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Gianna's in Berlin, First Date With Knut Coming Soon!

PetSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:35:07 -0700

Over a month ago, this pretty Polar Bear made the news as the future romantic interest (hopefully) of Knut the cute. Hailing from Munich's Hellabrunn Zoo, she's now on display in Berlin and ready for her love connection.

The 2-year-old gal will explore the enclosure of the world-famous bear, but they will not meet face-to-face until special measures are implemented. Knut's never encountered another animal since his mama cast him aside as a cub. A "canoodling fence" will eventually separate them, and if the sparks are there then this duo will join forces in one spot. Sweet.

See more of Gianna learning the lay of the land when you read more.

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Overnighter Dog Suitcase: Spoiled Sweet or Spoiled Rotten?

PetSugar — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:30:20 -0700

A pet may count as one of your carry-on items (if you're flying high), but would you also tote this designated suitcase just for the fur ball? It's got clearly labeled pockets - in case he knows how to read? - but, all kidding aside, I like the organization of a place for everything and everything in its place. The Overnighter Dog Suitcase rings in at $29, do your frequent furry fliers need one of their very own?

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Foster a Dog Virtually, Help Feed Them in Real Life

PetSugar — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 06:00:07 -0700

If you've ever wished you could give a homeless dog a forever home (or could foster a dog until the lucky pup found a permanent family), but don't have the time or space, now you have an easy and fun way to pitch in with the help of Facebook. The Save a Dog Facebook app allows you to virtually care for an actual shelter pup, and by getting friends to co-sponsor or foster their own canine online, you'll earn points that will translate into real food in the mouths of shelter dogs.

DogTime and Rescuegroups.org teamed up to produce the charitable app, and the best part is that it costs you nothing to help out. Just install the app on your Facebook page and you're off and running. Aside from donating a few hours at your local shelter, this has to be the easiest way to help thousands of needy pups.

Who Is "Zoo Cute" in Berlin?

PetSugar — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:30:26 -0700

All my past joking aside, Germany has some famously furry zoo animals! From Flocke (in Nuremberg) to Rosalie and Jasper (in Hanover), I can't get enough. However, first and foremost is Berlin - home of two zoo-mazing establishments, Tierpark Berlin on the east side and Berlin Zoologischer Garten on the west. I've gathered my top 10 zoo babies from this city as a fun finish to your Friday. Can you predict number one? Click through and see!

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Get Pet Moving Tips Inspired by Matthew Broderick

PetSugar — Thu, 28 May 2009 09:00:05 -0700

Who'd think that a picture of Matthew Broderick walking a dog would give me such inspiration!? While he and SJP prepare a home for two lil (baby) bundles, movers cleared out their house, he brought out the family pooch . . . and reminded me of three simple tips:

No pets left behind With unfamiliar faces lifting heavy items (that could then fall), take your pet out during the packing and loading process. For cats, it may mean securing them in an empty room or carrier - movers can't pack the chair when kitty's trying to hide under it! For dogs, get a pal to puppysit or pop a pooch in daycare (I dropped North down the street when my movers relocated us to SF!)
Keep it together Store pet supplies in one box or, do as he appears, and stick them in an empty carrier so you won't need to be reading labels or digging around for the goods. If you've got an emergency kit locked and loaded, leave that aside to guarantee having key items . . . not taped in.

Get one more tip and glimpse one more pic when you read more.

Don't pack it all in Seems Matthew forgot to leave out a leash as a rope does double-duty as a lead for the lil pup. Prevent this measure and put a leash in your purse before you start . . . you won't pack that in a box (I hope)!

Wenn.com

Tropical Island Bamboo Bed: Spoiled Sweet or Spoiled Rotten?

PetSugar — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 06:00:34 -0700

I can see this canine chaise chilling in the wraparound, screened patio of my dreams. You know on my own private island. All jokes aside, this lil lounger comes with a drawer to stash your pets' things (or a DIY trundle if you're creative).

The Tropical Island Bamboo Pet Bed is made of environment-friendly bamboo for small pets up to 30 pounds. It's 90 bucks – tropical island, not included – are you buying in?

DIY Dreaming: Could You Re-Create This Dog Bed Made of Old Flip-Flops?

PetSugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:30:39 -0700

Regardless of how bad they are for my feet, I can't get enough of flip-flops and own more pairs than I'd care to count up. So, my flipping and flopping obsession aside, when I spotted this super-cute dog bed on TrendHunter, I saw a DIY project in the making for all my old shoes. Stay with me here . . . Since the bed's created by Australian designer Ilya Frieman, I'm not sure where (and if) you can buy this creation stateside, but it illustrates a good enough case for me to want to test it out. Not only does rubber attract and hold dog hair, it's much easier to keep clean than fabric beds. Get started on your own version by gathering up 18 flip-flops, popping out the thong part, and using an X-Acto knife to divide the flat part into fourths.

For this fancy model, the new rubbery part will eventually fit into that base for another pet-friendly hammock, but I'm betting you could (nontoxic) glue the shoe pieces together to make a rubbery, easily washed dog mat perfect for Summer. What do you think about attempting this project at home?

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Season Two! Meet the Groomer Has It Contestants

PetSugar — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:05:28 -0700

If last year was telling at all, I'm excited to tune in and watch these groomers grow (and animals' hair . . . do the opposite) for season two of Groomer Has It. All joking aside, even if you missed the first episode over the weekend, check out this round's contestants so you'll be able to follow my weekly recaps of the new series airing Saturdays at 9 p.m. E/P on Animal Planet.

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Fabric Scraps Plus Catnip Equals One-of-a-Kind DIY Mice

PetSugar — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 07:30:07 -0800

Did your lil kitty get everything her heart desired over the holidays? If you've got extra time to kill – or think your pal could use an extra toy to kill – check out these one-of-a-kind catnip mice. Wouldn't you rather see this laying around than a real mouse?!
Get started on the DIY project spotted by a pal of mine (Thanks, Casa!) by gathering the following supplies:

Patterned fabric for mouse body
Scrap fabric, preferably with a loose weave, for catnip pouch
Cotton cord, ribbon, or rick rack for the tail
Embroidery floss for face details
Catnip
Polyfil stuffing
Needle and thread

Get instructions when you read more.

Print out this pattern and cut out fabric as shown.
Tie a knot at one end of the cord for the tail and set aside.
For catnip core pouch, fold fabric and half, stitch two sides, add catnip, sew closed, and set aside.
Embroider a mouse face on the main fabric.

Lightly mark small circles on one side piece (two pins seen above towards the left side), the large circles on both side pieces (the blue dot), and begin by sewing the two sides together as shown (along the green dotted line) skipping the pinned parts.
Pin the tail at the large circle, match the slightly pointy end of the bottom piece to the large circle on the sides and pin together. Then sew back-and-forth, alternating sewing from tail to nose on one side and nose to tail on the other for reinforcement but don't sew between the two small circles.
Turn mouse right-side-out, gently poke out the nose with a pin. Add polyfill, catnip pouch and a bell or crinkly stuff if your pet's into that sort of the thing making sure to bury it well.
Sew the mouse closed and hand it off to kitty to enjoy!

(See the detailed instructions with step-by-step photos on Craftster.)

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Give Back: Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Was

PetSugar — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 04:30:25 -0800

Do you have something you could go without? Even if you can't sacrifice your daily caffeine fix, think about other consistent things you spend money on. For me, that meant deciding I don't really need a daily, afternoon frozen yogurt break. Whether you say no to a second cup of coffee, cocktails or one less meal out, take the extra money and put it aside. Save it up, then use it to put food in the mouths of needy pets at a shelter near you. I bet even my pals Fit and Savvy would approve of this!

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