Mount Washington Mascot Dies

(NEWSER) - A 17-year-old girl has pleaded guilty to baking her former roommate's cat to death in a 500° oven and will serve a year in jail, reports the New York Daily News. The girl and a younger accomplice trashed the woman's Bronx apartment, stole DVDs and food, and fled, leaving the cat to die. After the plea, Cheyenne Cherry stuck out her tongue at animal lovers protesting outside and snapped, "It's dead, bitch!" More»

(NEWSER) - A camel named Josh has joined the ranks of backwards-walkers and wheelbarrow-pushers to become the first of his kind to summit New Hampshire’s Mount Washington, the Union Leader reports. Josh and his support team of two handlers, two horses, and a dog took 6 hours to reach the 6,288-foot summit on the 8-mile Auto Road. His stay at the top intrigued the other animals up there, including human hikers and a friendly cat. More»

Dutch zookeeper's cat lets abandoned panda join her litter

(NEWSER) - A newborn red panda rejected by its mother has been adopted by a zookeeper's cat, the BBC reports. The panda and its sibling were first put on an incubator at the Dutch zoo but the tabby cat, who had recently given birth, proved willing to take the kitten-sized panda cubs under her paw. The weaker panda cub died but the other, still nameless, is suckling with the kittens. More»

Children's illustrator claimed to be reincarnation of 19th-century wife

(NEWSER) - Tasha Tudor, the children’s illustrator known for her bucolic watercolors and old-fashioned lifestyle, died Wednesday at her Vermont home. Called a 19th-century Martha Stewart, Tudor's art appeared in nearly 100 books and countless greeting cards, plates, dolls, and quilts. The New York Times once applauded her for capturing “the same fragile beauty of early spring evenings.” More»

Shelters using Feline-ality program to match cats to owners

(NEWSER) - There's no shortage of dating websites that use personality profiles to come up with "scores" and assess compatibility; now, the AP reports, animal shelters are using a similar program to help pair famously fickle felines with owners. Some 45 facilities use Feline-ality, which assigns cats colorful personality types: leader of the band, personal assistant, private investigator, and the like. More»