PetSugar

Dear Poll: Would You Pass on Puppy Love?

DearSugar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:00:00 -0800

There's no denying that your first relationship is equally as exciting as it is terrifying, but I don't know many people who would turn down the initial infatuation you feel when you meet someone you really like. According to Dr. Malcolm Brynin of the University of Essex, however, it's that "puppy love" that actually damages future, more mature relationships. Since intense love creatures unrealistic goals, he feels:

If you had a very passionate first relationship and allow that feeling to become your benchmark for a relationship dynamic, then it becomes inevitable that future, more adult partnerships will seem boring and a disappointment.

I happen to think we all learn something from each relationship, even those idealistic puppy love ones. But tell me, do you agree with Dr. Brynin when he says, "In an ideal world, you would wake up already in your second relationship"?

Source

Six- and 7-Year-Old German Kids Set Out to Elope in Africa

LilSugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:00:53 -0800

I'm pretty sure this surpasses the term puppy love. A couple of German children decided to skip doodling each other's names on their notebooks and set out to elope in Africa. And, they weren't about to skimp on any details. After devising a plan while their families celebrated New Year's Eve together, the kids packed all the marriage and honeymoon must haves - sunglasses, swimming trunks, a lilo, and a sibling!

One report said:

The pair identified as Mika and Anna-Lena "are very much in love and decided to get married in Africa where it is warm, taking with them as a witness Anna-Lena's little sister, aged five," police spokesman Holger Jureczko told AFP.

The tykes took off while their parents slept and boarded a nearby tram en route to a central station where the tots could connect with another train to the airport. There, a security guard got suspicious and contacted police, who alerted the lovebirds' parents.

Source

Puppy Love: Upstaged

PetSugar — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:00:14 -0800

In the latest installment of Puppy Love, the relationship between cute dogs and, well, finding a new relationship is up for debate. While some people use dogs to get digits, others (like one of the stars of this short) think it's "such a lame and expected gimmick." Before telling me how you feel, watch the situation play itself out in the video below.

Super-Cute Video: Dogs and the Women Who Love Them (featuring Famke Janssen and Licorice!)

PetSugar — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:30:40 -0700

With a name like Puppy Love, what's not to like? The scripted anthology of 10 short films discusses dog lovers and the people who love them . . . or in this case, don't love them so much. The first film features "Maya" (Famke Janssen) and her cutie pie we recognize as Licorice (playing a pooch named "Owen") – plus very vocal friends sharing opinions on just what's coming between her and her relationships with men.

Eeks! Now I've been called pet-obsessed by many – hello, it's my job! – so I can relate to this feeble defense and adoration for the handsome smooshy. I can't wait to see what's up next!

New Puppy Alert! Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ross McCall

PetSugar — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:30:26 -0700

Hooray for a smooshy – Mona is the new puppy of actress Jennifer Love Hewitt! She's already got a cav so this Boxer should have some fun company at home in LA. Now I've asked your opinion about Flexi leashes in general, but I thought this picture was especially interesting. See how her husband, Ross McCall, has a sturdy short leash attached to the retractable one? I've never seen that before but it seems a great safety precaution with a big or rambunctious dog. My friend Tracey sliced her hand open when she tried to grab a tight grip on a cord Flexi with her energetic Rottie mix, Jack, so I've seen first hand how dangerous it can be. Find out why I think they bought this in the first place (and how to copy this easy solution at home) when you read more.

Well, with more than one furry family member, this leash extension looks like a coupler made for walking multiple dogs with one leash. Just like the one I said would help Adam Brody walk those two pups, a connector used on its own protects hands from Flexi cuts and burns. The ones offered by SuperLeash come in several lengths from 12 to 48 inches ($8.50-$14.50) and have a chrome swivel clip at each end for easy attachments!

Flynet

What Should I do About My Neighbor's Mistreated Puppy?

DearSugar — Wed, 23 May 2007 13:00:00 -0700

Dear Sugar--

I'm having a problem with my neighbors. They just got a puppy, and from what I see (and hear) they aren't taking very good care of it. For the past 2 weeks, I can hear it every morning at 4 or 5 in the morning, whining and crying because they just leave the poor thing tied up outside. Then when the man comes out, he yells and curses at the dog to "Shut the F** up!"

Not only is it annoying to be woken up every morning by the puppy's loud crying, but I get so angry while I'm in bed and want to run over there and save that poor dog.

I went to the police already, and they said "There's no law that says you have to bring your dog inside. If you have a noise complaint, call us when it's happening so an officer can go over and see for himself."

I was outraged. This poor puppy isn't getting the love and attention it needs. Some people just don't deserve to have pets. What can I do?

--I Can't Take it Anymore Anna

To see DEARSUGAR's answer, read more

Dear I Can't Take it Anymore Anna--

Your situation sounds awful. This makes me so mad - some people just don't deserve to have pets. Have you tried talking to your neighbors? If you are apprehensive about doing that (I would be), you could also leave a letter on their door telling them what you've seen and heard. Let them know you have contacted the police and if it continues, they're going to lose their dog (which sounds like it would probably be a good thing).

If you know in your heart that this dog is being mistreated, you must do everything you can to help the police understand the situation. Document every instance, call them when the dog is barking, and hopefully you will get through to a compassionate officer who is willing to help this poor animal. Research your neighborhood Animal Control Group and contact them ASAP. They deal with abused or neglected pets all the time, and could rescue the poor puppy from that unhealthy environment.

I completely sympathize with you; there is nothing worse than standing by and watching people mistreat animals that can't help themselves, so I hope this helps Anna.

Source

Four Ways You Can Help Shelters (Other Than Donations)

PetSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:50:06 -0700

Acting as ambassador to the Iams Home 4 the Holidays campaign, Hilary Swank gets cuddly with some cute puppies. What a tough job! The program already has over 3,400 shelters in 17 countries participating in their efforts - you can search by location to see if there's an establishment or breed rescue near you.

If your home is not needing another furry face despite the temptation, find four other ways you can help out - and see more pics of Hilary and the pooches - when you read more.

Dog walkers: Use extra time and get extra exercise by offering your talents as a dog walker on weekends or around your work schedule.
Foster homes: New kittens and puppies may need special one-on-one care so offer to help with the potty and litterbox training for a new babe - you may just fall in love in the process.
Cleaning staff: Someone's got to keep those kennels spotless - find out if you can help out either tidying up or bringing in supplies for weekend or holiday clean fests.
Adoption drives: See if the shelter is holding any special events where you could volunteer your time, playing with and showing off cute, available faces to potential owners.

View 5 Photos ›

FlashForward Breakdown, "Black Swan"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:30:00 -0700

It's been two weeks since the blackouts, and in this week's episode of FlashForward, the people of the world are slowing getting back into their old routines. The only problem is, their outlook on the world is a bit marred to say the least. Nicole finally resurfaces, Olivia and Bryce spar over the meaning of the flashforwards, and Demetri and Mark come to blows.

We get a little more insight, a glimpse at Dominic Monaghan and one very big reveal, so just read more.

Can the future really save people?
Olivia and Bryce meet Edward Ned (who hilariously insists on being called "Ned Ned"), a new patient with a constant sense of calm and a conviction that in sixth months he'll have transformed into a black man ("like Oprah black"). At first he just seems nuts, until Bryce uses Ned's vision to diagnose him. Still trying to convince herself that the flashforwards may not come true, Olivia refuses to use Bryce's method and nearly kills Ned before changing her mind. Ned declares that the "future saved him" and Bryce agrees. But what about the people who are afraid of their visions? Can the future save them too, in that they can somehow avoid what they see? (Side note: I almost choked when I recognized Ned as Todd from Wedding Crashers).

Does Nicole deserve to be punished?
Nicole finally picks up her baby-sitting gig again, and it's revealed that she and Aaron are connected through his daughter Tracy. Clearly disturbed by her vision, Nicole seeks out a priest in hopes to start some volunteer work. She eventually reveals to Mark that she's being drowned in her flashforward, and the murder feels deserved. But why? Mark assures her that she did nothing wrong, but we all know it won't be that simple. In the pilot Nicole is gettin' busy on the couch while Charlie is sleeping, so she has a bad girl side. But now that she knows her possible fate, what could she do to warrant a punishment like that? Also, I could be wrong about this - but her attacker looked like he could definitely be Dominic Monaghan, aka Simon.

What's the deal with Alda Herzog?
Referred to as the "female Osama Bin Laden," Alda Herzog is clearly shady - but what does she know about the blackouts? She toys with both Demetri and Mark, sending them on a wild goose chase to the Customer Choice Restaurant Group, and later telling Mark that he's just "a little boy in the dark." She easily gets a rise out of both of them, even prompting Mark and Demetri to start a fist fight. I can't help but wonder if she's got them totally wrapped around her finger, a la Nazi Guyer from last week's episode, or if she's really sent Mark down the right path to get some answers.

How is LLoyd Simcoe involved in the blackout?
Lloyd continues to struggle with caring for Dylan after spending so many years as an absentee father. He continues to try to garner help from Olivia, but she pushes him away in constant fear of her flashforward. Lloyd has a tender moment at Dylan's house as he attempts to learn a little bit about his boy, and the two make a connection back at the hospital. Everything is all puppies and roses until he gets a call from Simon - who implies that the two are responsible for causing the blackouts.

Other points:

I loved the Shakespeare in Love throwback when Mark is being silly with Charlie: "You're the Shakespeare of cheesy dad humor!"

The opening of the episode, set to Bjork's "It's Oh So Quiet" was a very poetic way to look at the blackouts - especially since we can't hear all the catastrophic noise and commotion that usually defines the incident.

There seems to be a long focus on the "Pimp" necklace during the trailer park scene. Is that going to come back to haunt us?

What'd you think of this week's episode? Do you think there's a connection between those who see hopeful visions and those that see hurtful ones?

Product of the Day: Love 'n Licks Puppy

GiggleSugar — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 08:02:00 -0800

Christmas is right around the corner and the kids are itching for a dog- that they're just not gonna get. What to do? Let the Love 'N Licks Puppy come to your rescue! It's even better than a real dog:

"Love 'N Licks Puppies really respond to your love and care!...The more you rub their heads and tummies, the faster their tails wag, the more their hind leg kicks and the louder they bark. And ultimately, like all real, happy puppies, Love 'N Licks Puppies will give you a WET, LOVING LICK that you can actually feel and hear! SLUUURRP!"

Wait. Is it just me or does this sound more like a dirty, pervy pup? Watching the TV commercial only confirmed my suspicion.

Cute Alert: Socks, Shoes, and Puppy Love

GiggleSugar — Tue, 20 May 2008 02:00:00 -0700

Someone needs to get his shoes on, but his pudgy puppy friends aren't game for that. The shoes mean their pal is good to go, but they're not ready to say goodbye. So they gang up on the little dude, climb over him, crawl around him, and when he seems to be making progress, one of them quits the passive-aggressive act and blocks the shoe with his paw. Who said puppy love had to play nice?