Kristen Seymour

In the News: Mike Tyson's Gone to the Birds, Ellen and Portia's Good Deeds and More

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Mar 18th 2010 @ 12:01PM Filed Under: Pets News

portia de rossi ellen degeneres Alberto E. Rodriguez, WireImage.com

Mike Tyson is entering the realm of reality TV. This doesn't surprise us one iota. Nor does it surprise us that there has been some controversy. What does surprise us is that the show will be on Animal Planet and is based on pigeons. Yes, really.

Not every dog lays around all day, waiting for you to come home. Take Rosie the Newfie, for example. When her neighbor became seriously ill, she found a way to lend a paw and give a dying woman a reason to smile by leaping a fence to visit the sick neighbor every single day. And her owners had no idea.

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi are really doing their part to make tails wag across the country. Ellen has teamed up with the USPS and her dog food company, Halo, to raise awareness and feed homeless pets a million meals -- all you have to do to help is buy some stamps! Portia, on the other hand, is focusing on the feral cat population by working with Alley Cat Allies to tell people why the trap-neuter-return is the best policy.

If you're seriously hurt, you get yourself to the emergency room, right? Sure -- because you're human. Well, an injured German shepherd did just that after wandering away from home. Fortunately, the ER staff took pity on the pup and he's since been treated by the local animal shelter and returned to his owners.

The illegal trade of endangered animals is common in the Middle East, but the UN is taking measures to eliminate the practice. Delegates at a conference to discuss endangered species are looking at everything from animal abuse on a small scale to the sale of highly specialized species. It's going to be a hard (and heartbreaking) battle, but we're glad to see the UN addressing the issue.

Lend a Paw: 3 Easy Ways You Can Help Animals

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Mar 17th 2010 @ 3:00PM Filed Under: Pets News, Pet Adoption

Cast your vote for animals just like Simon Cowell is doing. AP

We know you love animals and want to improve their lives. But we also know how busy you are. That's why Paw Nation is making it easy for you to get involved in the paws cause by sharing ways people are helping animals across the country and around the world. Use these ideas as inspiration for projects in your own community or as a way get involved directly with animal causes.

Hands-On Help: Rational Animal's Mother's Comfort Project aims to provide homemade beds to cats and dogs at Animal Care & Control of New York City shelters. The beds, along with catnip toys, are made by Rational Animal volunteers as well as partnering school clubs who meet in a sewing studio. To date, over 700 beds and 400 toys have been made and delivered. Get involved by volunteering, donating, or making a purchase -- or consider doing something similar in your hometown.

Sign the Pledge: Believe it or not, Simon Cowell has interests outside of making "American Idol" contestants cry. The show's meanest judge has lent his support to and recorded a PSA for the World Society for the Protection of Animals. The organization envisions "a world where animal welfare matters, and animal cruelty ends." You can help Cowell show governments, corporations and other decision makers that animals do matter. All it takes is a signature!

Buy the Product: Baltimore-based artist Matt Snow is selling keychain bottle openers through Ex-Boyfriend, an online boutique, and donating 100 percent of proceeds through April 17, 2010, to the Maryland SPCA. There are a few super fun options (and they're just $6.50 a piece!), but we're kind of partial to "Fuzz Aldrin."

In the News: Josh Hartnett's Cute Companion, Old Dogs May Help Cure Cancer and More

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Mar 16th 2010 @ 12:01PM Filed Under: Dogs, Pets News

Astrid Stawiarz, Getty Images

Josh Hartnett has the cutest traveling companion. The hunky star was recently caught going through security at LAX with his furry new friend. We wouldn't blame TSA for giving the puppy a bit of a pat-down.

One Chicago police officer's retirement was slightly overshadowed by the retirement of her short, hairy partner. Sandra La Porta gave 31 years to the job, but her partner, a police dog named Lakos, put in 63... in dog years. Plus, Lakos brought a rubber bone to the ceremony. No one can compete with that.

Old dogs might provide insight into new tricks to improve human health. Purdue University is studying some unusually old rottweilers that have dodged cancer and other common diseases to determine whether the dogs' health can help humans live longer.

Blind woman terrified as her two dogs were attacked in a California barn... by a rattlesnake. Fortunately, she and her mother were able to get them to the vet in time to save their lives with an injection of anti-venom and other treatments.

Five years after Iggy the Lab went for a walk by himself, he's back home. Iggy was just 18 months old when he took off, and his owner was only seven, but now that he's home, it's like he never left. And he never would have returned at all if it weren't for the fact that he was microchipped!

"Hachi: A Dog's Tale" DVD Giveaway

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Mar 15th 2010 @ 5:00PM Filed Under: Giveaways

hachi: a dog's tale Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

"Hachi: A Dog's Tale" starring Richard Gere was released on DVD and Blu-ray last week. The film is based on the true story of dog who showed his master incomparable devotion. While it's both heartwarming and a tear-jerker, the most important thing to note is that it's an absolutely amazing story. (Read our review here.)

We want to make sure you see it.

This week, two lucky Paw Nation readers will win the movie on DVD. (You'll have to provide your own popcorn, though. Sorry.)

To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling us about your favorite animal movie (though we're sure "Hachi" will be your favorite from now on).

The comment must be left before 5 p.m. ET on Friday, March 19, 2010.

You may enter only once.

Two winners will be selected in a random drawing.

Two winners will receive "Hachi: A Dog's Tale" DVDs (valued at $24.96).

Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.

Click here for complete official rules. Winner will be notified by e-mail, so be sure to provide a valid address!

Sparkles the Dalmatian Teaches Fire Safety -- And Saves Lives

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Mar 15th 2010 @ 11:00AM Filed Under: Dogs, Hero Pets

sparkles the fire safety dog Sparkles, the Fire Safety Dog. Dayna Hilton

Dalmatians and firefighting have gone hand in paw since the days of horse-drawn fire carriages. (The breed gets along extraordinarily well with horses, forming a tight bond). And while a wagging tail, cute spots and friendly face go a long way in making people happy, one Dalmatian has gone above and beyond the call of duty -- Sparkles, the Fire Safety Dog.

Sparkles was rescued from a home along with 62 other dogs and soon found his calling after being adopted by firefighter Dayna Hilton, who joined the fire service in August 2000 and currently serves as the Fire and Life Safety Educator for Johnson County RFD #1 in Clarksville, Arkansas. She also acts as Executive Director of the Keep Kids Fire Safe Foundation.

Since then, Sparkles and Firefighter Dayna have become well-known across the nation through appearances on "PBS KIDS Sprout" and "FOX and Friends." Additionally, Sparkles has been the subject of a children's book about fire safety ("Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog"), has assisted Hilton with fire safety education in schools, and is credited with saving numerous lives, including the lives of two little girls from the same school.

Follow Pawnation on Twitter Follow Pawnation on Facebook

Can't Miss Galleries

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,localizationConfig,entry&id=754150&pid=754149&uts=1269035019

http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/media_gallery/v1/ke_media_gallery_wrapper.swf

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Poodle
Miniature Poodles, like all Poodles, are excellent swimmers who originated as a water retrievers. All Poodles, Standard, Miniature and Toy are actually one breed, just different sizes. Miniature Poodles, who can be white, black, apricot or gray, are usually 15 inches or under, according to the American Kennel Club.

David McKelvey/http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgmckelvey/3748491903/

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Dachshund
The Miniature Daschund, only 11 pounds or under, is not a separate classification of the Daschund -- it's just a smaller version of the Standard. The miniature dog, with its long bodies and strong sense of smell, are both hunters and lapdogs, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzer is of German descent and was originally bred to be a small farm dog. The most popular of the three Schnauzer breeds, the Miniature Schnauzer is a attentive, lively and a favorite among celebrities like Mary Tyler Moore and Bill Cosby. The strongly built miniature dog is between 12 to 14 inches, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Bull Terrier
Just like the playful Bull Terrier, the Miniature Bull Terrier, who originated in England, has a similar personality. Don't let its size fool you – the Miniature Bull Terrier is strong, energetic and audacious. Miniature Bull Terriers are between 10 to 15 inches and can be solid white or colored, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature American Eskimo Dog
The American Eskimo Dog is one of three separate categories of the American Eskimo Dog. Between 12 to 15 inches, the bright white dog is loving, protecting and sociable. Now a great companion dog, the miniature dog was once a circus dog, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Pinscher
Also known as the "Min Pin," the Miniature Pinscher is a German Breed whose ancestry includes the Daschund, Italian Greyhound and the shorthaired German Pinscher. The quick, curious dog is the perfect apartment dog. Despite its small size, the compact pooch makes a wonderful watchdog. The spirited miniature dog, about 10 inches to 12 1/2 inches, can be red, black, or chocolate with tan, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs