Heavy petting

I got an interesting call the other day. A coworker happens to be acquainted with Glenn Close and her family, and would I be interested in speaking to Glenn about a pit bull mix she's been fostering? Random! Of course, I was also delighted. As someone who has also fostered a pit (the often misunderstood breed that needs all the good publicity it can get), naturally I um, jumped faster than my own doglet does when I say "dinner!" at the chance.

Most of us picture Dangerous Liaisons (that teardrop!), Fatal Attraction (that bunny!) and other classics--you know, the ones where she proves time and time again that she's one of the best actors ever--when we think Glenn Close. And a new generation may first identify Glenn with her role as the most infamous dog hater of all times, Cruella De Vil in 101 Dalmatians. Ironically, where the latter is concerned anyway, turns out she's such a passionate dog lover that for the past year, Glenn's been quietly turning out a blog, Lively Licks, on FetchDog, a web channel that combines content and commerce for all things canine.

Why we're obsessed, after the jump... Read More »

One Shine reader noticed that you can tell a lot about the person you're dating based on how he or she treats your pet. Do you agree? Read More »

Recently, blog Tokyo Times claimed that while Japan's birth rate declines, people are choosing pets over progeny. And in order to satisfy maternal cravings, people are treating their animals more and more like children than pack animals, and that means the market for adorable pet clothes is booming. Personally, I think there's a fine line between ailly and grotesque when it comes to pet clothes, and this kimono definitely crosses it. I mean, it's perfectly acceptable to spoil your pet--that's part of the fun of having one--but c'mon, let the poor creature maintain its dignity. Still, you can't help but laugh at some of these pictures, after the jump! Read More »

My boy sent me this amazing video of David Attenborough kickin' it with the lyre, an Australian bird known for its uncanny ability to mimic not only the mating calls of other birds, but other sounds it hears as well. In this case, guy also does chainsaws, car alarms and camera shutters. PIMP much!?

Of course, as crazy as all this is (watch the video, you really have to see and hear it to believe it), is it just me or does it seem kind of shameful that this majestic little guy has been exposed to the sound of trees being cut down? If this bums you out too, check out what the World Wildlife Fund is doing to help fight deforestation and preserve biodiversity and see how you can get involved. Um, peace.

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It's Friday, so I thought I'd treat you guys to some serious, Heavy Petting and oh lord, this is the freakin' most ridiculously adorable thing ever. When a white tiger at the Safari Zoological Park in Caney, Kansas rejected her young, keepers turned to a golden retriever named Isabella for some maternal love. Donate to the zoo, which specializes in protecting endangered animals here, and after the jump, watch the video for ahh, "hot, wet," beyond cute dog/baby animal action. Read More »