May 9, 2012: We've scoured the Web to find the best and most compelling animal stories, videos and photos. And it's all right here.

Neville Bardos

Horse Survives Near-Death to Compete for London 2012 Spot

A year ago, thoroughbred Neville Bardos was fighting for his life after a stable fire broke out. He was pulled by his trainer Boyd Martin, from the Pennsylvania barn just before the roof collapsed and was almost unrecognizable from the smoke and ash covering him.

“The vets told me that he was going to struggle through his life,” Martin told NBC in an interview airing tonight on Rock Center. “I knew he'd be alright.” Now, Neville, who Martin saved when he was headed to the slaughterhouse, is competing for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team. — Read it and watch video at MSNBC

Pet Food Recall Expanded, Again

After 14 people became ill by handling pet food, Diamond Pet Foods added several additional brands that it produces to its voluntary recall following the salmonella outbreak. The list of affected brands includes 4Health, Apex, Canidae, Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul, Country Value, Diamond, Diamond Naturals, Premium Edge, Professional, Taste of the Wild, Kirkland Signature/Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain. You can find details about what’s been recalled on Diamond’s recall web site. — Read it at CBS News

United Airlines Lifts Ban on 9 Dog Breeds

Conceding to an online petition with 46,000 signatures, the airline dropped its program that banned breeds including the Pit Bull, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and six other breeds, which critics called “canine profiling.” The dogs, however, must travel in non-plastic, reinforced crates.— Read it at the Chicago Tribune

‘Dancing With the Stars’ Judge Rescues Opossum

When Carrie Ann Inaba found a baby opossum wandering on the Dancing With the Stars lot, she didn’t hesitate to help. The animal lover put the injured opossum in a box with food and water, brought him into her trailer to rest in a dark place while her show taped, and gave him a name: Awesome. After the show, she wouldn’t rest until she found a rescue organization that was willing to rehabilitate Awesome and release him back into the wild. — Read it at People Pets

Tiny Tim the fat cat in Houston

Tiny Tim Thriving at Texas Shelter

Despite the sad news about Meow, the 39-pound New Mexico cat who died this week, there is hopeful news about Tiny Tim, a cat who weighed in at 36 pounds when he was found on the streets in Houston in December. The tabby is happy at the Southside Animal Place Clinic, where he’s become “part of our daily lives and daily routine,” says Dr. Alice Frei. Under Frei’s care, Tiny is slowly losing weight, and is down to 32 pounds, although he'll still be at risk for diabetes or heart problems. — Read it at the Houston Chronicle

Animal Activists Push for Pit Bull Legislation in Maryland

Animal advocates in Maryland are asking the governor to act quickly to introduce legislation to override a court ruling that said all Pit Bulls are considered dangerous. But the governor and legislators in the state have not been receptive to the idea. — Read it at the Baltimore Sun