Dog 'shoots' woman "A young Romanian woman enjoying a walk on the beach with her daughter was almost killed when a hunting dog 'shot' her with a rifle." A hunter had left his dog and rifle unattended while he looked for a phone and the dog accidentally knocked over the loaded rifle which went off... [Anova.com quirkies]

Postal worker loses nose to dog LA A letter carrier was attacked by two dogs who ran out an open front door while she walked on the sidewalk. She backed away, fell and the pitbull bit her face while the german shepherd-mix pulled on her pants leg. "Nationwide [in US] , 3,000 letter carriers have been bitten this year, up 15 percent over last year." [San Diego Union Tribune State News]

Kitty's treatment gives her pause PA "Last April, Rosemary Moffett took a newly [adopted] cat -- which she renamed "Calie" -- to a PALS veterinarian, to get vaccinations. "I watched [her] give Calie a variety of shots. I even went back to her a couple of times because Calie was [sick] and was told that she was all right, that she didn't have worms." Unmollified, Moffett took the ailing cat to a vet in southwest Philadelphia, who confirmed her fears: "the cat had worms, and was given the wrong rabies vaccine..." [Daily Times]

When adopting from any pet rescue organization, it's a good idea to take the new pet to your own veterinarian for an exam. Your adopted dog may have worms, ear infections, intestinal infections and other ailments which a competent vet will be able to detect and treat.

Vets rethink dog vaccination schedules  Automatic annual vaccinations for dogs are being questioned veterinary research circles. While some veterinarians have already changed procedures for cats, recommendations have not been  changed yet for dogs. "It is reasonably certain at this time that distemper and parvovirus vaccinations have a duration of effect of at least three years and probably closer to five years, with the probability that at least some dogs have lifelong immunity after the initial vaccination series and the one year booster..." [vetinfo.com]

After 8 days of sizzling hot weather, DC gets a break DC It's been so hot in the DC area that just walking seems a chore; imagine the poor dog, heavy coat or not, who does not have the ability to adapt to hot weather like humans do. Combine that with air quality determined "code red" (just plain bad for everyone) and you have the "dog days of summer." "You wonder whether the dog will ever venture outside again. He's no fool."... [Washington Post]

Man beats, buries puppy alive  "Cheryl Johnson was horrified when a neighbor asked for some gasoline so he could burn his pit bull puppy alive after it ate a loaf of bread on the kitchen table." It got worse from there; when refused the gasoline, he beat it and buried it alive. She rescued it from its grave, but couldn't save it...[New Orleans Times Picayune News]

Dogs, owners, mingle at singles party OH "The [Buffalo] ABC Family Channel and radio station 97 Rock held a dog party Saturday afternoon in an attempt to match up single people and their dogs with prospective mates." The party proved a howling success, with "some snipping, some sniffing, some licking" among dogs, while some owners sized up prospective dates. When dogs and owners attend a singles party, things are bound to be different... [Buffalo News via Lexi, the Dog]

Related: Lonely pets seek luv on the net UK Animal lovers are posting ads for their love starved pets on the web: 'Bradley, a house rabbit owner writing from the USA, is appealing for "a docile and friendly doe" to befriend his recently bereaved male house rabbit, Gordon. His advert reads: " ... Jenny [deceased bunny] fought her cancer for nearly one year and bravely survived surgery for tumours." '  And these pet owners are not just seeking AKC stud services, but genuine soulmates to sooth their pets and pooches...(good luck) [BBC News UK]

Lexi the Dog, a blog about a dog's life (and her family), features some hilarious photographs of Lexi enjoying life and a dog's view of the world. Dig through the archives for the fall-down funny photographs.