Manly Men and Their Dogs

I have a confession to make. I have a soft spot for enourmous, tough dogs. I totally dig huskies, St. Bernards, Great Danes and the like. I own a Shi-Tsu Poodle mix and a much larger mutt, and I totally dig the big guy. My wife likes the little fuzzy furball (and I do pretty well), but I like the big'un the best.

That's one of the reasons that my heart is warmed every year by something that takes place in the frozen North: The Iditarod. I have family that lives in Alaska, and have always been fascinated by the rugged culture and lifestyle that once (and still often does) characterized the state. I once hiked the Chilkoot trail as a kid (where the movie White Fang was filmed) and was struck by seeing scores of hundred-year-old skeletons of horses that had died while being forced over the trail in winter during the Alaskan gold rush by their idiotic (and gold-grubbing) owners.

The only way to cross that amount of ground in the winter in Alaska? Dog sleds. These dogs can handle serious cold and can seriously get the job done. They make their own makeshift snow caves at night to keep warm.

Though the gold rush is gone, the Iditarod keeps the dog-sledding tradition alive every year with a a 1150 mile long trek that takes over a week and a half. That's longer than the distance between Los Angeles and Denver (as the article above notes).

And this is seriously cold weather. One year, four-time winning musher Doug Swindley took his goggles off while racing to see better, and ended up freezing his corneas. Even today, though still mushing, he's partially blind and can't see well at night. His dogs? They did just fine without the goggles, thank you very mush (sorry).

People Cemeteries Making Room for People

"Pets-only cemeteries are nothing new. There are at least a half-dozen in the Yellow Pages.
But burial grounds where people and pets can rest in peace, in separate but nearby graves, is a trend that appears to have legs."

More here...

So, uh...is this a good idea? Anyone?

Faith Lost, Found

I posted a video a few days ago of Faith, the two legged dog that walks upright. It seems that she got separated from her owner when the dog was placed on the wrong flight. It looks like everything worked out, though. Phew! I wonder if Faith got through security at the other airport OK.

Faith in the Face of Hardship

Faith, a dog born without front legs, shows that no matter how hard life gets, you can do just about anything you set your doggie (or human) heart to do.

Dog saves climbers on Mt. Hood

The successful rescue was credited to the climbers "doing everything right," and the fact that they brought their dog.

"The dog probably saved their lives" by lying across them during the cold
night, said Erik Brom, a member of the Portland Mountain Rescue team.

Glad everyone's OK!

Pet Shelter Forced to Euthanize 1000 Dogs & Cats

Very sad...

An outbreak of contagious diseases at a shelter where officials admit they
kept animals for too long without destroying them has forced the killing of
about 1,000 dogs and cats, officials said.

A lot of people are upset when shelters euthanize animals that are not adopted. Here's an example of what can happen when they don't. Very sad no matter what you do, though it looks like the animals weren't properly vaccinated.

Full story...

One Nation Under Dog

A new live-action Disney movie about the wonders of dog is coming out in August. Looks pretty good, and I'm normally not a sucker for dog movies. Click here for the preview (link may change), which just came out today.

Diamond Jim Beats Out the Coz

Diamond Jim, the Springer Spaniel, bested Bill Cosby's favored pooch to win Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show yesterday. Details Here... (Film at eleven!)

Bill Cosby's Dog Easily Best of Breed

Bill Cosby's dog, Harry, had a leisurely competition at the Westminster Dog Show yesterday. He was literally in a class by himself, as there were no other Dandie Dinmont terriers to compete with. Of course, he's apparently no slouch seeing as he won 57 events last year. Sounds like he scared the other competition off.

A Year Later, Still No Vivi

The Westminster dog show is starting up again this week, but most are still thinking about the mysterious disappearance of Vivi, an Award of Merit winning whippet that took off at JFK airport last year after the event, and hasn't been seen since. Oh, there have been sightings, but none verified. In fact, Vivi sightings have now taken on alligators in the sewers for popularity among those interested in urban legends. We'll probably still be hearing reports of sightings for the next several years, I bet.

Bunny Fight Broken Up by Roosters

Don't see this every day. Aren't roosters normally the warmongers and rabbits the pacifists?

Be Afraid.

Beware the cat of the apocalypse!

Police chief shoots cats...to help them?

The police chief in West Concord, Minnesota has been served warrants related to the shooting of at least 4 cats with a high-powered rifle in the area.

"Maybe Bob did it because of frustration by not being able to take care of these animals. You get no help from anybody," says the mayor.

Or, he could be a nut shooting cats for sport and hiding them in a local grain elevator, hmmm?

According to the article, some say "he was even using a night scope and baiting the animals with cat food."

I'm sure he had the best intentions.

Cat Burglar? Nope. The Doggy Done It

Hide those jewels, people. They're not even safe from people--er, dogs--in your own family. And it's probably not so nice to get them back if they're stollen, either.

In Ohio, that's just what a happless dog owner discovered.

A Tinkerbell Quick-Switch Trick?

The celebrity pet gossip world (oh yes, there is such a place) is aflutter with rumors that Paris Hilton's Chihuahua, Tinkerbell is not, in fact, Tinkerbell.

Paris recently brought a Chihuahua to the set of her new film "The Hottie and the Nottie" which she introduced as Tinkerbell, but when compared to old photos of her mutt it doesn't appear to be the same dog.

Her publicist denies a change, but could that be only because Paris doesn't know? Maybe this has been an "Invasion of the Doggy Snatchers" where her pooch has been replaced by the zombie-like pet of malicious alien pod people? Somebody warn her!

Somebody check Lacy Loo, Bit Bit and Lucky and make sure Britney Spears is OK!

And does Paris play the "Hottie" or the "Nottie?"

Exercise Wheel for Food Motivated Cats

Great idea, though I have to wonder about someone who would spend this amount of thought devising such a system. This contraption is powered by your cat walking inside a wheel (like a hamster), and food pellets are dispensed periodically. So, either this is some form of alternate energy or a way for a portly cat to get excercise. Just make sure the food dispensed is low-cal, I guess!

Shameless Plug: Cute Kitty Cottage

The meow-town kitty cottage. Bask in its plush cuteness! Available from our friends at BaxterBoo.com and ships within 24 hours. If you buy one, my boss might think about loosening the shackles around my ankles!

"I'll think about it," she says, "Get back to work!"

I'd go on a hunger strike, but I'm currently addicted to the yogurt-covered pretzels in the snack machine.

Why Your Water Bill is So High

Hero Files: Loyal Lab Saves Barefoot Tot

A two-year-old boy who wandered from his home in Kingston, MA Monday morning was found by the family's Labrador Retreiver. It was a frigid outside, and the boy was found deep in the woods near his home, without shoes. While police searched, the dog led the boy's father right to him. This could be one for the National Hero Dog Award.

Pet Pedometer

Not sure how I missed this (I'm a huge Engadget fan): A pedometer for your dog. Say Tinkerbell has been packing on the pounds. You can check the pedometer each day to see how much excercise she's getting. Or (as the article suggests), if your furry friend runs away, you can see just exactly how far he went. That is, once you catch him. The possibilities are endless!

Cat Indignity

I don't think if I were a cat I'd let a bird get away with this.

Play the Pet Prices Like a Pro

Wow. I had no idea there was a site like this. Why, with this information I can tell my broker, "breed me 30 Pomeranians, now!" and know I'll make a profit. Very odd.

To the right I've posted a handy live chart from the site, tracking the weekly price of Border Collies. As I post this, the price looks to be down. Buy! Buy! Buy!

Two Dogs Perish After Saving Owners' Lives

Speaking of heroic pets: Early this morning two dogs in Sunset Beach, Alabama alerted their owners to a fire. The family got out in time, but the dogs apparently retreated back into a bedroom and perished in the blaze.

National Hero Dog Award

Is your dog a hero? Want everyone to know it? You may want to drop a line to the Los Angeles SPCA. They're hosting the 25th Annual National Hero Dog Award. No tangible prize, other than you and your dog being flown (with one other person) to L.A. for the official awards ceremony. Plus, everyone will be jealous that their dog isn't as cool as yours...and that's better than any reward!

The Dog Days of Tax Season

Repeat after me, people: You can't claim your pet as a dependent on your taxes! If you can't claim your dog as an employee of your home-based business!

Are we clear?

MSN MoneyCentral is all over odd pet-related writeoff schemes, among others.

Mutts Mixing it Up with Purebreds?

USA Today has an interesting story about "mongrels."Apparently, dogs of completely indeterminate genealogy are getting to be just as popular, even among those who can afford any purebreds, as papered pups. Mutts are making it happen!

Sure, Labradoodles, Poogles and Schoodles have been all the rage of late, but those are hybrids. You can tell where they came from. This article is talking about complete mixes that are often the result of covert dalliances with the neighbor's dog.

I'm sure Dexter, my household mutt (the only mutt among four dogs), is pleased. "Paris Hilton will be phoning any day now," he insists.

Photo Credit: Jim Graham for USA TODAY

Scuba Diving Cat Loves the Water

Is that a doggie paddle I see there?



Do you think that cat is actually relaxed or frozen with fear? Maybe this fellow would do better in the kitty washing machine.

Can you teach your dog to keep from stealing?

Is this even possible? The article sounds nice, but I don't know if I'm a believer. Of course, I probably spoil my dogs so much that it is totally impossible now.

The Dog with No Ears

An abandoned puppy in England has a strange birth defect, but that hasn't stopped him from winning the hearts of those who work with him.

His bright eyes and mischievous antics would melt the hardest of hearts...Experts say they have never seen anything like Weasel the border terrier cross - and hope he can find a new home where his disability won't be an issue. And, despite appearances, it seems the 10-month-old puppy can actually hear, for he is believed to have working inner ears covered by skin. Vets hope they will be able to let the tiny dog hear properly for the first time by making tiny openings where his outer ears should be.

Update: A reader just posted in the comments section that the dog should be "put to sleep," to "keep him out of the gene pool." All class, whoever you are.

My All-Time Favorite Super Bowl Ad

In the interest of equal time for cats, and because it's my personal favorite (and I'm running the show here, people!), I give you the "Herding Cats" Super Bowl ad from the middle of the dot-com glory days.

Budweiser Dalmation Super Bowl Ad

Why should dalmations have all the fun?

Preserving Pets?

There's apparently a growing trend among pet owners, that to some might seem a bit odd...stuffing their cat or preserving their pooch with taxidermy. Is this normal? Would you like having Binky stare back at you for all eternity? Does that actually help someone cope with the loss of their pet?

Anybody have any personal experience with this that can shed some light on this?

Kindly Cat Massaging Dog

Now isn't that nice. See? Can't we all just get along?

Anybody else have any stories of such canine and feline cooperation?

It's a dog's life.

See? We're not crazy for lavishing gobs of attention on our pooches! We're perfectly normal human beings, contrary to what our non-pet loving friends tell us.

And it's all over Australia, too!

Tattooed Fish

A fish with a heart tattooed on it could be yours at Steve's Wonderful World of Pets in Williamsville, Texas. Though it's not clear how this is accomplished in Singapore, where the fish come from, the pet store owner theorizes that "they have to be restrained and then tattooed with a tattoo gun." I know fish supposedly have fewer nerve endings than mammals, but that can't feel good.

Preparing Pets for Baby

My wife and I recently welcomed a new addition to our family: a blue-eyed baby boy. It can be tricky at times to make sure Baxter, Dexter, Dudley and Dolly get to know the new the new arrival in a positive way, since they're all so used to being the babies of the house.

The Richmond Times Dispatch posted a great article today on getting your pets ready for your new bundle of joy. Though we've been through this a few times before, there were some great pointers about making introductions that I had never thought of. Click here for the full article.

Hero, the happenstance rescue dog

A German Shepherd that had escaped from his yard came to the rescue of a woman who was in a car accident in Thomasville, Georgia on January 26th. Pretty amazing, and shows that dogs are capable of greater things than just causing disturbances in restaurants.

Shannon Lorio says that after her car careened down an embankment, the wayward dog found her bruised and battered on the vehicle’s trunk, pulled her by her shirt collar, dragged her about 50 yards through briars to a highway and let her lean against him so she could flag a passing motorist.

Click here for the full story.

(Image Credit: Elliott Minor / AP)

No Dogs Allowed!

The St. Petersburg Times (Florida, not Russia) has a rather snarky editorial by one Barbara Fredricksen that is gloating about dogs being banned at an outdoor restaurant that had been dog-friendly.

The restaurant, Moon Under Water, had been a pioneer in taking advantage of a new law passed in the Florida state legislature that allowed local communities to decide for themselves whether to allow restaurants to choose to allow dogs in outside eating areas. They've ceased to allow dogs, however, because of an unappetizing bout of indigestion by one of their four-legged guests.

Barb had "envisioned bitten ankles, fighting canines, mangled fingers and tripped waiters spilling scalding coffee over startled patrons," and seems delighted that the restaurant has reversed its policy.

It seems to me that it's a smart law. It gives the local communities the ability to actually decide for themselves, and then each restaurant can choose to take advantage of it if it's allowed locally. I think it adds to the local flavor and gives another way for the restaurant to differentiate itself to pet owners.

I've spent a decent amount of time in St. Petersburg (and Sarasota and Siesta Key), and there are already tons of dogs at a lot of seaside, outdoor restaurants. It's a social outlet for pet owners (and their dogs) to get together and meet new friends.

There will always be incidents like this with pets, just like there are always incidents like this with people. One incident trumpeted by someone who already was hoping for failure isn't proof of the idea's failure. My guess is here are several less publicized restaurants who allow dogs and are quite happy to stay out of Ms. Fredrickson's cynical eye.

What do you think?

A birthday party animal

Delaware Online has an interesting article on pet birthday parties. It seems that everyone is doing it (at least in Delaware).

"Birthdays are huge," says Diane Mayer, owner of the Happy Dog Healthy Dog boutique in Wilmington. She was surprised by the popularity of the birthday-themed cookies, cakes and party bags she offers at her store, which opened in 2004. "I didn't realize how much of a demand there would be."

Sounds like fun!

(Photo Credit: The News Journal/CHUCK McGOWEN)

Oatey Vet Visit

As mentioned before, my wife took our Quaker Parakeet, Oatey, to the vet today. It appears he has an intestinal infection that may be the result of being too cold at night. Temperatures have dipped well below zero at night here in Colorado (16 below in Denver last night) and you get cold even being near a window. The vet gave him some antibiotics, so hopefully he'll get better quickly. We'll keep his heat-lamp going as long as this cold lasts.

Oatey Update

Earlier I mentioned our Quaker Parakeet, Oatey, seemed to be getting sick. He doesn't seem to be improving, so we bought him a heat lamp-style pet warmer to keep him comfortable until we can get him to the vet tomorrow. We sure hope he's okay. We'll keep you posted.