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Could You Care For Chacoan Peccary Babies?

PetSugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:00:12 -0700

Just like that cute vicuña, I had no clue what creature to expect when I opened these images of endangered Chacoan Peccaries. Turns out the pig-like animals feature similar snouts, but belong to a different taxonomic group, than "true pigs."Native to Bolivia, Argentina, and Paraguay, the animal was thought to be extinct until 1972 when the species was discovered to still exist in the Chaco region of Paraguay.

There are only 11 zoos in the US exhibiting these creatures – including the Los Angeles Zoo where four new babes live. Have you ever seen one? I sure haven't but in the spirit of the season, peek at the photo of a peccary piglet picking at pumpkin (phew!) when you read more.

Photo Credit: Jamie Pham

In the Spotlight: Celebs (and Pets) Come Bark For The Cure

PetSugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 07:00:21 -0700

Hi, foxy Roxy! This cutie pie Pomeranian came out for the First Annual Bark For The Cure 5K/Canine Celebration with mom, Carmen Electra.

Sponsored by the Freshpet Foundation, the event (and nonprofit) supports nutritional research in the areas of prevention, care and treatment of canine cancer. The organization gives grants to veterinary colleges or research institutions doing work and helping find ways to hopefully one day cure this disease.

See more piccys from Saturday's event at LA's Griffith Park when you read more.

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Thurman Murman Gets Pampered at K9 Loft!

PetSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 16:30:52 -0700

Only fitting so close to Mother's Day that we feature our fave celebrity (dog) mommy. R-Bils brought her very special pooch to a very special shop in LA yesterday, K9 Loft. Looks like her lil pup got groomed up nicely and even sports a new bandana on his scruffly neck. Learn about this facility (and see adoro piccys) when you read more.

K9 Loft is a one-stop destination in the Echo Park 'hood of LA for those pampered SoCal pooches. With everything from obedience training and full-service grooming (including dental hygiene!) to webcam-monitored daycare and outdoor excursions to Silver Lake Dog Park, lucky pups can come here for a pampering day . . . and moms can pick up some cute gear from their retail shop on the way out. Rachel seems to like bringing Thurman everywhere herself but, among K9 Loft's high-end services, they'd offer a car service to deliver him on those days when she couldn't break away from her busy life to get the lil man. Oh, and even I'm not too sure what kind of pup he is – other than absolutely adoro – maybe one day she'll choose to invest in the DNA testing they offer there as well.

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Flynet and Source

Out and About: African Wild Dogs Come to LA

PetSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 03:00:17 -0700

Well, well, well, the Sugar gang wasn't the only pack to recently travel to LA – a pair of African Wild dogs are now calling the Los Angeles Zoo home! The striking brother and sister duo are just over a year old and have spent the past month getting used to their new home after coming all the way from NY's Bronx Zoo. Learn why their presence is so special (and see another piccy) when you read more.

For the first time in nearly 40 years these tri-colored pups are residing at this zoo – in fact, they're just two of under 150 African Wild Dogs in zoos across the entire country! These dogs are part of an aggressive plan to try and preserve the species through the Species Survival Plan Program (SSP). This program tracks a species’ genetic ancestry – if the Zoo receives a breeding recommendation, the American Zoological Association (AZA) would help locate suitable mates for the brother or sister and then exchange that animal with the LA Zoo so quality breeding programs could continue for the endangered creatures.

Photo Credit: Tad Motoyama

Out and About: D.O.G. Pet Boutique

PetSugar — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:00:57 -0700

Late last week I got an urgent phone call from a close college friend. She was in LA on her move back from Colombia leaving that evening on her way to DC for work. Her continent-crossing pittie, Baby, is (obvs) too big for clothes for the pocket-sized pups but she was worried about the warm-weather doggie getting too chilly and wanted to pick up a sweatshirt for the trip. She didn't have the time to order one of these fun hoodies I found so I immediately thought of the best store to send her to - The D.O.G. Boutique (that's the dee-oh-gee, for those in the know).

A few hours later, I got a happy text from her when she was sitting in the airport – hooray! Not only was the saleswoman super sweet, they found an awesome pink hoodie at this West Hollywood outpost. D.O.G.'s online store doesn't even hit half of their cool products so, if you're in LA, definitely check out this store!

Out and About: Louisiana's Cat Haven

PetSugar — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:30:11 -0800

Baton Rouge's Cat Haven has one of the largest feral programs in the area. Even though they were just established in 1999, they have already trapped, neutered, and adopted or released almost 3,000 kitties! This process not only helps limit the numbers of wild cats in the area but can also save hundreds of kittens each year from a future life outdoors by transferring them into the haven's adoption program at a young age. Cat Haven also offers a Fix-a-Feline program to aid area families that want to have their pet spayed or neutered, but cannot afford the procedure - through it, they have applications and certificates awarded each month to pet owners in need. This, along with their feral cat program, hopes to limit the number of cats that are in the wild, in shelters, or put to sleep each year.

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Out and About: Louisiana's Hotel Monteleone

PetSugar — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 16:30:04 -0800

No trip to Nola is complete without at least a brief stop in the French Quarter – just thinking about the beignets and café au lait makes me drool. I definitely want to check out the classic Hotel Monteleone next time I travel there – this historic (haunted!) hotel has been pet-friendly since March 2007. In addition to decades of history and tradition, they now offer special pet treats and tips for your four-legged friends.

My other area favorite is the Loft 523, everything I wish my apt was . . . but, sadly, is not. Frette linens, glass and limestone dual-showerhead showers with separate Agape "spoon" tubs, it's the perfect place for me to blog away on a Herman Miller desk while little North rests at my feet.

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Out and About: Louisiana's Catahoula Leopard Dog

PetSugar — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:45:01 -0800

Named the Louisiana state dog in 1979, the lovely, spotted Catahoula Leopard Dog originated in the north central part of this state. Their name comes from a Choctaw word translating to "sacred lake," and the breed was originally found in the Catahoula Lake region by early settlers. Known primarily as hunting and working dogs, their original use was to pen and catch wild hogs and cows using the "canine fence" method to hold – and direct – herds for their owners. Although not officially an AKC-recognized dog, Catahoulas were assigned Herding Group designation and have been recorded since 1996 in the Foundation Stock Service, an optional record-keeping service for all purebred breeds not currently registrable with the Kennel Club.

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Out and About: Louisiana's Krewe of Barkus

PetSugar — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 10:30:16 -0800

It's especially fitting that we're spending this week out and about in Louisiana, home to the biggest Mardi Gras celebration in the country! North wasn't lucky enough to make up some craw~~fish~~dog gumbo, but I'd still love to deck him out for Fat Tuesday.

My fave dog-friendly part of this holiday is the parade by the Krewe of Barkus - the theme of the sixteenth annual event was "Indiana Bones and the Raiders of the Lost Bark," and took place last weekend in New Orleans. The krewe member pooches are accompanied by a human escort around the French Quarter and to a follow-up "pawty" in Armstrong Park - it looked like so much fun, I couldn't resist sharing pictures of the festive pups when you read more.

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Out and About: Louisiana's Chi-wa-wa Ga-ga

PetSugar — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:30:52 -0800

Can you say that five times fast without giggling? If the name didn't clue you in, Chi-wa-wa Ga-ga specializes in gear for super teacup pooches like Chihuahuas but still stocks treats, toys, and more for pets of all sizes. This French Quarter pet shop also carries original clothing and accessories designed by shop owners Elayne Angel and Justine Roig. Would your teensy pup like a jester hat for Mardi Gras? Does your ferret need a bomber jacket? How about a ladybug backpack of her very own? Get all this and more to pamper a little one . . . and make him the envy of his whole krewe!

Click here to share your own tips with PetSugar's Out and About travel group – and stay tuned as our week of Louisiana continues!