Fido Knows What You're Thinking

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»

Dogs are ethical, full of natural goodness, scientist says

(NEWSER) - Science is finally catching up to what dog owners have known all along: Canines are ethical. After thousands of hours studying dogs—once dismissed as "furry automatons," an author said—animal behaviorist Marc Bekoff concluded that they possess the capacity for empathy and compassion, the hallmarks of morality. Humans aren’t alone “in having a nuanced moral system,” Bekoff told the Denver Post. More»

Companion animals loyal to their humans, except when they're not

(NEWSER) - It can lead to tearful separations, but cheating is natural—for quadrupeds, that is. It really is them, not you, a veterinarian tells MSNBC. Pets may gravitate toward a new owner for any number of reasons. “Hallie was my dog, but I always sensed her unhappiness at having to share my attention with other dogs,” says one owner. “With her own person, she has blossomed.” 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.

Active urbanites invest in four-legged time shares

(NEWSER) - A California entrepreneur has taken the commitment out of dog ownership for all those lusting-for-a-lab types who have room in their hearts for a pooch, but not in their lives. Flex Petz customers can contract out one the company's 10 dogs by the day, choosing from Labrador retrievers, Afghan hounds or Boston terriers. More»