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Charlie's a Cover Model!

PetSugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:30:17 -0700

And you thought I could go two days without mentioning our fave celebripup?! That's right, lil Charlie poses ever so sweetly with his mom – this time, not only at an event, but on a magazine cover! Amanda Bynes and her pup had an event thrown in their honor to celebrate the new cover of Animal Fair magazine – I wonder what was on his menu at this "Doggy Fiesta" Dinner?! See the duo up close at Hollywood's Velvet Margarita when you read more.

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Out and About: Arizona Animal Fair

PetSugar — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:00:05 -0800

Celebrate animals this weekend at the Seventh Annual Arizona Animal Fair! One of the largest events of its kind in the Southwest, the fest takes place in Tucson's Reid Park this Saturday from 10-4 p.m. Entry is free and all proceeds from the entertainment, food, and other activities go back to the animal-rescue community. Make your furry friend a star with Puppy Pawcasso or Glamour Paws Pet Photography, or get a holistic opinion with pet blessings and pet-psychic readings. There will also be a super adoption area with hundreds of available animals and rescue groups for everything from burros to birds, reptiles to rats. Even if you're not in the market for a new pet (and Fido and Fluffy have other plans), among the demonstrations going on will be canine freestyle, rescue dogs, and the Miniature Horse Association's "Petite Elite," showing off their powerful pulling skills for their little sizes.

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

Amanda Bynes and Charlie Celebrate Being Cover Models

PetSugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 20:15:47 -0700

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It's a Dog's World: Fun at the 2009 World's Ugliest Dog Contest

PetSugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:00:55 -0700

Variety is the spice of life, and thankfully we got a taste at this year's World's Ugliest Dog Contest in Petaluma. The winner wasn't a Chinese Crested (like it has been in past contests), but a Boxer mix named Pabst who walked away with the blue ribbon and stole the hearts of the crowd with his huge underbite. But for me, the World's Ugliest Dog Contest wouldn't be complete without a stroll through the barns and coops of the other furry (and non-furry) animals that take their place at the fair. My favorite this year were the bunnies, and I secretly had my eye on a few to sneak home in my bag!

Check out some of the other sights from the Sonoma-Marin Fair, including a mobile pet adoption center (so cute), and the "Ugly is The New Beautiful" fashion show sponsored by House of Dog when you read more.

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Breed Spotlight: Dogue de Bordeaux

PetSugar — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 07:30:21 -0800

So big, wrinkled, and smooshy to boot, say hello to newest breed to be entered in the Westminster Dog Show. Although originally classified into three varieties, the Parisian, the Toulouse and the Bordeaux depending on the region of France and the jobs they were required to do, today this breed's known simply as the Dogue de Bordeaux (or even more simply as the French Mastiff).

The fawn colored working dogs weigh in over 100 pounds and serve as good guard dogs as well as attached and affectionate companions to a master. Now I was fairly certain I had never seen one of these pups before until I did a bit more research. Now, I'm positive that I'm not the only one who has spotted this breed in a classic film. Find out which – and see more pictures of this breed – when you read more.

One of our favorite animal movies, Turner and Hooch featured a loveably slobbering Dogue de Bordeaux named Hooch. Aww, I remember him being nearly as adoro as "Darco" is here so I'll be tuning in tomorrow night to watch this breed compete in the Working group for the first time ever at MSG.

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Do Tell: Would You Try to Raise a Vegetarian (or Vegan) Pet?

PetSugar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:30:10 -0800

I certainly don't know many kitties that would turn down some fresh fish as a treat . . . and I can't be the only one with the iconic cartoon image of a cat lapping milk in my head. However, a recent post on Dolittler (my go-to site for a behind-the-scenes vet perspective) got me thinking: Are there really vegan pets out there?Seems that converting pets – especially cats – to a vegetarian or even the veggies only diet (with no milk or egg proteins for vegans) is a risky choice but one that some still consider. Dr. Patty Khuly writes:

Cats' bodies (specifically, their gastrointestinal tracts) are not ideally suited to digesting non-meat foods. Though they may seem to do well on these diets once they’ve acclimated to them, the long-term effects of feeding feline diets that lack animal proteins have not been established.

Now it's one thing if you have a pet that would choose the vegetarian option in the wild (goats, rabbits, chickens, etc.) but it doesn't seem fair to impose personal beliefs that could endanger your animals' health in the process? What's your take?

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I've Got Much Love for Much Love

PetSugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:30:57 -0700

Even though we've wrapped up our wedding content, seeing these fab pictures from Much Love Animal Rescue's Second Annual "Bow Wow WOW!" reminded me of my BFF's wedding a couple years back. Instead of going the traditional registry route for presents, they requested that guests donate to this same rescue organization for unwanted or abused animals. They adopted their pooch, Baby, from here – the pit bull was found in very bad condition after being dragged behind a moving car! – and just wanted to give back to the great shelter. Quite popular with generous celebrities as well, Tori Spelling has a fund for sick and injured animals in the name of her late Mimi La Rue, and others – Hilary Duff's Chiquita and Lake Bell's Margaret – have come from here as well. In addition to placing animals, they host a number of adoption fairs and celeb-studded events like this fundrasing event on July 19 in Beverly Hills.

There were many recognizable faces in attendance – check them out in a gallery when you read more.

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Do Tell: Have You Owned "Exotic Pets" As a Child?

PetSugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:30:56 -0700

Now a hamster's hardly an exotic pet in my mind but, according to a recent report from the American Academy of Pediatrics, children under the age of five shouldn't own any exotic animals – including those furry rodents!

Turns out lizards, tiny turtles, lil chicks, and even hamsters can transmit Salmonella to kiddies. Now, it's hard for me to figure out where the "under five" comes in, but the study says it's due in part to the fact that they often touch animals then touch their mouths, kiss creatures, or don't wash their hands after coming in contact with the pets. Granted adults are usually more careful about cleanliness – though, admittedly I don't run to the bathroom every time I pet North – but I imagine these pets are still fairly common in families with human children?

Many of you already shared the pets present in your elementary classrooms. Did you ever come in contact with these creatures either at school or home?

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Five Fun Zoo Cams to Keep You Occupied!

PetSugar — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:00:54 -0700

I looooove webcams, and I've got some time to kill before the Fourth of July fun gets started. If you're also sitting around waiting for the food to be grilled, now's a great time to check out some live zoo action. To be fair, I've included a variety of creatures as well as three cams with baby animals . . . ummm, adoro. Go ahead, blow kisses at your screen, I'm not telling.

Lions! My current zoo cam of choice, I love to check in to see what the baby lions are up to. Nevermind that I can't understand a single word on the site except for "live" (as this zoo is all the way in Norway), my glimpses of mama lion canoodling and caring for her four cubs are too precious to pass up.
Giant Pandas! Classic cam with lots of action, check out the Giant Pandas live from the San Diego Zoo. There are seven pandas there which makes spotting at least one fairly likely. And don't forget the other cams of the Apes, Polar Bears, and Elephants afterwards.

See three more webcam suggestions when you read more.

Ferrets! I already mentioned the ferret cam because of the adorable lil one, Georgia, now visible . . . she's an endangered Black-footed Ferret. This is just one of the many great action capturers at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.
Beluga Whales! I couldn't forget our underwater pals. Because I'm a sucker for baby animals, I love watching Qila the Beluga and her new calf born June 10. They're both super cute (and swim a lot) so see these two (and their Sea Otters) for some splashy laughs.
Penguins! I adore penguins and the Penguins' Rock webcam has some of the most active birdies I've seen. Check out Macaroni and Gentoo penguins live from Chattanooga's Tennessee Aquarium – if you're lucky, you'll see them take a dip, too!

Do Tell: Combining Furry Families With a Partner?

PetSugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:30:37 -0700

Now, seems like we can all agree about choosing to date (or marry) an animal lover, but what about a fellow pet owner? Although I adore my pooch, have dated a fair share of dog (and cat!) lovers, and enjoy meeting new animals, I'm not sure North could handle sharing our home with another furball. In fact, my friends joke that I'd come back and there could very well be one dog left standing . . . and that dog would be North – I mean have you seen what he does to his toys?!

Have you ever had to invite another pet into your home, and how did it work out?

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