Breaking Pet News Archive | Dog & Cat Health, Wellness, Products and Breed Information

Breaking Pet News Archive
| Print | By Petside Team | May 17, 2009 10:40 AM

Friday June 5th, 2009

22 dogs of the 240 dogs rescued from a puppy mill in Indiana are now up for adoption. The dogs are being nursed back to health after being removed from the mill. Many of the pups were malnourished or had major dental problems. Anyone interested in providing on of these dogs with a permanent home should contact the Humane Society of Northwest Indiana. (Chicago Sun-Times)

Thursday June 4th, 2009

ChemNutra Inc, the company that sold Chinese-made wheat gluten contaminated with the chemical melamine to pet food makers, is pleading guilty in connection to the 2007 tainted pet food case. The tainted food may have been responsible for the deaths of thousands of dogs and cats. A defense attorney said the owners of ChemNutra Inc reached a plea deal with prosecutors. (AP)

Wednesday June 3rd, 2009

Lucky the cat fell 26 stories after climbing out a window in his owner's high-rise New York City apartment. Window washers across the street saw the incident and helped the 3-year-old cat's owner find him down below. Amazingly, Lucky only suffered a broken toe and jaw and will make a full recovery. Lucky certainly lives up to his name! (PEOPLE Pets)

Tuesday June 2nd, 2009

Southwest Airline's new pet-friendly flying policy has raised the pets-in-cabin issue again. Some passengers are worried about allergies, barking and smells, and are accusing the company of just trying to make a buck. A Southwest spokesman said that they did not hear complaints prior to introducing the new policy, and the company "will quickly make accommodations if a pet is causing any disruption in flight." (Denver Post)

Monday June 1st, 2009

Beginning June 17th Southwest Airlines will allow passengers to bring small pets onboard in the cabin. The airline still won't permit pets to fly in the cargo areas of the plane, although this is allowed by many other airlines. This service does come with a fee however. Passengers will be charged $75 for one carrier, which can have up to two animals of the same species inside. The carrier also must be small enough to fit under the plane seats, so only small pets will make the cut. Southwest also says they plan to put pet potty areas in its airport terminals. (Chicago Tribune)

Friday May 29th, 2009

Two little dogs took on a big cat and won! A Chihuahua and a Border Terrier scared away a cougar in the small town of Philomath, Oregon, close to the Oregon State University Campus. After the cat pinned Rosie the Border Collie down, Chiquita the Chihuahua barked at the cougar and saved his friend. The dogs' owner says the pups are fine, but lucky to have survived. (AP)

Thursday May 28th, 2009

In an effort to reduce the number of cell phones smuggled into prisons, and therefore reduce criminal activity, Arizona corrections officials are training dogs to detect phones. The dogs are trained to pick up on four odors associated with cell phones and batteries. The state currently has four dogs either in-training or trained, and the canines have helped confiscate about 50 phones so far. Officials say they hope to have a trained cell phone search dog in each of the state's 10 prisons by the end of next year. (Fox News)

Friday May 22nd, 2009

The economy may be in a downturn, but pet owners continue to increase spending on their pets. The American Pet Products Association predicts that Americans will spend $45.4 billion on their pets in 2009. That is an increase of 5.1% from last year and nearly two times the amount of money spent on pets a decade ago. It appears that pets may be a source of comfort in these hard economic times. (Business Week)

Thursday May 21st, 2009

There are some new pet gadgets and gear on the market, and the technology will amaze you. Our two favs? The Litter-Robot is no regular self-cleaning litter box. It looks like the Death Star from Star Wars and includes weight sensors and a spinning, gravity optimizing cleaning system. Another standout is the Petporte automatic pet door. No more unwanted canines or raccoons scooting through the doggie door, the Petporte door is locked until it senses a radio signal from your pet's microchip. Follow the link to see all of the amazing gadgets. (NY Times)

Wednesday May 20th, 2009

Michael Vick, a former NFL quarterback and convicted animal cruelty offender, left a Kansas prison early this morning to begin home confinement in Virginia. Vick was serving a 19 month sentence after being convicting of financing a dog-fighting operation in one of his homes. Vick has made it clear that his ultimate goal is to rehabilitate his image and return to playing football. Let's hope, as an example to others, this does not happen. (AP Sports)

Tuesday May 19th, 2009

A pair of animal behaviorists says that canines display the emotions, such as empathy and compassion, which provide the basis for ethical codes. The team spent thousands of hours analyzing the actions of coyotes, wolves and dogs to arrive at their conclusion. They also said happy dogs' brains display the same activity as laughing people, but that a dogs "laugh" is actually a rhythmic pant. Follow the link to read more about this interesting study. (Seattle Times)

Monday May 18th, 2009

The Guinness World Record Holder for the world's tallest dog, a Great Dane named Gibson, is fighting bone cancer. Last week he had surgery to remove his right front leg due to the cancer. Gibson is over seven feet tall and has been a guest on shows such as "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "The Oprah Winfrey Show." As a certified therapy dog he works in burn units, Alzheimer's centers and children's hospitals. Get well soon Gibson. (Auburn Journal)

Friday May 15th, 2009

The Ty Company has introduced a Beanie Baby based on the newest First Dog, Bo the Portuguese Water Dog. The "Bo" doll is selling briskly, and already has a market at auction. The suggested retail price for the toy is $4.99, but bids for the stuffed dog on Ebay are as high as $139.95. Ty has said the company will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the doll to animal shelters. (AP)

Thursday May 14th, 2009

The Santa Barbara wildfires are contained enough that the 30,000 evacuees can return to their homes, and their pets. The animal services director for Santa Barbara County says most of the pets dropped off during the evacuations have been picked up in the last few days. Animal services is also focusing on helping those who lost their homes in the fires relocate their animals. Almost 1,000 animals had to be moved from their homes during the evacuation and were cared for by hundreds of volunteers. (PEOPLE Pets)

Wednesday May 13th, 2009

The Southwest Oregon Regional Airport in North Bend, Oregon has hired a Border Collie named Filly as its "wildlife management canine." To help cut down on "bird strikes" Filly chases birds of all sizes away from the planes. While the birds probably don't like being chased by a dog, it is certainly preferable to getting hit by a plane. (LA Times)

Tuesday May 12th, 2009

A new production of "The Wiz" has finally cast the critical role of Toto. The part will be played by Nigel, a 20-month-old Cairn Terrier. Nigel was discovered by animal trainer Bill Berloni, who spotted the pup on the Humane Society website. Berloni says of Nigel, "After speaking to the shelter about his personality I knew he had star potential. I predict a great future for him." "The Wiz" will star singer Ashanti as Dorothy and runs from June 12th to July 5th at the New York City Center as part of the Encores! Summer Stars series. (NY Times)

Monday May 11th, 2009

13,000 Santa Barbara residents have been evacuated from their homes because of wildfires in the area, and officials say thousands of animals have also been affected. Most animals are being dropped off at rescue shelters where more than 300 volunteers are helping take care of the displaced dogs, cats, horses, pigs, parrots, chickens and even an 80 pound tortoise. Unfortunately, some people have had to abandon their homes before they can go back and collect their pets. Animal services is trying to rescue as many of these pets as possible, but there have been losses. Visit the Santa Barbara Humane Society website to learn how you can help. (PEOPLE Pets)

Friday May 8th, 2009

Intending to protect endangered plants and insects in the area, the Australian Army has begun shooting 6,000 kangaroos on Army training grounds. However, these attempts to thin out the population have been met by sharp criticism from conservationists, who vow to protest. The government says the kangaroos are overpopulated, but protesters say that "We're not going to sit back and let it happen." (MSNBC)

Thursday May 7th, 2009

A man was arrested at the Los Angeles airport Tuesday for trying to smuggle in 13 songbirds from Vietnam. He was caught when an inspector spotted bird droppings and feathers on his shoes. The man had the birds attached to his socks in little cloth harnesses, which were buttoned to the socks (Follow the link to see a picture of the socks). The birds are sold for $10-$30 in Vietnam, but go for as much as $400 in the United States. (Discovery Channel)

Wednesday May 6th, 2009

The world's oldest dog, a dachshund named Chanel, turned 21 years old today. That makes her 147 in "people years." Named the oldest dog by Guinness World Records, Chanel left her Long Island home for a birthday party with her canine friends in New York City. Her owner says their home is always kept at 72 degrees and she eats chicken and whole wheat pasta. Chanel took the title last spring when the previous record holder, a 28-year-old Beagle, passed away. (NY Post)

Tuesday May 5th, 2009
Former "Dallas" star Victoria Principal is in a bitter battle with her ex-housekeeper, claiming the former employee abused her dog. Maribel Banegas says she was fired by Principal after she returning from walking the dog, and instead of paying her for prior work, pulled a gun on her. Principal filed a lawsuit Tuesday claiming Banegas was aggressive toward her and the dog. The suit also states that her dog suffered from weight loss and "significant injuries," including vertebrae damage as a result of Banegas' care. (AP)

Monday May 4th, 2009

If you're looking to fill the void left by the Shiba Inu puppy cam, the Baby Owl Cam has come to your rescue. Watch four little Tawny Owls snuggle, fight over food and wait for mom in their tree nest. (Sportsmansparadiseonline.com)
Enter your own pet photo in the new Furry Faceoff Challenge, or just vote for your favorite! The contest pits cats against dogs and has a grand prize worth $350, including a $250 gift card. (American Greetings)

Friday May 1st, 2009

The CT scan of a small body found at the foot of an Egyptian tomb revealed it to be the mummified body of a terrier-type puppy. The 2,300-year-old puppy is a rare example of an animal mummy. Egyptians often mummified cats and birds, but rarely dogs. The tomb was inscribed with the phrase "Hapi-Men," and scientists have fittingly named the canine mummy "Hapi-Puppy." (MSNBC)

Wednesday April 29th, 2009

South Korean scientists claim they have cloned four Beagle puppies that glow red under ultraviolet light. All of the dogs are named "Ruppy" - a combination of the words ruby and puppy. The scientists say the glowing puppies were cloned with implanted fluorescent genes. The dogs look normal by day, but glow red when exposed to ultraviolet light. Parts of their bodies with thinner skin, such as nails and underbellies, have a red hue that can be seen in daylight as well. (AP)

Tuesday April 28th, 2009

A six-pound Chihuahua named Tinker bell has been reunited with her owners after being swept away by a 70-mph gust of wind and carried out of sight. Her owners contacted a pet physic, who they say led them to the wooded area almost a mile away where Tinker bell was found. The 8-month-old Chihuahua was hungry and dirty, but unharmed. (AP)

Monday April 27th, 2009

The CATalyst Council, a non-profit devoted to improving cats' place in society, has released its list of the Top 10 Cat-Friendly Cities in America. The ranking was based on the number of cats living in the city, the number micro-chipped, the number of animal hospitals and feline practitioners, and the number of Cat Fancy subscribers, among other criteria. Cities named most cat-friendly include: Tampa, Phoenix, San Francisco, Portland (Oregon), Denver, Boston, Seattle, San Diego, Atlanta and Minneapolis. Ithaca, N.Y. received an honorable mention. For more information, visit CATalyst's website at http://www.catalystcouncil.org/.

Friday April 24th, 2009

During a White House event for Take Your Children to Work Day, First Lady Michelle Obama gave a little insight into the personality of new pup Bo. The verdict? He's "kind of crazy"! She said he loves chewing on people's feet and has been known to cause a commotion late at night. The First Lady said one night she and the President were woken up by what sounded like another person in the halls but, "It was just Bo. And he was playing with his ball. And it was like another person was in the house." Puppies will be puppies! (PEOPLE Pets)

Thursday April 23rd, 2009

Mary Tyler Moore appeared on the Bonnie Hunt Show and talked about her life saving Pit Bull. You see, Moore has type 1 diabetes and a life-threatening side effect of the disease is low blood sugar. Moore says her dog has a gift and can sense when her blood sugar is low: "He will come sit in front of me and just stare at me, until I get the idea. I'll go upstairs, do a little blood check and, sure enough, it's low." Moore's best friend is a lifesaver! (PEOPLE Pets)

Wednesday April 22nd, 2009

The estate of Leona Helmsley, who made her fortune in real estate, gave out $136 million to various charities today and one million dollars to animal charities. But this amount has caused some animal advocates to cry foul, saying the donations do not reflect Helmsley's wishes. It was reported last year that Helmsley's will stated that her entire worth should be donated to dog charities. Her pup named Trouble was said to be a beneficiary of the estate. But a judge ruled in February that the trustees of Helmsley's trust would decide where the money went. A chief executive of the Humane Society of the United States says the organization has contacted "interested parties and hope for a constructive resolution." (AP)

Tuesday April 21st, 2009

Starting this summer, pets will have a friendlier way to fly. The dog and cat only Pet Airways will begin service to five U.S. cities in July: Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Washington, D.C. Pets will only fly in the cabin, which may ease the minds of pet owners who would have otherwise had to ship their pets as cargo. Owners are not allowed to fly with their pets, but pet attendants watch the animals at all times. Upon landing, owners can pick up their pets in a special pet lounge nearby. (LA Times)

Monday April 20th, 2009

A rescue cat named Romeo is using the micro-blogging site Twitter to raise money for his favorite charities. Romeo's owner started the page and pledged to donate five cents for every follower Romeo picked up. Now followers are matching Romeo's donations and companies such as Iams and Petco are donating products to the organizations. Romeo picks a new charity each month, April's is the Kitten Rescue of Los Angeles, and has raised almost $5,000 so far. You can follow Romeo's antics on Twitter (@romeothecat) or on his blog. (PEOPLE Pets)

Friday April 17th, 2009

According to Police, a Colorado woman wrapped her boyfriend's dog in packing tape and stuck it upside down on the refrigerator because she was angry that he wouldn't get rid of the dog. The 20-year-old woman bound the legs, tail and snout of the Shiba Inu named Rex and then taped him to the fridge. Both the woman and her boyfriend have been charged with cruelty counts. Rex has been taken to a shelter where he will be put up for adoption. (Denver Post)

Thursday April 16th, 2009

In 2007 Bob the cat escaped from his owner's Minnesota home. After months of searching, Shane and Nicole Meide had given up hope of ever finding him again. Nearly two years later, someone turned the 20 pound Maine Coon cat into a local animal shelter. Bob's microchip information was out of date because the family had moved, but that didn't stop Amber Wallin from the Coon Rapids Animal Humane Society from trying to reunite Bob with his family. She poured through the phonebook with no luck, and then had the idea to check the social networking site Facebook. The Meides had just set up their account days earlier and received Amber's message, and was soon reunited with Bob. (WCCO.com)

Wednesday April 15th, 2009

Some pet shelter advocates are disappointed in the Obama family's choice to not rescue a dog. Their new puppy Bo is a purebred Portuguese Water dog who, although returned by his original owners, came from a breeder. President Obama had previously stated that the family would prefer to get a shelter dog, however he said that daughter Malia's allergies also had to be taken into account. Animal welfare workers say they wish the president had led by example and also fear that the PWD's spike in popularity will lead to bad breeding practices and abandoned dogs. (PEOPLE Pets)

Tuesday April 14th, 2009

The Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan has some dog advice for the leader of the free world: Also be the "pack leader" with the new First Puppy Bo. "When I watch President Obama speak, it's clear that calm, assertive energy is something that comes naturally to him," Millan tells PEOPLE Pets. "But often men and women who are leaders in the workplace don't apply this 'pack leader' frame of mind with their dogs. That's how problems develop." Hopefully the first family will be able to overlook Bo's cuteness enough to keep him well trained and behaved. (peoplepets.com)

Monday April 13th, 2009

The newest White House pet has been revealed! The Obama family has been gifted a Portuguese Water dog by Senator Ted Kennedy. The Obama girls named the 6-month-old pup Bo after a cousin's cat and Michelle Obama's father, who was nicknamed Diddley. The secret was actually set to be revealed tomorrow, but photos leaked of the puppy Sunday morning. This is the first pet owned by the Obama family, who are currently working out the dog responsibilities for the girls and where the dog will sleep. (Washington Post)

Thursday April 9th, 2009

Honda is now catering to the dogs. The car company unveiled its new dog-friendly model of the Element utility vehicle at the New York Auto Show. The vehicle includes a built in water bowl, dog bed in the trunk, ramp and dog fan. The car's seat covers are also removable and washable, and it includes built in restraints for carriers while traveling. Honda says the dog-friendly element will go to market in fall, but has not said how many more bones these features will cost. (Reuters)

Wednesday April 8th, 2009

According to CBS White House Correspondent Bill Plante, the new First Puppy has been chosen. Plante declined to say how he knows this though. Sources also said that the dog is a Portuguese Water Dog, a male puppy and is expected this week. The dog may be a gift from PWD fan Senator Ted Kennedy and has reportedly already visited their new home. The Politico reported that a mystery dog has been seen around the White House. This is all unconfirmed, but lines up with the First Couple's earlier statements that the dog would be arriving after Spring Break. (LA Times)

Tuesday April 7th, 2009

Cassidy, a three-legged pup rescued from the Bronx, has received one of the country's first permanent prosthetic dog legs. The three-and-a-half year process was made possible by cutting edge research at North Carolina State University. The leg is made of titanium, carbon fiber and rubber and attached to a permanent implant fused to the dog's thighbone. Cassidy's owner says the dog is comfortable with the new limb and runs on the beach and gets stopped by a lot of people who say they've never seem anything like it! (PEOPLE Pets)

Monday April 6th 2009

Sophie Tucker, a grey and black cattle dog, has survived against almost impossible odds in an incredible story of survival. Sophie Tucker fell off of her family's boat off the coast of Queensland, Australia during a storm. The family thought they would never see their dog again, but unwilling to give up, Sophie Tucker swan six miles until she landed on a deserted island. She hunted wild goats and survived for more than four months before someone spotted her. She was brought back to the mainland and successfully reunited with her astonished family. (dailymail.co.uk)

Friday April 3rd 2009

A supermarket chain has instructed shepherds in New Zealand who supply it with lamb to stop using sheep dogs to herd sheep. The chain, Tesco, says the centuries old method stresses the flocks and would like the dogs replaced by people. Shepherds are outraged and worried about having to sell or put down their dogs. Up to 60 sheep dogs are now unemployed. (Telegraph.co.uk)

Thursday April 2nd 2009

To increase the pups' chances of being adopted, the Today Show selected four dogs to receive a makeover. The NYC Animal Care and Control Shelter is a kill-shelter in New York City, and this is many of the animals' last chance to be adopted. There isn't money left for grooming after all the care and veterinary bills. See these dogs go "from bow to wow" in the video clip and learn who to contact if you want to adopt one of these sweet dogs/. (PEOPLE Pets)

Wednesday April 1st 2009

Before Candy Spelling, widow of producer Aaron Spelling, put her $150M mansion on the market, she made sure to consult her most trusted real estate advisor...her Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier named Madison. Spelling had her security present the dog to each real estate agent and watched to see how Madison reacted. Bad reaction from Madison? Sorry, you're crossed off the list. Note to realtors: start carrying bacon in your pockets. (AP)

Tuesday, March 31st 2009

Oprah's Cocker Spaniel puppy Sadie is home and "doing well" after being treated for the Parvo Virus. This is the same deadly virus that claimed the life of Sadie's brother Ivan in early March. Sadie's vet said there were some nights "where we thought she might not make it," but Sadie made a full recovery. Click here for more on the Parvo Virus and how to protect your puppy. (PEOPLE Pets)

Monday, March 30th 2009

Many pet owners were forced to leave their pets behind in the North Dakota flood evacuation when the emergency shelters and hotels wouldn't accept their animals. The remaining cats, dogs, horses and other species are being cared for in makeshift shelters in a fairground pavilion. Volunteers are lending a hand to walk, feed, clean up after and comfort the stressed animals. Hopefully these pets can be reunited with their families when they return home. (AP)

Friday, March 27th 2009

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that an average of 86,629 people visit the ER each year because of falls related to their pets or pet supplies. Dogs accounted for the majority of these falls at 88 percent. A third of falls were the result of tripping over a dog, and 86 percent of falls involving cats happened in the home. Children were most likely to be injured, but of those injured in falls-by-cat, nearly three-fourths were women. (Washington Post)

Thursday, March 26th 2009

What happens to your pet's fur after a haircut? Did you know it could be helping the environment? The non-profit organization Matter of Trust accepts pet hair donations and stuffs them into nylons or weaves them into mats. These materials are then used to help control and clean up oil spills in bodies of water. Groomer Linda Bruinsma started donating after realizing she threw away more than 50 pounds of dog and cat hair every week. Interested in donating? Visit www.matteroftrust.org and talk to your groomer. (PEOPLE Pets)

Wednesday, March 25th 2009

For almost two years, nearly 200 stray cats have been living on the campus of West Georgia, coming out only when students are away on break. Campus officials knew they had to act quickly but needed to ensure the health and safety of the students and animals. After researching the best options, CampusCATS stepped in and began a program to trap, spay/neuter and release the feral cats. To date about 36 of the cats on campus have been spayed or neutered as well as vaccinated for rabies and distemper. ajc.com

Monday, March 23rd 2009

San Diego -- With just one month to go before retirement from the San Diego Police Department, Earp, an 8-year old German Shepherd, was stabbed in the throat. Thanks to the quick actions of his partner, Sgt. Jess Havin, Earp was in the hands of doctors just six minutes after the attack. Earp will now take a mandatory 14-day rest before possibly returning to the force. (SignOnSanDiego.com)

Friday, March 20th 2009

Season 5 'Project Runway' Finalist Kenley Collins is a jailbird after getting in a literal cat fight Wednesday morning. Collins threw a laptop, apples, water and a live cat at her fiancé during an argument. Collins was charged with six crimes, and pet owners should make note that a cat apparently counts as a deadly weapon when thrown at someone. (TV Guide)

Thursday, March 19th 2009

The highly controversial Iditarod dog sled race has this year claimed to lives of three sled dogs. The Alaskan tradition is opposed by many animal rights groups, including the Humane Society of the United States, because dogs die almost every year. No official cause of death has been released, although the owner of two of the dogs said he believes the dogs "froze to death in the high wins." (LA Times)

Wednesday, March 18th 2009

The family of Charla Nash, the woman brutally attacked by a pet chimpanzee last month, has filed a lawsuit against the owner of the Chimp. The family is seeking $50 million in damages. Nash remains hospitalized in critical condition and lost her nose, lips and hands in the attack. The attack lead to a bill passed in Congress outlawing the purchase of primates as household pets. (CNN.com)

Monday, March 16th 2009

Ivan, one of the Cocker Spaniel puppies Oprah adopted last week, has died from the Parvo Virus. Sadie, the other puppy adopted by Oprah, is also being treated as a precautionary measure. Ivan was reportedly exposed to the virus between vaccinations. Click here to learn more about the Parvo Virus, including how it is transferred and symptoms. (PEOPLE Pets)

Friday, March 13 2009

Vickie Mendenhall got more than she bargained for when she bought a couch from Value Village. The source of the mysterious meowing in her home was discovered by her boyfriend, who felt the couch move while sitting on it. He tipped up the couch to discover a hungry calico cat that had crawled inside. Callie the cat was reunited with its owner after he saw a TV story about the stowaway feline. (AP)

Thursday, March 12 2009

Would you spend $110 on a tee-shirt for yourself? How about for your dog? Designer Roberto Cavalli certainly hopes so. The Roberto Cavalli Pets line will feature shirts, robes, carriers and more priced from $110 to $1200. The leopard tracksuit pictured is $260 for pets interested in dressing like Jennifer Lopez. (PEOPLE Pets)

Wednesday, March 11th 2009

A four-year-old Boxer mix named Chompers had the "honor" of being crowned the World's Ugliest Dog on Monday. He took the crown from three-time champ Queen Victoria, an Italian Greyhound. Chompers is a shelter dog, and still looking for a home. So if you have a soft spot for ugly pooches, contact the San Diego Animal Rescue. (PEOPLE Pets)

Tuesday, March 10th 2009

Duke, a 16 month Saint Bernard, escaped from his home and fell through the ice of a gold course pond. Luckily, Duke was able to pull himself out of the water, but his wet body became frozen to the top of the ice. The dog was spotted by a maintenance worker and two firefighters were able to rescue the 118 pound dog after using a mallet to break the ice around his tail. (AP)

Monday, March 9th 2009

Martha Stewart's Chow Chow puppy Genghis Khan was one of 17 dogs to die from a freak accident at a Pennsylvania kennel this Friday. The propane explosion at the Pazzazz Pet Boarding kennel killed 15 dogs - including Stewart's - and two more died over the weekend from injuries sustained in the blast. Stewart is mourning the loss, posting a photo tribute on her blog and speaking out on Twitter about what she calls "the chow disaster." (PEOPLE Pets)

Thursday, March 5th 2009

A fire broke out on a row of brownstones in Brooklyn, NY after a manhole became clogged with snow. Ace, a pit bull-shepherd mix, did not stop barking until his sleeping family woke up. Because of his barking, the family was able to escape the fire to safety. (CBS3)

Wednesday, March 4th 2009

There is a new addition to the Oprah family. No, not another Dr. Phil. A female Cocker Spaniel puppy! Oprah and her significant other Stedman Graham adopted the puppy yesterday from the PAWS shelter in Chicago. The addition comes one year after Oprah's 13-year-old Cocker Spaniel Sophie succumbed to kidney failure. No word on the pup's name yet, but she will be sharing the house with another Cocker Spaniel named Solomon and two Golden Retrievers. (Chicago Sun-Times)

Tuesday, March 3rd 2009

The Geary family adopted Astro, a German Shepherd dog, about 9 years ago in Florida. A month later, Astro disappeared. The family has moved three times since, most recently to Kentucky. About a month ago, a control officer in Tennessee picked Astro up off the street, and through the microchip implanted in the dog when he was adopted, was able to track down his long lost family. Dennis Geary says he never forgot about Astro and has even carried the dog's picture in his wallet all this time. (MSNBC)

Monday, March 2nd 2009

The attention being showered on the Obamas' lead breed pick for First Dog isn't sitting well with everyone. Some Portuguese Water dog owners fear that the breed may too quickly gain popularity, leading to shady breeders and more abandoned PWDs. The President of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America, Stu Freeman, says he doesn't want to see a repeat of the "101 Dalmatians Syndrome." (TODAY Pets)

Friday, February 27th 2009

Admitted dog fighter Michael Vick was approved to serve the last two months of his prison sentence at home. A government official said this is because there is no room for Vick at a halfway house. Vick, a former Atlanta Falcons Quarterback (outrageously, he is still under contract with the team), is serving a 23-month sentence after pleading guilty to funding a dogfighting ring on one of his properties and participating in the killing of "underperforming" dogs. He will be released on or after May 21st. (Newsday)

Thursday, February 26th 2009

Would you harness your cat and take them for a stroll? Married couple, and authors of Walk Your Cat, The Complete Guide, Steven Jacobson and Jean Miller hope this soon becomes a normal sight in the neighborhood. They say outdoor exposure keeps cats fit and environmentally stimulated. But some cat experts say this usually isn't a great idea, for a variety of reasons. But not because cats can't be trained. (USA Today)

Wednesday, February 25th 2009

First Lady Michelle Obama tells People Magazine the family is "leaning" towards adopting a Portuguese Water dog. Could this choice be influenced by Senator Ted Kennedy's glowing recommendation of the breed? She also says the family has been throwing around some names, but so far name ideas such as Frank and Moose haven't been a hit. America has been awaiting the new "First Pup" since Election Day, but the First Lady says the dog won't come to the White House until "after spring break." (People)

The House passed a measure on Tuesday February 24th that would make it harder to keep primates as pets. This "Chimp Bill" comes a week after a Connecticut woman was critically injured after a friend's pet chimpanzee attacked her. The act "makes it unlawful for a person to sell or purchase a live animal of any prohibited wildlife species in interstate or foreign commerce." The bill now moves to the Senate for action. (MSNBC)