Paw Nation

Turkey Day Treats; Puppy Puritans

by Evan Jacobs (Subscribe to Evan Jacobs's posts): Nov 27th 2009 @ 3:00PM Filed Under: Chew on This

Rounding up our favorite animal stories, photos, and videos on the web each week!it

Holiday Pet Spoiling

He wants that turkey. You know it; he knows it; the turkey knows it. So, instead of holding out and feeling guilty, throw him a few bones with this helpful guide from Petsugar. [via PetSugar]
Pilgrim Pets

They've come on the Meowflower to land at Plymutt Rock, ready to share some Science Diet maize with the Indians. As with all dressed pets, cuteness levels are dangerously high. [via People Pets]
Owl Odd Couple

Remember the movie "Twins" with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito? This is that in owl form. [via People Pets]
Squirrel Punishes Pooch

Your baby is so cute. I just want to play with him and maybe bite him and eat him, but just a little bit. Ow! Why are you plunging your claws into me? Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Wait, where did you go? [via Dailymail.co.uk]
Black Friday Buy

This Black Friday, there's going to be a huge rush on reindeer-poop jewelry. Oh, you didn't know reindeer-poop jewelry existed? Read this. [via AP]

Am I Boring My Dog? -- A Sassy Survival Guide for the First-Time Dog Owner

by Rose Martelli (Subscribe to Rose Martelli's posts): Nov 27th 2009 @ 2:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Adoption

Two simple steps to becoming an author of pet-care books. 1) Get a pet. 2) Write a book.

It wasn't quite that easy for Edie Jarolim, Ph.D., author of the new book Am I Boring My Dog?: And 99 Other Things Every Dog Wishes You Knew. Her inspiration for the book didn't come the instant she adopted Frankie, her mixed breed. But once she had the idea in her head, the former travel writer forged ahead until she'd produced a handy, how-to compendium for anybody thinking of getting a dog -- or who just got a dog and doesn't have the first clue what to do with it. And yes, there's tons in it for the veteran dog owner, too.

How did you make the transition from travel writer to pets writer?
It was actually because my dog got diabetes. When I had to start giving him two insulin shots a day, I couldn't really travel. So I started looking for other topics.

What kind of reactions has the book received from dog owners?
Most people say, ''Thank you for asking that question, that was something I would never have asked.' Like dogs eating dog poop, for example. People are hugely embarrassed about that but so many dogs do it.

Where did you do most of your research?
I went to the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Conference. I learned so much about training and just about dog care in general. The organizer of the conference, Dr. Ian Dunbar, has a website called Dog Star Daily that is a great resource.

TV Movie 'A Dog Named Christmas' Debuts on Sunday, Kicking off Holiday Pet Fostering Program

by Helena Sung (Subscribe to Helena Sung's posts): Nov 27th 2009 @ 12:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Adoption

Hallmark Hall of Fame

On Sunday night, CBS will air "A Dog Named Christmas," a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie about a yellow Labrador retriever who changes the life of a young man and his family.

In conjunction with the television premiere, Petfinder.com is holding a special "Foster a Lonely Pet for the Holidays" initiative, asking families across America to consider fostering a pet from a local shelter or rescue group for the holiday season, ideally from Christmas Eve until New Year's Day.

In the TV movie -- based on the novel "A Dog Named Christmas" by Greg Kincaid -- 20 year-old Todd (played by Noel Fisher) is a developmentally challenged young man with a habit of rescuing hurt squirrels and hawks found in the woods surrounding his family's farm. "Todd has his own way of looking at things," his father (played by Bruce Greenwood) says.

When Todd hears on the radio about a local "adopt a dog" program, he begs his father to let him get a dog for the holidays. Though his father is against the idea, he eventually relents. At the local animal shelter, there are many adorable dogs, but Todd makes a special connection with a Labrador retriever with a wise-looking mug. They take the dog home and name his Christmas.

But will Christmas go back to the pound after the holidays? "Our hope with this movie is to start a nationwide fostering program, and that many families who agree to 'foster' an animal for the holidays will decide to 'adopt' the animal for its lifetime," author Kincaid said in a statement.

"A Dog Named Christmas" airs on CBS this Sunday, November 29 from 9-11 p.m. ET/PT. To find out which shelters and rescue organizations in your area are participating in the "Foster a Lonely Pet for the Holidays" program, visit Petfinder.com.

Dr. Papidies Wins "Cutest Dog" Title

by Elizabeth Brady (Subscribe to Elizabeth Brady's posts): Nov 27th 2009 @ 10:00AM Filed Under: Dogs

cutestdogcompetition.com

The Cutest Dog Competition has come to an end as Dr. Papidies, the Chihuahua from Colorado, was crowned the winner to take home $1 million.

The prize is especially meaningful for the dog's owner, Dr. Leslie Capin. Several years ago, Papidies was diagnosed with Addison's Disease, an endrocine disorder which almost cost him his life.

Capin plans on using the cash prize to help other pets in need. She has said that she'll donate half a million dollars to the Dumb Friends League and half a million dollars to the Max Fund Animal Shelter "because thousands of pet owners have been forced to surrender their animals at shelters as they can't afford to care for them."

According to the Cutest Dog staff, "The decision was obviously very difficult for the judges. Each of the top 12 dogs was extremely cute and had a great back story, a loving family and many thousands of supportive fans."

Do you think they made the right decision? Leave us your thoughts in the comments below!

Florida Pig and Family May Be Pardoned

by Jo Piazza (Subscribe to Jo Piazza's posts): Nov 26th 2009 @ 6:00PM Filed Under: Pets News

Deanna Dent, South Florida Sun-Sentinel / MCT

The Florida family who was ready to move rather than give up their 300-pound pet pig may not have to pack up and leave after all.

After Rob Falk's family and their Yorkshire pig, Strawberri, made national headlines, their local town council in Southwest Ranches, Fla. decided it will consider changing its law banning all swine except for pot-bellied pigs, reports the Chicago Tribune.

The town had originally told the Falk family that they had until December 1 to find a new home for their pet, or face a fine of $100 per day. The Falks, who rent their home, consider Strawberri a part of the family and were prepared to uproot their lives to keep her. A vote on Strawberri's fate could come as early as January, but hopefully the Falk family and Strawberri will be able to enjoy the holidays at home. Town Councilman Doug McKay will testify before a magistrate to help the family get an extension on their deadline until the council can vote.

McKay said that at least ten other pigs who would be in violation of the code also live in the town so it was unfair to single out the Falks. Town officials responded that they don't typically go around counting swine.

"Strawberri is pretty big, but she's like a big puppy," the Falk's 11-year -old daughter Kai told the Tribune. "This is putting a lot of stress on me and Strawberri.