Luxury Dog Beds of the Rich and Famous

So, up until now, you thought you had a nice dog bed. You thought wrong! How can you consider yourself to be a member in good standing of the dog friend community if you don't have a luxury dog bed like these, inside a custom-built, miniature bedroom for your dog? How? How I ask you?

Exploding Dogs: Odd International Headline of the Day

Exploding dogs pose no threat to estate houses

Wow! What a relief! (I think).

You see, apparently, there's a nearby pet crematorium, and dog there have sometimes been known to, eh, explode. That's because they "haven't been defrosted properly," say crematorium staff.

Interestingly enough, no measures are being taken to stop the exploding dog phenomena, but merely to enact better zoning to make sure no residential areas are built nearby.

As far as exploding dogs go, I generally prefer the exploding dog.

How Much Poop Will You Scoop?

BaxterBoo.com just launched their first (of hopefully many) fun tools on their site. What is the most important item on their list of pet-related widgets that they stuck their intrepid developers on? A dog doo calculator. That's right. Just enter the breed of dog you have, his or her name, and the calculator will tell you how much poop you will likely have to scoop over the course of your dog's life. Plus, you get a handy plaque to post on your site to tell people just how much you love your dog to be willing to put up with that much crap.

Here's an example:

10,991

THANKS TO DEXTER

Iowa Caucuses Ignore The Needs of Our Pets!

OK, lady. Time to step away from the keyboard and take a wee break. Chelle Delaney of New Mexico has penned an opinion piece for the Clovis News Journal (woah, big name in news) lamenting the fact that no major presidential candidates are stumping with their pets, and that none of them are addressing the concerns of those of the four-legged (Or winged! Or scaled!) variety.

She calls for the formation of a new, independent political party: The Pro Pet Party.

Get real!

Don't get me wrong. I'm all for pets. Love 'em. But is this something that the Fed'ral Gummit needs to be concerned with? Do we need federal mandates and controls over local animal shelters? Just think about how many things the feds do well, and I think you'll agree that it's in the interest of all pets that Washington stays out of the micromanagement of local pet issues (as in actual dog-and-cat pet issues, not merely "pet projects").

Am I wrong, here?

More Dogs Killed by Deadly Algae Blooms

Several months ago we posted some scary stories of killer blue-green algae blooms in the United States that had been killing dogs who were playing in water. It looks like it has happened again, but thousands of miles away.

Two basset hounds in New Zealand died within 30 minutes of nibbling on poisonous algae blooms in the shallow water along the Hutt River during a walk on New Years Day.

"I went round to let him out and he didn't come out of his kennel and when I called and I looked in there he was dead in his kennel," the owner said of one of the dogs.

I'll say it again. People just don't think about something being in a normal, non-polluted body of water that could kill their pets (and even can kill people). Watch out, folks. Take a look at the picture above, and keep a look out when your dogs are near the water.

Dogs-Only Christmas Album is a Pop Chart Hit

Care to guess what the number 3 album in New Zealand was last month? You may have already heard it and didn't know it. Your dog would have taken notice.

Turns out that a synthesized version of "Silent Night" that was recorded at such a high-pitched frequency to be completely out of the range of human hearing has become a top seller in New Zealand. The Kiwi country's dog population has apparently been tossing their heads back and howling along.

The $3 song was recorded as a fundraiser for New Zealand's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, so we're assuming that the doggie responses were howls of happiness, and not pain.

Happy, Furry New Year!

We're back, folks. We're brimming with new plans, new pets (I now own a bunny, actually) and new stuff. We've had a crazy Holiday season, with family, friends and lots of furry love. My family and I actually managed to do a Christmas photo with our two dogs, who are actually doing a reasonable job looking at the camera. This is no small feat, as I have more kids than most suburban cul-de-sacs.

Interesting end-of-year note: One of the most popular blog posts was about the man who got stuck and died in his girlfriend's pet door. Go figure.

Interesting start-of-year note: Get your new years resolution for you dog going with this new dog treadmill. Ha! That's great stuff. As for my dogs, they're so hyper that they don't need any any additional exercise to stay in shape. It's a different story for me, of course.

More to come, folks!

Top 10 Reasons Your Dog Deserves to be on Your Christmas Gift List

#10. He’s seen you naked, but still respects you.
Honestly, how many people can you say that about? Seriously. Your dog sees you at your worst, pre-shower, pre-makeup, pre-everything that makes you look presentable, and still looks at you like a deity. Or at least, keeps the chuckles to a minimum.

#9. He’s content with being your fallback.
Who is always there for you when you’re date doesn’t show? Who is waiting for you happily after he’s been ignored because of your busy social life? Who else would be thrilled to have you show up even though you’ve done everything in your power to find something else to do? Even when you come home after a horrible break-up, vowing to never love again, your dog is happy to teach you to do just that.

#8. He keeps you from getting a fat butt.
That’s right. If you didn’t have to spend all that time taking your dog for walks, you’d likely be sitting around on your lazy bum. Sure, it seems like a drag when it’s ten degrees outside and your pooch is scratching at the front door, but your 24-hour personal trainer knows what’s best for you. Get moving!

#7. He helps you to think about someone besides yourself.
Ever spent much time with someone who doesn’t like dogs? What do they all have in common? Complete self-absorption. I don’t like dogs because they’re messy. They smell. They take work. They always want attention. I’m too busy. Thanks to your four-legged friend, you’re not like those people. Your dog is a living, breathing reminder that the world is more than just you.

#6. He’s impossibly cute.
Sure, you sometimes take it for granted. Memories of his puppyhood may seem thousands of miles away, and you often find yourself too busy to notice. But then you happen to look down from your whatever “important” thing you’re doing and see those adorable eyes staring up at you, and you just can’t deny it. Your dog has more cute than a thousand Bambi movies.

#5. He takes you places.
How often have you been introduced to a new experience just because of your dog? I’ve met lots of new friends, seen tons of new places and found scads of new activities merely because of my relationship with my dog. There’s nothing like starting a conversation with a complete stranger in a park because your dog is vigorously sniffing said stranger’s privates, is there? (It’s true. How many romantic comedies use that exact same scenario?)

#4. He’s your excuse.
Just as he gives you a reason to get out and see the world, he also can be your excuse to stay in. “I have to rearrange my sock drawer” just doesn’t cut the mustard anymore. If you claim to have an obsessive-compulsive dog at home who will eat through your refrigerator door if you don’t feed him by precisely 7pm, that is strangely more plausible.

#3. He reminds you that there is still good in the world.
It’s easy to forget. People cut you off in traffic. Some creepy guy stares at you non-stop in the subway. Your boss is a jerk. Your cab driver overcharges you. It’s enough to want you to shut the world out and hide on your couch all day. But when you get there, you’re greeted by someone who thinks the world of you, and who only wants to make you happy (oh, and maybe a nibble of whatever it is you’re eating).

#2. He always gets the shaft.
Sure you may have nabbed the milk-bone with the bow on it at the supermarket checkout last year, but is that all that your constant companion is worth? You’ve spent more on a random holiday gift pool at the office than on gifts for your dog, haven’t you? What about a warm dog bed to get him up off the floor? Maybe a new dog collar and leash that doesn’t look like every other one? Some cute dog clothes that (almost) match your dog's level of cuteness? How about a new dog toy that will remind him (and you) what it’s like to be a kid again? (OK, shameless plugs are now over).

#1. Life is too short. Especially in dog years.
Though he’s in it for the long haul, it always seems too short. If you’ve ever lost a beloved dog to old age, you know that no matter how long you’ve had with him, it seems like you could have done more. More walks. More playing. More doting. When it’s all over, do you think you’ll wish you’d spent more time working and worrying? Not likely.

You know what you need to do? Go home and spend time with your best friend. Thank him for everything. He may not understand every word, but he understands your heart.

Funny Pet Vid: Pug Takes a Pounding for Treats

Watch through to the second half. That guy will not give up! Quite the brutal cat and pug confrontation, though I think the cat may have just been trying to help the pudgy pooch lose weight.

New Find: Dogs in Duds

Found a pretty darn cute website this morning: Dogs in Duds. It's a regularly updated blog full of user-submitted photos of, well, dogs in duds. Get your dog clothes, get your camera, and get cracking!

India Man Marries Dog

You think you love your dog? That's nothing! A man in India has actually married a dog in a full, traditional Hindu ceremony. But this time, he promises not to kill the pooch. You see, he's marrying the dog as what he believes to be atonement for killing two other dogs in a rather gruesome fashion 15 years ago. Since then, his life has gone downhill. It's the result, he says, of a curse. Marrying this one (and presumably not killing the poor thing) will fix his bad mojo, or juju, or whatever.

So why should this poor dog now be cursed to be married to this guy? I'm just asking.

My I recommend the pearl dog necklace as a wedding gift to help cheer her up?

South Florida: Giant Toads Can Poison Dogs

Since lots of our readers live in the Sunshine State, we bring this alert from WESH, the Orlando NBC affiliate. Giant toads, introduced in the 1950s to combat sugar cane pests, produce a sizable amount of poison from glands all along their bodies. The toads can grow up to 5 pounds, and have been known to kill dogs that tangle with them. Typically, the dog will attempt to bite them, but are in for a surprise.

Lou May's dog found a cane toad in his Palm Harbor back yard. "She comes in and she is foaming at the mouth," May said.

So not only are they ugly, but they're dangerous. Look out!

Rescuing Sprite: Radio Host Mark Levin's Book on Loving and Losing His Dog

National Review (no hissing, please!) has a great interview with popular radio talk show host Mark Levin on his recent book, Rescuing Sprite. The book sprung from an essay he wrote immediately after the loss of Sprite, his Spaniel mix.

Levin is mostly known as a respected constitutional lawyer and radio show host, it's clear that he is first and foremost a dog lover. It's hard not to get a bit choked up with him as he speaks of dogs' love for us:

I think there is something special about dogs. There’s a special connection or bond between humans and dogs. It’s as if dogs exist to bring people happiness. They teach us about life, loyalty, joy, trust, responsibility, and laughter. They help us clear out all the clutter that surrounds our busy lives and focus on what’s really important. They tell us it’s okay to take time to play sock-pull or have a catch, make silly noises, and enjoy yourself despite all the pressures we adult humans have (to) deal with. Let me put it this way: Dogs are not pets. Dogs are family.

It's interesting that though there are so many things that people get so worked up about (I'm sure our readers will not be too keen on the the articles mentioning of Mark's friendship with Rush Limbaugh and how Limbaugh helped Levin through the grieving process), dogs are one of the few things that we can all agree about. They're truly a gift to humanity, and it's a blessing to have them.

I'm going to go out and grab a copy post haste. I'll hopefully have a review up in the next few days.

UPDATE: Check out Mark Levin's website dedicated to Sprite, which has a spot where you can share and read dog stories.

New Asian Dog Cafes: Dining With, Not On, Pets

A new Wall Street Journal article highlights some changes afoot in the Far East. The piece, Asians Get Passionate About Pets, was not in the culinary section of the WSJ, thankfully.

In a nearby neighborhood, another type of restaurant serves a traditional Korean dish of dog soup. While Mr. Huh thinks that these days more Koreans regard dogs as pets rather than meals, eating dogs "is a part of our food culture."

Mr. Huh is the owner of one of several new establishments cropping up throughout Tokyo and elsewhere. In trendy urban areas, new cafes allow customers to dine with resident cats and dogs. The restaurants cater to those who don't want the responsibility of owning a pet, but want some feline or canine interaction.

Sounds so Upper East Side, but yet...

Pet cafes like Bau House aren't to everyone's taste. They are not, generally, the most hygienic of places. At the Bau House, the dogs poop on the floor and lick the tableware, cups and dishes, staying one step ahead of the cleaning staff, who are prompt and thorough.

Tasty!

Read the whole thing here.

Pet Halloween Costume Super Mega Video Post

Aaaaahhh...it's over. The annual orgy of candy, costumes and... over-the-top pet cuteness. I've plunged the Series of Tubes for he best costumed pet videos available and put them here in a handy-dandy post to ease your post Halloween hangover.

They will never know I am there until I am close enough to strike!!!


The most patient pups in the world. How do they stay still under such humiliation???


Shorty the (actually longish) hot dog:


Winston and Rudy Prepare for Halloween, consisting almost entirely of a guy cramming a poor cat into nylon pantyhose. Sigh.


TLC's Halloween Pet Parade for Charity:


For some reason, cats just have to occupy a spot on whatever is distracting you from them. My cat always must lay on the newspaper why I'm reading it. This guy has adapted to the post-Halloween reality.


OK, these cats aren't in costume (nor would any self-respecting cat want to be, that's for those silly dogs!), but these cats are having a ball on Halloween in "The Cat Diaries: Halloween Special."

iPhone Halloween Dog Costume

I'm a gadget geek and pet freak, so this is right up my alley, and hopefully yours. I give you, the Apple iPhone dog Halloween costume. I'm not sure Steve Jobs would approve, but that's some seriously amazing DIY work, care of Gregory Hull, who kindly posted the pic on his Flickr page. (Check it out for a bigger pic). Hat tip: Make via Gizmodo.

I guess it's official. The iPhone has been hacked on the hardware side as well as the software side. Need your iPhone hacks? Talk to the dog.

Corgis Clean Up at Fido Film Awards

The five Corgis that co-starred with Helen Mirren in Oscar-winning "The Queen" cleaned up at the first annual Fido Awards, besting all other canine-comers (and likely many humans overall) for the best pet actors award. Poppy, Anna, Alice, Oliver and Megan were able to convey all of the kingly, cuddly enthusiasm befitting their breed for their royal roles, as opposed to the normal peasant-ish, cuddly enthusiasm that regular old Corgis exhibit. Click here for the red-carpet video, sporting the latest in dog fashions. I'd be remiss not to note, however, that there were no Estate Bordeaux Smoking Jackets to be seen.

Dog vs. Bike Racers: Dog Wins

This is the difference between dog mishaps and cat "mishaps." When something bad happens as a result of your cat, you know the cat planned it. With the dog, it just happened. Case in point: This video of a dog wandering across the racecourse during a bike race. Sure, he's not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he's just walking along, minding his own business.

Look closely, and you can see the biker's front tire completely bent out of shape, and the dog is totally fine. Just take it as it comes, man. Just think, if the dog's owner had just let him ride in his very own doggie bike trailer, none of this would have happened.

Dog Saves Family After Cat Tries to Kill Them

Hey, I love cats as much as I do dogs. But cats, they can do with out you. In fact, some of them actually would prefer to do without you. Case in point (from the AP):

GREENVILLE, Maine - Thumper, a Labrador retriever, is getting credit for saving a Greenville man when a fire swept through his home.

Roland Cote says his wife and their 7-year-old grandson were away when the blaze started early Sunday in a converted two-story garage. He says Thumper grabbed him by the arm to wake him, leaving just enough time for him to dial 911 before fleeing the fast-moving fire.

While the dog is the hero, a cat is the bad guy in this story.

Cote says the fire marshal investigator believes the blaze was started when Princess, the family cat, tipped over a kerosene lantern. Cote says he and his pets escaped safely, but he says Princess did get her tail singed by the flames.

Pet Tech: USB Dog Tag Actually for Dogs

Ever tried to fit enough vital information on your pup's tag and found the available space a bit constraining? Sure it's entertaining watching the automated-Dremmel thingie etching away on that heart-shaped, metal canvas, but what about letting any potential doggie rescuers know about more than just the dog's name and owner contact info?

Enter the USB dog tag. Pictured is the pink version of the bone-shaped, soft shielded, 512Mb device which allows you to include anything you want, such as your dog's favorite food, best scratching spots, pictures, medical history and anything else you'd like to include that would help any would-be rescuers in the event of scruffy getting lost.

Out of Egypt: Cairo to Shoot Stray Dogs

Another one for the Crazy-Things-Other-Countries-Do-With-Animals Department. This just in: Cairo will resume shooting stray dogs in a cost-saving measure intended to reduce the expense of dealing with strays. Apparently, shooting stray dogs will cost 1/1000th what it would cost to sterilize them.

PETA is obviously upset, but so is Bridgette Bardot. In a move that will certainly bring the country to its eastern-facing knees, she is boycotting all things Egypt. Presumably, this includes Omar Sharif movies.

Obviously, this book needs to be translated to Arabic and sent to Egyptian authorities post haste. If not, the dogs will certainly have their revenge.

Vanessa Anne Hudgens & Shadow, The Toy Poodle

Vanessa Anne Hudgens, the instantly ubiquitous and uber-talented 19-year-old star of the Disney Channel's High School Musical, is also a prolific pet owner. As her celebrity star has risen, so has interest in her pets. I mean, why not? Paris Hilton has Tinkerbell, Adam Sandler has Matzoball, Britney Spears has Bit Bit, George Bush has Barney, and I have...well, I'm not exactly a celebrity, so why would you care?

So, back to Vanessa. She has a toy poodle named Shadow. What do we know about Shadow? What does anyone know about shadow? Nothing, aside from the fact that he/she shares their home with a handful of fish, a bunny and three turtles.

Vanessa Anne Hudgens hasn't revealed anything yet about Shadow except the pup's name. Where is this dog? When will it come out of the shadows? (Sorry).

I tried to find an official font of info for Vanessa Anne Hudgen's dog Shadow, but I've found nothing! How are we supposed to know what fashions he/she wears? Is there a Vanessa Anne Hudgens Dog Collar? Any Vanessa Anne Hudgens Dog Clothes?

We need celebrity sightings from pet paparazzi, post haste!

Doggie Massages: Not Just for Pampered Pets

The Washington Post has an interesting article that highlights how differing people have differing ideas about what is "too far" when pampering your pooch. Phebe Brown, the article says, "would never take her dog to a spa."

The dog is a dog, she says, and has a dog's life. But every six weeks, Tucker, her whippet, gets a $60/hour massage. It's for health reasons, she says, but it shows just how far we've come from the days of a dog spending most of the time out in the back yard. Dogs now get dog sweaters, cool toys, pet massage therapy, dog stollers, matching doggie dining sets, memory foam dog beds...you name it.

We're whipped. It's the cute little puppy-wuppy eyes, I think.

I myself am completely immune. It matters not that even as I type this, my dog is starring up at me with adorable lovableness. I am not affected by...by....

I gotta go....

Sauron's Eye-Catching Armor for Middle Earth Pups

Paul Hersey of Organic Armor makes a slew of odd, semi-medieval armor for, uh, well...I'm not sure. They make stuff that fits adults, kids and now...pets! I have GOT to convince my cohorts at Baxter Boo to carry this stuff. Guys? Eh? What do you think?

Dudley would fear cats no more!

Click here for more pictures.

Back in Action

Sorry, folks...I've been under the weather for the past week or so. To quickly salve the pain (and distract you) from my absence, I give you: The Float-A-Pet.

It's a safety device designed to keep your pet safe when on the run in the middle of a hurricane, apparently. Contrary to the image at right, it is worn in a deflated manner until in contact with water. It then inflates to keep your pet afloat as well as performing the same function as one of those attractive cone collars.

Protect Your Pet from Potential Poisoning

MSN has a pretty good article up today about household items that are particularly known for poisoning dogs.

One thing I'd add to the list, which isn't often found around the house: Antifreeze. This stuff drips out of cars in parking lots all the time, often in small quantities. When it rains (or snows), water rinses the tiny amounts of antifreeze off of pavement, and it gathers on the surface of puddles. You've seen it before, I'm sure. It sometimes causes the surface of water to have a rainbow look to it, and usually has a greenish hue. Trouble is, antifreeze tastes great (so I'm told). It's very sweet, but is very poisonous.

Most people know that chocolate is poisonous to dogs, but causes only relatively mild problems like increased heart rate. Antifreeze causes almost immediate, irreversible kidney damage often resulting in death. (Interestingly, that link is an article from a vet that uses vodka as part of the treatment).

There are over 10,000 pets poisoned every year by antifreeze, so lets keep an eye out!

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.

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?"

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!

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.

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!

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.