Dogs can already detect human cancer cells in urine. Some dogs are also being trained to use their strong sense of smell to smell when a diabetic person is about to have a hypoglycemic attack. Reuters says a research charity in England is now one of two centers in the world training dogs to sniff out blood sugar levels. A dog owner discovered it when his dog Tinker started warning him just when he about to have a hypoglycemia attack.
Rob Thomas, Chris Daughtry, and Jason Mraz all talk about the pets in their lives during red carpet interviews at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala. Jason Mraz actually whipped out his iPhone to show the AP reporter photos of his beloved cats. Hey, if you don't have baby pictures to show, you show photos of your cats or dogs. Take a look:
The 9/11 rescue dog - a German shepherd named Trakr - that died from cancer has been cloned by BioArts International scientists. Trakr located the last human survivor found in the rubble at Ground Zero after working nearly 48 hours straight. One of the five puppies was given to James Symington, a former Canadian police officer, who trained Trakr. Trakr was chosen for cloning because of his 9/11 heroics. BioArts service normally costs $144,000 a dog. Take a look:
The White House has released Bo's official portrait and a baseball card that contains Bo's stats. The card be downloaded here (PDF) as a PDF file. USA Today says that you can also get a baseball card by writing to Bo at:
Bo Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
USA Today says including a self-addressed stamped envelope might help expedite delivery.
Here are First Dog Bo's stats from the card:
Breed: Portuguese water dog Family: President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Malia and Sasha Obama Unofficial title: First Dog of the United States Birth: Bo was born in the fall of 2008 in Texas. First Day at the White House: April 14, 2009 Hobbies: Playing on the White House lawn and going on walks with the Obama family Goal as First Dog: Make friends with foreign dognitaries Favorite exercise: Running (and then napping near the Obama girls) Favorite food: Tomatoes - or toys
Did you know?
Bo's name came from two different places: Mrs. Obama's father's nickname was "Diddley" and Malia and Sasha's cousins have a cat named Bo - and another cat named Diddley.
Bo was a gift to the Obama family from Senator Ted Kennedy and his wife, Vicki.
Even though Bo is a Portuguese water dog, he doesn't know how to swim.
Martha Stewart's beloved lynx Himalayan cat Mozart has passed away at the age of 19. The photo shows Mozart as a kitten exploring his environment -- he is adorable.
Martha is mourning his passing:
Mozart passed away at nineteen years of age. He was a very beautiful lynx Himalayan, a rather rare variety of my favorite breed of cat. He was bred in Connecticut and I waited patiently a long time for him. As a kitten, Mozart was especially adorable. As he matured, his adult personality was that of an elusive, mysterious, and most wonderful feline. When friends and guests would come to visit, a favorite game was to try and spot or catch a glimpse of Mozart. I will certainly miss him and so will my other cats and dogs.
Rest in peace, Mozart. We are sorry for your loss, Martha. Losing a pet is a very difficult thing.
The Daily Mail says Natalie Ellis's Road Refresher travel bowl was rejected on the BBC show Dragons' Den. The article says she was "reduced to tears" when the show's Dragons (business investors) rejected her idea. However, Natalie Ellis got the last laught when the Obamas ordered a special Road Refresher travel bowl for First Dog Bo.
But now she's having the last laugh - because she's just been asked to supply the White House with a Road Refresher for Barack Obama's presidential pedigree, Bo.
Mrs Ellis, 41, said yesterday: 'I was taken aback by the news. It's absolutely amazing to think my invention is going to be used in the White House. In the back of my mind I can't help thinking, "Yes, Dragons, you were wrong".'
Mrs Ellis, a mother of one from Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, battled back from a stroke to launch a business selling her invention, which is designed to keep your pet hydrated in the back of the car while reducing spillage by 90 per cent.
Road Refresher has a floating plate inside it which feeds enough water through for your dog to drink at all times but restricts the flow if the bowl is accidentally bumped or kicked. You can read more about it at roadrefresher.com.
ABC reports that a cat named Lucky squeezed out of a window in a high-rise apartment. Lucky then slipped and fell 26 stories and landed on a neighbor's balcony below. Lucky's fall was captured on film by a window washing crew.
"I guess he thought he was safer than he actually was," Keri Hostetler said.
The window in Keri's home office was only open 6 inches, but that was wide enough for Lucky, a curious cat, to squeeze through.
Lucky reportedly had only minor injuries. Gothamist posted this useful link to the ASPCA's page on high-rise syndrome, which has some great tips for information about how to keep curious cats safe.
President Obama shows off Bo's new handshake new trick. The clip is from NBC "Inside the Obama White House," special which airs Tuesday and Wednesday, June 2, 9 p.m. Take a look:
TankedCam is a system and iphone app that lets you remotely monitor your fish tank. You can also interactively control a camera position, monitor water pH and temperature levels, control tank aeration and control tank toys. TankedCam will also send status messages about your fish tank to a Twitter account. You can see this in action on Twitter here. The website says they will also set up and host a webpage that allows you to view your tank from an iPhone or web browser. TankedCam's website is here. It's a great idea but there is no way to buy it yet.
We suspect there will be a lot of upcoming tech gadgets that send status updates to your Twitter account. Here's a video about TankCam. Take a look:
The BBC reports that scientists have found evidence that parrots can dance to the beat of music. Scientists think the the parrots' dancing ability may be "linked to another talent that they share with humans - the ability for vocal learning and vocal imitation." This video of a parrot named Snowball dancing enthusiastically to "Everybody" by the Backstreet Boys (his favorite song) will make you a believer in the ability of parrots to dance.
Animal Planet has partnered with Jakks for a line of cute animal chew toys and other pet products. Brandweeksays that toys will launch at PetSmart stores and will go on sale on May 3rd for National Pet Week.
Licensing agency The Joester Loria Group, New York, developed the deal, which will relay the fun and playful positioning of the Animal Planet brand. Items in the line include chew toy koalas and spider monkeys whose limbs are replaced by dog-teeth-resistant ropes and canvas. The line launches at Petsmart’s 1,100 stores around May 3, kicking off National Pet Week.
"The new Jakks line will bridge Animal Planet from animal authority into the pet care arena," said Debra Joester, president and CEO of Joester Loria. "Our goal is to . . . grow the Animal Planet brand from its media base into something animal lovers can enjoy, and depend on, in their everyday lives."
Petmsart will be the exclusive retailer for the new Animal Planet products in May and June. Brandweek says the line will include chews, habitats and edible environments. A portion of the proceed will go to Animal Planet's R.O.A.R..
The New Yorker cover shows the Obama's dog in front of the White House. Bo is very small compared to the huge White House lawn and building. Bob Schieffer commented on who really has the highest popularity rating in the White House, President Obama or his new dog Bo. He says Barack Obama loved the cover so much he took it to show the girls. Schieffer also explains how President Obama told a story about how little kids are noticing Bo before they notice him. Take a look:
Riwin Jirapolsek, a young Thai jewelry designer, has created a $4.2 million dollar tiara for his beloved dog Kanune who is a 15 year-old Maltese. The tiara was shown off at the Bangkok pet fashion show, which is very popular with locals who love to dress their pets. The elaborate tiara is encrusted with emeralds and diamonds that the designer got from his mother's jewelry collection (presumably with her permission).
Next up is a jeweled hair clip for the dog, who needs something to keep the hair out of his eyes. Why stop there? We think little Kanune needs a jeweled outfit, too. You know, to match the tiara. Take a look:
The Daily Mail says Natalie Ellis's Road Refresher travel bowl was rejected on the BBC show Dragons' Den. The article says she was "reduced to tears" when the show's Dragons (business investors) rejected her idea. However, Natalie Ellis got the last laught when the Obamas ordered a special Road Refresher travel bowl for First Dog Bo.
