The countdown is on to find Wiltshire's top dog in a competition organised by the Gazette & Herald and this year's Bowood Dog Show & Country Fair. Your pooch doesn't have to have done anything dramatic - this award is open to all dogs - we just want to know what makes your pet special to you and your family. Perhaps he or she is the prettiest, the best behaved, or even the oddest looking - whatever it is we want to hear from you. The competition runs until the beginning of June and the finalists will be chosen at the end of May.They will be invited to the grand final at Bowood Dog Show & Country Fair at Bowood House, near Calne, on Saturday, June 9. Full Article

THE BEST man may look a bit "woof" and the bridesmaid is a real dog... but pet pooches have become the latest wedding accessory with no expense spared. Doting couples who want to include their faithful companion on their big day are willing to splash the cash, said a Wilmslow pet boutique owner who has witnessed a rising trend in special occasion wear for dogs. Tuxedos are best sellers at her Chapel Lane shop where you can buy a the whole range of wedding gear for all breeds of dog. Full Article

One pet insurance company has revealed that to date, it has donated in excess of £4.4million to benefit the health and welfare of pets. Registered as a charity on the 8th February 1994, the Petplan Charitable Trust was established by Petplan's founder Patsy Bloom and David Simpson as a separate entity and wider part of the Petplan. The Trust is funded through a unique fundraising whereby each Petplan client is invited to add £1.50 to their annual pet insurance premium by way of an optional charitable donation. Full Article

Ill dogs are being saved by the country's first animal blood bank. Pet Blood Bank UK collects, stores and supplies the red stuff for vets across Britain, and has already saved the lives of 12 animals. Each donation – usually a pint – takes five minutes and dog donors are given a bandana and an edible treat as a gift. Among the first to donate their blood were rescued greyhounds Lance, Seamus and Stanley, owned by Dianne Hubber, 40, from Durham. 'Before the national blood bank was set up, they would have to have another dog that cross-matches with it,' said Mrs Hubber, a voluntary worker with Sunderland- based Greyhound Rescue North East. Full Article

The new Animal Welfare Act, which comes into force on the 6th of April, represents a breakthrough in the fight to prevent cruelty to animals. The new legislation has been welcomed by all at PetClub UK, the UK's fastest growing internet based pet club. The Act brings in tougher penalties on neglectful owners and will include fines of up to £20'000, a maximum jail term of 51 weeks and a lifetime ban on some owners keeping pets. Full Article

A single gene could explain much of the size difference between dog breeds, according to a study. The domestic dog (Canis familiaris) shows the greatest range of body size of any mammal. Researchers studied 3,000 dogs from 143 breeds and found small dogs all shared a mutation in a gene that influences size in other animals. This form of the gene was almost absent in large dog breeds, an international team reported in Science journal. Full Article

Pictures of homeless cats and dogs could soon be helping users get access to secure websites and services. By using pictures that humans can easily distinguish, researchers hope to foil computerised efforts to get at valuable web services that perhaps offer e-mail accounts or sell tickets for popular shows. The research plan to use pictures was showcased at Microsoft's annual Techfest - a conference that gives the software giant's researchers chance to publicise what they are working on. Also on show at Techfest were Microsoft's latest efforts to improve the way people search for information that may help the company in its battle with rivals Google and Yahoo. Full Article

The UK dog population is currently around the 7 million mark, spread over 5 million households. It is estimated that 40% of the population is overweight, 15% of which are obese. Obesity is defined as being over 20% above the recommended weight range for the particular breed and gender. To put it simply, nearly 1 million dogs in the UK are clinically obese. With these figures in mind, you can understand why 'Yarvitan', the new doggy diet pill has hit the UK market with huge interest. Full Article

There's good news for fat dogs, as UK pet owners will now be able to get special medicine from vets to help their porky pooches lose weight. Just like humans, being overweight can be unhealthy for animals and vets say fat dogs often have problems with their heart, lungs, liver and kidneys. One in five dogs in the UK is thought to be overweight and this can cut up to two years off a dog's life. Owners are being told to combine the new drug with more walks for their pet. And they're being advised not to feed it too much either. Fat fighter The aim of the drug, called Yarvitan, is to stop fat from food being absorbed by the dog's stomach and digestive system. Full Article

A Greyhound rescue centre in the midlands is under threat of closure from the council after a small number of complains about noise were recieved. Solihull Council, which is responsible for the Perry Barr area of Birmingham, where the rescue kennel is based, is understood to have recieved complaints about noise from locals. The kennel has been in existence for over 20 years, firstly as a training establishment, but more recently as a Greyhound rescue centre. The Daybreaks Kennels, which rehomes dogs that have had careers at the local track in Perry Barr, Full Article

new dog training programme for young offenders in South Korea could well offer help to the UK’s own problem teenagers, given our national love of man’s best friend. The Cheonan Male Juvenile Correction Centre, 90km south of Korea’s capital Seoul, will offer five young offenders the chance to interact with carefully selected dogs, over a one year period to develop positive social interaction skills. The main canine skill candidates will learn is the British Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bronze Award. Full Article

A survey of 4,000 dogs by a veterinary charity, has revealed a disturbing trend amongst British dogs. The UK-wide picture of doggy health is 'paw' according to statistics from a pet health survey by the veterinary charity, PDSA. Obesity in dogs has increased to 21% compared to 17% back in 2003; dental problems have also soared, reaching 27% in 2006, compared to 21% in 2003. The findings come from a study of over 4,000 dogs given a free health check courtesy of PDSA's PetCheck vehicles, which visited over 160 locations UK-wide in 2006. On board, a PDSA veterinary nurse examined the general health of canine visitors, checking their weight, teeth, eyes and the condition of their coat. An additional worry is that nearly 8% percent of the dogs seen were suffering both dental and obesity problems; Full Article

The Metropolitan Police force have reported that the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the winner of K9 Magazine's "World's Best Dog" poll, is the most stolen breed in London. It ranked higher than German Shepherd Dogs and Rottweilers, representing over half of all dogs stolen in the capital. The report however, suggested that the dogs were being stolen in order to satisfy a demand for aggressive and dangerous dogs to be used in criminal activity such as drug dealing, robbery and dog fighting. K9 Magazine spoke to a prominent dog professional, who has hands on daily contact with dogs about the report. The views of this person reflected the general bemusement of many who know and work with dogs. Full Article

Area locals are taking a cue from Hollywood celebrities in the way they pamper their pet pooches. As a result, business is booming at A Doggie Needs a Doo pet salon and spa at 1581 Whiskey Road in the Mitchell Shopping Center. The pet salon and spa offers professional dog grooming, "pet-icures," facials, baths and even paw pad moisturizing. "Everybody is getting really into their dogs," said co-owner Dana Robinson, a professionally trained dog groomer. "They're getting more into it with grooming their dogs. We're pretty much the only ones in town getting into it extensively." Robinson added that though she did not know of many show dogs in Aiken County, Full Article

No doubt, the most headline-grabbing news this week from the world-famous Westminster Kennel Club dog show was that Bill Cosby''s pooch, Harry, was one of Tuesday evening''s finalists. But in the Super Bowl of dog shows, Scott County can lay claim to not one, but two of the show''s best-of-breed winners. To continue the football analogy, that''s like making the playoffs. Derby''s Academy Award and Derby''s Xhilaration Tertia, a pair of greater Swiss mountain dogs, were bred right here in the middle of horse country. Westminster judges named Academy Award, a male who also goes by Oscar, best of breed. Xhilaration Tertia, a female also called T-T, was chosen best of opposite sex. Full Article

The docking of dogs' tails in Scotland will be banned from the end of April, the Scottish Executive has announced. Those who break the law face six months in prison or a fine of up to £5,000. Animal Health and Welfare Minister Ross Finnie said the step had not been taken lightly and had followed wide consultation. The docking of lambs and pigs tails' and ear tagging are among the exemptions in the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act. The procedure of micro-chipping pet animals is also exempt along with the castration of farm animals. The act bans procedures which interfere with the bone structure or sensitive tissue of animals for non medical reasons. Full Article

With the frosty February days upon us, here are some useful tips to help make sure that your dog or cat stays healthy and comfortable during the winter months. 1. Keep all pets away from antifreeze solution, and promptly clean up any antifreeze spills. Antifreeze is attractive to pets but is lethally poisonous, even in very small amounts. 2. Do not leave your pets outdoors unattended when the temperature gets below freezing. Pets that are mostly indoors need time to adapt to cold temperatures. They must build up a thicker coat and allow their foot pads to toughen for snow and ice.Full Article

Fifteen pit-bull type dogs have been put down during Ballymena Borough Council's dangerous dogs amnesty. In the first such scheme in the UK, owners of pit-bulls and other dogs bred for fighting were given a month to hand in animals without fear of prosecution. At a council meeting on Monday night councillors were told that 61 dogs had been examined. The 15 confirmed as illegal were humanely destroyed, acting chief executive Maurice Watterson said. Ballymena became the first local authority in the UK to hold such an amnesty after a pit-bull attack on a family in County Antrim in November 2006. Sean and Deirdre Doherty, their son Ben and a family friend escaped with only minor injuries after an horrific attack by a pit bull-type dog in Randalstown Forest Park. Full Article

She's blonde, bubbly and a bit of a flirt but despite all her good points, Pippa has a weight problem. It started off with the odd biscuit here and there as a youngster eventually leading to eating the left-over dinner. However, this is not your average tale of obesity because Pippa is a seven-year-old cocker spaniel and her weight was leading to health problems. But she has joined a new pet slimming club and the weight is dropping off. Pippa, like many dogs, was guilty of flashing her sad brown eyes at her owners as a way of getting a treat.She learned the skill as a puppy and it was something her owners from Newport in south Wales, couldn't say no to. But it led to the dog hitting the 23.5kg mark - 8kg (1st 2lbs) more than her ideal weight of 15kg - and worsened athritis she had developed in her joints. Full Article

Despite what recent reports in the media would suggest, it is not possible to determine the breed of a dog, or composition of a dog's breeding without seeing a pedigree, which relies on the pedigree being genuine. This is about to change however, with the launch of a DNA test that can tell you what breed of dog you are dealing with if you are unsure. MMI Genomics, a subsidiary of the life science group MetaMorphix, Inc., announced today the launch of the first commercial, DNA-based, diagnostic test that can genetically determine the breed composition of dogs. Canine Heritage(TM) is a diagnostic test that uses MetaMorphix's state-of-the-art, SNP-based, DNA technology to certify up to 38 major breeds. Full Article

The Labrador Retriever is keeping its paws firmly in place as the UK’s most popular registered breed for 2006, receiving over 45,000 registrations. Known as one of the best all round dogs in the world, this is not surprising, especially as the breed is used for retrieving game, has made its mark in the world of guide dogs, drugs and arms detection and is a wonderful family pet. It has remained consistent at the top of the list for the last 15 years. Hot on the heels of the Labrador Retriever and in second place is the Cocker Spaniel. The breed known for its gentle and affectionate nature and intelligence has seen a steady 17% increase in registrations since 2005. Full Article

If you want to live a healthier life get a dog, research suggests. The companionship offered by many pets is thought to be good for you, but the benefits of owning a dog outstrip those of cat owners, the study says. A psychologist from Queen's University, Belfast, said dog owners tended to have lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Writing in the British Journal of Health Psychology, she says that regular 'walkies' may partly explain the difference. Dr Deborah Wells reviewed dozens of earlier research papers which looked at the health benefits of pet ownership.She confirmed that pet owners tended in general to be healthier than the average member of the population.Full Article

The popularity of rabbits as pets is growing, according to the Scottish Rabbit Club (SRC). The claim comes as fanciers in Scotland prepare to celebrate National Rabbit Week, which starts on Monday. David Sim, of SRC, said the club, which is Scotland's oldest rabbit group, had seen its membership grow from nearly 50 people to almost 200. Work is also under way to establish the SRC's most northerly branch, the Caithness Rabbit Fanciers' Association. The national week culminates at the weekend when thousands of enthusiasts will head for the Bradford Excel Small Livestock Show at the Yorkshire Event Centre in Harrogate. Full Article

When a family loses a pet, it can be a heartbreaking situation. In many households, pets become a part of the family, making their loss even more painful. So when the call comes that a lost pet has been found, it makes for a joyous situation. Imagine then, the joy Johnny Long’s family felt when they got the call Jan. 13 regarding the whereabouts of their 8-month-old pet Shih Tzu dog “Buddy,” who had been missing since Dec. 3. However, the Greenwood family wasn’t able to immediately retrieve its beloved canine. The reason? Buddy turned up in Waterbury, Conn., 837 miles from home. Full Article

A strict diet and lots of exercise have turned a corpulent cat called Willie into UK pet slimmer of the year. The nine-year-old has shed 2kg (4.4lb) to be crowned UK pet slimmer of the year at a trim 6.9kg (15lb). Owner Helen Ebrahim said the turning point was moving from the USA to Pembrokeshire about three years ago. "When we were in America he was an indoor cat and just got bigger and bigger as I was away all day in work," she explained. "He went to the vet regularly in the states but they would just say 'he's big' and that was the end of that," said Ms Ebrahim, of Manorbier. Full Article

All but one of the 27 pit bull-type dogs seized in County Armagh last week are to be put down. Armagh City Council was granted destruction orders at Craigavon Magistrates Court on Thursday. Officials are still trying to find out who owns the one dog which is not subject to a destruction order. The dogs were seized at derelict farm buidlings on the Old Scarva Road near Tandragee last Friday after a member of the public called the USPCA. The council's acting chief executive, John Briggs, has revealed that the animals were chained up separately in such a manner that none could be in direct contact It is understood the site contained pits thought to have been made for the dogs to fight in. Full Article

Scruffts - the show that celebrates the canine species in all their glorious cross-breeds - is returning to The National Arboretum, Westonbirt for the second year in a row. Organised by the Kennel Club, Scruffts is the nation’s favourite annual cross-breed competition, and its just one of many fun events for dogs and their owners at the arboretum’s Dog Days weekend on February 17 and 18, 2007. Dogs entering this year’s Scruffts competition have their work cut out for them. Last year the winner of the Westonbirt heat, a pooch named Dylan who was owned by Mandy Blake from Portishead, went on to be the overall national champion. Full Article

Talk about creature comforts - in response to customers who cannot bear to be parted from their beloved pets, one of the UK's biggest hotel chains has created a customised luxury bed for its canine and feline guests. Results from a survey conducted among 1000 people by Travelodge identified that almost two-thirds of respondents admitted they hate leaving their pets behind when they are away from home. To respond to this demand, Travelodge has customised a replica of their luxury king size bed to accommodate its customers' pets. The bespoke pet bed is 2' 6" long and 2' wide and comes complete with mattress, pillow and duvet in Travelodge colours. Full Article

The United Kingdom's first amnesty for pit bull terriers has begun in County Antrim. Owners of the illegal breed of dogs who live in the Ballymena area have been given the month of January to hand in animals without fear of prosecution. On Monday, a five-year-old girl was mauled to death by a pit bull terrier type dog, on Merseyside. Ballymena council dog warden Nigel Devine said two pit bull terriers had already been handed in. Both of the animals were put down, although Mr Devine stressed neither appeared vicious. Nine owners have asked him in advance to check their pets in case they had unwittingly been sold pit bulls - none of those examined turned out to be the illegal breed. Full Article

Owning a pet does not guarantee good health or an active lifestyle, researchers have found. A study conducted by scientists from the University of Turku in Finland found that animal lovers of working age have a slightly larger body mass index (BMI) than those who own pets, despite the commonly held belief that those owning pets are healthier than others. Instead pet owners are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, ulcers, sciatica, migraines, depression and panic attacks – far from a clean bill of health. "Pet ownership was very lightly associated with poor health in the general working-aged population when using several health and disease indicators," the study concludes. Full Article

DOG owners have been warned to be on the guard to make sure their pet is not stolen to become someone else's Christmas present. One in four dog thefts in the UK are in the South East, said Rupert Ashby, regional director of the Country Land and Business Association. "This is a year-round problem for our rurally-based members, but dog theft is rife in town and country alike, particularly in the South East," he said. "We just want to warn people, as Christmas approaches, to be on their guard. Those involved in this criminal trade will see Christmas as an opportunity." Full Article

Dogs Trust, the UK 's largest dog welfare charity and owner of the famous slogan A Dog Is For Life, Not Just For Christmas®, has launched an appeal to the public to remember vulnerable older dogs this Christmas. While on a recent visit to Dogs Trust West London, the actor John Barrowman fell in love with Teagan, a twelve year old Cocker Spaniel. John couldn't resist the lovable golden oldie and he is now part of his happy family. Research has shown that it is not just puppies who are abandoned during what staff have dubbed the "silly season". Full Article

For many people, a beloved cat or dog is another member of the family. If you’d like to expand your family, consider adopting a pet from the Humane Society of Delaware County. According to Brandon Clark, director of the Humane Society of Delaware County, there is currently a wide variety of cats and dogs ready for a home. “If we don’t have the type of pet you’d like, you can give us a wish list, and we’ll call you when that pet is available,” he says.If you don’t have a particular breed in mind, Clark says people can simply stop by the Humane Society and visit with the pets. Full Article

Councillors in Ballymena have backed a proposal to launch Northern Ireland's first pitbull terrier amnesty. The council's environmental services committee supported the move which must now be ratified by the full council. It is thought the amnesty will run for four weeks from January 2007. Dogs handed in would be destroyed. Council dog warden Nigel Devine said a recent pitbull attack on a family out walking in Randalstown Forest prompted the move. "What I don't want is people who have these dogs to dump them in the streets," he said. "On Sunday, I picked up one which had been dumped, this is what we don't want. "The reason behind this amnesty is so people can come forward and hand over their dogs without fear of prosecution. Full Article

Reptiles and even giant snails are starting to edge out dogs and cats as favorites of animal-loving Britons, a report says. The number of snakes, lizards and invertebrates kept as pets in the U.K. has risen five-fold in 10 years, The Independent reports. The British Federation of Herpetologists actually believes that the country now has more pet snakes than dogs. One new favorite is the bearded dragon, a playful 2-foot-long lizard. Experts say that the lizards have a lot of advantages, including not needing as much attention as dogs and cats. Sam Davies, 15, owns two bearded dragons as well as two corn snakes. Full Article

There are roughly 44 million meals eaten by dogs per week. According to the research company BMRB, "the grocery industry looking sluggish", but in spite of this the pet industry records a WEEKLY growth of £1.54bn. Of these 44 million meals, more and more of them are selected from premium ranges by doting dog owners for whom nothing is too good. Andrew Harding, customer development director at Nestle Purina further growth in the pet industry is still to come. Full Article

An Antrim family have said they owe their lives to their pet labrador who died after trying to protect them from being savaged by another dog. Sean and Deidre Doherty escaped with only minor injuries after an horrific attack by a pitbull-type dog in Randalstown Forest Park. The large dog attacked the couple, who live at the Folly, as they took a stroll with their two children, four pet labradors and an exchange student. Deidre said it attacked their largest pet, Cole, first. "His leg was being chewed, I was on top of him trying to pull the leg free. My husband had the dog from behind, the children were beating the dog with leads," she said. Full Article

A Lancashire MP has called for a ban on the sale of fireworks because too many pets are being prescribed drugs to cope with the explosions. A Chorley vet said increasing numbers of animals had to be given anti-anxiety drugs, like Diazepam. Chorley's Labour MP Lindsay Hoyle has tabled a Commons Early Day motion calling for fireworks to be restricted to organised events. The RSPCA is calling for restrictions on firework noise levels. Mr Hoyle told the BBC: "When drugs have to be prescribed to animals there is something wrong. Full Article

Did you have a miserable time on holiday this year because you were worried about how Fido or Spot was getting on back in the kennels? Leaving the cherished pet behind can be a real problem for devoted owners, but now your worries are over. In a move likely to become standard in no time at all, one up-to-date kennel has found a way to keep pets and their owners in touch across the miles. The kennel has some special features, including heated flooring and ambiance music. Full Article

A pet hamster called Fudge, which hitched a lift from Devon to Scotland hidden inside a golf bag, has been given a new home north of the Border. Fudge escaped from a box in a hire car on the last day of Kingsley Moyle's golfing holiday. The elusive hamster was found hidden in the car by the next person who hired it - but Mr Moyle had returned to Devon. The woman who found Fudge has now given him a home - with the blessing of its previous owner. Full Article

Pets are set to get full creature comforts when owners take them on a city break or business trip. Hotel chain Travelodge is offering special pet-sized luxury beds which come complete with a mattress, pillow and duvet. The pampering pad will be trialled in hotels in Birmingham, Newcastle, Liverpool and Nottingham. The RSPCA welcomed the luxury service, saying it would cut out the upset for owners who left pets at home. The hotel chain conducted a survey which showed that nearly two thirds of people hated leaving their pets behind when they were away. Full Article

Banbury Animal Rescue and Kindness Service is an animal charity operating in the UK that offers temporary homes for abandoned animals. While they help a lot of animals get off the street and into loving homes, a shortage of volunteers and foster families is putting the charity under undue strain. "We're the only charity that takes in unwanted animals around here and finds them a new home. We are getting a lot of requests to take animals in but we have not got enough people coming forward to volunteer to take care of them," stated Committee member Joyce Turner. Full Article

You have medical insurance so you don't get stuck paying a hefty bill if you should get sick. But what if your dog or cat gets sick? A trip to the veterinarian can cost as much, if not more, than a visit to the doctor. More and more pet owners are starting to see that logic and are investing in pet insurance. Because they're not just pets, they're members of the family. Like medical bills, veterinary bills can mount quickly. But, most Americans don't have pet insurance. "The actual percentage of pets that are insured in the United States is still very small, as compared to for instance the UK, that has about 20 percent of their dogs insured," said Kent Kruse, DVM and Director of Provider Development for VPI Pet Insurance. Full Article

The USPCA has said there has been an increase in the number of dogs abandoned over the summer holidays. The animal charity has been dealing with as many cases of unwanted pets in July as it does over Christmas. Recently police and USPCA officers rescued a dog left home alone for up to a week while its owner went on holiday. In the last two days the charity has taken in 14 dogs from just four council areas and its shelter in Carryduff just outside south Belfast is now full. The charity's Philip Burns said they could not identify why there was an upsurge. "Normally where we would have been attending to five or six calls a week, generally over the summer holiday period, I'm finding now that the phones are excessively busy and I'm getting five or six calls a day," he said. Full Article

Conviction rates for animal cruelty in the UK have revealed a worrying increase in abuse, the RSPCA has said. The animal welfare organisation said cases in 2005 included a cat dying in a washing machine and a dog whose leg was sawn off by its owners. Convictions for animal cruelty last year increased by a fifth to 2,071, compared with 1,700 in 2004. A RSPCA spokeswoman said inspectors had reported an "increase in the level of violence" against animals. According to the charity, neglect remains the most common crime. Full Article

The tragedy about claims that thousands of retired racing greyhounds are being shot dead every year - if true - is that they make excellent pets. I can't remember why we decided to adopt a retired racing greyhound - I think it was because we wanted a dog and had a vague idea that retired greyhounds were in most need of a home. It might also have been that a friend told me that I would look more elegant walking a greyhound than any other type of dog. Whatever the reason, about two years ago we found ourselves driving to our nearest retired greyhounds' home in Hersham, Surrey. Full Article

Three adult dogs are among the “pets in need” at Homeward Bound Humane Society in Durant. The non-profit shelter is located on Roberta Road, approximately six miles east of downtown Durant. PawPaw is a 7-year-old, eight pound, male Chihuahua. He is good around other dogs, cats and older children. Though in excellent health, PawPaw has no teeth, so much be kept in soft food. He does have to be on soft food, due to no teeth, other than that he is in excellent health. Alex is a 5-year-old, 15-pound, male red Daschund. Full Article

A businessman accused of putting down thousands of greyhounds fears for his life after receiving death threats. A Sunday Times investigation claimed David Smith, of Seaham, County Durham, had shot 10,000 dogs with a bolt gun and buried them in his allotment. Following the death threats, he has now installed security cameras at his home, according to a family friend. Durham Police said Mr Smith, a builders' merchant, holds a bolt gun legally and has committed no offence. It is not illegal to kill animals as long as it is carried out humanely and they do not feel pain. The investigation alleged that the greyhounds, which are usually retired aged about four, were killed over the past 15 years at a charge of £10 per dog. Full Article

Dog owners have been warned to have their pets vaccinated or face prosecution, after two puppy deaths were reported in Norwich. Four young dogs have been affected by the potentially deadly parvovirus in the Mile Cross and Woodcock Road areas in the last fortnight and two of these have now died. A Norwich City Council dog warden alerted the RSPCA to the outbreak and both organisations are urging the public to be alert. RSPCA inspector Rob Melloy said: "The consequences of not vaccinating your animal can be serious, sometimes resulting in serious illness or even death. Full Article

Most pet owners know not to leave Fluffy or Fido in a locked car during the summer because of the risk of heat stroke. But did you also know that your cat or dog can get sunburn if left in the sun too long? It’s true, said Terry Jessen, a veterinarian at Harrisonburg Animal Hospital, especially on areas like ears and noses. "Not through a coat, but they can get sunburn on any exposed areas of skin," Jessen said. "White cats have a terrible time with sunburn on the tips of their ears.Full Article

Almost half of North Carolina dog owners let the chips fall where they may and don't clean up after their animals, according to a statewide survey of how people handle their dogs' waste. "It's a big water-quality problem," said Chrystal Bartlett, the state's stormwater awareness and outreach coordinator. "It's also an aesthetic problem." The state's 1.8 million dogs deposit an estimated 681 tons of waste per day in the state, said Bartlett, who works for the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Chris Gonzalez, owner of Poop Away, said he has hauled away as much as 27 gallons of waste from a single yard. Full Article

Guide dog walkers and their trainee puppies are being given free rail travel. The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association's volunteers are getting free train travel from First ScotRail to help the skills of puppies. It allows young dogs to experience getting on trains, travelling between stations and getting through ticket barriers to assist their future owners. The Scottish scheme was launched at Aberdeen Railway Station on Monday. First ScotRail has joined the puppy walker's programme in cooperation with the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) and The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. Full Article

A US dog has won an award for saving her owner's life by dialling a phone number that alerted emergency services to her owner's diabetic seizure. Belle the beagle triggered a call to an ambulance crew by biting on her owner, Kevin Weaver's, mobile phone. The dog was trained to detect potential diabetic attacks by licking and sniffing Mr Weaver's nose to check his blood sugar levels and pawing him. Belle resorted to dialling for help when Mr Weaver fell unconscious. The dog used her teeth to press the number nine key, which the phone was programmed to interpret as a "911" call to emergency services. Full Article

Forget the old joke which starts 'my dog has got no nose...' - Duo the Staffordshire bull terrier has two. Staff at Newcastle Dog and Cat Shelter are having problems finding a home for the three-year-old because of his unique appearance caused by a harelip. The dog, named Duo by shelter staff, was handed in to them by police after apparently being lost or abandoned. Staff at the shelter said vets had not seen a harelip to such an extent in a dog before. Head of fundraising Michelle Pyle said: "We've had a few people come and see him and say he's a freak. "Duo is not a freak, he's just unusual. Not many people can say they've got a dog like that." Full Article

A San Diego company said yesterday that it had created the world's first cat that is free of the allergy-causing proteins that afflict many feline lovers. If true, the feat by privately held Allerca is a new but low-tech twist on using genomic tools to create so-called “designer” pets, which in recent years have included cloned cats and dogs and genetically engineered fish that glow. The sneeze-free kitties will come at a price guaranteed to make a pet lover's eyes water. Customers must fork out $3,500 to “pre-purchase” a 12-week kitten that could take two or more years to actually be delivered. Full Article

A bird lover from County Antrim has been left heartbroken after vandals cut open her aviary and allowed more than 60 birds to escape. Caring for her birds was a labour of love for Lynne Scott from Derriaghy and her aviary was a poignant memorial to her grandmother. But on Saturday night vandals ripped out the aviary's wiring allowing 68 budgies, canaries, parakeets and cockatiels to fly away. Lynne first knew something was wrong on Sunday morning when she was awoken by a neighbour who had found one of her canaries. She went out to her aviary at the back of her house on the Milltown Road to find it had been vandalised and all but eight of the birds had flown away. Full Article

Two new arrivals at a Devon zoo are causing something of a stink. Staff at Exmoor Zoo were delighted when their female skunk gave birth to a new litter of kittens five weeks ago. Normally skunks have distinctive black and white striped coats, but two of the litter of five are albino and are completely white with pink eyes. Staff said the arrival of the albino kittens, who have not yet been named, was "very rare". They will be put on public display in the next few weeks. The surprise pair, both females, were among the first litter of skunks to be born at the zoo although skunks have been part of the zoo for more than 10 years. Curator Danny Reynolds said: "We are delighted, colour mutations like this in the wild are very rare, probably as few as one in 20,000. Full Article

THERE was one dog that really stood out from the crowd at yesterday's Million Paws Walk which raised more than $5000 for the Warrnambool RSPCA Shelter. Judi O'Brien's dog Boru was several times taller than most of the dogs canine on the walk and about half the height of his owner. At 16 months old Boru, an Irish wolfhound, weighs 73 kilograms and takes up the entire back seat of Ms O'Brien's car. Ms O'Brien, of Allansford, adores Boru, which she named after Ireland's first High King, Brian Boru. Full Article

Dogs will soon have more places to run
Somerville located in Boston already has one dog park however plans are underway to create more parks around the city for dogs to run in. Currently, dog owners wanting to take their dogs for some off leash fun use the one dog park located at Nunziato Field on Summer Street, however the Somerville Dog Owners Task Force is pushing for each of the cities 7 wards to have their own park to make it easier for dog owners to use them. Full Article

More and more people are treating their pets as if they were their children - pampering them and shelling out big bucks in medical expenses to ensure they lead a long and healthy life. Pet owner Donna Joy describes her four pampered Pekinese as the children she never had. She even has a 'baby book' filled with pictures of her dogs when they were puppies. "I buy my little girls dresses and my little boys little coats," she says, adding that the coats cost her around $75 each. Pets have never had it so good and never have Americans spent so much on their surrogate kids. Over a lifetime, the average pet owner will spend $10,000 on a cat, $12,000 on a small dog and $23,000 for a large dog, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Full Article

Barney the homeless mongrel has landed a walk-on stage role in a tragic opera just two weeks after he was rescued. The Yorkshire terrier cross found wandering the streets of Gorsedd in Flintshire is to appear in Puccini's La Boheme in Llandudno later this month. He was picked up by the animal rescue centre the same day an opera company appealed for a canine star. Barney will play a part close to his heart - an orphaned dog walking the streets of Paris before being rescued. In real life too, Barney enjoys a happy ending, as he has been found a new home. The dog, who is thought to be about two years old, is to appear in a street scene in an production with the Ukraine National Opera on 29 May. Full Article

A crime-fighting kitten has been given a special award for undercover work that helped cops snare a bogus vet. Fred, a former stray, lined up with 20 police, fire and court officers being recognised for heroism to get a plaque from Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes. He helped arrest Steven Vassall, who had allegedly performed a botched operation on a dog, Burt the Boston terrier. Vassall, 28, was called to an apartment rigged up with a hidden camera where he was to pick up Fred to neuter him. He was allegedly caught on tape telling an investigator posing as Fred's owner he could do the operation for $135 (£71).Full Article

A yellow lab saved a boy from downing on Sunday. Ryan Rambo was rafting with a family friend along the Roaring Fork River when his raft hit a log and flipped. Thirteen-year-old Chelsea Bennett was playing along the river with her yellow Labrador retriever, Zion, when she heard a boy screaming for help from the water. Rambo, who was wearing a life vest, was floating down the river when Zion jumped into the water and swam to the boy. He grabbed the dog's collar and was pulled to shore. The friend with Rambo also fell into the water but is fine. Rambo and his family had recently moved to Glenwood Springs after Hurricane Katrina devastated their home in Marrero, La. Full Article

Becoming a Veterinarian is no easy task Thomas McDavitt is a perfect example of somebody who has not let his disability stand in his way of achieving greatness. Totally deaf, Doc. McDavitt is a Veterinarian practicing in the Chicago area, taking care of hundreds of dogs and cats, and has been a vet for the last 13 years. He went deaf at the tender age of 5 do to complications from meningitis, and since then has been beating back the critics who kept telling him that he would amount to nothing: "When I was growing up, I got discouraged by a lot of people saying that I was wrong and it just made me stronger in my faith I could be one," said McDavitt, referring to his life long dream of becoming a veterinarian. Full Article

A boggle-eyed pooch tucked into a Balenciaga handbag; an elite greyhound tearing around the track in a flash of fur and claws; a sniffer dog on the trail of illicit drugs. Given that dogs come in every shape, size and colour, it is strange to think they are all wolves under the skin. According to DNA studies, domestic dogs owe their origins to a wolf cub that probably fell into the hands of humans some 40,000 years ago somewhere in Southeast Asia. Over the course of thousands of years, they were shaped by humans for hunting, guarding and herding into the 400 or so modern breeds. Full Article

Girl survives vicious dog attack A Staffordshire Bull Terrier is in the dog house tonight after it unprovokingly attacked the 4-year-old girl of the family that owned the dog, also biting the little girl's mother on the hand as the woman tried to get her daughter away from the dog. The girl was taken to hospital, and will survive although she did sustain serious cuts to her head. The family dog has been remanded to the local pound, where its fate is undetermined at this time. Full Article

Does your pet itch and scratch all summer long?
Allergies are common for many people to have to endure each and every summer. Some people will even be able to tell when the heat is about to begin due to the annual flare up of those annoying allergic reactions that they deal with each and every year. Pets like humans are also susceptible to the allergic bug. Coughing Sneezing and watery eyes, common symptoms of human allergies are also very common in pets. Full Article

Never mind ‘meet the parents’ – if you really want to impress a girlfriend it is her pet you need to win over, according to a new study. Over 70 per cent of women say they monitor the early stages of the relationship between their pet and a new partner for signs of friction or hostility. And a devoted 51 per cent of females said they would consider dumping their partner after a first date if he didn’t get on with her smaller but no less significant other. The statistics emerged from a survey of 2,000 pet-owners conducted by the organisers of National Pet Week, which ends on Sunday 7th May. More than three quarters of women claimed their pet is more important than any man – and a third have actually given a boyfriend the elbow because they didn't hit it off with their furry friend. Full Article

Humane Society to the Rescue
The sudden flooding of a northern Ontario reserve, has prompted the Cambridge and District Humane Society to take steps in order to save the many pets that call the reserve their home. In total there are over 130 pets that need to be taken care of while the flooding is being delbt with, and in the meantime, the animals will be housed in and around the Sudberry area. This is the same Humane Society that took in many pets following the horrific hurricane that rocked New Orleans, and at present, have adopted out 175 dogs with more on the way. Full Article

When Rose Moya fled her home and an abusive partner with her 17-year-old son four months ago, she didn’t want to leave her two dogs behind. But once they were out of the house, Moya (who asked that her name be changed in this article to protect her identity) couldn’t find a place that would shelter them all. She and her son initially found refuge at Alexandra House, a battered women’s shelter in Blaine, but her dogs ended up at the Animal Humane Society. Moya worried that her dogs would be adopted before she could find a new home and she would never see them again. Full Article

Nearly half of pet owners say they treat their pet like their children, with some preferring them to family members, a survey has found. Two out of five people said they preferred the company of their pet to other humans. Five per cent said they considered their pet to be more important than their family. A fifth of owners said they planned to leave their pets money in their will to ensure they were looked after when they died, according to the research. Half of dog owners allow their pets on the sofa, while one in two cats sleep on their owner's bed every night. Nearly two-thirds of dogs and 45% of cats receive a gift for their birthday and Christmas. Full Article

Now in its 18th year, National Pet Week was conceived to raise awareness of the importance of responsible pet ownership, its many benefits and the importance of working and companion dogs to help the disadvantaged. National Pet Week is a registered charity supported by trustees, National Office of Animal Health, Pet Food Manufacturer’s Association and the Pet Care Trust. The charity also raises vital funds in support of their campaign of awareness. Full Article

The PDSA have recognised the bravery of Canine Partner, Orca, by awarding him the prestigious PDSA Gold Medal for outstanding devotion to duty. Orca saved his human partner, Cheryl Smith’s life after she fell into a water-filled ditch from where she could not get up. Orca was trained as an assistance dog by charity, Canine Partners, who specialise in providing highly trained assistance dogs to people with disabilities. Partnered for only 2 months prior to the accident, Orca and Cheryl were enjoying an afternoon in the countryside, with Orca running beside Cheryl in her wheelchair. Then disaster struck, as Cheryl’s wheelchair hit a rock, pitching her down a 15-foot embankment into the water-filled ditch. Full Article

Mike and Joanna Brown said they weren't sure if they should nickname their cat "Bunny" or "Sheetrock" after she was found two weeks after vanishing inside a neighboring home's walls. Miss Kitty was returned to the couple on Easter, hence the nickname "Bunny." Ten years ago, the Brown family found the stray cat stranded and alone in the street. Ever since that day, Mike Brown said the cat has been somewhat of a lovable nuisance. "I think she's had three eye surgeries," he said. "This has been the most expensive stray of any cat in the world, but she's worth it." Full Article

The world's first and only cloned dog celebrated its first birthday on Monday, as the leader of the South Korean team that produced the Afghan hound faced a criminal investigation for possible fraud and ethics violations. The team led by scientist Hwang Woo-Suk unveiled the dog named Snuppy last August amid global fanfare. Time magazine named Snuppy one of the most amazing inventions for 2005. Hwang once basked in acclaim for his scientific achievements, with some in the country labeling him "the pride of Korea". Full Article

Pets Are Surely Missed When They Leave This Earth Behind When pets leave this earth, they leave behind in most cases a loving family that for a considerable amount of time, do not know what to do with themselves. Grieving for a lost pet may sound silly to some, but true pet lovers, grow very attached to their animals and are very sad when the day comes that their beloved dog or cat takes their final breath. Many pet owners have different ways of dealing with the death of their pets. Some will simply berry the animal in the yard and do their best to move on, while others will take a more sentimental approach, and keep the ashes of their pet. Full Article

Fire Departments Receive Treatment Tools for Pets Stony Hill, as well as Bethel Fire Department are the latest Fire Departments to become equipped with oxygen masks that are to be used solely for treating pets that are rescued from fires. More and more Fire Departments across mor and more of the USA are receiving the masks through donations or purchase, as the need is rising for them, due to the constant need for pet treatment after one or multiple animals are removed from a burning building. Smoke inhalation is the number one cause of death for pets that are trapped in a firey situation, and with the special masks allowing them to receive fresh oxygen, the hope is that many of these pets can be saved before it is too late. Full Article

Why not support a very worthy cause?
Fort Francis is the spot for an upcoming fundraiser which will surely benefit the thousands of Canadians that have the pleasure of working with a "seeing eye dog." The upcoming “Purina Walk for Dog Guides" being held at 1:00 PM on May 28, is to raise funds to help support Canada's biggest dog guide school based in Oakville Ont, the National Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, who serve Canada's visually impaired population with a valid service in the form of trained guide dogs to help people with their mobility and independence, serving a valued purpose since 1983. Full Article

Accessibility is the name of the game
In an attempt to improve the ability of its visually impaired employees to access and update information without assistance, Gide Dogs for the Blind has launched a new and improved intranet structure which will allow for compatibility between the intranet structure and popular screen reading magnification and speech programs. Before the intranet launch, only 6 individuals of the entire employee list were able to without assistance ad, update and otherwise work on the non-profit company structure, which now can be readily accessed by all employees. Full Article

The campaign for drivers and passengers to `belt up` has been a long and successful. But what about passengers of the canine kind? New research has revealed that almost three quarters of company car drivers receive no safety guidance about transporting pets. When asked if their company insists any pets are stored securely during transport in a company vehicle, 74.3% of those questioned said no, car firm Lex Vehicle Leasing found. In a 30mph accident, an unrestrained 50lb border collie would be thrown forward with a force equivalent to nine 12-stone men. Full Article

Offers have been flooding in from around the world - including Canada and America - to give homes to the hundreds of Yorkshire Terriers found in "appalling" conditions in a remote house in Sussex at the weekend. Rescuers discovered 250 dogs, many dead, in a shed with no windows. The grisly find came after breeder Elizabeth Stevens, 73, died of a stroke on Sunday. Many of the animals were in cages so small they could not stand up. Experts described the scene as the "worst conditions ever seen". Animal rescue charities from across the south-east were called to the outhouse behind Mrs Stevens' cottage in Malthouse Lane, Hurstpierpoint. Full Article

Will the law be revoked?
Salt Lake City, is one city in which a limit to the amount of pets that one family can own is enforced, seeing the maximum number of domesticated pets that one family can own being set at 2 dogs and 2 cats. Many pet owners do not like the limit siting that their pets are their family and they would be lost without them, and they are urging the council to relax the law to a degree, noting that if they have the resources to look after multiple pets, then there is no reason why they should not be allowed to do so. Full Article

The stars of a new local television show aren’t looking for fame, but a new home. The Scott County Humane Society is featuring its collection of animals in half-hour episodes on public television. The first episode of “Animal Orbit,” has been running on Mediacom’s Channel 19 at 6 p.m. Tuesdays, 7 p.m. Thursdays and all day Saturday. A new episode starts this week. Pam Arndt, executive director of the Scott County Humane Society, said “Animal Orbit” was something she had wanted to try previously, but it didn’t become a reality until she had the proper help to produce it.Full Article

Hundreds of dogs have been found in squalid conditions in a windowless 40ft (12m) garden shed in West Sussex. 204 starving Yorkshire terriers and six dead dogs were found in small carrier boxes full of excrement after the death of their 73-year-old female owner. Lisa Gooch, from Brighton Animal Action, said: "I've never seen anything so horrific in my life. "They were dripping from the urine they had been in for so long. Six of them were dead," she added. Full Article

They have wandered down this path before but the city seems serious this time about cracking down on wayward dog owners. Beginning July 17, those caught without a licence dangling from their dog's collar will get an immediate ticket instead of the 48 hours warning to buy a licence, as they do now. And fines will be hefty, starting at $235 and going all the way up to $5,000. That makes the licence seem like a bargain, at $26 for a spayed or neutered canine and $61 for dogs that aren't fixed.From now until the new "zero tolerance" policy takes effect, the city is waiving the fees normally applied to delinquent or overdue dog licences. Full Article

Pet lovers rallied at the State Capitol on Monday to promote a bill that could make Louisiana the first state in the nation with a hurricane evacuation law for cats, dogs and other animals. Sen. Clo Fontenot, R-Livingston and chief sponsor of the plan, said the bill’s $6 million price tag is the key hurdle. “The biggest issue is going to be a question of funding,” Fontenot said. The proposal, Senate Bill 607, is scheduled to get its first hearing at 1 p.m. today in the Senate Judiciary B Committee. Full Article

Take the time to get to know your pets. Dog health is probably something that a lot of dog owners do not spend a lot of time thinking about. With work, children, bills and other life issues to deal with, finding the space in ones mind to devote to the health of your dog or cat is something that not a lot of people can afford to do. Unlike human beings, dogs and cats do not have the ability to tell us humans when there is something wrong with them. We as pet owners need to understand also, that even if our pets are feeling under the weather, they will most likely attempt to mask their symptoms trying to appear as if there is nothing wrong when in actual fact there is. Full Article

Some savvy business people are using the instant charm of furry companions as a smart marketing tool. Pictures of pets are popping up on business cards, leaflets and fliers around the Denver area as small-business owners look for ways to stand out and drum up new clients. Sometimes, the pet owner poses with his or her pet. Or, more often, a single photo of the animal's cuddly face and friendly disposition gives potential customers the only hint about what services they can expect, from real estate agent to chiropractors. Full Article

Dogs are part of the Canidae, a family including wolves, coyotes and foxes, thought to have evolved 60 million years ago. Domestic dogs are derived directly from wolves which entered villages in the Northern Hemisphere in search of food about 12,000 years ago. People exploited them for their own needs, such as to guard, herd and hunt. Particular characteristics were selected, which has resulted in the huge diversity of breeds today. A breed of dog called the Saluki appears on the ancient tombs of Egypt from around 2100 BC and is thought to be the dog mentioned in the Bible.Full Article

Dozens of dogs face being put down after RSPCA raids at 16 homes across the Birmingham area. The animal charity said this was its largest ever single operation. Some 47 dogs were seized by animal welfare inspectors and West Midlands Police across the city, but the animals face an uncertain future. Ten men were arrested for possession of dangerous dogs and alleged dog-fighting offences. The dogs are said to be so dangerous that they cannot be rehomed. Full Article

It's World Rat Day, a chance for rat owners globally to celebrate their rather maligned and misunderstood pets. They're not considered your average pet but there are 2.5 million rodent-owning households in Britain, according to the Pet Food Manufacturer's Association. That's quite a lot when you consider there are just over five million dog-owning households in the UK and the British are famous for being a nation of dog lovers. Full Article

Forget celeb cat fights, this could be the biggest dog fight on TV. The battle to win daytime ratings has gone into a new gear, as a certain famous pampered pooch prepares to enter the fray. According to reports in the Daily Mirror, Sharon Osbourne will be hosting her new chat show on ITV with her pet Pomeranian, Minnie, as her sidekick. This is likely to touch a raw nerve with daytime rival Paul O'Grady, who left ITV to host a chat show on Channel 4. Full Article

New research is under way at the University of Sussex to help understand what a dog means when it barks. Analysts are using modern technology to find out whether dogs communicate in different ways in an attempt to help owners better understand their pets. "The more we know about our animals the better their welfare is going to be", said research student Anna Taylor. Full Article

The company that cloned the first horse to be sold commercially said on Thursday it plans to market 22 similar animals before 2008, marking another step forward for the controversial technology. ViaGen Inc., based in Austin, Texas, said the mare was born on February 19 in Oklahoma, and predicted it would one day produce 100 cloned horses a year, each fetching about $150,000. The company's announcement comes three years after the first cloned horse was created by Italian scientists in 2003. Full Article

Many UK dogs are becoming victims of our unrealistic expectations, leading to owner disappointment and potential abandonment of dogs. The Blue Cross pet charity have been looking into the phenomenon which is ‘Perfect Dog Syndrome’ to investigate whether it really is the cause of many more dogs being brought into re-homing centres. The Blue Cross have carried out a survey of 1000 pet owners and found that a massive 87 percent said that their perfect dog would be able to be socialised in a month and to be good with people and kids. Full Article

Prevent Pets Passive Smoking With a full smoking ban imminent in Scotland and one now in the pipeline for England and Wales, many people are worried that no smoking in pubs and restaurants will mean people are smoking more at home, and that children will be more at risk from passive smoking. The effects of passive smoking have long been debated and it is now the generally accepted view that passive smoking does cause illness in non-smokers. Full Article

A little pug named Buck has been saved, thanks to a group of dog lovers who bonded through the Internet. After the 2-year-old pug was hit by a car last week and broke three legs, owners Colleen and Jim Bighley were faced with a $3,000 surgery bill they couldn’t afford. Colleen Bighley shared her grief on a pug-lovers’ Web site and she wrote about her plans to give the dog one night at home before putting it to sleep. Full Article

Scientists in the US are arguing over the identity of a bird filmed in 2004 which was heralded as the long-extinct ivory-billed woodpecker. Researchers in Massachusetts said the interpretation of several of the bird's features was "mistaken". However, experts at Cornell University, who identified the bird two years ago, have dismissed the new claims. Full Article

Pets outnumber people in the United States by about 60 million, with furry, feathered and scaly inhabitants numbering about 360 million, according to the pet industry. "That's a lot of mouths to feed," said Bob Vetere, COO and managing director for the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. Full Article

Some 470,000 people took part in a survey of Britain's birdlife - more than ever before, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has said. The total included 86,000 children who watched gardens and parks during the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch in January. It broke the previous record set in 2004 of 419,000 participants. The house sparrow was the most common bird seen over the two days - although the blackbird was the most widespread - and 8.1m birds of 80 species were seen. Full Article

It’s official – walking a dog is good for your health. A new study, published in The Times, has revealed that people who get out and about with a dog have lower stress levels than those who walk by themselves. If you don’t own your own pooch, why not borrow one and do you bit for charity at the same time? Full Article

The political world is mourning one of Downing Street's best loved characters. Humphrey the Number 10 cat has died just a few years after he was put into retirement. The moggy died last week at the home of a Cabinet Office worker who took him in when he was "evicted" from Downing Street. Humphrey left Downing Street shortly after the Blairs moved in in 1997 amid reports that Cherie did not like him. Full Article

They have brought in scent-tracking hounds, offered a $5,000 cash reward and handed out fliers around New York. A detective drove in from Oklahoma to help crack the case. They have looked into tips from psychics, even analyzed a pile of dog droppings for clues. The owners of Vivi the missing show dog have tried everything to track down their beloved whippet, who bolted from her carrier at Kennedy Airport on Feb. 15 after the Westminster Kennel Club show. Full Article

An Australian Shepherd dog has been named Best in Show at the 115th Crufts dog show, the event's top title. The dog, named Caitland Isle Take a Chance, beat six other group winners at the show's final, held at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham. More than 22,200 dogs from 32 countries took part in this year's Crufts, the world's largest dog show. Other winners included a poodle, a Norwegian elkhound, a Pomeranian and a fox terrier. Full Article

Smokers at an office in West Yorkshire have kicked the habit thanks to a new colleague - Rupert the cocker spaniel. The nine-month-old dog was brought in by managers at Relay Recruitment in Bradford in January to help staff beat the post-Christmas blues. But the move had an unexpected bonus as four of the firm's 12 smokers gave up cigarettes by substituting fag breaks for a 10-minute walk with the dog. Full Article

The discovery of a German cat who died of bird flu - the first mammal found with the H5N1 virus in Central Europe - raises stark questions for pet owners across the world. How easily can avian flu jump from birds to domestic animals? If a pet gets sick, should the owners be worried about their own health? Scientists have known for at least two years that felines could catch the deadly bird flu virus. It was found in 2004 in Thailand in two domestic cats. Full Article

Dogs like Rufus are destroyed in some parts of the country.Rufus cuddled up beside the couch, ready for a good nap. Belly full from his favorite steak dinner and tuckered out from a romp around the house, he put down the head that has become the signature of dogdom in America. "He's a wonderful pet," owner Barbara Bishop cooed. "My grandson used to sleep with him in the crate." Full Article