Pets

Pets

Wow, so there's horse racing, greyhound racing, and apparently whippet racing. Whippets: the smaller version of greyhounds*. (*Not an official definition.) This is the week I learn not only that people race whippets, but that it is popular specifically in the north of England, and that it is dying out. Probably for the best. We're talking about dog racing because James discovers the practice is doing particularly poorly and needs more revenue.

It comes in over a dozen colors with adorable kitty designs, but this feeding mat is as practical as it is stylish. Made from soft diatomaceous earth, it quickly absorbs water spills, which evaporate in record time to keep your floor dry, clean, and safe. It also wipes free of food and has a thick rubber backing to prevent slipping and scratches.

Like most pet owners, I'd do just about anything for my cat. Especially in the last two years or so, as my beloved calico Phoebe has entered into what the vet calls the "geriatric" stage. She's still sassy as ever, but also 16 years old now, underweight, and VERY picky - so her appetite and nutrition is something I monitor closely.

The pricing data coincides with a study which found that one-third of UK pet owners don't have insurance, with cost cited as one of the biggest factors. It is estimated that 60% of UK households about 17 million have a pet, and the high costs of ownership have been in the news lately. Last month, the government announced a big shake-up of the UK vet sector that ministers said should push down costs for pet owners by requiring practices to make their pricing clearer.

The clip opens with the dog sitting beside his mom on the couch while she works on her laptop. It's clear that the pup is deeply inconvenienced by his mom's working situation. Text above his head reads "Worst day ever," perfectly capturing the dramatic tone of what's to come. Within seconds, he side-eyes her to make sure she's paying attention, then begins softly whining, as if to say he's been patient long enough.

My husband, "James," is doing something I think is extremely irresponsible with our 6-year-old son "Kaden" and I'm desperate for a neutral party to give me some ammo with which to shut it down. For the past month, a raccoon has been going through our backyard at night. Originally we all got a kick out of watching it meandering through from the window (Kaden is a big fan of the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, which feature a raccoon).

Your cat's been grooming themselves for hours again. They've taken to hiding under the bed more often. Maybe they've even stopped using the litter box properly. If you're like most cat owners, you probably chalk these behaviors up to typical feline quirkiness. "That's just cats being cats," we tell ourselves. But what if these seemingly normal behaviors are actually your cat crying out for help?

Remember that moment at the dog park when you see two golden retrievers, with one bouncing around with bright eyes and a glossy coat, and the other just going through the motions with a dull expression despite being perfectly groomed? Both dogs are clearly loved and cared for, but something deeper separates them: It's the difference between a dog that's genuinely flourishing and one that's simply being maintained.

Picture this: Your new puppy is pressed against the corner of the room, trembling slightly as you call their name. Their tail, which should be wagging with excitement, is tucked firmly between their legs. You've done everything the books told you, bought all the right toys, followed the feeding schedule perfectly, yet somehow your furry friend seems more nervous with each passing day.

A Doberman pinscher named Penny won best in show Tuesday night at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, netting U.S. show dogs' most coveted prize and giving veteran handler Andy Linton another win after nearly four decades. Linton got best in show in 1989 with another Doberman, named Indy. Penny "is as great a Doberman as I have ever seen," Linton told a supportive crowd. Despite health problems, he guided the 4-year-old dog through an impeccably crisp performance.

When a neighbor reports a lost dog in the Ring app, nearby outdoor cameras use AI to scan for possible matches. If a match is found, that camera owner receives an alert and can optionally choose to share any related video clips with their neighbor who reported the pet missing. They'll also have an option to call the owner or send them a message, without sharing their own phone number.

They have an uncanny ability to understand human cues and commands, making them easy to train. This intelligence is a boon for work-from-home individuals, as a clever companion can learn routines quickly. Imagine having a dog that understands your work schedule and respects your "do not disturb" times. Their intelligence means they can pick up on subtle cues, like when you're on a conference call, and adjust their behavior accordingly.

We're living through a strange moment where our refrigerators are smarter than ever, our thermostats learn our habits, and now, apparently, dogs can control household appliances. The Dogosophy Button, developed by researchers at The Open University's Animal-Computer Interaction Laboratory, is a wireless switch designed specifically for canine use. Think of it as a smart home device, but instead of asking Alexa, you're teaching your golden retriever.

Local News The black, wire-haired terrier mix survived below-freezing temperatures and nearly two feet of snow after being allegedly dumped in a parking lot. A dog that went missing for six days and amid one of Massachusetts' largest snowstorms in years was safely recovered Tuesday, Needham police said. The department first alerted the public Monday in a Facebook post, asking for help locating the black, wire-haired terrier mix that had allegedly been dumped Thursday in a parking lot off Dwight Road.

But if we're not prepared, panic and confusion can hinder our ability to act appropriately when they need us most. The best way to increase your chances of responding quickly and calmly is to familiarize yourself with basic pet first aid techniques. Though never a substitute for veterinary treatment, properly applied first aid can minimize a pet's trauma and even save their life until you are able to transport them to a veterinarian,

Coco, who became the store cat of Randa's Market at 16th and Valencia streets shortly after a Waymo killed KitKat in October, has leukemia and no longer calls the liquor store her home. Randa's Market owner Mike Zeidan said the veterinarian discovered leukemia during a visit to get Coco shots and spayed. After the blood cancer showed up in tests, Zeidan decided Coco needed a change of scenery.

Join us for Wilder's 5th Annual Puppy Bowl on Sunday, February 1, from 12-3pm in San Francisco! This fun-filled, pet-friendly event benefits Muttville Senior Dog Rescue and gives attendees the chance to meet adorable adoptable senior dogs. Enjoy specialty cocktails, light bites, and community festivities-all while supporting senior dogs in need of loving homes. Families, dog lovers, and volunteers are welcome to celebrate, socialize, and make a difference.

I am in the kitchen watching the dog and the cat fight when the tortoise suddenly appears. Or to put it another way: I watched the dog and the cat fight for a while, until it became tiresome; the next time I looked up possibly 15 minutes later the tortoise was also there. That's what I mean by suddenly. In real terms, the tortoise doesn't do anything suddenly.

As I walked to meet K-9 Ultra, a five-year-old explosive-detection canine and one of the finalists of the 15th Annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards, I ran through my list of questions in my head: How do you stay so focused during a mission, even in the presence of clear environmental distractions like squirrels and birds? Do you always comply with your handler's commands? And Is that behavior transferable to my civilian dogs?