Nigerian Scams Hit Purebred Puppy Market

Video, anecdotes support notion of interspecies bond

(NEWSER) - Do dogs and whales share a mysterious special bond? Yes, according to Discovery News writer Jennifer Viegas. For proof, she offers the YouTube clip above and some anecdotal evidence from Carrie Newell, who runs Whale Research EcoExcursions. Newell often brings her dog on her whale watching expeditions, and she reports that the quadruped frequently appears to interact with the whales. More»

Sergeant starts petition after Army blocks rescued pup's route home

(NEWSER) - A sergeant who saved a puppy from a pile of burning trash in Baghdad is fighting to be allowed to bring her beloved pet home, reports the Minneapolis Star Tribune. An Army officer took 6-month-old Ratchet off a convoy to Baghdad airport where the pooch was to be sent to her parents' Minneapolis home by animal rescue group Operation Baghdad Pups. More»

Pet store rejects heiress as legit buyer

(NEWSER) - Paris Hilton went “ballistic” over the weekend when an LA pet store refused to sell her a Yorkie, telling the celebutante the purchase was clearly “an impulse buy,” the New York Post reports. Hilton was on her way to a photo shoot and "wanted a puppy in the picture with her so it would look cuter,” says a spy. More»

Dogs can read humans like no other animal, researchers say

(NEWSER) - Man's best friend, traditionally viewed by scientists as the drooling, complacent descendant of the noble wolf, are being given a fresh look by behavioral researchers who say their reasoning and ability to read human communication is unprecedented among four-leggers. Studies have suggested that dogs come out of the womb with innate human interaction abilities, Der Spiegel reports. More»

Fluffy and Fido need help to stay cool when the mercury climbs

(NEWSER) - They never complain, so it's easy to forget that the smallest members of the family may be suffering in the hot weather, too. Make sure your dog stays healthy with these tips from MSNBC:

1. Coat ears and noses (or the whole body of a light-colored short-hair) with sunscreen.