http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/doggieping/ en-us Wed, 30 Dec 2009 04:05:27 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2417412/posts Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. And species. The newest hero came in the form of a dog named Milkyway. The small dog heard her owner faint in the bathroom at their home in Rushford last week and sprang into action. The dog got the attention of Priscilla Elit's sister for help. "She came to my bedroom door and she was just scratching wildly at the door for me to come open it," Elit's sister said. "And when I did, then I heard my sister and she was on the floor in the bathroom." Elit had suffered a stroke... WCCO.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2417412/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 04:05:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413821/posts Taking the dog for a walk to the store would seem like a more environmentally-friendly option than piling into the SUV. Not so, say two New Zealand scientists whose new book claims pets have a carbon footprint that is about twice the size of the gas guzzling vehicles that have long been a bane of environmentalism. In "Time to Eat the Dog, the Real Guide to Sustainable Living," Robert and Brenda Vale charge that a medium-size dog has a footprint of 2.1 acres compared with slightly more than one acre for a standard sport utility vehicle. The New Scientist Web... ABC News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413821/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:58:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409550/posts MONTPELIER, Vt. -- Vermont's highest court is being asked to decide what a dog's love is worth. The state Supreme Court on Thursday was to hear a case that began in July 2003, when Denis and Sarah Scheele, who were visiting relatives, let their mixed-breed dog wander into Lewis Dustin's yard and he fatally shot it. Now the Scheeles are asking the court to carve out a new legal doctrine that a dog's owners can sue for emotional distress and loss of companionship, just like parents can when they lose children. "We're still working toward having the courts recognizing the... AP via theindychannel.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409550/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:06:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2407337/posts The New Scientist is resorting to science to try to find the truth about cats and dogs. Using a wealth of recent research to measure pets in 11 categories, the magazine has come to the reluctant conclusion that dogs are better pets than cats, by a whisker. The four-legged tug of war was tied going into the last category: utility. A British Journal of Health Psychology study that heralded dog walking as good exercise and a good excuse for social contact put dogs over the top. Here's a breakdown of the categories and the rationale: 1. Brains. Cats are smarter,... thestar. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2407337/posts#comment Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:10:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2384762/posts A lot of talk about dangerous dogs has some concerned about pit bulls in particular. One member of the embattled breed, a pit bull mix, more specifically, has become a loved part of a loving family.The pit bull is not recognized by the American Kennel Club as an official breed. A pit bull can be a combination of the American bull terrier, a stafishord terrier, a bull terrier or even a bulldog.They have become very popular, but also very controversial. These dogs have a bite notorious for its power and grip, and are reported in bite incidents over 30 percent... News 8 Austin http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2384762/posts#comment Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:43:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2399851/posts http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2399851/posts#comment Fri, 4 Dec 2009 02:03:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2398543/posts A family that planned to spend winter in a woodstove-heated wall tent ...near Talkeetna with a dozen dogs gave up over the weekend, a few days after the mother was evacuated with severely frostbitten hands. The father and a teenager walked 7 miles out to civilization on Saturday, the son also suffering from frostbite. Then, authorities had to mount another difficult operation to rescue a dozen dogs ... adn http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2398543/posts#comment Wed, 2 Dec 2009 17:23:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2392800/posts A VICTORIAN man was almost drowned by a kangaroo after he dived into his farm dam to save his pet dog. Chris Rickard, 49, of Arthurs Creek, is being assessed by Austin Hospital surgeons after being mauled by the 1.5m roo at 9am (AEDT). He only managed to end the attack when he elbowed the kangaroo in the throat as it tried to hold him under water, The Herald Sun reported. By then he had already suffered a deep gash across his abdomen as the kangaroo tried to disembowel him with its hind legs, as well as a deep gash... news http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2392800/posts#comment Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:46:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2390755/posts ATHENS -- To the Bulldog Nation, the Uga mascot is royalty, the lineage anointed to represent the University of Georgia. But to the Seiler family, the English bulldogs are family pets. That is sadly evident at times such as these. In only his second season as Georgia's mascot, Uga VII has passed away. Uga VII passed away suddenly Thursday morning at his home in Savannah. At 4 years old, he was practically a pup and had served as Georgia's mascot for not even two full football seasons when he unexpectedly succumbed to heart problems. Atlanta Journal-Constitution http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2390755/posts#comment Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:54:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2390335/posts Police in the Lithuanian town of Kaunas arrested 22-year-old Svajunas Beniukas on animal cruelty charges after internet users helped police identify him and the bridge from which the small brown dog was thrown. The video shows a man holding the dog, called Pipiras, Lithuanian for pepper, and laughing as his friend records the event on his mobile phone. Checking that the coast is clear, he makes a joke about dogs flying and then drops the animal off the bridge. Crashing onto a farm track below, Pipiras yelps in pain, and lies twitching on the ground. But despite falling over 20... telegraph http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2390335/posts#comment Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:50:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2389281/posts Since being crowned "World's Tallest Dog," on Thursday by Guinness World Records, Titan, a 4 year-old Great Dane, has appeared on the Today Show and The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien. "It's been awesome," the dog's owner, Diana Taylor, tells Pet News Examiner. "I've been amazed at the response he's gotten from people." His website, Titan & Friends, received so many hits that it exceeded the bandwidth and was temporarily shut down. Taylor hopes to use Titan's newfound fame to help the public learn more about Great Danes and especially those that are all white. "Unscrupulous breeders will sell these... http://www.examiner.com/x-1028-Pet-News-Examiner~y2009m11d15-Will-Titan-retain-title-of-Worlds-Talle http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2389281/posts#comment Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:35:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2386643/posts A sweet-tempered, mixed-breed mutt has become the surrogate mom for nine newborn African painted dog pups at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium whose real mother died shortly after they were born. Honey, a black-and-white female dog from the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society's North Side shelter, gave birth six weeks ago to her own litter of six pups and was brought in last week to nurse the black-and-white painted dog puppies that were born at the zoo on Oct. 25. It's the first time a domestic surrogate has been used to mother and feed newborn wild painted dogs, which are... Pittsburgh Post-Gazette http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2386643/posts#comment Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:08:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2385735/posts Soldier returns home, his dog goes crazy, and sounds like it starts to cry. live leak http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2385735/posts#comment Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:24:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2384924/posts For some people, hybrid wolf dogs are pets. For others, they're predators. Gary Schukantz said he last saw his three small dogs in his backyard ... "I didn't see any of my dogs, and I heard a yelp," . Schukantz said a hybrid wolf-dog came out of the woods and took off with his beloved pets. Shortly after the wolf ran off, Schukantz came across his youngest pet, a tiny Yorkshire terrier ..."We found his body and got him back," . Schukantz would have tried going after his pets, he said, but the wolf-dog turned on him and backed him... komo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2384924/posts#comment Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:38:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2384786/posts A sniffer dog lost in battle in Afghanistan 14 months ago has turned up safe and well and rejoined its Australian unit. Defence officials said Sabi the dog was recovered by a US soldier at an isolated patrol base. The black labrador bitch was with a joint Australian-Afghan patrol that was ambushed in Uruzgan province in September 2008. Nine Australian soldiers, including Sabi's trainer, were wounded in the exchange. After the battle there was no sign of the dog, and months of searching failed to find her. Sabi was officially declared Missing In Action. bbc http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2384786/posts#comment Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:15:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2384331/posts AN Australian Army bomb dog survived almost 14 months in the Afghan desert after being declared missing in action during a bloody battle with the Taliban. Sabi, a bomb detection dog, was reported MIA after she fled from the same battle in which SAS Trooper Mark Donaldson won his Victoria Cross for risking his life to save an Afghan interpreter in September last year. Nine soldiers, including Sabi's handler, were wounded in the ferocious firefight that ensured after the Australian, US and Afghan army convoy was ambushed by the enemy. The black labrador fled from the chaos and was feared... Adelaide Advertiser http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2384331/posts#comment Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:43:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2384013/posts nationalgeographic http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2384013/posts#comment Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:12:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2381244/posts The clutch of walkers in San Pedro stood and gawked with disbelief. They watched as a man got out of his car, played for a bit with his beautiful, muscular pit bull, and then got back in the vehicle and drove off – without his dog. A suddenly slap-happy canine – left behind by his despicable owner – discovered a new found joy in his freedom as a rover. For a few moments in his life, there was no leash, no owner, no Alpha boss -- and a Los Angeles park right beneath his paws to explore. The jolly canine... citywatchla http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2381244/posts#comment Sun, 8 Nov 2009 02:30:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2380379/posts By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor WASHINGTON (Reuters) - People who think they may have H1N1 flu need to stay away from work, avoid sneezing on their spouses and children and now, they have someone else to worry about infecting too -- their pets... Reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2380379/posts#comment Fri, 6 Nov 2009 22:35:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2380222/posts The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is issuing this health alert to warn consumers not to use Pig Ears and Beef Hooves pet treats manufactured by Pet Carousel because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The products were distributed nationwide in both bulk and retail packaging for sale in pet food and retail chain stores. Pet Carousel is based in Sanger, Calif. The products were manufactured under conditions that facilitate cross-contamination within batches or lots. Although no illnesses associated with these products have been reported, the FDA is advising consumers in possession of these products to not handle or... baltimoresun http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2380222/posts#comment Fri, 6 Nov 2009 19:31:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2376751/posts But I have a problem with pit bulls. And it has more to do with the two-legged creatures holding their leashes (if there is a leash).Because of their sheer numbers—estimates show that there are anywhere from 5 million to 10 million pit-bull-type dogs in the U.S. today, out of about 61 million total dogs—pits have become the dog du jour for a lot of people, not just gangbangers and wannabe thugs who use a pit as proxy for toughness. About 20 percent of dogs in ASPCA shelters are pit mixes. I've seen those who adopt these dogs for all the... Newsweek http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2376751/posts#comment Mon, 2 Nov 2009 19:19:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2372123/posts Otto Jones, a Dachshund terrier cross from Shropshire, may be the oldest dog in the world at 20 years and eight month - but he still knows how to play. He has been recognised as the oldest living dog by Guinness World Records and, despite his age, still enjoys playing ball with neighbours' children. His owners Lynn and Peter Jones, from Shrewsbury, said he was a "loveable, affectionate rogue". bbc. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2372123/posts#comment Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:40:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2369675/posts HALIFAX, Nova Scotia,- An Internet campaign has been started to help a 75-year-old Canadian man burned out of his home to get his dog back from a foster home. Earl Shadbolt lost his house in Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia, to a fire in April, and the apartment he took while repairs were made wouldn't allow him to keep his terrier-mix dog Willie, The (Halifax) Chronicle-Herald reported Friday. Shadbolt made arrangements with fellow church member Laura Naugler to board the dog until he could move back in, but things turned nasty in August when he moved back home and asked for... upi http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2369675/posts#comment Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:56:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2368770/posts There's no doubt about the love we have for our dogs and cats. But, when push comes to shove, just how far would you go if your best friend was in a health crisis? Let's get to the point. Your pet is injured and needs lifesaving air.Question is, could you bring yourself to put your mouth to his snout? 58-percent of people surveyed by the Associated Press and Petside.com would be at least SOMEWHAT likely to perform CPR on their animal in a medical emergency. The survey showed women were more likely to deliver those rescue breaths than the men.... nbcwashington http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2368770/posts#comment Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:05:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2367258/posts What are some things you have learned that are harmful to pets that most people don't know? I'll start: 1) Fleas can cause anemia and can be fatal to very young and very old animals, and possibly other animals in general good health. Fleas not only suck blood but can cause a breakdown in red blood cells, which supply oxygen to the body. 2) A broken toenail can be very serious, requiring immediate veterinary attention to prevent infection and other complications. What may look like simple toenail breakage could be a break that exposes the bone. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2367258/posts#comment Wed, 21 Oct 2009 06:23:35 GMT