Pet Pawfection

A recent study conducted in the Czech Republic and recently accepted for publication in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science found that dogs walked by men are four times more likely to be aggressive towards other dogs. The study also found that dogs on leashes are more aggressive than dogs running free.

Being a dog myself, I can confirm both findings to be true. Most men are the leaders of our packs, so going on a walk with the alpha male is like going on a hunt or checking the perimeter around our territory. I may be friends with Fluffy from down the street during play dates but all bets are off when I'm on duty. Get your game face on Fluffy!

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My human mama recently sniffed out the Awkward Family Pet Photos site. I haven't been able to take my eyes off of it ever since. In addition to red eyes, I also have a raw throat from all of the howling. If you haven't seen this train wreck yet, be careful. It is like catnip to cats!

There are few things more rewarding than having a pet. They love us unconditionally, shower us with attention, and because of them, we actually live longer. So, what can possibly be awkward about our animal BFFs? Well . . . nothing. In fact, we're the awkward ones. We adore our pets, but let's face it—sometimes L-O-V-E makes us go a little overboard. Like giving them middle names, throwing them elaborate birthday parties, and making them a Christmas sweater to match with the rest of the family. Truth is, what they cherish most is our companionship. And maybe that's the reason we care about them so much—because for such simple pleasures, they allow us to be as awkward as we want. [Mike Bender, Doug Chernack]

My favorite photo so far is the one that appears on the Awkward Family Pet Photos Book. That sure is an interesting way to keep your head warm at night!

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Photo Credit: Mdzananda Animal Clinic

Warrior, a disabled crossbreed stray, was buried alive in a five-foot deep hole last week at Luhlaza Secondary School in Cape Town, South Africa by two school caretakers. According to the caretakers, who are being charged with animal cruelty, "one of the school's senior supervisors had told them to get rid of the dog as it was being a nuisance by hanging around the classrooms."

Witnesses recalled watching the helpless dog yelping in vain as the school caretakers buried him alive. A local animal clinic received an anonymous tip about the incident. Two people from the clinic, a veterinarian and an animal welfare caregiver, rushed to the scene and confronted the two men. Our fur brother was barely alive and gasping for air when they finally pulled him out. The picture shows poor Warrior covered in sand after his head was uncovered.

Warrior recovered from what is being called "one of the worst reported cases of animal abuse in Cape Town yet," but still has a bad limp from an earlier traffic accident. This is one tough pup! We are so thankful to the wonderful humans who tipped off the animal clinic and for those humans at the animal clinic who helped Warrior recover.

Two paws up to IOL News and the UK Daily Mail for the scoop!

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