Six-pound Tinker Bell was at the Dixieland Flea Market in Waterford Township, Michigan with her parents this past Saturday when a 70 mph wind blast suddenly carried her off the portable trailer she was standing on and flung her to parts unknown. Scads of volunteers helped Dorothy and Lavern Utley look for their tiny, eight-month old pup, but to no avail. The long-haired black and brown Chihuahua had disappeared.
Pets in the News
After months of anticipation, the First Pup has finally arrived in the Obama White House -- and we sure hope he's getting some media training. This 6-month old Portuguese Water Dog, already named Bo by Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, is set to become the most famous dog in America. The first daughters chose the name in homage to their maternal grandfather, whose nickname was Diddley, and also for their cousin's cat, who has the same name. Bo made his way to Washington with a little help from Senator Ted Kennedy and and his wife Victoria, who own three Portuguese Water Dogs. Finding the perfect pooch took some time -- the Obamas were looking for an allergy-friendly dog for Malia. All we can say is, the White House vegetable garden better watch out.
Talk about a fat cat! "Princess Chunk," a 44-pound feline, received national attention in the summer of 2008 when he -- yes, this princess is a boy -- was found waddling through the streets of Voorhees, NJ after his owner lost her home to foreclosure. After making the talk show rounds -- including Regis and Kelly -- Chunk was adopted by a New Jersey family, one of thousands of people who inquired. Happy ending!
Disney-ABC Domestic Television, AP
She must have really liked New York. In 2006, Vivi, a whippet who had just won an award of merit at the Westminster Kennel Club show escaped from her carrier at LaGuardia airport and was never found, despite a massive search effort by her frantic owner.
Frank Franklin II, AP
The media can't get enough of "the Lion Whisperer," aka Kevin Richardson. In this amazing photograph, Richardson takes a dip with Meg the lion in the Crocodile River just south of the Magaliesburg mountains, near Johannesburg, South Africa on March 10, 2009.
BARM, Fame Pictures
Looks like Hercules didn't get the memo: when you can no longer fit through the pet door, you should probably take it easy on the cat food. But it was dog food this tubby tabby from Oregon was after when he got stuck in a neighbor's pet door in 2007. This 20-pound fatty was later reunited with his owner.
Benjamin Brink, The Oregonian / AP
A 10-year-old Sussex Spaniel named Stump surprised the world by winning Best in Show at the 2009 Westminster Kennel Club, and becoming the oldest dog ever to win the big prize. Stump had come out of retirement to compete, and according to his owner he is now officially retired (sounds like he's been hanging out with Jay Z). In human years, by the way, he's almost 70. We'd say he's earned some R&R.
Peter Kramer, AP
The circus isn't all fun and games. In 2008, the ASPCA, Animal Welfare Institute, and other activist groups took Ringling Bros. to court over its treatment of pachyderm performers. The groups allege that the elephants' work conditions -- including long hours of travel and prodding by bullhooks -- are inhumane. Ringling Bros. claims the animals are very well cared for. A ruling is expected this summer -- so far no elephants have taken the stand.
Feld Entertainment, Inc, AP
Seeing-eye dogs better mark their territory! There's a whole menagerie of amazing animals assisting people with disabilities. Mini horses help the blind, monkeys assist quadriplegics, goats help those with muscular dystrophy, to name a few. But because some Americans feels that the practice has gone too far, the U.S. government is considering a proposal to ban these service animals, a move that has many disabled Americans up in arms.
Toby Talbot, AP
Breaking pet news from Mamurras, Albania! In 2007, fate brought this cat and puppy together. The kitty, who had lost her kitten, took in a puppy whose mother was killed by a car as her own.
Gent Shkullaku, AFP /Getty Images
In May, 2008, a California-based biotech company called BioArts announced that is would clone dogs for the five highest bidders. The controversial practice costs between $130,000 and $170,000. Here, BioArts International chief executive Lou Hawthorne poses with pups he cloned from his own dog.
BioArts International, AP
"That dog was so happy," Dorothy Utley told The Detroit News. "She just went wild."
Animals in Cups
"Yes, I am adorable. And yes, I fit in a jug."
Flickr
"Get me out of here!"
Flickr
Still life with puppy. "How much longer do I have to stay like this?"
Flickr
"Oh, were you drinking this? My bad."
Flickr
"It's exhausting being this cute."
Flickr
This pup's cup runneth over.
Flickr
The Chinese Dwarf Hamster's natural habitat? Tiny teacups.
Flickr
"What's the matter? Haven't you ever seen a cat in a cappuccino mug before?"
Flickr
"Have you heard the one about two hamsters walking into a bar?"
Flickr
"I may be small but my lungs are huge. Meow!"
Flickr
Outrageous Pet Beds
For this price, that fur better have been humanely harvested from an endangered yak in a Tibetan valley only reachable by snowshoe.
Wowo Pod Unique Dog Bed, $859.95
Courtesy pampermepuppy.com
Is your cat a ladies' man? Then have we got the bed for him. Purrr...
Nap of Luxury Ultimate Pet Bed, $47.84
Courtesy Wal-Mart
Beam your pets up with this geometric, space-age pet cave.
Lulu's Hideaway Pet Cave, $330
Courtesy plushpod.com
You spend $300 and all they really wanted was a cardboard box.
Kittypod, $320
Courtesy csnstores.com
While you lounge in front of the TV, your hamster can lounge inside of one.
Super Pet Hide 'N See TV, $3.99
Courtesy westcoastpetsupply.com
Don't forget the kibble s'mores!
Dog Sleeping Bag, $26.99
Courtesy alphadogtoys.com
We all know that pets aren't the same as babies, right?
Pet Zip Pet Crib, $74.99
Courtesy csnstores.com
Would you like your pet in paper, plastic, or microsuede?
K&H Thermo-Crinkle Sack, $59.99
Courtesy Petco
Dr. Seuss called. He wants his dog house back.
Magis Dog House, $1,011
Courtesy csnstores.com
"Help me! Help me! I'm being eaten by a ferocious jungle cat, but it sure is comfortable."
Jungle Cat Cave, $25
Courtesy petabbey.com
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4/28/09
I am always happy to hear the good fortune of an animal anywhere,
they are all vulnerable; even the wild and untamed ones. We have
animals around us for all kinds of purposes and because we are
stewards of our planet we have to care for them. Thanks be to
God, He loves all his creatures and choses ways to save them.
Blessings toTinkerbell and all the other cats, puppies and
pets of all species.
jnsprngslvr
nicely spoken
GOOD TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE STILL SOME ANIMAL LOVERS STILL OUT THERE
Our dog is a full fledged emeber of our family and has been since he arrived 19 years ago. We would have searched tirelessly until he was found...Tinker bell is fortunate to have owners that love him!
Scruffy sleeps in our bed when we do and he has a doggie bed in every room of the house.
I love this story so much. Throughout my life I can't say I've saved the world of animals.. but I've always have at least a cat to give a good life.. My 'kitty' lived 17 years all through my childhood into my teen years.. she was such an amazing cat.. Now I have 3 cats, 1 is Heidi she and her brother were tortured and completely unsociable. we named her Heide because she was always hiding! Her brother at the pound was completely ferel. Heidi now sleeps with me and my wife on the bed she plops down in the side of my neck between my head and shoulder and when I pet her she bends her head back and kisses me.. can u imagine ?? She's not hiding anymore :) Dollar I found at the dollar store, he was one of a litter the store had in their backyard.. Dollar walked into the store I was buying a bulb and there he was at my ankle.. he was so small with these huge paws.. I took him home and he peed on me all the way home now dollar is this HUGE cat and he is so tough guy like a Biker.. but he has his own personality and a very soft side too and he sleeps by my feet everynight. Lastly is Femi, from the pound too as a baby our Femi is all black and he's just demure, classy guy who will kiss you up and down for some cat treats..
Animals are Angels.. Love them with all your heart and your heart will never be lonely!
gerard
I would very much like to know the name of the pet psychic.
I am soooo happy for the family and for Tinkerbell. Happy endings are always wonderful and animals need us to help them as much as possible.
I'm so glad tinkerbell is alright.I have a male that is a dead ringer for tinkerbell. he was lost last winter, for the whole weekend and it was very cold and snow on the ground. i was so happy to get him back. he was found in the next county all broken up. but he is fine and looking for love. i was wondering if tinkerbell is willing? they would have really cute off springs..............
Cathy, not trying to be mean - but maybe you don't realize that millions of animals - according to the Humane Society more than nine MILLION animals are euthanized in the United States each year. Please don't make more puppies when so many are homeless and dying in shelters.
Please spay and neuter your pets. Just because they are cute doesn't mean they should be bred. They need to be screened for problems that can be passed on to puppies. Also, by not neutering your pets, you are putting them at risk for health problems eliminated by neutering. I am a veterinarian, so I speak from experience. I have never in my life adopted an animal without knowing they would be neutered by the age of 6 months. I don't understand how people can think any differently. Wise up, you'll have your dog longer if he is neutered.
i live in michigan and the owner of this dog called the radio station 95.5 and asked them to report the dog that flew away and some caller called in because they had found the dog...there was no pet psychic what a lie !
i live in michigan and the owner of this dog called our radio station 95.5 to report the dog flew away and somebody called in saying they found the dog...there was no pet psychic what a lie !
there was a pet psychic, they replayed it on 95.5 today.
The girl that called to say that she thought that she saw the
dog turned out to be a dead end lead. The psychic lady spoke
to Dorothy and told her to look up. Turns out the dog was up a hill
behind the store she said to look.
I bought my dogToto from someone that had the dog sleep in a pen at night
and we have tried to get our baby to sleep outside of the cage and he wants to be put and the door shut every night. I think he feels so safe in the cage.He is a Westie and they were bred for hunting,,,,,and most hunting dogs are put in pens at night. So if anyone has a suggestion of how to get him to sleep ( outside the box) i am open for suggestions.we have tried so many different things. but I am open for new ideas
thank you for any help
Some dogs get use to the crate when they are trained to sleep in them from a young age. They are den animals by nature, so they like that small area. If its a wire crate change to a vari kennel, thats the plastice airline ones. Let her sleep in it a few nights and then remove the door. Give her a week without the door,then remove the top half of the crate. All she will have is the bottom to sleep in. Put her bed in the crate.Let her sleep like this for awhile then just remove the bottom of the crate and keep her bed in the same spot the crate was in. It will take awhile but it has worked with many dogs. There is always the exception, some dogs just love thier crates.
Hi, I have 2 toy poodles, 8 years/8lbs. and 16years/12 lbs. They both follow me everywhere, so you know them and I are well bonded. They both sleep in my bed every night, but that is the way it STARTS out. But neither of them stays in bed ALL night. Each will come and go according to their individual desires. I believe that they may get more comfortable sleeping separately, from me and each other, for a time. That is until they each feel a need for affection, by simply being physically closer, then when satisfied, return to a more restful area. I don't know the length of time you had with your pet, but in closing, let me advise this. Keep giving your friend all the gentle affection and love you can. Treat your pet like you would want to be teated, IF YOU, WERE THE PET, AND YOUR PET WAS YOU!! Best and kind regards. Dan
Aww she looks like my dog, except he is brown and black. Thank God they found her, such an awesome story, u should leave a biiiig tip for that psychic lady
im so glad that they got reunited and i hope that tinker bell is doing fine. :)
Rose, put a dog crate in the room where you want your baby dog to rest, leave the door of the crate open. You can put a blanket or cover over the crate for his "secruity". All dogs are cave dwellers by nature, they feel safe. During the "up time" encourage it to come lie on the bed with you. Do it routinely and soon it will be come accustomed. We rescued a 3 year old lab from a kill shelter. It took several weeks for him to become comfotable with us but he did. Now he has his own futon in our family room but sleeps with us at night, on our bed at night. He also sleeps with us in our motor home. Bood luck.
I am so glad that Tinker Bellis okay and safe at home I have four small dogs and they bring brightness to me everyday and they are so loving and they know when something is a matter. I so glad for that pet and knowing the owners are glad to have it back safe and sound.
Jim Davis