Spared euthanasia, abused dogs succeed
in foster care, rehab
Washington Post Jul 7, 08 3:32 PM CDT
(Newser)
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The pit bulls rescued from disgraced NFL star Michael Vick's underground fighting ring are getting a rare second chance, the Washington Post reports. A federal judge ordered each dog evaluated individually and fined Vick $1 million for their care. Now, 25 of the 49 dogs have been adopted into foster homes while the rest are being rehabilitated at animal sanctuaries.
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German shepherd who sniffed out WTC survivors will soon have double
Globe and Mail Jul 3, 08 4:13 AM CDT
(Newser)
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A retired Canadian rescue dog who helped find the last survivor in the rubble of the World Trade Center has been chosen as the world's most clone-worthy dog, the Globe & Mail reports. A California genetics company chose 15-year-old German shepherd Trakr to be cloned after reading an essay from his owner. Trakr—who now needs a dog wheelchair to get around—will meet his clone later this year.
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With $8B, Helmsley trust will dwarf all animal charities
New York Times Jul 2, 08 5:09 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Leona Helmsley made headlines last year for leaving $12 million to her dog while stiffing two of her grandchildren. But the pooch's payday looks like small change compared to the bonanza in store for America's dogs, the New York Times reports. A charitable trust being built with the late hotel tycoon's assets will have up to $8 billion to spend on canine welfare.
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Glossies
Joggers hate cyclists, cyclists hate dogs, everybody hates cars
New York Jun 24, 08 1:16 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Central Park is an oasis in the middle of Manhattan, but it’s also an early-morning battleground. New York magazine surveys the battlefield and finds open hostility. Cyclists shake their fists in rage at headphone-impaired joggers, dogs and owners fear for life and limb at bike crossings, and everyone nurses a hatred of cars.
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Pet store rejects heiress as legit buyer
New York Post Jun 17, 08 11:00 AM CDT
(Newser)
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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.
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Pooch must scrape by on $2M; snubbed grandkids cash in
New York Post Jun 16, 08 2:09 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Leona Helmsley’s dog, Trouble, turns out not to need that $12 million trust fund after all. The world's most spoiled Maltese will manage on $2 million, and the rest will go to charity, the New York Post reports.
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BOOK REVIEW
Edgar Sawtelle is Hamlet-inspired 'bolt from the blue'
New York Times Jun 13, 08 4:25 PM CDT
(Newser)
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The Story of Edgar Sawtelle , the debut novel from former software developer David Wroblewski, is “a great, big, mesmerizing read, audaciously envisioned as classic Americana," Janet Maslin raves in the New York Times . "Pick up this book and expect to feel very, very reluctant to put it down," she says of a coming-of-age story involving a deaf boy and the dogs his family breeds.
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Pet owners try to keep the peace between high technology and 'bio-pets'
Wall Street Journal Jun 11, 08 9:00 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Dogs are getting more suspicious as robots get more sophisticated, the Wall Street Journal reports. Dog owners find that jealous, territorial, or terrified pooches bark at the robots—and sometimes rip them apart. Some post videos of the battles on YouTube, while others are trying to find ways for canine and robot to live together peacefully.
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Trainers help dogs adjust when they're no longer the 'only child'
Wall Street Journal Jun 2, 08 11:15 AM CDT
(Newser)
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For many couples today, dogs aren’t just pets, they’re the “first baby.” But that puppy love can cause problems when it comes to the second baby—the human one. Like any only child, dogs can react badly to new siblings, so a small industry has sprung up to make canines “baby ready,” the Wall Street Journal reports.
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Custody of furry friends often becomes 'very hotly contested issue'
USA Today May 28, 08 6:16 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Joint custody, visitation rights, continued care, and financial support—custody negotiations are no longer restricted to the kids, USA Today reports, as more ex-partners wrangle over the pooch. In a recent survey, 25% of divorce lawyers reported an increase in pet-custody issues, with 90% of those cases involving dogs. It’s a “very hotly contested issue,” said one attorney.
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Congress probes neighbor's complaint
against 'madman' pol
BBC May 27, 08 8:45 AM CDT
(Newser)
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A Peruvian lawmaker is under investigation after a neighbor complained that the politician shot and killed her dog for bothering ducks. He's "a madman who takes pot-shots from his house every time he's upset,” said the neighbor, who lost her giant schnauzer. The member of Parliament, Miro Ruiz, has denied the charge, but a cabinet minister said the attack showed “psychological weakness” that “hurts the country.”
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American breeders outraged over European preference
USA Today May 23, 08 1:00 PM CDT
(Newser)
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The US government purchases hundreds of untrained bomb- and drug-sniffing dogs from Europe every year for as much as $4,535 each, quadruple the price of American dogs, a new federal report says. Domestic breeders and spending watchdogs are angered by the government's penchant for expensive foreign purebreds. "What kind of dogs are these—gold-plated?" asked a member of Citizens Against Government Waste.
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$24M deal intended
to cover expenses
Associated Press May 23, 08 8:06 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Pet-food companies have agreed to a $24-million settlement with pet owners after their products were tied to the deaths of thousands of animals, the AP reports. Under the deal, pet owners can be reimbursed for financial losses, such as vet bills, burial costs, and the market value of their lost pets. Those who don’t have records of their expenses may get up to $900.
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Stray dogs grow ever more comfortable with life in the capital
Wall Street Journal May 20, 08 12:47 PM CDT
(Newser)
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It's not only humans who get around the Russian capital by subway these days. Stray dogs are now a common sight on the Moscow metro, and, as the Wall Street Journal reports, their lives are pretty cushy. Muscovites are accustomed to seeing them lounging in stations, waiting for someone to toss a scrap, boarding trains, and curling up on an empty seat.
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Brass-studded collar is 8-year-old mark of honor
Times (UK) May 20, 08 10:47 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Dogs will paw the red carpet at Cannes this week as the "Palm Dog" ceremony returns to the festival, the Times of London reports. Critics determine the winner of the 56-year-old award (8 in human years) for the top canine performer in the competing films. The victor receives a stylish brass-studded black leather collar—and top-dog status.
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