Dogs and other animals have emotions "Rescue dogs hunted for survivors of the 1985 Mexico City earthquake. After a while, they found only bodies. They became visibly depressed, refusing to eat. Only after a live human was planted in the rubble for them to "rescue" did they shake off the blues and get back to work..." Such events and other examples of animals exhibiting human-like behaviour illuminate the rich inner life of the animal kingdom and why we bond so closely with our canine friends...  [Atlanta Journal-Constitution]

It's official: Therapy dogs bring cheer to sick and aged  "A recent study in St Louis showed that brief weekly visits with a therapy dog reduced the loneliness of elderly patients in a long-term care facility." A half hour a week of quality doggie visits are enough to significantly reduce patients' loneliness. [Straits Times] Related: Therapy dogs help patients in long-term care facilities,  Please help Pets on Wheels

Attitudes toward animal rights: be heard  Let your opinion be known in an online survey... [Atlanta Journal Constitution Opinion]

No more "wanted" posters of lost pets FI "A Finnish firm says "wanted" posters of lost pets will be a thing of the past thanks to new technology: a mobile phone and a tracking unit that is strapped on the back of the animal." Owners can track their wayward dog on a map displayed on their handheld monitor..   [Yahoo News] Related: Owners equip hunting dogs with cell phones

Dog days of summer to end with a splash On August 31, dogs can go for swim with their owners at a non-chlorine (ozonated) Canadian swimming pool in Victoria. "The pool party for dogs will be held August 31, 2pm to 4pm, the day before the pool closes for annual maintenance... Dog paddle and flea style will be the strokes of the day..." [Ananova: Quirkies]

Our dog visited the vet yesterday for a followup on his knee injury. His vet suspects that our dog has an 'Anterior Cruciate Ligament' tear. So, our stoic little doggie has to get x-rays next week and then his surgeon will evaluate them. Of course, he must continue a strict regimen of total rest. His vet also said these kinds of injuries just do not heal well by themselves. He isn't overweight or old, just a dog with two total hip replacements... sigh, we should have gotten veterinary insurance...

MS02-047 Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer (Q323759) Six critical flaws were discovered, one of which may allow a hacker total access to your computer (Arf!). If you're using Internet Explorer, go get the patch... (this isn't dog news, but it's something to howl about... at Microsoft)