Winter with a Twist of Lyme
The warmer temperatures across the nation this winter have been a boon for dog owners and dogs that like long walks through their neighborhoods. Unfortunately, ticks have also been more active this winter too. Please protect yourselves and your pets. The news story: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/19/us/a-mild-winter-means-a-longer-tick-season.html Helpful tips on protecting your pets (and the source for the [...]
Young Leader of the Pack
For the first time in Iditarod history, a 25 year-old has won the race. Young Dallas Seavey finished well ahead of the pack, which included his father and grandfather, both of whom have run the race before, but never won. http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dallas-seavey-leading-aliy-zirkle-by-more-than-an-hour-as-teams-prepare-for-sprint-to-nome/2012/03/13/gIQAXzvf9R_story.html
Designer Dog House
Once upon a time, a small boy asked famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright to design a house for his dog. Wright complied, sending plans for a complicated triangular structure. The boy and his father eventually put the house together after several years, but when their pet passed away, the house was scrapped. Now 68 years [...]
Are you bi-petual?
While there are distinct breeds of human who fall into being either cat or dog people, some folks simply love both. http://abcnews.go.com/US/dog-people-cat-people-pet-preference/story?id=15883844#.T1pZMZfLzNo
Canines on Canvas
Portraits of pups are taking the art world by storm, some paintings selling for millions! While paintings from the 19th century are the most coveted at the moment, some modern artists are selling pieces that the ordinary mortal can afford. Nearly every breed has been immortalized in paint, but the Cavalier King Charles spaniel has [...]
On Your Mark. Get Set. Snow!
A beautiful series of photographs capturing the ceremonial start of the 40th running of the famed dog-sled race. http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/the-40th-iditarod-trail-sled-dog-race/2012/03/05/gIQAeF3tsR_gallery.html#photo=1
Iditarap
When the famed Iditarod launches tomorrow, one of the sled teams will be driven by an aspiring rapper who weaves tales from the trail into his musical mixes. A sample lyric: “Now I’m twisting, dipping, winding, turning through the trees Now I got my headlight off because I’m creeping on a team Full moon reflected [...]
Eggcellent Dog
Presidential pup, Bo, does his best turn as a rabbit in the Whitehouse promo for its annual Easter Egg hunt. Even the official egg boasts Bo on its seal.
And the most popular breed in the U.S. is . . .
The Labrador Retriever has held the spot of America’s most popular breed for 21 years straight. But in a surprise this year, the Rottweiler has moved into the top 10 displacing the Shih Tzu. Check out the complete AKC Dog Registration Statistics for 2011 and see where your favorite breed lands. http://www.akc.org/reg/dogreg_stats.cfm
Why dogs don’t get cold feet
Finally–scientific answers to why most dogs can go bare-pawed in freezing cold temperatures and even snow (and an explanation of why some breeds now can’t). http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2012/0227/breaking17.html
Uggie at the Oscars
Despite rumors that Uggie was not invited to the Oscars, the thespian terrier was on hand to join the human cast of The Artist. He was dressed for the occasion in a black bow tie and enjoyed center stage attention as the film took top honors for Best Director, Best Actor and Best Film of [...]
Haute Canine Cuisine
With so many people willing to spend more on their pets, a cottage industry of gourmet dog and cat foods is rising up with entrées that feature organic meats, exotic fishes and more. The New York Times had some of their staff cats and dogs try the pricey meals and most were barking and meowing [...]
Wet Woofs
The blogosphere has been buzzing about photographer Seth Casteel’s shots of dogs diving underwater in pursuit of balls or simply just to swim. Check them out on his blog: http://littlefriendsphoto.blogspot.com/
Peke of Perfection?
Seemingly more fur than dog, Malachy the Pekingese took top honors at Westminster yesterday. According to some reports, the Twitterverse is alive with people who beg to differ with the judges’ call and have some pretty funny labels for the little pooch. Thankfully Malachy can’t hear the naysayers through all of his tresses! http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2012/0215/2012-Westminster-dog-show-some-viewers-barking-over-Best-in-Show-choice
Martha Stewart at Westminster
It’s a good thing the doyenne of all things domestic was on hand at the Westminster Show yesterday, because her chow chow Ghengis Kahn took top honors. It appears that Martha might have stolen his spotlight though as hordes of press and her own camera crews stayed focused on her. http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/13/where-dogs-are-typically-the-stars-a-human-retains-her-celebrity/?hpw
Carnival Goes Canine
Brazil’s legendary festival includes a pet parade too. Though there’s more sniffing than Samba, the festive costumes still capture the celebratory spirit of Carnival. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2100244/Brazil-goes-dogs-pre-carnival-celebration–pets.html
A Tale of Two Huskies
In 1925, several brave teams of dogs and their sled-driving owners did a relay traverse of nearly 700 miles in the thick of an Alaskan winter to deliver life-saving diphtheria serum to Nome. One dog led two legs over treacherous ice, but it was the leader of the last leg who came away as the [...]
New Breed(s) of Competition
at Westminster Dog Show
The Westminster Dog Show kicks-off on Monday with six new breeds on the roster – the Finnish Lapphund, the American English coonhound, the Entlebucher mountain dog (pictured above), the Norwegian Lundehund, the Cesky terrier, and the Xoloitzcuintli (show-low-its-KWEENT-lee), national dog of Mexico. That makes the total breed count 185. http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/2012/show/news/newbreed_091211.html
The winning Super Bowl commercial is . . .
In a Super Bowl packed with animal spots, and in particular dog ones, this was the ad that won a USA Today consumer panel nod as the best of the pack. Made by a musician as part of a Dorito’s drive to run consumer-created advertisements, this spot cost $20 to make.
The Real Big Game on Sunday:
The Puppy Bowl!
Yes, it’s true. Puppies take to a mini gridiron and start battling over a football pull toy. The ruff and tumble game airs on Discovery this Sunday. Go, puppies! http://animal.discovery.com/tv/puppy-bowl/
Dog Therapy
Everyone is used to reading short news stories about heroic dogs aiding individuals with disabilities. But this longer portrait really highlights how intuitive dogs are at sensing emotional distress as well as physical danger. The featured dog, Chancer, has made a huge difference for a boy with severe neurological challenges. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/05/magazine/wonder-dog.html?pagewanted=1
The Bark Side of the Force
Rumor has it we’ll have to wait until the Super Bowl ad blitz to undertand why Volkswagen has dogs barking the Star Wars theme. We don’t care why–we simply love this video.
Mush Hour
One of Europe’s toughest dog sled races is underway in the Czech Republic. The four-day event has dogs and drivers hurtling through thick snow drifts and sleeping under the stars to complete the 149-mile course. http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Tough-dog-sled-race-under-way-in-Czech-Republic-2719488.php#photo-2175286
Oscars Snub Dog Star!
Uggie, the Jack Russell that just about steals the show in the acclaimed film, The Artist, was not among those nominated for Actor in a Supporting Role. We are disappointed and urge the Academy to reconsider or create a new category focused on animal performances. We’re fairly certain the winners in this category would give [...]
