280.

[Source: PCWorld]

A New Breed of Guard Dog Attacks Bedbugs

2010-03-11T18:03:00.000-05:00

CRUISER made four house calls on a recent rain-soaked Tuesday. There were two happy endings and two unhappy ones, a fairly typical outcome for a typical day in the life of a bedbug-sniffing puggle.

“Except that there’s nothing typical about this business,” said his handler, Jeremy Ecker, 35, whose six-month-old company, the Bed Bug Inspectors, has vetted hotels, college dorms and Midtown office buildings, suburban homes, bare-bones Brooklyn rentals and tony Manhattan co-ops. (Mr. Ecker, who charges $350 for a residential inspection, is an independent inspector, meaning he has no affiliation with an exterminator, though many hire him to check a property they have treated.)

Increasingly, real estate lawyers are urging buyers in contract to inspect apartments before they close, and in their advertising, many pest control companies exhort would-be tenants to “inspect before you rent.” And dogs like Cruiser can inspect a room in minutes, whereas lesser mammals like human beings need hours to conduct a visual inspection.

Bedbug-sniffing dogs, adorable yet stunningly accurate — entomology researchers at the University of Florida report that well-trained dogs can detect a single live bug or egg with 96 percent accuracy — are the new and furry front line in an escalating and confounding domestic war.

To read the rest of the article, check out The New York Times

Vote for a People's Hero Dog of Valor : The Humane Society of the United States

2010-03-11T12:00:00.001-05:00

Check out these Ten Dogs of Valor finalists and vote for the People's Hero winner! The Third Annual Dogs of Valor Awards celebrates the human-animal bond by honoring dogs who have exhibited an extraordinary sense of courage or resolve by heroically helping a person in need. The panel of celebrity judges, including Kristen Bell, Sally Pressman, and Jay Kopelman, will choose the Valor Dog of the Year and two Runner’s Up. You will choose this year’s People’s Hero winner! Voting closes on Friday, Mar. 12, 2010 at 5 PM ET.

Check out the site to see the nominees and vote!

The 15th Annual Original Ugly Dog Contest™

2010-03-09T12:54:00.001-05:00

There are no ugly dogs, in the opinion of San Diego Dogs Examiner. However once a year here in San Diego county we pretend there are, and throw a party to celebrate them, all in the name of charity.

The Del Mar Kiwanis Club, founders and organizers of the 15-year-old event, gives prizes to the dogs and their people, and proceeds from the party go to animals in need.

A seven-pound Chinese Crested named Rascal was selected as the Ugliest Dog in the contest held Sunday. His person is Dane Andrews of Sunnyvale, California.

“I know dogs aren’t ugly, though some kind of are,” said show producer and Del Mar Kiwanis member Sheila McDonnell in a telephone interview, “but they are so loved by their owners that it doesn’t matter.”

While the tally for this year’s show proceeds isn’t in yet, McDonnell estimated that last year’s Ugly Dog fest raised about $10,000 from ticket sales, entry fees, and donations.

“A huge supporter has been County Supervisor Pam Slater,” McDonnell reports. “She donated $3,500.”

McDonnell was pleased that the weekend’s wet weather failed to discourage attendance. “It didn’t seem to stop the turnout,” she said. “It was standing room only. We had a 20,000 square foot building and we took up every darn inch.”

[Source: examiner.com]

Carrie Underwood shows love for dogs during Franklin visit

2010-02-24T17:02:00.002-05:00

Carrie Underwood spoke about the importance of dog adoption today during a press conference with Franklin-based Mars Petcare.

The award-winning country music singer has joined the sixth annual Pedigree Adoption Drive, which was started by Mars Petcare to help feed dogs in shelters.

During the press conference, Pedigree presented Underwood with a check for $50,000 to help build an animal shelter in her hometown of Checotah, Okla.

[Source: Tennessean.com]

'New Moon' Star Kellan Lutz In New PETA Ad

2010-02-24T16:47:00.003-05:00

When we heard "Twilight" star Kellan Lutz was taking part in PETA's newest campaign, we were hoping he would take a page out of his costar Christian Serratos's book and give us sexy and nude. Unfortunately we didn't quite get what we were asking for, but heart-warming and adorable is a close second.

Kellan is serving as the latest spokesperson in PETA's "Adopt, Don't Buy" campaign. Considering the fact he has always been outspoken about his love for his own dogs he rescued, Kola and Kevin, we can see that he and PETA are a perfect match.

In a video on the PETA website, Kellan talked about why he chooses adoption ("There are countless numbers of animals out there. It's our job to take them under our wing.") and his own experience adopting Kola.

"You can feel the pain that they go through," he said about dogs in shelters. He added about Kola, "She wanted a home, and I think that she could tell that I was the right owner for her. And from that day on, I just loved her."

"There are surprisingly many animals in these animal shelters," Kellan said. "It's sad, and knowing that they get euthanized, and they can't house them all. There's a lot you can do.

He added his thoughts about fur (something PETA is very vocal against and, ironically, Christian was advocating against — maybe Kellan will become the next anti-fur spokesperson and our dreams can come true?), "I don't like fur. I'd never wear fur. There are so many knock-offs, why do you need the real thing? There's just no reason."

At the end of his video, Kellan focused his message directly to the fans of "Twilight" and showed one of the main reasons PETA probably loves having "Twilight" stars be their spokespeople: the size of their audience.

"For the fans of 'Twilight' who are out there who have so much love, give that love for these books and these characters to a pet if you don't have one," Kellan said. "Twilighters, if you can, do it. Adopt a pet."

Since "Twilight" cast members have become such vocal supporters of PETA's campaigns, we think it's about time PETA stepped behind the "Saga" and gave their own vocal support. How about a "Love Your Neighbors" campaign to promote vampire and werewolf camaraderie for "Eclipse"? It only seems fair.

[Source: Hollywood Crush]

Happy National Dog Biscuit Day!

2010-02-23T13:34:00.003-05:00

If you want to try to make your own treats, check out allrecipes.com for some delicious recipes - it's nice to know what goes in the treats if your dog is on a special diet or has food allergies.

Doggy RIP: Cesar Millan's Pit Bull Daddy passes away

2010-02-23T03:45:00.002-05:00

Daddy, Cesar Millan's beloved pet, died peacefully surrounded by family at the age of 16, according to the press wire. Daddy was a key fixture in the National Geographic Channel television series Dog Whisperer. He assisted Millan with his toughest cases, interacting with and calming the most unmanageable dogs with his natural balanced energy.

Daddy helped shape the behavior of entire generations of dogs by showing them the way to balance. Daddy, often referred to as America's Pit Bull ambassador because of his gentle disposition and intelligence, lived with the Millans from the age of four months.

Millan has been getting ready for Daddy's demise. He talked with me last fall about how Daddy helped him pick out a new dog for his pack. That new puppy was introduced in this article.

But any pet owner knows this: you can try to get yourself ready for the day your pet dies and it's never easy when it happens. Let's salute Daddy for the awareness he helped spread about good Pit Bulls.

[Source: USA Today]

Guinness World Records announced new record for Tallest Living Dog

2010-02-23T03:35:00.003-05:00

Guinness World Records has just announced a new record holder for the Tallest Living Dog and the Tallest Dog Ever. Meet Giant George, a Great Dane from Tucson, Arizona.

George stands at 42.25 inches (more than seven feet from head to tail) and weighs almost 250 pounds. He's owned by David Nasser, seen in the above picture.

Guinness says it's currently searching for pet owners who think they might have record-breaking animals in the following categories: Dog with Longest Ears, Smallest Dog (Length), Oldest Dog, Smallest Cat and Oldest Cat. You can submit a proposal via http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com.

[Source: USA Today]

Jesse James reunited with lost dog CinnaBun

2010-02-18T03:37:00.003-05:00

After three weeks of a desperate search for his beloved pit bull, Jesse James Tweeted Wednesday that he and CinnaBun have been reunited.

Along with a photo of CinnaBun putting her paws up to his chest in a happy greeting, James posted this message: "So Happy! Thnx Everyone for all the help! She looks like she hz had quite the Adventure!"

James had hired a pet detective and offered a reward of $5,000 for the dog's return. According to TMZ, the West Coast Choppers honcho got a call from someone who had seen CinnaBun's picture on a flier. The woman brought CinnaBun to James's Long Beach bike shop, where upon sight of the long-lost pooch, the crew started crying.

We bet that CinnaBun, who lost 15 pounds in the weeks that she's been gone, will get to enjoy a nice meal and a warm bed tonight!

[Source: Today @ msnbc.com]

Sadie, the Scottish terrier, is Best in Show.

2010-02-18T03:32:00.000-05:00

Watch CBS News Videos Online

I Love NYC Pets

2010-02-15T17:59:00.003-05:00

Adopt a little New Yorker today! The Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals is having a month-long celebration that includes city-wide adoption events and extended shelter hours to make it extra easy to meet your match, plus spay/neuter resources to help keep your pet healthy and reduce overpopulation.

Looking for a furry sidekick or two? Animal shelters, adoption centers, and rescue groups all over the five boroughs want you to find your true furry love this February. Whether at a shelter, an in-store adoption center, or an adoption van, you'll have opportunities to adopt every day throughout February!

And even if you aren't ready to adopt a pet this month, meet the animal rescue and adoption groups in your area and learn how you can volunteer, foster a pet, or donate funds or supplies to support their valuable work.

For more information, visit the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals site

Chef Michael’s “Be My Valentine” Doggie Dinner Party

2010-02-15T17:13:00.005-05:00

Actor Michael Urie, his dog Sprout and other guests celebrate an early doggie Valentine's Day at the Chef Michael's "Be My Valentine" Doggie Dinner Party at Gotham Hall Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010 in New York. (Jason DeCrow/AP Images for Purina)

Actress and dog owner Elisabeth Rohm poses with Bambi, an adoptable dog from Posh Pets Rescue, during the Chef Michael's "Be My Valentine" Doggie Dinner Party at Gotham Hall Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010 in New York. (Jason DeCrow/AP Images for Purina)

The event celebrated the winner of the national “My Doggie Valentine” contest, a Brussels Griffon named Ouzo and his owner Kristin Hartman from New Jersey. An inseparable pair, Ouzo and Hartman were selected as the winners of Chef Michael’s national “My Doggie Valentine” contest, which was conducted earlier this year at www.doggievalentine.com.

“Ouzo was my ‘Doggie Valentine’ from the moment we met,” says Hartman. “He is my true partner and I spend more time with him than anyone.”

As part of its overall Valentine program, Chef Michael’s will also donate $7,500 to Adopt-a-Pet.com on behalf of all of the entrants in the Doggie Valentine contest and all of the doggie diners coming to the Feb. 10 party. The donation will help support Adopt-a-Pet.com’s mission to find forever homes for homeless dogs who also deserve to feel loved on Valentine’s Day.

Mattel taps into social media craze with Puppy Tweets

2010-02-12T20:27:00.004-05:00

Twitter Inc. has gone to the dogs. Tapping into the social media craze, toy giant Mattel Inc. is preparing to release Puppy Tweets, a high-tech toy that will allow dogs to publicize their everyday activities on Twitter via a sound and motion sensor.

Attached to a dog's collar, the plastic tag randomly generates one of 500 canned tweets when it detects barking or movement and automatically posts an update to Fido's own Twitter page.

A round of woofing could lead to a tweet of "I bark because I miss you. There, I said it. Now hurry home." A frenzied run through the backyard might garner "I finally caught that tail I've been chasing, and . . . OOUUUCHH!"

But before you begin to drool over the prospect of having your own Dug, the animated dog from Disney-Pixar's "Up" whose translator collar allowed him to talk, Mattel executives caution that the toy is just a toy.

Unlike advanced pet gadgets such as GPS tracking collars that keep tabs on roaming cats, the technology behind Puppy Tweets is simply sending out random messages triggered by movement or sound.

So even though Fido's device may be tweeting about tracking a squirrel, he could actually be digging a hole or scratching himself. And that might be a letdown for people hoping for the real thing.

"It is a new frontier for us," Mattel Brands President Neil Friedman said. "We think it could be the start of a new wave of products for people to interact with their pets."

Designed by Mattel's Radica division, Puppy Tweets is expected to hit toy stores and pet shops nationwide in the fall for $29.99, although the company will show the product to industry watchers in New York on Friday. Retailers such as Amazon.com Inc. have already signed on to sell the toy.

To use Puppy Tweets, dog owners are provided with a USB receiver that they connect to their computer. They then download the toy's software online and create a Twitter account for their dog.

When a dog moves or barks, a signal is sent from its Puppy Tweets tag to the receiver, which updates the dog's Twitter page. Owners can then check Twitter to see their dog's latest posts.

[Source: Los Angeles Times]

Dog Coat Stolen as Owner Shopped in Park Slope

2010-02-10T20:19:00.004-05:00

Paws in the air, this is a stick-up!

A Park Slope pooch was left shivering in the buff after a coldhearted mugger stole his coat just days before a raging winter storm bore down on the city. Donna McPherson, 42, says she tied up Lexie, her 10-year-old Westie, in front of Ace Supermarket "for two minutes" so she could buy milk.

When she returned, his $25 green wool coat with leather trim and belt was gone. Fortunately, she said, Lexie wasn't wearing his pricier Burberry.

"How could anyone steal a coat off someone's back in the freezing cold?" McPherson railed to The Post. "I asked him, 'Where's your coat?' like he could answer me. I looked all over and could not find it."

McPherson, an investment banker, canvassed the neighborhood in search of clues. She assumed police would not take her seriously so she wrote about it on the blog Effed in Park Slope.

She normally doesn't leave Lexie outside stores, but thought it would be a quick stop. As she paid for the milk, she remembers hearing a "funny bark."

"I stuck my head out and everything was OK -- he was just looking at me," she said. "I was so angry, but in the end I was grateful that it was just the coat and not him."

McPherson said she knew she had to find a way to make it up to the traumatized Lexie. "I felt so bad, I bought him two new coats," she said. She still hopes to collar the crook.

"I walked around Park Slope sort of to see if I could see anyone with the coat and I didn't. It's totally bizarre," she said.

At Ace Supermarket on Seventh Avenue and Berkeley Place, employees insisted the neighborhood is normally safe for all mutts. "This is highly unusual for the area," said one.

[Source: New York Post]

In case you missed it - Puppy Bowl Highlights

2010-02-08T20:02:00.003-05:00

Click here for Puppy Bowl VI Highlight Videos

Bonhams New York Presents 28th Annual Dog Art Sale

2010-02-04T15:16:00.002-05:00

For lovers of dog pictures, Valentine's Day comes two days later than normal as Bonhams presents its annual sale of dog paintings and works of art on 16 February 2010. A must for all dog enthusiasts, Bonhams has conducted this popular sale for nearly thirty years and stands alone as the market leader in this genre.

The catalogue this year will be no exception in terms of quality and variety, with many paintings of well known breeds on offer, and featuring some of the best dog and sporting artists of the 19th and early 20th century.

Leading the pack is an exceptional painting of The Bitchpack of the Meath Foxhounds by John Emms. Estimated at $500,000-700,000, the picture comes from a private American collection and could rival the world record price achieved by Bonhams in February 2006 for a similar work.

Among the other highlights is a collection of over twenty original drawings by Lucy Dawson (aka 'Mac'), a number of which are original works for some of her books. From the late 18th century, there is a work attributed to George Stubbs ARA, showing a black spaniel in a landscape estimated at $25,000-35,000 and from the early 19th century an early work by Sir Edwin Landseer RA, depicting a spaniel and described as 'a Dog of the Marlborough breed', is expected to fetch $40,000-60,000. Other artists featured will be Maud Earl, John Sargent Noble and Arthur Wardle.

Collectors in the US will not be disappointed as the sale will also include works by two of the foremost American sporting painters. Two setters working by Edmund Henry Osthaus is estimated at $10,000-15,000 and a fine quality oil painting of a pointer and a setter entitled 'On Point' by Gustav Muss-Arnoldt carries a guide price of $20,000-30,000.

[Source: Bonhams]

Super Bowl XXXIV Commercial. Budweiser. The Dog Star.

2010-02-03T14:47:00.001-05:00

With the Super Bowl coming up, here's a classic Budweiser commercial

Puppy Rescued From Jet's Cargo Bay at JFK Airport

2010-02-02T13:42:00.001-05:00

A puppy found nearly frozen in a jet's cargo bay at JFK Airport was revived by U.S. customs officers who performed mouth-to-snout resuscitation, officials said Thursday. The 6-week-old pooch was clinging to life when it arrived in New York Saturday on a commercial flight from Mexico, officials said. Another puppy packed in the same portable kennel in the pressurized cargo bay died during the flight.

Three U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers responded to the call of the popsicle pups because of a suspicion they might be drug mules.

"No matter how uncommon the call, CBP Officers are always willing and ready to assist," said Robert Perez, director of field operations for the CBP in New York. When the officers determined one of the dogs was still breathing, they went into rescue mode, wrapping it in blankets and heating pads, said CBP spokesman John Saleh.

"One of the officers did mouth-to-snout resuscitation," said Saleh, explaining the officer had been studying veterinary medicine.

The tan puppy with a white stripe down its snout was evaluated by a veterinarian and reunited with its unidentified owner Wednesday, Saleh said.

[Source: NYDailyNews.com]

Sandra Bullock & Husband Looking for Lost Dog

2010-02-01T16:13:00.002-05:00

Jesse James is offering $5,000 for the return of his lost dog. The biker, who is married to 'Blind Side' actress Sandra Bullock, has upped the reward money for the return of the dog from $2,000, a week after nine-month old pit bull terrier Cinnabun went missing.

Despite confirming he was upping the reward money, Jesse has admitted he is resigned to losing his beloved pet.

He wrote on twitter: "No sign of Cinnabun...Just working at the shop with "Mr.T" We r Starting to face the reality that Cinna is long gone (sic)."

However, he has vowed not to give up the search.

Jesse wrote on his company's website last week: "We've had a few leads, but all dead ends so far, but the search is still definitely on. She's a great little dog, and we want to find her as soon as possible.

"Please keep your eyes out for our little gal, she's a light brown and white pit bull, nine months old, cropped ears, full tail, hazel eyes. Last seen wearing a large pink collar near West Coast Choppers and Cisco Burger on Anaheim St./710 Freeway in Long Beach."

The biker even employed a pet detective last week to help find Cinnabun, who Jesse affectionately calls his "shop dog".

Colleen Bush from pet agency Find Toto, said: "I'm in contact with Sandra and Jesse all day. We've been going back and forth checking on tips."

[Source: News Blaze]

Tamron Hall Replaces Mario Lopez for Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

2010-02-01T16:02:00.004-05:00

Dogs and contests are like peanut butter and chocolate, a great combination.

USA Network announced that Mario Lopez is out as the co-host of the 134th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, presented by Pedigree. Replacing him is MSNBC's Tamron Hall. The show is America’s second longest continuously held sporting event, behind only the Kentucky Derby.

Hall will be co-hosting the event with David Frei in his 21st consecutive year with the show. Also joining the team again this year will be NBC Sports’ Tiffany Simons as a sideline reporter.

On Monday, February 15, USA will air the first hour of the show at 8pm and will then switch over to CNBC for the 9-11pm ET/PT portion of the broadcast. On Tuesday, February 16, USA will air all three hours, including the crowning of the 2010 Best in Show, from 8-11pm ET/PT.

"I've been a dog lover my entire life,” says Hall. “I currently have two furry 'best friends' in my family, and I can't wait for the show. I'm honored to be given the opportunity to join this team."

Hall anchors MSNBC Live weekday mornings and co-anchors weekday afternoons from 3-4 PM ET. Hall can also be seen on NBC News as a fill-in correspondent and newsreader for “The Today Show” and “Weekend Today.”

The Westminster Kennel Club is America's oldest organization dedicated to the sport of purebred dogs. Established in 1877, Westminster's influence has been felt for more than a century through its famous all breed, benched dog show held every year at New York's Madison Square Garden.

[Source: Monsters and Critics]

Blind Dogs Vision Restored!

2010-01-29T13:11:00.004-05:00

It wasn't the cameras and reporters hovering around Lis Feeney that made her nervous today as she waited to be reunited with her 12-year-old dog, Bobo.

Instead, she joked, she feared the cataract surgery performed at Angell Animal Medical Center that returned Bobo's eyesight would make her unrecognizable to the dog she first got as a puppy.

"I was a brunette the last time he saw me,'' said the now-blonde Feeney.

The Chinese Crested dog was escorted to Feeney by Dr. Martin Coster, the ophthalmic veterinary surgeon who performed the cataract surgery this week. Feeney hugged and nuzzled the dog who went blind about 2½ years ago as a result of developing diabetes.

You are beautiful, you are beautiful,'' Feeney told Bobo. "Let me see those big brown eyes!''

Feeney planned to return to their home in Foxborough today and after a period of convalescence, let Bobo do what he loves best: chase squirrels in their backyard.

Coster said cost for the surgery ranges from $4,000 to $6,000 at Angell and that he does not expect that the successful cataract operation will extend Bobo's life. He was certain, however, that the dog will benefit.

"I think it will add to his quality of life,'' Coster said.

[Source: BOSTON.COM]

Dog Miracle Rescue. 20 Miles Out To Sea

2010-01-28T13:28:00.005-05:00

A dog was rescued from an iceberg floating 18 miles from land in the Baltic Sea. Sailors plucked the animal to safety after it got trapped on ice on Poland's Vistula river and drifted for more than 70 miles.

Rescuer Adam Buczynski said: 'He didn't even squeal. There was just fear in his big eyes.'

It’s thought Baltic’s problems began when he got trapped on ice on the Vistula River near Torun on Friday. A day later he was spotted in Grudziadz, 40 miles upstream, where fireman tried to reach the German shepherd-type mongrel. But thick ice made it too risky to launch a rescue craft despite Baltic floating just a few yards from the river bank. Another bid to save the stranded mutt was made at Kwidzyn, 22 miles further on towards Poland’s coast. After sightings dried up it was assumed the dog had perished.

But incredibly Baltic had travelled a further 50 miles to the river mouth before heading out to the ocean where finally his luck turned when scientists on a research boat spotted something odd moving amid the broken ice.

Natalia Drgas, of the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management, said: 'One of the sailors thought they had seen another seal but then he noticed it had legs, ears and a tail.'

However the men onboard the Baltica soon found saving the stranded dog was by no means plain sailing. First they tried to catch the dog in a net on a pole but when that failed they had to drop a pontoon with crewmen.

Seaman Adam Buczynski said: 'We tried to sail as close as possible but as we approached the boat pushed the ice and the dog was sliding off.

'The dog didn’t even yelp but you could see the fear in his eyes.'

With darkness falling and time running out Baltic was finally hauled on board in sub zero temperatures late on Monday. Captain Jan Jachim said if his ship had passed that way a few moments later the dog would never have been spotted amid the gloom.

He said: 'We were just at the right place at the right time.'

[Source: DailyMail]

Special Dogs in the Workplace

2010-01-27T14:41:00.006-05:00

He's an award-winning New York fashion designer whose work is written about in GQ, New York Magazine and Vogue and spoken of glowingly by the fashion glitterati.

But in the trendy Greenwich Village neighborhood where John Bartlett, creative director of Liz Claiborne's men's collection, lives and works, it's constant companion Tiny Tim who gets the most attention.

When the two stroll to the chichi shop where Bartlett sells his own upscale line and custom work, folks call to Tiny Tim and reach out to give him a pat.

And then the dog — a three-legged, mixed-breed mutt — settles in near the front door of the elegant shop with its quiet air of perfect breeding, to spread his own special brand of customer service.

"A lot of people are drawn in because they see him from the sidewalk," Bartlett says.

So besotted is the designer with Tiny Tim that the logo on his store is a three-legged dog, and that image appears on the patch of his line of pricey jeans.

"I couldn't be luckier," says Bartlett, who got the dog from North Shore Animal League America seven years ago. When Bartlett visited the shelter on his 40th birthday, he was captivated by the "soulful eyes" of long-termer Tiny Tim, so named because he had arrived at the shelter severely injured. His leg was amputated Christmas Eve.

In Bartlett's circle, there are a lot of "status dogs," he acknowledges; sometimes someone will deride his tri-pawed dog of indeterminate genetics. Bartlett is untroubled.

"That tells me a lot about that person," as does the reaction of most people, who find Tiny Tim irresistible.

Several more Workplace dogs from around the country.

[Source: USAToday]

Doggie Surfing! Filming for Dog Movie "Marmaduke"

2010-01-26T13:34:00.005-05:00

She is as happy in this frothing ocean as a Thoroughbred at the racetrack. She adheres to the surfboard as if her feet are made of Velcro.

How does an Australian Kelpie, bred to be a hardworking ranch hand, do an about-face and become an aimless surfer dude?

Easily, says her owner, Michael Uy. She has many talents, only one of which is herding sheep. The girl also enjoys mountain biking and rock climbing.

"But surfing is her No. 1 love," says Uy, 39, a software program manager in San Diego. "We surf together almost every day after I get off work."

Abbie girl is front and center in a dog-surfing craze spreading along California's beaches. These coastal canines fuel the real-life action scenes in the film Marmaduke, due in theaters June 4 from 20th Century Fox.

One of the story lines about the popular comic-strip character centers on the Great Dane being pressured to enter a surfing contest after his family moves to Southern California. Lee Pace, William H. Macy and Judy Greer are human stars in this live-action comedy in which the dogs speak. Owen Wilson is the voice of Marmaduke, an awkward teen Dane who is a very reluctant surfer up against champions such as Abbie.

Abbie got the nod to be a film extra (and earn $400) when the professional animal trainers who work with the Great Dane that plays Marmaduke saw Abbie surf in a contest, Uy says. Several of the other surfing dogs cavorting in the rough water with Abbie and Uy this particular day also will be extras in the film, which Uy says will show dogs surfing some spectacular waves.

Dog surfing is mostly recreational, but Uy and the dedicated followers bouncing up and down in these San Diego-area waves are taking it to new heights. Five competitions, up from two the year before, were held in California last year, drawing hundreds of dogs and thousands of spectators. The number of surf classes for dogs also is growing.

[Source: USATODAY]

Rescue Dog Brings Hope, Saves Lives!

2010-01-25T12:53:00.003-05:00

A fire and rescue service dog handler has praised the work of his partner following their mission to Haiti following the earthquake. Search dog Echo was part of the Greater Manchester team which has been helping in the country after it was devastated nearly two weeks ago.

Mick Dewer, who is based in Kearsley is back, but Echo has to stay in quarantine for six months. He said Echo gave people hope that something could be done. Provided comfort.

"It's really good to be back, but it's tinged with sadness as I've left behind my work partner and best friend," he said.

"Echo worked really hard, but his benefit wasn't just in searching, he also brought home to the families of people we were searching for, that bit of hope that something can be done."

He said the children stroked the dog which he thought would have provided some comfort to them. He added he was looking forward to some decent food and sleep, but it was "quite hard coming home knowing people in Haiti were starving and things here were back to normal".

Mr Dewar was part of a group of firefighters from Lancashire and Greater Manchester which took part in a rescue mission. They returned home on Saturday to be reunited with their families and colleagues. While in Haiti they successfully rescued a two-year-old girl from her collapsed kindergarten school.

[Source: BBC NEWS]

Dog Loves To Race, in Custom Racing Gear!

2010-01-22T14:09:00.004-05:00

Opee is only 8, but he's already a popular veteran in the down and dirty sport of motocross. He can pull 6 Gs. He's been the centerfold for Cycle News and poses regularly for fan photos. He's a survivor of the grueling Baja 500 and has racked up more than 10,000 hours on a dirt bike. Sometimes, you can barely see the 70-pound pooch — a blue merle Australian shepherd — through the dust on his goggles and his custom helmet, complete with cam.

"I am his biggest fan," said Mike Schelin, Opee's owner, race partner and a purveyor of used motorcycle parts from a shop next to his mobile home.

Schelin got the dog in 2001 shortly after his divorce. He raises him with other dogs and two horses at a spread he calls Miracle Flats. Known as "The Dogfather" to some in the sport, Schelin always takes a back seat to Opee.

"He was my instant best friend," Schelin said. "He slept in my tool bag. There was something about him. He's had charisma since Day One. I knew I had a dog who could make a difference."

Schelin, 41, realized he had a four-legged motocross fan as a pet when he started riding in the desert with Opee on the chase.

"I felt bad for him, he would run so long." So Schelin bought a four-wheeler and they went desert riding together. The dog didn't like the dust in his eyes, so Schelin got him goggles. One day, Opee ditched the four-wheeler and hopped on the motorcycle tank, where he's been ever since, Schelin said.

If the bike isn't moving, Opee will just fall asleep on the tank. They keep it bare because they've never found a covering that's comfortable for the dog, Schelin said.

Reaction to Opee was magic. He was an instant canine ambassador to off-roading. Finding sponsors was no problem and soon Opee had his own custom gear, including a specially made neck brace, inflatable vest, backpack, water supply and several jerseys. He got his American Motorcycle Association card and his SCORE International card, the latter so he could race in Baja.

The dog does lots of other things, too. He's been a search and rescuer, a California assistance dog and visits kids in hospitals with Schelin. They regularly work crowds at races in the area, including the Supercross in Anaheim.

Opee appears to be Schelin's biggest fan as well. "From what I see, he loves Mike and would go anywhere with him," said Ricky Johnson, a seven-time national motorcycle champion who owns Perris Raceway near Schelin's place.

[Source: ABC NEWS]

Some Dogs Can Run, Others Prefer to Herd You

2010-01-21T13:28:00.003-05:00

A MAN’S friend is not always his best choice of a running partner. The same can be said of man’s best friend.

It’s a lesson that Michelle Powe, an English teacher in Midlothian, Tex., learned last summer when trying to run with Mookie, her 90-pound Catahoula.

“He kept trying to herd me,” she recalled. For the entire three-mile run, Mookie displayed the kind of herding behavior that is typical for the breed, throwing his weight against Ms. Powe and nipping at her legs.

“By the end of it, my knees were sore from having 90 pounds constantly bumping into me,” she said. “It was fun for other people to watch, but not so much for me.”

Like many dog owners, Ms. Powe assumed that her young, healthy dog would make a natural running companion. After all, dogs love to run, they love spending time with their masters, and they rarely tire of chasing a stick before their owners tire of throwing it.

But not all dogs are born to run, particularly the way humans go about it: in a straight line, with little regard for scent. And there is nothing fun about running with an untrained dog. Indeed, it can be dangerous for both you and your pet.

“Invariably active dog owners wake up one day and say, ‘Today is a beautiful day, I’m going to go run with Fluffy,’ and they’ve never run with Fluffy before, and they set off and realize it really stinks running with Fluffy,” said Alexandra Powe Allred, a Dallas-based trainer and author of a book on dog obedience (and Michelle Powe’s sister).

The first step for anyone thinking about running with a dog is researching the breed, Ms. Allred said. Some of it is common sense: small dogs — teacup poodles, Chihuahuas, Yorkshire terriers — will have trouble running at high speeds or for long distances.

But other problems may not be so obvious. For example, dogs with flat noses — pugs, bulldogs, some boxers — may have trouble breathing during strenuous exercise. And while some hunting or herding dogs are physically built for running — like border collies and Rhodesian Ridgebacks — they may be more interested in chasing prey than staying on the sidewalk.

Once you have determined whether your dog is built for running, it is important to teach it some commands. “Stay,” for example, is useful should you want to put down the leash long enough to tie your sneakers. But trainers say that if you teach your dog only one command before running, it should be “heel.”

[Source: NY TIMES]

Why Do Dog Breeds Look Like That?

2010-01-20T13:33:00.005-05:00

From the Dachshund's stubby legs to the Shar-Pei's wrinkly skin, breeding for certain characteristics has left its mark on the dog genome. Researchers have identified 155 regions on the canine genome that appear to have been influenced by selective breeding.
With more than 400 distinct breeds, dogs come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, fur-styles, and temperaments. The curly-haired toy poodle, small enough to sit in a teacup, barely looks or acts like the smooth-coated Great Dane tall enough to peer like a periscope out of a car's sunroof. Not so apparent are breed differences in how the dogs' bodies function and their susceptibility to various diseases.

Although domestication of dogs began over 14,000 years ago, according to Dr. Joshua Akey, University of Washington (UW) assistant professor of genome sciences, the spectacular diversity among breeds is thought to have originated during the past few centuries through intense artificial selection of and strict breeding for desired characteristics. Akey is the lead author of the effort to map canine genome regions that show signs of recent selection and that contain genes that are prime candidates for further investigation. Those genes are being examined for their possible roles in the most conspicuous variations among dog breeds: size, coat color and texture, behavior, physiology, and skeleton structure.

The researchers performed the largest genome-wide scan to date for targets of selection in purebred dogs. The genomes came from 275 unrelated dogs representing 10 breeds that were very unlike each other. The breeds were: Beagle, Border Collie, Brittany, Dachshund, German Shepherd, Greyhound, Jack Russell Terrier, Labrador Retriever, Shar-Pei, and Standard Poodle.

The study was conducted, the researchers said, because the canine genome, the product of centuries of strong selection, contains many important lessons about the genetic architecture of physical and behavioral variations and the mechanisms of rapid, short-term evolution. The findings, the researchers said, "provide a detailed glimpse into the genetic legacy of centuries of breeding practices."

[Source: Science Daily]

Puppy Cam! Famous Dog Has New Litter

2010-01-19T14:20:00.004-05:00

Doggonit, they're back!

Tens of thousands of dog lovers were glued to the tube Monday as a puppy cam captured every move of a California shiba inu and her new brood.

The San Francisco pooch named Kika became a canine Web celeb in 2008 when a total of 3 million Internet users clicked in to watch her care for her puppies.

The live video feed went viral and puppy fans from 74 countries spent a total of 1.2million hours watching as the mother dog groomed and fed her babies.

More than 100,000 were watching last night on ustream.tv/SFShiba as the cute mom nursed a litter of five puppies, which were born Saturday.

This time there were three males and two females - the last litter was equally split with three of each sex.

The tiny pups squirmed in a doggie bed and battled to nuzzle up close to their mom.

Two of the newborns were snoozing late last night.

[Source: NY DAILY NEWS]

U.K Soldiers Rally to Get Dog Out of Afghanistan

2010-01-15T13:01:00.003-05:00

For the past five years, Tangye, a black Labrador retriever, has been a faithful companion to the British military in Afghanistan. Patrolling with the soldiers of C Company, 3rd Battalion The Rifles (and surpassing most in tours of duty), Tangye has not only survived several gun battles but has also been a source of unfailing support for the troops. His can-do spirit — from being the first to jump into holes cleared in wall blasts to barking and wagging his tail in encouragement when soldiers are under fire — has endeared him to the troops stationed at the remote and treacherous base of Kajak.

"He was a morale boost as he was our own pet," Aaron Fell, an Ireland-based rifleman in the 2nd Battalion who once housed Tangye in his room in Afghanistan, tells PEOPLEPets.com. A small, friendly, funny canine who formed an "army of three" with two other dogs on-site, Tangye "was very brave. He would run at the front of the patrol. During one of our biggest contacts with the enemy — which went on for hours — we threw smoke grenades to cover us as we pulled out. We looked round and saw Tangye chasing the smoke grenades!"

But with the rise of improvised explosive devices, Tangye’s glorious days in battle may be numbered. Because the Taliban may target him as a "sniffer dog," his chances of getting blown up are increasingly likely. To save their beloved mascot, who was purchased from a dam worker and named for a village on the Helmand river, British soldiers began a campaign last October to bring the dog to the U.K. "He can't do what he loves doing over here anymore — it's too dangerous. It would mean an awful lot to the lads to know he was safe," Lance Cpl. Brent Meheux (shown above with Tangye) told the BBC.

Over the past few months, several organizations have responded with open arms. Nowzad, a charity that places rescued cats and dogs from Afghanistan in U.S. and U.K. homes, has reached out to the soldiers to facilitate the transfer. In addition, a group of dog lovers that includes coordinators and members of Labrador Retriever Rescue South England and North West Labrador Retriever Club have rallied on Facebook and Justgiving.org to fund-raise 5,000 (about $8,100) for Tangye’s flights and quarantine (where he’ll stay for six months upon arrival before being adopted into a loving home).

"We have been overwhelmed by the response from both people in the armed forces and the dog-loving public," Natalie Pomroy, creator of the "Save Tangye" Facebook group, tells PEOPLEPets.com. A coordinator for Lab Link Rescue from St. Osyth, Essex, she adds, "Tangye has captured people's hearts. So many have donated money to help the appeal [that] we are well on our way to the 5,000 target." So far, the site has raised about half that amount.

"At the moment it is a waiting game," says Pomroy, but hope remains high that this frontline canine will soon be showered with the same love that he has shown the troops. "He has ... brought a little humanity to a very difficult job."

[Source: TODAY MSNBC]

Dogs are Good for the Heart

2010-01-14T12:50:00.005-05:00

While working as a cardiologist in south Dallas, Dr. Gary Barkocy had to make numerous late-night calls to hospitals in response to ST segment elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMI), or in layman's terms, really serious heart attacks.

"I remember at 3 o'clock in the morning, I'd be like 'here we go,'" Barkocy said recently from his office at Nacogdoches Medical Center. But, now, when the interventional cardiologist hears the word STEMI, he smiles. That's because rather than referring only to a condition that brings his patients pain, these days the name is used more often in reference to a four-legged assistant that makes them smile.

"Some of our patients have had a really big change of life; they're grieving, and you wouldn't believe how a puppy dog can change that," he said.

Stemi, Barkocy's friendly black Labrador retriever, started training as a therapy dog when she was a puppy and now spends her days keeping her owner's cardiac patients calm.

"A lot of our patients will have a procedure where they have to lay flat for two to three hours; they can't move, and it gets very disturbing and distressing," he said. "But, with a puppy dog sitting there to give you kisses, or by petting a dog, they seem to do much better. We figured this would help with patient care."

Barkocy said that while Stemi does not have her certification as a therapy dog, patients still seem to love her.

"They ask for her more than they ask for me," he joked, adding that she went through therapy dog training in Dallas multiple times, and he is in the midst of working with a Lufkin trainer to get her certified.

He said when he has a patient undergoing a procedure in his office, he'll ask the patient if they would like some company. Barkocy said many times, they'll respond with "What do you mean?" And, he'll explain that the procedure will require them to lie flat for a period of time, and if they would like, he could get Stemi to sit at the end of the bed, or near them, so they can pet her while they're there.

"It's just that calming influence," he said.

[Source: Daily Sentinel]

Have A Heart For Chained Dogs!

2010-01-13T12:57:00.004-05:00

With Valentine's Day approaching, non-profit Dogs Deserve Better is asking for help from dog lovers in an unique direct mail outreach which pairs Valentines created by schoolchildren with America's chained dogs.

Dogs Deserve Better, a national rescue and advocacy group dedicated to ending the suffering endured by chained dogs, annually sends Valentines and dog treat coupons to canines across the country. The group includes a brochure for the dog's caretakers, explaining why the practice of chaining dogs for life is a form of abuse. The materials encourage people to bring their dogs into the home and family or to find better homes for the animals.

By the end of January, the group needs 15,000 addresses of perpetually-chained or penned dogs, volunteers to make the Valentines, and donations of coupons for dog treats or dog food.

"Winter is a critical time to reach out directly to the people who chain their dogs, and what better excuse than Valentine's Day to send these forgotten animals a little love," says Tamira Thayne, founder and director of the seven-year-old non-profit. "Every winter our rescuers see dogs that have frozen in the snow, suffered frostbite, or otherwise endured horrific living conditions because of the longstanding misperception that it is ok to chain a dog outside in any kind of weather"

"This is the perfect opportunity for people who pass chained dogs every day but feel powerless to help them to make a difference," continues Thayne. "People can anonymously provide us with the addresses of these dogs, or make us a batch of Valentines, and we'll do the rest"

The creation of the Valentines is an ideal project for schools, scouting troops, and other similar organizations. "Children have a natural affinity for animals and they enjoy making art projects," says Thayne, an artist herself. "In this way we remind children of proper caretaking, and educate guardians as well"

Although the practice of 24/7 chaining is pervasive in many parts of the country, states and cities have started to pass laws against the practice. So far four states have passed limitations on chaining: California, Texas, Connecticut, and Nevada. Hundreds of cities and counties have passed limitations or flat-out bans.

Meanwhile, countless backyard dogs are spending yet another winter in the cold. Often, they shiver day and night in hole-ridden doghouses, suffer from thirst because their water is frozen, and pace neurotically from lack of exercise and attention. Perpetually chained dogs often become aggressive from their constant confinement, thereby posing a danger to people, especially small children.

For more information about the Valentine's Day outreach, go to http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/Valentines2010.html or email info@dogsdeservebetter.org.

Valentines (sized at 4"x 8" max preferred due to postal regulations), addresses and donations for the campaign can be sent to: P.O. Box 23, Tipton, PA 16684. For general information about Dogs Deserve Better go to www.dogsdeservebetter.org.

[Source: ExpertClick]

Deaf Dog Found, Reward Money Donated!

2010-01-12T14:48:00.004-05:00

The couple who found Luna in their Loudonville backyard a couple of miles from the veterinary hospital where the deaf dog escaped have turned down the reward money. Instead, the couple who asked not to be identified, want the money to go to charity.

After Luna, a bulldog mix, disappeared Jan. 2, Ralph Rataul and his wife, Shelley, put up an $800 reward, which included their money, a contribution from Shaker Veterinary Hospital on Maxwell Road and donations from friends.

Luna was found at 12:30 p.m. Monday in the backyard of the couple's Springwood Manor Drive. The street runs alongside State Police Troop G headquarters on Route 9 across from Siena College.

Rataul said half of the reward will be donated to the ASPCA and the other half to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society in the name of the couple who found the family pet.

The couple tried to get Luna inside, recognizing the dog from a story that appeared in the Sunday Times Union, but Luna resisted. So, they called the veterinary hospital and the hospital staff call Rataul.

Luna, who was adopted three years ago as a rescue dog and was probably deaf from birth, saw Rataul but didn't immediately recognize him. "At first she was scared, but then realized it was her dad," said Ken Wolfe, assistant director of the hospital.

Rataul said Luna backed into a corner where two fences merged, barked at him, and he feared "she was going to bolt at any time." But slowly she realized who he was and approached him, and when she reached him, jumped on him.

"I'm overjoyed," Rataul said at a Monday news conference. "This is unreal. She's home, she's safe." The couple feared the worse, primarily because of the dog's handicap. She can't hear someone calling her, nor traffic.

"She's not an outdoors dog, not a hunting dog, but some instinctual stuff must have kicked in" for her to survive, he said. "Whatever she was doing, she was doing it right." Luna dropped 12 pounds but despite the ordeal she was in good shape, the vets said. She weighted 65 pounds when she took off.

"She's going to be on GPS all the time now," Rataul quipped.

[Source: TIMES UNION]

"Cutest Dog" winner donates $1 million prize

2010-01-11T14:32:00.002-05:00

Denver-area dermatologist Leslie Capin always knew her Chihuahua Dr. Papidies was cute. But cute enough to win $1 million? She wasn't quite sure. However, she was willing to take that chance, and entered her three-year-old pup in the All American Pet Brands' Cutest Dog Competition last fall in hopes of winning the big cash prize — with the intent of donating the reward to charity.

"I know it wasn't going to be that easy to win," Capin tells PEOPLE. "By the end of the competition, there were 60,000 entries."

Capin campaigned to patients, lobbied through Facebook and Twitter, and even faced allegations that she was lying about her charitable goal. "A lot of people got online and said, 'It's not true, she's going to buy a Mercedes'," she says. "But I answered them all and insisted it was true."

When word came in November that Dr. Papidies had won the competition, Capin was overtaken by emotion. "I didn't grow up with a lot of money — I had to work for everything I had — and then here I am close to the age of 56, in the position to give away a million."

After toasting the win with family and friends, Capin took the steps to set up a charitable trust to protect the funds. "There's an addendum that basically says should something happen to me, the trust will continue to give $33,000 a year for the next 29 years to the shelters I've chosen to help," she says. "Even if I change my mind in 10 years, I can't get that money!"

As for Dr. Papidies? "I don't think he has a clue," Capin laughs. "But I wanted the two of us to make a difference in our community. To give away a million dollars... it doesn't get much better than that."

[Source: MSNBC TODAY]

Rising Stars in front of and behind the camera!

2010-01-08T13:35:00.003-05:00

When Christine Mahaney’s friends sent her information about the “Petco Stars” competition in 2007, she knew her border collie Toula had a shot at winning.

She never dreamed that would be the catalyst for film industry careers for both her and the dog.

After winning the nationwide competition, the pair worked together on “Public Enemies” with Johnny Depp and an upcoming movie called “Highland Park,” but Mahaney worked sans Toula on the made-in-Michigan film “Youth in Revolt,” which opens today.

“Michigan’s tax incentive has been instrumental in my career and putting Michigan on the map,” Mahaney said, referring to the 40 percent tax credit moviemakers receive for filming in Michigan.

For “Youth in Revolt,” the 41-year-old Mahaney, of Plainwell, was an assistant animal trainer, helping train Oscar, a terrier mix rescue dog from Los Angeles, for his role as Albert, the furry companion of Sheeni Saunders. Saunders, played by Portia Doubleday, is the love interest of main character Nick Twisp, played by Michael Cera.

“It was absolutely wonderful working with (director) Miguel Arteta,” Mahaney said. “Michael Cera is such a nice guy, he truly loved Oscar. Oscar didn’t lack any kind of love or attention on set.”

The movie was shot all over Michigan, despite the California license plates seen in it, Mahaney said. Filming was done in Metro Detroit, Ann Arbor, Ludington, Frankfort and Lake Leelanau. Lake Michigan on a sunny day easily passes for the California coast, Mahaney said.

In addition to dogs, Mahaney has also had the opportunity to train a six-point buck on the set of “Red Dawn,” several chickens for an upcoming Rob Reiner film and a large mouth bass for a student film at the University of Michigan. She attributes her seemingly preternatural skills for training animals to patience, respect and understanding for the creatures.

“Food is also a pretty good motivator for any animal,” Mahaney said.

“But I always think of them first as a pet and second as an actor. You never put them in jeopardy and you respect them.”

[Source: MLIVE.Com]

Westminster Dog Show!

2010-01-07T13:27:00.003-05:00

Mario Lopez has been tapped to host the 134th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. The current Extra presenter will join veteran commentator David Frei as co-host of the show on Feb. 15 -16.

"I am really excited to be a host of the 2010 Westminster Dog Show," Lopez said.

He added: "I've been doing my research and checking out some of the world's top dog shows, so I'm well prepared on show day. I can't wait to be a part of the Super Bowl for canines!"

Lopez grew up with dogs and a guinea pig. PeoplePets.com did a story saying Lopez is looking for a dog companion. Oprah Winfrey suggested he get a French Bulldog. It sounds like he wants a running buddy.

[Source: USA Today]

National Contest to Find the Most Unforgettable 'Doggie Valentine' in America

2010-01-06T13:50:00.003-05:00

Do you hold a special place in your heart for your dog? Is your dog more like a best friend or a true partner than your pet? Love is in the air this February, and this time Cupid has his eye on dogs and their human companions, as more than 60 percent of dog owners plan to include their dogs in their Valentine's Day celebrations. Dogs have already claimed the title of Man's Best Friend, and now they're part of a new tradition that has their owners proclaiming the four-legged loves of their lives their "Doggie Valentines."

Purina® Chef Michael's® canine creations is celebrating the unique relationship between dogs and owners with the launch of the "My Doggie Valentine" contest starting Jan. 6, 2010. The lucky winner will get an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City to attend the Chef Michael's Be My Valentine Doggie Dinner Party on Feb. 10, 2010, at Gotham Hall, one of the city's most prominent and prestigious social event venues.

A surprise celebrity judge will select the winning dog in the contest, which takes place now through Jan. 25, 2010 on www.doggievalentine.com.

Dog owners across the country are invited to enter by submitting a color photo of their dog along with a caption that describes why their dog is their Valentine. Entries will be judged on the "unforgettable face" in the photo, the originality of the caption and the appropriateness of the entry to the contest's loving theme. For every valid entry, Chef Michael's will donate $10 (up to $7,500) to Adopt-a-Pet.com to support its mission to find forever homes for homeless dogs that also deserve to feel loved on Valentine's Day.

[Source: PR NEWSWIRE]

Mushers Return for ‘Dog Days’

2010-01-05T14:14:00.007-05:00

It seems a reversal of logic, to wait all year for the snow to fall and then begin running outdoors. But to these dogs, it is the only logic that makes sense.

Throughout Canada and the United States’ snowy states, mushers are preparing their dogs for the winter dog sledding season. And, once again, a race near Olney will kick the season off for a group of mushers from around the Northwest U.S. and Canada.

The third annual Flathead Sled Dog Days, presented by Snow Action Sports, Inc., is held Jan. 8-10, with veterinarian check-ins the first day and racing on the final two days. In 2009, the event drew only 11 teams because of the recession and high diesel prices, down from more than 20 the first year.

But the numbers are back up again this year with 21 entries, ranging from four-dog teams up to 12-dog teams. Entrants come from the Montana towns Whitefish and Condon, as well as Alberta, Wisconsin and Colorado.

Brooke Bohannon, an organizer for the event, said Flathead Sled Dog Days is held earlier in the year than most other sled dog races, so some racers use it for training. Yet for others, it’s the biggest race of the winter. There is also a race in Seeley Lake the following weekend, which some of Flathead Sled Dog Days’ participants will attend, Bohannon said.

“There are some mushers with a lot of experience and some without a lot,” Bohannon said. “There’s a range. That’s a nice thing to see.”

In past years, there have been only two divisions: six dog and 12 dog, listed this year officially as six-eight dog and 10-12 dog. A team can race with either six or eight dogs in the former division and 10 or 12 in the latter.

This year, Bohannon and her fellow organizers have added a four-dog division, for which there was one entry as of last week: Rachel Wannamaker of Alberta. Wannamaker will race four miles on Jan. 9 and then four more on Jan. 10 for a two-day race total of eight miles.

The six-eight-dog division participants are slated for 25 miles each day, while the biggest division travels 40 miles each day, for a total of 80. The past two years, Bohannon said, the upper division has traveled 100 miles total. Even at 100 miles, the race was a relative jaunt in the park compared to the 1,161-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska.

For more information about the race, Snow Action Sports, Inc., or to purchase Flathead Sled Dog Days merchandise, log on to www.flatheadsleddogdays.com or call (406) 471-4081

[Source: Flathead Beacon]

Obama Dog Bo Has His Very Own Christmas Stocking!

2009-12-11T14:06:00.002-05:00

Bo, the White House dog, has his very own Christmas stocking.

First lady Michelle Obama made the revelation in an interview with Oprah Winfrey for her "Christmas at the White House" special, scheduled to air Sunday night on ABC. Winfrey's company, Harpo Productions, released excerpts of the interview on Friday.

Asked which members of the Obama family have a stocking, Mrs. Obama named President Barack Obama, herself, daughters Malia and Sasha and said "of course" the family's Portuguese water dog has one too. This will be the first Christmas for the puppy, which the Obamas got in April.

She did not give any details about what might be going into Bo's stocking, but said Santa loves Bo.

[Source: The Associated Press]

Animal Planet Goes to the Dogs

2009-12-07T14:45:00.004-05:00

Saturday nights on AP are canine heaven with a new season of 'Underdog to Wonderdog" and "It's Me Or The Dog" beginning Saturday, January 2, at 8 PM (ET/PT).

Each Saturday, viewers can catch these back-to-back series as they change the lives of dogs and their owners forever. In "Underdog", the Wonder Team rescues the most unlikely of shelter dogs to turn them into well groomed and trained pets for their forever homes.

Then, renowned dog trainer Victoria Stilwell works miracles with families, who are at their wits end with their dogs’ horrific behavior. Without yelling or raising a hand, Victoria helps owners take back their homes and lives from their canines using positive training techniques.

“Underdog To Wonderdog and It's Me Or The Dog are literally transformative television,” says Marjorie Kaplan, president and general manager. “These series have proven themselves to be entertaining pet programs, but more than that, they teach an important lesson. No situation is hopeless—every person and animal deserves a second chance. It’s that message that makes these each episode so powerful.”

At 8 PM (ET/PT) on Underdog, the Wonder Team takes their dramatic canine rescues to a new level. Led by rescue coordinator Ryan Smith, the team invests themselves into the rescue and rehabilitation of shelter dogs as they attempt to match them with the perfect family.

Smith is joined by professional dog trainer and author Andrea Arden; grooming and styling extraordinaire Ali McLennan; and the show’s canine carpenter, David Leon, who builds dream homes for the lucky new adoptees. Together, the team helps the dogs and their expectant families through each essential step of the transformation—from the initial rescue to the training and finally, the introduction into the family.

Then, at 9 PM (ET/PT), Victoria helps families overcome mind-boggling bad behavior, including a Pekingese named Princess, who has a history of vicious attacks against dogs and children, and an anxious Shepherd-mix named Sylvester, who gets out his energy by chewing all the furniture.

[Source: Monsters & Critics]

Katherine Heigl Saves Chihuahuas!

2009-12-04T15:54:00.003-05:00

Thanks in part to Katherine Heigl, star of Grey's Anatomy, 25 Chihuahuas have a chance at a new life. According to People Pets, the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation, founded in honor of Heigl’s deceased brother and run by Heigl's mother, kindly helped fund the flight for the Chihuahuas from Los Angeles to New England.

Now that the Chihuahuas are with the Humane Society for Greater Nashua of New Hampshire (HSFN), they have a chance at finding new homes. They are all going to be seen by a veterinarian today and placed for adoption on Saturday. A representative for the HSFN reportedly told People Pets that the response has been phenomenal. They have received over 40 voicemails inquiring about the Chihuahuas so hopefully all 25 dogs will find loving, responsible owners in no time.

[Source: The Examiner]

Facebook Holiday ID Tag Giveaway!

2009-11-30T14:51:00.003-05:00

We just got in some cute holiday id tags here at Modern Tails and wanted to give some of our Facebook Fans a chance to win the design of their choice for free! It's easy - just post your favorite doggie or kitty holiday photo to our Fans Photos and let us know what they want from Santa Paws this year. The top 3 photos will win a Santa, Snowman or Snowflake ID tag of their choice! We'll announce the winners on Friday December 4. (Valid to addresses in the contiguous US only.)

To get started, be our fan on Facebook!

Iams "Feed Pets in Need" Program

2009-11-23T16:00:00.005-05:00

With Iams “Feed Pets in Need” program, you can help bring much needed food to your favorite animal shelter simply by casting a vote. The participating shelter with the most votes at the end of the month will receive one month of free, dry pet food for dogs, cats or a combination of both. Each participating shelter is eligible to win once a year, but you may vote daily. So, please help bring quality nutrition to needy shelter pets. Every vote helps!

Cast your vote here!

Iams Home 4 The Holidays & Hilary Swank Aim To Place 1.5 Million Pets Into Homes This Holiday Season!

2009-11-23T12:06:00.003-05:00

Iams Home 4 the Holidays (IH4TH) needs your help to place 1.5 million pets into loving homes by January 4, 2010!

Last year, the program’s goal of helping 1 million pets get adopted within three months was outdone when 1,202,701 pets were placed in homes — including Rumi, adopted by two-time Academy Award® winner and 2009 IH4TH ambassador Hilary Swank.

With nearly 8 million homeless animals in the U.S. today, and almost half scheduled to be euthanized this year alone, our help is needed now more than ever. And who better to give these animals a voice than Hilary Swank?

In partnership with the Helen Woodward Animal Center, IH4TH is one of the most successful pet adoption programs in the world and brings together nearly 3,500 animal organizations worldwide. Since 1999, IH4TH has helped more than 3 million animals find homes and hopes to continue breaking the goals they set each year.

To learn more about how to make a difference in the life of a homeless pet — such as adopting, volunteering or donating — please visit IH4TH.COM and join us on Facebook and Twitter.

Source: [Iams Home 4 the Holidays]

Honda's Element Aimed At Pets

2009-11-16T14:22:00.004-05:00

Selling cars used to be an easier game: Pick a wide swath of the market and advertise your products to as many people as possible. But that's not working so well these days. Customers want products tailored to their needs and desires.

Enter Honda's Dog Friendly Element, a version of the boxy, small sport utility vehicle aimed at dogs -- and their owners.

A $1,000 dealer-installed accessory package on the 2010 model that went on sale today adds a ramp, a soft-sided dog cage, a water bowl, special doggy badges and a few other features to the Element.

[Source: Cleveland.com]

Jack Osbourne Picks Up The Tab For Indiana's New K-9 Cop Dog

2009-11-13T13:24:00.004-05:00

The K-9 police dog purchased by heavy metal rocker Ozzy Osbourne and his son, Jack, made his way to Muncie, Indiana last week to spend time with his partner, Muncie Police Sgt. Jay Turner, and train on the streets of Muncie.

"Jack and Ozzy sure came through for the department," Turner said. "The Osbourne family, they donated the money for the dog without even thinking about it, they just did it, which was very nice."

Turner received two checks in the mail just a few weeks ago. Both Ozzy and Jack gave the same amount: $4,500.

Jack Osbourne became a good friend to Muncie police after he spent time in the city as a reserve officer during the filming of the CBS reality television series Armed in Famous in 2006. He's kept in touch with other officers and earlier this year convinced his father to help buy the department a police dog to replace an aging K-9 officer.

"Obviously with all the cuts in the city, (getting a new dog) is something that hasn't been on a front burner for us," Police Chief Deb Davis said. "When I found out that Ozzy and Jack had agreed to pick up the tab I was a little surprised...it's kind of neat."

Naturally, they named the dog Ozzy.

[Source: The Star Press]

The Alex Gard of the Dog Run

2009-11-09T13:13:00.003-05:00

It’s considered impolite, yet everyone slips up occasionally. How can anyone be blamed for mixing up the name of a dog with that of its owner, especially when the dog is Henry and his owner goes by Rags?

Even still, Dick Sebastian resolved he would not make that particular mistake, or any similar one, at the small-dog run in Washington Square Park he started frequenting a few years ago with his wife, Susie, and his dog, Kitty (grounds for more confusion, but that was someone else’s problem). He whipped up cartoony illustrations of all the dogs at the run who, like Kitty, arrived like clockwork for the morning shift, and turned them into a chart labeled with their names. Mr. Sebastian sometimes brought the work in progress to the dog run, and over time, even owners who were not part of the regular crew — many of them part of a downtown, arty scene — asked if their pets could be included, or agreed when approached by Mr. Sebastian.

From there, Mr. Sebastian, a retired surgeon who is now 71, started experimenting with more serious portraiture, sketching some of the dogs he had come to know better than many of his friends’ grandchildren. He started with Sidney, an aristocratic, standoffish pug belonging to Roberta Bayley, a former punk-rock photographer turned dog photographer. Everyone marveled at the images.

“I thought he really captured her weirdness,” said Ms. Bayley, sitting, as she always does, beside her sedentary, aloof pet on a bench. “She’s very into herself and quiet and serenity.”

Mr. Sebastian estimates that in less than a year, he drew and presented around 50 dog portraits to their owners, as gifts — in most cases, to great appreciation.

To read the full story, and see some of the drawings, head on over to [Source: The New York Times.]

Bulldog Gives Birth To 21 Puppies!

2009-11-06T13:16:00.001-05:00

Meet The First Dog's Walker

2009-11-04T12:38:00.001-05:00

You don’t know the face, but you may know the leg: A khaki-clad hunk of it often shows up — generally from the knee down — in photographs of Bo Obama.

The leg belongs to Dale Haney, who, when the First Family is too busy to walk the dog, assumes the duty.

As a keeper of the White House grounds for nearly 40 years, Haney has managed to cultivate relationships with the presidential pups — all the way back to Richard Nixon’s Irish setter, King Timahoe.

“They heard about me and they called me to come over here for an interview and I came and here I still am,” he told the Associated Press during a tour of the gardens on a rainy morning when first lady Michelle Obama — Bo’s primary walker — was out of town.

“I have him a little bit more” when she’s traveling, said Haney.

Before Bo came along, Haney had walked and played with President George W. Bush’s Scottish terriers, Barney and Miss Beazley. But he says he was most fond of Spot, an English springer spaniel whose mother, Millie, belonged to Bush’s father, President George H.W. Bush.

“I do have a soft spot for Spot,” he said in an online chat in 2003. “I was there when she was born and now she’s back.” Millie gave birth to Spot at the White House in 1989; the younger Bush and his wife, Laura, put Spot to sleep in 2004 after she’d had several strokes.

Haney began at the White House as a gardener, then was supervisor of grounds maintenance and lead horticulturist before becoming superintendent of all the grounds last fall.

Besides helping out with Bo, Haney tends to the nearly 19 acres of lawns, trees and gardens around the White House.

[Source: Ohmidog!]

Dogs Teach Kids To Read (Yup, You Read That Right)

2009-10-28T13:27:00.003-04:00

Meet Bailey. She's a registered therapy dog, but you won't find her in hospitals or nursing homes. Instead, Bailey makes weekly visits to libraries and schools. She sits quietly or snuggles up to kids as they read her a book. And no, she's not napping, and the kids don't have treats in their pockets. She's actually helping these children learn to read.

It sounds implausible. After all, dogs can't read. How could they possibly help someone learn a skill that they themselves can't grasp? But it's a growing trend, and it seems to be working.

The philosophy is simple. Children who are just learning to read often feel judged or intimidated by classmates and adults. But reading to a dog isn't so scary. It won't judge, it won't get impatient, it won't laugh or correct if the child makes a mistake. In a nutshell, dogs are simply excellent listeners. And for shy kids or slow readers, that can make all the difference.

Kathy Klotz is executive director of Intermountain Therapy Animals, which runs a nationwide program called R.E.A.D. -- Reading Education Assistance Dogs. She says there's another benefit of reading to the dogs that she didn't anticipate: confidence.

"A factor that we never planned for, that turned out to be really important, is that the child feels like they're letting the dog understand the story," she says. "They get to be the teacher, the storyteller, the one who knows more than the dog for a change. ...They just blossom when they get to be the one who knows more than the dog."

The children know they're not actually teaching the dog, of course, but the for the kids, the idea that they know more than the dog and can share their knowledge is a powerful one. And now that volunteers are aware of that aspect, Klotz says they actively foster the idea of the child as the teacher.

"One of the things you do in the program is you always speak for the dog," says Klotz. "Like if [the child] doesn't know a word, the dog doesn't know the word either. And then they're not alone, and they can look it up in the dictionary together."

To read the full story, head on over to CNN.com

2010 Pet Calendar Round-Up

2009-10-26T13:40:00.004-04:00

Cat and dog calendars for 2010 are starting to roll into stores and are ready to purchase on the Internet. So much for just cute pets. Some of these calendars are hysterical with pets dressed as rock stars, outfitted in glamorous designs or doing yoga. The second dogs doing yoga calendar is ready, but worry not, these images are photo shopped.

The calendar by Dan and Alejandra Borris hosts a year full of images showing popular dog breeds positioned in classic yoga postures created using computer wizardry.

Takkoda has produced a calendar of pets made to look like rock stars and is selling it at Heliotrope.com. For Pets Rock 2010, pets were photographed in their own homes to capture their natural expressions and then "dressed up" digitally to look like stars such as Dolly Parton, Gene Simmons, Abba and Ozzy Osbourne.

Cat lovers might enjoy the United Bamboo's 2010 calendar of cat fashions, truly elegant shots in designs done by Miho Aoki.

To see more strange and adorable pictures, head on over to USA Today

Dog Day Masquerade

2009-10-20T15:26:00.002-04:00

Despite the wintry chill, it really was a dog day afternoon on Sunday when the 5th Annual Times Square Dog Day Masquerade was held in, well, Times Square. Run, don't walk over to HuffPo and check out all the adorability.

Paintings By Dog Sell for $1,700

2009-10-19T14:44:00.003-04:00

Sam the painting hound mix isn't just painting for kicks -- er, wags -- anymore. Now he's cashing in on his talent, with some of his two dozen paintings selling for up to $1,700, The Telegraph reports.

"Sam is a regular renaissance dog and his abstract paintings are all the rage with the hip New York galleries," says owner Mary Stadelbacher who runs Shore Service Dogs in eastern Maryland. She says:

"Using his specialized training as a house-help dog, combined with my amateur art background, Sam is a fully trained artist ... He takes the paint-brush mouth piece and will approach the canvas and begin painting on the simple command of 'paint'."

[Source: USAToday.com]

How To Take The Perfect Halloween Photograph

2009-10-13T14:42:00.003-04:00

It's almost Oct. 31, and that means your pets will soon be tricked out in all their Halloween finery.

Professional animal photographer Sam Allen gives us the following tips for taking great photos of your costumed friend. Patience is key, says Allen, who spoke to PEOPLEPets.com from her studio in Portland, Maine. (That’s her yellow Lab, Zoey, impersonating Dracula.) "It takes time to get the photo just how you want it," she explains. Here are a few of her best suggestions:

1. Get comfy. Your pup isn’t necessarily thrilled to wear strange attire. He might try to chew the costume or wriggle it off. So let your pooch sniff the costume, walk around, get used to it. If there are several parts to the costume, put on one at a time. Headgear goes on last. Comfy also means taking the dog for a walk before your photo session. In the studio, "my dogs can become really antsy," says Allen. Time for a bathroom break!

2. Employ treats. Use food and toys, those major motivators, to snag your pet’s attention. Your animal will likely prick up its ears, cock its head or make its cute face. "It’s bribery, but it works," Allen says.

3. Use natural light. It's best to take photos outdoors on a slightly overcast day. Avoid direct sunlight, which will create harsh shadows. Indoors, take photos in a well-lit room or near a window with indirect light, and use your camera’s flash to further illuminate your subject.

4. Downplay the background. Position your pet in the middle of a yard or room, not against a wall. Plenty of space behind the pet makes for a softer background. Clear up nearby clutter and distractions.

To read the full article, head on over to The Today Show.

And if you're looking for wardrobe options, check out Modern Tails' Halloween Collection!

4 Leggers Can Has Wii Fit

2009-10-12T13:45:00.003-04:00

No, Nintendo haven't invented dog tennis - but they have invented a way to let you to hook little Fido up to the Wii Fit. He doesn't actually get to play games, or even do any dog specific exercises, but you can weigh him and see how his diet is doing.

The key feature of the original Wii Fit game is the plastic Wii Balance board, which doubles up as a game controller, calorie burn counter, and now in the new Wii Fit Plus game it also serves as a weighing machine for your pet.

You can also create a Mii avatar for your dog. I think that's something we've all wanted to do for a while.

Other features of the Wii Fit Plus are 20 new activities, including skateboarding and a Segway course. There's also more control over exercise schedules with the ability to set workouts to any duration in five-minute intervals up to an hour, and with users able to choose from specialized routines that focus on specific fitness goals or target areas.

Players can also now see an estimated amount of calories burned during each workout while tracking their overall progress.

So this little package promises fun and a healthy dog.

[Source: Shinyshiny.tv]

Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About NYC and Dogs (But Were Afraid To Ask)

2009-10-05T13:42:00.004-04:00

Got a question about taking your dog on the subway during rush hour? Want to know where the best four-legger friendly restaurants and watering holes are? Looking for a dog run that's open late? Look no further. Last week, the NY Times ran an entertaining and very informative 3 part Q&A with Nadia Zonis, author of "City Walks With Dogs: New York." You can check out all 3 segments over at NYtimes.com.

In PA, Dog Days Help Students Adjust to College Life

2009-10-02T13:09:00.003-04:00

About 5 in the afternoon, they started to gather on this central Pennsylvania college campus: The shih tzu brothers Boomer and Otis; Maggie, a lumbering chocolate lab; Cole and Chase, the David and Goliath of the bunch, of course named after Phillies; and the talented Bunsen, the boxer mix who has his own blog and can eat treats he flips off his nose.

Then it was time to send in the homesick freshmen.

"You're cute! You look like my dog," said Kayla Springer, 18, a biology major from Kennett Square, who was fussing over Chase, a border collie/German shepherd.

Thus began one of the "Dog Days," as they're formally called at Susquehanna University, along the banks of the Susquehanna River. Professors and other staffers brought their dogs to school for an hour of social interaction with students, especially freshmen, on Tuesdays during September.

The events, held in a grassy area outside the dining hall, are designed to help students overcome their homesickness - particularly the piece most painful for some: absence of the family pet.

"The fact is that students miss their pets, sometimes more than they miss their families," said Anna Beth Payne, associate dean of student life and director of the school's counseling center.

"You, as parents, didn't sleep with them in the bed every night before they came away to college. The dog did."

To read the rest of the story, head on over The Philadelphia Inquirer.

NYC Pup Crawl

2009-09-25T13:30:00.005-04:00

If you missed Craft Beer Week’s pub crawl (also known as the Path of Yeast Resistance), you can still make it to Saturday’s Pup Crawl: a pet-accompanied march across the Brooklyn Bridge intended to bring attention to the dogs and cats at risk of losing their homes because of the economy.

An estimated 500,000 to one million pets may lose their homes because of foreclosures, according to an estimate put out by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

An evening news report about that figure inspired Joseph Hassan, a 29-year-old Williamsburg resident, to organize a march. He was walking across the Brooklyn Bridge one afternoon when he imagined the attention pets would get simply by marching across the landmark span. “If we could get people to pay attention nationally,” he said, “we could reach a lot of those pets.”

To read the full story, head on over to The New York Times

Judge Rules That Former Couple Must Share Pug

2009-09-23T13:17:00.002-04:00

When a couple splits up, what happens to the pooch?

A New Jersey judge settled the question Monday in a costly legal battle that began after the Monroe Township couple called off their engagement in 2006. Eric Dare and Doreen Houseman are to share Dexter, the pug they both love.

They'll get turns caring for the dog, starting promptly at 6 p.m. every fifth Friday.

Judge Ronald Tomasello said the arrangement would last until 6-year-old Dexter "goes to the Great Kennel in the Sky."

Originally, the judge awarded the dog to Dare. The police officer had paid for the dog.

Houseman appealed, saying a dog should not be treated as just another possession.

[Source: Philly.com]

Ithaca Pioneers Dog Waste Composting

2009-09-21T13:31:00.005-04:00

Several years ago, dog owners in the college town of Ithaca, N.Y., began worrying about all the plastic bags filled with dung that ended up in the landfill.

Leon Kochian, a professor of plant biology at Cornell and, more to the point, the owner of a yellow lab, recalled the thinking at the time: “This is Ithaca. There’s got to be a more environmentally sensible way to do this.”

This year, with Mr. Kochian’s nudging, one of the city’s dog parks — part of the Allan H. Treman Marine State Park — became a dog waste composting park.

Special corn-based bags, made by the Biobag Company, based in Florida, are available at several stations in the park. Dog owners put the bag and its contents into large bins near the park’s entrances, which are removed once a week by a company called Cayuga Compost.

At its composting facility, Cayuga dumps the waste into a pile — mixed with a bit of yard and wood waste — quite separate from the company’s regular food-waste compost.

And there it will sit — until the company figures out what it might be good for.

Late next year, Cayuga plans to run tests to determine the composition of the dog waste (after all, a dog’s diet is arguably more varied than virtually any other animal’s, in accordance with the whims of their owners). If it matures into nutrient-rich compost, it might be applied to potted plants or landscaping, said Mark Whittig, Cayuga’s operations manager. If the compost is of poorer quality, it could be used for blending with topsoil, he said.

To read the full story, head on over to The New York Times

Dogs Hang-10 in Canine Surf-a-thon

2009-09-14T12:48:00.002-04:00

Dogs of all shapes and sizes spent some time on the water in Del Mar, California this weekend all for a good cause and a good time.

Dogs and their owners rode the waves as part of the Dog Surf-A-Thon.

The event was put together to raise money for a San Diego area animal shelter.

Renee Bruce explains, "They judge them on their agility, on their form, on their .. just how long they stay on the board."

Winners were given trophies and of course, treats.

For some gnarly slideshow cuteness, head on over to WCPO.com

Dog Whisperer Launching Magazine

2009-09-11T12:31:00.002-04:00

The canine trainer famously known as The Dog Whisperer is launching a new magazine called Cesar's Way. This is in addition to his book, products and TV show about helping dogs with behavior issues.

The Wall Street Journal reports: Cesar's Way, which hits newsstands next week, is filled with slick photos of celebrities such as Mariah Carey, Paris Hilton and Jennifer Aniston with pets in tow. Articles include "Can Your Dog Fix Your Marriage? Just Ask Jada Pinkett Smith" and "7-Day Doggie Detox." IMG says it plans to publish two issues this year and six in 2010.

[Source: The Baltimore Sun.]

Hilary Swank Serves as Home 4 the Holidays Ambassador

2009-09-08T12:25:00.003-04:00

Two-time Academy Award-winning actress Hilary Swank will serve as the 2009 ambassador when the 11th annual, San Diego-based Iams Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive kicks off October 1. Swank will share her personal experience with pet adoption and encourage families to find their new best friends this holiday season by visiting animal shelters and pet rescue groups. Along with founding partner Helen Woodward Animal Center and nearly 3,500 participating animal organizations worldwide, the program has set a goal to find loving families for 1.5 million pets between Oct. 1, 2009 and Jan. 5, 2010.

“I’m so proud to be working with Iams Home 4 the Holidays to help raise awareness about the importance of pet adoption,” said Hilary Swank. “Last year, the program’s adoption goal was to get 1 million pets adopted in just three months, but this year the goal is even bigger – we’re on a mission to find loving families for 1.5 million orphaned pets between Oct 1st and January 4th.”

Swank has adopted many pets throughout her life, including her two dogs Karoo and Rumi. She rescued Karoo from the side of a road while filming in South Africa a few years ago and adopted Rumi last fall from a participating IH4TH shelter in Los Angeles.

“Now more than ever orphaned animals need our help and who better to give them a voice than Hilary?” said Mike Arms, founder of Iams Home 4 the Holidays and President of Helen Woodward Animal Center. “Along with Hilary and her inspiration, our 3,500 animal organizations are working to shine a big spotlight on the need to help the nearly 8 million homeless pets in our country, and are committed to helping raise awareness about the importance of pet adoption.”

Iams Home 4 the Holidays is dedicated to helping orphaned pets. The program has placed more than 3 million animals in homes since 1999, and in 2008, the adoption drive found families for 1,202,718 pets. The 2009 program officially kicks-off on Oct.1, but in the meantime, there are still millions of homeless animals that need help. If you are a non-profit animal organization, register today!

[Source: Iams Home 4 the Holidays]

Three Genes Determine The Nature of a Dog's Coat

2009-08-31T13:54:00.003-04:00

How did the dog get its coat? Kipling never pondered that question — he was more concerned with how the leopard got its spots, among other things — but scientists have. And the answer, they report in Science, lies in just three genes.

Edouard Cadieu and Elaine A. Ostrander of the National Human Genome Research Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, and colleagues looked at the genetic differences within single breeds that have more than one coat type. Purebred dogs are particularly suited for this kind of study, Dr. Ostrander said, because they have been selectively bred to segregate traits — there are long- and short-haired dachshunds, for example.

The researchers then used that information to look at a large dataset of genetic information from about 900 dogs representing 80 breeds. They were able to identify mutations at specific points, or loci, on three genes linked to fur length, curliness and growth pattern (bushy eyebrows, beards and other features that dog breeders refer to as furnishings).

Then they looked at these three loci, on the genes of another 662 dogs representing 108 breeds — from fluffy Old English sheepdogs to short-haired pugs. They found that the presence of the mutations or not, in various combinations, accounted for the variation in coat in 95 percent of the breeds. Only a few breeds, including Afghan hounds, have coats that can’t be explained by these genes.

There’s a certain elegance to the findings, Dr. Ostrander said. “We look at so much of the complexity in the world around us and say, Oh gosh, the underlying genetics must be so complicated,” she said. “But we’re beginning to feel that in fact nature is simple.”

The eventual goal, Dr. Ostrander said, is to use the same kind of sampling and comparison techniques to uncover how genetic variations combine to cause human diseases.

[Source: NYTimes.com]

Elle Macpherson's Dog Gets a Modeling Contract!

2009-08-28T12:39:00.003-04:00

The Australian supermodel's labradoodle will star in a national advertising campaign.

The five year-old will be the face of designer dog fashion brand Dogside.com, with mini billboards placed on lamp-posts throughout Britain.

Elle, 46, who already has her own lingerie and cosmetics ranges, has often been photographed out walking Bella near her Notting Hill home.

The brand's advertising materials boast that Bella is ideal for showing off its products, including leads, coats, scarves and bowls, for "today's stylish urban dog".

Dogside's Flora Page said: "We approached leading models about their signing up their pets.

"Elle is a dog lover and was top of our wish list, so we were thrilled when she phoned up in person to say that she would love Bella to be the face of our brand."

To read the full story, head on over to Telegraph.co.uk

Remembering Ted Kennedy

2009-08-26T12:41:00.004-04:00

Politics aside, U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy will be remembered by many for his contributions to the nation and also for his love for his dogs Sunny and Splash, Portuguese Water Dogs.

He told Harry Smith of CBS in a 2006 interview:" Splash is a part of our family, but he's part of the senate family as well. He comes to work with me every day with his little niece Sunny and members of the senate dome. He's not allowed to go on the senate floor. He's troubled by that... because he thinks, he says that they won't let him on because people will say that they don't think he knows how to behave. But actually, he says that he behaves a lot better than most senators."

He gave President Obama his puppy, a Portuguese Water Dog, named Bo.

Kennedy wrote a children's book My Senator and Me in Sunny's voice. One of his greatest joys was sailing with his wife Vicki and the dogs on his sloop Mya.

[Source: USAToday.com]

Oscar Newman Goes Nuts For Coconuts!

2009-08-24T13:34:00.004-04:00

One of the coolest things about Pet Fashion Week this year was the fact that we got to catch up with our friends over at Oscar Newman Not only are these girls goddesses of all things stylish and sparkly, they also know quite a bit about pet care. Enter their new line: CocoTherapy.

CocoTherapy is Oscar Newman's new lifestyle brand, centering around the idea that coconuts are a miracle food for both two-leggers and four-leggers. The line currently contains 2 products: An organic virgin coconut oil, and some organic coconut chips that I'm currently munching on and really enjoying.

Coconut has long been associated with reducing allergic reactions, strengthening the immune system, and improving digestion. It's also a significant source of antioxidants.

Oscar Newman credits coconut with clearing up their Yorkie's allergies and increasing their cat's kidney function. After experiencing the benefits for themselves, they began distributing the chips and oil to friends who complained of a pet with a dry coat or allergies. What started out as a love for a product became a mission-of-love to share the oil and chips with other pets as well.

If health tastes this good, I'm all for it. Now, I wonder how some of these coconut chips would work on top of my regular Monday night Pina Colada?

Learn more about CocoTherapy here: Cocotherapy.com.

TGIF Adorability

2009-08-21T15:40:00.004-04:00

All caught up on Cute Overload and itching to overload on even more cute?

Check out the Reader's Dog Photos gallery on the NYtimes.com

Denver Dogs Cool Off at Local Pool

2009-08-19T13:26:00.000-04:00

Brilliant Performance By Rory The Dog on America's Got Talent

2009-08-14T13:24:00.000-04:00

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

26-Year-Old Max May Be The World's Oldest Dog

2009-08-12T13:03:00.004-04:00

When Janelle DeRouen of New Iberia, La., heard about Chanel, the 21-year-old pooch who made headlines recently for being the world's oldest dog, she knew she had to set the record straight. After all, she's the mother of Max, a terrier mix who celebrated his 26th birthday at home on Aug. 9.

After getting in touch with the Guinness World Records and giving them vital stats about "her baby" Max, who is 182 in dog years, the dog is a major contender for the title. So, at Max's 26th birthday bash on Sunday, there was definitely much to celebrate. "We had a gift table set up. He had other little doggie friends over," DeRouen tells PEOPLE Pets. "Me and my husband [got] him his own little sofa bed. He has his own little couch now."

Born in 1983, the "active" geriatric dog hasn't had many health problems over the years, says DeRouen, who first told her story to the U.K.'s Daily Telegraph. "The only time I had to bring him to the vet for something serious was for a tooth to be extracted. But that's it," she says. In recent years, he's had a few expected aliments. "He is starting to get cataracts, a little arthritis, but otherwise he's healthy."

[Source: MSNBC.com]

Dogs and 2-Year-Olds on Same Mental Plane

2009-08-10T13:24:00.002-04:00

According to accumulating research, the beloved family dog is really a toddler with a snout and tail.

"Dogs basically have the developmental abilities equivalent to a human 2-year-old," said dog expert Stanley Coren, who was scheduled to present recent canine research developments at the American Psychological Association annual meeting this week in Toronto.

The average dog can learn 165 words, although "super dog" Rico, a border collie, could understand 200 spoken words. Experts think some dogs can learn up to 250 words.

Dogs can count up to four or five and can correct you if you can't add one plus one.

One dog apparently learned to "read." Coren recounted the case of the canine who was able to "deliver" mail addressed to two girls, one with a short name and one with a long name. Although the owner thought the dog was actually reading, it turns out the canine was gauging the length of the name, not the individual characters, enabling him to deliver the mail to the right person.

To read this rest of the article, head on over to AJC.com

Dogs Better Than Coffee & TV (Survey Confirms What We Already Know)

2009-08-07T13:33:00.003-04:00

Nearly half (48 percent) of dog owners polled said they could not live without their dog on a daily basis — more so than their morning cup of coffee (35 percent), television (35 percent), car (26 percent), cell phone/BlackBerry (23 percent) or best human friend (15 percent).

In conjunction with the launch of a new website and contest, Beneful, a brand of dog food made by St. Louis-based Nestle Purina Petcare, has released the results of its recent survey on dog ownership.

According to the national survey, 95 percent of the 797 dog owners age 25 and up polled agreed that spending time with their four-legged friend lifted their spirits. Ninety-two percent said their dog helps them enjoy life’s simple pleasures! To check out all the survey findings, head on over to DogChannel.com

The Prince and The Pup

2009-08-05T14:59:00.003-04:00

Because Wednesday's a good day for cuteness, here's a photo of Prince William getting some warm fuzzies from a rescue dog.

Prince William met the dog during a fell walk in Cumbria's Lake district, in England. He's accompanied by a group of young people helped by the charity Centrepoint and volunteers from the Mountain Rescue service.

Prince William is a patron of Centrepoint, a charity for young homeless people and of the Mountain Rescue in England and Wales.

[Source: The Baltimore Sun]

Nation's Cutest Dog Will Win A Million

2009-08-03T12:18:00.002-04:00

Who is the cutest dog in the nation? That’s the question All American Pet Company hopes to answer with its $1 million Cutest Dog Competition, which kicked off Saturday and continues through October.

It could be Maxx, a Boston Terrier from Cumming cuddling with a stuffed gorilla in his photo. Or Skippy, from Boise, Idaho, wearing a red cape and blue swim goggles.

Or any of the other more than 4,000 cuddly, costumed dogs whose photos have been posted in the last two days.The deadline for submissions is Oct. 23, 2009.

The contest’s 12 weekly semi-finalists, judged by online public voting, will each win $500. From those 12 weekly winners, four finalists will be determined by the greatest number of votes and each will win $5,000.

Dog owners can enter the contest by filling out an online entry form and uploading a picture of their dog at cutestdogcompetition.com

Visitors to the site can vote by giving dogs a thumbs up or a thumbs down.

A panel of judges will choose from among the finalists and award the $1 million grand prize to the nation’s cutest dog on Thanksgiving.

[Source: The Atlanta Journal Constitution]

Woman Saves Dog With CPR

2009-07-31T15:26:00.002-04:00

Dog Poking Head Through Car Window is Dangerous

2009-07-29T15:32:00.003-04:00

Tongue flailing, ears pushed back by the wind and its tail wagging happily. Driving down the highway with a shaggy dog poking its head out the car window is an iconic American image.

However, like the 70-mph lap-child, it’s an image that should be relegated to times gone by. People who would never consider Junior riding in anything less secure than a state-of-the-art child seat will still allow a 75-pound dog to roam free at highway speeds within a car’s passenger compartment.

Properly securing a pet while riding inside a moving vehicle not only makes it a safer ride for an animal, it helps keep the interior clean and avoids potentially hazardous situations. It may be exciting to see a flying squirrel or flying fish in the wild, but within the confines of an automobile, a soaring schnauzer is a danger to both man and beast.

According to pet safety Web site barkbuckleup.com, when driving 35 mph, a 60-pound unrestrained dog can cause an impact of 2,700 pounds, slamming into a car seat, windshield or passenger. Keeping the animal restrained is the first step toward the comfort and well-being of all living things within your automobile.

For small dogs and pets, purchasing a portable kennel is the simplest answer, particularly a carrier that’s already familiar and comfortable to the pet. These can easily be securely strapped down in the back of a station wagon, minivan or SUV or, with appropriate fastenings, in the backseat of a passenger car. “In-vehicle pet restraints should be part of every dog owner’s safe travel practices,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States.

Going several steps further, Honda recently showed a concept version of its boxy Element crossover wagon that’s purposefully dedicated to hauling the family dog, right down to paw-print logos on the fenders. “In an interesting turn of events, cars are now chasing dogs,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda. “Factory integration of a cushioned pet bed, restraint systems and other components are intended to transform the Element into the ultimate dog car.”

With its concept vehicle, Honda has paid dogged attention to canine comfort and safety. Older dogs, particularly those too big to be carried, can enter via a ramp into the rear cargo area.

Other features in the dog-friendly concept Element include a cushioned pet bed in the cargo area with an elevated platform, a rear ventilation fan, second-row seat covers, rubber floor mats and a spill-resistant water bowl.

[Source: Daily News]

The Blind Dog and Guide Dog: BFF

2009-07-24T12:09:00.005-04:00

It's not unusual for visually-impaired humans to rely on a guide dog - but now a shelter in the UK has found a blind border collie with his own inseparable canine companion.

Best friends Bonnie and Clyde were brought to the animal shelter in Norfolk after they were found wandering the streets in a rain storm.

When the pair are together Clyde, five, seems as capable as a fully sighted dog - but he won't move unless Bonnie, two, is close.

Bonnie guides him on walks or towards food and lets him rest on her when he becomes disorientated.

Cherie Cootes, who runs the Meadown Green Dog Rescue Centre in Loddon, Norfolk, said: "He totally relies on her the whole time. When she walks she tends to stop and make sure he's there - she does look out for him."

Vicky Bell, a spokeswoman for Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, said she had never heard of a dog voluntarily acting as a guide for another dog.

"There's absolutely no option of homing them separately - they have to go as a pair," she said. "This is a very unusual case - it's such a lovely story.

"Some dogs take to guiding better than others because they naturally have the right temperament."

[Source: SkyNews.com]

Babies and Dogs Get Each Other, Study Says

2009-07-22T12:51:00.004-04:00

You may not understand what your dog is trying to tell you, but your baby might. Infants as young as six months old can tell what kind of mood a pooch is in by its bark, according to a new study.

Brigham Young University researchers showed babies two different pictures of the same dog, looking aggressive and then friendly. They then played sound recordings of a happy and an angry bark in a random order.

Amazingly, the babies spent most of the time staring at the matching picture after hearing the sound.

“Emotion is one of the first things babies pick up on in their social world,” said Ross Flom, a professor at the university and lead author of the study. “We chose dogs because they are highly communicative creatures both in their posture and the nature of their bark.”

The experiment backs up the idea that even before they can speak, babies can understand and respond to the tone of human and animal voices.

Thankfully, it seems no babies got too alarmed by the aggressive barks. “Many of them enjoyed it,” Dan Hyde, one of the study’s co-authors said of the experiment. “Others just looked on.”

[Source: NYDailyNews]

5-Legged Pup Saved From Freakshow

2009-07-20T12:40:00.004-04:00

New Yorkers opened their hearts and wallets on Sunday for the North Carolina woman who saved a five-legged puppy from a Coney Island freak show as they hailed the big-hearted animal lover as a hero.

A Manhattan vet was so touched by the actions of Allyson Siegel, the Charlotte woman who bought Lilly for $4,000 to spare her from a life as a Surf Ave. freak puppy, that he offered to remove the dog's extra leg for free.

Dr. Neil Shaw, co-owner of NYC Veterinary Specialists on W. 55th St., said his hospital would evaluate the 6-week-old Chihuahua-terrier mix and then plan the surgery.

"We would be more than happy to help out," he said.

Siegel was thrilled by the generosity.

"That is so nice. I'm so happy!" she said on Sunday.

Siegel, 45, said her local vet told her it would charge $2,000 for the operation. NYC Veterinary Specialists runs a foundation it can tap to help pay for the care of needy animals.

Daily News reader Tony Raimi, 27, called to find out Siegel's address so she could send her and Lilly a care package.

"When I read about her, it made me think, 'There are still good people out there,'" the Staten Island native said Sunday.

"I was at work when I read the story and had to walk away from the counter because I started to cry."

Raimi and readers who posted comments on the News' Web site cheered Siegel's decision to spend $4,000 to save Lilly.

"Allyson Siegel, you are my hero!" wrote Paula DeMarta Mastroianni. "Big big hugs to beautiful Lilly, and thank you for doing this!"

"Lucky Little Lilly," wrote Rose Young-Stewart. "The other animals on display at the Coney Island freak show need to be given good homes. Who wants to spend their life being stared at, ridiculed, laughed at, so the owner can make a living off them?"

Another reader called Siegel an "angel."

"She is showing that there are guardian angels even for animals," wrote reader Jeppydog. "What a truly wonderful person. God bless you, Allyson!"

[Source: NYDailyNews.com]

Interspecies Cuteness: Dog Becomes Surrogate Mother For Pandas

2009-07-17T13:05:00.005-04:00

Here's your "awww" for the day: two newborn red pandas, rejected by their mother, have found a surrogate mom in a friendly dog, who's nursing the cubs as her own.

The red pandas were born at the Taiyuan Zoo in China's Shanxi province June 25, and were immediately rejected by their mother as a large crowd of zoo visitors looked on, Xinhua News Service reported.

Zoo staff quickly began the search for a surrogate, and chose the dog from among three canine candidates.

"It's good-natured and has sufficient milk. The baby bears seem to like it, too," zoo staffer Ha Guojiang told Xinhua.

Unfortunately, being a surrogate has caused the dog to refuse to nurse her own newborn puppy, but Ha has taken over feeding the pup.

Red pandas, also called lesser pandas, are furry, tree-dwelling, raccoon-like mammals that are a protected species in China, like their black-and-white Giant Panda relatives.

[Source: NYDailyNews.com]

Clean Up & Save This Week At Modern Tails!

2009-07-15T15:54:00.003-04:00

Clean your act up this week and save 30%. Just shop our Grooming category and enter the coupon code BLGROOM at checkout to save 30% on all Grooming products.

To check out all things soapy and sweet, head on over to Modern Tails

ASPCA's Meet Your Match Program

2009-07-13T12:44:00.004-04:00

You could be gazing at the animal of your dreams, but you just can’t tell what she’s thinking behind that furry face. What if you knew a little something about her personality and habits before you moved in together? The ASPCA’s Meet Your Match program wouldn’t let you go home without knowing who’s in that carrier or on that leash. MYM is the only method in existence today that evaluates an animal’s behavior and interests and matches them to an adopter’s preferences so that you take home a pet you can really click with.

The Meet Your Match Canine-ality/Puppy-ality assessment begins with an initial MYM SAFER™ (Safety Assessment for Evaluating Rehoming) behavior screening to make sure each pooch is a good candidate for adoption. Dogs are then tested on their friendliness, playfulness, energy level, motivation and drive, and placed into one of nine color-coded Canine- or Puppy-alities. Some pooches are laid-back “Couch Potatoes,” others are curious “Busy Bees,” and then there are the action hero “Go-Getter” types.

As an adopter, you also get a color based on your preferences and lifestyle. On your visit to the adoption facility, you’re given a purple, orange or green guest pass to match the pets who might suit you best. You don’t always have to go with your own color, but at least you’ll know who you’re mixing with!

For more information, and to get your match color, head on over ASPCA.org