Animals of Interest

Turn About is Fair Play: Water Cats

As it happens, not all cats hate the water. Here are some sites where you can see — of all things — dog paddling cats. Fat Cat Holly tries to get in shape at 13 years of age, while the anchor tries to curb her giggling. . How old is that in human years? Here’s…

Life’s a Beach for Bowser…and friends

My family went to Maine — without me — and met a herd of other dogs having an awfully good time. Here are just a few of the dogs they met — did I mention, without me — Brittany, Charlie, Amber, a very golden, Golden and Pilot, an Australian Shepherd.

Bo Strikes A Holiday Pose and So Do I

The Holiday season is officially upon us. New York’s Holiday Tree in Rockefeller Center, a survivor of Hurricane Sandy, was lit with much fanfare last week. he White House Tree is up and sparkling, too. And a very cooperative Bo, the DOTUS, has posted a dog’s eye tour of the splendid decor in our national…

Semper Fido: A Paws Up for Pets for Patriots

I want to send a big Paws up to Pets for Patriots, a not-for-profit organization committed to both veterans and homeless, last-chance shelter pets. In recognition of what our veterans and service members have done for us, Pets for Patriots gives military veterans and service members, who have done so much for all of us, another chance to be heroic by saving the…

Good Reads: Bo Barks, the First Pooch Tells All

In this election year, my owners spend a lot of time studying info about occupants of the White House and would-be occupants. For the views of the current canine front runner, they picked up Bo Barks:the First Pooch Tells All, which contains some cute snaps, interesting info and observations  For example, Bo, a Portuguese water dog, loves…

Amazing Mutts: the Ukrainian Super Dog

We dogs never cease to amaze you humans, right?? For example, my owners love my increasingly clever manipulations to get them to eat when I want, go to bed when I say it’s time and so on. Then there’s Chaser, the border collie who has a documented vocabulary of 1,000 words. And get a load…

Can an Animal be UnAmerican? Surprising Flag Theft Mystery Solved

People in Hudson, NY were steamed. Just before the 4th of July this year, dozens of flags disappeared from the graves of veterans of the Civil War. “Disrespectful,” “dirtbag” — the town was clearly disgusted. A $500 reward was offered and a graveside camera installed. The culprit was uncovered — to the surprise of all…

Got My Goat?

Manana Island Goat, photo by Tom Grotta My owners have given some thought to getting a goat to live on our two acres.  They think goats are cute and personable and lawn mowers on four legs.  I’d be happy to have a goat to herd, but I am not so sure what our suburban neighbors…

See Spot Surf

I love the water — but surfing would be a stretch for me. So I send a big Hang 20! to the dozens of dogs that compete in the annual Loew’s Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog competition in California http://www.loewssurfdog.blogspot.com. Each dog has 10 minutes to catch his or her top two waves and is…

Maddie is Amazing: a super serious project about dogs and physics

Don’t miss Maddie the Coonhound, http://maddieonthings.com who is willing to perch in no end of precarious poses, including atop a basketball hoop and a motorscooter. What we pets won’t do for love! The photos of Maddie, by Theron Humphrey, are great and you can order prints and shirts.

Jumpin’ Geronimo!

Don’t miss this dog and his remarkable double-dutch feat. Double Dutch is hard enough on two feet — imagine it on four. You go Geronimo!

Dog Bites Shark

This Aussie dog (from Australia that, is, not an Australian Shepherd) actually takes a nip out of a shark! But it’s the narration that takes this video over the top. Profanity alert: one swear word is uttered in amazement.

The Paw d’Or – Woofington Salutes Animal Actors

Animals rule the Oscars this year. As often happens, they dominate the category for Best Animated Film — A Cat in Paris and Puss in Boots, one Kung Fu Panda and a Rango, a lizard. But animal actors also made a real impact in the films nominated for Best Picture and other awards. There’d have…

My Top 5 Animal Stories of 2011

There were many choices, but here are my top 5 animal story pics, plus 3 runners up: The Penguin that Took a Wrong Turn An emperor penguin, nicknamed Happy Feet, showed up in New Zealand this June — about 2,500 miles away from his home in Antarctica. The chick was clearly lost, trying to eat…

A Dog Named Wall Street

  Wall Street was a dog who lost his family in Hurricane Katrina.  He waited for them at their house from September to December 2005, fed by volunteers, spending his days in a doggie bed they provided for him.  Thomas Mann, a New Orleans artist, gave Wall Street treats and created a work of art about Wall Street and…