Pets and air travel can be a lethal combination

"When the cargo bin of the Continental Airlines plane was opened July 10, Joey, a 6-year-old mixed-breed dog, was found lying on his side, loose inside the hold. Joey had chewed and pushed his way out of his metal and plastic crate. Despite being rushed to a veterinarian, Joey died several hours later, one of 45 animals that died during or shortly after flights in the U.S. over the past 16 months, according to the federal government..."
Source: Seattlepi.Nwsource.com, 11/30/2006

Pets can pose with Santa

Tracy, CA - "From out of a Juicy Couture bag, Honey, a tan Pomeranian, emerges camera ready for her photo session with Santa. She's wearing a pink and white stripped shirt and a pink and white polka dot collar. Honey poses professionally, quietly, on the lap of Jada Rivera, 5, who, along with sister Mia, 2, sit on the larger lap of the man in red..."
Source: InsideBayArea.com, 11/30/2006

Jubilee gives man and beast something to howl about

Naples, FL - "Veterans Community Park went to the dogs November 18 as Domestic Animal Services held its first annual Howl-A-Day Jubilee. The weather was crisp and cool as more than 600 Neapolitans watched dog obedience and agility demonstrations, shopped the jubilee vendors and bid on the silent auctions. The event was free and there was even a doggie fashion show and a "Hug-A-Pug" booth..."
Source: ZWire.com, 11/29/2006

S.Korea slaughters dogs and pigs

Iksan, South Korea - "Unaware of his fate, a two-year-old dachshund barked while chained to his dingy, wooden house, as South Korea slaughtered hundreds of dogs and pigs in efforts to stem the spread of the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu..."
Source: CNN.com, 11/28/2006

Dogs sniff out bugs to help wine growers combat crop-destroying bugs

Topeka, KS - "There is an approaching menace in California's wine country: a tiny little bug with a penchant for destroying vineyards. To stay ahead of a potentially expensive infestation, growers have funded a research program with the Assistance Dog Institute in Santa Rosa, Calif. Canines already use their sense of smell to find bombs, narcotics, even cancer. So, why not this new pest, as well?..."
Source: 49abcnews.com, 11/29/2006

Paws 4 Liberty pairs service dogs, disabled

Palm Beach, CA - "As an occupational therapist with patients at Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center, Heidi Spirazza felt she knew exactly what some of them needed - dogs. Not just any lovable four-legged pet, but service dogs that would improve their lives..."
Source: PalmBeachPost.com, 11/29/2006

Judge orders man to forfeit dogs kept in former school bus

Bennington, VT - "A New Hampshire man found with 32 German shepherds in an old school bus last summer has been ordered to forfeit the animals because he couldn't properly care for them. Larry Mason, 52, of Bridgewater, N.H., still faces animal cruelty charges and is due to go on trial next month..."
Source: Boston.com, 11/29/2006

Police Dogs Being Moved

Baltimore, MD - "A Baltimore County police canine facility that was closed for environmental testing after the cancer deaths of several dogs will not reopen, the department announced yesterday. Under pressure from the County Council and police union leaders, the department said yesterday the canine unit will operate from four precinct houses throughout the county..."
Source: BaltimoreSun.com, 11/29/2006

Bully sticks and Itty-Bitty Balls

Aspen, CO - "...The pet food industry has discovered that there's no limit to the possibilities of marketing otherwise unsalvageable body parts from the slaughterhouses..."
Source: Aspen Times, 11/29/2006