Name That Foal

You can name this star of Budweiser's Super Bowl commercials on Twitter at #clydesdales. I imagine Buddy has been suggested.

Snowboarding Bulldogs

Truly wonderful--these snowboarding bulldogs!

Four Legged Hero

Although she did suffer burns and smoke inhalation, the owner of this home owes her life to her dog who showed a retired firefighter just where she was in the house. He pulled her to safety in the nick of time.

Chicago Bequest

What a wonderful legacy for the animals that meant so much to him.

First Class All the Way

The most heartwarming story of a rescued German Shepherd who thanks to love and kindness (and life saving surgery) is on his way home to a new life.

Warm Ideas for Cold Days

OK guys. It is cold. Even the Mayor of Newark gets it. Here are some tips for keeping your pets warm and also for what to do if you see a dog or cat left outside in the cold.

No Bones About it

No bones about it--dogs love to chew. This is a great primer in all things chew-worthy excluding rawhide.

Do Not Disturb

We are having a winter blast in these parts and this pup is totally ready for it. Watch her crawl under the covers!

Chow Line

Ah yes, the things some dogs will do for food!!!!

Beach Blanket Fetch

At this time of the year a video of a toddler on a beach with a new canine friend seems just about right! See if you agree.

Bo's Second Term

President Obama may have been sworn in but Bo Obama has clearly moved in! So begins the second term of the much beloved First Dog, who clearly looks mighty comfortable in the role!

Extreme Sheepherding

Absolutely amazing stuff especially if you like sheep. Even if you don't, it's a must see!

Little Gift

Adorableness alert!! 5 month old baby panda, Xiao Liwu, whose name means little gift, munches bamboo while being examined by vets at the San Diego Zoo. He is growing quite nicely and has become something of a ham!

Drug Abuses in Show Horses

New York Times writer Walt Bogdanich, who, with Joe Drape, wrote a scathing series for the New York Times on the drug problem in race horses has uncovered similar abuses in the elite show horse world.

While few top level equestrians will admit to injecting their horses with illegal and banned substances (and even fewer have been caught doing it), the sudden death of a pony at the elite Devon Horse Show last Spring has prompted the United States Equestrian Federation to crack down on their drug enforcement policies.

Elite hunters and jumpers can earn top dollars in prestigious events and in the stud barn so once again money is at the root of the practice. Ironically, the drugs given to race horses are usually performance enhancers and pain killers while the drugs given to show horses are often used to calm horses down before events.

The full article can be found here and a very informative video on the topic here.

A Million Likes in No Time

So if your kids ever ask you for a puppy and you say sure if you get a million Likes on Facebook, think again. The Cordell kids got that number of Likes and the promise of a new puppy in about 7 hours!

I confess I am guilty. I Liked their page which was an adorable photo of the five kids holding a handmade sign explaining that their dad said they could get a puppy if they got 1 million Likes.

Watch the full story here.

Feeding Time

Sounds like feeding time at my house except this time its a seal making all the noise!

Duncan in the Movies

Meet Duncan, poster child for the horse rescue movement! What a wonderful story--from starving horse to movie star!

Working Dogs in Training

Here is some of the work that the working dogs in training are doing at the Penn Center for Working Dogs. This is the inaugural class of the Center which opened in October 2012. Even we novice trainers of companions can pick up a few tricks!

Gary Stevens Back in the Saddle

In the "you are never too old to embrace your dreams" category, Gary Stevens, yes that Gary Stevens of Seabiscuit and NBC Sports fame, has returned to racing at the age of 49. The video above is of his first ride back where he finished a respectable third at Santa Anita about two weeks ago.

It was a lot of work to get himself back into racing shape (including giving up alcohol) but he made the commitment and hopes to bring his expertise to the sport. He doesn't plan on riding every day but would ike to pick up a mount for some of the big races, including the Dubai World Cup.

Don't look for him to give up his NBC job just quite yet. He hopes to be behind the desk at the Derby unless of course he is on the track!

A classy guy. More power to him and let's hope he stays safe and enjoys the ride, again.

From Oval to Canvas

This is a great story about Metro, a retired racehorse with 8 wins and earnings of $300,000, who has embarked on a new career, painting. Yes, painting. And the paintings are for sale to benefit other retired racehorses, many with bum knees just like Metro.

Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge Finals

Set your DVR to NBC at 5:OO PM EST for the finals of the Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge National Finals. Video above is a recap of the winners so be forewarned if you want to be surprised!

The King of Dogs

Have you heard the one about a dog, groomed to look like a lion, that prompted 911 calls by startled Norfolk residents? Turns out he was cut to resemble the lion mascot of Old Dominion University.

Ah yes, the things we do for football....

Miniature Therapy Horses

These miniature horses, about the size of golden retrievers, are visiting Newtown, Connecticut as part of the town's communal therapy. They belong to an organization called Gentle Carousel and they were invited to come to the town.

The Library hosted a children's program with the horses and the excitement around the event seemed to be the closest thing the town has come to normal in a long time. According to Debbie Garcia-Bengochea, Gentle Carousel's Director of Education, she remembers on family in particular who said to her, "We want our children talking about minis and not monsters."

The rest of the story is here.

Best Friends

Sometimes you just need a patient friend to stand by while you explore. I just love this video of a very patient Watson, standing watch over his best friend.

The Truth About Pet Safety Harnesses

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We've said it before: dogs in cars are safest in crates. These harnesses do nothing.

Hamlet

We know a certain photographer of The Culinary Canine who will just adore this parody of Hamlet. Aye, there's the rub....

Cat Agility--Truly Awesome

This is amazing. I am not sure if there is such a thing as cat agility in competitive terms but these cats have got the jumping part down pat. And I love the homemade jumps which are extremely creative using wrapped presents, cones and even toilet paper rolls to support the poles.

Just goes to show you cats can be trained!

Recycling with a Twist

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The perfect answer for what to do with Christmas trees that don't sell? Feed them to the elephants!

The Perfect Gift

After his beloved Maltese died a few months ago, this proud owner was bereft. So for Christmas his son and wife decided to surprise him with a new pup. His reaction is "priceless!"

Some Dogs Just Know

We heard about the Comfort Dogs that went to Newtown, Connecticut. Here's another who just seems to know where he is needed most.

Hope for Elephants

Rose and Opal, another retired circus elephant are now ensconced in their new quarters in Hope, Maine (near Rockport) under the care of veterinarian Jim Laurita and his brother Tom. Back in the 1970s the brothers traveled with a circus and fell in love with elephants.

It is Jim's dream to rehabilitate Rosie, who he knows from his circus days. To manage her care, he is treating her with ultrasound and hopes to build the first elephant underwater treadmill. If the spirit moves you, I know he would appreciate any help you can donate to his project.

I know this is going to be one of my new destinations in Maine!

Magnifient Conservation Effort

This is a 60 Minutes segment that aired in December about the amazing conservation efforts of one man to save tortoises around the world from extinction.

In this new year, never doubt the power of an individual to change the world.