a startup called SNIF Labs is gearing up to beta test a technology designed to help dogs--and their owners--become better acquainted.

SNIF Labs--the company's name is short for Social Networking in Fur--is developing what its website calls "a custom radio communications protocol" that allows special tags dogs wear on their collars to swap dog and owner information with other SNIF-tag users. When two dogs wearing tags come within range of each other, the tags start to swap dog and even owner information.

Once owners are back home and using the company's social-networking service, they can trade information about their dogs and themselves online.

The SNIF Tag was invented by SNIF Labs, a Boston-based company conceived of by a group of MIT Media Laboratory graduate students. Among the founding members of the company are engineers, designers, and, of course, dog lovers brought together by the dream of a real-time device interfacing with online social networking.

Their Eureka moment came at a dog park. Taking note that dog walking, especially in urban areas, provided a safe, friendly platform that invited social interaction, the team set to work developing a technology to enhance the experience.

The result is the SNIF Tag. As their prototypes developed and grew more advanced, it became clear there was an opportunity to do more than just connect friends with the device. Adding recently-invented motion sensing circuitry and developing proprietary analysis software, the team created a powerful tool that could at once monitor the activities of a pet and provide a social connection among people. While the product has changed and grown over its years of development, its origins as an ingenious idea at MIT are its foundation.

TMZ has learned that officials from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals were at Britney's house today to investigate why her dog was wearing a cast. We're country y'all!

Madeline Bernstein, President of SPCA - L.A., told TMZ tonight, "We have received various sources of complaints throughout the day. Some said that Britney's Yorkie dog was injured and had a cast on, and some said the dog had a broken leg and was not treated.

After the calls started pouring in, we did go to Britney's house today [on Mulholland Drive] but were just able to leave a note with the housekeeper. The matter is not if the dog had an accident, but if the dog is getting proper care."

Madeline also told us they haven't heard back from Miss Spears. "Britney is out of town," Bernstein tells us, "but we hope to have an answer soon and get the matter resolved pretty quickly."

KSAZ-TV reports that a search of rapper DMX's property uncovered three dog corpses which "seemed to be burned." They also found drugs, weapons, possible stolen cars, and seized several pitbulls after sheriff's deputies raided the home of Earl Simmons (DMX real name) Friday.

Earl's Lawyer, Murry Richman claims DMX has not been to his Arizona home in months and blamed the caretaker, telling TMZ, "Earl had a caretaker, who obviously wasn't taking care. Earl loves those dogs."

The Maricopa County Sheriff's received a tip about the poor and inhumane conditions, thus prompting the raid. DMX was not home during the visit and no arrests have been made.

If it is true everything happens in threes, this may be a warning to all celebrities to cancel their dog fights and be nicer to their four legged friends.

Lots of dogs love water, and there’s not much cuter than a swimming pooch, but a pool can equal danger for dogs. And just as you shouldn’t leave kids unattended poolside (duh!), the same goes for your family pet. While the SPCA says the number one way to prevent your dog from drowning is supervision, they also promote the use of the Skamper Ramp ($49.50), a worthy invention from Skamper Ramp Industries that allows dogs to get out of the pool safely. The design allows your pet to get a grip much better than the tiled sides of a pool, which can be slippery for a wet and tired dog. You still have to train your dog to use it, but the time spent is well worth it. It could also save an unfortunate cat who plops in, but good luck training one to use it.

We all know that cities will fine people for not cleaning up after their dog’s waste in public. But how about fines for dogs urinating in public?

In Northampton, Massachusetts, one local dog owner, Alan L. Scheinman, said the Board of Health was threatening to set a fine of up to $1,000 for owners of dogs that urinate in public.

It all started last month when Scheinman was called before the board to answer for his rottweiler Tanya’s bathroom etiquette. Scheinman walks Tanya and Moose, Scheinman’s other rottweiler, on and around the sidewalk in front of his house to take care of business.

A clerk from the store next door brought up an issue with Scheinman and his dogs urinating on the sidewalk to the board.

Scheinman explained that since he lives downtown, he does not have a convenient access to parks. He cleans up after his dogs, but the dog owner said that he doesn’t have any control over where his dogs urinate.

He also said he frequently puts Nature’s Miracle solution on their urine to neutralize the odor. One board member suggested that Scheinman use the enzyme and let the situation go, but the chairwoman of the Board of Health wanted to schedule a site visit.

Currently, there is not city bylaw that deals with dogs urinating in public, but at the hearing, a health agent cited a state law that allows health boards to fine people for public health “nuisances.”

Scheinman spread the word about the board’s proposed measure of fining owners for dogs urinating by sending postcards to all 1,945 registered dog owners in the city. He urged them to attend the Board of Health meeting that was scheduled for this Thursday that was supposedly set to talk about this issue.

Dog owners in the city were furious and called the board. The office received 50 phone calls from last Friday until this Tuesday. The board decided to cancel the meeting because they said that Scheinman’s postcards caused confusion about the meeting.


According to Health Agent Ernest Mathieu, the board never had the intention of establishing a fine for dogs urinating, but they wanted Scheinman to curb his dogs.

“We’re working with Mr. Scheinman to change his behavior and his dogs’ behavior in the best interests of the merchants, pedestrians and shoppers who are subjected to walking through it and tracking it into stores,” he said.

Even the idea of a law in regards to dog urination caused dog owners to be up in arms. A city councilmen said that the Board of Health should focus their effort on horses instead of dogs. He said the city is going crazy.

One woman went to the Health Department to get a copy of the “no pee” law but she was told that there was none. She said it was just all ridiculous.

“Northampton’s the only city in the country to see fit to prohibit creatures from peeing in the world,” she said.

Dog owners in Northampton also ask how does the board expect them to clean and “pick up” after the dog’s urine. Other said if the laws go for dogs, then they should go for squirrels and raccoons too. Although we’re not sure who would be willing to pay their fine.

Perhaps it’s time to start potty training the dog.

Source: The Republican

Young starlet Emma Roberts is set to star in Dreamworks' upcoming flick 'Hotel for Dogs'.

The film is based on a novel by Lois Duncan, American writer and novelist, known primarily for her books for children and young adults, Moviehole reports.

The story is about two orphaned teenagers who hide dozens of stray dogs in an abandoned hotel.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the film will be a feature directorial debut for visual effects wiz Thor Freudenthal and has been scripted by Jeff Lowell.

Julia Roberts' niece Emma is also playing Nancy Drew in an upcoming film based on the novel series about the lady sleuth's adventures.

From the state that popularized purse puppies, drive-thru dog washes and gourmet dog food delivery comes the latest in canine convenience — a company that contracts out dogs by the day to urbanites without the time or space to care for a pet full-time.

Marlena Cervantes, founder of FlexPetz, bristles when people refer to her five-month-old business as a rent-a-pet service. She prefers the term “shared pet ownership,” explaining the concept is more akin to a vacation time share or a gym membership than a trip to the video store.

“Our members are responsible in that they realize full-time ownership is not an option for them and would be unfair to the dog,” said Cervantes, 32, a behavioral therapist who got the idea while working with pets and autistic children. “It prevents dogs from being adopted and then returned to the shelter by people who realize it wasn’t a good fit.”

FlexPetz is currently available in Los Angeles and San Diego, where Cervantes lives. She plans to open new locations in San Francisco next month, New York in September and London by the end of the year.

For an annual fee of $99.95, a monthly payment of $49.95 and a per-visit charge of $39.95 a day, (discounted to $24.95 Sunday through Thursday), animal lovers who enroll in FlexPetz get to spend time with a four-legged companion from Cervantes’ 10-dog crew of Afghan hounds, Labrador retrievers and Boston terriers.

The membership costs cover the expense of training and boarding the dogs, home or office delivery, collar-sized global positioning devices, veterinary bills and liability insurance. It also pays for the “care kits” — comprised of leashes, bowls, beds and pre-measured food — that accompany each dog on its visits.

Charter FlexPetz member Shari Gonzalez said she was thinking about getting a dog when a dog trainer she consulted suggested part-time ownership. At first, she had reservations.

Gonzalez, 22, never doubted there was room for a dog in her heart. The issue was her life, which included a small, two-bedroom apartment and a full-time schedule of college classes in San Diego.

“I was thinking, ’How is a dog going to bounce from house to house and be OK with that,’” she said. “I didn’t want a dog that would come into my place and pee.”

Since signing up, Gonzalez said she has tried out several dogs but fell in love with a black Lab named Jackpot. They spend an average of one day each weekend together. He sleeps at her apartment and she takes him on hikes, to the beach and to parks frequented by other dog owners.

“I never even thought that was a possibility,” Gonzalez said. “I thought you either owned a dog or you didn’t.”

Gonzalez recently met another of Jackpot’s part-time companions, graphic designer Jenny Goddard, 33. Goddard, who is married with a 6-year-old son, said having a dog a weekend or two a month has been perfect for her busy family and encourages them to spend more time together outdoors.

“It’s funny,” she said. “He is so friendly and immediately playful with us, people are surprised he is a rental dog.”

The idea of commitment-free pets is not entirely new. Most private animal shelters, for instance, encourage volunteers to become temporary foster families to animals awaiting adoption.

Melissa Bain, a veterinarian with the Companion Animal Behavior Program at the University of California at Davis, said she had concerns but no hard-and-fast objections to a service like FlexPetz.

“It depends on the people and it depends on the animal,” Bain said. “Some dogs may be fine and some may become stressed because they are moving from home to home.”

After Andrew (South Florida), we vets saw our share of disaster cases. The large animal vets had it worst, with drowned horses and unsecured barns. The proliferation of strays led us to believe that many small pets were left out in the elements. Animal cruelty is illegal (and that includes failure to secure your pets during a storm), but it's largely unenforceable in a post-hurricane world.

If Katrina (Gulf Coast) has taught pet owners anything, it's that no place is 100 percent safe in a Category 5 storm. Evacuation is the only fail-safe solution for you and your pets. But there are things you can do for them if you plan to stay.

Contact your veterinarian or local humane society for information on preparing your pets for an emergency.

Make sure that your pets are current on their vaccinations. Pet shelters may require proof of vaccines.

Have a current photograph

Keep a collar with identification on your pet and have a leash on hand to control your pet.

Have a properly-sized pet carrier for each animal - carriers should be large enough for the animal to stand and turn around.

Plan your evacuation strategy and don't forget your pet! Specialized pet shelters, animal control shelters, veterinary clinics and friends and relatives out of harm's way are ALL potential refuges for your pet during a disaster.

If you plan to shelter your pet - work it into your evacuation route planning.

DURING THE DISASTER

Animals brought to a pet shelter are required to have: Proper identification collar and rabies tag, proper identification on all belongings, a carrier or cage, a leash, an ample supply of food, water and food bowls, any necessary medications, specific care instructions and news papers or trash bags for clean-up.

Bring pets indoor well in advance of a storm - reassure them and remain calm.

Pet shelters will be filled on first come, first served basis. Call ahead and determine availability.

AFTER THE DISASTER

Walk pets on a leash until they become re-oriented to their home - often familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and pets could easily be confused and become lost. Also, downed power lines, reptiles brought in with high water and debris can all pose a threat for animals after a disaster.

If pets cannot be found after a disaster, contact the local animal control office to find out where lost animals can be recovered. Bring along a picture of your pet if possible.

After a disaster animals can become aggressive or defensive - monitor their behavior.

Don't forget your pet when preparing a family disaster plan.

PET DISASTER SUPPLY KIT

Proper identification including immunization records
Ample supply of food and water
A carrier or cage
Medications
Muzzle, collar and leash

Is your dog or cat a member of your family, like your child? Well, my dog is like my daughter and I was thrilled to find this site. Sloppy Kiss Cards allows you to send e-cards with photos of your dog or cat, or photos of other dogs and cats in the same breed. You can send one of these e-cards for almost any occasion, and they have a variety of options for each occasion as well. Founded by a dog lover, the site has photos of the dogs in heartwarming and/or goofy situations, based on the message you want to send. You can even send in a photo of your dog to get him to be one of the star models. It costs $9.95 to sign up though, but you do get unlimited cards for a year with that fee.

The term hunting dog is applied to any dog that is able to assist a human in the act of hunting. There are several different types of breeds of dogs that are quite useful as hunting dogs and each has a particularly unique and useful talented that is used during hunting.

Hounds such as coonhounds are often used for stalking prey either by sight or sound. Sight hounds generally kill what they are stalking for their masters, while scent hounds are very likely to corner prey in some manner so someone in the hunting party may kill it.

Hunters that hunt small game such a wild turkey and pheasants normally use gun dogs. There are pointers who point at game birds that are being tracked by the hunting party and will additionally flush out the prey for the hunter. There are also pointers that basically freeze and point when a game bird is spotted and allows the hunting party the opportunity to flush out the prey. Retrievers are a class of hunting dog that will go out an retrieve the carcasses of prey that have been shot by the hunting party.

Curs and terriers are also in the gun dog classification of hunting dogs. Terriers ferret out animals in their habits (dens for instance) and then kill them with brute strength. Curs are hunting dogs that are very well known to take on creatures that are much larger then they are.

When you begin to train your hunting dog the first thing you need to do is to begin getting them used to the great outdoors. A dog that is going to assist a hunting party needs to be able to handle all types of weather. Allow your dog to roam around in an empty open area with your close supervision. When doing this you want to make sure that your dog is given plenty of water.

You are also going to need to teach your hunting dog how to track. This task can be accomplished by purchasing a container of animal blood and create a small trail of it that your dog can follow. Leaving a treat at the end of that trail can further encourage your dog to take to tracking.

If you are extremely patient with your dog while training it to be a hunting dog in time you are going to have a very faithful and useful member of your hunting party for years to come.

The Vick Dog Chew Toy is made of state of the art "dog" material. The Vick Toy Doll is so strong and flexible, it will challenge every breed. Especially The Pit Bull.

Unlike Vick, our manufacturer is so sure of its durability they guarantee it against the most playful dog destruction. It Bends. It Bounces. It Flies. It Floats. And best of all, it lasts through the whole season and more!...

Disclaimer: The Vick Chew Toy is a fictional character. It's use is not intended to harm anyone living or dead. It is a novelty character and a pet chew toy. The Vick Dog Chew Toy is being used to bring awareness to animal abuse.

The data is clear that having a pet reduces blood pressure and even reduces the number of trips to see a physician. A 1999 study in the Journal of American Geriatrics demonstrates that seniors living on their own who have pets tend to have better physical health and mental well-being than those who don’t. They are more active, cope better with stress and have better overall health. They also reported shorter hospital stays and less health-care costs than non-pet owners.

One other study found that the daily activities of living, such as eating and grooming, declined less for those with a dog or cat than those who had no pet. The health benefits How does pet ownership keep the owner healthy? First, pets need walking, feeding, grooming, fresh water and fresh kitty litter, and they encourage lots of playing and petting. All of these activities require some action from owners. Even if it’s just getting up to let a dog out a few times a day or brushing a cat, any physical activity can benefit the cardiovascular system and help keep joints limber and flexible.

Consistently performing this kind of minor exercise can keep pet owners able to carry out the other normal activities of daily living. Again, Wight reported that many of her clients tell her that taking care of a pet is a reason to get up in the morning and often a reason to get dressed and go for a walk. Second, pets also aid seniors simply by providing some physical contact, affection and companionship.