Category: pets

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A Man Tested Petco’s ‘All Leashed Animals Welcome’ Policy with a 1,600-Pound Bull

You know that exhilarating feeling you get when you walk into a Target? Petco is just like that, but for our pets. The store has a generous “all leashed pets are welcome” policy, so any and all creatures can enjoy its endless selection of toys and sprays and water bowls. Including, apparently, enormous bulls.

A man in Texas decided to test the limits of Petco’s leashed animal policy by leashing his 1,600-pound steer and taking him into the store for a visit.

Photo Credit: Facebook

Vincent Browning says he thought the policy was a “bluff.” But he brought his enormous African Watusi steer, Oliver, into the store, and guess what? The policy IS NOT A BLUFF. The Petco employees were delighted to greet and pet Oliver, despite his 9 and a half foot horns (!!!).

“They welcomed Oliver the African Watusi with open arms,” Vincent said on Facebook.

“People couldn’t believe it. The whole staff there was really nice about it and excited,” he told USA Today.

The whole encounter was captured on video, and it’s pretty stunning. The Petco employees are so calm and happy to see this giant creature, and Oliver is totally chill about the adventure!

He somehow managed to maneuver his massive horns into the store without knocking a single thing over. He deserves 500 treats for that alone.

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Good News for Pet Owners! Silent Fireworks Exist and a Town in Italy Is Already Using Them.

You know who doesn’t love the excitement of a good fireworks show?

Your dog or cat, that’s who.

Which explains why July 5 is the busiest day for animal shelters throughout the United States. The spectacular fireworks shows used to celebrate the nation’s freedom means a night of confusion and fear for many pets who will do anything to get away from the noise. Even if it means running away from home.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

If the poor runaways don’t get scooped up and taken to a shelter, they can sometimes end up getting hit by a car.  They can also suffer nausea and heart problems from the stress.

But one town in Italy has decided to put pets and wildlife first when it comes to city-wide celebrations.

Collecchio in the Parma province has required its citizens to use only silent fireworks, protecting animals from the stress and anxiety of a traditional cracking and booming fireworks display.

Photo Credit: Pexels

Silent fireworks have all the brightness and illumination of regular fireworks. There’s even the noise of the ignition, but it’s not loud enough to frighten animals. No big bang and pop to scare pets or birds. Just a lovely trail of sparkles in the sky.

Setti Fireworks, an Italian company, designs the quieter pyrotechnics with customized colors and designs for Collecchio, which has made it against the law to use normal fireworks within their city.

The result is better visual effects, colors and even lasers that have replaced the noise, keeping spectators’ excitement levels up and animals’ stress levels down.

Photo Credit: Pixnio

How do silent fireworks…work?

Actually, they are not a new invention. Classic shows use silent fireworks all the time to accompany big bangs. Comet tails that fizzle are a good example of these. So maybe they aren’t technically silent, but they are much less startling.

Animal friendly displays are beginning to catch on in popularity in many countries around the globe. Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone – small children, veterans dealing with battle trauma and our pets – could enjoy the fun of a celebratory fireworks display?

Let’s hope less scary fireworks shows become the norm soon.

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A Woman Wanted Her Pet Buried with Her, so the Healthy Dog Was Euthanized

This is pretty messed up.

We all love our pets like family, but this story makes my blood boil. It reminds of when some billionaire leaves a ton of money to their cat or something.

I mean I know we all love our pets like family, but this is absurd.

And cruel.

A woman in Richmond, Virginia, had it clearly stated in her will that her beloved dog Emma, a Shih Tzu mix, was to be put to sleep and buried with her at the time of her death. Workers at the Chesterfield County Animal Services were heartbroken that they had to honor the recently deceased woman’s wishes, but they still euthanized the healthy dog. They actually tried to appeal to the woman’s estate, but to no avail. The dog’s owner was 67-year-old Anita Cullop-Thompson.

The manager of the animal care facility said, “We did suggest they could sign the dog over on numerous occasions — because it’s a dog we could easily find a home for and re-home. But ultimately, they came back in on March 22nd and redeemed the dog.”

Emma was taken directly to a vet’s office, euthanized, and then cremated. Her ashes were returned to the deceased woman’s estate. As you can imagine, this story went viral and greatly upset many people, including big-time celebrities.

The Humane Society of the United States is clear on where they stand on the issue. Vice President Amy Nichols said, “It is a heartbreaking situation. While we don’t know the specifics of this case, as a general matter, we don’t support the euthanasia of healthy and adoptable animals when other alternatives exist, such as re-homing of the pet.”

Share your thoughts about this story in the comments. We’d like to hear from you!

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This Is Why Cats Can’t Get Enough of Cardboard Boxes

Cats and cardboard boxes go together like PB&J, right? Cats are drawn to those brown cubes like white on rice – or in this case, brown on cardboard. But why? Trying to decode cat behaviors may seem nearly impossible, especially when this obsession is universal in felines. But let’s explore anyway…

Cats crave security

Mark Freemen, DVM and an assistant professor at the VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine told Readers Digest,

“Cats are, by nature, cryptic animals, meaning they prefer to have a safe hiding spot from which they can observe the world around them. Cats are both hunter and prey, so having a secure space from which they can monitor for threats from predators as well as for appealing prey is ideal.”

Pretty neat. We cat owners tend to humanize our kitties, making us forget they have their own instincts for survival.

Photo Credit: Pexels, FOX

Kitties want to be warm

Cats need to maintain a certain temperature to remain comfortable. Wired quotes a 2006 study by the National Research Council as saying that “the thermoneutral zone for a domestic cat is 86 to 97 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s the range of temperatures in which cats are ‘comfortable’ and don’t have to generate extra heat to keep warm or expend metabolic energy on cooling.”

It would make sense that our furry felines find comfort within boxes. Corrugated cardboard is a type of insulator which can help regulate their inner temperature, ensuring the cat is comfortable. This can also help them preserve body heat when cold.

Cats may be searching for stimulation or an escape from anxiety

Have you found your cat loves to scratch, bite, and chew on cardboard? Some cats need to be stimulated more, and so find this activity fun. “You’ll often find them scratching, chewing, and otherwise mangling the cardboard, which is a great source of entertainment and pleasure for the cat,” said Freeman.

Photo Credit: Pexels, Peng Louis

But that’s not all! Felines have scent glands on their paws, so scratching leaves behind their signature mark – it’s part of how they mark their territory.

Cardboard can also be a great escape, particularly for cats that suffer from anxiety. “When a cat is over-stimulated, tired, or just in need of a break, a box gives them the ability to recharge until they’re ready to come out and play again,” Daniel Rotman, CEO of PrettyLitter, told RD.

 

Before you give your cat a box, make sure sure to remove any objects that may cause harm, such as staples in the seams. After that, let them enjoy their new space – and have a good time watching them.

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A Study Shows That Cat Owners Pass on Their Own Personalities to Their Cats

Sometimes, humans and their pets seem eerily similar to each other, and it’s not just in our imagination, according to a new study.

In a study published in Plos One, researchers surveyed over 3000 cat owners. They asked them a variety of questions about five broad personality traits: extroversion, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism. Then they observed their cats’ behavior.

The researchers found that the traits that were dominant in owners were also observed in their cats.

For example, owners who rated higher in neuroticism had cats who exhibited behavior problems. Owners who rated themselves as more extroverted had cats who enjoyed being outside more.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Cats are notoriously independent animals. They’re not really into being told what to do or how to act. So, how do they end up picking up on so many of their humans’ traits?

It may be due to the tight bond that many humans and cats share.

“Many owners consider their pets as a family member, forming close social bonds with them,” explained Dr. Lauren Finka, co-author of the study. “It’s therefore very possible that pets could be affected by the way we interact with and manage them, and that both these factors are in turn influenced by our personality differences.”

Photo Credit: Pixabay

She added that “further research is needed to investigate the causal nature of this relationship – and to look at if, and how, owner personalities are directly influencing their cat’s behavior and welfare.”

Cool!

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A Company Adopted Two Office Kittens to Boost Employee Morale and It Totally Succeeded

What better way to lift your spirits when you’re having an awful day at work than to play with a rambunctious kitten or two? Talk about a stress reliever!

I think that maybe all offices need to consider doing this.

The IT/finance department of a transportation company in Ohio “hired” two kittens to be a part of their team and, thankfully, the whole story is being documented on social media.

An employee of the company posted on Reddit about the two kitties and the story went viral.

Now Debit and Credit have an Instagram page with more than 23,000 followers so we can all watch them grow up before our eyes!

Enjoy these pics of the kittens who make every day in the office just a little bit better.

1. Get back to work!

2. Meet Credit

3. Meet Debit

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Hello, my name is Debit. ?? #ourofficekittens #debit

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4. Break time

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Sleeping babies ? #ourofficekittens

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5. All up in the packing supplies

6. Family portrait

7. Case of the Mondays

8. Double trouble

9. Inbox is full

10. Gotta file those reports

11. Snuggle struggle

12. Their very first photo

13. Sleeping on the job

14. Everything okay here?

15. Causing mischief

Be sure to follow Debit and Credit on Instagram to keep up with all their latest antics!

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A Blind Golden Retriever and His Guide Dog Are BFF and It Is Beautiful

Take a look at these adorable pups! This is what friendship goals look like!

Jake and Addie are inseparable not only because they’re devoted to each other, but because Jake is blind and Addie acts as his guide dog. Jake lost his sight when he was only 2-years-old and Addie has been a loyal friend and helper every step of the way. Jake and Addie’s owner Kim said, “Jake follows Addie’s sound and smell. After Jake’s surgery, Addie wore a little bell on her collar for a while until he got used to tracking her on his own.”

Jake’s owners were worried about his quality of life after he had to have his eyes removed, but they were reassured that blind dogs can go on to live happy, fulfilling lives. And, by the looks of it, Jake is doing just that.

Kim added, “Our vet also counseled us that, to a dog, sight is actually number 3 on their list of senses, as both smell and hearing are more important to them.”

Take a look at these two best friends and all the adventures they go on together!

1. BFF

2. Time to celebrate!

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Stars, stripes, and lot’s of sparkle! ? ?? ? #sparkle #america . . Most of the pics we will be sharing the next few weeks were taken the last month or two so you may notice more changes in the size of the sore on Addie’s nose. I knew there may be questions but still want to share the pics ❤ I appreciate all of the sweet comments of concern and all of the prayers for her. I also want to thank you for the cards, DM’s, and comments of support during this difficult time losing my grandma. I felt so much comfort the last couple of weeks. -Kim . . . . . . Discount codes:? . ? @busterspartyshop ➖THEGOLDENSRULE10 . ? @tailsnsails➖THEGOLDENSRULE . ?@threespoileddogs ➖ADDIE10 . ? @ripleyandrue ➖JakeAddie10 . . ? @petsplaysf ➖ THEGOLDENSRULE20

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3. Fun in the sun

4. With Dad

5. Car ride!

6. Matching bandanas

7. Memorial Day

8. Double trouble

9. Pampered

10. Picnic time

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We are ready to place our bets and sip our mint juleps! Happy Derby Day! ?????#kentuckyderby #derby #derbyday #kyderby #kentuckyderby2019 . . Discount codes:? . ? @busterspartyshop ➖THEGOLDENSRULE10 . ? @knoxdogwear ➖ THEGOLDENSRULE20 . ? @tailsnsails➖THEGOLDENSRULE . ?@threespoileddogs ➖ADDIE10 . ? @ripleyandrue ➖JakeAddie10 . ?@cuddleclones ➖THEGOLDENSRULE . ? @treatadog ➖THEGOLDENSRULE . ? @petsplaysf ➖ THEGOLDENSRULE20 . . . . . #GoldenRetriever #bowtie #Dogs #Puppies #DogsOfInstagram #PuppySketch #CutePuppy #runfortheroses #weratedogs #dogsinbowties #TodayFanPhoto #BestWoof #barkpost #peoplepets #ILoveGolden_Retrievers #TheDodo #Buzzfeed #derbyfashion #Petstagram #viralphoto #doggo #dogstagram #mydogiscutest #animalsinfluence

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11. Superheroes

12. Easter egg hunt

13. Taking in the sights

14. Time for a snooze

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Sunday’s… sleep until you are hungry. Then eat until you are sleepy. ??#repeat #sundayfunday #sleepysunday #rainyday . . Discount codes:? . ? @busterspartyshop ➖THEGOLDENSRULE10 . ? @knoxdogwear ➖ THEGOLDENSRULE20 . ? @tailsnsails➖THEGOLDENSRULE . ?@threespoileddogs ➖ADDIE10 . ? @ripleyandrue ➖JakeAddie10 . ?@cuddleclones ➖THEGOLDENSRULE . ? @treatadog ➖THEGOLDENSRULE . ? @petsplaysf ➖ THEGOLDENSRULE20 . . . . . #GoldenRetriever #RetrieversOfInstagram #GoldenPuppy #GoldenRetrieverPuppy #Dogs #Puppies #PuppyCuddles #Puppy #DogsOfInstagram #PuppySketch #Dog_Features #CutePuppy #Retriever #PuppiesOfInstagram #Golden #AKC #Pupstagram #ILoveMyDog #sundayscaries #ILoveGolden_Retrievers #TheDodo #Buzzfeed #sleepypuppy

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15. Time to party for Mardi Gras

Be sure to follow Jake and Addie on Instagram! These two are the best!

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Adorable Photos of Dogs at Bath Time! Oh Yeah!

Some dogs looooove bath time, others really don’t. And a few are in between

And these 15 photos show the range of emotions they experience.

Do any of these pictures remind you of your pooch at bath time?

1. Not a fan

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I got a BATH yesterday. I do not enJoy baths, but I’m very polite and stand patiently in the tub until it’s over. . . PD: The photos show me (a black poodle) in various states of bathtime. The first is of me after I get out of the run with a grey towel drawled over my head and shoulders. My face is still wet and I look very concerned. The second and third photos are of me in the white tub during my bath, where I am wet and my curly hair is all messed up. My fabric collar was taken off and I wear a silver training collar. The fourth photo is of me in the tub, but right before the water starts up. I am still soft and fuzzy, with my tail fluffy and dry. You can see the shower hose attachment coming down from the shower head. The final photo is of me after I’ve been all dried up, sitting in front of wooden kitchen cabinets on a light yellow hardwood floor. I am smiling and fuzzy once again! . . . . . . . . . . . #standardpoodle #blackpoodlesofinstagram #poodlesofinstagram #blackdogsofinstagram #standardpoodlesofinstagram #standardpoodlepuppy #poodlepuppy #blackpoodlepuppy #blackstandardpoodle #bathtime #dogsinbaths #puppybathtime #tubpuppy #wetdog

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2. Bewildered

3. Doghawk

4. Resigned to what comes next

5. Bundled up

6. Cute!

7. Can I join you?

View this post on Instagram

I was trying to have a relaxing bath…

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8. Indifferent maybe?

9. Where’s that duck?

10. Full house

11. Bath buddies

12. Swimmin’

13. Likes it!

14. Good boy!

15. Looks pretty happy

Okay, the trauma is over now…

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The Huge Changes in These 12 Animals Pre and Post-Adoption Will Melt Your Heart

These 12 adorable before and after images of pets who found their forever homes will give you all the feels, I guarantee that.

Get out your Kleenex.

#12. How did someone even know this was a dog?

Image Credit: Facebook

We’re glad they did, because look how sweet he is after the haircut!

#11. A month of love (and the vet) does wonders.

Image Credit: Imgur

Now THAT’S what a healthy, happy kitty looks like!

#10. Those dreadlocks had to be miserable!

Image Credit: DesignYourTrust

…But her marbled skin is fabulous!

#9. This good girl is 16 and happier than ever.

Image Credit: Imgur

Just because you’re getting up there in years doesn’t mean you don’t deserve a good home.

#8. Not everyone looks better with a beard.

Image Credit: Imgur

Seriously, this buddy looks decades younger now!

#7. He may have lost an eye, but he gained a lot more!

Image Credit: Facebook

…Including one adorable bandana!

#6. This dog was supposed to be euthanized, but someone stepped in, and look at him now!

Image Credit: Reddit

Love and care really can be life-saving.

#5. That face, omg.

Image Credit: Reddit

What a difference those loving arms around you makes!

#4. Hard to believe this is the same good boy!

Image Credit: Facebook

We knew that winning smile was under there!

#3. And after 8 months of love and food…

Image Credit: Imgur 

…This pup became the strapping dog you see before you.

#2. They missed the mark not naming her Gizmo, but she’s happy.

Image Credit: Instagram

Plus that tongue look is priceless.

#1. The police saved these starving dogs, and just look at them now!

Image Credit: Design Your Trust

Now THOSE are some happy, furry friends!

Just try to stay away from the next adoption day at your local shelter. I dare you.

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These Dads Swore They Didn’t Want Cats. They Were Lying.

People always claim they don’t want cats. Then there’s a BIG turn.

These 15 dads claimed they didn’t like cats and then fell in love. BIG TIME.

15. I mean if it’s going to be there, you might as well keep the fur under control.

14. True love.

13. You’re not fooling anyone, bub.

12. AND the cat has a nickname.

11. No better use of Facebook if you ask me.

10. He carries her to bed every night. OMG.

My Dad (79) went from “I don’t want that dang cat” to carrying her to “her room” for bed each night. from aww

9. The cats like you and that’s all that matters.

8. Never say never.

7. A new baby is a new baby.

6. Only the best for Gizmo.

5. That cat looks so interested in the video. Ha!

My dad hated cats and was pissed when I brought her home, but now, 3 years later, he’s showing her cat videos while she sits in his lap. She also sleeps with him every night. from aww

4. Extra.

My dad, who hates cats, built bunkbeds for my boys. from aww

3. That’s what’s known as eating your words.

2. I mean he is a guest might as well be comfortable.

My dad says he hates my cat, but today I came home from work to find this… from aww

1. Priceless.

Good luck out there, non-cat people!

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