Awww!

Here's How Top Dog Malachy Won 'Best in Show'

Posted by Adriana Velez
on Feb 15, 2012 at 5:13 PM

malachy best in show westminster 2012Lissenup all you Boos, Mookies, Sams, and Onions out there -- I'm going to talk with you, human to dog. DO YOU. HAVE. WHAT IT TAKES. TO BE. BEST! IN! SHOW!  

2,000 dogs. 185 breeds. What does it take to win at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show?

We tried to interview the winner of this year's competition, Pekingese puffball Malachy, but he was unavailable for comment. Something about chasing squirrels. But here's what we learned about why Malachy won the top prize.

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Awww!

Westminster Dog Show Winner Makes Us All Want a Pekingese

Posted by Mary Fischer
on Feb 15, 2012 at 2:31 PM

westminster dog show winnerHave you seen the cute little pup that won the 2012 Westminster Dog Show? OMG. He's beyond precious.

With his proud stance and scrunched-up little face, Malachy the Pekingese seemed to somehow know that he'd pulled off the title of "Best in Show." Isn't it funny how show dogs seem to know exactly what they're doing? It's always blown my mind that they seem to pick up on the fact that they're competing for a title instead of just running around with a bunch of other canine friends. You've got to wonder whether it's tough for them to get out of "show mode" when they're at home and just play in the yard.

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LOL

Pet-Proofing Your Home Is the New Baby-Proofing

Posted by Mary Fischer
on Feb 8, 2012 at 4:06 PM

Were you relieved when your kids finally got old enough where you didn't have to do the whole baby-proofing thing anymore? Yeah, me too. It was just so refreshing to finally be able to do simple things like lift the lid of the toilet seat without unlatching that stupid little clip or leave a handful of change on the counter without worrying that my son would eat it like candy.

I am done having kids, barring any unforeseen "slips," so my baby-proofing days are hopefully gone for good. That is, unless we decide to break down and get a dog. Those of you who have furry friends apparently need to worry about "pet-proofing" your homes even if your babies are all grown up. Looks like the whole "a puppy is worse than a baby" thing has more truth to it than we thought.

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All the Rage

Posting Pictures of Your Pet on Facebook Is Slightly Annoying

Posted by Mary Fischer
on Feb 4, 2012 at 12:00 PM

How often do you update your Facebook page with photos of your children? If you're anything like any other parent with access to a computer or smartphone, you probably do it at least once a week, if not more frequently.

Posting pictures of little ones on Facebook has become somewhat of an addiction for moms and dads, in an effort to share milestones and memorable moments with people who may or may not be important parts of their kids' lives.

In addition to putting up adorable images of infants sampling their first bite of strained peas or 5-year olds scoring a soccer goal, there also seems to be a growing trend of people posting photos of their pets. Are pet pictures on Facebook super cute ... or slightly annoying?

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Awww!

6 New Dog Breeds Enter Westminster Show: Which Ones Make Great Pets?

Posted by Adriana Velez
on Jan 25, 2012 at 1:03 PM

american english coonhound
American English Coonhound
There's a new dog in town! Actually, make that SIX. Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (kind of the Miss America for dogs) has introduced six new dog breeds into this year's competition. These breeds have actually been around for ages, but this is the first time they'll be allowed to compete in the big-league competition, which runs February 13-14.

And what a bunch -- this has to be the most diverse group of pooches ever thrown together. Keep reading to meet this motley crew of cuties.

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Your Dog (or Kid) Is Friendly? I’ll Be The Judge Of That

Posted by Amy Keyishian
on Jan 23, 2012 at 8:42 PM

friendly dog off leashMy daughter has developed a fear of dogs. I don’t know why: I adore dogs, and the day care where she spent a glorious, happy year had two wonderful pups she would hug and pat with joy. But even the smallest strange dog on the street makes her stiffen with terror and, more often than not, leap up into my arms with a grunt of alarm.

This, however, doesn’t stop people from announcing that their often off-leash dogs are “totally friendly” and allowing them to leap upon my children without warning.

Which is why I was gratified to read a great blog post from dog walker Jessica Dolce about "MDIFs," and why it’s a bad idea to sic them on other dogs -- and, I’d like to add, children.

What's a MDIF, you ask?

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Awesome Dogs Barking Darth Vader's Theme Will Make Your Pets Howl (VIDEO)

Posted by Adriana Velez
on Jan 19, 2012 at 2:49 PM

ewok dogVolkswagen has just created the best Star Wars dogs commercial ever. Actually, I think they've created the only Star Wars dogs commercial, ever. But whatever, this video is hilars. They all bark Darth Vader's theme, and what this all has to do with cars is completely lost to me. Of course that hasn't stopped me from watching it over and over again and posting it to pretty much every social media outlet I can get my little paws on.

If you look closely, you'll notice that the dogs are playing different Star Wars characters -- check out Darth Vader looking all big and tough. You'll also see Princess Leia with the side buns and this sweet Ewok is so cute! And is that a whippet playing an AT-AT Walker? Check it out after the jump -- and find out why the commercial has ruffled feathers among some pet owners.

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Cat Owner Fined Thousands of Dollars for Ridiculous Reason

Posted by Amy Keyishian
on Jan 17, 2012 at 7:34 PM

cat litterI’m not here to complain about big government gone out of control. But I am, in some cases, bothered by the fact that cities step up their ticketing quotas in the wake of budget shortfalls. Particularly in this recent instance from Washington, DC … well, yeah, it does seem like someone’s gone a little overboard in the ticketing department.

You are not going to believe the reason why the sanitation department gave a cat-owning resident of the District of Columbia a ticket ...

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Heartbreaking Dog Auction Video Shows Why Pet Adoption Is the Way to Go

Posted by Amy Keyishian
on Jan 14, 2012 at 1:13 PM

dog auctionHow can you raise a dog, bring it to a huge, cold barn to be auctioned off, and walk away without a look or a word of comfort knowing that it'll then be consigned to a life of physical misery and emotional abandonment? I don’t know what is wrong with people.

The video below doesn’t come from PETA or some weirdo fringe group. It comes from the Humane Society of the United States, which took undercover video at several Midwest dog auctions where dogs are sold to prospective breeders -- many of whom likely run puppy mills. True, the video is a few years old, but the point about pets is very relevant even today. (If you can’t stand to watch it, don’t worry. You don't have to. I got the salient details for you.)

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Family Must Choose Between Saving Their Kitten Or Their Brand New Couch

Posted by Amy Keyishian
on Jan 12, 2012 at 6:50 PM

Cat In The CouchThis story really broke my heart because -- in my utterly broke state -- every time I sit on my uncomfortable, lumpy old couch, I wish for a new couch. I have it all picked out: It's big enough to sleep on or slouch on, wide enough for sitting or snoozing, with a chaise on the right side, which would be in front of our bookcase, but that’s okay.

One thing I never wish for is a recliner, because I harbor the paranoid suspicion that such an item would only be lying in wait to devour a helpless pet or baby. And it turns out my paranoid suspicions are entirely correct!

Check out this story of the couch that ate the cat, and the family that made the ultimate sacrifice.

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