Pet Scoop: Woman Rescued From Fire By Her Dog, Endangered Bird Born at Miami Zoo

Jan. 8, 2013: We've scoured the Web to find the best and most compelling animal stories, videos and photos. And it's all right here.

ABC7

Dog Leads Firefighter to Burning Home

Retired firefighter Billy Mills was out running errands when he saw smoke and heard a barking dog. He investigated and the dog led him to the sliding glass door of a burning house; the dog's owner was trapped inside. Mills pulled the woman to safety and she is now recovering from burns and smoke inhalation. Her heroic dog, Pumpkin, is at the Prince George’s County Animal Management Facility, where he is waiting to be reunited with his owner. — Read it at USA Today and watch it at ABC7

Fostering a Pet? You Can Deduct That

Thanks to a woman who claimed a charitable contribution on her taxes for caring for cats, the IRS will now recognize tax deductions related to fostering animals for approved charities. Jan Elizabeth Van Dusen was originally denied her $12,068 claim, but she fought back in court and won. "This is the first time the court has addressed these expenses," said Jonathan Lovvorn, chief counsel of the Humane Society, in a release. "Now we want to get the word out.” — Read it at Discovery News

Shark Makes Amazing 3,100-Mile Trek

Scientists have long thought that basking sharks were homebodies, staying close to their feeding areas, but a tagged shark named Banda is challenging that assumption. The plankton-eating ocean dweller recently traveled more than 3,000 miles from Ireland to Africa, proving how little scientists really know about the second biggest fish on Earth. "The recording of this magnificent journey by a basking shark from Malin Head [in Ireland] to warmer tropical waters questions many of the fundamental theories marine biologists have regarding the species and its life-cycle," researchers said. — Read it at Live Science

Ron Magill, Zoo Miami

Harpy Eagle Hatches in Miami

Zoo Miami has officially announced the hatching of its endangered Harpy Eagle. Though the chick was born December 2, officials waited to make the announcement because of the high mortality rate of the species in the early weeks of life. The fuzzy bird will be on display at the Amazon and Beyond Exhibit. — Read it at CBS Miami

Loyal Cat Visits Owner’s Grave

Grab the tissues: Iozzelli Renzo died last September, but his 3-year-old black and white cat, Toldo, hasn’t forgotten him. According to the Corriere Fiorentino, Toldo has been visiting his owner every single day for the past year, leaving gifts of leaves, sticks, twigs, plastic cups or paper towels at his gravesite in Montagnana, in northern Italy. — Read it at Huffington Post