CatDogBlog

This photo is from MSNBC. It’s of a blind puppy experiencing snow for the first time. It’s jumping around without a care in the world.

Some cats push and pull their paws in and out on soft surfaces like the bedspread, the carpet, their beds, and even you! Sometimes this is accompanied by a bit of drooling. Your kitty may look absolutely contented during such episodes and may even purrrr.

Several theories exist for the behavior. Some people think it stems from them being weaned too young. Some think it is because they were weaned too late. The most logical explanation, however, is that it’s simply a comfort behavior that cats remember from when they are babies.

Nursing kittens use similar paw and arm movements to stimulate milk flow from their mothers’ breasts. Momma cat also kneads the sleeping area to create a nice soft surface for her and her kittens. Whatever the precise reason for kneading, one thing is for sure: A kneady cat is a happy cat.
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The number of stray dogs being put to sleep in the UK has dropped this year, according to the Dogs Trust.

The animal charity reported that 7,743 dogs were put down by councils because they were unable to find them homes, compared to 7,798 in 2005.

The charity said pet owners should do more to help reduce the number of strays wondering the streets. They recommend you get your dog an ID tag and a microchip so that if you lose it you can easily be reunited.

They also said you should get the vet to neuter your dog, to stop it having unwanted puppies. Dogs Trust Chief Executive, Clarissa Baldwin, said: “Unless dog owners think about the commitment needed to look after a dog, dogs will continue to be put to sleep.”

Hardly news, but the following story make a strong point continued dog training.

A teddy bear once owned by Elvis Presley has been horribly mangled - by a hound dog. Barney the guard dog ripped the head from the antique teddy called Mabel after going berserk and savaging more than 100 bears in an exhibition.

The doberman pinscher, who was meant to be guarding the nearly one million dollar collection, went on the rampage after his handler let him off the leash. He ripped the limbs from many of the helpless bears and left some with “saliva damage”.

Mabel, the centrepiece of the exhibition at Wookey Hole, Somerset, came off worst. Her head was left hanging by a thread. Mabel’s owner Sir Benjamin Slade, who paid over $75,000 for the 1909 teddy at a Memphis auction, was said to be “absolutely furious”.
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Welcome to todays feature film. Titled Dog Wars: Episode IV, also known as “You can teach an old Dog new Jedi mind tricks”

What are the most popular pet names? For the second year in a row the name “Max” has taken top honors as the nation’s most popular pet name according to research by Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI).

A survey of VPI’s 300,000-plus policyholders showed that Bailey, Buddy, Molly, Maggie, Lucy, Jake, Daisy, Rocky and Sadie rounded out the top ten pet names rankings. Here’s the full list:

Top 10 Male Pet Names
1. Max
2. Buddy
3. Jake
4. Rocky
5. Bailey
6. Buster
7. Cody
8. Charlie
9. Bear
10. Jack
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After reading yesterdays story about the overweight cat that got no love from its owner, you might be thinking your cat is a little chubby. Well, some homemade treats may brighten his day and keep him/her healthy.

The following recipes were taken from The Cat Lover’s Cookbook: Eighty-Five Fast, Economical, and Healthy Recipes for Your Cat.

Fishie Delights:
* 4 teaspoons cooked fish fillet (tuna, salmon, etc.)
* 1/4 cup cooked rice
* 2 tablespoons cooked green beans, chopped
* 1/4 cup cooked spinach, chopped

In a bowl, combine all the ingredients. Serve in small amounts.
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Workers at an animal home in the German city of Cologne said Friday they were looking for the owner of an overweight a cat abandoned outside its gates.

The black and white animal, which has been named Milka, weighed a massive 13 kg (29 pounds), more than three times the norm. It was unable to wash itself and could barely walk, the Koeln-Dellbrueck home said in a statement Friday.

The obese kitty was put on a crash diet and a course of antibiotics because of sores on its skin and workers had to find an extra-large quarantine box for it because none of the usual ones were big enough, the statement said.

“Whether it was out of misplaced love for animals or another reason, we just cannot understand such irresponsibility toward the cat,” it added. The home said it wanted to bring charges against the owner, if he or she can be traced.

Lion pets feel, throughout 2006, a deep desire to look at their purpose in life. This year you will whine, yowl, and make your deepest animal emotions known to your human companions. It’s time for change and renewal and you will speak out in your own dramatic style.

Animal and Human Relationships: The upside is, after you vocalize your discontent your animal’s eye-view of your environment will look different and your temperament will be more on even keel.

Health and Well-being: This is the year to not fight the grooming appointment or pet psychic. It’s all good. Enjoy the attention you outgoing Leo.

2006 Pet Tip: As a fire sign, it’s essential for you to pamper your ego and you will show your true colors.

This is a video of a puppy that behaves like a kitten. It’s strange, yet obviously adorable. Watch how playful it is.