PetSugar

Snow Leopard Babe Takes a Flying Leap

PetSugar — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 06:00:04 -0700

Even though we got an early peek at these two babes in LA, that doesn't mean the cute stops there. Oh no, it definitely does not as I've rounded up a bunch of photos of the cubs to brighten your day. Already the lil girl and lil boy seem super playful with games of chase and tackle with a smattering of smile-pretty-for-the-camera tossed in.

Since they're still nameless, suggest your picks and see more pics when you read more.

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Sneak Peek! Meet LA Zoo's New Snow Leopards

PetSugar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 04:00:56 -0700

While GeekSugar's still telling me about her version of Snow Leopard, I'm drooling over these two babes making a debut down in LA. Born on May 26, they will make a grand public entrance this morning at the zoo.

I can't see those big, bushy tails or inspect their spots up close, but seriously, how zoomed does one have to be to identify the cute?! This is surely close enough, but see for yourself below.

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Photos Courtesy of Tad Motoyama/LA Zoo

Pampered Pals: Spread the Lakers Love

PetSugar — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:15:41 -0700

ICYMI, the Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA finals on Sunday. (Yay, nay, or huh?) Despite controversy over costs and crowd control, a parade kicks off downtown this morning. If you're not in LA, or want to bring on bragging rights for the whole year, check out these team accessories just for the four-legged set.

Are you into showing off team spirit . . . on your dog?

Officially Licensed By the NBA Los Angeles Lakers Dog T-Shirt ($20)	NBA Pet Collar Bandana ($13)
Officially Licensed Los Angeles Lakers NBA Varsity Dog Jacket Coat ($35)	Los Angeles Lakers Officially Licensed Dog Collar ($20)
Officially Licensed Los Angeles Lakers NBA Basketball Dog Bandana ($11)	Officially Licensed by the NBA - Los Angeles Lakers Dog Basketball Jersey ($35)

These Zoo Babies Walk Within 30 Minutes and Outrun Humans at Four Days

PetSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 06:00:32 -0700

How adorable are these two twin boys?! The very rare Peninsular pronghorn duo is only the second set born in the U.S. ever (remember the first set here). Not only do they have super big ears, they also have super speedy feet – pronghorns are the second fastest animal on Earth – next to the African cheetahs – in short distance running. Within 30 minutes of birth, babes are already taking first steps and, within four days, these antelopes can outrun humans. What's next? Adults can run up to 70 miles-per-hour and maintain a speed of 40 to 60 mph without showing any signs of distress for over an hour. Whoa!

To get a feeding frenzy of photos, read more.

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Source

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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Source

Meet the First Peninsular Pronghorns Ever Born at a Zoo!

PetSugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 06:00:49 -0700

Born on March 25, these two babes are super cute . . . and super rare. Meet twin Peninsular Pronghorns, the first ever born at a zoo anywhere in the world! The proud parents came to the US from a breeding center in Mexico and were already pretty special themselves – the first of their kind to be seen outside of that country. Only about 200 members of this species are known to be surviving in the wild with hunting, cattle ranching, and agriculture contributing to their decline. The new boys will be hand-reared for now, but when they're old enough, they'll be sent to the Living Desert in Coachella Valley, CA. See them take the bottles when you read more.

Photo: Tad Motoyama

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

The Scoop: City Dogs Get Back to Their Roots

PetSugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 03:00:42 -0700

I think I watched City Slickers – a movie about a bunch of city folk out in the country herding cattle – about a hundred times, not only for the animals that were a big part of the film (Norman!) but also because I thought it would be awesome to head out on the trail, herd some cattle, and get away from the city for a few weeks. It's still something I need to check off of my "to do" list!

If you were a fan of the film too, then you'll totally see why specialized herding camps for dogs are becoming more popular, and are just as cool. On a ranch just outside of Los Angeles, owner Janna Duncan has started a trend, taking city dogs and working them into great herding dogs:

“It really, really seems to center the dog and give the dog a sense of confidence and fulfillment, a good assertiveness, a good energy.”

Thankfully, I did some pretty heavy research regarding dog breeds so, even before I picked him out, I knew that North would make a sweet city slicker himself. Boston Terriers can do well in apartments and cities, and make great companions. But some pet owners don't know that different breeds come with different temperaments, and aren't always made for city life. To find out more about the breeds and camps, just read more.

Unfortunately, some dogs like Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, and even Rottweilers were bred to herd, and when stuffed into small city apartments, they can get restless. But thankfully, Janna recognized a need for an outlet and opened her ranch for daily training sessions to turn your city pup into a full blown herder. And she's open to all breeds, not just the naturals – one of her past clients included a four-pound Yorkie! Now that's impressive. Since camps are popping up across the states, would you send your pooch to a herding program if it opened near you?

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