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/MLB Dog Days: A New Kind of Ballpark Doghttp://www.pawnation.com/2011/04/14/mlb-dog-days-a-new-kind-of-ballpark-dog/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/04/14/mlb-dog-days-a-new-kind-of-ballpark-dog/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/04/14/mlb-dog-days-a-new-kind-of-ballpark-dog/#commentsFiled under: ,

golden retriever baseball costume pictureChristian Peterson, Getty Images

For those whose love of America's pastime is second only to their love of man's best friend, Major League Baseball is ushering in a canine-friendly tradition: Dog Days. Hold the mustard and relish jokes, please.

A New Summertime Tradition
While some ball clubs are calling it "Bark in the Park" and others "Dog Days," this summertime event is, like most great ideas, both simple and awesome. Participating MLB teams are inviting you to bring your favorite well-behaved, and currently vaccinated pooch along to the ballpark to root for the home team. Who doesn't want an excuse to put their dog in a baseball jersey?

While almost all of dog day events include a parade around the field's warning track, prizes for the most fanatically-dressed canine (see photo above), and of course, a viewing of major league action, the perks vary.

The Cincinnati Reds charge $27 for its dog day package that includes entry for one owner and one dog and photo-ops with with Reds team members. The Houston Astros charge $40 for "Bullpen Box Seats " for pup and owner or $20 for "Barking Room Only" tickets. The Los Angeles Dodgers event costs $30 per owner plus $30 per pooch and features a pre-game "pup rally" with skateboard demos in the parking lot, goodie bags and a pre-game parade.

What You Need To Know
Most dog day events require advanced notice that you plan to bring your pup, along with a signed liability waiver and proof of current vaccinations. To find out what your favorite team is doing to get in on the dog-friendly action, check the "Promotions & Giveaways" schedule on your team's website.

Here are some of the 2011 dog day events:

Atlanta Braves - Bark in the Park: May 1st vs. St. Louis Cardinals.

Chicago White Sox - Dog Day: May 17th vs. Texas Rangers.
Note: Email Mary Weiss MWeiss@chisox.com for a Dog Day application or call: 312-674-5244

Cincinnati Reds - Bark in the Park: April 3rd vs. Milwaukee Brewers; September 14th vs. Chicago Cubs.

Continue reading MLB Dog Days: A New Kind of Ballpark Dog

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>bark in the parkbaseballdog daysdog-friendly eventsmajor league baseballmlbMLB Dog DaysMlbDogDaysJosh LoposerThu, 14 Apr 2011 11:00:00 ESTHow 15 Endangered Species Are Being Savedhttp://www.pawnation.com/2011/04/13/how-15-endangered-species-are-being-saved/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/04/13/how-15-endangered-species-are-being-saved/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/04/13/how-15-endangered-species-are-being-saved/#commentsFiled under:

jaguar cat pictureJaguar. Bob8son, Flickr

With Earth Day coming up, we are featuring 15 of the most fascinating and, sadly, most endangered species on the planet. Read on to learn what's being done to ensure that they'll be around to inspire future generations.

Jaguar. Often mistaken for the leopard, an adult male jaguar can grow up to 250lbs. Even more surprising, this big cat's traditional range includes Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas. These days, however, most of the world's jaguar population resides in the rainforests of South America. The Northern Jaguar Project is currently reintroducing these awesome spotted cats on a preserve 125 miles south of the Arizona border.

American crocodile. The American crocodile is distinguishable from the more plentiful American alligator by its brown color and thinner snout which, even when closed, leaves the animal's lower teeth exposed. American crocodiles inhabit the brackish creeks and mangrove of Central America, Mexico, Cuba, Venezuela, and South Florida. While this croc was once under threat of extinction due to over-hunting, the American crocodile is now protected throughout most of its habitat.

Continue reading How 15 Endangered Species Are Being Saved

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>bluefin tunaegyptian vultureendangeredendangered speciesEndangeredSpeciesextinctiongiant kangaroo ratgiant pandahabitathuntingjaguarleatherback turtlepersian fallow deerpoachingred wolfsaiga antelopesnow leopardJosh LoposerWed, 13 Apr 2011 13:00:00 ESTMilitary Pet Foster Programs Watch Dogs and Cats During Deploymenthttp://www.pawnation.com/2011/04/12/military-foster-programs-watch-pets-during-deployment/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/04/12/military-foster-programs-watch-pets-during-deployment/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/04/12/military-foster-programs-watch-pets-during-deployment/#commentsFiled under: ,



dog veteran pictureIt's difficult leaving a much-adored animal behind. Credit: Joe Barrentine, AP

Finding a safe and loving place to leave a pet during service overseas can be a heart-wrenching experience for many members of America's armed forces. Fortunately, thousands of concerned civilians across the country are stepping up the help lighten the load for America's men and women in uniform.

Recognizing the Need
While many of our soldiers can rely on friends and family to care for Fido and Fifi, others find themselves in a situation that leaves them little choice but to turn their pets over to a shelter -- or worse. In fact, one such heartbreaking situation inspired one very patriotic animal lover to create one of the nation's largest military pet fostering networks: Guardian Angels for Soldier's Pet.

"Our founder, Linda Spurlin-Dominik, was part of a list-serve for people supporting the military through a letter writing campaign," Guardian Angels' Jessica Semon tells Paw Nation, "One of the emails that came through was about a soldier's dog that was going to have to be euthanized because the owner didn't have anyone to take of it."

Continue reading Military Pet Foster Programs Watch Dogs and Cats During Deployment

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>armed forcesdeployedfosterfoster homesGuardian Angels for Soldiers Petmelvin buzz millermilitary families weekmilitary pet fosteringvolunteersJosh LoposerTue, 12 Apr 2011 13:00:00 ESTTwin Polar Bear Cubs Debut at German Zoohttp://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/29/twin-polar-bear-cubs-debut-at-german-zoo/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/29/twin-polar-bear-cubs-debut-at-german-zoo/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/29/twin-polar-bear-cubs-debut-at-german-zoo/#commentsFiled under: ,

twin polar bear cub germany pictureHans-Martin Issler, Getty Images

Twin polar bear cubs Aleut and Gregor made their first foray into the public eye at the Nuremberg Zoo on Thursday, dazzling zoo-goers with a three-hour playtime packed with cute antics.

According to the Daily Mail, the 45-pound cubs spent the afternoon pawing their way around the Arctic Circle enclosure and taking swimming lessons in their chilled pool, all while under the protective eye of their mother, Vera. Aleut and Gregor are expected to tip the scales at 1,500 pounds when fully grown.

Only days after the sudden death of 4-year-old superstar Knut (also born at the Nuremberg Zoo), Aleut and Gregor's coming out party couldn't have happened at a better time for Germany's mourning polar bear lovers. Born on Dec. 2, 2010, Aleut and Gregor made their debut exactly four years after Knut's first public appearance.

Continue reading Twin Polar Bear Cubs Debut at German Zoo

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>aleut and gregorbear cubknutKnut the polar bearnuremberg zoopolar bearpolar bear cubpolar bearstwin polar bear cubsJosh LoposerTue, 29 Mar 2011 13:00:00 ESTPorpoise Stranded by Tsunami Rescued From a Rice Field a Mile Inlandhttp://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/24/porpoise-stranded-by-tsunami-rescued-from-a-rice-field-a-mile-in/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/24/porpoise-stranded-by-tsunami-rescued-from-a-rice-field-a-mile-in/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/24/porpoise-stranded-by-tsunami-rescued-from-a-rice-field-a-mile-in/#commentsFiled under:

stranded dolphin japan earthquake pictureAsahi Shimbun, Yusaku Kanagawa / AP

More than a week after Japan's devastating earthquake and tsunami, rescue workers near the town of Asahi noticed something unusual swimming in a flooded rice field -- a 3-foot-long porpoise.

Since the flooding on March 11, the displaced porpoise had apparently been stranded in the flooded rice paddy located about a mile from the shore, according BBC News. Locals saw the porpoise and felt they had to do something.

"Immediately after I spotted it, I realized I could not ignore it," Masayuki Sato told the Asahi newspaper. "This was also a victim of the tsunami."

According to the BBC, Sato called a local animal welfare group currently working to rescue pets stranded by the disaster. After an attempt to load the porpoise onto a makeshift stretcher proved unsuccessful, volunteer Ryo Taira, who runs an animal shelter and pet shop, reportedly waded into the rice field and carried the porpoise to safety in his arms -- making for a very touching photograph.

The porpoise was then returned to the ocean reports ABC News. While Taira was concerned about whether or not they were doing the right thing by rescuing the porpoise this way, there weren't a lot of options. But he felt better when he saw the porpoise swim away.

"I don't know if it will survive, but it's much better than dying in a rice field, right?" Taira told the Asahi paper.

According to reports, the porpoise suffered a few scratches during his shore leave, but rescuers believe the sea mammal to be in good health.

For more information on helping the animals affected in Japan, check out Animal Planet's Daily Treat.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>a+porpoise+rescued+from+a+rice+fieldaporpoiserescuedfromaricefieldbbc+porpoise+japanbbcporpoisejapandolphinjapan animal rescuejapan earthquakejapanese+tsunami+rescuejapanesetsunamirescueporpoiseporpoise+rescue+japanporpoiserescuejapanryo+taira+animal+shelterryotairaanimalshelterstranded porpoisetsunami dolphintsunami stranded porpoise rescuedJosh LoposerThu, 24 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST140 Years of Animal Rescue - How the Dutchess County NY SPCA Gets It Donehttp://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/22/140-years-of-animal-rescue-how-the-dutchess-county-ny-spca-get/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/22/140-years-of-animal-rescue-how-the-dutchess-county-ny-spca-get/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/22/140-years-of-animal-rescue-how-the-dutchess-county-ny-spca-get/#commentsFiled under: ,

Jami Landry, Dutchess County SPCASenior Humane Law Officer, Jami Landry, with Blitzen. Credit: On Location Studios

Animal Shelter: The Dutchess County SPCA

Location: Hyde Park, N.Y.

Formed in 1871 by a few concerned and exceptional citizens -- Matthew Vassar (of Vassar College), John Adriance (Adriance Memorial Library was named for him) and Samuel Morse (as in Morse code) -- the DSPCA protects the abused and abandoned animals of Dutchess County. Starting out in a small holding facility in Poughkeepsie, the DCSPCA eventually outgrew its humble digs and found a home in Hyde Park in 1960.

Over the years, the DCSPCA has come to specialize in large-scale animal seizures. That is, the shelter works with local officials to combat the problem of animal hoarding. According to Executive Director Joyce Garrity, when an animal hoarding situation is discovered, it often involves many animals that are in very bad health. Fortunately, the DCSPCA has highly skilled human law officers (animal cops) to handle the job!

This year, the DCSPCA is celebrating its 140th birthday -- 980 dog years! (Sort of.) In honor of this milestone in both human and canine years, the DCSPCA has broken ground on a new adoption and education center. The current facility will be renovated and serve as intake and rehabilitation for incoming animals, as well as housing its spay/neuter clinic. They talk with Paw Nation about how they help pets.

Continue reading 140 Years of Animal Rescue - How the Dutchess County NY SPCA Gets It Done

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>animal copsanimal rescueanimal shelterdcspcaDutchess County SPCAhoardinginterviewJoyce GarrityrescueSamuel MorseshelterJosh LoposerTue, 22 Mar 2011 13:00:00 ESTKnut the Polar Bear Dies - Zoo Officials Still Searching for Causehttp://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/21/knut-the-polar-bear-dies-zoo-officials-still-searching-for-cau/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/21/knut-the-polar-bear-dies-zoo-officials-still-searching-for-cau/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/21/knut-the-polar-bear-dies-zoo-officials-still-searching-for-cau/#commentsFiled under:

knut polar bear dies pictureDavid Gannon, AFP / Getty Images

At the tender age of 4, Knut, the cutest, most famous polar bear in the history of the world, collapsed and died suddenly inside his enclosure at the Berlin Zoo on Saturday.

According to the AP, Knut had been strolling around the space he shared with three other bears on Saturday when he reportedly "went into the water, had a short spasm and died."

Zoo-goers were shocked and confused to see the beloved bear laying motionless. Zoo staff fenced off the enclosure when they realized what had happened.

"All the zookeepers who put up the fences were so very sad," visitor Camilla Verde told the AP. "One of them said, 'He was our baby.' "

Continue reading Knut the Polar Bear Dies - Zoo Officials Still Searching for Cause

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>berlin zooknutKnut the polar bearknut the polar bear diesknut+deathknut+polar+bear+2011knut+polar+bear+diesknut+the+polar+bear+2011knutdeathknutpolarbear2011knutpolarbeardiesknutthepolarbear2011what+happened+to+knut+the+polar+bearwhathappenedtoknutthepolarbearJosh LoposerMon, 21 Mar 2011 12:00:00 ESTWant to Lose Weight? Get a Dog and Get Walkinghttp://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/16/want-to-lose-weight-get-a-dog-and-get-walking/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/16/want-to-lose-weight-get-a-dog-and-get-walking/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/16/want-to-lose-weight-get-a-dog-and-get-walking/#commentsFiled under:

woman walking dog pictureCorbis

Looking for a workout plan that you can really stick to? Perhaps you should consider investing in an exercise machine that loves you back -- i.e., a dog!

According to the New York Times, some of the world's best personal trainers aren't persons at all, but canines. A recent study found that dogs are top-notch motivators when it comes to taking regular walks.

In fact, research suggests that dog owners are not just more likely to take walks, but they've been found to be more physically active than non-dog owners overall. According to research conducted by Michigan State University, 60 percent of dog owners exercised an average of 30 minutes a day -- meeting or exceeding federal exercise standards.

The research tracked 5,900 people across the state of Michigan, 2,170 of whom owned dogs. So how did the other 3,730 non-dog owners fare? Only a third of the study's dogless participants got the recommended level of daily exercise.

What's more, the study's author, Dr. Matthew Reeves, tracked not only walking, but also other forms of exercise to determine whether dog walking adds significantly to an owner's exercise routine or simply replaces other activity. His results indicated that dog owners exercise, on average, 30 minutes longer per week.

Continue reading Want to Lose Weight? Get a Dog and Get Walking

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>dog exercisedog walkingdogs and healthmichigan state universityJosh LoposerWed, 16 Mar 2011 13:00:00 ESTDon't Regret Your New Pet - Tips on Avoiding Adopter's Remorsehttp://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/15/adopters-remorse-dont-regret-new-pet/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/15/adopters-remorse-dont-regret-new-pet/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/15/adopters-remorse-dont-regret-new-pet/#commentsFiled under: ,

dog adopt pictureCaruba, Flickr

Ask proud pet owners and they'll tell you that bringing their furry friends into their lives was one of the best decisions they ever made. Pry a little further, however, and you might find that the decision to bring home a pound puppy or shelter kitty also upset their lives for a period of days, weeks, or months because they weren't properly prepared.

For reasons that are usually no fault of the dogs or cats themselves, adoptive pet parents sometimes find that they've made a serious miscalculation as to whether they really have the time, patience or desire to regularly change litter or scoop poop.

To help prospective pet owners avoid this adoption pitfall, we've put together a guide to bringing home the dog or cat that is right for you.

The Lifestyle Checklist
The most important thing you can do to prevent adopting a "problem pet" is to not start out as a "problem owner," that is, someone who glosses over all of the responsibilities of pet ownership. Sure, it's possible you could get home from the shelter with a perfectly obedient and housebroken pet, but don't count on it.

Though we firmly believe that there's a perfect owner out there for every pet in a shelter, some pets are simply more -- how do we say this? -- low-maintenance than others.

Continue reading Don't Regret Your New Pet - Tips on Avoiding Adopter's Remorse

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>adopters remorseamerican veterinary medical associationanimal shelteravmacat rescuedog rescueJosh LoposerTue, 15 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST17 Million Adoptions and Counting - Paw Nation Talks With Petfinder Co-founder Betsy Saulhttp://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/15/petfinder-betsy-saul-17-million-adoptions/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/15/petfinder-betsy-saul-17-million-adoptions/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/15/petfinder-betsy-saul-17-million-adoptions/#commentsFiled under: ,

PetFinder co-founder Betsy Saul and her dog TuckerBetsy Saul

As much as this thing we call the Internet has changed the lives of humans all over the planet, it's had perhaps an even greater impact on another, slightly furrier species: shelter pets.

The Internet has connected millions upon millions of lonely shelter puppies and kitties with forever homes, facilitated a boom in pet fostering, and changed the way we look at adopting pets altogether. One of the adoption innovators responsible for this shelter pet revolution is none other than Petfinder co-founder Betsy Saul.

As part of our coverage of Petfinder's Adopt the Internet Day (March 15), Paw Nation got the chance to chat with Saul about Petfinder's humble beginnings, the joy of rescuing pets and the letters she gets about some of the 17 million animals that have been adopted through Petfinder.

Petfinder.com has been going strong since 1996. Can you give us a little history of how the whole Petfinder phenomenon came about?
When Jared Saul, my ex-husband, and I started Petfinder 15 years ago, we never dreamed it would be as powerful as it turned out to be. I remember hoping that we could save at least one life a month. And I remember fantasizing about being able to do it as a part-time job -- and really give it the attention it deserved. This year we expect to help find families for 2.5 million pets and there is a whole team of people working full-time to make sure we meet our goal to end the euthanasia of adoptable pets.

Continue reading 17 Million Adoptions and Counting - Paw Nation Talks With Petfinder Co-founder Betsy Saul

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>adopt the internet dayBetsy SaulPetFinderpetfinder betsy saulshelter petsShelterPetsJosh LoposerTue, 15 Mar 2011 11:00:00 ESTSchool Allows Autistic Boy to Bring Service Dog to Classhttp://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/08/school-allows-autistic-boy-to-bring-service-dog-to-class/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/08/school-allows-autistic-boy-to-bring-service-dog-to-class/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/08/school-allows-autistic-boy-to-bring-service-dog-to-class/#commentsFiled under: ,



Good news for Scooter Givens of Hillsboro, Ore. -- the 10-year-old autistic boy no longer has to leave his service dog, Madison, at home when he goes to school. After a three-year battle with the Givens family, Hillsboro School District officials have decided to allow Scooter to bring Madison to class at Patterson Elementary for a trial period.

According to KATU Hillsboro, the debate over this pup hinged on whether Madison was, in fact, a "service dog" or a "therapy dog." Though the distinction may seem minor from the outside looking in, the service dog factor is apparently no small issue in the eyes of the law.

Though service dogs are covered by the Americans With Disabilities Act, therapy dogs aren't. And after evaluating Madison's specialized training, as well as the potential costs of a federal civil rights lawsuit, the Hillsboro School District caved.

After looking at the important safety role that Scooter's best friend plays in his life, we think the term service dog clearly applies. For example, Madison has been trained to detect Scooter's sometimes violent tantrums and prevent them before they start.

"Madison's trained to touch him or nuzzle him and kind of distract him from that," Scooter's mom Wendy told KATU.

Continue reading School Allows Autistic Boy to Bring Service Dog to Class

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>autismoregonscooter givensservice dogservice dogsservice dogs at schooltherapy dogsJosh LoposerTue, 08 Mar 2011 17:00:00 ESTMark Zuckerberg Expands His Social Network with a Puppyhttp://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/08/facebook-founder-mark-zuckerberg-expands-his-social-network-with/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/08/facebook-founder-mark-zuckerberg-expands-his-social-network-with/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/03/08/facebook-founder-mark-zuckerberg-expands-his-social-network-with/#commentsFiled under:

Mark Zuckerberg puppy pictureFacebook

Somewhere in a schedule packed with "SNL" cameos, in-depth interviews on "60 Minutes" and, of course, running the most successful social networking site mankind has ever known, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg found time to not only adopt a fluffy male puli puppy but to create a Facebook page for him as well! How's that for multitasking?

Ironically named "Beast," the cute dog is described as a "public figure" whose personal interests are "cuddling, loving and eating," a description supported by numerous photos of Beast snuggling with Zuckerberg and girlfriend Priscilla Chan. Beast's birthday is listed as January 10, 2011.

Mark Zuckerberg puppy pictureFacebook

Continue reading Mark Zuckerberg Expands His Social Network with a Puppy

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>akcbeastfacebookfacebook founder mark zuckerbergmark zuckerbergmark zuckerberg gets puppymark zuckerberg puppypulithe social networkJosh LoposerTue, 08 Mar 2011 12:00:00 ESTShanghai Enacts Controversial One-Dog Policyhttp://www.pawnation.com/2011/02/24/shanghai-enacts-controversial-one-dog-policy/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/02/24/shanghai-enacts-controversial-one-dog-policy/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/02/24/shanghai-enacts-controversial-one-dog-policy/#commentsFiled under: ,

chow chow dog, one dog policyElysio Soares, Flickr

As municipalities in the United States explore new ways to keep their ballooning pet populations in check, leaders in Shanghai, China's largest metropolis, have chosen to simply ban its 23 million citizens from owning more than one dog per household, reports Bloomberg. And, of course, the one-dog policy is drawing comparisons to China's infamous one-child policy, enacted in 1979.

The number of Chinese citizens enjoying the benefits of dog ownership has reportedly skyrocketed. Unfortunately, many of the problems associated with dog ownership have also risen.

The Daily Shanghai estimates that there are 600,000 unlicensed dogs walking the sidewalks of Shanghai, while the number of dog bites reported by city police has increased 40 percent since 2006. In addition to all that, many complain that housing millions of dogs in an urban area can get a little messy.

Continue reading Shanghai Enacts Controversial One-Dog Policy

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>breed banchinaone-child policyone-dog policyShanghaiJosh LoposerThu, 24 Feb 2011 15:00:00 ESTContortionist Kitty Loves Tiny Glass Jarshttp://www.pawnation.com/2011/02/24/funny-animal-video-contortionist-kitty-loves-tiny-glass-jars/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/02/24/funny-animal-video-contortionist-kitty-loves-tiny-glass-jars/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/02/24/funny-animal-video-contortionist-kitty-loves-tiny-glass-jars/#commentsFiled under: ,



Ksyusha the Himalayan may look like a perfectly ordinary, everyday house cat -- until you find her happily curled up inside a pickle jar on your kitchen counter. After a cute/weird photo featuring the kitty chilling out in a large jelly jar emerged online, Ksyusha, the so-called "contortionist cat," is getting worldwide attention.

According to Ksyusha's owner, Yuriy Korotun, this very special kitty can often be found fitting her feline frame inside cylindrical objects, including washing machines and jars. And you thought your cat had some strange habits!

"She was a special kitten from the beginning -- always very playful," Korotun tells the Daily Mirror. "I came into the kitchen one day to find her in the jar. I couldn't believe my eyes."

We can barely believe it either. Even though the video commentator says that the cat always makes her way out of the tight spaces she gets herself into, we are very nervous for Ksyusha!

Does your cat have any bizarre predilections or hidden talents? Maybe he or she could be the next online feline sensation.

More Funny Animal Videos

Continue reading Contortionist Kitty Loves Tiny Glass Jars

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>contortionist catFunny Cat Videoshimalyan catksyushamoscowrussiaJosh LoposerThu, 24 Feb 2011 06:00:00 ESTPet Obesity - Is Your Dog or Cat Too Fat?http://www.pawnation.com/2011/02/22/pet-obesity-is-your-dog-or-cat-too-fat/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/02/22/pet-obesity-is-your-dog-or-cat-too-fat/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/02/22/pet-obesity-is-your-dog-or-cat-too-fat/#commentsFiled under: ,

LincolnStein, Flickr

As Americans struggle to keep our waistlines in check, it's no real surprise that our unhealthy lifestyles have been weighing down our pets as well. In fact, a new study has found that American dogs and cats are facing an obesity epidemic much like our own!

According to a study conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, more than half of U.S. pets are now considered overweight or worse. A full 20 percent of dogs and 20 percent of cats are now considered obese, meaning they're 30 percent above their normal weights, the Wall Street Journal reports. But veterinarians and owners are tackling this problem with new diets, pet weight management software and more.

Underworked and Overfed
It's a sad fact, but our pets are logging more hours on the couch and getting less exercise than ever before. And with the country suffering from bad weather this winter, pets had even less opportunity to exercise.

But one of the major issues, according to the Wall Street Journal, has to do with owners who routinely overfeed their pets -- and not just table scraps. As many pet owners have discovered, it's not always easy to determine how much to feed their pets each day.

That's in part due to the fact that most pet food manufacturers don't list caloric information on their packaging. "Just 10 extra kibbles of a typical dry cat food could add up to one pound of weight gain annually," APOP founder Dr. Ernie Ward tells the Wall Street Journal.

Continue reading Pet Obesity - Is Your Dog or Cat Too Fat?

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>dog treadmilloverweight catsoverweight dogspet obesitypet treadmillweightweight lossJosh LoposerTue, 22 Feb 2011 16:00:00 ESTBirdwatchers Pay Entry Fee To Watch Rare Bird From Man's Kitchenhttp://www.pawnation.com/2011/02/18/birdwatchers-pay-entry-fee-to-watch-rare-bird-from-mans-kitchen/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/02/18/birdwatchers-pay-entry-fee-to-watch-rare-bird-from-mans-kitchen/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/02/18/birdwatchers-pay-entry-fee-to-watch-rare-bird-from-mans-kitchen/#commentsFiled under: ,

turtle dove pictureOriental turtledoves. Phil Coale, AP

Would you wait in line behind hundreds of people and pay $8 to catch a glimpse of a rare turtledove? From inside an opportunistic ornithologist's kitchen, no less? If so, you are officially an avid bird-watcher.

When longtime bird enthusiast Steve Akers spotted an extremely rare Oriental turtledove in his backyard in Oxfordshire, he couldn't believe his binoculars. The dove, native to Japan, Russia and Southeast Asia, has been spotted only twice in the United Kingdom, according to Sky News.

Realizing that he was witnessing history in the making, Akers contacted the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, which reportedly confirmed the identity of his extraordinary visitor -- Streptopelia orientalis.

"It is brilliant to see this beautiful and very famous bird -- especially in my own back garden," Akers told Sky News. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and for it to happen here is very overwhelming."

News of Akers' unusual guest traveled quickly on the Internet, and the ornithologist decided that he should share the opportunity with fellow appreciators. That's when he announced that, for a modest £5 ($8) entry fee, bird-watchers could bring their binoculars into his observatory/kitchen. A reported 500 showed up.

Continue reading Birdwatchers Pay Entry Fee To Watch Rare Bird From Man's Kitchen

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>BirdlifeMaltabirdwatcherenglandoriental turtle doveorinthologyOxfordshireroyal society for the protection of birdsukJosh LoposerFri, 18 Feb 2011 13:00:00 ESTSeaWorld Trainer Jamie Stanley-Bahnsen Takes Her Pup Harley to Westminsterhttp://www.pawnation.com/2011/02/10/seaworld-trainer-jamie-stanley-bahnsen-brings-her-pup-harley-to/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/02/10/seaworld-trainer-jamie-stanley-bahnsen-brings-her-pup-harley-to/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/02/10/seaworld-trainer-jamie-stanley-bahnsen-brings-her-pup-harley-to/#commentsFiled under:

belgian malinois pictureKerrie Tatarka

When it comes to the coveted Best in Show title at New York's illustrious Westminster Dog Show, it takes a precise blend of breeding, training and, of course, primping to impress the judges. Lucky for SeaWorld Orlando trainer Jamie Stanley-Bahnsen of Orlando, Florida, her Belgian Malinois, Harley, is all business when it's time to get in the ring.

Meet Harley
If the breed Belgian Malinois doesn't ring any bells, it's not just you. Although it bears a passing resemblance to the German shepherd, the Belgian Malinois isn't a breed you're likely to see at the dog park.

Like other members of the herding group, Harley's breed is best known for its high energy level and intelligence, two factors that some owners can find challenging. "They're a little like border collies in a way," Stanley-Bahnsen tells Paw Nation. "If they don't have a job, they'll find a job."

In fact, that's how Harley got his motorcycle-inspired name. When Harley was a puppy, Stanley-Bahnsen says he ran constantly at full throttle, circling around the yard. Fortunately, Harley mellowed out with time.

"He's a little unusual for a Malinois," says Stanley-Bahnsen. "Because if I want to sit on the couch for eight hours, he's fine with it. Or if I want to take him biking, he'll run for hours."

Continue reading SeaWorld Trainer Jamie Stanley-Bahnsen Takes Her Pup Harley to Westminster

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>belgian malinoisfloridanew york cityorlandosea worldwestminsterwestminster dog showwestminster kennel clubJosh LoposerThu, 10 Feb 2011 17:00:00 ESTCheetah Adopts At-Risk Cub at the National Zoohttp://www.pawnation.com/2011/02/09/cheetah-adopts-at-risk-cub-at-the-national-zoo/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/02/09/cheetah-adopts-at-risk-cub-at-the-national-zoo/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/02/09/cheetah-adopts-at-risk-cub-at-the-national-zoo/#commentsFiled under: ,

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news and news about the economy


Zoologists at the Smithsonian National Zoo have successfully convinced a 9-year-old cheetah named Zazi to become the foster parent of an at-risk cub.

In December, Zazi and first-time mother Amani gave birth to cubs 10 days apart. The problem, however, is that both proud mamas delivered only one cub each -- which turns out to be a problem for mother and cub alike.

"At Great Risk"
Single-cub litters, referred to as "singletons" by zoologists, are often at great risk because their mothers typically don't produce enough milk. Though it sounds counterintuitive, according to the Smithsonian, mothers in the wild will often let single cubs die, freeing the mothers up to breed again.

Continue reading Cheetah Adopts At-Risk Cub at the National Zoo

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>cheetahcheetah cubsCheetahCubssmithsonian conservation biology institutesmithsonian national zooJosh LoposerWed, 09 Feb 2011 13:00:00 ESTStandard Poodle Inge Takes Private Jet to Westminster (Along With Her Personal Vet, Stylist and Photographer)http://www.pawnation.com/2011/02/09/standard-poodle-inge-takes-private-jet-to-westminster/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/02/09/standard-poodle-inge-takes-private-jet-to-westminster/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/02/09/standard-poodle-inge-takes-private-jet-to-westminster/#commentsFiled under:

Standard Poodle Inge pictureVicki Holloway

How could the Westminster Dog Show be complete without at least one utterly spoiled standard poodle flying in on her own private jet?

Taking the pampered poodle concept to the extreme, Houston-area owners Arvid and Holly Sundbeck are transporting their champion, Inge (along with her personal vet, stylist and photographer), to Westminster in style.

Meet Inge (pronounced Inga)
Though Arvid and Holly Sundbeck have been showing standard poodles for the past 15 years, this marks their first trip to the illustrious Westminster Dog Show. And they owe this landmark achievement to their glory hound, Inge.

As the No. 2 standard poodle in the nation in terms of breed points, Inge is used to being top dog. It's a fact that's not at all lost on owner Holly, who likes to joke about what a prima donna her dog has become.

"It's all about Inge, trust me," Sundbeck tells Paw Nation. "The world revolves around her. Don't get me wrong, she's very, very sweet. But she thinks all the toys are hers and that she allows the other dogs to play with them."

Continue reading Standard Poodle Inge Takes Private Jet to Westminster (Along With Her Personal Vet, Stylist and Photographer)

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>arvid sundbeckholly sundbeckingepoodleprivate jetstandard poodlewestminsterwestminster dog showwestminster kennel clubJosh LoposerWed, 09 Feb 2011 10:00:00 ESTHay Airlifted to Starving Horses in Montanahttp://www.pawnation.com/2011/01/28/hay-airlifted-to-starving-horses-in-montana/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/01/28/hay-airlifted-to-starving-horses-in-montana/http://www.pawnation.com/2011/01/28/hay-airlifted-to-starving-horses-in-montana/#commentsFiled under: ,

montana hay drop horse pictureLarry Mayer, Billings Gazette

Authorities and volunteers near Billings, Mont., are coordinating an unprecedented livestock rescue effort involving both trucks and air support, reports the Billings Gazette. Since Thursday morning, a helicopter donated by Billings Flying Service has been airlifting bales of hay to 500-700 malnourished horses on a foreclosed Montana ranch and the surrounding area.

Operation Home Place
Much of the airlift's efforts have been focused on a group of 350 horses, fenced inside a 2,000-acre pasture with dwindling food and water sources, that appear to be in the worst overall condition. Reuters reports that hunger forced the remainder of the herd to break through the fences, where they're now scattered across the 40,000 acres of what was once the Home Place Ranch.

montana hay drop horse pictureLarry Mayer, Billings Gazette

Heading up the operation is Justin Mills, of Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE), who is coordinating the effort under the Nile Foundation. Offers have reportedly come pouring in from all over the nation to buy hay or otherwise support the effort.

According to Mills, the animals receiving the benefit of air-dropped hay are those inside the enclosure. Government officials are reportedly working on a plan to round up the hundreds of remaining horses.

Criminal Charges
In these tough economic times, it's not only homes and businesses that people are walking away from, but livestock as well. According to local authorities, that's exactly what appears to have happened when owner James Leachman's prestigious breeding operation went out of business and he lost the Home Place Ranch to foreclosure in 2010.

Continue reading Hay Airlifted to Starving Horses in Montana

Permalink | Email this | Comments

]]>animal abuseanimal rescuehorsesOperation Home PlaceJosh LoposerFri, 28 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST