News, Advice and Resources for Thoughtful Pet Owners
Some Friday fun—lolcats are pictures of cat with funny captions added. And I Can Has A CheezBurger? has compiled a big collection and takes submissions. Find out more about lolcats and other creatures and about the history of I Can has CheezBurger?
Here are some of my favorites:
HP has a digital camera–the Photosmart R837–that will correct that glowing pet eye that happens when a flash is used. It’s done while the photo is still on the camera. (Note: Glowing eye is different from the red eye effect people get sometimes when flash is used because animals retinas are different from ours.)
The camera works by analyzing the area you select (the pet’s eye) and then correcting the glare while keeping the glint—the reflection from the surface of the pet’s eye. You can read more about how it works.
It looks like the camera does a pretty good job fixing the glow. The technology blog, Traveler 2.0, liked the Photosmart R837. I bet more cameras will come out with this feature.
Dogster is teaming with Traineo to improve pet and owner fitness by starting a new group promoting fitness with dogs.
Dogster is the social network for dogs and their human companions and Traineo is the social network for human health and fitness. You’ll be able to get a training buddy and work with others to find fun and creative ways to get you and your dog fit. Good for you and good for your dog!
osseointegration
Scout lost his leg after getting hit by a car, but now he’ll be getting an implanted prothetic leg. The implant is a revolutionary approach to a prosthetic that uses bio-integration where bone and soft tissue grows into a honeycomb of metal over time. Check out the video of Scout. The surgeries are being preformed by Dr. Robert Taylor from the Alameda East Veterinary Hospital in Denver and who has been featured on Animals Planets Emergency Vets and E-Vets. Dr. Taylor partnered with BioMedtrix to create this prosthesis utilizing osseointegration.
Scout isn’t the first dog to benefit from an implanted prosthetic from Dr. Taylor. Triumph, a Husky, was found in Turkey with both back legs cut off, but international efforts brought her to the U.S. and eventually to Colorado for the groundbreaking surgery. Triumph had numerous surgeries, but you can see from this video she is now up and running.
Soldier also got an implanted prosthetic leg. Soldier was found after three days of being tied to a tree on a shooting range. Don’t miss his story and the people at Best Friends Animal Society who cared for him. Especially Kristi , who cared for, trained, and rehabilitated Soldier for five months and then drove him to his new adopted home in another state. Be sure to see the video of Soldier.
Konrad Feldmann got Bingo, his canine companion from Canine Companions For Independence, six months ago. But due to his limited mobility, Konrad can’t throw a ball for Bingo and return the favor for all the work Bingo does for him like turning on lights and opening drawers.
Students from the East Robotics Team 1038 from East Lakota High School and students from West Lakota High School solved the problem and at the same time helped empower Konrad. The students modified a “fetch machine”—GoDogGo—so Konrad can use the robot to throw a ball by applying just a little pressure to a new, sensitive switch.
The Dayton Journal-News has a great video of Konrad playing with Bingo, and of the kids who worked on the machine.
