Paw Nation http://www.pawnation.com Paw Nation http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.pawnation.com/media/feedlogo.gif Paw Nation http://www.pawnation.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Celebrate National Mutt Day Todayhttp://www.pawnation.com/2010/12/02/celebrate-national-mutt-day-today/http://www.pawnation.com/2010/12/02/celebrate-national-mutt-day-today/http://www.pawnation.com/2010/12/02/celebrate-national-mutt-day-today/#commentsFiled under: ,

national mutt day posterNational Mutt Day

Today is the fifth annual National Mutt Day, which celebrates and encourages the adoption of shelter dogs and provides donations to local shelters. This year's goal is to save 10,000 mutts from euthanasia or a lifetime in a shelter. National Mutt Day founder and animal behaviorist Colleen Paige spoke to Paw Nation about why she created the day and ways you can help.

Paige has long invested her time in educating the public about the reality of strays, puppy mills and shelter dogs, and the idea of establishing National Mutt Day came out of her desire to do something on a grand scale. "National Mutt Day has helped save over 50,000 dogs since its inception," Paige explains.

The first goal of the event is to find forever homes for shelter dogs, but that's not your only way to participate. "People forget that if they aren't adopting, they can still help local shelters," Paige says. She suggests donating blankets, food, crates or your time as a volunteer. Of course, simple cash donations are always helpful, and Paige recommends asking your neighborhood shelters for their wish lists.

National Mutt Day is closely aligned with other humane causes -- like the importance of spaying and neutering pets, choosing responsible breeders rather than pet shops or puppy mills, and other issues.

To participate, please contact your local shelter directly. More information is available on National Mutt Day's official site.

Read about another worthy cause at Good News Now.

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]]>colleen paigeDog adoptionNational Mutt Daypet adoptionshelter dogElizabeth BradyThu, 02 Dec 2010 11:00:00 ESTI Work With Animals! Ron Trotta and Schmitty the Weather Doghttp://www.pawnation.com/2010/10/26/i-work-with-animals-ron-trotta-and-schmitty-the-weather-dog/http://www.pawnation.com/2010/10/26/i-work-with-animals-ron-trotta-and-schmitty-the-weather-dog/http://www.pawnation.com/2010/10/26/i-work-with-animals-ron-trotta-and-schmitty-the-weather-dog/#commentsFiled under: ,

Ron Trotta and Schmitty the Weather Dog picture SchmittyTheWeatherDog.com

Name: Ron Trotta
Age: 50+
Job Title: Meteorologist With Schmitty the Weather Dog

How did you end up working with Schmitty?
During the 2008 presidential election, I traveled 8,000 miles across the country with Schmitty and "entourage" on the Bark the Vote tour to help get out the vote, raise awareness and visit animal shelters across the country. I started including Schmitty on my daily "Climate of the Election" weather reports as we crisscrossed the U.S.A.

When and how did Schmitty's talents get discovered?
We were doing a weather report on top of a mountain in Trinidad, Colo. I was holding Schmitty, preparing to talk about the temperature and the wind, when I suddenly got this vibe from Schmiitty that the unusually warm weather was all about high pressure. It was an ESP kind of a moment. That's when I found out Schmitty the Weather Dog has a nose for the weather.

How does Schmitty predict the weather?
The correct term is "pawcast." Psychics "predict" things. Schmitty has a nose and an ear for the weather. Schmitty has focused that very keen canine sense of smell and hearing on detecting pressure changes in the atmosphere and the movement of air masses around the planet. Her forecasts, which are communicated subliminally to me, are 99 percent dead-on accurate. Schmitty helps me be a better meteorologist.

Continue reading I Work With Animals! Ron Trotta and Schmitty the Weather Dog

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]]>ron trottaschmitty the weather dogElizabeth BradyTue, 26 Oct 2010 13:00:00 ESTThe True Stories Behind Animal Myths and Monstershttp://www.pawnation.com/2010/08/06/the-true-stories-behind-animal-myths-and-monsters/http://www.pawnation.com/2010/08/06/the-true-stories-behind-animal-myths-and-monsters/http://www.pawnation.com/2010/08/06/the-true-stories-behind-animal-myths-and-monsters/#commentsFiled under: ,

We've all heard the rumors of mythical or beastly creatures roaming the planet. From unicorns to Bigfoot, nearly every culture on Earth has its legendary monsters, and many of these have persisted into modern times, most often as tourist attractions (see: Loch Ness Monster, Jackolopes).

But what happens when these animals turn out to be more than just folklore? Those who track down and uncover the creatures are called cryptozoologists. It's an emerging field that hasn't exactly been embraced by all members of the scientific community. But when the fabled animals are studied more closely, the outcome is sometimes the discovery of a new species.

Check out the gallery below for a look at some animal legends, with explanations of their true identities.


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]]>animal mythsAnimalMythscryptozoologistsElizabeth BradyFri, 06 Aug 2010 11:00:00 ESTTrust-Fund Pets - Animals Who Inherit Bighttp://www.pawnation.com/2010/07/02/trust-fund-pets-animals-who-inherit-big/http://www.pawnation.com/2010/07/02/trust-fund-pets-animals-who-inherit-big/http://www.pawnation.com/2010/07/02/trust-fund-pets-animals-who-inherit-big/#commentsFiled under: ,

chihuahua dog picture Gail Posner recently left millions to her dogs. Famous Chihuahuas / AP

It's only natural to plan ahead. Some pet owners take that extra step to include their pets in their wills or ask friends or family to care for a dog or cat should disaster strike. But many quirky and wealthy pet owners have taken it to the next level and are arranging for their animals to continue to live in the lap of luxury.

A few months ago, millionaire heiress Gail Posner made news when she left $3 million to her chiuhauhas, Conchita, Lucia and April Marie. Their inheritance included diamond accessories and life in an $8 million Miami mansion (complete with a live-in caretaker who also inherited millions).

Conchita, Lucia and April Marie are in good company. Over the years, other pet lovers have made it a point to leave their riches to their animal companions. Here are a few of the stories:

$12 Million Maltese: Leona Helmsley, New York's infamous "Queen of Mean," amassed billions of dollars during her lifetime. When she died in 2007, she left $12 milion to her Maltese, Trouble, while opting to completely cut several of her grandchildren out of her will.

$80 Million Chimp: Kalu the chimpanzee inherited what reports have claimed was anywhere between £40 million to £53 million in South Africa from her owner Patricia O'Neill. O'Neill had a soft spot for the chimp, who she rescued in Zaire in the 1980s. But Kalu often caused disturbances in O'Neill's marriage, since her husband Frank was not a fan. He reportedly disliked Kalu's penchant for smoking his cigarettes and drinking his beer.

Continue reading Trust-Fund Pets - Animals Who Inherit Big

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]]>drew barrymoreDrewBarrymoreexpire-images:2011-6-30Gunther IVGuntherCunninghamGuntherIvKalu the chimpKaluTheChimpleona helmsley dog troubleLeonaHelmsleyDogTroublemillionaire petsMillionairePetsoprah winfreyOprahWinfreypet inheritancePetInheritanceTroubleElizabeth BradyFri, 02 Jul 2010 15:00:00 ESTStray Kitten in Shanghai Finds an Owner, Internet Famehttp://www.pawnation.com/2010/06/03/stray-kitten-in-shanghai-finds-an-owner-internet-fame/http://www.pawnation.com/2010/06/03/stray-kitten-in-shanghai-finds-an-owner-internet-fame/http://www.pawnation.com/2010/06/03/stray-kitten-in-shanghai-finds-an-owner-internet-fame/#commentsFiled under: ,


cute stray kitten picture Kim Laughton

Recently, a series of photos shot by Shanghai-based photographer Kim Laughton gained the attention of Internet dwellers. The pics, found on Laughton's website, featured one of the Web's favorite subjects: a cute, cuddly kitty.

Over the course of several updates and a few captions, Laughton's photographs sketched out the story of how he rescued the adorable kitten that was soaked and crying in a Shanghai gutter during a rainstorm. We were intrigued by the pictures and wanted to know more.

Paw Nation contacted Laughton to find out about his photography and his foundling cat:

What's the kitten's name?
Utopia.

How old is Utopia now?
Around 8 or 9 months.

Tell us about the day you found her.
It was pouring, the kind of weather that soaks you even if you have an umbrella, and she was crawling along in the gutter mewing loudly. I picked her up after thinking about it for all of 30 seconds, and then had to walk home without her climbing away. She was making such a noise, people must have wondered what on Earth I was up to!

What happened once you had the kitten safely home?
When I got inside, I realized I had no idea what to do with a kitten, and spent the next couple of hours on the Internet trying to find out what to feed her. I couldn't buy any cat food in the nearby convenience stores, perhaps because most Chinese people feed their cats human food. In the end, she had some processed sausage and raw egg.

Do people frequently adopt pets in China?
I'm not sure. There aren't adoption centers as far as I know, but it wouldn't surprise me if kittens are fairly often picked up. You often see old women putting food out for stray cats, especially in parks. There are very few stray dogs, however. I think the government rounds these up to help stop the spread of rabies.

Continue reading Stray Kitten in Shanghai Finds an Owner, Internet Fame

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]]>kittenkitten foundlingKittenFoundlingshanghaistray catsStrayCatsElizabeth BradyThu, 03 Jun 2010 15:00:00 ESTFlorida Animal Lover and Vet Rescue Tangled Kittenshttp://www.pawnation.com/2010/04/06/florida-animal-lover-and-vet-rescue-tangled-kittens/http://www.pawnation.com/2010/04/06/florida-animal-lover-and-vet-rescue-tangled-kittens/http://www.pawnation.com/2010/04/06/florida-animal-lover-and-vet-rescue-tangled-kittens/#commentsFiled under: ,

cute kitten pictureMike Skinner, Floridan

Mary Heath is an ardent animal lover, so when a stray cat from her neighborhood was in need after giving birth to kittens in her yard, Heath jumped on the opportunity to assist, reports the Jackson County Floridian.

"The cat came crying and hollering for help," Heath told Paw Nation, "and then when I picked up one of the kittens, all four came up with it!"

She assumed that the newborns were conjoined at birth, but Dr. Don Kelly, a vet at her local animal hospital told her the good news: They weren't connected by their internal organs or limbs, their umbilical cords were tangled up. Normally when a cat gives birth, she separates the kitten's cords. In this case, the cat didn't do that. Kelly was quoted as saying he's seen similar cases only about six times or so in his career.

The doctor performed a quick procedure on the quadruple kitty combo and they returned home with Heath and their mother that day. Unfortunately, Heath tells Paw Nation, one of the four kittens did not survive the day after the surgery. "My heart was broken," she commented. But the other three are doing well.

Heath is looking for forever homes for these lucky kittens -- and she's hoping that someone will be kind enough to adopt the mother, a stray, as well.

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]]>kittenspet adoptionPetAdoptionstray catsStrayCatstangled umbilical cordTangledUmbilicalCordElizabeth BradyTue, 06 Apr 2010 11:00:00 ESTTop 10 Animal Videos of the Yearhttp://www.pawnation.com/2009/12/16/top-10-animal-videos-of-the-year/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/12/16/top-10-animal-videos-of-the-year/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/12/16/top-10-animal-videos-of-the-year/#commentsFiled under: ,

As 2009 draws to a close, Paw Nation is taking a look back at our favorite viral videos of animals from this year. They're the clips you stumbled upon, friends forwarded or were even featured by big news outlets -- simply for being cute, ridiculous, eye-opening or hysterical (or all of the above).

Go ahead and treat yourself to a few minutes of fun by reflecting on these awww-worthy moments:


1. Tickling Slow Loris


Sonya, a Slow Loris owned by Dmitry Sergeyev, made her ascent to web fame at an ironically lightning-fast speed. The sluggish primate with saucer-like eyes and what appears to be a smile on her face lazes in pure bliss as she gets "tickled" in this clip. The popularity of the video lead to hundreds of thousands of Web viewers asking the same two questions: "What is that creature and where can I get one of my own?!" Well, we don't know where to get one, but we suggest you don't. They're illegal in the U.S.

Continue reading Top 10 Animal Videos of the Year

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]]>best animal videosbest animal videos of the yearBestAnimalVideosBestAnimalVideosOfTheYearFunny Animal Videosfunny pet videosFunnyAnimalVideosFunnyPetVideossam the koalaSamTheKoalaslow lorisSlowLorisstroller pugStrollerPugturtle orgasmTurtleOrgasmviral videoViralVideoElizabeth BradyWed, 16 Dec 2009 13:00:00 ESTNarcolepsy in Dogshttp://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/30/narcolepsy-in-dogs/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/30/narcolepsy-in-dogs/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/30/narcolepsy-in-dogs/#commentsFiled under: ,

Narcolepsy in pets picture

Getty Images

Animal lovers have a special place in their hearts for viral videos of cute creatures uncontrollably falling asleep. But there's a difference between a tired animal and a narcoleptic one, and the obscure condition does indeed affect non-humans, specifically canines. The routine is predictable and almost constant: a dog seems healthy, happy and active, then suddenly lapses into immobility and deep sleep.

Skeeter the poodle is one such example. "Inside Edition" has highlighted the struggles that Skeeter endures while trying to accomplish the most basic of canine tasks, like going for a walk or climbing onto a couch to cuddle.

Skeeter's story might seem absurd or even humorous at first, but most viewers feel a combination of sympathy and curiosity for unique pooches like him.

According to experts, narcolepsy isn't as debilitating or traumatic for dogs as it is for humans. However, the quirks of the condition continue to amaze veterinarians. Canine narcolepsy was first identified as a hereditary disease in the early 1970s, and seems to be limited to specific breeds, including dachshunds, poodles and dobermans. Narcolepsy in cats has also been reported, but is said to be extremely rare. Most dogs will develop the condition when they are young and symptoms tend to present themselves when animals become excited, as Stanford University researchers demonstrate in this video.

Treatments for canine narcolepsy, such as anti-depressants, are available, but vets have yet to identify a cure. If you think your pet might be sleeping inordinately often, consult PetWave's list of symptoms and discuss the issue with your vet.

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]]>Funny Animal VideosFunny Dog VideosFunny Pet VideosFunnyAnimalVideosFunnyDogVideosFunnyPetVideosnarcolepsyElizabeth BradyMon, 30 Nov 2009 17:00:00 ESTDr. Papidies Wins "Cutest Dog" Titlehttp://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/27/dr-papidies-wins-cutest-dog-title/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/27/dr-papidies-wins-cutest-dog-title/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/27/dr-papidies-wins-cutest-dog-title/#commentsFiled under:

Dr. Papidies Chihuahua dog picture 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!

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]]>cute dogsCuteDogscutest dog competitionCutestDogCompetitiondr. papidiesDr.PapidiesElizabeth BradyFri, 27 Nov 2009 10:00:00 ESTThanksgiving Tips for Pet Ownershttp://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/26/thanksgiving-tips-for-pet-owners/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/26/thanksgiving-tips-for-pet-owners/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/26/thanksgiving-tips-for-pet-owners/#commentsFiled under: ,

Maan surroundered by pets pictureFlickr/cranrob

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and giving, but when it comes to including your pets in the festivities, you should share with caution. Turkey Day celebrations can lead to animal dangers or discomforts, especially when owners attempt to treat their pets too much like "one of the family."

Keep Human Food on the Table
According to the ASPCA, feeding your pet table-scraps is the biggest Thanksgiving Day hazard. They recommend avoiding problems altogether by leaving your pet in the kitchen, yard or elsewhere with a chew toy or snack while the humans eat the good stuff. If you feel an uncontrollable urge to let Fido sample your meal, scale it back to a small amount and avoid food with lots of seasoning, onions, raisins, garlic or chocolate (all of which can cause abdominal pain, complications or even death).

Meats and Doughs
Be sure to not feed your pets any uncooked dough or meat. Salmonella is present in raw eggs and meat, and the ASPCA notes that "when raw bread dough is ingested, an animal's body heat causes the dough to rise in his stomach. As it expands, the pet may experience vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating, which could become a life-threatening emergency requiring surgery." Even cooked meat can be harmful if it is coated in gravy or grease. If you are going to allow your dog to scarf down turkey, make sure there are no bones that could splinter and be harmful to the pet.

Continue reading Thanksgiving Tips for Pet Owners

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]]>holiday tips for pet ownersHolidayTipsForPetOwnersThankgiving for PetsThankgivingForPetsThanksgivingElizabeth BradyThu, 26 Nov 2009 15:00:00 ESTThe Best Twitter Accounts for Animal Lovershttp://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/26/the-best-twitter-accounts-for-animal-lovers/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/26/the-best-twitter-accounts-for-animal-lovers/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/26/the-best-twitter-accounts-for-animal-lovers/#commentsFiled under:

The Quack Pack picture

The Quack Pack

Twitter has exploded this year by providing a new platform for the public to rant and communicate about the things they love. And while the 140 character updates can be mundane, they're not all meaningless. Groups like PetMD, PETA and the ASPCA now use Twitter to post useful information for their followers. And naturally, pet owners and "celebrity animals" like Jenny the Stroller Pug have added their tweets to the mix. Search tools and hash tags such as #TwitterACritter are also used to help facilitate animal adoptions.

On behalf of animal lovers on Twitter, Paw Nation did some research to find the 12 most useful and entertaining animal Twitter accounts for our readers to follow:

1. @ASPCA
The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has taken to the Twitterverse to reach out to the animal-loving masses, and it's working. With more than 14,000 followers so far, @ASPCA brings the latest updates about their campaigns, victories and efforts.

2. @TheQuackPack
No, it's not an afternoon animated series with Huey, Dewey and Louie. The Quack Pack's tweets are deployed by the "parents" of two mallard ducks (named Laylah and Saydee) who are being raised as children. Think "My Monkey Baby," with ducks.

Continue reading The Best Twitter Accounts for Animal Lovers

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]]>animal loversAnimalLoversanimalsitesweloveTwittertwitter for animal loversTwitterForAnimalLoversElizabeth BradyThu, 26 Nov 2009 09:00:00 ESTCutest Dog Competition: Final Four Announcedhttp://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/24/cutest-dog-competition-final-four-announced/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/24/cutest-dog-competition-final-four-announced/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/24/cutest-dog-competition-final-four-announced/#commentsFiled under:

Cute dog competition picturecutestdogcompetition.com

Remember all the hoopla back in August surrounding the "Cutest Dog Competition"? It's down to four furry finalists, and on Thanksgiving day, the grand-prize winner will be chosen.

For three months, dog owners around the country uploaded pictures of their pups and rallied votes on a quest to win $1,000,000 for being crowned the Cutest Dog. And since "cuteness" is a subjective evaluation, the contest quickly evolved into a social media popularity contest. Some celebrities intervened to help canine candidates get semi-finalist status.

After the grueling months of voting and submitting, making it to the final four has perks. Even the three dogs who don't win the million will automatically bring in a $5,000 prize for their owners to stock up on Snausages or whatever else on which they'd like to splurge.

While you probably still think your dog is way more adorable than any of these little cuties, Paw Nation wants to know which one of the final four you think should be crowned the Cutest Dog. Discuss your pick in the comments!

View Poll

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]]>cutest dogcutest dog competitionCutestDogCutestDogCompetitionElizabeth BradyTue, 24 Nov 2009 16:00:00 ESTOperation Migration Tweets and Saves Whooping Craneshttp://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/12/operation-migration-tweets-and-saves-whooping-cranes/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/12/operation-migration-tweets-and-saves-whooping-cranes/http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/12/operation-migration-tweets-and-saves-whooping-cranes/#comments
Whooping Cranes Migration picture

operationmigration.org

North American Whooping Cranes have begun their winter migration with a bit of help this year.

These wild birds make a journey of over 2,000 miles each fall from a forest in Canada to a refuge in Aransas, Texas. Whooping Cranes have long been heralded as one of the most magnificent species in America. They're the tallest birds on the continent, and the spectacle of their migration and breeding rituals have captured the minds and imaginations of writers, artists and conservationists alike. Unfortunately, Whooping Cranes have also been edging frighteningly close to extinction. Estimates put the number of live wild cranes at roughly 300 today.

Now a collective of conservationists known as Operation Migration has launched an innovative project to teach the birds the safest migration route. The scientists fly alongside the flock in ultralight aircraft, leading the cranes from a sanctuary in Wisconsin to one in Florida. Guiding them on a safely plotted route "protect[s] the Aransas/Wood Buffalo natural flock and establish[es] two additional flocks in efforts to safeguard the whooping crane from possible extinction," according to their website.

Throughout October and November, Operation Migration's Whooping Crane flock has made progress, and they are currently located in Illinois. You can follow @OperMigration on Twitter to help support their cause and to see updates on weather, the distance they've traveled, and other news.

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]]>whooping cranewhooping crane migrationWhoopingCraneWhoopingCraneMigrationElizabeth BradyThu, 12 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST