Oct. 29, 2012: We've scoured the Web to find the best and most compelling animal stories, videos and photos. And it's all right here.

Usher celebrates winning his $12,000 Goldendoodle.

Singer Gives Thousands to Charity for Goldendoodle

Last year at the Pencils of Promise Gala in New York, Usher was outbid on a puppy that went to a family who later named the dog Usher. But this year, the singer wasn’t going to lose out on getting his furry friend. On Thursday night, he took home an adorable Goldendoodle for $12,000 — after topping former Gossip Girl actress Jessica Szhor’s $11,000 offer. All of the money goes to a group that builds schools in Laos, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Ghana. "Poppy Raymond is what I'm think of namin' her . . . however there are two gregarious 3- and 4-year-olds that will have the last say — and the responsibility that comes with her," he tweeted about his two sons, according to Us Magazine. — Read it at People Pets

Hermit Crabs Socialize to Steal Shells

When it comes to making friends, land-based hermit crabs are a little bit selfish: they get together to kick other crabs out of their shells and move into bigger homes, finds a new study. Since it's hard to find empty shells just laying around, the crabs congregate, form a conga line from smallest to largest, and simultaneously move into larger shells, leaving one unfortunate crab out in the cold, according to the study, which was funded by the University of California Berkeley’s Miller Institute and published in the journal Current Biology. — Read it at Science Daily

Drug-Sniffing Dogs Case Heads to Supreme Court

Call it a license to sniff. This week, the high court is set to hear arguments on Florida’s appeal of two decisions by that state’s supreme court involving two different issues: whether a dog can sniff outside a home without a warrant, and how qualified a dog must be to do a legitimate sniff. At least 23 states have joined in Florida’s appeal, saying drug-sniffing dogs are "essential weapons" in the fight against illegal drugs. — Read it at Reuters via Yahoo

Henry acts in Henri: Paw de Deux.

The Man (and the Cat) Behind Henri, Le Chat Noir

Meet Henry, the house-cat-turned-actor behind Henri, the Internet’s favorite depressed French cat. Well, Henry doesn’t exactly share the same views on life as his ennui-filled character. Henry is an 8-year-old Seattle native and former shelter cat owned by William Braden, who made the first black-and-white film of his cat while on a film school deadline in 2006. Braden told ABC News he didn’t expect anyone beyond other students to see the short. But the video — along with Braden’s subsequent Henri shorts — has now been viewed by millions on YouTube, making his cat a sensation. His second video, Henri: Paw de Deux, even earned him the people’s choice award at the first Internet Cat Video Film Festival over the summer. Thanks to the popularity, Braden created his own website Henri, Le Chat Noir, which rakes in about $1,000 a week in merchandise sales. “Before he became known for these shorts, he was content being a house cat that drank purified water and ate high-end treats,” said Braden. — Read it at ABC News

“Lucky Langur” Pulls Through for Giants

On Friday, we told you how the San Francisco Giants had been on a winning streak since a François’s langur was born at the city’s zoo earlier this month. Well, the baby monkey delivered — the team swept the World Series on Sunday, beating the Detroit Tigers and keeping up their winning streak. What will this monkey bring for next season? We’ll have to wait until the spring to see! — Read it at The New York Times