Meet Cholli, a mother of five pups and most recently, three cougar cubs! The cubs were turned over to the German Shepherd by zoologists who feared that the cubs’ parents would react aggressively and cause them harm. All eight youngsters are getting along wonderfully together. There truly is nothing like a mother’s love!

Photo courtesy Alexander Kuzovenko / European Pressphoto Agency

Huntington Beach, located in Orange County, CA is just one of the top dog beaches we’ll be featuring all throughout the summer! Stay tuned for more!

Fido can get the flu? Shockingly, yes. The strain of influenza known as H3N8 jumped species from horses to hounds and can be easily transmitted amongst dogs. Veterinarians have developed the first-ever vaccine to protect our four-legged friends. The USDA has licensed Nobivac, which wards off canine influenza if exposed to the virus. The vaccine consists of an initial injection, followed by a booster several weeks later, then a shot once a year. So far, 746 dogs have been vaccinated with no adverse side effects.

Canine influenza has been diagnosed in 33 states and symptoms range from lethargy, lack of appetite, sneezing, coughing and possible pneumonia. Veterinarians say dogs that go to doggie daycare, the dog park, boarding kennels, and even dog shows are at risk of becoming infected by the virus which peaks in the summer when more dogs are prone to interact with each other during nice weather.

As always, check with your vet regarding any doggie health issues!

If your dog has the, “Call of the Wild” fever and this scene is familiar to you, that means trouble! You should always be able to take a bone away from the family dog without him growling. If you can’t, seek out professional help. And remember, never leave bones lying around in the backyard. This can create aggression over time!

This weekend, 300,000 dog owners and their pups will come together for the biggest outdoor dog festival in North America, all to celebrate our four-legged-friends! Taking place in the beautiful and historic St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood of Toronto, the event will feature everything from doggie costume contests, treats and toys from the most popular names in the pet industry, and even a K9 walk-a-thon! Starting at 10 am until 6 pm, Woofstock lasts all weekend long (June 12-13).

I hate I’m going to miss this one, guys! If you’re in the Toronto area, you must check it out! And for those of you that can’t make it, mark your calendars for Winter Woofstock, November 27th-28th 2010 at the Direct Energy Centre. Have fun, all you Canadian doggies!

Get the details on Woofstock here!

Growing up with my father, an avid sailor, Martha’s Vineyard was naturally a home away from home for me. This is one of my favorite places on the planet! Summertime on the Vineyard is amazing you must check it out.

Some of my fondest memories are of eating at The Black Dog Tavern, the first restaurant to stay open year-round after the summer vacationers left for winter.In 1971, Captain Robert Douglas opened the Tavern, named for his black Boxer-Lab mix that would greet each patron at the door. Inspired after the Black Dog character in Robert Lewis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island,” the two were inseparable for nearly 16 years.

40 years later, The Black Dog legacy has grown into a renowned global brand. Along with the ever delicious Tavern, there is also a cafe, bakery, sailing program and 18 retail stores across New England. Their gear makes a great gift for dog owners for any occasion, from apparel to housewares to their gourmet gift baskets. They’ve even got an adorable line of dog products!

Thankfully, I get to reminisce on my days on the Vineyard every morning as I sip coffee out of my Black Dog mug! Check out The Black Dog website here.

Meet Augie.. my dog and our mascot here at Paws For A Minute Productions. This amazing picture was taken during a recent photo shoot.

Don’t let his regal-ness fool you. Yes,  he’s in his mature glory at the age of 6. Yet, the photographer who took this picture came over to show me the proofs of the shoot and as he walked through the door, Augie shoved his big stuffed bone into his crotch to play.  After asking me his age with intense curiosity, Jeff  scratched his head in disbelief and uttered gosh he’s, “Really immature!” for an adult German Shepherd.

Ah, poor Augie. To add insult to injury, along with being immature, he farts too. Therefore, you really can’t  judge a book by it’s cover. But regal or not,  he’s what you’d call a late bloomer and we love him!

In the honor of late blooming, having a youthful spirit, being as young as you feel inside and having fun we hope you have a wonderful day!

Matter Of Trust is a charitable organization designed to link ideas, spark action and materialize sustainable systems. In response to the devastating oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico last month, the organization has put together an innovative endeavor called the “Gulf Spill Hair Boom Program.”

We shampoo our hair because it collects oil. This same principle is being applied to the ocean spill with booms and hair mats. 19 warehouses across the Southeast are receiving hair and fur from donors across the United States to create these booms and mats that adsorb oil (meaning that the oil clings to them, instead of absorbing=soaking the oil up).

Salons and pet groomers are encouraged to send all of their excess hair and fur to these warehouses. Get more information on the program here!