March 21, 2012: We've scoured the Web to find the best and most compelling animal stories, videos and photos. And it's all right here.

Red the search and rescue dog

9/11 Rescue Dog Receives Stem Cell Surgery

Red, a 12-year-old Labrador Retriever, has spent his life helping others. Before his recent retirement, he was a search and rescue dog who helped at the Pentagon after the Sept. 11 attacks, as well as New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. But all that work was hard on Red’s joints, so he received a stem cell treatment — free of charge. His veterinarian said that Red will be able to run and climb again in just four to six weeks. — Watch it at WJLA

Tiny Orphaned Owls Make Themselves at Home — Indoors

A pair of 6-week-old burrowing owlets, who need 24-hour care, are living with a park keeper in England — and finding lots of nooks and crannies to squeeze into. ''Teacups and bookcases are a particular favorite, but it's good to see them developing their natural behavior," said their caretaker (and human roommate) Jimmy Robinson. — See the photos at Today

400-Pound Gorilla on the Loose at a Buffalo Zoo

Koga, a 24-year-old silverback gorilla, left his Buffalo Zoo living quarters through an unlocked door on Monday. The West Lowland gorilla bit his keeper when he came face to face with her, which officials said was an act of excitement rather than aggression. Police sent in a SWAT team to secure the zoo’s grounds, and a veterinarian was able to sedate Koga and get him back into his habitat. The wounded keeper’s injuries are not considered serious. — Read it at Reuters

Michelle Obama talks about Bo on David Letterman's show

The First Lady Considers Bo Her Son

The first lady told David Letterman that the family’s Portuguese Water Dog is more than just a pet. "He is my son," said Michelle Obama. "I have two girls — and a boy." And like any proud parent, Obama did a little bragging about Bo, who's smart and “well-mannered.” — Watch it at CBS via People Pets

Plus: Who would make a better president for dogs? A new poll finds that President Barack Obama beats rival Mitt Romney (his dog-on-the-roof story has hounded him for months) 37 percent to 21 percent. — Read it at the Christian Science Monitor

Veterinary School Gets Ready to Unveil a Low-Cost Clinic

Tufts’ Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine is opening a new veterinary clinic for low-income pet owners at a local technical high school. Expected to open this spring, the program will pair fourth-year veterinary students with students in the high school’s veterinary assistant program. — Read it at DVM 360