Petfit tag: "Smart" dog collar

The dog collar gadget allows the pet owner to monitor the pets health status at a distance. It can check the dog's hours of sleep and calories that they have burned. It was launched in Japan last Thursday.

The gadget is developed in Japan by NTT Docomo, which is the biggest mobile phone operator in that country. The main purpose of the gadget the company said is to have a peace of mind about their furry buddies health, well-being, and whereabouts at all times.

The gadget which is called the "Petfit tag" is equiped with a satellite positioning system that gives signal and information to the pet owners smartphone on the location of the dog or if the dog is running or sleeping. It also shows the distance the dog walks or if the dog is getting enough sleep.

The Petfit gadget will be in store in March at 25,900 yen (US$279).

Woman and her pets rescued from Burning house

Dearborn, Michigan - Dearborn Firefighters rescued a woman and pets (1 cat and 1 dog) from a a burning house on Saturday morning. The Firefighters received a call at 7:55 a.m. for them to respond on a burning house on Westland Street, south of Hubbard Drive where a woman and her pets are trapped inside.

Firefighters said that they went inside the burning house to search for the woman, they found her in a back bedroom. She was rushed to the hospital for serious injuries. The cat needed to be revived while the dog is fine.

Taliban Captured a U.S. Military Dog

Taliban militants are claiming on Thursday that they have captured a military dog from a US Military unit in Afghanistan, after a fierce battle in the east of the country.

The news reports said the dog that was allegedly captured after a raid where 6 U.S. soldiers were killed in action, the Taliban claimed. The Taliban Militants uploaded a video clip where they show frightened-looking dog on a jihadist website. The dog's ears are laid back flat and low on head, the dog's body looks tense, crouched low in submissive position and its tails are down between legs which means the dog is fearful.

A Taliban spokesperson said (Zabiullah Mujahid):“This dog was very important to the Americans. Once we got this dog, the Americans tried their best to get it back but they did not succeed.”

However, Defense officials in Washington, D.C. said that the dog belonged to British forces.

The Taliban said the dog name is "Colonel". The video shows the dog being held on a metal leash in a small, well-lit courtyard surrounded by five men holding guns and grenades. The dog wears a black military vest with pouches for equipment. The Taliban also showed three rifles, one pistol, a GPS and a torch which were taken from the dog.

Well a GPS? I guess it won't be long and that dog will be rescued. Dumb Talibans....lol

Heartbreaking letter by police officer as his final farewell to his beloved K-9 partner

The hardest part in owning a pet is saying goodbye to your friend and your loyal companion. Massachusetts State Trooper Christopher Coscia said his final goodbye for his loyal K-9 partner, his friend, and his companion in a freezing morning last January. His K-9 German Shepherd partner for 8 long years named Dante suffered a seizure outside his house. And for his loyal K-9 partner he dedicated a heartbreaking obituary that he posted on the State Police Facebook page which was meant for his colleagues at headquarters who knew Dante but has gone viral.

Dante had a pulmonary hypertension, his heart was enlarged and suffered seizures due to loss of blood flow to his brain. Dante was a 9-year-old dog German Shepherd who loves his job and stayed loyal to his partner.

A nice but sad story, I really hope Coscia recovers and Dante is now in dog heaven. Farewell Dante!

Firefighters Use New Technology in Saving Pets

New Holland Volunteer Fire Department reported that fire kills 40,000 to 150,000 dogs and cats yearly. Now they are using new technology to lessen that figures and save more pets. Fire trucks are now equipped with pet oxygen mask kits. It is designed specifically for pets to supply them with the needed oxygen and air in a more efficient manner.

Gary Knoll, a firefighter said that the oxygen mask kits works for dogs, cats, and other animals.

“We take the oxygen hose, attach it, and take the face mask and place it over the pet’s mouth and administer oxygen and air to the pet. If the animal isn’t breathing, we can take the re-breather from our first responders bag and squeeze the bag to inflate the animal’s lungs.”

The oxygen mask kits have 3 sizes to accommodate pets of different sizes. The kits are designed to stabilizes the pets long enough to transport it to a veterinarian. He also said that the new equipments are important since  a lot of homes today have synthetic materials that emits toxic gases. He also said that 75% of deaths in a fire is due to smoke inhalation. Giving air and oxygen to pet patients is very critical.

Ex-renter: landlady fed pets to pigs

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) — Patiphon Pana who is a former tenant said that Susan Monica, 65, of Rogue River, Ore. who is also accused of killing two people in the last year and a half also killed his pets and fed them with dead sheep to her pigs. Susan Monica was arrested Friday, January 10, 2014.

Patiphon Pana, 49 is a Thai national who used to rent a room at the 20-acre ranch for three years. Patiphon told Medford Mail Tribune that before he bought a house and moved out, Susan Monica shot two of his pet dogs and pet cat and used them for feed.

Susan Monica was indicted last Tuesday on on charges of murder, abuse of the corpses and identity theft. Her victims is a 56-year-old ranch handyman who is a tenant, and one victim that is not yet identified.

Protect Your Pet From Freezing Cold

With the Polar Vortex giving us subzero temperatures and biting wind chill, our furry friends will also need protection despite having warm fur.

Here are some tips on how to protect your pets:

1. Keep your pets indoors during the freezing months specially with this kind of subzero temperatures.

2. If you don't have a choice and your pet will need to stay outside, provide your pet with a warm draft free and waterproof shelter to sleep in. Straw bales or cedar shavings are good insulation for the floor and waterproof burlap or heavy plastic for the door.

3. Check your pet’s water several times per day to make sure that it has not frozen over. Animals need more food during the winter to generate extra heat for warmth.

4. Pet owners are advised to contact a veterinarian if it appears your pet has gotten frostbite or hypothermia.

Frostbite will cause a pale, gray skin or skin that is cold and hard, as well as tissue that appears red when it thaws.

Hypothermia is described as violent shivering and slow and shallow breathing.

5. During winter antifreeze chemical spill are common from a vehicle's radiator. Pets are attracted to it, because they like the taste and smell of it but it is extremely deadly to our pets. If your pets seems drunk or is convulsing take him to the vet immediately.

6. Salt like calcium or sodium chloride are use on sidewalks and roads to melt ice and snow and keep it from refreezing however, it is harsh on our pet's paws. If you will walk your pet make sure to put boots on his paws.