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Breaking News: 2008 World's Ugliest Dog Loses Cancer Battle

PetSugar — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:58:25 -0800

When I met Gus up close and personal moments after he won the title of 2008 World's Ugliest Dog back in June, it was clear he had gone through a lot. This 9-year-old rescued pooch endured radiation, surgery on a malignant tumor, and a leg amputation from his skin cancer – and what I remember most from my chat with his super-sweet owners was that the pup had a fondness for pizza . . . yum!

Now, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but sadly he just passed away. RIP, Gus!

I wanted to honor this pooch's big win in a gallery of photos so check them out when you

The Scoop: Brave Man Saves Little Dog From Big Shark!

PetSugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:10:08 -0700

I've heard that when necessity strikes ordinary people can suddenly perform superhuman strengths. Such is the case with an Islamorada, FL man who decided to take on a shark, beating its head to get the animal to release his prized pooch, Jake, from the jaws of death. The five-foot-long creature already had almost the entire 14-pound Rat Terrier in its mouth . . . but thankfully, there's a happy ending.

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Sand Saviors Help Baby Turtles Find Their Way!

PetSugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:15:38 -0700

Each evening at dusk, you'll find people walking along Palm Beach Shores in Florida. It's not just because the ocean is pretty enough to warrant a daily visit, but they're looking for movement in sea turtle nests there. When volunteers locate an active nest, they lend helping hands to the leatherbacks and dig channels to create a clear pathway to water for the babies.

Umm, I'm definitely adding baby turtles to my growing list of cute animals . . . look at those lil feet scramble! Thanks runnergeek for alerting me to this cool video!

The Case of the Missing Dog and the Kitty Held Hostage

PetSugar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:00:59 -0700

There must be something in the water down there in Florida to cause a woman to hold a cat as ransom! This story is a bit tricky, so stay with me here:

Linda Urioste's black lab Scobby went missing several weeks ago, but instead of searching for him right away, she assumed he was stolen and gone for good. In the meantime, Scobby had turned up at the animal shelter and was adopted by Jutta Hollar and her husband after being unclaimed for weeks.

Eventually Urioste did check the animal shelter, and the couple learned that the rightful owner was looking for the pup. Upon meeting Urioste, the Hollars decided not to give back Scobby (now renamed Buddy), since Urioste was "extremely rude and threatened to sue."

Here's where things get interesting: Mizy, the Hollar's cat went missing a few days after meeting Urioste, and they received a message from her stating she had Mizy, and wouldn't give her back until they returned Scobby!

To find out what happened next in this tension-filled story, just

The Scoop: Swimming For Bears

PetSugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 03:00:00 -0700

I love animals, but I have to be honest and say, if I was placed in a situation like one that Adam Warwick faced last week, I'm not sure how I would respond!

Warwick, a Wildlife Officer from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission made a quick (and dangerous) decision to save a drowning bear who was shot with a tranquilizer dart after wandering into a Florida beachfront neighborhood. The 364-pound black bear was stunned after being tagged with the dart and ran straight for the nearby ocean. Warwick, acting fast on his instincts, dove in to help after seeing the bear struggle in the water:

He was losing function in his arms and legs, and was obviously in distress. I knew I had to keep him from drowning.

Although at one point the bear looked as if he was going to climb on top of Warwick to keep his head above water, he walked away with only a few scratches to show for his efforts, and the black bear was safely released into Florida’s Osceola National Forest.

If you were in Warwick's position, would you have jumped in the water to help?

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My Exclusive Interview with Gus, the 2008 World's Ugliest Dog!

PetSugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:00:45 -0700

All the way from St. Petersburg, Florida, Gus captured the title – and my heart – when he won the 20th Annual World's Ugliest Dog Competition. The three-legged, one-eyed pup with cancer has a true tale of triumph – Jeanenne Teed and daughter Janey plan to use his award money of $1,600 (that's $100 for being a finalist for the purebred category, $500 for winning the Ugliest Dog of 2008 at the Sonoma-Marin Fair, and $1,000 for being the "2008 World's Ugliest Dog") towards his radiation treatments.In addition to the money, he got two trophies, one taller than his owners – I've got no clue how they'll get those back to the Sunshine state! I already mentioned it was hot, hot, hot up in Petaluma, but that didn't stop me from catching up with the trio after they won and asking them a few questions about their precious pooch.

PS: How long ago did Gus join your family?
JT: Gus is nine years old and came to us when he was one year old. He came to us word of mouth . . . he was being kept inside a crate inside a garage by an owner who really just couldn't deal with him. She did the right thing and she gave him up to a better home . . . we'd like to think. And he's been with us ever since, through thick and thin, and he's hanging in there. He's a tough cookie.

PS: You mentioned that he has cancer – what kind of cancer does he have?
JT: He has skin cancer. He was diagnosed in December of '06 and, at that time, the cancer was quite advanced and he needed to have his leg amputated. The other leg was debulked and the tumor was removed. After chemotherapy and then treatment with another medication, he had a great year – we had a great year – we took him on vacation for the first time.

Find out where they went – and what happened to his eye! – when you

The Scoop: Pets Only Funeral Home Expands to Florida

PetSugar — Mon, 19 May 2008 17:00:07 -0700

Saying goodbye to a pet is a difficult experience for any family, and the number of unique ways to commemorate a pet continues to astound me as the pet-loss industry grows as well. Even if you're not interested in a LifeGem or Perpetual Pet, it's not uncommon to honor the loss of a cherished furry family member in your own special way. Pet Angel Memorial Center offers memorial and burial services for pets from dogs to iguanas and everything in between at one of their three US locations (Carmel, IN, Wichita, KS, and Pinellas Park, FL). Learn a little bit more when you

The Scoop: Walt Disney World to Open Pet Resort in 2009

PetSugar — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:30:26 -0700

It's such a bummer when you consider a four legged animal a member of your family, but yet there are some places that still don't allow them to roam around with you. Disneyland and Disney World are two of the "happiest places on earth" but unfortunately, the happiness doesn't apply to your furry friends. At least the happiness inside the park anyway! Although I'm not sure how appropriate it would be to take a pet on a ride, it does make me feel slightly guilty about leaving my poor pup in one of the kennels while I'm slurping up shaved ice!

However, if you're planning a trip to Disney World in mid 2009, things just got a little easier on your heart. Your pampered pooches still won't be lucky enough to join you in the park, but now they'll have a resort they can call their own! Word is, Disney World is building a pet resort that will boast such amenities as hiking trails, doggie day camp, cat lounges, grooming services, ice cream socials, and bedtime stories for your pets to enjoy while you're frolicking with Mickey and Minnie. I'm excited to hear more news about this since I'm definitely wanting to head back over to Florida after my awesome adventures at Aquatica, so it would be cool to check this out as well. Plus, it will give me a good excuse to go see Disney's Animal Kingdom!

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What's Your Take: Cat Lover Kristy Grant vs. Volusia County?

PetSugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:00:39 -0700

A Central Florida woman has been fined $150 a day since March for having 134 cats in her home! Kitty lover, Kristy Grant, was in court Wednesday fighting to keep the animals in her self-described "animal sanctuary." Although I was first reminded of the couple with 800 dogs, the clip mentions her "front five acres" . . . so I'm thinking it's a large area where the cats reside. Watch the whole video, vote, and share your thought in the comments below. Source

What's Your Take: Cat Lover Kristy Grant vs. Volusia County?

Let 'em stay.

Kick 'em out.

Hmm, too close to call.

Other – I'll tell you in my comments below.

Creature Features: Killer Whales

PetSugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:00:14 -0700

After my up-close glimpse at killer whales, I was inspired to gather more information on the beautiful orca. I still remember the inflatable model I had hanging over my bed as a child – these animals have always been a fave of mine. Do you think you're an expert on the black-and-white beauties? Put your knowledge to the test with this short quiz!

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Spotlight: Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute

PetSugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:50:15 -0700

Well, along with all the other fun animals we saw during our time in Orlando (thank you, Aquatica!), we spent one night at SeaWorld where we caught a glimpse of some killer whales! LilSugar and I watched a preview of Shamu Rocks (officially kicking off Memorial Day 200, which combined fun music with improvisational movements of two orca whales. I was happy to hear that the tanks were eco-tastically filled with recycled rainwater and learn about how much attention the organization dedicates to the research, rescue, and rehabilitation of marine wildlife. To learn how SeaWorld Orlando collaborates with the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI),

Creature Features: Stingrays

PetSugar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 09:30:24 -0700

Now I've always thought stingrays were cool creatures . . . and now I know it after I got to snorkel with them in Florida a couple weeks ago! That's right, thanks to Aquatica, lilsugar and I got the great opportunity to travel to Florida with other journalists and check out some of the theme parks in the Orlando area. It was super fun for us to see these family-friendly travel destinations . . . and all the awesome animals! On day one, we checked out Discovery Cove where we got to wade and snorkel in the "mock" coral reef and ray lagoon. While in the tropical lagoon swim areas, guests can touch and swim alongside the rays and other saltwater fishes. Lucky for us, they didn't have their stingers so we could safely get a close look at these flat, triangular beauties. Think you know all about stingrays? Check yourself with this quiz!

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Out and About: Florida's "Dogs Gone Wild" and The Tides South Beach

PetSugar — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 09:25:15 -0700

Our week in Florida has come to an end... but I wanna stay for the weekend! My fave hotel, The Tides South Beach, is a luxurious option for those of you traveling with animals. The Ocean Drive, 45-room suite hotel provides pads and litterboxes, and accepts pets up to 35 pounds. At the end of your weekend, take a short walk to The China Grill. Every Sunday (weather permitting), the restaurant hosts a "Dogs Gone Wild" al fresco party from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on their patio. Featuring special menus, a play area, and a dog lounge, it's a great place for pups and their peeps to mingle after a walk down the paved Beachwalk (14th to 21st Street) or a visit to the local Dog Bar, a 24-hour luxury pet department store.

Click here to share your own tips with PetSugar's Out and About travel group – and stay tuned for a new state next week!

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Out and About: Florida's Mutts and Margaritas

PetSugar — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:53:40 -0700

In 2006, a new state law established a three-year test program to allow Florida cities to choose to host pups at restaurants with outdoor areas. Laws like this one vary across the country – and by establishment – but are warmly welcomed by most pet owners.

Rocky tipped us off to a great spot in Jacksonville – Olé Mexican Restaurant. Their special Monday "Mutts and Margaritas" event includes an all-natural, no preservative dog menu with Paw-cos, Ruff-a-dillas and Barkitos, each served with Mutt-si-can rice and a Woof-a-rita. For dessert, both humans and pooches can share "Not So Fried Arf's Cream," a concoction of homemade frozen yogurt rolled in cinnamon and oats with carob drizzled on top. Yum!

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

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Out and About: Florida's Everglades National Park

PetSugar — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:44:08 -0700

Possums and panthers and pelicans, oh my! There are so many amazing creatures in Florida, but no trip to the state is complete without seeing gators. My fave reptile-scoping spot is Everglades National Park, the largest subtropical wilderness in the US. Once inside, hop in an airboat for a tour of Gator Park. Cameras ready – there are rumored to be 1.5 million gators in the state of Florida and over 200,000 in the Everglades alone.

No pets allowed in the park, of course, but it's a great place for an animal lover nonetheless.

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Out and About: Florida's Herringbone & Hound

PetSugar — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 08:09:50 -0700

I literally stumbled upon this downtown Ft. Lauderdale store last month. At first glance at Herringbone & Hound, I didn't even realize what it sold. Once I stepped inside the store (complete with wood floors, decorative fireplace, and leather club chairs), I felt like I entered an exclusive dog lodge. Jam-packed with items from around the world, this store is tops in terms of high quality, variety, and uniqueness of goods. I'm not easily impressed, so those of you in the south Florida area, check it out – it has everything you (and your pooch) never knew you always wanted.

Out and About: Florida's Dog Wood Park

PetSugar — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 10:30:55 -0700

It's more than just a walk in the park for those checking out Gainesville's Dog Wood Park. From two swimming ponds to the "dog mountain" sand pile for digging and climbing, this doggie country club provides pups with a little of everything... plus swings and picnic facilities for their two-legged friends. If you don't want your pet to go home dirty, the 15-acre fenced park also has dog showers for muddy paws and self-service, warm water tubs along with two separate "dry dog" areas with no ponds or pools – perfect for those days when dealing with a less fresh dog isn't included on your agenda.

Don't worry, visitors, although Dog Wood has annual memberships $249 for one dog ($279 for up to three), it also offers a $9 day pass (plus $2 for each additional pup)... and park-issued tennis balls and frisbees. Now go fetch!

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