Some dogs love getting out into autumn’s cold and rainy weather—especially if they have gear like the umbrella leash above spotted on thegreenhead.com. But if your dog prefers the great indoors, here’s a list of suggestions for keeping them exercised and entertained inside your home.

http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-activities/dog-exercise/article_21216.aspx

Among the memorials being hosted this coming Sunday is a march in Liberty State Park, NJ saluting the dogs that served on search & rescue, therapy and security teams in the days following 9/11. Though the ceremony’s invitation only, we can all still send positive vibes to these brave canines and their handlers.

http://yourlife.usatoday.com/parenting-family/pets/story/2011-09-07/Rescue-dog-teams-are-unsung-heroes-of-911/50295920/1

The Guinness Book of World Records just bestowed the honor of “living dog with the world’s longest ears” on a Colorado coon hound. Each ear measures over a foot long!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/06/dog-with-worlds-longest-ears_n_946932.html

Artist Jill Flinn creates painting inspired by rescued dogs to help rescue dogs. With the proceeds she earns from her artworks, she and her husband take-in rescued dogs on their farm in Glasgow, Missouri.

http://www.sj-r.com/features/x1638736166/Tamara-Browning-Turning-dog-rescue-into-an-art-form

Buddy just learned about this great pet project called Operation Chihuahua that flies the small dogs from the West Coast, where they are filling shelters to capacity, to the East Coast where they are in high demand. What a great idea! Unfortunately, Hurricane Irene stalled 16 pups on their way east this past week, but program sponsor Virgin America promises to reschedule soon.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/08/hurricane-bumps-chihuahuas-from-sf-to-ny-rescue-flight.html

Batavia New York’s annual Weiner Dog Race this past Sunday ended in controversy surrounding the close finish. Two-time champion Jake Arnold and rookie racer Gordon Ryan (oddly human names, no?) had a nose-to-nose finish that was apparently too close to call, so judges declared it tie. A rematch is in the offing.

http://thebatavian.com/howard-owens/officials-determine-jake-arnold-and-gordon-nose-nose-finish-line/27954

And we’re not referring to the National League team’s win-loss record. Apparently a pack of stray dogs are making the blocks around CitiField their home base. Perhaps the team slogan should change from Let’s Go Mets to Let’s Go Mutts?

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/queens/ruff_going_at_citi_aqZojv6n5KLJEdr0n8eEAL?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME=

Dog napping is on the rise—up 49% in the last year. Buddy found this story that follows a detective hot on the trail of a missing dog plus tips on how to prevent pet theft and increase the odds of getting a missing dog back.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/dognappings-rise/story?id=14329379

Did you know that 55% of dogs are overweight? Here’s a funny and helpful article on how to tell if your hound is on the husky side as well as some tips on how to help your pup drop the pounds.

http://milton.patch.com/articles/fat-cats-and-big-dogs

Thinking about getting a dog? It’s easy to pick a breed on looks alone, but before you choose a canine companion from a shelter or breeder, you should know if your family and the dog will be a good fit. The link below connects you with one of several guides available online that offer profiles of each breed. The information includes details on temperament, exercise, nutrition, health and other important facts necessary to know in determining if you have found your dream dog.

http://animal.discovery.com/breedselector/dogselectorindex.do