Dog in car

This delighted me to no end.

Pit bull love

A lovely video that debunks 'all pit bulls are bad.'

Michael Vick's dog now doing therapy

Dogs are so good for the soul. And snaps to people who help dogs find the perfect jobs!





Thank you, thank you, thank you to these great people!

Dogs of 9/11

Dogs -- unconditional love in action.

Cute=happy

Who can't use a bit of day-brightening cuteness? And what's cuter than a hedgehog eating a carrot or a puppy and a duckling palling around? (Thanks to NTEN for the links!)




Duckling And Puppy - The best bloopers are a click away

Sometimes the pet videos are really good

This is just the sweetest. The dog reminds me sooo much of Pele. I couldn't resist.

Errant Dog

Great song by Ben Folds, "Errant Dog." Some of the material may offend sensitive ears. If you are such an individual, or if you are in a cube, give it a pass.

Dog wisdom

Today's Note from the Universe. This one is especially lovely!

Do you know why dogs are so quick to wag their tails and cats are so quick to purr? Even the ones that have been lonely, abused, and betrayed?

Because, as is true of all animals, they were instilled with the distant awareness that no matter what the world shows them, they're still deeply loved and needed, that their presence alone has made a difference, and that in just the shake of a leg, seemingly without reason or rhyme, everything can FANTASTICALLY change for the better.

As is true of all people, except sometimes they tend to forget.

Purrfectly,
The Universe

Oh yeah, they also instinctively believe in miracles.

"One to count on"

Friday's Pioneer Press had a great editorial about the Obama's dog, Bo, "One to count on." According to the writer there's been a lot of skuttlebutt (I love that word) about how Bo isn't a rescue dog. There are so many dogs in shelters waiting for homes. Never mind that Malia Obama has allergies that dramatically narrowed the possibilities.

The writer poo-poos the critics and focuses on Bo's role in the family.

His job is to provide unpredictable doggie high jinks for the first family, to put up with whatever silly hats Malia and Sasha try to get him to wear, and to be ready, 24-7, to present a loving, at times slobbering dog face to whichever Obama should need it at that moment.

It's fun to see the family playing with Bo on the lawn. And it's comforting to know that the president and his family have this source of unconditional love and laughter during these particularly trying times.

How did he get in the tree?

From the TODAY show, video about a puppy who got stuck in a tree.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

And another treat for a cloudy day: Father Guido Sarducci on the Five-Minute University. Oh how I love Fr. Sarducci!

Laika

Another beautiful ditty from Rather Good, the creator of the Fearsome Stomping Kittens and Looking for My Leopard.

In honor of Laika, the first dog in space.

Elephant pal

This is a beautiful story. One day I'd like to have an animal sanctuary. All sorts of dogs that don't have homes. Mostly Pit Bulls, probably. It will be great.


Watch CBS Videos Online

Have a pet, & you'll understand

From the essay, "The Sacred Cow," in Augusten Burroughs' Possible Side Effects. Bentley and The Cow are his French Bulldogs. Dennis is his partner.

Sometimes, I sit here and watch The Cow. I watch Bentley. Dennis is in the other room or he is at the store or in the yard. And I sit alone with my sleeping small animals and I think, I couldn't have kids because it would kill me. These two, they nearly kill me. More precious to me than anything. Children would be worse. Intolerable, that love would be. Already is. Nearly.

I know how the feels.

Pele!

Who's that sweet boy? Pele! He came to live with us about a month ago. He is the happiest dog I've ever met. His tail wags pretty much constantly.

Pele is a rescue. He was picked up by animal control and no one came to claim him. After five days, unclaimed dogs, and other animals, are euthanized. Rescued Pets Are Wonderful gets adoptable animals from animal control after the claiming period is up. They put them into foster homes and then try to find 'forever homes' for them (see Pele's pre-adoption photo below).

We think he's part Chihuahua and Jack Russell and about a year old. We are having some housebreaking and separation anxiety issues but it will all shake out. Sophie and Pele push each other's buttons, play fight and mad chase through the house. I don't that she'd admit it, but I think Sophie's glad, now, that he's here.

Toothpaste and pugs

I love the cartoon Toothpaste for Dinner.


toothpastefordinner.com

The artist also does videos! Here's "Roller Chester 2: Politics With Charles." So very strange and delightful!


"Pugs and Donuts" is also lovely!

Cafe culture goes canine

This is an old story but I love it!

MEXICO CITY, Nov 17 (Reuters Life!) - Patrons smoke and gossip into the night. Some sip cafe latte from sleek china cups. Others pant and drool and lick the floor.

All are valued customers at Mexico City's Bow-Wow Deli.

The tiny corner cafe in an up-and-coming residential neighborhood caters lovingly to dogs, although people are welcome, too.

Inspired by similar establishments in Japan, it may be the surest sign yet that this developing nation of more than 100 million people -- and countless dogs -- has one leg planted squarely in the First World.

Those sweet Mutts

This one made me a bit teary.

Sights on a walk

Sophie and I were out for a stroll today. Two items of note. One of my neighbors was out waxing his car. We nicknamed him Waylon because he looks like Waylon Jennings. I have no idea what his real name is. Whilst waxing the car a song by Pat Benetar was blaring out of his garage. One of those where she is belting out an anthem of some sort. It was like a nasty '80s flashback. Luckily he was still wearing a shirt. When it reaches about 65 degrees (about 18C) he removes his shirt. It does not go back on -- when he's outside at home anyway -- until fall. You know it is fall when Waylon puts on a shirt again.

In front of another house a puppy started loping toward us. The homeowner, sans shirt, was calling to the dog to keep her from running in the street. "Stella! Stella!"

Notice to dogs and cats

I just received this from my cousin. It's an oldie but a goodie.

To be posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door - nose height.

Dear Dogs and Cats,

The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate of food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that esthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, and try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years --canine or feline attendance is not mandatory.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's rear.
I cannot stress this enough!

Krewe of Barkus

The Mardi Gras dog parade, Krewe of Barkus, was Feb. 11. I would love to have seen it! This year's theme was "A Street Dog Named Desire." The poster, by the very talented Matt Rinard, is at right (previous post). I think I need to order a print.