Matilda, wonder dog of 2002 CO  Matilda, a rescued Australian sheep dog, changed from an 'obsessive compulsive' dog (a nonstop destructive chewer) to a well-adjusted wonder dog as she went through a professionally managed recovery process designed by a trainer from the Humane Society... [UPI]

Winterize your pet Canada Tips on getting your dog through the winter without freezing to death... Unfortunately, the kind of people that really need to read this compendium of tips are also the people who go away for the weekend and leave their dog outside in the backyard. Some of the tips are  invaluable:  'On a cold day, a warm engine in a parked car will often attract cats or small wildlife. Before starting the engine, be sure to bang on the hood of the vehicle, open the hood whenever possible, and honk the horn several times.'  Don't Let Spot and Puff Freeze! - "Winterize" Your Pets [Mammoth Times]

Edwin Goodwin says cow hooves stink  'They smell like a cross between an open, spoiled jar of peanut butter and a fart after a twelve hour chili eating contest.'  agreed... and they're not so good for some dogs either. 'Baa Baa Que' treats (lamb lung) also stink. These toasted lamb lung slices smell like dead body parts (which they are... ), but my dog loves them. 'Baa Baa Que's: the doggy potato chip. Related:   Dog treat dangers: salmonella threat prompts health warning [The Marion Star] Related: Should your dog get that bone

Little known animal facts
'Cats have over one hundred vocal sounds, but dogs only have about ten. [no way... my dog has more]
Elephants are the only animals that can't jump.
A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out.
more..
[ by Crazy News via Gaspirtz cartoons via Oliver from Pet Humor)

Bizarre animal menagerie captured in drug bust check Malaysia 'A bizarre haul of animals including 20 puppies, 990 lizards, 1,000 spiders and 200 scorpions [and birds, snakes and chameleons]  was found in a truck during an anti-smuggling check near the border with Thailand... The puppies were in wire-mesh cages, the scorpions, spiders and 100 centipedes were in gunny sacks and the snakes and lizards in plastic bags, all hidden under a pile of old boxes...' Authorities theorize some of the animals were destined for pet shops or dinner tables. Bizarre animal haul found in anti-smuggling check [Malaysia Kini] (was Osama Bin Laden in the pile?)

The scoop on rabies Scotland Rabies, 'a neurological illness which paralyses from feet up and leads to respiratory failure,' is almost always fatal if not caught in time and treated by a counteracting vaccine treatment...  [The Scotsman] Related: Rabies kills dog bite victim, Has rabies come to UK?: bat handler's test inconclusive [New Scientist]

Not guilty verdict for man who shot dog A tragic tale of a dog running loose and attacking another dog in a neighbor's yard: The attacked dog's owner tried to scare the attacking dog off with a bow and arrow and didn't know he wounded the dog who ran off. 'The dog, Sherman, which belonged to Steve Underwood, was found by a motorist near an expressway, after being shot in the rectal area by an arrow.' The motorist took Sherman to a veterinary hospital, where he later died. Sherman hung on until his owner, out of town on a fishing trip, could see him. 'Sherman went into shock when he saw Underwood [his owner] and died in his arms...' Underwood sued the shooter, but lost his case when the District Attorney found the shooter not guilty of animal abuse... Haven found innocent in dog's death [The Daily Nonpareil]

How to think like a dog...   understanding your dog's behavior... FL Bob Ross and Barbara McKinney share secrets of dog training success in an online Dog Talk column, four books,  and in this interview by J. T. Harris. 'It's training from the canine point of view.' ... [Stuart News] (This isn't cookie cutter training; not all dogs are motivated by the same rewards. Our dog isn't motivated to do what other dogs do; he can't be bothered with barking or tug-of-war ; he's just content when he's around people (the more the better); 'Your dog is basically inert,' said our trainer... when he saw our dog lounging on his rug at home.

Dog chases boy to his death: into hit-and-run traffic accident [Click on Detroit]

What to do when your dog's a certified nut case... Curing Compulsions: Dogs suffering disorder do odd things  ... If your dog is driving you crazy with embarassing constant humping, incessant tail chasing, or licking, don't hesitate to take it to a veterinarian and dog behavior trainer. Your dog may have a medical condition or an obsessive compulsive disorder, which when left untreated can 'mentally cripple a dog'.  "It's mostly repetitive, exaggerated behaviors that don't make any sense. Some dogs will hallucinate. Others will stare into space for hours...."  [Indy Star via tip from Kevin Hillabolt, creator of Lexi, the dog, a dog with a sense of humor)] (I would have posted this story sooner, but our dog was constantly pawing my typing arm.... )

Related:  Curing your dog's mounting behavior.  When you've had it with your dog's embarrassing behavior, you can: a) get used to it and capitalize on it aka Chris Pirillo or b) get some help to see what's causing the behavior and how to stop it. Some dog behaviorists recommend neutering a dog to take the edge of his excessive energy.  Dog Secrets recommends a number of approaches: kneeing the dog when he/she humps (not very nice), isolating the dog when he/she humps (takes time, but works), neutering the dog (helps), and diverting their attention by spraying them with water or lemon juice. [Yes, females hump too - humping can also signal dominant behavior or even obsessive compulsive behavior.] The website has other interesting topics too: "should your dog take Prozac?"  and "the most dangerous dogs to kiss."