January 13, 2012: We've scoured the Web to find the best and most compelling animal stories, videos and photos. And it's all right here.

Seamus, the Romneys' Irish Setter

Newt Gingrich Uses Mitt Romney's Own Dog in Attack Ad

It may have happened 30 years ago, but a new video released by Newt Gingrich’s campaign, called “For the Dog,” highlights gaffes by frontrunner Mitt Romney — including how he drove to Canada in 1983 with his Irish Setter sitting on the roof of his station wagon. The story was first reported by the Boston Globe in 2007, but it seems to be dogging the candidate. — Read it and see the ad at the LA Times

Injured Show Horse Makes a Miraculous Comeback

Neville Bardos, a chestnut gelding, somehow survived a devastating barn fire that killed six other horses. Just seven months after suffering burns and smoke inhalation, the horse has defied expectations: He's one of three finalists for the international Horse of the Year award. “We’ve never seen anything like him,” said a spokeswoman for the United States Equestrian Federation. — Read it at The New York Times

Churches Go to the Dogs

According to a USA Today article, more priests and ministers are bringing dogs to work. In Texas, one clergyman, whose five mixed-breed canines follow him into church, believes the animals help people to open up. — Read it at USA Today

Dutch Rehab Center Rescues Orphaned Seal Pups

An American volunteer says that more than 100 seals injured by severe storms in the Netherlands have been brought to the center for treatment in the last 10 days — many of them babies who were separated from their mothers. — Read it at the Huffington Post

George Clooney's dog Einstein

From Shelter to Stardom: A George Clooney Dog Story

We recently heard how George Clooney wooed his Cocker Spaniel by rubbing meatballs on his shoes. But now more details of how Einstein ended up in Clooney’s home have emerged, including the tale of how a rescue group saved the overweight dog with dry eye from a kill shelter and nursed him back to health before the actor adopted him. — Read it at People Pets and see a YouTube video about Einstein's story

World’s Smallest Stallion Has a New Donkey Buddy

In other Einstein news . . . A horse who goes by that name, who’s just 20 inches tall, has become fast friends with Charlie, a miniature ivory donkey who was adopted by Einstein’s owner. The pair have become inseparable, as evidenced by pictures of them playing in the snow. — See the photos at Today