In fact, the company says Tama has been instrumental in increasing ridership by about 300,000, and they gave her the promotion "in recognition of her contribution to expanding the customer base," the Manichi Daily News reports. Tama will continue to serve as stationmaster while tackling this new role, although she did not accept a wage increase (and her payment currently is rendered in the form of cat food). It also doesn't sound like she'll have to take on any of the more stressful parts of being a corporate executive. Her job description includes greeting customers as they enter the station, posing for photos with tourists, and napping.

The company held an official appointment ceremony for Tama, and about 100 fans came to support the feline, says the Manichi Daily News. In addition, plans are in motion to rebuild Kishi Station into the shape of a cat's face this summer. Success: She has it!

Instead, the traumatic experience created a special bond between the three animals, with Leonardo instantly cheering up when he saw the kitten again during pet therapy sessions. But he was not out of danger just yet. After several months in a county shelter, the kitten and chihuahua were both adopted, but lovable Leo had yet to find a family, and was scheduled to be put down. That's when the local Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) stepped in to give him another chance.

After ARF made his story public, they received a record number of calls about adopting Leonardo. A local couple gave him a comfortable new home last weekend, while the interest raised by the story had the shelter adopting twice as many animals as usual - a much-deserved happy ending for everyone involved.

The Boston Globe reports that Kenmore was first seen by riders between stations, huddling by the rails and dodging oncoming trains. MBTA employees attempted to lure him with water and food, to no avail. Eventually, the cat was brave enough to make Kenmore station his own, lounging on the platform and being snapped for a rare pic that definitively proved his existence to online fans who eagerly discussed each kitty sighting.

Finally, Ingraham became concerned for Kenmore's safety and spent one of her days off unsuccessfully trying to capture him. She did not succeed that day, but another MBTA employee soon did, and Ingraham now has adopted the lucky cat into her home. According to her, Kenmore had never been out of the subway before, but he won't be returning to the rails anytime soon. At least not until Take Your Cat to Work Day!

British comedian Russell Brand, best known in the States for a memorable role in the movie "Forgetting Sarah Marshall", has been spending more time in America now that's he's in a tabloid-fodder relationship with singer Katy Perry. There's just one problem: With all his travel away from London, he's had to leave behind his beloved cat Morrissey (named after the legendary lead singer of the Smiths). Now Brand wants to obtain a cat passport so Morrissey can join him in his travels.

"Disappointingly, there's no photo in them, which I was looking forward to," Brand told to the Melbourne Herald Sun. "I was hoping the passport man would look at the picture and go, 'Not that photo -- your cat's smiling!' but sadly that's not going to happen."

Best friends always show up when you least expect them -- and when you need them most.

Big Boy, a guinea pig so named for his hefty 3-pound frame, was scheduled to be euthanized at a shelter before being taken in by the Cavy House, a guinea-pig rescue shelter in La Honda, Calif., reports Mercury News.

There, Big Boy met Rosie, another guinea pig who had stopped eating after a previous friend had died, and was rapidly losing weight. Their friendship blossomed as they began nuzzling between their cages, and with Big Boy around, Rosie was inspired to begin eating again.

Mercury News reports that things took another turn when Big Boy was diagnosed with lymphoma, which typically claims the life of a guinea pig in a matter of days. But with chemotherapy treatments and Rosie's support, Big Boy made a swift recovery and is now completely cured and active over half a year later. Big Boy and Rosie also fostered two young orphans, helping wean them until they could be adopted into happy homes. The two guinea pigs continue to help others as much as they help each other.

The pair remain in the care of the small, non-profit Cavy House rescue shelter. If you are interested in donating equipment (or just looking at cute pictures of their adoptable "piggies," as they call them), visit their Web site.

Especially during the cold winter months, cats have been known to climb into the small spaces beneath cars, seeking warmth. Axel's story can remind all drivers to be especially careful to ensure no outside animals have taken shelter underneath their cars before pulling out of the driveway.

Have you ever watched "Dog Whisperer" and thought to yourself, "This is a great reality show, but it would make a really great sitcom"? Well, you're in luck. According to Variety, a new comedy based on Cesar Millan's life -- currently the subject of his own Emmy-award-nominated reality show on the National Geographic Channel -- is in development at Fox and will star Wilmer Valderrama, best known for his role as Fez on "That 70's Show," as a successful dog trainer.

We hope that, if it makes it to air, the new show will last longer than another popular reality star's attempt at crossing over to the traditional sitcom format. Emeril Lagasse's famously doomed self-titled sitcom lasted less than one season back in 2001 before it was yanked off the air. Maybe viewers are looking for a little less bam! and a lot more ssh!

But our real question is: Who will be cast to play the adorable Daddy?

YouTube offers more than hilarious excerpts of obscure Japanese game shows and poorly warbled covers of Top 40 songs. The site now has enlisted its millions of users to submit inspiring videos to promote change on a local and global level.

During the month of October, the YouTube Video Volunteers channel raiseed awareness of animal-welfare issues with inspiring and heart-wrenching videos about the importance of animal shelters, adoption and spaying/neutering pets. Celebrity guest curator Ben Stein joined regular viewers to choose the top three, which are being on YouTube's home page at the end of the month. (But you can watch them all here.)

The top-rated "Apology Video," posted above, was created by the Retriever Rescue of Colorado (RROC), and highlights the variety of excuses owners give for neglecting or abandoning their pets. And if you want a quick way to help, the RROC accepts donated items through their Web site.