Adoption Offers Pour in for Pablo and Picasso

March 08, 2017 at 10:30PM by
>br> Two brothers named Pablo and Picasso who were saved from a high-kill shelter in California have no idea how loved they’ve become. Photos of the pair, one with a twisted jaw and the other with a smile that could light up a room, have gone viral — and Luvable Dog Rescue is now considering thousands of adoption applications from people who want to give them a home together. In the meantime, they’re comfortable living in a cottage at the Oregon rescue with two other friendly pups. “I think they know that they're loved,” said the group’s executive director, Liesl Wilhardt. “And that's all that matters to them.” — Read it from Best Friends



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Pet Scoop: Blind Lab Survives a Week in Mountains, Shelter Dogs Play Tennis Ball Boys

March 08, 2017 at 08:36PM by
>br> March 8, 2017: We've scoured the Web to find the best and most compelling animal stories, videos and photos. And it's all right here.

Image: Sage rescued

Neighbor Rescues Lost Lab

A 12-year-old blind yellow Labrador Retriever is back home recovering after spending seven long nights lost in the Santa Cruz Mountains in northern California. Sage’s heartbroken family and their friends had been searching for her since she wandered away from her Boulder Creek home on Feb. 24. The Lab had lost both of her eyes due to health problems. The Coles’ neighbor, firefighter Dan Estrada, had helped in the search and was keeping an eye out for her while he took an out-of-town friend for a hike in the woods on Saturday. “I look over and see Sage laying on the ground right with her head in the stream,” Estrada said. He was afraid it was too late — but then she lifted her head. “I jumped in the stream, I was super happy,” he said. “I put my arms around her and hugged her and threw her over my shoulders and carried her up the mountain.” He then brought Sage home to her ecstatic and grateful family. Estrada refused the $1,000 reward the Coles had offered for help finding Sage, so it will be donated to charity. — Read it at San Francisco’s ABC 7 News

Beloved Polar Bear Cub Dies at German Zoo

Fritz, an adorable 4-month-old polar bear cub at Berlin’s Tierpark Zoo, had made international headlines and was seen as the next Knut, the polar bear who’d been abandoned by his mom and was hand-reared at the Berlin Zoo. But “stunned” zoo officials announced Tuesday that the cub who’d stolen their hearts had died from liver inflammation. The baby bear’s illness came on quickly. He was found lying next to his mom on Monday morning, and despite the team’s efforts to treat him with antibiotics and painkillers, he passed away that night. — Read it at Yahoo News

Brother and Sister Otters Born at Oregon Zoo

In much happier news, a North American river otter named Tilly is raising two tiny pups at the Oregon Zoo. The male and female weighed 4 ounces each when they were born on Feb. 26, and they’re already twice that thanks to their mom’s diligent care. “This will be the first time Tilly has raised more than one pup at a time,” said curator Amy Cutting. “It's exciting that they'll be growing up together and have the opportunity to play and wrestle with each other. Tilly's always been an extremely attentive mother, so it will be interesting to see what happens when her pups go in two different directions.” Tilly herself was taken in by the zoo when she was found orphaned and wounded in 2009. The pups haven’t yet been named, but they will likely be named after local rivers and waterways like the other otters at the zoo. — Read it from the Oregon Zoo and see photo on Facebook

Image: Brazil Open ball boys 2017

Dogs Steal Show at Tennis Open

Six dogs from two animal shelters in San Paulo stole the spotlight at the Brazil Open as they raced around the tennis court as ball boys on Saturday. Cindy, Nanda, Blackie, Mia, Arlete and Ovelha joined in an exhibition match to help raise awareness for pet adoption. “It was pretty fun, super cool with the dogs, really nice experience,” said Brazilian tennis player Marcelo Demoliner — although he did mention they may need to “improve a bit” to serve in a real match. This is the second year adoptable dogs have taken part in the open. All of last year’s pups were adopted, and hopefully this year’s six stars will be, too. — Read it at the Huffington Post

Thousands Want to Adopt Pablo and Picasso

Two brothers named Pablo and Picasso who were saved from a high-kill shelter in California have no idea how loved they’ve become. Photos of the pair, one with a twisted jaw and the other with a smile that could light up a room, have gone viral — and Luvable Dog Rescue is now considering thousands of adoption applications from people who want to give them a home together. In the meantime, they’re comfortable living in a cottage at the Oregon rescue with two other friendly pups. “I think they know that they're loved,” said the group’s executive director, Liesl Wilhardt. “And that's all that matters to them.” — Read it from Best Friends



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Soldier Drapes Flag Over Late K9’s Body

March 07, 2017 at 10:38PM by
>br> U.S. Air Force soldier Kyle Smith took his beloved retired military working dog, Bodza, to the veterinarian last week because the 11-year-old German Shepherd was struggling to walk. When he was told the dog was suffering from an incurable disease that affected his spinal cord, he knew he had to say goodbye. He tried to hide his heartbreak from his superiors, but they arrived at the clinic out of respect for Smith and Bodza — and his boss asked for an American flag to be placed over the dog’s body in recognition of his service. “I’ve never cried that much my entire life,” Smith said of the experience. “All of us have that dog that is so special to us … he was the nicest dog in the world.” — Read it from Inside Edition via Yahoo




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Pet Scoop: 12-Year-Old Amputee Adopts 3-Legged Dog, Cat Survives 400-Mile Ride

March 07, 2017 at 08:38PM by
>br> March 7, 2017: We've scoured the Web to find the best and most compelling animal stories, videos and photos. And it's all right here.

Image: Amputee adopts three legged dog

Cancer Survivor Finds Companion

Two years ago, Quinn Scharn lost his leg and hip to bone cancer. When he woke up from surgery, he had decided on one thing: he wanted a dog who had three legs. After a two year search, his mom, Teresa Howell, spotted the perfect companion for her son on the Front Street Animal Shelter’s Facebook page. She picked Scharn, who’s now 12 and cancer free, up early from school and drove to the Sacramento shelter. When they got there, they found out that Logan was on hold for another family. But after visiting with him, they learned that the family had just called and changed their mind — and Logan was available. The boy and dog had made a connection, and Scharn was thrilled to bring Logan home that day. A video of their sweet story posted on Facebook by the shelter on Thursday has already been viewed more than 1 million times. — Read it at People Pets

Surgeons Remove 915 Coins From Sea Turtle

A 25-year-old sea turtle named Bank had life-saving surgery Monday to remove 11 pounds of coins that she’d eaten. Many Thais believe that throwing coins on turtles brings longevity, but it wasn’t good luck for Bank. The 915 coins that she’d consumed after they’d been thrown into her pool had cracked her shell, causing a life-threatening infection. It took five surgeons more than four hours to safely remove the coins while the turtle was under general anesthesia. “I felt angry that humans, whether or not they meant to do it or if they did it without thinking, had caused harm to this turtle,” said surgery team leader Nantarika Chansue. — Read it at Fox News

Soldier Drapes Flag Over Late K9’s Body

U.S. Air Force soldier Kyle Smith took his beloved retired military working dog, Bodza, to the veterinarian last week because the 11-year-old German Shepherd was struggling to walk. When he was told the dog was suffering from an incurable disease that affected his spinal cord, he knew he had to say goodbye. He tried to hide his heartbreak from his superiors, but they arrived at the clinic out of respect for Smith and Bodza — and his boss asked for an American flag to be placed over the dog’s body in recognition of his service. “I’ve never cried that much my entire life,” Smith said of the experience. “All of us have that dog that is so special to us … he was the nicest dog in the world.” — Read it from Inside Edition via Yahoo

Image: Cat and truck driver

Cat Survives 400 Miles Under Semi

Truck driver Paul Robertson spends his long days and nights on the road with Percy, his beloved orange tabby cat. But when he was asleep at a rest area in Ohio last month, the cat stepped on a window power switch in the cab and escaped. Robertson turned to social media for help, and he and his friends spent 24 hours scouring the area. He was devastated when he had to leave without his pal to make his delivery on time, posting on Facebook, “I feel like the worst cat dad ever.” So, when he arrived at his destination 400 miles away, he was shocked to see his Percy crawl out from under his semi-truck. “If ever a moment felt like a gift from God, it was then,” he said. He brought his cat to a local vet and learned that the only thing he was suffering from was an eye infection, likely from the dust and salt he endured during the trip. Percy is now back in his copilot spot — and Robertson has rigged the window switches so he can’t accidentally use them again. — Read it at the Minneapolis Star Tribune

Ivan the Special Needs Cat Gets a Home

There’s happy news for a special cat we told you about last week. After being overlooked for weeks at the MSPCA shelter in Boston, a 10-month-old kitten named Ivan who gets around using an “army crawl” had a change in fate. Once his story made headlines, the shelter got more than 2,000 adoption inquiries from 40 states and several countries around the world. The staff has chosen one lucky family for Ivan, and he’ll leave for his new home on Wednesday. Ivan also brought good luck for his fellow shelter cats — all of the kitties in the MSCPA’s adoption room found homes on Saturday, including two 15-year-old cats. — Read it at Boston’s WCVB



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Pet Scoop: Clouded Leopard Cub Born in Nashville, Patriots Star Releases Seal

March 06, 2017 at 08:28PM by
>br> March 6, 2017: We've scoured the Web to find the best and most compelling animal stories, videos and photos. And it's all right here.

Image: Clouded leopard cub nashville zoo

Adorable Cub Bottle Fed at Zoo

A clouded leopard cub, among the rarest cat species in the world, was born on March 1 at the Nashville Zoo to mom Tula. This special baby boy is the first of his species to be born from an artificial insemination procedure using sperm that had been frozen. The tiny cub is being bottle fed in the nursery. The zoo said her mom has a history of being aggressive toward her cubs, so the decision was made to hand-rear him immediately to ensure his safety. The zoo has given naming rights to the researchers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, who helped make this history-making birth possible. — Read it at Live Science

Why Are Pandas Black and White?

The scientists who answered why zebras have black and white stripes now have an explanation for the panda’s unique coloring. The study from the University of California-Davis found that most of the panda, including its face, neck, belly and behind, is white to help camouflage it in snow habitats. Its arms and legs are black to help it hide in the shade. The markings on the bear’s head are used to communicate. Dark ears, for example, may help convey a warning to predators. The study was published in the journal Behavioral Ecology. — Read it at Science Daily

Iditarod Route Changed Due to Lack of Snow

Alaska’s big sled dog race, the Iditarod, usually begins just north of Anchorage in Willow. But this year, it’s kicking off nearly 300 miles further north in Fairbanks due to lack of snow. It will avoid much of the Alaska Range and continue due west to the finish line in Nome. The race will start today, giving the mushers more time to travel to the new starting line. This is the second time in three years that officials have had to change the course. — Read it at CNN

Image: Trey Flowers seal release

Patriots Star Releases Namesake

After a pep talk from New England Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers, a rehabilitated seal who was named for the 23-year-old Super Bowl champ was released on a Rhode Island beach last week. “I told her that she was strong and could take over the world if she wants! I’m rooting for her,” Flowers said. He also snapped a selfie with his namesake while she waited in her crate. Trey the seal had been rescued from Rockaway, New York, in December. She was treated for several wounds at the Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Clinic and then spent time recovering there. The aquarium invited Flowers to help with the release and he quickly agreed. — Read it at People Pets

U.K. Cops Reunite Newborn Squirrel With Mom

A Hackney, England, police officer in northeast London was out on patrol when he spotted a newborn, furless squirrel from the sidewalk. “Not what you normally find on burglary patrols,” the Hackney Police said in a Twitter post last week with photos of the officer wearing gloves and rescuing the baby. Police believe the baby’s mom dropped it as she carried it to a new nest, and “safely reunited it with its mother,” the Tweet said. The department didn’t reveal how it tracked the mom down. — See photos at the Huffington Post



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Special-Needs Shelter Kitten Needs a Home

March 03, 2017 at 10:33PM by
>br> A Massachusetts animal shelter is searching far and wide to find the right home for a lovable and adorable special-needs kitten. Ivan, a 10-month-old tuxedo cat, was born without radial bones in his front legs. His left hind leg is also deformed, making it impossible for him to walk normally, so he does an army crawl to get around. This can make it hard for him to make it to the litter box, which is making the search for an adopter extra challenging. He’s been at the MSCPA adoption center in Boston for two weeks, since his previous owner surrendered him. “What Ivan lacks in mobility he more than makes up for in personality,” said adoption manager Alyssa Krieger. The center has had more than 300 email inquiries about Ivan since his story made headlines this week, and the staff is hopeful they’ll find the right fit. — Read it at MassLive




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Pet Scoop: Denver Giraffe Calf Steals the Spotlight, Disabled Kitten Needs a Home

March 03, 2017 at 08:43PM by
>br> March 3, 2017: We've scoured the Web to find the best and most compelling animal stories, videos and photos. And it's all right here.

Image: Denver Zoo giraffe Dobby

Baby Giraffe Gets Critical Care

As thousands watch a live stream waiting for April the giraffe to give birth at a New York zoo, the Denver Zoo announced this week that its 23-year-old giraffe, Kipele, quietly had a baby of her own on Tuesday morning. When the zoo’s staff noticed Dobby wasn’t nursing initially, they quickly jumped in to feed him and provide critical care. Luckily, he has now started nursing and is doing well with his mom. Dobby was a surprise to the public — and to the zoo. His mom had been on birth control, and even when keepers suspected a pregnancy, they weren’t able to confirm it because she resisted attempts to do an ultrasound. But they’re thrilled to have this unexpected addition to the herd. — Read it at the Denver Post

Study: Elephants Only Sleep 2 Hours a Day

African elephants may be among the shortest-sleeping mammals on earth, new research finds. After observing two female matriarchs for a month, researchers found that the elephants slept an average of just two hours per day and often go for nearly two days with no sleep. “Elephants really don't sleep all that much, and this appears to be related to their large size,” said lead researcher Paul Manger, a professor in the School of Anatomical Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. The research confirmed Manger’s suspicion, based on what was already known about an elephant’s brain structure, that they would be very short sleepers. Some nights, when the elephants were disturbed by something, they didn’t sleep at all. The study was published in the journal PLOS ONE. — Read it at Live Science

Rare Jaguar Sighting in Arizona

Wildlife officials are hopeful that the endangered jaguar is reestablishing itself in Arizona. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a photo Thursday from a trail camera that was taken in November and recently retrieved. The cat is seen wandering through the Dos Cabezas Mountains, about 60 miles north of the Arizona-Mexico border. That’s the farthest north of the border that a jaguar has been seen in decades. Two other jaguars have recently been spotted in Arizona. They were both male, but officials couldn’t tell from the photo whether this cat was male or female. — Read it at The Arizona Republic

Image: Ivan special needs kitten

Special-Needs Kitten Needs Home

A Massachusetts animal shelter is searching far and wide to find the right home for a lovable and adorable special-needs kitten. Ivan, a 10-month-old tuxedo cat, was born without radial bones in his front legs. His left hind leg is also deformed, making it impossible for him to walk normally, so he does an army crawl to get around. This can make it hard for him to make it to the litter box, which is making the search for an adopter extra challenging. He’s been at the MSCPA adoption center in Boston for two weeks, since his previous owner surrendered him. “What Ivan lacks in mobility he more than makes up for in personality,” said adoption manager Alyssa Krieger. The center has had more than 300 email inquiries about Ivan since his story made headlines this week, and the staff is hopeful they’ll find the right fit. — Read it at MassLive

New Interior Secretary Arrives on Horseback

It was an unusual scene for Washington. For his first day on the job as Interior Department secretary, Ryan Zinke, arrived for a welcoming reception on an Irish sport horse named Tonto. The Montana native was escorted a few blocks through the city by police, and was greeted by a drummer from his home state’s Northern Cheyenne tribe. In his new job, Zinke will oversee the country’s 500 million acres of public land, including the National Parks. — Watch it at The New York Times



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