Pet Scoop: New Prince George Photo Features Lupo, Mudslide Search Dogs Take a Break
Published on March 31, 2014
March 31, 2014: We've scoured the Web to find the best and most compelling animal stories, videos and photos. And it's all right here.
Royal Dog Stars in Family Photo
He may be the future king of the British monarchy, but in a newly released family photo, 8-month-old Prince George is much like other babies — he only has eyes for Lupo, his dog. Clearly a big part of the royal family, the black Cocker Spaniel also appeared in the first photo of the new family, taken at mom Kate Middleton’s family home in Bucklebury in August. (The Middleton family Retriever, Tilly, also appeared in that picture.) In the new photo, Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge sit in the window of their apartment at Kensington Palace with George and Lupo. Earlier this month, dog-loving Kate made news when she honored an Irish Wolfhound at a St. Patrick’s Day ceremony for the 1st Battalion Irish Guards. — Read it at Today
Dogs Get a Break From Mudslide Search
Some of the dogs who’ve been working tirelessly in the search for victims of the March 22 mudslide in Oso, Wash., will get a 2-day break. The death toll in the slide stands at 21, and 30 people are still missing. "The conditions on the slide field are difficult, so this is just a time to take care of the dogs," said Kris Rietmann, a spokeswoman for the team working on the slide. Authorities said the dogs can lose their sensing ability if they’re overworked in the cold and rainy conditions. The rescuers and dogs are hosed off by hazardous materials crews when they leave the site. Dogs from the Federal Emergency Management Agency who arrived more recently will continue to work with this team rests. — Read it from AP via Fox News
Injured Snowy Owl Gets New Feathers
The Arctic visitor who charmed Washington, D.C., before being injured in a collision with a city bus got some new feathers recently during rehab at the Raptor Center at the University of Michigan. Aside from some damage to the upper beak, the snowy owl has recovered well from the January incident. (D.C. rescuers thought the owl was a female, but the Minnesota group thought its plumage and body size suggested it’s actually a male.) But rescuers noticed that the bird had burned some of its wings, likely when taking off from a city chimney that was blasting heat. Burned feathers can impact an owl’s ability to fly. The Minnesota center used eight tail feathers and 10 flight feathers harvested from previous snowy owl patients and implanted them into shafts that were still attached to the bird. Eventually, the borrowed feathers will molt and the owl will grow its own new feathers. The rescuers are planning to release the owl when it’s fit, hopefully within a month. — Read it at National Geographic
Lost Beagle Reunited With Owners
Sassy the Beagle was happily reunited with her humans 400 miles from her Kentucky home, 17 months after she disappeared. The dog was saved from a kill shelter by Forever Home Beagle Rescue, which is based in Pittsburgh, Pa., and was living in a foster home. On a recent trip to the vet, a microchip was detected, and the data led to owners Cindy and Ernie Romans. It’s now believed that the original shelter never checked for the chip. The Romans were reunited with their pup in Pennsylvania. “I would like for every pet owner who’s ever lost a pet to be able to feel this moment right now,” said Cindy Romans. “I’m just over the moon excited.” — Watch it at CNN
Taylor Swift Steps Out With Her Cat
After moving into a new apartment in New York City, singer Taylor Swift was spotted exiting her building on Sunday with one adorable accessory: her Scottish Fold in a mesh carrying case. Meredith could be seen peeking out of the side of the case as the BFFs headed out for the day. Swift first brought Meredith home as a kitten in late 2011. The country star already owns a home in Beverly Hills and a penthouse duplex in Nashville, Tenn., and she and Meredith will now spend some of their time in Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood. — See photos at the U.K.’s Daily Mail
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