Pet sitting dog businesses boom Pampering your pooch has become big business and why not, your pooch pampers you when you come home from a hard day at work... "These days, pet sitters are big business. They're bonded and insured. They organize play groups with other dogs. They visit several times a day, not just once or twice. They're paid handsomely. And they're more popular than ever, as pet owners opt for in-home care rather than a trip to the kennel..."

Related: Doggie Day Care: Everyone Wins Day Care For Dogs

Guide dogs graduate to grateful owners California Five dogs graduated from intensive training last Saturday and earned degrees as certified dogs by Guide Dogs of the Desert International. "Owners spent 28 days in training with the dogs, learning how to cross streets, board trains and deal with crowds and noises. 'You’re literally putting your life in the paws of your own dog,' " reported one participant...

President Shifts Focus From Daughters to Dogs "President Bush has begun to talk so much about his dogs lately that they have become a regular part of his political patter around the country..." [NY Times via NewsisFree]

Rocky - the new DC lottery dog Washington DC "Rocky, a 2-year-old midnight black mix of Lab and border collie, charmed a panel of judges at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Woodley Park with his winsome stare yesterday and was picked to become the mascot for the D.C. Lottery, beating back competition from 22 dogs." Rocky will pose before cameras and appear on posters throughout the city. Rocky, a rescued dog from the Humane Society, has a hard life before his current owners; he was attacked and injured by three dogs and only received medical care when the Humane Society rescued him.[newsisfree.com]

Police rescue dog stuck to new tarmac Netherlands "Dutch police had to rescue a dog after it became stuck to tarmac while sunbathing. The German shepherd lay down in the asphalt not realising workers had only just poured it. The dog found he couldn't stand up again. Neighbours called the police for help after spotting the problem. It took officers more than an hour to get the dog free using special solvents, reports De Telegraaf newspaper..."