How to Get Rid of That Smelly Dog Smell…Without Removing the Dog

We are a nation of people who love to cuddle with our pets. It is undeniable. Long gone are the days when out pets were simply working companions whose place was at the hearth - and that was if they were allowed in the house. Now, they not only cuddle with us on the sofa to watch TV, they snuggle with us in our beds, go on long holiday trips in the car, even out to dinner at our favorite cafés.

All of this one-on-one time means that all of our furnishings are going to hold the distinct smell of dog, and even the most rabid of dog lovers amongst us may not want the whole house to smell of a dog that needs a good washing – not if we want to enjoy the company of human guests. So how do you get rid of that smelly dog smell? It’s relatively easy.

Start off by taking all of the furniture apart – pillows, blankets and the like – and vacuuming everything thoroughly. If the sofa and chairs have removable slipcovers or cushion covers, take those off for washing. Get into the crevices of the furniture as deep as possible to remove all the hair, and flip the bed mattress to get both sides. On the floors, make sure to get under all of the furniture and in the corners, where “hair bunnies” tend to gather.

Next, gather your deodorizing supplies. It’s simple; all you need is a big box or two of baking soda and a bottle of apple cider vinegar. Wash all of your linens, blankets and cushion covers in a mix of oxy powered laundry detergent and a ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar. There are also pet odor removers available at pet supply stores, but generally speaking, they are not much more effective than the home remedies.

On the carpets, bed and furniture, sprinkle baking soda liberally, using a cleaning brush to spread it around and into the fabric. Let it all sit overnight so that the baking soda has a chance to absorb the odors.

For the bed, you might want to do this in the morning so that you can clean and remake the bed at the end of the day. Follow up by vacuuming all of the baking soda from the bed, carpet and furnishings and returning the bed linens and cushion covers or slipcovers to the furniture.

This will get rid of a great deal of the smell, but to really do a thorough job, you might want to rent a carpet cleaning machine with an attachment for furniture – or call a cleaning company to do it for you. Always start with neutralizing as much of the smell as possible before the shampooing, though, or all you will be doing is creating a hybrid of dog smell and perfumed shampoo. Not a good combination. And don’t use carpet shampoo on the furniture, or you could end up with ruined and smelly furniture.

Finally, if you do want to use a perfumed product to help neutralize the smell, make sure that it is non-toxic to animals. Many products that are safe for humans are not always safe for dogs. Some home air fresheners – sprays, plug-ins and scented oils – can be harmful to a pet’s health, so when in doubt, just stick with the tried and true baking soda solution.

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Australian Officials Are Pushing to Put Domesticated Cats Under 24-Hour Lockdown

The Australian government doesn’t want outdoor cats in the outback. Government officials announced a push for cities across the land down under to ban pet cats from running wild outside. But the kittens’ well-being isn’t what Australia is concerned about: it's their prey

Australia is home to many different species of tiny mammals that also happen to be the perfect cat snacks. Feral felines have already wiped out several native species, and some conservationists think they're responsible for almost all of Australia’s small mammal extinctions since they were first brought to the continent by English settlers 200 years ago, writes Cara Giaimo for Atlas Obscura. Now, Australian officials are pushing to put domesticated cats under 24-hour lockdown in order to protect at least 28 endangered species they threaten.

"They are tsunamis of violence and death for Australia's native species," Environment Minister Greg Hunt recently told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

The curfew comes on the heels of the Department of the Environment’s new feral cat plan, which also aims to exterminate 2 million feral cats in the next five years. Because the federal government doesn’t have the authority to impose a country-wide ban, officials are calling on cities and states to take action themselves. "The plan over the long term is to make this part of our culture,” Gregory Andrews, the country’s first Threatened Species Commissioner tells Nicole Hasham for the Sydney Morning Herald. “It's a journey that Australia has to go on."

Some cities and municipalities near conservation areas have already enacted bans, including several suburbs of Sydney and Canberra. But some cat lovers, including PETA and the French actress Brigitte Bardot, have taken issue with both the ban and the culling despite the government’s ecological intentions saying that extermination in the name of conservation doesn’t work.

Australia’s pet cats may soon be confined to their owners’ homes, but don't worry: the flow of cat pictures and GIFs to the internet should remain unaffected.

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Washington, DC: MPD Officer Shoots Service Dog Outside of Dog Park in Greenbelt, Maryland

Greenbelt, Maryland - Greenbelt police are investigating the shooting of a service dog by an off-duty Metropolitan Police Department officer outside the Greenbelt Dog Park on December 13.

The service dog, a Pit mix named Cleo, was wounded and is recovering, according to her owner LaToya Plummer of Greenbelt.

Plummer, who is deaf and depends on Cleo to alert her to visitors, is demanding that charges be filed against the unnamed police officer.

According to Greenbelt police, the off-duty MPD sergeant told investigators that Cleo ran towards her and her dog aggressively.

The off-duty officer reported Cleo was "bearing teeth", and the officer said she feared for her safety, according to Greenbelt Police spokesman George Mathews.

The off-duty officer immediately reported the shooting to police.

Plummer said because she is deaf she did not hear the gunshot and wasn't aware how Cleo got injured. At first, she thought Cleo had been in a fight.

Plummer said she did not know the woman was an off-duty police officer and she did not see a gun. Plummer said she left the dog park before police arrived to get Cleo to a veterinarian.

She called police later in the day after learning from the vet that Cleo had been shot.

Plummer said she was at the dog park with Cleo and two other pets and preparing to take her dogs out of the fenced enclosure to her vehicle when the shooting happened.

Plummer disputes the claim that Cleo was aggressive.

"She is the most calm and gentle of my dogs," Plummer said through an interpreter.

Investigators said Cleo was outside the park fence and was unleashed.

The incident happened on Sunday at 6:30 a.m.

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2-Year-Old Boy Found in Filthy Home with Dozens of Dead and Dying Animals

Gray Court, South Carolina - A 2-year-old boy remains in the hospital in critical condition after he was found unconscious in a filthy home with dozens of dead and dying animals, Laurens County authorities said Wednesday.

Authorities charged Savannah Victoria Morgan, 25, of Gray Court, with three counts of child neglect and one count of child abuse and cruelty to animals, according to arrest warrants.

On Tuesday evening, deputies were called to a home where they noticed “deplorable living conditions and a foul odor within,”  according to an incident report.

Animal Control officers seized nearly 90 animals from the scene Tuesday night. The list of deceased animals included 48 rats, 11 gerbils, 10 python snakes, six tarantula spiders and two bearded dragons.

Warrants allege Morgan exposed a 2-year-old to physical abuse, causing the boy to suffer medical injuries such as bleeding in the brain and bruising to the head, neck and back.

The child was airlifted to Greenville Memorial Hospital, authorities said.

The boy’s mother originally told deputies that he choked on some chips and that she called 911 when she went into his room and saw he wasn’t breathing, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Two other children were taken into emergency protective custody due to suspected physical abuse, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Deputies said they saw soiled diapers, clothing, feces, trash and broken glass on the floor and numerous live and deceased animals kept in plastic bins and cages. Two emaciated dogs were found chained up behind the residence and had no food or water, one report said.

Morgan is being held at the Laurens County Detention Center, where jail officials said her bond was set at $85,000.

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Woman Caught Selling Dog Food as Heroin

Dog food and aspirin may not be controlled substances, but one Plymouth woman's alleged attempt to pass them off as such have landed her behind bars.

Megan M. Meyer, 22, was charged with two counts of imitation of a controlled substance and one felony bail jumping count. With enhancers attached for repeat behavior, she could face a maximum of 12 years in prison.

According to the criminal complaint:

The Sheboygan County MEG unit set up a buy with Meyer through a confidential informant on Nov. 18. The informant told officers that Meyer had contacted the informant offering to sell a pill of Percocet for $35. After arranging the buy, Meyer increased the price of the pill to $50 and also offered to sell him some "boy," which is slang for heroin.

When the informant made contact with Meyer, she said that the heroin was a "dose and a half" and that she had to get the items out of her apartment before her probation officer arrived in 15 minutes. The transaction was made and the items were turned over to police. However, they were unable to identify the drugs as Percocet or heroin.

When Meyer was picked up on a probation hold and other charges on Dec. 15, investigators interviewed her about the buy. Meyer said she sold the informant fake drugs -- namely dog food crushed up to look like heroin and aspirin in place of Percocet. She did so, she said, because the informant had stolen a car seat from her and Meyer wanted to get back at that person.

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Cats as Pin-Up Girls

Artist Rachael Aslett, from Perth, Australia, has found all kinds of entertaining photographs of cats posing in funny positions.

After pairing them with some selected vintage posters, she has produced something really genius.

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Important Signs and Symptoms That Could Save Your Dog’s Life

One of the best ways to spot serious medical problems is by paying attention to what is going on inside your body. Unfortunately, our pets are not able to tell us when something is wrong inside of their bodies — or are they?

Just in the same way that we should be on the lookout for certain symptoms in our own bodies, there are also signs and symptoms that we can observe in our dogs that let us know when something is very wrong.

Veterinary specialist Dr. Justine Lee writes, “Playing doctor to your pets can be dangerous,” and points out that there are many cases “when you must ask a vet.”

But how are we supposed to know when we should be concerned enough with our dog’s symptoms to take him or her to the vet?

While this list should never take the place of medical advice, this is an exclusive look into the signs and symptoms that indicate something major might be wrong.

The most important thing to do when you observe these symptoms in your dog is to get them medical attention. After all, your pet can’t use words to tell you what’s wrong, so it is your job to make sure you get them to someone who can.

Unexplained weight loss in your dog can be a sign of a serious problem that requires a trip to the vet.

Dr. Bari Spielman writes that there could be quite a few serious causes of weight loss in your dog, such as metabolic disorders, neuromuscular diseases, cancer, and heart disease. The loss of weight may also come from dietary causes including a loss of appetite.

While losing a pound here or there shouldn’t be a cause for alarm, if your dog loses 10 percent of their normal body weight, it is a sign that there may be a bigger underlying problem, and a trip to the doctor is definitely warranted.

A significant and prolonged fever in your dog is a sign that something significant may be going on inside their body.

Dr. Karen Becker writes, “If your dog’s temperature spikes, it usually means his body is fighting an infection. The normal temperature in dogs is 100.5 to 102.5°F. If your pet feels warm to you and his temperature is higher than normal, make an appointment with your veterinarian.”

A fever is a sign that your dog could be fighting off something serious. Especially if it accompanies other symptoms, you should take your dog in to see a doctor.

Diarrhea or blood in your dog’s stool should indicate that something might not be right internally.

Dr. Krista Vernaleken writes, “Diarrhea can cause dehydration and can be life threatening to small dogs.” She goes on to say that you should take your dog to the vet if they have blood in their stool. This could be a sign of an ulcer, a parasite, or even colitis and anal gland conditions.

Blood should always mean a trip to the vet, and diarrhea accompanied by any of these symptoms should certainly set off a red flag.

Persistent coughing in dogs is never a normal thing.

Dr. Justine Lee writes, “Dogs don’t get asthma, so coughing could signal bronchitis, pneumonia, a heart problem, or tracheal collapse (when weak cartilage in the airway hinders breathing). Treatments include anti-inflammatories and surgery.”

An infrequent cough shouldn’t necessarily be cause for alarm. However, all pets who experience a persistent cough should be checked out by a vet to rule out some of the more serious possible causes.

Extreme fatigue and fainting are both symptoms that should be taken very seriously.

Dr. Debra Primovic writes, “Some dogs recover very quickly and look essentially normal just seconds to minutes after collapsing, whereas others stay in the collapsed state until helped. All the reasons for collapse or fainting are serious and should not be ignored. See your veterinarian immediately.”

If your dog appears to be abnormally tired, a trip to the vet could be crucial in catching the potential illnesses, which include cancer, kidney disease, and pancreatitis.

A distended belly is when there is abnormal swelling of the stomach area. This should always be taken very seriously.

Dr. Krista Vernaleken says that many of the potential causes of a distended abdomen could be life-threatening. This swelling could be a sign of some kind of hormonal disease, or even internal bleeding.

Not only could this distention be a sign of disease, but the swelling could put pressure on the chest cavity, making it difficult for your dog to breathe. Always seek medical advice when you notice this symptom.

There are many reasons why your dog might be making frequent failed attempts to urinate, but some of them certainly are serious enough to warrant a trip to the vet.

Dr. Justine Lee writes, “If you own a male dog, [these] symptoms can mean bladder stones or other obstructions. Your vet can remove the blockage or operate if needed.”

Another thing to keep an eye on is blood in the urine. This could be a sign of those same bladder stones, as well as cancer or an infection. If you observe blood, a trip to the vet is absolutely necessary.

Just as with people, difficulty breathing is a serious symptom that requires immediate medical attention.

Dr. Ernest E. Ward, Jr. writes that if your dog is “panting more than normal, fatigues easily, or suddenly has loud or noisy breathing, it should be examined by your veterinarian immediately. Heart and lung disease, infections, obstructions, and more can cause sudden breathing problems.”

Difficulty breathing can lead to not enough oxygen reaching your dog’s tissue and major organs, and heart failure is certainly a possible result.

Redness in the whites of your dog’s eyes could be a sign of a much bigger problem.

Dr. Karen Becker writes, “If the white area of your dog’s eye turns bright red, it’s a sign of inflammation or infection that signals one of several diseases. Certain disorders of the eye can lead to blindness, so any significant change in the appearance of your dog’s eyes should be investigated.”

Besides an eye infection, possible causes could be glaucoma or an eye socket disorder. It is crucial that a veterinarian takes a look at your dog’s eyes to determine what is wrong.

Restless behavior in your dog could be their way of telling you that something is wrong. This restlessness could include whining, looking scared, shaking, or pacing.

Dr. Krista Vernaleken writes, “These symptoms could be a sign of some very serious illness.” While the restlessness itself isn’t necessarily caused by the disease, it can be your dog’s way of indicating that they don’t feel like their normal selves. This can create a sense of anxiety in them.

Whether your dog is in pain or just general discomfort, you will want to have a vet check them out to find the cause.

Vomiting might be something you’ve grown accustomed to as a pet owner. In fact, occasional vomiting shouldn’t be a large cause for concern. But if it becomes much more frequent, like three or more times per day, it is time for a trip to the vet.

Dr. Ernest E. Ward, Jr. writes, “Don’t take a chance that your pet is suffering from intestinal obstruction, infection, pancreatitis, liver or kidney disease, hormonal imbalance, or worse. The sooner your pet is diagnosed and treated, the better (and less costly) the treatment.”

Again, if frequent vomiting is present, particularly when accompanied by other symptoms, it is best to seek medical advice.

Knowing the different symptoms that require a trip to the vet should not be a cause for alarm. But it is very important to keep an eye out for any of these. Your loving dog is depending on you to do so.

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Hyattsville City Police Department's K9, Rudy, Has Received a Bullet and Stab Protective Vest Thanks to a Charitable Donation

Hyattsville City Police Department’s K9 Dog, Rudy, has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. The vest was sponsored by an anonymous sponsor and is embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of Mindy”.

  

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) charity located in East Taunton, MA whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 1,600 protective vests, in 49 states, through private and corporate donations, at a cost of over 1.5 million dollars. All vests are custom made in the USA by Armor Express in Central Lake, MI.

The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.

The suggested donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $1,050. Each vest has a value between $1,795 – $2,234, and a five-year warranty and an average weight of 4-5 lbs. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.

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Bei Bei, the Giant Panda Cub Wants Nothing to Do with the Media and Falls Asleep During His Debut

The little “tank” had been squirming in his den for much of the morning, trying to get his stubby back legs to work and rolling in the bamboo, and when animal keeper Nicole MacCorkle scooped him up, he was tired.

She toted him down a corridor and placed him on a table covered in blue cloth, as news cameras clattered. She weighed him — 17.5 pounds — and looked at his teeth. He took a few steps, fell fast asleep and began to drool.

So went the much-anticipated media debut this week of the National Zoological Park’s 4-month-old giant panda, Bei Bei, who was named by the first ladies of two countries and was described by keepers as “precious” and “beautiful” — and as rugged as a tank.

Born in August, along with his doomed twin brother, Bei Bei has grown into a muscular cub with all four of his canine teeth, wide paws, and sharp claws that have been dulled only a little as he has become more mobile.

But he still is nursing several times a day and has never been outside. His limited eyesight makes him a little jumpy, keepers said Monday during the first of his media appearances this week.

He made other appearances Tuesday and Wednesday and makes his public debut Jan. 16.

For now, Bei Bei resembles a miniature version of the 275-pound bruiser that he will become when he is full grown in about six years. And his thick black and white fur is getting as tough as an adult panda’s.

“The cub’s [fur] are a little softer, but as they grow, their fur gets a little bit more coarse,” said zoo biologist Laurie Thompson, who had spotted Bei Bei’s birth on the night of Aug. 22. “It’s kind of like wool, and that helps keep them warm.”

“The cubs are very dense and heavy,” she said. “They’re not fragile, at all.”

Bei Bei, who first opened his eyes in October, can see better but still not well, Thompson said. “If something is peripheral to him,” it can startle him, she said.

“He can definitely look at us, but he gets spooked a bit by fast movements,” she said.

Thompson said the keepers wanted to wait until he can walk well before they let him go out. She said Bei Bei will probably be allowed out in January or February, depending on the weather.

The keepers said he is big for his age, putting on about a pound a week. “He is bigger than all of our other cubs,” Thompson said.

His hearing is good, and he knows the voices of his keepers. “The most important thing we can do for these animals is make sure that they know when we call, we are the safe place to come to,” said Brandie Smith, the zoo’s associate director for animal care sciences.

The birth of Bei Bei, whose name is pronounced “bay bay” and means “precious treasure,” was only the third time that giant panda twins had been born in the United States. The zoo initially said Bei Bei was the second cub born, but now officials say they are uncertain.

The zoo’s adult male giant panda, Tian Tian, fathered both cubs, after the mother, Mei Xiang, was artificially inseminated in the spring with his semen and that of a panda in China.

Bei Bei has an older sister, Bao Bao, who was born at the zoo Aug. 23, 2013, and still lives there. He also has an older brother, Tai Shan, who was born in 2005 and lives in a panda conservation center in China.

The birth of Bei Bei and his twin, who was never named, posed a delicate problem for the zoo. Panda mothers often have a hard time caring for two cubs, and usually only one survives.

So the zoo tried switching the cubs — leaving one with Mei Xiang while keepers cared for the other. After a time, the keepers would switch the cubs back, so each one got time with Mei Xiang.

But after several days, it suddenly appeared that the smaller twin was seriously sick. During one of the switches, keepers saw that it was lethargic and was having trouble breathing.

[The six-hour effort to save the panda cub]

The cub, which weighed only three ounces, had contracted pneumonia after inhaling formula it was being fed by keepers, the zoo said later.

Zoo veterinarians placed the cub in an incubator, pumped in oxygen and administered antibiotics, fluids and nutrition. Nothing worked. The cub went into cardiac and respiratory arrest. The veterinarians tried gentle CPR, but at 2 p.m. Aug. 26, the cub died.

The zoo’s staff members were devastated, but they still celebrated the survival of Bei Bei, whose name was selected and announced Sept. 25 by first lady Michelle Obama and the first lady of China, Peng Liyuan.

Keepers said Bei Bei has had most of his shots — he gets stuck in a rear leg — has tasted bamboo leaves and has started playing with his mother. He won’t start eating solid foods until he’s about 6 months old.

Mei Xiang, for her part, “is a phenomenal mother,” zoo keeper MacCorkle said. “She always just amazes us with her patience with him. He’ll be crawling on her. She’s trying to eat. She will very subtly push him away.”

She also still hauls him around by holding the scruff of his neck with her mouth.

Bei Bei’s mobility remains limited. His back legs are still uncoordinated. “He’s just figuring out how to use his back legs,” zoo biologist Thompson said. “He’s a little wobbly on them.”

But giant pandas don’t do much running. Tian Tian, the adult male, runs when he hears thunder, the keepers said, and during the 2011 earthquake on the East Coast, all of the pandas ran.

Bei Bei, as with other giant pandas born at the zoo, will eventually be sent to China, the species’ native land. China owns and leases all giant pandas in U.S. zoos and requires that cubs born in the United States go to China to breed when they are about 4 years old.

“It’s very sad,” Thompson said. “But we know, as keepers that work with pandas, that that’s the case. . . . So you definitely try to . . . not get overly attached. . . . You just kind of get it in your head, ‘No, these cubs are going.’ ”

“You just have to remind yourself,” she said.

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Homemade Salt Dough Ornaments Are Toxic to Dogs

It’s that time of the year again when we start seeing super cute tutorials for making salt dough ornaments for the tree. Children love to make them, they’re very inexpensive, and they provide a great way to preserve a memory, whether that’s a dog’s paw print or a child’s hand print.

There’s only one problem: that salt dough is toxic to dogs.

Made with only salt, flour, and water, the dough ornaments can be poisonous if eaten by a dog, even once the ornament is dried and hung on the tree. Salt toxicity is a real risk with salt dough due to the high salt content. We had several salt dough ornaments of our own that we bought in Ecuador when we were there on assignment years ago (above). We no longer use them on the tree because we learned that salt dough–including most homemade play dough–is extremely toxic to dogs with potentially life-threatening toxicity.

Instead of salt dough, consider clay kits to preserve your dog’s paw print! These are also extremely easy to use. Kits like Pet Paw Print Kit (on Amazon)* are an easy way to create a long-lasting ornament without the danger of salt dough! Other alternatives are to make ornaments using archival paper with an inked impression of your dog’s paw, or outline your dog’s paw with an embroidered ornament.

You may be interested in reading: Loss of a Beloved Pet After Ingesting Christmas Ornament Made Out of Salt Dough

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Loss of a Beloved Pet After Ingesting Christmas Ornament Made Out of Salt Dough

Lexi, a 2-1/2-old dog, snuck downstairs Tuesday morning and ate an ornament made out of salt dough. Her owners, couple Larry and Hope Pospisil, made the ornament with their daughter, Alice, for the holidays.

It appears the salt content in the ornament is what made Lexi so sick. It is toxic to cats and dogs, according to the Pet Poison Helpline.

In a Facebook post, Hope Pospisil said,"when we got home around 5 P.M., she peed [in] her kennel and was shaking uncontrollably. She couldn't even make it back up the stairs, as she fell backwards. We immediately took her to the vet and we had only two options because her body temp was 107 and already caused neurological damage." In his own post, her husband, Larry, added that Lexi "was constantly seizing in her kennel and urinating and foaming at the mouth."

The family made the difficult decision to have Lexi humanely euthanized.

Hope Pospisil shared the devastating news "as a warning to everyone." Following the post, the family has received an outpouring of support. In response, Hope said,“I'm so happy that Lexi is being a voice for all other dogs that could have had the same outcome.”

With tear filled eyes, I'm writing this as a warning to everyone. Lexi snuck downstairs today around 7-8am and ate Alice's salt dough ornament(she NEVER does this). We were, of course, so mad at her. She seemed to act normal. We left here at 1pm, thinking she was ok. When we got home around 5pm, she had peed all through her kennel and was shaking uncontrollably. She couldn't even make it back up the stairs, as she fell backwards. We immediately took her to the Vets & we had only 2 options because her body temp was 107 and already caused neurological damage. We could either take her to A-Vets & possibly,if she even made it that far, save her but be a completely different dog or put her to sleep. With heavy hearts, we decided to put her to sleep. We are so heartbroken for not only her but for Alice because Alice & Lexi LOVED each other and she was the best dog anyone could ask for. So please, if you make these ornaments, watch your animals around them. This is not something we ever thought we would have to do to our 2.5 year old dog. 😔 Rest in Peace sweet Lexi girl. We miss you so much.

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Ultra HD 4K Televisions: Big Hit with Dogs

Washington, DC - With Christmas coming up soon, one of the hottest gift items this year are the new Ultra HD 4K televisions. But it turns out these new sets are not only popular with people, they are a big hit with dogs.

The resolution is so clear that many dog owners are reporting their pups can't stop watching them.

Charlie is one dog we met that likes to get outside. He loves long walks, but watching TV is not his thing.

"Not at much as other dogs, but he watches some,” said Grant Kessler, Charlie’s owner.

But Kessler wants to change Charlie's mind and the reason is a viral YouTube video of dogs and other animals watching an LG Ultra 4K TV. It has racked up over a million views.

Francis Hall of Graffiti Audio Video in Northwest D.C. said 4K TVs generate the same reaction every time people see one – “Wow!”

But will Charlie behave like the dogs in the YouTube video and become Kessler’s television-watching buddy? We fired up a new 4K television to see what would happen.

"He likes the stuff of animals making sounds and stuff on the Serengeti the most,” said Kessler.

With a few searches, we found Charlie some Ultra 4K Serengeti cheetahs, and yep, Charlie ate up the big cats in all their 4K glory until it got a little too real.

"When the four lions were coming at him, that's when his ears definitely peaked up when he saw them walking towards him,” Kessler said.

Canine experts said the difference may be in how dogs see things differently than people.

"Dogs eyes, they can't see the same way that we can, so the higher the resolution, the clearer the picture actually becomes to the dog,” said Jordon Rolnick, who works at the PetMAC Marketplace and Adoption Center in Washington D.C.

For Charlie, it means his owner is going to have a nice surprise this holiday, and it's not a new bone.

"Actually, I am getting one,” Kessler laughs. “It's going to be my Christmas present to myself -- the 65-inch version of this Sony.

These Ultra HD 4K television sets are not cheap. Some models can run up to $5,000.

But this comes as new networks are rolling out programming scientifically designed and created for dogs as viewers. DOGTV started hitting both DIRECTV and streaming video systems as it is being billed as the first TV channel for dogs.

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Meet the Woman Who Owns Over 1,000 Cats

Parlier, California  — "You can't really call me a crazy cat lady, I'm obsessive." Those are the words of Lynea Lattanzio.

Watch Lattanzio's story below:

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Does Your Pet Sleep with You? A New Study Suggest it Might Not Be a Bad Idea

Do you ban your dog from the bed in the hopes of getting a better night's sleep?

It may be time to beg your pooch's forgiveness and hope he'll join you at bedtime, after all.

A recent study finds that sleeping with pets actually helps some people sleep better because it gives them a sense of security — and despite what sleep experts have said for years, pets don't really disrupt our sleep.

"I'm not sure that there's a hard and fast rule about pets [in bed]. My community of colleagues do think that it is just always a risk," says Dr. Lois Krahn, a sleep medicine specialist at Mayo Clinic Center for Sleep Medicine in Arizona, and one of the paper's authors

The study's findings are good news for many. Half of American households own pets and half of those pets sleep either right in the bed with us or somewhere in the bedroom.

To conduct the study, Krahn asked 150 respondents fill out a sleep questionnaire that included questions about their companion animals. It asked for details about the type and number of animals in the home as well as what their sleeping habits were. During a subsequent interview, respondents were asked where the pets slept, how the pets behaved, and whether or not pets affected their own sleep.

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