Meet Dennis, The Miniature Dachshund That Lost 44 Pounds

Columbus, Ohio - Meet Dennis, the Miniature Dachshund that once weighed 56 pounds. He was put on a diet, and lost more than 75 percent of his body weight.

Less than two years ago, Dennis weighed in at a whopping 56 pounds, about the size of four or five miniature dachshunds. A series of "before" photos show Dennis resting on rolls of fat, his head seemingly too little for his blob of a body. He couldn't take more than a few steps without being out of breath.

Brooke Burton adopted him from a relative who had fed him White Castle burgers, pizza and other human food, and didn't pay much attention to the dog's burgeoning belly.

Burton, a 26-year-old nursing student, recalls how emotional she became when she first saw Dennis in June 2013, and then persuaded her relative to give him up.

"Out comes Dennis, and I couldn't believe it," Burton says. "I wasn't even sure what breed of dog he was supposed to be because he was so large."

Burton put him on diet of dry dog food, plus lots of walks and affection. Now the 6-year-old wiener dog is a svelte 12 pounds and happily chasing squirrels in the backyard, playing fetch and bossing around the other three rescue dogs that live with him.

"In the beginning, you could tell he was very depressed, that he really didn't feel good at all," Burton says. "He didn't have much of a personality. After he lost weight, this bossy little demanding man popped out. He's into everything, he wants to play with everybody."

Dennis lost so much weight that he started tripping over the folds of excess skin that were left over and getting infections. He has had three surgeries at the Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center to get rid of it.

Dr. Kathleen Ham, the veterinary surgeon who performed the operations, says Dennis' story is a good lesson for pet owners who might feed their animals too much.

"We have an expression: food is not love," Ham says. "Most of what your pet wants from you is affection and attention."

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A Team of Veterinarians in Scotland Performed a Set of Operations on Pet Goldfish That Cost Nearly $750

Fife, Scotland - A team of vets from Inglis Veterinary Hospital, performed an extremely tricky operation - removing the eye of “Star” a pet goldfish. They also removed a lump off his aquarium partner “Nemo”, his best friend and bowl buddy.

The difficult surgery involved an exotic consultant surgeon, a vet keeping the goldfish under anaesthetic and a nurse monitoring their heart rates. The two operations cost the owner nearly $750, but she believes they were absolutely worth it. Star came into the Gordon family after a being won at the local fair for pocket change.

Star, was won at a fairground stall 12 years ago, had to get a blind, cancerous eye removed.

The operation was carried out on the six-inch fish at Inglis’ 24-hour hospital by exotic animals expert Brigitte Lord.

She said: “This is a highly specialist field, using anaesthetic on a goldfish carries a very high risk, and I'm delighted for the owner that everything went well and the owners are happy.”

“The financial value of a goldfish may be quite small but I think the fact that someone should have paid that much for an operation reflects the true value of the bond between pets and humans.”

During the operations, the vets used Doppler ultrasound equipment to listen through earphones to pulse sounds in order to evaluate Star's blood flow. To keep the fish asleep throughout the procedure it was syringed with oxygenated water with anaesthetic in it.

After the operation, Star was delicately held in a bucket of oxygenated water and, with its mouth kept open, was gently moved (mimicking the swimming action and allowing water to flow over the gills) for around eight minutes before it effectively came back to life. Nemo had more straightforward surgery to remove a lump on him too.

Star and Nemo are kept in Janie Gordon's home in Dollar, but are owned by her 21-year-old daughter Abby, a student in Glasgow.

 “I know it seems like a lot of money to spend on an operation for a goldfish but what was the alternative? I think we've a social responsibility to look after our pets and I know my daughter would have been distraught if anything had happened to the goldfish.” said Janie.

Janie didn’t want Star to be lonely so had bought another fish in a pet shop after her daughter won him by throwing a ping-pong ball into a goldfish bowl. Both Star and his lifelong companion, Nemo, are now over their buddy surgery and happily reunited - holding pride of place in a tank in Janie's kitchen.

“Star is fine,” said Janie. “He’s swimming about happily and the vets have shown me how to give antibiotics too”.

“I probably couldn't have chosen a better vets. I'm not sure anyone else would have attempted it.” said Janie.

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Missing 89-Year-Old Woman Rescued by Hero Pit Bull

Piscataway, New Jersey - An 89 year old women suffering from dementia was missing in New Jersey.

Carmen Mitchell, who suffers form dementia was missing from her front yard for several hours. The family called the police, and a rescue team was dispatched, armed with several vehicles and even a helicopter. They returned unable to find her.

Cara Jones was out walking her Pit bull, Creature, late at night when the 2-year-old dog kept drawing her attention to the brush nearby. Creature heard something and started barking and pulling Cara to the area where they found elderly woman lay shivering and cold on the ground. She was taken to the hospital where she was treated for hypothermia.

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Man in China Kicks Stray Dog for Lying in His Parking Space: Dog Returns with Friends and Proceeds to Exact Revenge by Chewing the Bodywork Including the Windshield Wipers

Chongqing, China - A man drove up to find a stray dog in his favorite parking space. When the dog wouldn't move…he kicked him.

Later that day, the dog returned with some friends and proceeded to exact revenge by chewing the bodywork including the windshield wipers!

The vandalism was photographed by a startled neighbor, who showed the driver the photos the next morning.

Stray dogs in China are sometimes grabbed off the street and thrown into dog fights.

China has no animal cruelty laws, and a person who damages a dog or another animal can only be prosecuted for damaging property if the animal belongs to somebody.

China is home to roughly 130million dogs, many of them pampered pets. As the middle class expands, rising numbers of pet owners has resulted in increased opposition to animal cruelty.

Despite this, many stray dogs are still killed and there is scant legislation protecting animals’ rights.

He apparently never heard the saying…Let sleeping dogs lie.

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Five Most Common Hamster Breeds: Which is Right for Me?

There are many different kinds of hamsters, but the five most common are Syrians, Dwarf Campbell Russians, Dwarf Winter White Russians, Roborovski Dwarfs, and Chinese. Each breed has its own distinctive characteristics that distinguish it from the other breeds.

Syrian Hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)
Syrian hamsters, also known as Goldens or Teddy Bear hamsters, are the most popular hamsters kept as pets. They are very easy to handle and make wonderful pets for children. They are not social with other hamsters however, and should be kept alone after 10 weeks of age. If caged together, Syrian hamsters can actually fight until they kill each other. Syrian hamsters are nocturnal, and are rarely active during the day.

Syrian hamsters come in a variety of colors, and they are one of the largest hamsters at a length of 4" - 7" when full grown, depending on the sex. Females can grow larger than the males, which reach only about 6" long. They have a very short tail, large cheek pouches, and small eyes. The average life span of a Syrian hamster is approximately 2 to 2-1/2 years, though they have been known to live as long as 4 years.

Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamsters (Phodopus campbelli)
Dwarf Campbell Russian hamsters are more social than Syrian hamsters, and they can be kept in same sex pairs or groups of their breed as long as they are introduced at a young age. They aren't quite as responsive to handling as Syrians and may nip if they feel nervous or threatened. They still make good pets; they just require supervision of both child and pet during interactions. Though they are nocturnal, they are often awake for short periods during the day.

Dwarf Campbell Russians are very small, reaching a maximum size of only 4" as adults. The natural coat color is grayish brown fur on the back with a darker strip of color down the spine, a creamier color on the sides, and a white stomach. Dwarf Campbell Russians can be found in a variety of colors however, due to selective breeding. The average life span of a Dwarf Campbell Russian is about 2 years.

Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)
Dwarf Winter White Russian hamsters are similar in behavior to Dwarf Campbell Russians in that they are active during the day and can be kept in same sex pairs or groups. However, they do not have the reputation for biting when nervous, and they are generally very sweet and personable. They are very small and quick though, so they can be a challenge for young children to handle safely.

Dwarf Winter White Russians come in three colors: Sapphire, Pearl, and a combination of the two called Sapphire-Pearl. Pearl is a white pattern where white hairs are sprinkled throughout the coat, and Sapphire is a purple-gray color. Sapphire Winter White Russians have a gray undercoat, a thick gray stripe along their spines, and an ivory colored stomach.

Dwarf Winter White Russians are very small and compact, measuring only 3-1/2" to 4" as full grown adults. Because they are so tiny, an aquarium is generally a safer housing choice than a wire cage. The average life span of a Dwarf Winter White Russian hamster is about 2 years.

Roborovski Dwarf Hamsters (Phodopus roborovski)
Roborovski Dwarfs are another social breed of hamster, and they do well in small same sex pairs or groups if they are introduced at a young age. They are sweet hamsters that do not usually nip. Though they have good temperaments, they are generally better for observation than for handling because of their size and agility. They should only be handled where they will be easy to catch if they jump down from your hands. They are nocturnal.

Roborovski hamsters are sandy brown with a white stomach, white marks over their eyes, and occasionally a white face. They are the smallest of the most popular hamster breeds, reaching an adult size of only 1-1/2" to 2". The average life span of a Roborovski is longer than any of the other common hamster breeds at 3 to 3-1/2 years.

Chinese Hamsters (Cricetulus griseus)
Chinese hamsters, also known as Striped hamsters or Chinese Striped hamsters, are not generally social hamsters, but there have been some owners who have been able to successfully house them together. However, it's best to be safe and house them individually. Though they can be aggressive towards each other, they are good-natured towards people and slightly timid, and they rarely bite. They are active during short periods throughout the day, but their most active period is at night.

Chinese hamsters are often mistakenly referred to as dwarf hamsters. Though at about 4" full grown they are similar in size to other dwarf hamsters, they are actually not true dwarfs. Chinese hamsters have a body type that is similar to a rat or mouse - long and slender. There are two colors of Chinese hamsters. The first, and most common, is an agouti coat with a dark brown back, a black line of fur along the spine, and an ivory colored stomach. The other color is called a "dominant spot," and it is a white coat with spots of color. The average life span of Chinese hamsters is about 1-1/2 to 2 years.

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Hermit Crab Association Statement on The Blue Crabs Giveaway at The Team's Opening Game on April 24

The Hermit Crab Association and its members are extremely saddened to hear of the planned promotional event for the opening day game of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. The decision to keep hermit crabs should warrant the same amount of consideration as owning any other type of pet and we believe they should never be given away as prizes because of this. Hermit crabs require specialized care and when given the proper environment should live for decades in captivity - they are not in any way a short lived pet.

Lacking the proper care, these hermit crabs will not live for more than a few weeks or months, which will lead to heartache for the small children of hundreds of fans. The plastic terrarium they will be sent home in is only a temporary transport container, and the initial set-up costs of a proper enclosure with new items will generally start at $100 for anyone receiving one of these "free" hermit crabs. This will place a financial burden on the fans of the Blue Crabs, or on the local animal rescues that will be asked to take them in once the details of their needs are learned.

The Hermit Crab Association is an online international community of hermit crab enthusiasts and owners, and we are not opposed to the captive ownership of hermit crabs. However, we are concerned about the lack of proper information that is provided by pet shops, and from the distributors that import the crabs into the United States.

The fact is that millions of hermit crabs are collected from the wild every year, as there has only been a handful of people in the world who have been successful with breeding them in captivity. Smaller crabs are already 5 years old, and the biggest are well over 40 years old. Many do not make it through the collection process and the transport to stores, and others will succumb from the stress of adapting to life in captivity. Many more will die slow deaths in the following weeks and months in tiny plastic cages from a lack of basic care.

Their needs include an enclosure that is large enough for the crabs to move around comfortably while providing enough space for all of their requirements. They dig underground and stay there without surfacing for months at a time to molt, which is how they repair injuries and grow larger. This requires six or more inches of moist cocofiber or silica-based sand, based on the size of the hermit crab. They need to be provided with dechlorinated freshwater and marine grade saltwater deep that is enough to completely submerge. Their temperature requirements are higher than room temperature at 78-85 degrees, and because of having modified gills for breathing they require humidity that is constantly above 70%, or they will slowly suffocate. They are omnivorous scavengers and their diet consists of fruits, vegetables and plant matter, seafood, insects, meat and poultry. While they are a communal species and should always be kept with others of their kind, they do need to be provided enough individual space that they can retreat from disputes, and so they are not discovered and dug up by other crabs while vulnerable from molting.

We are very much hoping that the team will reconsider the giving away of living animals as thank you gifts at this event. There are many other options available, such as plastic figurines or plushies that can become a permanent reminder of what is sure to be an amazing opening game.

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Americans Spent $58 Billion on Their Pets in 2014

Pets are a member of our family these days. They protect us, love us, make us happy, and love spending time with us. Not only this, but our pets love us unconditionally when it seems no one else does. This is why, according to a report by the Columbus Dispatch on March 6, Americans spent $58 billion on their pets in 2014. This not only includes buying pets but pampering their pets as well as making sure they are healthy and happy.

The $58 billion was spent on 397 million pets in this country alone.

So where did the money go? The money went on many different things to make peoples pets healthier and happier. Here is a rundown of what the money was actually spent on according to the American Pet Products Association.

The American Pet Products Association measured the money spent on five different areas for pets. These five different areas included $22 billion on food, $15 billion on vet care, $14 billion on supplies for pets which includes beds, bowls, collars, and over-the-counter medications to help prevent fleas, ticks, and colds. Also, $4.8 billion on other things for their pets and $2 billion on buying pets themselves.

Although vet care is included in this equation, according to the Mansfield News Journal, vet care was either unchanged from the year before or down just a little bit from the previous year. However, these expenses range from lifesaving to the exotic which means plastic surgery.

The ‘other’ category included grooming, walking, boarding, day care, training, not to mention trips to the spa. Yes, trips to the spa! People are spending more and more money on these things since the ‘other’ category is the one that increased the most since last year when it comes to spending money on pets.

People are spending more and more money on exotic things for their pets. However, there is another thing that people are spending more money on for their pets and that includes new types of food. This new type of food that people are now spending on their pets is as high grade as human food.

As well as people spending more on better tasting and more high quality food for their pets making this category increase in sales from the previous year but pet sales itself was down last year. This is actually a good thing because it means that people are no longer buying from puppy mills or at least not as many people are buying from puppy mills and the like. This is also good because it means the cracking down the Humane Society and other animal services did on these puppy mills is actually working.

How much money did you spend on your pet in 2014? How much money have you spent on your pet or pets this year already? Sound off with your comments in the comment section below and let everyone know how much you love your pets.

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At Only 6-Months-Old, Amy, The Pig is The Smartest Pupil in Her Dog Obedience Class

Though only 6-months-old, Amy likely is the smartest pupil in her dog-obedience class.

She only has to be instructed a couple of times before learning something new.

“Amy will work for lettuce. There’s nothing I can’t teach her,” says owner Lori Stock of the 45-pound pig.

It’s not only obedience training for Amy. She’s learning the obstacle course, with challenges including a teeter-totter, jumps, a chute and an elevated walk.

Canines in class occasionally glance over, perhaps wondering: “What is this new breed?”

After all, pigs snort and so do pugs.

Amy has learned to do things pig normally don’t do, like sit. Pigs prefer to lie down.

Stock says, “Amy is outgoing, affectionate and darn cute,” and she accepted her owner right away.

Joining a puppy class at Family Dog Training Center in Kent did not faze Amy.

The only requirement was she had to be housebroken, and she was.

Attending two classes a week, Stock also adds daily training. The house pet spends much of her day in a special-built indoor run.

Food is a constant teaching reward, including banana chips and string cheese.

But bacon treats are strictly forbidden.

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Do You Need Help With Serious Vet Bills? These Might Be Able to Help You With Emergency Care

If you need help with serious vet bills, visit the websites below:

Veterinary Bill Assistance Programs

 1. The Big Hearts Fund: http://bigheartsfund.org/

 2. Cats in Crisis: http://catsincrisis.org/

 3. Diabetic Cats in Need: http://fdmb-cin.blogspot.com/

 4. The Dog and Cat Cancer Fund: http://www.dccfund.org/

 5. Frankie's Friends: http://www.frankiesfriends.com/

 6. Handicapped Pets Foundation: http://hpets.org/

 7. IMOM (In Memory of Magic) http://www.imom.org/

 8. Labrador Life Line: http://labradorlifeline.org/

 9. The Mosby Foundation: http://themosbyfoundation.org/

10. The Onyx and Breezy Foundation: http://www.onyxandbreezy.org/

11. Paws 4 A Cure: http://www.paws4acure.com/

12. The Pet Fund: http://thepetfund.org/

13. Pets-DC: http://www.petsdc.org/

14. Shakespeare Animal Fund: http://shakespeareanimalfund.org/


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Bikers Make a Roadblock on a Busy Highway to Save Scared Running Dog

In this video a group of bikers make a roadblock on a busy highway, in an effort to get a dog off of the highway.

No one is quite sure how the dog managed to get into this situation.

Had someone dumped the dog off to the side of the road, or had the dog simply got away from it’s humans and wandered too far from home and got lost?  All the bikers were sure of is that someone had to do something before there was a horrible accident.

The bikers banded together, and blocked off on coming traffic.  The dog was running everywhere. At first they had a hard time wrangling the dog in, and finally, one of the bikers jumped into the ramp to stop the dog from getting hit. Eventually, the dog was reigned into safety.

The owners of the dog have yet to be identified.

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Dog Owners In A Minneapolis Suburb Are Finding Screws, Open Safety Pins, And Punctured Batteries Stuffed in Hot Dogs in Their Backyards

Dog owners in a Minneapolis suburb are afraid that someone is trying to harm their pets.

Residents in Lakeville reported finding things like hot dogs stuffed with screws, open safety pins and punctured batteries scattered around their backyards over the past several days.

Some food and treats were tangled in rubber bands and balls of steel wool with suspicious capsules inside. At least two dogs have been hospitalized since last week. Lakeville police told KARE the department is treating this as a criminal case.

KARE viewers responded to the story on Facebook, calling it "sick" and "disturbing." But, according to one commenter, this isn't the first time the town has fallen victim to this sort of thing.

Rosalyn Treat wrote, "Several years ago someone tossed antifreeze laced meat into my daughters fenced in yrd and their two beagles were poisoned one had to be put down the other on life long medication they never found out who did it."

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help pay for some of the dogs' medical expenses.

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Have You Heard? The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Minor League Baseball Team Will Be Giving Away Hermit Crabs As Pets, At Their April 24 Opening Game

Waldorf, Maryland, - The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Minor League Baseball Team has a special surprise for their fans. They have announced that each of the first 1,000 fans at the April 24 Opening Day game presented will receive a live hermit crab and terrarium container as part of the home opener festivities.

Under the banner of "Anchors Away on Opening Day," fans can expect a plethora of nautical-themed promotions, including the introduction of the entire Blue Crabs roster as players are brought onto the field in luxury sport boats. Fans will also have a chance to win nautically inspired giveaways throughout the night to celebrate the start of a new baseball season.

In addition to live hermit crabs, the first 1,000 fans at Regency Furniture Stadium for the April 24 opener will receive a 2015 magnet schedule presented by Community Bank of the Chesapeake.

Following the inter-divisional matchup between the Blue Crabs and the Somerset Patriots, fans will be able to enjoy a fireworks display and take part in the return of the popular "Launch-A-Ball" promotion.

Tickets for Opening Day are only available at the official Blue Crabs website which can be accessed at www.SOMDBlueCrabs.com.

"How crazy is it that we are giving away live hermit crabs for our first game of the 2015 season - said Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Assistant General Manager Courtney Knichel. "The craziest part about this promotion is the fact that we are doing something that has never been done before, and it is just the first of 70 home games. Fans will just have to wait to find out what else we have in store for them for the other 69 games, but I know that they will not be disappointed."

What are your thoughts?

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After 3 Months of Waiting, the Court Has Released the 55 Havanese Dogs Rescued From a Puppy Mill to Angels of Assisi - Available for Adoption Soon

After 3 months of waiting, the court has released the 55 Havanese dogs rescued from a puppy mill to Angels of Assisi! They have been caring for them since last November, and many have had extensive medical treatment. They will be available for adoption as they get them spayed and neutered over the next few weeks.

If you are interested in adopting, please do some research on the needs of puppy mill dogs- the ASPCA has some helpful information here: Adopting a Puppy Mill Dog

To learn more about Angels of Assisi, click HERE!

Angels of Assisi
415 Campbell Avenue, SW
Roanoke, Virginia 24016
(540) 344-8707

Website: Angels of Assisi

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Potentially Fatal Toxicity in Pets Due to a Sudden Increase in Paralysis Tick Cases

Vets at the Murdoch Pet Emergency Centre (MPEC) are warning of potentially fatal toxicity in pets due to a sudden increase in paralysis tick cases.

Dr Jill Griffiths, Veterinary Supervisor of MPEC, said pet owners should take great care when travelling with their pets in the eastern states.

"Recent weather conditions have created perfect breeding conditions for these ticks. We have had more pets present with paralysis tick poisoning in the last 10 days than we usually see in a year," Dr Griffiths said.

"Paralysis ticks are not naturally found in Western Australia, and all the cases we have seen here are of dogs and cats that have recently travelled from the eastern states. This coincides with record numbers of paralysis tick cases in New South Wales and Queensland."

Signs of paralysis tick intoxication include weakness, lack of coordination, gurgling, breathing problems, choking and a change in voice. The signs usually start with hind leg weakness and progress forward up the body.

Intoxication occurs when a tick bites, releasing a toxin into the pet as they feed.

"Tick paralysis can be fatal, so it is critical that pets are taken to a vet immediately if any symptoms are noted. Treatment involves tick anti-serum, intravenous fluids and supportive care, and some animals will need extra oxygen or to be placed on a ventilator to help them recover from this toxicity," Dr Griffiths said.

Paralysis ticks are typically found along the eastern seaboard, usually in scrub and long grass. They usually attach around the legs, chest, head and neck, but can be anywhere on the body including down inside the ears.

Dr Griffiths said pets needed to be checked every day for ticks when in these areas, which owners could do by running their hands all over the animal's coat, feeling for anything unusual, including inside the toes and looking inside the ears.

Tick preventatives are also recommended, but do not remove the need for daily checks.

Dr Griffiths advises that if you do travel to the eastern states and find a tick on your pet, gently remove it immediately and closely monitor your pet for at least three days for any clinical signs.

"Paralysis can take up to three days to show signs, so it is important to be continually vigilant," she said.

Source: Murdoch Pet Emergency Centre

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Three Month Old Police Puppy Practices Takedown

Police K-9 officers are an indispensable resource when it comes to keeping our neighborhoods safe. This adorable video shows a 3-month-old puppy named Taz practicing his criminal pursuit and takedown.





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Running Club Spotlight: The People and Animal Cardio Klub (PACK) - Washington Humane Society

Washington, DC - PACK was started in 2008 when a couple of WHS employees began to take a particular shelter dog for a run on Saturday mornings.  They immediately noticed an improvement in the dog’s focus and overall behavior.  This inspired them to start a program so more shelter dogs could reap these benefits.  PACK gives dogs a chance to get out of the shelter and stretch their legs.  Not only do they get to burn off energy, but PACK volunteers also spend time training them skills that will help them be successful in a home, such as leash walking, sit, down, and stay.

To read more on this story, click here: Running Club Spotlight: The People and Animal Cardio Klub (PACK)

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Woman Says After Her Home Caught Fire, The Insurance Company is Refusing to Pay Her Claim, Because She Owns A Pit Bull

East Rockaway, NY - A woman says after her home caught fire, she contacted Adirondack Insurance, who is refusing to pay her claim.

Their reason…she owns a pit bull.

Mary Grace O'Brien, lives on Lawrence Street, with her three children and multiple pets.

In October, her dryer caught fire, and gutted the entire house. The family has been living with a friend.

The insurance company says that they were unaware that she owned a pit bull. She claims they never asked about any of her six pets.

"They produced a letter with a signature on the bottom," O'Brien says. "I had never seen it before and it said I have no pets. I have cats and I have dogs. I would never say that I have no pets. Nobody ever asked me."

Adirondack Insurance says pit bulls are on their list of prohibited dogs listed on their guidelines.

A broker from Sidakas Insurance Agency in Queens sold O'Brien the policy. She believes they lifted her signature from another document and put it on the application in question.

The insurance company is refusing to make a statement.

She is now filing a lawsuit against both Insurance companies.

What are your thoughts?

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Three-Year-Old Irish Setter, Jagger, a Canine Competitor Died a Day After Taking Part in Crufts Dog Show - Autopsy Indicates He Was Poisoned

A canine competitor died the day after taking part in Crufts, one of the world's most prestigious dog shows. An autopsy indicates he was poisoned. An investigation is underway.

Three-year-old Irish setter Thendara Satisfaction, known as Jagger, took second prize in his class at the event in Birmingham, central England, on Thursday.

The next day later, after returning home to Belgium, he became ill.

Owner-breeder Dee Milligan-Bott told CNN Jagger was "finding it hard to breathe" so a veterinarian was called, but the dog died before he could get there.

"The vet thought it was suspicious, and decided on an autopsy. Cubes of beef  were found in his stomach They had at least two types of poison inside. The pieces of beef had been stitched together so that the poison didn't come out.

According to the vet, he had enough poison in his system to kill a horse.

Milligan-Bott, who is at a loss to explain why Jagger was targeted: "We can't fathom why anyone would do this."

"I've been doing this for 30-odd years and I think I would have to give up on everything if I believed that someone who shows and breeds dogs would kill a dog. We all do this because we love dogs. If you hate me for being successful, then stick a brick through my window or something. But why would you involve a dog?"

Toxicology tests are being carried out. The vet has reported the dog's death to Belgian police, and Milligan-Bott said she would likely contact West Midlands Police in the UK too.

A spokesperson for the Kennel Club, organizers of the Crufts dog show, said there had never been such an incident in the history of the competition, which dates back to 1891.

"We are deeply shocked and saddened to hear this terrible news and our heartfelt sympathies go out to Jagger's owners," said Caroline Kisko, secretary of the Kennel Club, in a statement.

"We understand that a toxicology report is due next week and that this matter has been reported to the police - we will work with them and help however we can."

What are your thoughts?



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Tips For Starting A Saltwater Tank - A Beginners Guide

So you want to start a saltwater tank? Awesome and good for you! You don't need to have FW experience, but a little understanding goes a LONG way. Here is a brief summary of things to consider when starting a SW tank. This is in no way a complete list, it's just a list of the most basic things you need to consider when starting a salt tank. Be sure to read up on topics and do plenty of research before starting anything because salt tanks are more costly then fresh.

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Freshwater Aquarium Setup - Fish Tank Setup

This freshwater aquarium setup article explains how to set up a basic freshwater fish tank. We'll start with a short list of the equipment you'll need and then give you a step by step guide on setting up or starting your first freshwater fish tank.

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Are You Making These Mistakes Setting Up A New Aquarium?

With the availability of mini-aquarium packages it's become appealing to go small. However, for beginners, choosing a small aquarium is courting failure. Why? Because when the water volume is small, key water parameters change very quickly, leaving no room for error.

Starting Too Small

Even experienced aquarists are challenged by a small aquarium. Newcomers to the hobby, stay away from tanks under 20 gallons until they've gotten some experience under their belt. Remember, the bigger the tank, the less impact a mistake will have on the fish.

Adding Fish Too Soon

New aquarium owners are eager to add fish, often the same day they set up the tank. Some are lucky but many will quickly lose some, or all, of their fish. What went wrong? The water in a new tank hasn't stabilized yet. Gases are dissolved in the water, as well as minerals, heavy metals, and chemicals added by local water treatment facilities.

Without going into lengthy detail about water chemistry, suffice it to say that dissolved constituents in the water can harm the fish. Aquarium water should be treated to neutralize harmful materials, and allowed to stand for a day or so to allow dissolved gases to escape and the pH to stabilize. Only then is it safe to introduce fish to the aquarium.

Adding Too Many Fish at Once

The fish owner isn't eager to fill the tank with fish? Unfortunately adding too many fish all at once is another common new owner mistake. Until the bacterial colonies have fully established, the aquarium cannot safely support a full load of fish. Only add a couple of
small hardy fish initially. Wait until both the ammonia and nitrite levels 
have risen, and then fallen to zero, before adding more fish.

Overstocking

Even getting through the initial startup, it's very common for new owners to overstock the aquarium. Although an experienced person may successfully keep a school of twenty small fish in a ten gallon aquarium, it would be disastrous for a beginner to attempt it.

Debate exists over the inch per gallon rule, but it provides a good basic yardstick from which to start. I recommend taking eighty percent of the net gallons of water in the tank as the maximum number of inches of fish to keep in the tank. The net gallons of water is the amount of water actually placed in the aquarium after the gravel and decorations a in it.

For example, lets say an aquarium holds 16 gallons of water after the decorations and gravel have been added. Multiplying a 16 times 80% yields a result of 12.8 - or about 13 inches of fish as a maximum number. It is always wise to go under the maximum to rather than all over.

Keeping Incompatible Fish

New aquarium owners often choose fish that look appealing to them, without knowing the environmental needs of the fish. Some fish may fight with one another, or require widely different water conditions. Either way, they should not be kept together. Always research each species before choosing tank mates. Select peaceful fish that thrive in similar water conditions.

Overfeeding

The number one mistake made by fish owners is overfeeding their fish. Fish are opportunistic and will seek food at all times. Just because they appear hungry, doesn't mean they need to be fed all the time. Feed them no more than is completely consumed in five minutes.

During startup feed fish no more than once per day, and during critical times when ammonia or nitrite levels are high, withhold feeding for a day or two to reduce the wastes being produced. Fish can easily go several days without food, and not suffer ill effects.

Insufficient Filtration

An aquarium filter should filter all the water in the tank through it at least three times per hour. If it doesn't, it is too small. If in doubt about filter size, move to the next size up. You can't over-filter, but you can definitely under-filter, and the results can be harmful to your fish.

Not Testing the Water

New owners aren't magically given full knowledge of the nitrogen cycle, and the need to monitor the water chemistry in their aquarium. As a result they often are unaware of the need to test their water, and fail to take steps to deal with harmful toxins.

When the tank is first set up, it should be allowed to run for a day or two. Before adding the fish the pH, hardness, ammonia, and nitrite levels should be tested for a baseline record. During the startup cycle it is important to test the ammonia and nitrites often (see Nitrogen Cycle for details). Once the tank is well established, test the water monthly to be aware of unseen problems that may be brewing. If fish suddenly die, test the water to see if anything has changed.

Not Changing the Water 

On other area that new owners aren't always educated about is aquarium maintenance, which includes changing part of the water on a regular basis. Wastes build up in the tank that can only be removed by vacuuming the gravel and removing some of water and replacing it with fresh water.

Although your fish may not die if you fail to maintenance and regular water changes, they will be stressed by substandard water conditions. As a result they will be more susceptible to disease and often will have a shorter lifespan than they should have.

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MRI Machine Explodes At Oradell Animal Hospital, Critically Injuring Repairman

Paramus, New Jersey - An MRI machine exploded during maintenance at the Oradell Animal Hospital late Friday morning, critically injuring one repairman but sparing scores of employees and animals in the hospital, Police Chief Kenneth Ehrenberg said.

The critically injured worker suffered cuts and crushing-related injuries; the other two had minor to moderate injuries including respiratory complaints, the chief said. He said their identities were being withheld pending family notification.

Responding to reports at 11:51 a.m. of a fire and an explosion at the animal hospital at 580 Winters Ave., police found the ceiling of the east wing collapsed, but the building remained structurally sound, the chief said. There was no evidence of a fire, he said.

About 60 animals and 100 employees were in the building and the staff subsequently accounted for all animals and employees.

Three men were injured, all contract workers from a private company not affiliated with the hospital.

They were in the process of removing the 10-year-old MRI machine when the explosion happened. The machine was being  leased from Advanced Veterinary Technologies, and was having software problems.

Emily Cottam, an emergency and critical care resident at the animal hospital, was in the rear of the hospital near the explosion. “The ceiling fell on my head,” she said.

Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Occupational Safety and Health Administration are assisting in the investigation. The building will remain closed until further notice.

MRI explosions are rare but can be deadly, said Wlad Sobol, Ph.D., a medical physicist and professor of radiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine.

“I’m aware of maybe half a dozen events that led to catastrophic failure of a magnet” in the last decade, Sobol said.

Sobol, who has studied MRI explosions, said that there are two potential causes.

An MRI — magnetic resonance imaging — machine is a superconductive device, meaning it contains wire that can conduct electrical current without generating any resistance, or heat. Superconductivity happens at extremely cold temperatures, made possible by bathing the wire in liquid helium. If for some reason the superconductivity is lost — if one of the magnets in the device is dropped, for example, or the helium runs out — the large amount of energy stored inside the magnet quickly encounters resistance and releases heat.

“The amount of energy stored in a magnet like that is not trivial,” Sobol said, adding that it is equivalent to several kilograms of TNT — “It’s like a bomb in its ability to destroy stuff.”

The other possible scenario is that the ventilation system for the liquid helium becomes clogged. “The pressure will build up and the magnet will explode,” Sobol said.

Shortly after noon, about 60 people had congregated in the hospital's parking lot, along with several dogs. The staff brought animals out of the building, some on leashes, some carried in blankets and some in moving cages or hand crates.

Soon after the incident, no smoke or fire was observed coming out of the building. But A&S Drive was blocked off by police tape between Winters Avenue and Ring Road. Among the units that responded were Bergen County sheriff’s officers, Paramus and county police, and Paramus and Hackensack fire departments, the latter’s collapse team, Bergen County Hazardous Materials Unit, and the county Office of Emergency Management.


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