News Bite

Volkswagon Enlists Dogs to Bark “Star Wars” theme song

maxine — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The teaser for the new VW commercial, "The Bark Side," which will air during the Superbowl, is both hilarious and supremely annoying. The best part? The Italian Greyhound/AT-AT’s entrance. Check it out. (Fair warning: you will spend the duration of the afternoon humming "dum, dum, dum, dum, DUM, dum, DUM, dum, DUM...)

The White House Decorates for the Holidays... With a Bunch of Little Bo’s

maxine — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The White House is getting into the holiday spirit, doggone it. It unveiled its holiday decorations this week, and a certain four-legged member of the Obama family is represented throughout the White House. In addition to 37 Christmas trees and a 400-pound gingerbread, marzipan, and white chocolate White House—an exact replica, complete with tiny furniture, art, and chandeliers, there are an abundance of tributes to the First Dog, from ornaments to topiaries, including a “Button Bo,” a “Liquorice and Marshmallow Bo,” a four-and-a half-foot tall “felt Bo,” heck, even a “garbage bag Bo” made of, you guessed it, trash bags.

Robert Pattinson Saves Death-Row Dog. Sigh.

maxine — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Robert Pattison Saves Dog

Katherine Heigl's 5000 Adoption Challenge

maxine — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Getting 5,000 animals adopted in one month? Katherine Heigl is up to the task.

The Elephant Sanctuary Mourns Loss of Bella the Dog

maxine — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee announced the passing of Bella, the canine half of one of the world’s most famous animal odd couples, on Wednesday.

“Dog Doogity” Dog Poop PSA

vanessa2 — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Prepare to shake it to “Dog Doogity.”

Best in Show

vanessa2 — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Following Thanksgiving dinner (if you’re American, that is), tune in with nearly 20 million other viewers to the 10th anniversary edition of The National Dog Show presented by Purina. NBC began televising the competition, a Kennel Club of Philadelphia institution since 1879, ten years ago in the slot immediately following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Showcasing 2,000 purebred canines representing over 160 breeds, it was an instant hit.

Don't Hate Me Because I'm ______, Adopt Me Because I Need You

Rose Frosek — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Help for the underdog: a campaign for the overlooked and older shelter animals in need of a little PR boost.

Your Dog is Watching You

maxine — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Is your body language at the root of your dog’s bad behaviour? A new study published by the online journal Learning and Behavior reveals that training doesn’t stop when we call the session over or put the clicker away: we are constantly giving off subtle non-verbal cues that our dogs pick up on. Research conducted at the University of Florida proved that eye contact was a key signal for domesticated dogs, shelter dogs, and wolves.

Furry Friends Find Port in Storm

Carla Bleiker and Mollie Bloudoff-Indelicato — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

With their guardians prepared for the storm, New York dogs (and pythons and cats) fare just fine