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Fido’s wedding +1: These friends made a business of handling the pup of honor at dog-lovers’ nuptials
PHILADELPHIA -- When Angela Agnes was planning her wedding, she knew she wanted Rylee, her pit bull-German shepherd mix, to be the canine flower girl.
But Agnes said that would require finding someone to bring Rylee to and from the ceremony, and to look after the pup while she was there.
“I was like, ‘Anyone I would trust with my baby is ...Read more
Family Dog Casts A Shadow Over Baby's Imminent Arrival
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I just found out we are to become grandparents in seven months. We are very excited, and I can't wait to spend time with my new grandchild. The plan is for me to spend two to three weeks with my daughter after the baby comes, to help them rest and settle into a daily routine.
The problem is, I am scared to death of one...Read more

'A canary in the coal mine': California dogs increasingly exposed to tick-borne bacteria
LOS ANGELES -- Dog owners may need to be on alert for a disease many have never heard of — anaplasmosis, spread by the same tick that transmits Lyme disease.
Anaplasmosis can make dogs feverish or lethargic, turn their nose up at food and lose weight, but many show no sign of illness at all. In rare circumstances, though, dogs can bleed from ...Read more

Galapagos tortoises Mommy and Abrazzo become parents 16 times over, Philadelphia Zoo announces
PHILADELPHIA — Beloved nonagenarians Mommy and Abrazzo are parents once again.
Nine more western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises have hatched, the Philadelphia Zoo announced Wednesday. This is the couple’s second clutch, bringing their total number of offspring to 16.
The hatchlings mark a milestone for the 150-year-old institution: ...Read more

Superman HISHE - Where's the Dog
A Superman HISHE cartoon. The Man of Steel is looking for Krypto but finds he has to battle more than just Lex Luthor this summer.

Do storms scare your dog? A new drug could help
TAMPA, Fla. -- The first time Tammy freaked out, her human had no idea what was happening.
It was summer, two years ago, afternoon sun streaming through the windows of the dog’s Port Charlotte home.
Suddenly, the happy, waggy Basset Hound started whining, drooling, shaking. She paced around her owner, Jill Powers. She wouldn’t leave her ...Read more

State grand jury indicts Vance Boelter on first-degree murder charges, adds animal cruelty charge
Accused assassin Vance Boelter now faces the possibility of life in state prison alongside a possible federal death sentence after a Hennepin County jury indicted him on premeditated murder and other counts Thursday for allegedly carrying out a politically motivated rampage in June.
A Hennepin County grand jury indicted Boelter Thursday on two ...Read more

Decoding Pet Body Language: What Your Cat and Dog Are Really Saying
Pet owners often rely on meows, barks or tail wags to understand their companions, but animals communicate far more through posture, expression and subtle movements. For cats and dogs alike, body language is the first language — and learning to interpret it can transform the bond between people and their pets.
The Tail Tells the Tale
...Read more

Living With Allergies When You Have a Cat or Dog
For some, the bond with a pet is instant and unconditional. For others, it comes with watery eyes, sneezes, and a box of tissues. Pet allergies are among the most common allergic conditions in the world, affecting an estimated 10 to 20 percent of the population. Yet despite the discomfort, most people choose to keep their animals. Why? Because ...Read more

Rescue Tales: From Shelter to Forever Home
In shelters across the United States, behind the clang of metal doors and the shuffle of paws on concrete floors, thousands of dogs and cats wait each day for something they don’t know how to name: a forever home. The journey from kennel to couch is not always short, nor is it simple, but when it happens, the transformation is undeniable. ...Read more

Famous Felines and Canines in History & Pop Culture
From the battlefield to Broadway, from Instagram feeds to Hollywood backlots, cats and dogs have left paw prints on history and culture in ways both surprising and enduring. Their stories reflect not just the animals themselves, but also the human societies that adored, mythologized and sometimes even depended on them.
Cats with Nine Lives ...Read more

Adventures in Pet Travel: Bringing Cats and Dogs Along for the Ride
For many pet owners, leaving a cat or dog behind while traveling feels unthinkable. As airlines, hotels and even cruise companies expand their pet-friendly policies, the possibilities for four-legged companions to join in adventures have never been greater. Still, traveling with an animal is more than simply clipping on a leash or buying a ...Read more

Shared Language: How Cats and Dogs Communicate Across Species
For as long as people have kept pets, cats and dogs have carried the reputation of being natural enemies. Children’s books, cartoons and even everyday sayings portray them as locked in constant conflict. Yet anyone who has watched a dog curl up beside a purring cat on a winter evening knows the reality can be far more complicated. Far from ...Read more

Senior Companions: Caring for Aging Cats and Dogs
The signs of age arrive quietly. A dog that once bounded up the stairs now takes them with caution. A cat that spent nights leaping from bookshelves prefers a warm spot on the floor. As veterinary care improves and pets live longer than ever before, owners are facing a new challenge: how to keep aging cats and dogs comfortable, healthy and part ...Read more
Mythbusting: Separating Fact From Fiction in Animal Care
From the belief that cats always land on their feet to the claim that dogs see only in black and white, popular myths about pets persist in homes and on social media. While many of these ideas have been passed down for generations, veterinarians say misinformation can lead to poor care or even harm.
“Pet myths spread because they often ...Read more

Flea-borne typhus infections are on the rise in Southern California: How to protect yourself and your pets
LOS ANGELES -- Pet owners, beware: Flea-borne typhus is on the rise in parts of Southern California.
The good news is there are several common-sense ways to protect your pet and yourself from getting infected.
A flea becomes infected when it bites rats, opossums and stray cats that are carrying the disease. The disease is caused by Rickettsia ...Read more

Seasonal Pet Safety: Keeping Cats and Dogs Safe Year-Round
As the seasons change, so do the risks facing household pets. From sweltering summer heat to icy winter sidewalks, cats and dogs depend on their owners to anticipate hazards and protect their health. Veterinarians say the key is preparation — and a willingness to adjust routines to keep animals comfortable and safe in any weather.
Summer Heat...Read more
Odd Couples: Unlikely Pet Friendships That Will Melt Your Heart
A golden retriever napping with a baby duck tucked under its chin. A three-legged cat grooming a disabled chihuahua. A rescued pig who refuses to leave the side of a senior terrier. These aren’t just feel-good social media moments—they’re real-life examples of the surprising, heartwarming bonds that can form between animals, no matter ...Read more
The Politics of the Food Bowl: Are You Feeding Your Pet Right?
Few topics stir up more passionate debate at the dog park or veterinary office than what to put in your pet’s bowl. Raw food, grain-free, high-protein, limited ingredient, home-cooked, kibble-only, fresh-delivered—every option claims to be the healthiest, most natural, and most loving choice. But when it comes to feeding cats and dogs, ...Read more
Do They Miss Us? What Science Says About Separation Anxiety in Pets
You grab your keys, lace up your shoes, and head toward the door. Before you even reach the knob, your dog is whining and pacing—or your cat is watching you with wide, unblinking eyes. It’s easy to joke that your pet just can’t bear to see you go. But for millions of cats and dogs, separation anxiety is a real and distressing condition, ...Read more