Halloween -- Not So Fun for Your Pet!

Jack-o'-lanterns, trick-or-treaters, haunted houses and costume parties. Halloween is full of fun things for you and your family to enjoy, but it's one of those holidays that is enjoyed more by people than by pets.

Keep the following precautions in mind when preparing for the frightfully fun festivities and help ensure that everyone in your family—including your pet—has a safe Halloween.

• Keep your pet in a quiet place, away from trick-or-treaters and other Halloween activities. You may know that the miniature monsters and goblins who come knocking on Halloween aren't real, but pets don't. Dogs and cats are creatures of habit and could become frightened or agitated by the unaccustomed sights and sounds of costumed visitors. In addition, frequently opened doors provide a perfect opportunity for escape, which can go unnoticed during all the commotion. Be sure all pets are wearing collars and ID tags in case of an accidental getaway.

• Cats—black ones in particular—often fall victim to pranksters. Keep cats safely indoors.
  

• Place live flame decorations like candles and jack-o'-lanterns out of your pet's reach. Curious critters risk being singed or burned by the flame—they could also easily knock over a candle or pumpkin and cause a fire.

• Keep candy away from pets. All those sweets may taste great to critters, but candy, especially chocolate, can be toxic to pets. Candy wrappers can also be harmful if swallowed. Instead, tempt your pet with a few of his favorite treats.

• Resist the urge to put your pet in a costume. You may think your pet looks adorable dressed as a princess, but most pets don't like the constraints of costumes. If you do decide to play dress-up, make sure the costume is safe for your pet and doesn't constrain her movement, hearing or ability to breathe. Check the costume for parts your pet could chew off and choke on and look for dangling pieces like flowing capes that could injure her.

• Don't let the family dog accompany the kids on their trick-or-treat outing. Children may have a difficult time handling a pet during the festivities and your pooch could get loose, especially if your dog is spooked by the strange sights and sounds of trick-or-treaters.

• Keep decorations that pets could chew on—like streamers and fake spider webs—and wires and cords from electric decorations out of reach. If pets chomp on Halloween decorations they could choke or become ill and, if they chew on electrical cords, they risk a potentially deadly electrical shock. Pets could also become tangled and injured by dangling cords or decorations.

Credit: hsus.org

Louisiana Coyotes Snatch Area Pets

As his dog Baily dashed across the street one recent evening, Aaron Moreau of Louisiana flicked on his flashlight just in time to see the small terrier struggling in the jaws of what appeared to be a tall, lanky dog. Frightened by the flash of light, the intruder bolted toward a stand of cane that separates Moreau's Rigolets Estates neighborhood from Louisiana 433 southeast of Slidell. After momentarily and unsuccessfully trying to pull it through the weeds, the attacker dropped the small dog and ran off.

The attack was not an isolated incident, nor was it a matter of an overly aggressive neighborhood dog going after a weaker plaything. Coyotes have come to subdivisions of southeastern St. Tammany Parish (Louisiana).

Baily is recovering from deep bites to its back, and Moreau now walks his dogs with a gun on his hip. Other residents are taking their own precautions, or taking aggressive steps to eradicate the coyotes, as the animals have become more numerous and more bold. "I saw them walking Highway 90 a couple of times, " said Moreau, who also has lost two cats to the invading varmints. "I've heard a pack of pups, too." And Moreau and other residents said they've become increasingly frustrated as they have found there is little they can do about the wild packs.

Rigolets Estates and the nearby subdivision of Treasure Isle are tucked into the southeastern corner of St. Tammany Parish, a normally quiet refuge of large houses whose well-manicured lawns back up to fishing piers on Lake Pontchartrain or boat docks along canals that provide quick access to the lake. Outside the subdivisions, wild marshes dominate the landscape.

Though the area is filled with wildlife, residents first saw coyotes early this year, said Don Ducote, a resident of Treasure Isle. Initially residents didn't see the coyotes as a major problem. In fact, by ridding local canals of nutria, they seemed to be performing a sort of service. But as the nutria population dropped, residents began noticing that other wild animals such as ducks were becoming scarce. And then pets started to go missing.

The prevalence of the animals has inspired fear among residents, and not just for their animals. Ducote, whose two cats Minky and Pookie went missing earlier this year, said his wife is now afraid to walk through the neighborhood at night. About a dozen pets, mostly cats, have disappeared in the two subdivisions since the winter. While residents said it's possible not all the missing pets are the work of coyotes, they point to regular sightings of the animals and the evidence of their meals, including eviscerated cat carcasses, as signs that coyotes bear the brunt of the blame.

The bulk of the coyotes seem to be coming from a marshy area north of the subdivisions that is still filled with barren trees and withered weeds from the ravages of Hurricane Katrina. FEMA carved a path through the swamp after the storm to get to debris and appliances that had washed out from Rigolets Estates. On that path one night last week, Treasure Isle Homeowners Association President Lee Nugent and Moreau looked over a set of fresh coyote tracks, distinguishable from those of dogs by their compact, oblong shape. Though the area was quiet and virtually lifeless as they conducted their sunset walk, the tracks, as well as those of wild hogs, showed the dirt trail has become a highway for the animals.

Coyotes first came to the area in the 1970s after migrating east out of Texas, said Jimmy Stafford, region manager for the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries' East Gulf Coastal Plain region and a biologist. "The occasional sighting of a coyote in my opinion is not a bad thing, " said Stafford, who lives in Washington Parish and works in St. Tammany Parish and Baton Rouge. "I've got coyotes around my house and bobcats and all kinds of neat critters and it's good to see them out there. It means you have a healthy ecosystem."

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has not done studies to determine how many coyotes there are in St. Tammany Parish for years, but Stafford said anecdotal evidence suggests a relatively large population lives on the north shore. The animals are routinely spotted by hunters and residents and frequently turn up as roadkill along Interstate 12, though many motorists probably mistake the carcasses for those of dogs, he said.

Louisiana state law does allow hunters to shoot coyotes, but St. Tammany Parish also prohibits residents from firing weapons within 1,000 feet of a subdivision, creating a problem for those dealing with the animals in their neighborhoods.

Source: nola.com

Dog Show Tricks!

Source: YouTube.com

Malta Animal Ambulance Makes A Difference

Over 2,000 animals have been rescued by the animal ambulance since it began service in June 2009. The service, which is available 24 hours a day, is part of the increased government attention towards animal welfare. Other services offered, such as a free neutering service has also seen over 2,000 cases in an attempt to curb the amount of animals abandoned in Malta’s streets. Meanwhile, over 700 stray dogs have been rescued by NGOs such as Dog’s Trust Malta.

Speaking at an event in honour of World Animal Day, Minister for Rural Affairs George Pullicino addressed the problems of animal violence as well as the important impact of animals on the lives of their owners.

Members of the Guide Dog Foundation also gave talks regarding public awareness of guide dogs and their owners, giving advice both for pedestrians who may encounter them on the streets, as well as drivers who may observe them crossing the roads.

Since the increased importance placed upon animal welfare in the last year, the ALE has also been on call to respond to reported cases of animal cruelty. Another project scheduled for development is the Animal Welfare Centre which is currently being built in Ta’ Qali. The scope behind this project is that animals in the streets can be given medical care and attention in this centre.

Source: di-ve.com

Helping Your Pets Live Longer

There was much excitement recently about Tizzie, a cat in Burnley, England, believed to have reached the age of 36, which put her in the running for the world's oldest cat title. The same report had a dog in Germany reaching 38. But before we could get into a tizzy over Tizzie, other reports surfaced pointing out that the cat’s veterinary records had been lost, making it impossible to confirm her age.

Still, even if these two animals are not nearly as old as claimed, there’s no doubt that today’s cats and dogs are living longer than ever. With advances in veterinary medicine, technological investigative diagnostic and treatment tools, plus highly specialized veterinarians, a pet can receive top-notch care equal to that of humans. Actually, it’s sometimes better.

Brian Voynick, owner of American Animal Hospital in Randolph (New Jersey), points out that when a person sees his doctor for a checkup, it usually means going somewhere else for blood work, X-rays, MRIs or dental work. Most vets, however, can perform those functions under one roof.“For example, many of us have our own digital X-rays, blood pressure monitoring, pulse oxymetry, our own blood tests and we perform laser surgery and dental work.” Kind of one-stop treatment for pets, you could safely say.

Medicines administered to pets mirror those given to humans, utilizing the same drugs in many instances. The pharmaceutical industry pops up with newer and better products every day. Keeping pace, today’s pet food industry products are far superior nutritionally, with an array of enticing holistic foods appearing on the scene all the time.

Our pets are living longer thanks to the combined efforts of veterinary medicine, pet products and pharmaceuticals. Remember when a “treat” for a pet was any kind of leftover or a product loaded with tenuous ingredients? Three of the best nutritious treats to come along are Yummy Tummies and Durango Chiplets, which come in various tantalizing flavors, and Furminator’s triangular treats actually inhibit shedding. Timber, my fussy husky, has pronounced all three delish.

While it’s still cause for celebration, it’s no longer inspires shock and awe when a cat reaches 21 like Voynick’s contented cat adopted at 7 weeks. Healthy for her age, no one has told Moonstruck that she’s past her prime. She may not chase after birds anymore, but she still enjoys watching them from her own perch on the couch overlooking a cluster of bird feeders through the window.

The dowager had a special visitor last week when a bear cub stopped by to enjoy Voynick’s array of bird feeders. Moonstruck calmly watched the 4-foot toddler and Voynick snapped a few humorous photos.

Voynick advocates preventive care stressing the importance of annual urinalysis for cats of any age. “We can pick up early signs of diabetes, kidney problems and urinary disease. Not many dogs reach their 20s, but the rule of thumb — or paw — is the smaller the dog, the longer the life. Years ago, large breeds seldom made it past 12.

Today the larger breeds are reaching 15 or more, and smaller canines are closing in on Moonstruck. Great Danes are the exception and seldom live beyond 7 or 8. In the cat kingdom, size really doesn’t matter that much in terms of longevity.

Source: nj.com

Canine Influenza is Real -- Protect Your Dog

As the H1N1 virus tries to wiggle its way into as many of us as it can this flu season, there is another virus, H3N8, that is threatening dogs this year. H3N8, or Canine Influenza, is not contagious to humans, but for dogs it can be deadly. Fortunately, there is a new two-part vaccine available to safeguard pooches.

Canine Influenza was discovered in the United States as the cause of respiratory disease outbreaks involving thousands of greyhounds at race tracks in several states from 2003 to 2005. It has since spread to at least 30 states. Originally a disease that afflicts horses, the virus mutated about 40 years ago and began infecting dogs ever since. “It is highly contagious,” says Dr. Kimberly May of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Exposure to H3N8 is highest in kennels, shelters, pet stores, dog shows and other communal settings. Although dogs of any age, breed and health status are susceptible, puppies, old dogs, and dogs with pre-existing health issues are especially at risk. Veterinarians say that virtually all dogs that are exposed to the virus become infected. About 80 percent of them can show symptoms such as cough, sneezing, nasal discharge, and some ocular discharge. Coughs typically last two to three weeks. Twenty percent of dogs can become seriously ill, developing bronchopneumonia and secondary bacterial infections. Dogs with pneumonia have high fever, respiratory distress and in some cases severe hypoxia. If untreated, such conditions may lead to death.

It takes about 7-14 days for dogs to mount the initial antibody response to the H3N8 vaccine. About 2-4 weeks after the first $20 inoculation, a booster shot is given. The vaccine protects dogs for a year. Vets say that the shots may not prevent infection altogether, but efficacy trials have shown that the vaccine significantly reduces the severity and length of illness.

Source: foxnews.com

Americans Promote Rodeo Over Bullfighting in Spain

For years, animal rights groups in Europe have tried to get Spain to ban bullfighting, an age-old tradition that results in the deaths of thousands of bulls every year. Now American promoters are offering rodeos as an alternative to the sport. Dozens of America's top rodeo cowboys have taken their show to Europe, and their tour starts at bullfighting rings in Spain.

In the municipal bullring in Guadalajara, a small city near Madrid, a bilingual emcee tries to fire up the crowd as "Miss Rodeos" waving the Stars and Stripes ride out on Harley-Davidsons. The cowboys rope, steer and ride broncos, as the high-decibel sound system shakes the arena's foundations. Crowds at the bullring normally watch in silence as matadors face down bulls in a fight to the death. This is something completely different — and a culture shock for many audience members.

"This is very odd," Josefina Palafox says. The older woman with the perfect hairdo sits primly, clutching a purse on her lap. She didn't plan to be here; she and a friend were just out for an evening stroll. "And we saw the commotion and decided to see what it was all about," she says. "It's very American. And we like it." Well, not quite. Her friend, Conchita Ruza, is not so keen. "I'll stick to the bullfights. They're a lot nicer. First of all, you don't have all this racket. Secondly, the bull is a beautiful animal. And lastly," she says, "I'm Spanish."

Outside the ring, there's been criticism of the rodeo. One commentator argued in El Mundo newspaper that rodeos in Spain are as culturally misplaced as bullfighting in the U.S. The rodeos celebrate a facet of Americana that European cultural snobs love to sneer at: the flag-waving, the country music, the cowboys in 10-gallon hats. Mike Beers, a world champion team roper from Oregon, says he thinks the rodeo will be a hit in Spain. Increasing numbers of people tell pollsters they feel queasy about bulls being killed in the ring.

"You know, they're used to seeing the bull. When they get done with him here, they drag him out on a sled," Beers says. "We rope the steer by the feet here. We get done with him, he jumps up and runs out of the arena. The crowd loves it."

Children in the crowd — more accustomed to shouting "ole!" — shout "yee-haw." Alba Perez, 10, says she loves animals and now prefers the rodeo because they do more "stuff." "And they don't kill the bull," she says.

The rodeo may have its origins in the American West at a time when it belonged to Spain. But this spectacle couldn't be more un-Spanish — and that's a big part of its appeal.

Source: npr.org

The 5 Stages of Grief

We bring our dogs into our lives and homes, and cherish and love them. We spend hours talking to them, making them the non-judgmental repository of all our secret hopes and fears. We trust them implicitly and they never let us down. What more could we possibly want?

More time with them is the first thing that springs to mind. Our dogs have much shorter life spans than we do, so almost everyone has had to say goodbye to a beloved dog at some point in their lives. While it's not easy to say goodbye, knowing what to expect, and realizing that support is available should you need it will help you during your time of grief.

Most people pass through five stages of mourning, but each person experiences them at varying levels of intensity, for varying lengths of time, and sometimes in a different order. Some of the stages converge and overlap each other. However you experience the mourning, it's important to remember that your feelings are completely normal.

Denial - People enter the denial stage in an attempt to escape the painful reality of their dog's death. Sometimes you're certain that you heard your dog's tags jingle on his collar or you feel him next to you. Some people swear that their dog is wandering outside, especially people who do not see their dog's body after they've passed.

This denial is normal, a way to try and have everything remain the same, but if allowed to linger too long, you run a real chance of being overwhelmed by painful feelings of loss when you're not prepared for them.

Anger - Anger is, like denial, a way to focus the hurt and pain on something. Human nature compels us to find someone or something to blame when we are hurt or sad. It's difficult to accept that suffering is a part of life, so we look for a scapegoat to blame.

Our dogs can end up as the scapegoats because we're angry with them for leaving us. Anger can be directed at ourselves or toward a loved one, especially when we feel that the death could have been avoided. Your veterinarian is another convenient target for anger, because he euthanized your dog. Although anger is a normal step in the grief process, we have to get over it and remind ourselves that no one is at fault. Death is simply an unavoidable, and unhappy, fact of life.

Guilt - People often blame themselves for their dog's death, obsessively wondering if something could have been done to save their dog. Could they have fed them a better diet or given them more exercise? Still other people beat themselves up wishing they had spent more quality time with their dog.

Try to remember that guilt does no one any good and it won't change anything that has already happened. There is no point in feeling guilty about things you wish you had done now that your dog is gone. You'll feel better if you just accept the things you cannot change and move on with your life.

Depression - It is completely understandable and normal to withdraw and feel lost and confused at the death of a loved one. Many people lose their appetite and find that taking care of the simplest matter is a chore. Depression has been likened to a steep downhill slope--once you've started down, it's difficult to stop and return to normal.

The death of a cherished dog can release a veritable avalanche of unrelated feelings and repressed emotions that make your depression worse. For many people their dog was the one thing they could count on, even when everything else in their world was in chaos. Dogs offer us unconditional love and support, and when they die, our source of strength can be removed and we fall into a state of depression.

Acceptance - Accepting that your cherished dog is gone forever is hard to do. The road to acceptance is long, but there are many people willing to help along the way and things you can do for yourself the make the traveling easier. Allowing yourself time to mourn is very important.

Many people cannot understand how someone could love an animal so much and thus can't understand how you could be so upset when your dog dies. But as long as you realize the important role your dog played in your life, that's all that matters. Cherish your memories of the good times--and the sad times. Talk about her with friends and family, recalling special moments. Although painful at first, you will find that it helps you focus on the good things and move beyond the pain.

Credit: dogtime.com (Adapted from the American Animal Hospital Association)

U.S. Hog Confirmed with Swine Flu

The pandemic H1N1 flu virus was confirmed for the first time today in a U.S. hog, which was exhibited at the Minnesota State Fair where four teenagers became sick, the Agriculture Department said on October 19, 2009.

USDA said the discovery does not suggest infection of commercial pig herds raised for slaughter. Health officials say the virus, originally known as swine flu, is not linked to meat products. "People cannot get this flu from eating pork or pork products. Pork is safe to eat," Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement.

Swine flu, common in hogs around the world, causes fever and coughing in pigs, which usually recover from the illness. The virus has been found in several herds in Canada.

Minnesota State Fair, which ended September 6, 2009, sent 120 teens home on September 3 after four of them were diagnosed with the H1N1 virus. The teens were members of a performing arts group in 4-H, a nationwide social and educational program for rural youth.

On Friday, USDA said "information available at this time would suggest the children were not sickened by contact with the fair pigs." It said the hogs appeared healthy when the samples were taken. A USDA source said it appeared some of the children handling the swine were showing signs of the flu.

Source: yahoo.com

NYC Chelsea Piers Now Safe for Pigeons

Animal-rights activists the world over—or at least a small group of pigeon-lovers—rejoiced when they learned that New York City's Chelsea Piers recently decided to stop trapping the birds via an outsourced pest-control service.

Pigeon advocates had complained for more than a year about the wood-and-wire traps, which had been placed on the Sports Complex’s fire escapes to prevent the ubiquitous aviators from massing and pooping on the property. While Piers officials had maintained in the past that the droppings presented a serious health risk to visitors, advocates claim that pigeon excrement poses no worse a threat than doggie doo. “We believed that the Piers were allowing their exterminator to kill the pigeons they trapped,” said Al Streit, founder and director of the rescue, advocacy and educational group Pigeon People. “If [the pigeons] had been moved even hundreds of miles away, they would have returned within a day [because of their homing instincts]. They didn’t. We’re happy that pigeons can now fly through the sports complex without danger,” Streit continued. “We hope Chelsea Piers has learned that keeping pigeons off buildings is easy and cheap to do. There’s no need for killing. And, if you kill them, others take their places.”

Source: gaycitynews.com

"Dog" - by YouScreamIScream

WV Men Indicted for Turkey Abuse

A Monroe County (West Virginia) Grand Jury has indicted two former turkey plant workers already charged with abusing birds and captured on tape by animal rights activists.

Walter Lee Hambrick, of Fairlea (WV), faces three charges of animal cruelty and Scott Alvin White, of Second Creek (WV), faces one charge. Both men have attorneys, but neither could be immediately reached for comment.

Monroe County Prosecutor Justin St. Clair says the charges stem from an incident last year in which the Norfolk, Virginia group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals videotaped workers at an Aviagen Turkeys Inc. plant abusing the birds.

Lee pleaded guilty in April to animal cruelty misdemeanors in Greenbrier County. Charges against Hambrick in Greenbrier County are pending.

Source: whsv.com

Bunnies = Biofuel????

Animal rights activists in Stockholm, Sweden, say thousands of rabbits killed to thin their ranks in area parks should not be used for heating fuel.

Anna Johannesson of the Society for the Protection of Wild Rabbits is among those opposing using rabbit carcasses as bioenergy fuel at a heating plant in the central Sweden province, The Local, an area newspaper reported on October 13, 2009.

"Those who support the culling of rabbits surely think it's good to use the bodies for a good cause. But it feels like they're trying to turn the animals into an industry rather than look at the main problem," Johannesson said.

The rabbits burned at the Varmland heating plant are killed to protect trees and shrubs in Stockholm's parks.

Tommy Tuvunger of the Stockholm Traffic Office told The Local many of the targeted rabbits were once household pets released into the wild by their owners. "People who think that the bunnies are cute and cuddly suddenly don't think they're as fun anymore and put the animals outside. They think: 'there they can play with the other rabbits,'" Tuvunger said.

Source: upi.com

Honoring the lives of our pets | Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ

Honoring the lives of our pets | Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ

Throw A Flag On That Play!

A 7-year-old Wintersville, Ohio boy playing a game of backyard football was tackled by a deer.

Brandon Hiles says he encountered the buck when the ball rolled into woods while he was playing with friends on October 10, 2009. The boy says the buck ran at him and flipped him with its antlers, leaving bruises and a gash. His 9-year-old friend Wyatt Pugh beat the deer with a stick to make it go away.

Wintersville Police Officer Art Fowler Jr. says there were actually two bucks in the area gearing for a fight, and Brandon was attacked when he inadvertently got between them.

Source: wtov9.com; Photo: evilerin/flickr.com

PlayPlayPlay!

Source: ihasahotdog.com

Advantage Glues Senior Poodle to Crate

A Canadian veterinarian presented with a peculiar case of a 15 year old poodle mix stuck in its crate last week traced the problem to the pet's spot-on flea treatment.

When the dog wouldn't come out of its crate, its concerned owner brought the dog, crate and all, to Dr. Tej Dhaliwal of Ontario, Canada. Following two hours of sleuthing, Dhaliwal concluded that benzyl alcohol, an inactive ingredient in Advantage, was to blame.

Residue from the product Advantage, which was applied between the poodle's shoulders, somehow came in contact with the plastic base of the animal's crate, dissolving the plastic and causing it to adhere to the dog's belly. Dhaliwal said the owner of the dog had applied Advantage to the dog before bedtime. He speculated that the dog rolled over in the crate before the liquid pesticide dried. Presumably, residue of the product made contact with the plastic floor of the crate, causing the plastic to dissolve and "glue" the dog in place overnight.

Bayer Animal Health, maker of Advantage, acknowledged that the flea treatment was the likely culprit and offered to pay the owner's veterinary bill, compensate him for loss of salary and replace the crate, Dhaliwal said. A spokesman for Bayer in the United States confirmed that Advantage contains benzyl alcohol, which reacts with certain plastics.

Dhaliwal noted that the dog had been unable to eat, drink or relieve itself for 15 hours by the time he managed to free it with a tool normally used to scrape excess plaster from drywall. The white dog had a patch of dark gray plastic about 6 inches by 4 inches stuck to its fur. Following the advice of representatives at Bayer, Dhaliwal said, he removed the remaining plastic using the contents of another two tubes of Advantage. Once freed, the dog was fine.

Source: news.vin.com

"Boomer" Is Going for the Record!

Measuring 3 feet tall at the shoulders and 7 feet long from nose to destructive wagging tail, "Boomer" might be the world's tallest living dog.

Owner Caryn Weber says her 3-year-old Landseer Newfoundland keeps all four paws on the floor when he drinks from the kitchen faucet in her family's eastern North Dakota farm house. Boomer stares into car windows eye to eye with drivers. A 20-pound bag of dry dog food lasts the 180-pound canine a couple of weeks. Weber says her furry black and white dog "comes into the house and his tail is so high everything gets knocked around."

Weber plans to send Boomer's measurements to Guinness World Records. The previous record holder was a nearly 4-foot-tall Great Dane that died in Summer 2009.

Source: wkrg.com

Stem Cell Therapy for Arthritic Dogs

You have heard about stem cell research to treat diseases in humans. Now, doctors are using stem cells to treat dogs with arthritis. It's a relatively new treatment, called Vet Stem Regenerative Veterinary Medicine. A 14 year old yellow lab named Bear is proof that the treatment works.

Bear's owner says Bear was on his last leg last year because of debilitating arthritis. "He couldn't jump on the couch, he couldn't jump at all. As far as walking, he would fall and his back legs would just give out."

Since arthritis medications weren't working well, Bear's owner opted to try the treatment offered by Dr. Will Snow at Tillman's Corner Veterinary Hospital (Alabama). It uses an animal's own stem cells to stop the progression of arthritis. Dr. Snow says, "Within 90 days you should see some result as far as improvement in activity level, ability to run and jump and a reduction in the amount of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs you have to give."

Dr. Snow injected the stem cells into Bear's arthritic hips in November 2008, and the dog has shown improvement. He isn't as spry as a puppy, but his owner says her dog can once again go on daily walks, and is much more stable on his feet. She is glad she opted to try the stem cell treatment. "I am very happy with it. If i didn't do it, he wouldn't be here today."

The treatment costs anywhere from $1800-$2500. For more information, call Dr. Snow at (251) 661-5244.

Source: wkrg.com

Getting Along Just Fine, Thank You!

Researchers think "Allison", a five-year-old green sea turtle in Texas, lost her left flipper in a shark attack. However, Sea Turtle Inc., a not-for-profit organization in South Padre Island, Texas, outfitted Allison with a black neoprene suit complete with a carbon-fiber dorsal fin mounted on the back that allows her to swim with other turtles. Without the attached fin, Allison can only swim in circles.

Source: ap

This Piggy Ain't Goin' To Market

Gaining popularity in England, micropigs like "Cheryl" (on left) and "Simon" grow to be just 14 inches tall. They are so popular they are almost impossible to acquire in England and sell for up to $1,112 (U.S.) each.

Source: Geoff Robinson Photography

Get 'Em!

Source: ihasahotdog.com

Visit Your Dog's Ancestral Home - Bichon Frise

Origin: The port towns that rimmed the Mediterranean Sea during ancient times, many of which were along the coast of present-day France.

Story: Surprisingly, this fashionable breed was a sailors' pet first, trained to greet locals at ports around the Mediterranean between 600 and 300 B.C. These white, walking powder puffs with plumed tails were eventually adopted by Italian nobles, who groomed them to look like lions for appearances at royal courts. A few centuries ago, they came into vogue with the French, who called them bichon à poil frisé (curly lapdogs). Since Henry III's reign, French aristocrats and commoners alike have championed them.

The trip: France is a great place to bring a dog. The French fawn over dogs in boutiques, trains, hotels—even some restaurants. From Paris, head south to the sea. Stay in a village along the Côte d'Azur, such as sleepy Juan-les-Pins, a suburb of Antibes, and soak up the sun at the oceanfront cafés. Then travel to Antibes proper, home to the Musée Picasso (the château where the artist worked in 1946), Cannes, and Monte Carlo, with its belle epoque-era casinos.

Hot tip: To bring your pet into France, you'll need proof your dog has had a rabies vaccination in the past year and that it has an identifying tattoo or implanted microchip. Your vet must also issue an export health certificate, a document saying that your tail-wagging friend is fit to travel on the dates specified.

Credit: msnbc.com; Photo: gotpetsonline.com

Been There Too!