Super Bowl XXXIV Commercial. Budweiser. The Dog Star.

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

Meet Rhode Island's Ugliest Dog (In a Cute Way)

We all admire the beautiful, nearly perfect "show" dog. But, what about the "ugliest" canines out there? A Rhode Island pooch is in the running to become the world's ugliest dog!

He's fifteen hairless pounds of love and energy. Squiggy, a Japanese Chin and Chinese Crested mix lives with his owners in Exeter. But, he is making a name for himself across the country, known as one of the world's ugliest dogs!

"I've always wanted a Chinese Crested. They are just comical looking dogs," said Jean Cotton, Squiggy's owner.

He's comical and unusual for sure. Squiggy only has small tufts of fur on his little paws, and a cute little white mohawk on his head. Squiggy has lost a few teeth, which is common for his breed, so his tongue is always sticking out! And that's not all.

Engladers get confused easily when they meet this dog on his walks in Wickford. "Somebody thought it was a monkey. And one day a state trooper went by, rolled down the window and thought it was a squirrel," said Cotton.

Dont' tell that to Squiggy. He's just happy being known as one of the world's ugliest dogs. There's an annual competition in California for the ugliest crown. And in 2008, Squiggy came in third place in the on-line division. His owner is hoping for an even stronger showing, this year.

To read more about Squiggy and watch a video detailing his adorably ugly self, head on over to Wpri.com

Post Profiles NY's Crappiest Neighborhoods

Step lightly in New York's crappiest neighborhood - the Upper West Side.

The tony area is ground zero for doggy doo, packed with inconsiderate people who don't pick up after their pups, according to a list compiled for The Post by the Department of Sanitation.

Manhattan saw an 88 percent spike in fines for unattended droppings last year, with Morningside Drive, Amsterdam Avenue, West End Avenue, Riverside Drive and Central Park West leading the complaints, Sanitation enforcement officers said.

"It's a minefield over here," said Max Moyet, 34, a dog walker who lives on Central Park West. "It upsets the hell out of me."

Moyet says he takes pains to "stare down" people who do not clean up after their pooches, a practice that's become a daily activity.

"It's their self-absorbed, all-about-me attitude," Moyet complained. "They're like, 'I'm too busy going to my Pilates class. I don't have the time to keep the neighborhood clean.' "

Suparna Chakrabortti, who lives in Queens but visits her family on West End Avenue almost every day, says the Upper West Side has gone to the dogs.

"It's on every block every day," she said. "In the past couple months, it's gotten much worse. I don't remember it being this bad."

While those Upper West Side streets have the highest concentration of complaints in Manhattan, the prize for the crappiest borough goes to The Bronx, which with 354 violations accounts for over a third of the summonses issued citywide, the Sanitation Department said. The two worst locations are on Mosholu Parkway and Hunts Point Avenue.

To read more crap-tastic stats, head over to NYPost.com

PEDIGREE® Behind the Scenes 4 - Rhino Owner

PEDIGREE® Behind the Scenes 3 - Boar Owner

PEDIGREE® Behind the Scenes 2 - Ostrich Owner

PEDIGREE® Behind the Scenes 1 - Bison Owner

Dog on House Roof

In the course of a normal day, the Minot Police Department receives several calls about dogs doing normal dog things getting loose and running around the neighborhood, digging in the garbage or just plain barking.

However, there wasn't much normal about the call that Dick Schnell, animal control officer at the department, handled Tuesday morning. A caller reported this handsome fellow was doing not only the aforementioned normal things, but climbing on the roof as well. "Just when you think you've seen it all," Schnell laughed later Tuesday.

Apparently, the snow in the back yard is high enough to where the dog can basically walk right up onto the roof, Schnell said.

The dog seemed perfectly content on the roof of its home, in the 1300 block of 25th Place in northwest Minot. He eventually came down to the lower level of the roof to snack on some treats Schnell tossed up to try and tempt the dog into coming down, but that's as far as the dog went.

The dog's owner was summoned, who eventually returned home and got the dog off the roof.

[Source: Minot Daily News]

Four-Legged Mets Fan Can't Wait for Opening Day

Jackie the wily pooch is one New Yorker who just couldn't wait until opening day to see the Mets' new stadium.

The stray dog was spotted sniffing around Citi Field for several days before animal control officers were sent Wednesday to rescue her. She led them on a run through the stadium, which is still under construction. New York City Animal Care and Control spokesman Mike Pastore said, "She was around home plate, ran up the first base line and ducked into the stands."

Rescuers nicknamed the 40-pound shepherd mix Jackie. Pastore said she was jumpy and shaking when they caught her, but was able to pet her once she calmed down.

Jackie was taken to the agency's Manhattan shelter. She could be adopted as early as Saturday.

[Source: Newsday.com]

Dog Takes Car for a Drive

Here's a lesson for those who like to keep their vehicles clean - never take your dog with you when you're at the car wash. A Pryor, Oklahoma man learned that lesson the hard way on Thursday, after he left his pooch inside his automobile while he was busy cleaning it at one of those do-it-yourself places.

The 70-lbs. pit bull got restless while his best friend was taking care of business, jumped in the front seat and somehow shifted the car into reverse. The vehicle then started moving, headed onto the highway, drove in a loop for a minute or two, and finally, mercifully came to a stop in one of the car wash's automated lanes.

No one was hurt and amazingly, nothing was hit. But the owner lost his car anyway when police coming to check out the report of a vehicle being driven by a dog found the man had no proof of insurance. He was forced to walk the canine home after the now spotless car was towed away.

Fortunately, the animal wasn't charged for his little sojourn into the human world. After all, the dog already had a licence.

[Source: City News]

It's a Pelican-Eat-Dog World

This improbable picture was taken at an exotic bird farm in Germany and shows the extraordinary moment when a one-year-old pelican body-searched a dog in search for a missing meal. Captured by the owner of the bird farm, Roland Adam, they show how Petri the Pelican took exception to the theft of its meal.

"I was preparing foods for the birds in our outdoor kitchen, when I noticed Petri at my side looking for a snack," explained the 38-year-old. "I decided to feed her one of the chicks I had been preparing when Katijina raced in, caught the frozen bird mid-air and gobbled up Petri's dinner."

Confused and slightly irritated by missing out on the proffered snack, Petri decided to scour every inch of the Rhodesian ridgeback - named Katijina - for the discarded chick.

"It was hilarious," said Mr Adam. "We have so many animals on the farm that they are very tame and at ease with each other. Katijina is no different and she was more than happy to allow Petri to come in for closer inspection."

Me Adam's exotic bird farm is in Hoerstel near Osnabrueck and houses everything from ostriches to flamingos. "You see a lot of things on my farm but I have never seen anything like this before and I just had to get my camera to prove it was real," he said. "But I suppose when it came down to it, Katijina was just too quick."

[Source: Telegraph.co.uk]

Loose Poodle Delays Fights at Boston Airport

Cramped after a Saturday night flight from Detroit, Choochy the poodle broke free after her plane landed at Boston's Logan Airport and for the next 17 hours, the tiny white fugitive managed to elude nearly a dozen Massport employees and State Police, holding up runway traffic as she cavorted on the tarmac.

Gideon Lester, a passenger on a delayed US Airways flight to LaGuardia in New York, saw the event unfold. "I'm sitting on a plane at Logan waiting to take off. The runway had been closed because a stray dog, looks like a poodle, is running around the tarmac."

Her romp ended yesterday afternoon when she was finally coaxed into custody, but not before she managed to delay at least eight flights for about 20 minutes each, according to Phil Orlandella, a Massport spokesman, who said the pup "did create a little havoc."

The poodle "seemed to be having a good time," said Lester, artistic director of the American Repertory Theatre. "They looked like they were running cattle." His fellow passengers were mostly amused rather than annoyed by the runaway, he said, but were "a little incredulous that it would take so many men so many hours to catch this little dog."

"Obviously, she's hungry and she's afraid," Orlandella said earlier in the day as employees chased Choochy around the runways. A safe but tired Choochy was reunited with her family, who live in Revere. Orlandella would not release the name of her family.

[Source: Boston Globe]

Revealed: Most Unusual Dog & Cat Names

After years of tracking the most popular names for pets, Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) set out to find the most unusual cat and dog names from among its more than 465,000 pets insured nationwide. VPI employees selected 50 unusual dog names and 50 unusual cat names, and then voted for the 10 most unusual names in each category. Check out these winners, listed in order, with the most unusual at the top. Now sit. And read.

Dogs
1. Rush Limbark (enjoys listening to the conservative radio talk show host)
2. Sirius Lee Handsome
3. Rafikikadiki
4. Low Jack (a corgi mix with very short legs)
5. Meatwad
6. Peanut Wigglebutt (a dachshund puppy who shakes her tail so hard she falls over)
7. Scuddles Unterfuss
8. Sophie Touch & Pee (an excitable golden retriever with an unfortunate habit)
9. Admiral Toot
10. Spatula

Cats
1. Edward Scissorpaws (a playful paw leaves a scratch right under the owner's eye)
2. Sir Lix-a-lot
3. Optimus Prrrime
4. Buddah Pest
5. Snoop Kitty Kitty
6. Miss Fuzzbutt
7. 80 Bucks
8. Sparklemonkey
9. Rosie Posie Prozac (an ex-boyfriend spots neurotic tendencies)
10. Toot Uncommon (perfect for the Egyptian mau breed)

[Source: Chicago Tribune]

Triumph the Dog Makes Debate Appearance

Triumph the Insult Comic Dog made an appearance in last night’s Spin Alley following the presidential debate playing the role of the plunger-wielding, “Joe the Plumber.”

He took a quick break to answer questions from reporters before returning to mocking politicians and journalists working the room. We will have to wait for Late Night with Conan Thursday and Friday nights to see who got hit the hardest.

[Source: FOX News.com]

Running of the Wieners

The nation's largest Oktoberfest celebration, Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati, invites dachshunds from around the country to compete for the title of most authentically German "wiener dog" of this year's celebration.

The second annual John Morrell Running of the Wieners will kick off Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati on Friday, September 19, with competitions to be held at noon on Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati.

The John Morrell Running of the Wieners races are free and open to any dachshund in America. Each dog will be provided its competition "race gear" hot dog bun costume, and will race 100 feet to its owner. Winners of each heat will advance to the finals. The grand champion dachshund will be crowned the most "authentically German" mascot of Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati, the nation's largest Oktoberfest, second only to the original in Munich, Germany. The winner will also receive a gift basket filled with dog treats and treats for his or her owner.

"Last year's first Running of the Wieners was the surprise hit of the Oktoberfest weekend," said Karen Michelsen, vice president of marketing for the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. "We challenge our neighboring cities to enter their best dachshund to compete for this coveted title!"

Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati showcases the rich German heritage of Southwestern Ohio, as well as tasty samples of German-style music, food and beer. First held in 1976, the event has grown to be America's largest Oktoberfest with more than one half million people attending each year.

The 33rd annual Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati, presented by Sam Adams and John Morrell, will be held Saturday, Sept. 20 and Sunday, Sept. 21 along six blocks of Fifth Street in Downtown Zinzinnati. Hours are 11 a.m. to midnight on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.oktoberfestzinzinnati.com. For more information or to register your dachshund in advance, contact Brian Eagan at (513) 579-3100.

[Source: Wall Street Journal Market Watch]

Inflatable Poo Raises a Stink

A giant inflatable dog turd brought down a power line after being blown away from a Swiss museum.

The artwork, entitled Complex S***, was carried 200 metres on the night of 31 July, reportedly breaking a greenhouse window before it landed again. The sculpture, by American artist Paul McCarthy, was equipped with a safety system that should have deflated it. The fake faeces has been returned and will remain on display at the Zentrum Paul Klee in Bern until October.

McCarthy is well known for his inflatable artworks, two of which - Blockhead and Daddies Bighead - were displayed outside the Tate Modern in London in 2003. The Zentrum Paul Klee, which opened in 2005, houses a collection of about 4,000 works by the noted Swiss painter.

[Source: BBC News]

Daredevil Dog Goes Skydiving

Meet DJ, the daredevil parachuting pooch who fell 1220m and lived to chase his tail another day. The 20-month-old tenterfield terrier joins an elite group of skydiving animals around the world after completing two tandem jumps with his owner Archie Jamieson, who is the manager of the Gold Coast Skydive Centre.

DJ landed safely on all fours when the pair dived into the All Saints Anglican School fete at Merrimac on Saturday (click here to see the video).

The weekend's jump followed a practice skydive on Thursday, which Mr Jamieson said was a complete success despite the fact the pair had never jumped together before. "We did the first jump at Kirra just to see if he liked it. Because if he didn't, I wouldn't pursue it," he said. "I said to myself, 'if he doesn't like it, he's not doing it again'. But he loved it."

The 41-year-old said he had been a 'little bit concerned' about the pressure change in the plane and the effect it could have on DJ. "It was all fine though and when we landed he just got his ball and ran around in circles," he said. "He was a normal, happy dog and the jump didn't seem to scare him. It's not like when we landed he ran away scared."

Mr Jamieson has jumped almost 12,000 times and has racked up 23 years of skydiving experience. He said he did not think he was doing the wrong thing by jumping with DJ. "I've actually spoken to (TV vet) Dr Harry Cooper many years ago when a team member was jumping with a dog," he said. "Someone had complained to the RSPCA about it so we contacted him to do a story on it and he said there was no issue as far as cruelty to animals."

Mr Jamieson said he decided to take DJ skydiving after he donated a skydiving display to All Saints Anglican School for the fete at the weekend. "We wanted to give them something more than just a tandem dive with two people," he said. "That would have just been the same old thing, but when you land with a dog, well that's certainly something a bit special."

Mr Jamieson had a harness made especially for DJ so that he was attached to his chest. "It's exactly the same as a tandem skydive with people," he said. "He's attached to me and he can't get out of it."

This will not be the last time DJ dives from great heights, with Mr Jamieson planning to make his four-legged friend a big star. "It will be purely for skydiving displays," he said. "Eventually, what I want to get him is a sponsor and that way they can cover the cost of display jumps."

Although this is DJ's first attempt at an extreme sport, Mr Jamieson said he had tried his paw at surfing. "We tried to get him on a board but he's just not good at it," he said. "He can body surf pretty good but I think he's a much better skydiver."

[Source: The Gold Coast Bulletin]

Japanese 'Dogman' Robs Stores to Feed Pets

A Japanese animal-lover on welfare went to extremes to provide for his many pets by robbing convenience stores while wearing the mask of a dog, police said Monday.

Takaharu Kawata -- branded by Japanese media as "The Dogman" -- was caught on a surveillance camera wearing an oversized black-and-white canine mask while brandishing a knife. The 28-year-old was arrested in Osaka for hold-ups in which he allegedly stole a total of 587,000 yen (5,470 dollars) in cash, a police spokesman said.

Kawata "said he resorted to the robberies because he loves animals and was running out of money to feed his two dogs, five cats, five turtles, two snakes and an aquarium of tropical fish," the spokesman said. "He bought a knife after watching television and thinking how easy it was to do hold-ups just by wielding it," he said.

Kawata, who is unemployed and living on welfare, was arrested in March while he was attempting to rob a convenience store. He is suspected of having robbed two stores previously.

Despite receiving monthly benefits of 120,000 yen, Kawata said he did not have enough money to cover the basic necessities for him and his pets. He was reportedly without the mask when he was arrested, saying that his beagle -- which he apparently bought with stolen cash -- had ripped it up.

After his arrest, Kawata's pets were handed over to a pet shop, the police spokesman added, and the lease on his apartment was suspended. Kawata is in police custody pending charges and a court appearance.

[Source: Agence France-Presse]

Beverly Hills Chihuahua Teaser Trailer

Matching Leotard Outfits for Paris the Boxer Dog

Boxer dog Paris is used to being put through her paces by owner Stevie Williams but a Wellington pet fashion parade meant barking up a different tree altogether.

The three-year-old pooch took the event in her stride, securing second spot with Stevie, 19, in the best pet and person look-alike competition at the school holiday show at the Animates pet store in Hutt Rd yesterday.

The pair, clad in near-matching leotard outfits, are a familiar sight on the streets of Levin, where Stevie takes Paris on daily four-kilometre runs.

[Source: Stuff.co.nz]