Antifreeze and freezing weather: deadly to dogs IN Tips on getting your dog through a cold winter  by American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals:

'Provide your outdoor dog with high-quality living arrangements, the next best thing to your own house. Doghouses should be only slightly larger than the dog. A snug fit will keep him cozy. Too much space and frigid winds will permeate his shelter. Insulate.... Give your indoor companion animals a warm bed away from drafts, a blanket and a pillow, or just snuggle a little bit closer...' more...  Winterize pets? Better to bring `em in [Fort Wayne News Sentinel] (Even our chow chow has a warm, quilted coat: he wears it gratefully when we go out for walks; he doesn't like the cold at all. If your dog has arthritis, keep it indoors and throw a soft cloth over it when it snuggles down for the night; the dog's own body heat will keep him more comfortable; our dog loves this... )

My life as a dog DE 'Scampering down the street, I lower my snout to the ground and sniff a fire hydrant. No, I'm not looking for a bathroom - though it wouldn't be out of character, given that I am dressed as a dalmatian...' My life as a dog [By Seth Stern, Staff writer The Christian Science Monitor] (The Monitor's Seth Stern dons a dog suit at mascot boot camp, where he learns to play charades and make his belly roll.)

 'Barkitects' have a romp with canine dream homes TN 'Snoopy's doghouse will be merely a backdrop to some original doghouses designed by 20 local architects. Their designs will be part of a new exhibition opening Saturday at Memphis Brooks Museum of Art that celebrates the work of Peanuts cartoonist Charles Schulz...' Riffs on Rover's Roof

For hire: drug-sniffing dog AU 'A private company is offering a drug-sniffing dog to search high-rise apartments for marijuana, cocaine and ecstasy during Schoolies Week on the Gold Coast. The sniffer service was advertised yesterday' in a student flyer in the Gold Coast Bulletin newspaper and aimed at parents concerned that their children might be hiding drugs.... Drug sniffing dog 'for hire' [News Interactive]

('The company uses a Belgian Malinois dog called Bullet which, Ms McLean claims, can smell marijuana on the sweat of a person who has used the drug in the past 24 hours...' Drug sniffing dog 'for hire'

True heroes of the Itarod A profile of Martin Buser, the defending champion and a four-time winner of the Iditarod dog-sled race, by National Geographic explores his winning life style. Dogs Are "True Heroes" of Iditarod, Race Champ Says [National Geographic]

Tiny pomeranian dumped in trash: RSPCA wants to return it to owner UK “It’s a small dog - like a lap dog - with long gold hair, and it’s really sweet looking. It’s obviously somebody’s beloved pet  I think what’s happened is that somebody has taken the dog and thrown it in the bin, securing the lid back on again - no owner would do that.” Was your pet dog found in dustbin? [Coventry News]

Turnpike Authority ordered to remove huge, illegal burial pit  MA One of the consequences of pet overpopulation, strays and too many deer is the necessity for large burial pits: a final resting place for road kill. 'For three decades, in a wetlands of the median strip of the Mass. Pike, the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority - without the required permits or the knowledge of town officials - operated a dump for the deer and other animals killed by cars on the Pike. The Turnpike closed the dump two months ago. However,  there may be as many as four other animal dumps along the Pike in towns that probably don't know they are there...'  Pike ordered to remove huge animal burial pit [Boston Globe Online]

Little dog due to set world record UT  'Cricket, a tiny Chihuahua, is pregnant and  expected to give birth to SIX puppies. The world record right now is five.' Little dog makes big news

Animal problem or people problem ... when strays overrun a town NC 'People here (in the South) seem to view their pets as possessions, and much less as companions." In the south, pet owners often utilize their dogs for hunting or as guard animals. "The South's attitude is very utilitarian ... it's a very different culture, as opposed to western states, where animals are viewed more as members of the family.'  The consequences are a county overrun by strays and all the attendant problems they cause: animal suffering, and a drain on money, time and resources. The answer may lie in joint, apolitical working together of both veterinarians and animal rescue groups to educate people, spay animals and volunteer time and money. 'There's a fragmenting among the groups (shelter-wise and vet-wise). There's no coalition between them at all - and we're all working for the same goals.' Animal problem or people problem?  [Up & Coming Magazine]

Healthy Pets Healthy People From this week's Librarian's Guide to the Internet: 'Pets are wonderful companions, but they can pass diseases to people. This site tells how to safely enjoy pets. It has information about people at risk (pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems), guidelines for animals in institutional settings, and a glossary. Additional resources include articles, brochures, posters, information hotlines, and links to other Web sites. Browsable by animal or disease. From the National Center for Infectious Diseases.'  Healthy Pets, Healthy People.