Maryland Couple is Suing a Kennel After One of Their Toy Poodles Was Killed by a Much Larger Dog

A Maryland couple is suing a kennel after one of their toy poodles was killed by a much larger dog.

The Klionskys of Bethesda boarded their toy poodle puppies Pumpkin and his apricot-colored sister Peanut at Life of Riley in Rockville in November to take a trip to Paris. They returned two days later when they learned their 5-pound Peanut was dead.

“I was totally devastated,” Yumi Klionsky said. “I couldn't eat for a week. I cried every single day.”

“She still cries,” said her husband, Mark.

The couple was told their little dogs would be kept separate from big dogs, Mark Klionsky said.

“They let the small dogs out into the same area as the large dogs to relieve themselves,” he said. “During that time, our puppy Peanut was attacked and killed by a hundred-pound bull mastiff.”

Life of Riley owner Paul Abbott said they dedicate their lives to taking care of animals but had an incident and want to make it right.

The Klionskys are suing the kennel for $17,600 in damages -- the money from their lost trip and previous medical bills for Peanut. They said they are suing for negligence; the money isn't important.

They want all dog owners who send their dogs to the facility to know about the tragedy.

At first, Yumi Klionsky couldn't think about replacing Peanut, but then the breeder heard about the loss of Peanut and allowed the Klionskys to adopt her sister from the same litter, Pinot.

“She's a small version of Peanut,” Yumi Klionsky said. “She has her own character, and I would like to respect and take proper care and give lots of love.”

What Did You Think About the Mountain Dew’s Puppy Monkey Baby Commercial?: Cute or Creepy?

Santa Clara, California – Mountain Dew’s puppy monkey baby Super Bowl commercial didn’t go over so well with some viewers, some said it was right on the edge of being cute or creepy.

The commercial showed some friends drinking the new Kickstart drink when the hybrid shows up and starts singing.

The drink is a combination of Dew, juice and caffeine.

#PuppyMonkeyBaby started trending shortly after the commercial aired.

Yes, There Is A Smart Way To Break Up A Dog Fight

As a former animal control officer, I have seen my share of dogs fighting. I'm not talking about dogfighting in the Michael Vick sense. A fight can break out between dogs at any time and over many things.

It's not uncommon to see a sudden fight break out between two dogs while introducing them to one another. Dogs scuffle over food or toys or when one of them isn't feeling well and gets bothered by the other dog. It can happen at the dog park or while you're walking down the street with your dog leashed. Your dog may even redirect on one of his housemates if another dog is walking outside of your fence and gets him upset.

These are scary scenarios but it's important to remember if your dog is involved in a fight, it doesn't make him a bad dog.

Dogs don't usually go straight for a fight, but will give each other warning signs first. The best outcome is for them to work out their troubles and retreat before getting too aggressive. Dogs don't naturally resolve their issues by immediately fighting. Their ancestors, wolves, don't walk around all day looking to fight. It is a last resort and often lasts only moments, until one animal gets the message and agrees to back off. Not every physical interaction between dogs is indicative of them fighting. Dog play can look just as intimidating.

  

A Hungry Baby Sea Lion Was Found Lying in a Booth at Upscale San Diego Sea Food Restaurant

A hungry baby sea lion was busted Thursday after taking a seat at a San Diego seafood restaurant.

The tiny ocean dweller was discovered by Marine Room staff after it strayed into the fine-dining restaurant and making itself comfortable at a nice table with a view of the sea.

“He was a little bit early for his high tide breakfast reservation,” chef Bernard Guillas wrote in a Facebook page along with some photos of the pup.

SeaWorld animal rescue workers were called in to take care of the critter.

Rescuers said the call from Marine Room staff allowed them to give the sea lion “a second chance at life,” according to CBS News.

The sea lion was thin for its age and is listed at critical condition at Seaworld, the news station reported.  

“We hope to get her rehabilitated and back out into the wild,” SeaWorld wrote according to CBS.

What it Means to be a Responsible Cat Owner

Being a Responsible Cat Owner

What does it mean to be responsible? The dictionary defines it as “the duty of taking care of something”, which summarises what it means to be a cat guardian. This duty of care is enshrined in law, which states it is an offence not to provide adequate food, shelter, exercise, and freedom from pain. However, the law is aimed at preventing cruelty, rather than promoting responsible cat ownership.

To me, being a responsible pet owner means taking care of both the emotional and physical needs of my cats –this is what separates merely owning a cat from being a great cat owner.

Someone who owns a cat puts food down and has a cat flap, whilst a great cat owner plays with their cat, grows cat grass inside, and provides high perches for their cat to watch the street and activity outside. Can you see the difference?

To read more on this story, click here: What it Means to be a Responsible Cat Owner

A Florida Woman Was Walking Her dogs When She Spotted the 9-Foot-Long Anaconda Snake in the Grass

Leisa Remsberg let her two dogs out Monday morning to do what dogs do.

Gizmo, a Shih Tzu and Teddy a Poodle/Shih Tzu mix, dashed to the side yard to sniff out a large, shiny dark object.

"I wasn't thinking what it was, because it was so large," said Remsberg, who trailed behind her dogs.

A nine-foot-long green anaconda reared its head, veering toward the two pooches.

"It raised its head up like it ... like snapping at them ... like lurching at them to make them back off," Remsberg said. "I started screaming for the dogs right away."

Teddy hurried back into the house. Gizmo was still curious, brave or something else.

"He's the not-so-smart one," Remsberg said.

Remsberg dialed 911.

"I did not know what it was," she said. "I knew it was not good. I was just screaming, 'There's just this huge, huge snake!'"

Her neighbor thought it was a python.

He brought a shovel over to hold the snake down until officers could respond. He placed the snake in a container with a lid and a piece of concrete over the top to keep it trapped inside. Then, he took the snake to his yard.

Brevard County Animal Services secured the snake, ultimately handing the situation over to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Officers took the snake to a veterinary facility, which euthanized the snake, for research purposes.

Wildlife officers are trying to determine where the snake came from, said Greg Workman, spokesman for the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

They did not find the legally required microchip in the snake, he said.

"Basically, it wasn't there legally," Workman said. "They're a top predator. They get huge. They can really decimate an area."

It's the second anaconda to pop up in Brevard County, Fla., in the past few months.

In late November, state wildlife officers shot and killed a 9-foot-long green anaconda near the St. Johns River at the Brevard – Orange County line.

Green anacondas are native to South America and can grow to more than 500 pounds and 20 feet long. In Florida, the snake poses a risk to native wildlife.

Remsberg, a real estate agent at SunCoast Real Estate Group, is living in the home temporarily, awaiting a new home to be completed.

The snake's removal was a relief, especially to Gizmo, Teddy and the four chihuahuas next door.

"It was definitely crazy," Remsberg said.