Dogs Strut Their Stuff For a Cause

It was dog lovers' heaven in California's Kit Carson Park on Sunday, when hundreds of big, small and even costumed dogs strutted their stuff at the 10th annual Paws in the Park fundraiser for the Escondido Humane Society.

Dogs dressed up as San Diego Chargers cheerleaders, Indiana Jones, glamour girls and Mardi Gras clowns attracted cheers and applause at the canine couture contest at the Escondido park.

"I like horses," said Shelby Spelce, 12, of Scripps Ranch, CA. So she dressed her Chi-weenie, a cross between a Chihuahua and a Dachshund, in an elaborate costume that made her dog look like a horse, complete with a toy cowboy on top.

Sally Costello, executive director of the Escondido Humane Society, said more than 900 people, plus their pets, attended Sunday's event. "This is a great community day," Costello said, also pointing out several dogs wearing "Adopt Me" outfits that she hoped would attract new owners.

Costello said donations and cash sponsorships of 1.5 and 2.5 mile dog walks were expected to exceed last year's collection of more than $100,000 for the nonprofit animal rescue, care and education organization.

[Source: The North County Times]

In Missouri, Puppy Mill Dogs Go Up For Adoption

150 rescued dogs and puppies are in high demand. The Humane Society of Missouri held an open house Thursday to show the animals to prospective owners. The dogs, many pure bred, are part of a group of 200 removed from a substandard puppy mill in Newton County last month.

Hundreds of people crowded into the Humane Society building on Macklind in West St. Louis City oohing and ahhing over the dogs. The potential pets range in age from two months to ten years. "They all look so sad and that they need a home," said Cori Thompson of Florissant who was looking for a "little family friend" for her two sons. "I'd like something that's a little smart and a little compact," she said. Many of the dogs recovered from the breeding operation in southwest Missouri near the Oklahoma border are small breeds like Chihuahuas, miniature Pinschers and Pomeranians. A total of 19 breeds are available.

First time owners are less likely to receive one of the dogs. "Owners need to be very committed and have a little extra patience," said Cyndi Nason adoption centers director for the Humane Society of Missouri. The dogs will be harder to house train she predicted because they have lived in filthy pens most of their lives. "People need to know some may never be perfectly housebroken." The dogs also could take a long time to overcome shyness. "The dogs just have not been socialized properly," Nason explained.

But those warnings did not deter Melvin Hubbard of St. Charles as he eyed a chocolate Cocker Spaniel named Serena. "I'll just take her and give her the love she deserves," he said.

For more information, and the view the pups online, head on over to The Humane Society.

[Source: cw11tv.com]

We Look Like Our Pets. Science Says So.

We've all heard it before: the longer we're together, the more we start to look alike. And while this theory usually applies to old married couples, science says it's not uncommon for it to happen with our animals as well.

After years of head scratching, a study offers proof that dogs really do resemble their owners — at least when purebreds are involved. Matching a mutt to her master is another story, according to Nicholas Christenfeld and Michael Roy, researchers from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). The full report, "Do Dogs Resemble Their Owners?" was published in the journal Psychological Science.

The two psychologists found that when people choose a dog, they often select one that, at lest at some level, resembles them, and, when it comes to picking out a purebred puppy, they get an even closer pet replica of themselves.

When given a choice of two dogs, 28 judges (undergraduate college students) correctly matched a group of 45 dogs with their owners (who were chosen and photographed at random) nearly two out of three times. A dog was regarded as resembling its owner if a majority of judges matched the pair. With mutts, however, the pattern went to the dogs. There was little or no evidence of resemblance between the mixed breeds and their owners.

The data did not reveal how judges were able match the dogs to their owners. The matches were most often based less on obvious characteristics, for example, between hairy people and hairy dogs or big people with big dogs than on some combination of of physical and personality traits. The conclusion? It appears we are happiest with creatures that are most like ourselves.

[Source: SFGate.com]

Puppies and Polar Bears

This just might be the cutest thing I've seen all week.

Abigal Breslin Adopts Shelter Dog

Animal advocates have encouraged President Barack Obama to adopt a dog from a shelter rather than buy an expensive purebred. While it seems the first family is leaning toward the Portuguese water dog, child star Abigail Breslin has gone the other route and adopted a sick puppy from an Atlanta shelter.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that the Academy-award-nominated actress was in town filming a movie when she saw a pen of puppies at a veterinarian's office. Among those was a Australian shepherd mix who had nearly died. Breslin begged her dad to give her the puppy for an early birthday present. And so child star and sick puppy are reunited for a happy ending.

[Source: BaltimoreSun.com]

North Carolina Dog Eats Owner's Cash

The family dog in one household in North Carolina may have been feeling the stress of the economic slump when he ate his owner's money. Augie, a 2-year-old greater Swiss mountain dog, consumed the $400 that Kelley Davis earned working overtime as a physical therapist.

Davis, 42, of Apex, N.C., said she'd planned to deposit the money a week ago, but it wasn't in her pocket when she went to retrieve it. Instead, Augie "deposited" the cash in a different way over the next few days, she told FOX News on Friday. She thinks he's done, she said.

Davis said when she took Augie for a walk last Saturday, she found parts of three $100 bills and five $20s in his excrement. She washed them with a garden hose and is hoping to exchange them for intact, non-digested cash.

A professor at the North Carolina State University Veterinary School said the money shouldn't hurt the animal.

[Source: FOXNews.com]

Martha Stewart Launches Pet Website

Martha Stewart shares her passion, knowledge and love about pets in a recently launched website co-sponsored by the Purina Company. The site offers readers ways to pamper their furry friends and has a resource page about animal shelters where homeless pets can be adopted.

Martha Stewart Pets offers tips and advice such as how to make printable adoption announcement cards for the new bundle of fur in your family or how to create a homemade feather cat toy.

There is also a newsletter called the Daily Wag which is written from the perspective of Stewart’s adorable French bulldogs, named Francesca and Sharkey.

The fun website offers photo contests and contests with great prizes like the one going on now which will send the winner and a friend to the ASPCA Presidential Service Awards dinner in New York City. The lucky winner gets to sit at Stewart’s private table.

And this week on the Martha Stewart TV show, Stewart will air a very special episode called The Dog Show. The show highlights wonderful dogs that were once homeless and their great new lives. It will today, March 18th.

Stewart has repeatedly shown her devotion for the animals in her life and the welfare of pets overall. We wish her good fortune with her new pet projects.

[Source: Examiner.com]

Rachael Ray to the Rescue - of Hungry Pooches

Christmas in March. That's how Linda Estrada described the semi truck filled with dog food that pulled into Chicago's Animal Welfare League's parking lot Thursday afternoon. "This means a month without worrying," said Estrada, executive director of the Chicago Ridge shelter. "With a shelter this size, you're always worrying."

The 53-foot truck carried 23,000 pounds of Nutrish brand dog food. The line recently was introduced by celebrity chef Rachael Ray, of Food Network fame, and Ainsworth Pet Nutrition.

That's enough to feed the Animal Welfare League's 1,300 dogs for a full month, Estrada said. "We've been getting more than 100 dogs a week," she said. She blames the poor economy for the number of dogs being turned in to the shelter.

When Ray's people called last month, Estrada said she almost was at the panic point. With donations down and animal drop-offs up, food supplies were quickly being gobbled up.

"If we run out of food, we have to go out and buy it," she said. "That means less money for health care and other things."

Ray sent similar hauls to shelters across the country. A celebrated supporter of shelter dogs, Ray also is donating proceeds from sales in the dog food line, which includes dry food and treats.

[Source: TheSouthtownStar.com]

The World's 10 Smartest Dog Breeds (Aside From Your Dog, Of Course)

PetMD came up with a list of the top ten smartest canine breeds in the world. Your dog, obviously, is the smartest individual dog in the world. As is mine. Anyway, here are PetMd's top 3 picks:

#1 Border Collie - The Border Collie comes in at number one. Because of their extraordinary intelligence and high energy, it is essential to give Border Collies an occupation or purpose, or you may well find your home wrecked upon your return from a long day at work. They have an intense connection with humans, making them ideal work and home companions. However, keep this in mind: Border Collies invariably will not do well unless they are with people who are as high energy as they are; they do best with humans who can participate in dog sports with them. Also, because of their background as herding dogs, they may be frustrated by small children, as their inability to herd the children as they deem fit is confounded. For the right human, the Border Collie is well behaved, exceptionally good at learning, and a true-blue companion.

#2 Poodle - Easily trainable, steadfast, and sharp-minded, Poodles flourish in human company. Even with the frou-frou hairdos, Poodles are sometimes made to endure and can be quite effective as guard dogs, especially the standard sized Poodles. In fact, the “poodle clip,” was created specifically for the working Poodle, so that it could swim more effectively, while still having fur to protect its organs as it went about the business of hunting and retrieving. The Poodle excels at training and obedience, and also loves creative play time. This is what made them so popular as circus performers. But, this can be a drawback as well. If left alone to boredom, Poodles can be creative about finding ways to amuse themselves, sometimes finding trouble along the way.

#3 German Shepherd - The German Shepherd was originally bred specifically for intelligence. Smart, courageous, and protective, the Shepherd is one of the most dependable of companions. They learn tasks after only a few repetitions, and obey first commands nearly always the first time it is given. They are eager to learn new tasks, as this gives them direction and purpose — very important for a Shepherd. Besides being used for herding animals, they are often used as guard dogs, police dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, and have even been trained by the military for parachute jumps.

To read the full article, head on over to DivineCaroline.com

Jon + Kate + Puppies

I fully realize that I have way too many reality television addictions going on. But despite all that, Jon & Kate + 8 + Puppies = ridiculously adorable.

Martha Stewart's Dog Dies in PA Kennel Blast

Martha Stewart's puppy has died in a propane explosion at a northeastern Pennsylvania kennel.

Stewart says on her blog she's "deeply saddened" by the death of her chow, Ghengis Khan, in Friday's blast at Pazzazz Pet Boarding kennel in the Pocono Mountains.

Fifteen dogs were killed in the explosion. Two more died over the weekend. The kennel was getting a propane delivery when the tank ignited, setting the pens on fire. The driver was critically burned. A hospital spokeswoman says Timothy Kleinhagen of Summit Hill has been upgraded to stable condition. Officials say a spark or static electricity may have started the blaze.

Stewart says she hopes for a speedy recovery for the surviving dogs and the driver. She also says her "heart goes out" to the kennel owner.

[Source: Associated Press]

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

Casting For Canines

Do you have a four-legged star roaming your home? Time to brush that coat out, get those canines pearly white and stick a bow in Fido's fur, because Disney is giving you an opportunity to make your pooch a star.

In celebration of the releases of Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Bolt and Space Buddies on Disney Blu-ray and DVD, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment is hosting a special casting call to find one camera-ready canine for a bark-on role in an upcoming Buddies film!

The first audition, will be held at The Grove in Los Angeles, on March 7th, 2009, will feature dogs strutting their stuff on a catwalk, and auditioning in front of friends, fans, and furry creatures alike.

Auditions will take place across the country in seven cities and will be documented for Director Robert Vince to choose the final star.

For a complete list of audition dates and locations, check out MonstersAndCritics.com

Oprah Adopts A New Puppy

It's a matter of timing. The nation knew when Oprah Winfrey lost her beloved dog, Sophie, last March. Sophie was 13 and died of kidney failure. Now, a year later, the Sun-Times' Michael Sneed is reporting that the "TV titan" has adopted a new puppy.

Sneed said Oprah and her partner Stedman Graham went to PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving) animal shelter on Sunday and left with a female cocker spaniel puppy. Sophie, too, was a cocker spaniel and Oprah already has a male, Solomon, in addition to a pair of golden retrievers.

In addition to the sad loss of Sophie, Oprah's golden retriever, Gracie, died in 2007 when she choked on a plastic ball belonging to Sophie, Sneed said.

PAWS has received a lot of support from Winfrey, including the sponsorship of an Oprah room at the Clybourn Avenue facility to showcase needy dogs. She's done many stories on the horrors of puppy mills on her show, and has been an outspoken animal rights supporter for years.

The new pup's name is not yet known.

[Source: msnbc.com]

Jennifer Aniston & Owen Wilson Chow on Dog Treats

When the Marley and Me stars appeared on the popular German variety show Wetten, dass …?, they ended up with a mouthful of dog biscuit.

The show asks celebrity visitors to bet whether a special guest can perform the talent they claim to have. This time, it was a German woman who boasted that she could identify each of her team of Husky dogs by the sound of them lapping up soup. Wilson didn't believe she could do it, while Aniston bet on her.

Then the show's host, Thomas Gottschalk, told them that whoever lost the bet would have to eat a few dog biscuits. "I wish I had known the stakes first," Wilson said.

When the dog owner, who was blindfolded, guessed right, Gottschalk invited both Wilson and Aniston to join him in a biscuit. Aniston protested, "But I guessed right!"

The host told her, "You're a team, just like the dogs," which prompted Wilson to put his arm around her shoulder and say, "Honey, we're in this together."

Gottschalk gave each of the actors a biscuit and said, "I'll eat one, I'm the host. And Owen, you have to eat one. Jennifer, you can eat it if you want, but I'd really like to be able to tell my grandkids that I ate dog biscuits with Jennifer Aniston."

On the count of three they all took a bite. How were they?

"They're a little dry," said Aniston. Wilson seemed to be enjoying his more, so Gottschalk gave him a handful in, yes, a doggie bag.

Gottschalk praised Aniston, saying no one would expect a Hollywood star to eat a dog treat on live TV, "but you're easy." Replied Aniston, "I guess all German dogs love me now."

Have you ever tried your dog's food? We give our doggie all natural dog treats and some of them are quite delicious!

[Source: People]