Heartwarming Story: Owner Grants Dying Dog’s Lifelong Wish - Just Mans Best Friend for Life

Stories like this truly makes my heart melt. A 13-year-old dog named Sunshade was diagnosed with cancer and to give her the best memories in the last few months of her life, her owner decided to grant her biggest wish: to have guinea pigs of her own.

According to Sunshade’s owner, the Airedale Terrier has always adored guinea pigs. Whenever they went to the pet store, Sunshade always stares at the guinea pigs for the longest time. She was so in love with them.

Sunshade finally got her wish and even got two guinea pigs. Her owner intended to get the dying pooch two females but something unexpected happened. Check out the video to know the surprising twist to the story.

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Australia’s Oldest Man at 109 Knits Adorable Sweaters for Penguins

Alfie Date began knitting in 1932 when he was just twenty-six years old, but it wasn’t until 2013 when Australia’s oldest man started knitting sweaters for Phillip Island’s little penguin population.

The penguins, who were still being affected by an oil spill that occurred in 2001, had been unintentionally swallowing dangerous chemicals as they attempted to clean the oil off their feathers. When he heard about the Penguin Foundation of Phillip Island’s call for knitters to create “jumpers” for the flightless birds, the 109-year-old Alfie put his eighty-plus years of experience to work.

Phillip Island is home to about 32,000 little penguins. They are the smallest penguins in the world, and the only species with blue (rather than black) and white feathers as an adult.

Their feathers are waterproof when clean, but when oiled they can separate and leave the penguin open to exposure. The sweaters, besides preventing the penguins from swallowing toxic oil, keep the little penguins warm, dry, and snuggly, and ultimately keep them alive.

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Man's Seeing Eye Dog Has Eye Troubles of His Own

Ronald Henry's guide dog Kehotay has been by his side for the last eight years, but now it's the golden retriever who needs a helping hand.

Kehotay helps Henry get around because Henry lost his sight and hearing several years ago. But now the 10-year-old golden retriever is having eye troubles of his own.

"I've been worried sick about him," Henry told ABC's Nebraska affiliate KETV. "He's my team, my partner."

The dog arrived at veterinarian Dr. Mike Hord's office with a cloudy right eye and corneal ulcers in December. But after the ulcers healed four weeks later, the pressure in the eye had more than tripled, which may be a sign of a bigger problem called pigmentary uveitis, which is common among golden retrievers, Hord said.

Now, Henry and Kehotay are headed to a specialist to make sure the condition isn't more serious, and that Kehotay can keep his right eye.

"They have definitely grown into quite the pair," Hord said, adding that he's been treating Kehotay for the last seven years. "All you have to do is see them together and you can tell that."

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Meet Pickles, A 21-Pound, Three-Foot-Long Cat That Was Rescued And Adopted Last Year

Feast your eyes on Pickles, the cat. He's 21-pounds, three-foot-long, and was rescued, and adopted last year.

Nicknamed Catasaurus Rex, Pickles became an Internet sensation after the MSPCA of Boston posted an ad online, seeking a new home for the oversize animal. When Andrew Milicia and his girlfriend Emily Zarvos went to see the cat for themselves, they didn’t expect to fall in love. But that’s just what happened, and now they say he’s an irreplaceable member of their family. “He’s our son, we love him,” Zarvos says with a smile.

Though Pickles doesn’t play well with other cats, he loves cuddling with Zarvos, and taking up half of the family’s three-person couch. And, as you could have probably guessed, he has a large appetite. “He's kind of like a dog when it comes to food—he'll come in and sit right in front of you and just stare at you until the plate’s gone,” his owners shared. But, as Zarvos explained, they don’t mind these quirky habits; “I'm so happy we have him, he's the best pet you could hope for.”

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Rescuers Freed a Group of at Least 17 Manatees Stuck in a Mass Stranding in a Storm Drain

Satellite Beach, Florida - Rescuers freed a group of at least 17 manatees stuck in a mass stranding in a storm drain in Satellite Beach, Florida.

Crews from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, the Satellite Beach Fire Department and Police Department and city utilities worked to access into the culverts where the marine mammals were trapped, so a five-member team from SeaWorld could lift them out and release them back into the water, officials said.

With rain in the forecast, there was concern that the animals stuck in the drain could drown if the culvert were to fill with water.

Manatees, which are very curious, occasionally swim into storm drains, but because the culvert gradually narrows, some larger animals can get wedged and stuck, according to Ann Spellman, a marine biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Even if only one gets physically wedged in the pipe, any others following it can't get out, because they cannot swim backwards and don't have room to turn around.

After the mass stranding was discovered Monday, the city installed grates on the mouth of the culverts in the area to prevent any other manatees from swimming in.

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Are Men Walking Cute Dogs More Desirable to Women Than Flash Cars or Posh Clothes? What Do You Think?

A man who owns a cute dog is four times as attractive to women as one wearing designer clothes or driving a flash car, according to a new study.

One in five women (21 per cent) say a man who owns a cute dog is instantly more sexy.

Meanwhile, just one in 20 like men in designer clothes and six per cent fancy men with flashy cars.

Indeed, having a dog is even twice as appealing for women as having an impressive house (12 per cent) or a big salary (11 per cent).

The study, by notonthehighstreet.com , looked at both the biggest turn-ons for women and men away from simple physical attraction.

Half of men (48 per cent) look for a woman who makes them feel relaxed ahead of a girl who might make them laugh (34 per cent).

Meanwhile, four in ten men (39 per cent) admit compliments on their physical appearance are a way to their heart.

The survey of 2,000 Brits also found men are three times more likely to recognise when someone is flirting with them than women,

Renowned psychosexual therapist Cate Mackenzie compiled a list of top flirting techniques to see whether men and women agreed with her.

Half said maintaining eye contact was the most important thing to do when flirting, followed by paying someone a compliment (41 per cent) and teasing someone (32 per cent).

Of all the courtship rituals she drew up, on average men said they recognised and implemented 3.4 of them - compared to just 1.2 for women.

A spokeswoman for notonthehighstreet.com said: “It’s surprising UK men are the most enthusiastic about employing ‘old fashioned’ romantic techniques, something which they perhaps aren’t always given credit for.

“It’s nice to see that in the generation of online and app dating, there is still fondness for the traditional ways of wooing.”

The research coincides with the launch of Cate Mackenzie’s ‘The Art Of Flirting Workshop’ in Old Street, London, where men and women can work on their flirting techniques.

Cate, as a life and sex coach, has been running similar groups since 1993.

The spokeswoman added: “We created ‘The Art of Flirting Workshop’ to have a little bit of fun and to encourage people to have the confidence to flirt.

“The workshop is open to those who are in a relationship or single, while the tips and techniques can be transferred to any aspect of life.”

Below is a list of the top 10 flirting techniques, as agreed by men and women:

• Maintaining eye contact - 50 per cent
• Paying someone a compliment - 41 per cent
• Teasing someone - 32 per cent
• Looking at someone and then looking away - 20 per cent
• Asking someone for help - 17 per cent
• Complimenting someone only on their appearance - 17 per cent
• Buying them a drink - 16 per cent
• Chatting to someone about the place you are in (i.e. if you are in a supermarket, talking about vegetables and how to cook them) - 15 per cent
• Text them after meeting them - 14 per cent
• Be tactile with them - 14 per cent

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Cat Doesn't Recognize Dog After Grooming - Wants Nothing To Do With Him (Video)

This is a really cute video, guaranteed to make you say "awww" for the dog.

These two are furry house buddies. The dog comes home from the groomers, and the cat doesn't recognize him…he wants nothing to do with him!

The poor dog is trying so hard to be friends. It's like he's saying, "hey, it's me!" But the cat's not buying it!



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Pet Disaster Preparedness

Our pets enrich our lives in more ways than we can count. They are members of the family. In turn, they depend on us for their safety and wellbeing. The best way to ensure the safety of your entire family is to be prepared with a disaster plan. If you are a pet owner, that plan includes your pets. Being prepared can help save lives.
Emergency action plans for your family should include your animals

For information on disaster planning and emergency actions to take for livestock, horses, birds, reptiles or other small animals, such as gerbils or hamsters, please visit the Humane Society of the United States www.HSUS.org or Ready.gov.

Learn First Aid for Your Pets

Just like any other family member, pets deserve to be cared for and protected. That’s why the American Red Cross has developed Dog First Aid and Cat First Aid, comprehensive guides to help keep pets healthy and safe. From basic responsibilities, like spaying/neutering and giving medications, to managing cardiac emergencies and preparing for disasters, these guides offer information pet owners can trust.

Check out the Red Cross Store for pet first aid products or take a Pet First Aid class.

Create a pet disaster plan in case of an evacuation

If it is not safe for you to stay, it is not safe for them either.

• Know which hotels and motels along your evacuation route will accept you and your pets in an emergency. Call ahead for reservations if you know you may need to evacuate. Ask if no pet policies could be waived in an emergency
• Most American Red Cross shelters cannot accept pets because of health and safety concerns and other considerations. Service animals that assist people with disabilities are allowed in Red Cross shelters.
• Know which friends, relatives, boarding facilities, animal shelters or veterinarians can care for your animals in an emergency. Prepare a list with phone numbers.
• Although your animals may be more comfortable together, be prepared to house them separately.
• Include your pets in evacuation drills so that they become used to entering and traveling in their carriers calmly.
• Make sure that your pet’s vaccinations are current and that all dogs and cats are wearing collars with securely fastened, up-to-date identification. Many pet shelters require proof of current vaccinations to reduce the spread of disease.
• Consider having your pet “microchipped” by your veterinarian.

Assemble a portable kit with emergency supplies for your pets

Keep items in an accessible place and store them in sturdy containers so that they can be carried easily.

Your kit should include:

• Sturdy leashes, harnesses and/or carriers to transport pets safely and ensure that they can’t escape.
• Food, drinking water, bowls, cat litter/pan and a manual can opener.
• Medications and copies of medical records stored in a waterproof container.
• A first aid kit.
• Current photos of you with your pet(s) in case they get lost. Since many pets look alike, this will help to eliminate mistaken identity and confusion.
• Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to foster or board your pets.
• Pet beds and toys, if easily transportable.

Know what to do as the disaster approaches

• Often, warnings are issued hours, even days, in advance. At the first hint of disaster, act to protect your pet.
• Call ahead to confirm emergency shelter arrangements for you and your pets.
• Ensure that all pets are wearing collars with securely fastened, up-to-date identification.
• Check that your pet disaster supplies are ready to take at a moment's notice.
• Bring pets inside so you won’t have to search for them if you need to leave quickly.

Helping Pets Recover after a Disaster

Your pet’s behavior may change dramatically after a disaster, becoming aggressive or defensive. Be aware of their well being and protect them from hazards to ensure the safety of other people and animals.

• Watch your animals closely and keep them under your direct control as fences and gates may have been damaged.
• Pets may become disoriented, particularly if the disaster has affected scent markers that normally allow them to find their home.
• Be aware of hazards at nose and paw or hoof level, particularly debris, spilled chemicals, fertilizers and other substances that might not seem to be dangerous to humans.
• Consult your veterinarian if any behavior problems persist.

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Would You Consider Using Holistic Natural Remedies On Your Pet?

Holistic health and natural remedies are things we commonly turn to when we don’t want to (or can’t) go to the doctor, and more people are relying on them for their furry family members now, too.

Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on costly prescription medications for your dog or cat, you can rely on natural remedies for some of the most common pet ailments. There are many things that can help ease your pets’ discomfort from pet food to people food and healthy treats to tinctures. Whether it’s fleas, dry skin, minor abrasions, upper respiratory infections, Fluffy’s hairballs or plain old stress, here are some tried and true natural remedies for your fur baby’s problems.

No More Fleas, Please!
When the fleas are biting and Sparky is scratching, get rid of those pesky pests by rubbing him down in citrus juice. Lemon, lime or orange rinds work great, so make the most of your fruit and have a nice tall glass of lemonade while you relax in the shade with your flea-free friend. Prefer essential oils? No problem! Rosemary, peppermint, and pennyroyal are great for itching associated with fleas. As a preventative, add a mixture of brewer’s yeast and a bit of garlic to your dog’s dry food. Fleas hate it! (Do NOT give garlic to your kitty though.)

Soothe Skin
Does your fur baby have irritated, itchy skin? It’s tea time! Just make chamomile tea as you normally would, pour it into a spray bottle, and store it in the fridge. The next time you see your cat or dog scratching, spray the cool brew directly onto his skin for immediate results. For even better results, add some vitamin E to the mixture! If your favorite little fur ball just can’t get relief, try an oatmeal paste using

If your favorite little fur ball just can’t get relief, try an oatmeal paste using oatmeal and water. Mix it up and apply directly to the affected area for 10 minutes to relieve Rover quickly. For cats, invest in a humidifier and switch to grain-free wet food, as dry kibble can actually cause dry skin.

Scrapes and Scratches
Accidents happen. Whether it’s a territorial scuff or playing too rough, toenails can cause all kinds of cuts, scrapes and scratches. The best thing to do for your dog or cat is to make sure the affected area is clean and free of dirty fur. You can use a simple saline solution for this. Either squirt some of your favorite contact lens cleaner directly onto the wound or mix up your own. This will wash away debris and encourage healing. Keep an eye on the wound for infection and take your furry friend to the vet if you see inflammation or pus.

From Meow to Achoo!
If your kitty is prone to upper respiratory infections and tends to have bouts with sneezing, runny eyes or any symptoms associated with feline herpes, they might respond well to L-lysine therapy. While this is a lifelong disease, the symptoms can be treated by just adding some lysine to her food. Because it’s a vitamin given in small doses, it won’t hurt your other cats if they all share food.

Hairballs Be Gone
Coconut oil is an amazing cure-all for humans and it can help with getting rid of Fluffy’s hairballs. While shaving your cat is technically an option, it might cause unnecessary tension between you and your favorite feline (We’re also joking here). Try the coconut oil first. Just half a teaspoon per day for a week should do the trick! Canned pumpkin can help, too, as well as olive oil.

Serenity Now!
Is your pet stressed? Whether it’s stress from a recent move, travel, storm or illness, there are some great ways to calm her down. Like humans, dogs have been known to respond well to lavender, chamomile and valerian. Just put a few drops on a clean rag and leave it just out of reach from your pooch, letting her bask in the relaxing scent. Try spearmint or cardamom oil to help with car sickness.

Happy, Healthy Pets 
Now that you are armed with information and resources, you can help your pets (and your wallet) by easing their ailments from the comfort of your own home — and without any unnecessary chemicals. Not only does that create less stress for you, but Fluffy and Sparky will appreciate it as well!

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A Stray Cat Taken To An Animal Shelter, Escapes And Returns To The Family Who Found Him…And Get's His Forever Home

Mr. Fancy, a stray tabby, was taken to animal shelter after a kind family cared for him for a month. However, he was determined to get back to them. Sometimes animals can just sense a good person. That was the case with Mr. Fancy. The long-haired tabby showed up in the yard of the Bosche family in Lucedale, Miss. early last year.

Anne Bosche said the family dog originally spotted him. She put out some food for him, which he accepted even though he seemed skittish. After the initial meeting, Mr. Fancy came back to the house each night for a month. He was wary at first but was waiting on the porch each day after about a week.

Eventually, the family made the decision to take him to a local animal shelter.

Mrs.  Bosche said she felt uncertain about taking the cat to the shelter. She said "I cried the five miles back to my house." Apparently she had good reason to. According to the shelter, he escaped 20 minutes after he arrived.

It took a month of navigating busy streets, but Mr. Fancy finally made it back to the family that had been so kind to him.

One morning Mrs. Bosche heard her husband talking to someone in the kitchen.

Confused, she walked in to see who it was. To her surprise it was Mr. Fancy. He ran up to her, meowing the whole way, when she entered the room. Mrs. Bosche refused to let him go again, and now Mr. Fancy has a permanent home.

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It Will Soon Be a Crime to Pierce or Tattoo Your Companion Animal Anywhere in the State of New York

It will soon be a crime to pierce or tattoo your companion animal anywhere in the state of New York.

“It’s simply cruel,” said Assembly member Linda Rosenthal. The Manhattan Democrat sponsored the legislation. While people can choose the pain of tattoos or piercings to satisfy their own “aesthetic predilections,” companion animals don’t have that luxury, she said.

On Monday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the law that takes effect in 120 days.

The only exception is for markings done under a veterinarian’s supervision for a medical reason or identification.

Rosenthal said that’s intended, for example, for pets like her cat, which was spayed by a vet and given a little green mark to indicate that.

When done specifically for identification, the law says tattoos should include only numbers and letters allotted for a tattoo identification registry.

The law also doesn’t apply to ear tags on rabbits and guinea pigs.

Penalties for violations range up to 15 days in jail, and fines up to $250.

“This is animal abuse, pure and simple,” Cuomo said.

Similar legislation was introduced this past summer in New Jersey.

Lauren Schuster, Rosenthal’s chief of staff, said she believes Pennsylvania was first to enact this kind of legislation and the only other state so far. That followed the 2011 case of a woman who was piercing kittens and selling them on the Internet as “gothic.”

Rosenthal’s bill was introduced soon after that, Schuster said.

She said support grew this year after a Brooklyn tattoo artist posted a photograph of his tattooed dog online, saying he did it after the dog had surgery and was still under anesthesia.

Teresa Chagrin, animal care and control specialist for PETA, said tattooing and piercing animals causes them pain and violates existing laws against animal cruelty in all 50 states. She said she wasn’t immediately aware of others that clarified their laws like New York did.


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Does Your Dog Really Remember The Hug You Just Gave Them?

When it comes to short-term memory, animals have very short ones indeed. A new meta-analysis examined more than 90 memory experiments carried out on 25 species encompassing birds, mammals, and bees.

Researchers at Stockholm University and Brooklyn College found that for dogs, events are forgotten after about two minutes—and that's on the long end of the spectrum. The average memory duration for all animals studied is 27 seconds, with chimps' memory as short as 20 seconds; that's a length of time that rats beat, reports National Geographic. Humans subjected to similar studies have had no problem remembering a sample stimulus they had seen as many as two days prior. In fact, based on these findings, "we think humans' ability to remember arbitrary events is unique," one researcher says.

Animals' memories can be broken into two categories—short-term and longer-term "specialized" memories, reports the University of Stockholm. And while animals can have excellent specialized memories (think birds remembering the exact locations of previous nests), memories of specific events tend to disappear in a span "ranging from a few seconds to several minutes," per the researchers' findings, published in December in Behavioural Processes.

That said, one researcher not involved in the study pointed out that some animals have shown the ability to capture episodic memories the way humans can—great apes have been shown to do so for days, if not years—while another cautioned that "it might be too early to argue that humans are the only ones who are able to mentally travel back and forward in time." (Dolphins, meanwhile, can recall whistles 20 years later.)


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Dog Found in Animal Trap, Recovering Well - Needs Foster Home

 Chuck is a two-year-old Staffordshire terrier, and is from the Grand Rapids, Michigan area.  He was found outdoors by a family, with an animal trap clamped down on his left front leg.  The family that found him called the Kent County Animal Control, and with the assistance of Kelley’s Animal Clinic, medical staff were able to save his damaged leg.

Upon Chuck’s arrival, things didn’t look very good for the poor guy.  With the animal trap tightly clamped down, it was thought that they may have to amputate it.  However, using many medical disciplines, Chuck is still on all fours.

About a month into the recovery process now, Chuck is starting to undergo things like cold laser therapy, and water-assisted therapy.  The staff at Kelley’s are expecting that Chuck will make a full recovery, despite the terrible results that usually follow when a dog wanders across of one these cruel and inhumane traps.

According to Douglas Reeves, assistant chief of the Wildlife Division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said that legal and experienced trappers usually pose little to no threat to the pets in this area.  He’s said that any and all traps are legally supposed to be clearly and plainly marked.  They’re required to have the name and address of the owner of the trap, or a valid driver’s license number attached to it as well.  There are also specific times of the year when it is and is not legal to set traps.

Anyone in the area trapping should have known there are rules, and also should know that failure to follow the regulations surrounding the practice carry a misdemeanor charge and very hefty fines.  When asked by reporters how often things like unidentified traps being found actually happens, all he could say was it was an exceedingly rare occurrence.

“I can think of three times I’ve heard of similar situations in my 25 years with the department”, Reeves said.

Website: Kent County Animal Control

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Did You Know That It's Illegal to Keep Hedgehogs As Pets In Some States?

These quilly animals require less maintenance than cats and dogs. They're not smelly. They're hypoallergenic. And objectively, they're really, really cute.

Yet African pygmy hedgehogs—the species most commonly sought-after by pet owners—are illegal to keep as pets in Arizona, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C. and the five boroughs of New York City. That's because, while hedgehogs may look cuddly and unassuming indoors, the animals can wreak havoc on local ecosystems if they get out, experts say.

State fish and wildlife officials say the 17 different known species of hedgehog can disrupt native communities if they are released into the wild. A budding population of hedgehogs would compete for food and habitat with species naturally found in those areas. Other exotic pets, such as sugar gliders and Quaker parakeets, are banned in some states for the same reason.

Some hedgehog species can also carry foot-and-mouth disease, a highly contagious virus that affects cloven-hoofed animals, such as cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. The most devastating outbreak of the disease in the U.S. came in 1914, when more than 170,000 farm animals became infected. There hasn't been an outbreak since 1929, and government officials want to keep it that way.



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