Whitney Houston, superstar of records, films, dies

Pets

In this Jan. 30, 2012 photo, April Lawrence, owner of Bone-A-Patreat, gives her dog Spencer a treat in her store in Des Moines, Iowa. Many pet owners want the best for their four-legged family members. That means high-quality, safe and eco-friendly products, from organic food and treats to BPA-free toys and water dishes. And they don't mind paying extra for it. Pet health has been getting more attention as a result of recalls, social media sites and general concern over environmental dangers. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Vets say more than half of dogs, cats are overweight

Last updated Friday, February 10, 2012 - 9:28am

America's obesity crisis is spreading -- to our pets.

About 53 percent of the nation's cats and 55 percent of dogs are overweight. And more than one in five of those fat animals is clinically obese, meaning at least 30 percent above normal weight.

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Pets of the week

Contributed Standard-Examiner

Last updated Thursday, February 9, 2012 - 12:37pm

Brownie

Brownie is a 1-year-old Chihuahua mix. He is a stray that no one claimed. He likes other dogs and is great with kids, but it's unknown whether he's housebroken or not. Brownie is a friendly little dog. He loves attention and loves to play. He likes to chew on rope toys and small soft toys. He's also curious and loves to explore the play area and find new things to play with. Brownie is in kennel old adopt 18.

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Grandchildren of Steve and Kaylana Gertsch pose with Monty Python. The snake died Jan. 29 after 27 years as a class pet. (Photo courtesy of Steve and Kaylana Gertsch)

Students remember Monty Python, the letter 'S'

Nancy Van Valkenburg Standard-Examiner

Last updated Thursday, February 9, 2012 - 6:30am

PLAIN CITY -- One of Plain City's best-known and most-beloved celebrity residents has passed away. Monty Python, 30, was a muscular 70 pounds and measured 10 feet 6 inches tall, uh, long.

Education, Exotic animals, Family, Pets, Plain City Elementary School, Python, Reptiles, Science, Snakes, Utah, Animals, Deaths, Featured Read more Comments

Derek Love, a Treasure Coast Hospice volunteer, gets greeted by Hospice patient John Joyce and his dog Lucky before Love takes Lucky out for a walk at the Joyce home. (SHNS photo by Deborah Silver / Treasure Coast Newspapers) (RS)

Program keeps hospice patients and their pets together

Paul Ivice Scripps Howard News Service

Last updated Friday, February 3, 2012 - 2:00pm

MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. -- As a retired psychologist, hospice patient John Joyce understands intellectually how a pet dog can enliven a home.

For the past five years, though, Joyce's pet schnoodle, Lucky, has reminded him of a dog's emotional value.

Treasure Coast Hospice understands that, too. That's why the hospice is one of the first in Florida to launch a Pet Peace of Mind program, with a $5,000 seed grant from Oregon-based Banfield Charitable Trust.

Features, Elderly care, Hospice, Pets, Psychology Read more Comments

Pets of the week

Contributed Standard-Examiner

Last updated Thursday, February 2, 2012 - 11:59am

Brownie

Brownie is a 1-year-old Chihuahua mix. He is a stray that no one claimed. He is likes other dogs and is great with kids, but it's uncertain if he's housebroken. Brownie is a friendly little dog, that loves attention and to play. He likes to chew on rope toys and small soft toys. He's also curious and loves to explore the play area and find new things. Brownie is in kennel old adopt 18.

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Tiffany's Memorial Pet Cemetery is the resting spot for many pets in Ogden. Photographed Thursday, Oct. 28, 2004, at the Ogden City Cemetery. (WHITNEY CURTIS/STANDARD-EXAMINER)

Cemetery opens plots for pets next to humans

Paula Schleis Akron Beacon Journal

Last updated Thursday, February 2, 2012 - 10:21am

KENT, Ohio -- Families have been known to skirt cemetery rules in trying to reunite Fido or Patches with their owners, slipping a tiny tub of ashes into a casket or sprinkling their remains at a grave site when no one's looking.

But come spring, animal lovers won't have to be surreptitious anymore at Standing Rock Cemetery.

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Davis County pets of the week

Contributed Standard-Examiner

Last updated Thursday, January 19, 2012 - 5:39pm

Sue

Sue is a 4- to 6-year-old Chihuahua mix. She and her best friend, Betty, were living under a shed. A concerned individual called Animal Control, which picked up the two dogs and brought them to the shelter. The owner did not claim them. Sue likes other small dogs and would be great with older kids. She is a friendly girl that loves everyone she meets. Her tiny body is full of love that she's ready to share with a family. Sue is in kennel old adopt 17.

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Bring your dog to worship Sunday

Staff Standard-Examiner

Last updated Friday, January 13, 2012 - 2:51pm

MARRIOTT-SLATERVILLE — There will be a bring-your-dog-to-worship service at 6 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church, 1339 W. 400 North in Marriott-Slaterville.

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Pets of the week

Contributed Standard-Examiner

Last updated Thursday, January 12, 2012 - 3:12pm

Ramsey

Ramsey is a 1-year-old German shepherd mix. She and her sister, Presley, were signed over by their previous owners because they had too much energy for their kids. She is house broken, likes kids of all ages, and likes cats. She loves playing fetch with her sister, and loves being around kids. She also likes to lay in a lap after playing, and loves a good belly rub. Ramsey is in kennel new adopt 24.

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(MATTHEW ARDEN HATFIELD/Standard-Examiner) In all three photos, veterinarian Dr. Justin Manning examines a dog before surgery on the animal at the Davis County Animal Care and Control Shelter in Fruit Heights

Workload grows for Davis animal shelter vet

Bryon Saxton Standard-Examiner

Last updated Friday, January 6, 2012 - 7:14pm

FARMINGTON -- In the name of kitty and puppy love, Davis County Animal Care and Control has added a third day to its veterinarian's contract.

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Pets of the week

Contributed Standard-Examiner

Last updated Thursday, January 5, 2012 - 12:58pm

Mandy

Mandy is a 2-year-old Rottweiler. She is a stray that no one claimed. She is house broken and would be great with older kids. She does not like other dogs, so she'll need to be in a single dog home. Mandy is playful and loves to chew on balls, squeaky tennis balls, and rope toys. She knows how to sit, stay, lie down, come, and of course fetch. She needs to be an inside dog because she gets stressed and anxious when she's out by herself.

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Davis commission votes to require cat licenses

Bryon Saxton Standard-Examiner

Last updated Tuesday, January 3, 2012 - 10:31pm

FARMINGTON -- Despite the concerns of a Layton man that licensing cats is another way to grow county government, the Davis County Commission gave its consent to a pair of county ordinances.

The commission now hopes cities will require the licensing of cats and allow an additional pet per household.

On Tuesday, the commission discussed the changes to their animal control ordinances -- changes they have been wanting to implement for about seven months. The ordinances, effective Jan. 23, are aimed at helping Davis County Animal Care and Control staff return more wandering and loose animals to their owners, thereby curbing the number of dogs and cats that have to be euthanized, said Clint Thacker, director of animal care and control.

Cats, County Government, Davis County Animal Care and Control, Davis County Commission, Pets, Utah Read more Comments

Pets of the week

Contributed Standard-Examiner

Last updated Thursday, December 29, 2011 - 1:07pm

Mandy

Mandy is a 2-year-old Rottweiler. She is a stray that no one claimed. She is house-broken, and would be great with older kids. She does not like other dogs, so she'll need to be in a single dog home. Mandy is playful and loves to chew squeaky tennis balls and rope toys. She knows how to sit, stay, lie down, come, and of course fetch. She needs to be an inside dog because she gets stressed and anxious when she's out by herself. Mandy is in kennel new adopt 19.

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(MATTHEW ARDEN HATFIELD/Standard-Examiner) Goose looks at an image of himself on the computer.

Dog blog trying to help canines at homeless shelter

JaNae Francis Standard-Examiner

Last updated Wednesday, December 28, 2011 - 6:39am

MARRIOTT-SLATERVILLE -- When you ask the Rev. Michelle Perry, of First United Methodist Church, about her immediate family, she tells you first about her dog, Goose.

Pets, Utah, Featured, Homeless Read more Comments

Davis ordinance would allow more pets, require cats to be licensed

Bryon Saxton Standard-Examiner

Last updated Friday, December 23, 2011 - 11:23pm

FRUIT HEIGHTS -- Davis County Animal Care and Control officials hope cities will adopt ordinances requiring the licensing of cats and allowing an additional pet per household.

The ordinances are aimed at helping animal control staff return more wandering and loose animals to their owners, thus curbing the number of dogs and cats that have to be euthanized.