Pet Scoop: Ex-Marine Reunites With Canine Partner, Group Erects “Otter Crossing” Signs
Published on April 08, 2012
April 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.

Sergeant Rex Celebrates His Military Retirement With a Reunion
After serving 11 years in the military and completing three combat tours, a bomb-sniffing dog named Rex finally retired and was reunited with his former handler. “I haven’t seen him in so long, so, it’s nice to see him again,” said former Marine Megan Leavey.
Leavey and Sergeant Rex were both injured while working together in Iraq in 2006. Although Leavey’s military career ended, Rex continued to serve. Leavey tried to adopt him, but the process took years. “I’m just glad that we’re both together now and this is able to happen,” said Leavey. — Watch it at ABC News
Firefighters Rescue a Pair of Pygmy Goats
Authorities in Maryland saved two young kids — pygmy goats — wandering on a road in front of a high school last week. Although the duo was initially afraid of the firefighters, they eventually made themselves quite comfortable under a fire station desk. — Read it at WTOP
Why Did the Otters Cross the Road?
A family of river otters in Corte Madera, Calif., have some Good Samaritans looking out for them. A local group has put up "otter crossing" signs near a stretch of road that the critters cross to warn drivers to look out for the adorable creatures. The name of the road: Lucky Drive. — Watch it at Yahoo
Surf Dog Helps Homeless Animals
Ricochet usually rides the waves with special needs kids and assists people with disabilities. But this time, the California canine helped homeless dogs and cats by getting 37,000 people to “like” his Facebook page in a big campaign, resulting in the donation of 37,000 bowls of food from Iams — plus a 1,000-bowl bonus. — Find out more at Surf Dog Ricochet’s Facebook page
Frog Fungus Could Cause Amphibian Extinction
The global trade of bullfrogs, who have an invisible but very contagious virus, has scientists and conservationists worried that it could lead to the extinction of many different species of amphibians. — Read it at The New York Times
Kitties Steal the Show in Tokyo
It’s springtime in Tokyo and the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. But some people were snapping shots of another captivating sight: two cute cats perched in one of the flowering trees. — See the photo at Today