Putting Glitter on Your Dog’s Testicles is a Trend Now, Apparently

Beloved American prize wizard Bob Barker used to give us a daily reminder to spay and neuter our pets but, if this latest trend hits the mainstream, we should probably just start sterilizing all humans. A glittered dog scrotum. That’s where we’re at as a society. We’re so far up Maslow’s pyramid that we’re not even dipping our own nutsacks in glitter. We’ve moved on to our dogs. How far removed from the threat of starving to death to do you have to be to pay to have someone do this? This is the type of thing that’s so unnecessarily extravagant that when the working class sees it they start getting an urge to cut off the heads of the rich.

To read more on this story, click here: Putting Glitter on Your Dog’s Testicles is a Trend Now, Apparently

How Animals Help Brain Chemistry

Our relationship to animals has a profound effect on the biochemistry of our brains; here’s how:

An oxytocin boost
There are documented physiological changes in people who spend as little as 15 minutes with a dog or cat or participate in equine therapy—Their oxytocin levels increase. Dubbed the “love” or “hug” hormone, oxytocin creates a profound sense of peace and comfort. It also slows the heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure in addition to reducing stress hormones.

Normalizing brain chemistry
A study by University of Missouri scientists documented that petting a dog can cause a spike in one’s serotonin level, the neurotransmitter that most antidepressants attempt to increase. Pets can profoundly change the biochemistry of our brains, so it’s no wonder that pet-assisted therapies help people with autism and those suffering from PTSD and drug addiction.


To read more on this story, click here: How Animals Help Brain Chemistry

Tiny Little Pup Left In A Shoebox By A Supermarket Dumpster

If more people would just be a little bit braver and do the right thing and give their unwanted animals directly to the rescuers, it would be so much better, this poor little pup was left, we wonder if the person was ashamed?

Taking a break from his work at the time, Eddie Olivarez worked at Albertsons, a grocery store in Arcadia, California, he found the little pup.

He found the tiny pup in a shoebox left on the ground by the dumpsters, he could have easily thrown the box into the dumpster, not realizing…

But his senses took over and he realized that the box had to be opened, and sure enough there was something incredible inside a one pound pup desperately in need of help!

To read more on this story, click here: Tiny Little Pup Left In A Shoebox By A Supermarket Dumpster

Incredibly Rare Puppy Is So Shiny That People Mistake Her for a Metal Statue

When Philippines resident Sandra Pineda’s father first saw a picture of the xoloitzcuintle, an incredibly rare Mexican-originated breed of dog, he was immediately in love.

The family searched far and wide for a breeder that could sell them a xoloitzcuintle, which are incredibly rare on the East Pacific island. They ended up with Piper, who arrived with her new family at just 8 weeks old—but little did they realize that a photo of their precious new pup would catapult the family to internet fame.

The reason? Thanks to a unique lack of fur for the North American breed, people thought the photo was of a statue!

The xoloitzcuintle is also known as the Mexican hairless dog, and is common in its native country but incredibly rare around the world. Characterized with incredibly sparse or completely absent hair and a condition known as oligodontia, which causes the dog to lose at least six teeth over the course of its life, the pups are certainly a fascinating specimen.

To read more on this story, click here: Incredibly Rare Puppy Is So Shiny That People Mistake Her for a Metal Statue

‘Boo,’ Crowned The ‘World’s Cutest Dog,’ Dies Of A Broken Heart At Age 12

LOS ANGELES (CBS/CNN) — Get your tissues ready. If the January blues hadn’t already got to you, the world’s cutest dog, Boo, has died of a broken heart.

The Pomeranian Boo and his companion Buddy, who died last year, became internet sensations when their American owners started sharing pictures of their adorable antics.

His death was confirmed in a post made by his owners to his 16 million Facebook followers. He was 12 years old, in human years.

“Shortly after Buddy died, Boo showed signs of heart issues. We think his heart literally broke when Buddy left us,” his owners wrote. “He hung on and gave us over a year. But it looks like it was his time, and I’m sure it was a most joyous moment for them when they saw each other in heaven.”

“Our family is heartbroken, but we find comfort knowing that he is no longer in any pain or discomfort,” they added, noting that Boo “brought joy to people all over the world.

Man Discovers A Family Of Mice Living In His Garden, Builds Them A Miniature Village

Recently, wildlife photography aficionado Simon Dell stumbled upon the family of a cute mouse running around his garden. Instead of reaching for the traps, however, he took out his tools. Dell built the mice a miniature village, and they repaid him by posing for adorable animal photography shots.

“I was out one day just taking photos of the birds in the garden and having just cut the grass I noticed something moving on the ground,” Simon told Bored Panda. “I pointed my camera at the ground and was shocked but very happy to see a very cute little house mouse standing up just like a meerkat in the fresh cut grass.”

To read more on this story, click here: Man Discovers A Family Of Mice Living In His Garden, Builds Them A Miniature Village

Family Adopts A Tuxedo Cat With The Most Perfect Mustache

Kittens already have cute little whiskers but can you imagine coming across a kitty that has a perfectly, gentleman-like mustache printed on his furr? This is what happened to Dali the cat’s humans’ when they found and adopted him, he stood out with his wonderful stache!

Not only does Dali look like a gentleman, he acts the part, being a super chill cat, always watching over his human and just being one handsome kitty.

To read more on this story, click here: Family Adopts A Tuxedo Cat With The Most Perfect Mustache

Pets Can Get Hypothermia, Frostbite Too

BALTIMORE (WJZ) –– As Maryland deals with an arctic blast for the next few days, pet owners are reminded to bring animals inside.

Pets are also at risk for hypothermia and frostbite, due to the colder temperatures.

Bring pets in from the cold or have a dry, draft-free shelter for them with access to food and water.

The Maryland SPCA offers the following tips to keep your pet safe this winter:

Pets should not be left outside for extended periods of time.
During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. I there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.

To read more on this story, click here: Pets Can Get Hypothermia, Frostbite Too

Teen's Service Dog Shot, Killed Outside of Family Home: 'He Was My Best Friend'

A 15-year-old girl recently lost her “little hero” after someone fatally shot her diabetic alert dog outside her family’s home in Quinlan, Texas.

Hannah Westmoreland was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 8, but it wasn’t until a few years later that the family raised money to get her a service dog. Her mother, Tina Westmoreland, started a fund that brought in $10,000 from community members looking to help Hannah. Ultimately, a golden retriever named Journey came into her life.

“He was my best friend,” Hannah told CBS Dallas about the dog.

Unfortunately, tragedy struck the Westmoreland family on Sunday when 4-year-old Journey’s life was cut short. According to the local Texas news outlet, Journey was let out for his regular dip in the family’s pond before he was found bleeding from a gunshot wound.

To read more on this story, click here: Teen's Service Dog Shot, Killed Outside of Family Home: 'He Was My Best Friend'

11 Far Out Facts About the Blue-Footed Booby

Looking for some awesome facts about the Galapagos blue-footed booby? Enjoy these 11 far-out facts about these strange blue-footed birds!

Blue-footed boobies are definitely a different sort of bird. The first time I saw them was in the Galapagos when I was only ten. The blue feet and quizzical looks made quite the impression, but the name was what really sold it.

If you were ever young, you surely remember laughing like an idiot every time someone said butt, booby or fart. If you're like me and never really grew up… well, then you may still have ridiculous difficulty containing your mirth when you hear such lovely words. Consequently, you end up embarrassing “classy” people that you may coincidentally be acquainted with (because you clearly would not spend time with such boring folk by choice).

As many of you already know, the word ‘booby' was used in old English to refer to a dimwit, lunk-head, crazy person, clown, idiot, simpleton, or all around silly fellow. The blue-footed booby's name originally came from the Spanish work ‘bobo‘ meaning ‘stupid fellow.'

The boobies walk funny, whistle and honk, and make sarcastic remarks at the tourists, thus earning their name. Okay, so maybe they don't verbalize their quips, but you can see it in their small, beady eyes!

To read more on this story, click here: 11 Far Out Facts About the Blue-Footed Booby

Giraffes Have Been Added To The Endangered Species List

Two subspecies of giraffe have been listed as 'critically endangered' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Numbers for the mammal have declined by 40 per cent over the last 31 years due to humans encroaching their habitat.

In an IUCN report the giraffe has been moved from the list of 'Least Concern' to 'Vulnerable' in their Red List of Threatened Species.

Two specific subspecies, the Kordofan and Nubian, have been added to the list of 'critically endangered'.

According to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, the Kordofan giraffe is mainly found in southern Chad, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and western South Sudan with just 2,000 of the species existing.

Nubian giraffes, mainly found in west central Kenya, South Sudan, western Ethiopia and northern Uganda, and there are 2,645 left.

To read more on this story, click here: Giraffes Have Been Added To The Endangered Species List

Tips on Sharing the Christmas Holiday with Your Cat

Many people think that it is a good idea to give pets as holiday gifts, but about half of those animals just get returned because the gift receiver didn't want the pet. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), says that you should never give a pet as a gift.  Instead, they ask that you check with the ASPCA Adoption Center. You can use the zip code search to look at available cats in your area.  They are offering a unique opportunity for pet lovers.

Know someone who wants to add a feline to the family? Now you can give the gift of companionship with their Gift-a-Pet Certificate. At this time, they are only offer Gift-a-Pet certificates for cat and kitten adoptions.

The ASPCA says, securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn’t tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the tree water which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset from spilling. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should they imbibe.

Keep these items away from your cat :
Glass ornaments, Christmas trees , Poinsettias, Christmas cheer, spun glass or angel hair, foil candy wrappers, batteries lit candles,`electric lights, tinsel, electrical cords, metal hangers, spray snow, artificial snow, angel hair, Christmas ribbon, Christmas tree ornaments and Christmas tree water that may contain fertilizers and bacteria, which, if ingested, can upset the stomach.

Tips:

1. Do not leave food crumbs on plates and make sure all food items are sealed in containers with lids.

2. Also place candles where cats cannot knock them over. Never leave a cat unattended in a room with lit candles. He will gravitate to them like moths to a porch light.

3. Keep stoves and countertops off-limits to cats. Electric stovetops can be very hot without changing color, and present a serious burn hazard to curious noses and tender feet.

4. You may be tempted to put your cats in the garage to keep them out of the way when your Christmas visitors arrive. This is not a good idea for several reasons. Anti-freeze is both attractive and deadly to cats. Anti-freeze and caustic chemicals stored in the garage spell certain disaster if a cat comes in contact with them. Although it may seem like an attractive idea to keep a normally indoor-outdoor cat in the garage over the winter, please keep them in the house. If you need to keep your indoor-only cats away from the festivities, consider a "Safe Room".

5. Keep trash cans either secured with a tight fitting lid, or under a cabinet. Caution your guest on arrival about giving turkey and other table foods to your cat.

6. Once the meal is over, place any uneaten leftovers in the garbage and remove the garbage bag from the room. It should immediately be placed in a garbage bin where it can't be accessed by your cat.

7. If you have guests coming into the home around the holidays this poses many dangers to pets.  A child who does not know how to properly interact with your cat may end up getting scratched

8. Sage (Salvia species) is considered to be edible in small amounts. However, it and many other herbs contain essential oils and resins that can cause gastrointestinal upset and even central nervous system depression if eaten in large quantities.

9. Cats are sensitive to the effects of essential oils, so for safety’s sake, I suggest you break the bad news to kitty and keep him away from the sage you are cooking with this Christmas.

10. As guests enter and exit your home for Christmas dinner this provides an opportunity for your cat to escape.

11. If you think someone gave your cat too much table food, contact your vet immediately. The same is true if your cat got into the trash and ate something he shouldn't have.

12. Cats in particular love to climb on Christmas trees and grab the low hanging branches. Make sure the tree is secure in the stand and tie the tree to a permanent fixture, like a railing. A toppled tree can crush a kitten or puppy and the broken ornaments pose problems of their own.

13. Some cats are attracted to the motion or sound of water that comes out of a faucet. So be careful about leaving the water running when preparing your Christmas dinner.

14. Holidays are a confusing mix of noise, people, strange sights, sounds and smells. Make sure your cat or dog has his own space, either a crate or a separate room, to retreat to when it all becomes overwhelming. You and your pet will be happier for it.

Since most vet offices are closed on holidays including Christmas, you should have an emergency contact number on hand. Most likely, this will be the nearest Pet Emergency Center.


                                     Merry Christmas from The Pet Tree House!

Tips on Sharing the Christmas Holiday with Your Dog

The ASPCA says to securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn’t tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the tree water, which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset, from spilling. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria, and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should he imbibe.
                                                                                       

Keep these items away from your pet:
Glass ornaments, Christmas trees, poinsettias, Christmas cheer, spun glass or angel hair, foil candy wrappers, batteries, lit candles, electric lights, tinsel, electrical cords, metal hangers, spray snow, angel hair, Christmas ribbon, Christmas tree ornaments and Christmas tree water.

Tips:

1. Try to keep all foods pushed toward the back of the counter, prepared and uncooked.

2. Feed your dog in their dog bowl.

3. Caution your guest on arrival about giving table foods to your dog.

4. If you have guests coming into the home around the holidays this poses many dangers to pets. A child who does not know how to properly interact with your dog may end up the victim of a dog bite incident.

5. If you think someone gave your dog table food, contact your vet immediately. The same is true if your dog got into the trash and ate something he shouldn't have.

Since most vet offices are closed on holidays including Christmas, you should have an emergency contact number on hand. Most likely, this will be the nearest Pet Emergency Center.

                                                     Merry Christmas from The Pet Tree House!

Albino Animals Are a Stunning Oddity of Nature

Albino animals are an odd freak of nature, appearing ghost-like in their all-white form contrary to the color of most of their fellow species. Yet, they can be quite beautiful in their plainness.

Some 300 species of animals in North America have these rare albino individuals that appear white because of a congenital absence of any pigmentation or coloration, resulting in white hair and pink or blue eyes in mammals.

In some cases, unusually white creatures are actually leucistic animals—those that feature a partial loss of pigmentation that doesn’t affect the eye color.

To read more on this story, click here: Albino Animals Are a Stunning Oddity of Nature