Free Republic

(Reuters) - On the congested streets of Indonesia's capital, chained monkeys are a surreal sideshow. Some ride tiny bicycles wearing baby doll masks or shake people's hands for small change. Not for much longer. Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo has banned all such entertainment, reinforcing his image as a can-do politician cleaning up one of Asia's most frenetic cities ahead of presidential elections next year in which voters expect him to run. Widodo has criticized the shows as animal abuse and an unwelcome distraction for motorists who slow their cars to gawk at macaques outfitted in skirts, cowboy hats or plastic...

[Scooter gives us so many laughs and keeps us cheered as we watch this detestable Obama administration commit crime after crime. Now, Scooter and his wife are grieving for their beloved doggies. Please pray for their comfort in this heartbreaking time. See below for his post. ~Gina] The best little friends and companions anyone could ever wish for. Leilani (Cocker/Poodle) passed several months ago just two weeks shy of her 17th birthday. Later today we will be taking Sophie (Cocker) to the vet to be put down at almost exactly the same age. She quit eating when Leilani left, and...

He was certainly a gentle giant. Giant George, the Guinness World Record holder of “World’s Biggest Dog,” died last week, one month before his eighth birthday. Not only the world's biggest but also the world’s tallest dog, at 43 inches from foot to shoulder and standing at 7 feet 3 inches on his hind legs, George passed away at his Tuscon, Ariz., home, where he lived with his owner, Dave Nasser.

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(Reuters) - Relatives offered words of comfort to a teary-eyed woman paying her last respects as an undertaker slammed shut the door of the cremation chamber and flames engulfed the small coffin of a cherished family member. The hastily arranged prayers, cremation and scattering of ashes in Vietnam's capital was for Capi, a 13-year-old dog that died that day after a battle with diabetes. Capi's owner had called Bao Sinh Dog-Cat Resort, a one-stop shop with services rivalling anything on offer to humans. "I'm so glad this place exists. Otherwise I wouldn't know what to do with Capi's body," said...

Rope gives Houdini a run for his money

I tried googling for some answers, but I think my question is too vague. I am the proud new dog owner of an adorable five-year-old female dachshund mix. I've worked with dogs for the last eight years in a medical setting, but have never had one of my own. Can I (or more to the point is it advisable to) bring my Lady with me on election day when I hand out sample ballots for my precinct? What kind of political activities are dog-friendly, and which should be avoided? Also, any recommendations for colorful doggie t-shirt/sweaters? Six in the morning...

Presentation of Beau (formerly Quaid) to Sgt. Brandon Tennery by Rebuilding Warriors. Quaid came to Rebuilding Warriors courtesy of German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County. Here is his profile: http://www.gsroc.org/2013/detail.gsr?id=2756

APPLE VALLEY • Town animal control officers seized 26 dogs while removing three dead dogs and dozens of dog crates Wednesday afternoon from an animal rescue organization located in an Apple Valley home, according to a town news release. Acting on a complaint to the Apple Valley Animal Services Department, authorities cited the owner on suspicion of cruelty to animals, exceeding animal limitations and disposition of dead animals

A few questions: Is there any doubt that the Federal Government is way too powerful? Is Jimmy Carter the second worst U.S. President? Is the National Park Service only following orders? Does a bear sit in the woods?

MELBOURNE: Malaysian drug mules are using the Australian Secrecy Act to prevent authorities from informing the Malaysian High Commission in Canberra, when they are arrested at airports, charged and sent to jail. “We are aware that many Malaysians are caught bringing illegal drugs to this country, but they can ask the authorities not to inform us because they don’t want their relatives and friends back home to know they are in trouble,” acting High Commissioner Eldeen Husaini Mohd Hashim told Bernama in a recent interview. “Even in court, they can ask their names to be suppressed, saying publication of their...

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - A retired police dog rescued from an animal shelter has found a new home. Last month, FOX 5 first reported on the story of former Greensboro, Ga. Police Department K-9 Dino. After the K-9 retired, his handler turned him over to a neighbor, who later left the German Shepherd at an animal shelter. Carla Brown and the Canine Pet Rescue group stepped in and got Dino out of the shelter.

Where's Sweet Pea? After 30 years - the Arizona Ash tree in the front yard had to come down. No more hours spent IN the tree. Might as well be where the tree WAS.

Dogs owned by Oakland Raiders’ cornerback Taiwan Jones attacked and killed a Chihuahua owned by one of his neighbors in Brentwood, California. Police are still investigating, but by the sounds of the report from the San Jose Mercury News, Jones fully accepts responsibility for the attack – and feels awful about it. “It was a tragic accident and he feels terrible about it,” Doug Hendrickson, Taiwan Jones’ agent, said. “It’s never happened before. He’s sick over this, no question.” The attack happened on Monday night while the neighbor, Olivia Paredes was out walking her Chihuahua when Jones’ two pit bull...

The US-based Barbadian R&B singer arrived in Phuket last week and has posted several photos on her Instagram account, including ones with the endangered loris and elephants at an unidentified location. Local...

There are characteristics of dogs that particularly ruthless politicians might be happy to possess. Energetic, loyal, aggressive and deadly are just a few comparisons that might flatter a country's leader. But Russian President Vladimir Putin will probably be less than happy when he discovers that one internet user has spotted an eerie resemblance between him and this dog

Take a break and enjoy a moment with some of the Creator's smaller creatures.

Customers of Walmart.com, Sears.com and Amazon.com have taken up social media arms today over an item sold by third-party resellers on each of the three respective sites, resulting in the “Dead Dog Prop” vanishing quickly from listings. The product description reads: “Foam filled latex prop of a skinned dog with a large tire track squished through its mid torso. Chain attached for dragging purposes. You have seen bloody road kill, this is bloody road kill.” As of this writing, the three companies above each had a number of customer complaints on their Facebook pages as well as expressions of outrage...

Today Andrea Neyes, an animal welfare advocate, found herself detained and searched by first two and then three San Bernardino police officers. What heinous crime did she commit to warrant the dispatch of three police officers in a crime-ridden city facing bankruptcy? She stands accused of giving treats to the dogs housed in the city’s animal shelter. To be more specific, Neyes was forced to state on videotape, “I will follow Debi Shuker’s rules” and sign a citation, agreeing to appear in November for violation of San Bernardino Municipal Code section 9.12.010, Interfering with City Business. Shuker is the shelter’s...

Russia's President Vladimir Putin proved he is equally happy befriending animals as he is hunting them when he shook hands with a walrus on Sunday. Putin was visiting an aquarium on Russky Island near the eastern city of Vladivostok when he was introduced to the giant sea creature. The president even broke his famously-steely demeanour to laugh as the walrus covered its eyes with its flippers in mock surprise and then gobbled down a fish.