The Pisces Dog

Pisces February 19-March 20

The dreamer of the zodiacs, this pooch often lives in fantasy island, thriving on chaos and living in a very imaginative world. Read more...

The Animal Rescue Site $100,000 Shelter Challenge

Help The Animal Rescue Site choose which eligible Petfinder.com animal rescue organizations will receive special funds to help animals! The Animal Rescue Site is awarding $100,000 in grants to eligible Petfinder.com member rescue organizations to help animals. Visit www.theanimalrescuesite.com to vote every day and learn more. You don't have to register, and voting is free. Support your favorite shelter and vote today!


Visit www.theanimalrescuesite.com to vote every day and learn more. There is a handy search box to find your favorite organization. You don't have to register, and voting is free. Support your favorite shelter and vote today!

Eligible organizations with the most votes could receive a weekly prize and/or one of the other grants below:

Grand Prize: One $10,000 grant!

Honorable Mention: Three $3,000 grants!

State Winners: Fifty-one $1,000 state grants (50 U.S. states and Washington D.C.)

Canadian Winners: Two $1,000 grants will be awarded

International Winner: Two $1,000 grants will be awarded.

Weekly Winners: Chances are doubled for a weekly prize! Twenty-Six $1,000 grants will be awarded, two for each week of the Shelter+ Challenge.

You can vote once a day, every day, from January 18th through April 18th, 2010.

New York Goes To The Dogs!

The Westminster Kennel Club 134th Annual Dog Show will be on Monday and Tuesday, February 15-16, 2010 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

A total entry of 2,500 dogs and 120 Junior Showmanship entries will be on hand at The Garden. All of the 173 breeds and varieties recognized by the American Kennel Club will be represented at the show. Three breeds are eligible for the first time for judging at Westminster: the Irish Red and White Setter with 8 entries (Sporting Group), the Norwegian Buhund with 4 entries (Herding Group), and the Pyrenean Shepherd with 17 entries (Herding Group).

Schedule
Individual breed judging will take place each day between the hours of 8:00AM and 6PM.

All Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding breeds and varieties will be judged on Monday, with Groups judged on Monday evening.

All Sporting, Working, and Terrier breeds and varieties will be judged on Tuesday, with Groups judged on Tuesday evening. Best In Show will also be judged on Tuesday evening.

All Junior Showmanship preliminaries will be judged on Monday afternoon, with the finals to be held at 7:30PM on Tuesday evening.

Television Coverage
USA Network and CNBC will be home to The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Pedigree®, for the 27th consecutive year in 2010. USA Network and CNBC airs exclusive live coverage from Madison Square Garden on Monday, February 15, and USA Network airs exclusive live coverage on Tuesday, February 16.

Schedule

NIGHT 1:
Monday, February 15
Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding Groups
8-9 p.m. (ET) live on USA Network
9-11 p.m. (ET) live on CNBC

NIGHT 2:
Tuesday, February 16
Sporting, Working and Terrier Groups, Best In Show
8-11 p.m. (ET) live on USA Network

For more info: http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/

(Pictured is 2009 Best in Show Winner "Stump" a Sussex Spaniel)

The Aquarius Dog

January 20 - February 18

This dog will definitely shake up your life with an eccentric, erratic and high-strung personality. Read more ...

FREE Pet Safety Pack From The ASPCA

Did you know that the ASPCA helps keep your pet safe by offering a free pet safety pack??!! You get a pet rescue window decal to alert rescue personnel that pets are inside your home. Also included is an ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center magnet that has the APCC's toll free number and website address in case you have an emergency. Protect your pets! Order now & tell your friends/family! http://www.aspca.org/about-us/free-aspca-stuff/free-pet-safety-pack.html

1st Known case of H1N1 in dog confirmed

The H1N1 virus was confirmed recently in several cats in the USA. This had pet owners worried and on alert because if this happened to house cats then its was only a matter of time that we would hear of cases with dogs.


Well on December 13, 2009 a 13 year old dog was taken to the Katonah Bedford Veterinary Center in Bedford Hills, New York. The dog became sick after his owner was sick with confirmed H1N1 virus. The dog was lethargic, coughing, not eating, and had a fever. X-rays showed evidence of pneumonia. The dog was treated with intravenous fluids, antibiotics, nebulization and other supportive care, and was discharged from the hospital after 48 hours of care. The dog is reported to be doing very well at home and is scheduled for a check-up with repeat X-rays.


Signs of H1N1 virus infection resemble those of other common respiratory infections so it is important to get medical attention asap to determine what is ailing your pet. Some signs to look out for:
* Coughing, sneezing and oculonasal discharge
* Fever, lethargy and loss of appetite
* Dyspnea and tachypnea


H1N1 and pets
This dog, like the ferrets, cats, cheetahs, turkeys and most swine, have contracted the H1N1 infection from humans. Keep your pets safe by:

* taking them to the veterinarian at the first signs of illness
* keeping ill humans away from pets
* covering your coughs
* practicing good sanitation of the environment
* practicing good personal hygiene (wash hands)

For up-to-date news on the 2009 H1N1 flu virus outbreak and FAQs from the American Veterinary Medical Association go to http://www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/new_virus/default.asp

The Capricorn Dog

December 22 - January 19

What some consider the Donald Trump of the canine world, this dog needs your respect, to be in control, to feel accomplished and a fat bank account. Read more...

Winter Skin & Paw Care Tips From the ASPCA

Winter can cause chapped paws and itchy, flaking skin but there are steps you can take to prevent this. The ASPCA has ten great tips to take care of your pet's skin and paws. Read more...

Important Cold Weather Tips From the ASPCA

Must Read for Pawrents ! The ASPCA has a list of cold weather dangers that you should be aware of. For example did you know that dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost? I did'nt! More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags. Read the complete list!

Hallmark Hall of Fame's Presentation of A Dog Named Christmas

A Dog Named Christmas is a movie based on the book by author and Petfinder blogger, Greg Kincaid. This is a wonderful story about a developmentally challenged young man who fosters a dog from a local shelter during the holidays, and the whole community gets involved. It's a heart warming story that sends a great message.

Petfinder got the message! Petfinder has started the Foster a Lonely Pet for the Holidays program in hopes that people will invite a shelter pet into their home for this special time of year. Many shelters are short staffed during the holiday season and to open your home to one of these wonderful pets would make your and their holiday so much more joyful!

Watch the show on Sunday, November 29, on CBS, then find a participating shelter in your area and give them a call.

UPDATE! A Dog Named Christmas is available on DVD..order here OR you can find it at Hallmark Gold Crown Stores!