Mischa and Cleo are looking for some love

Gail Crowell from the Animal Welfare Society in West Kennebunk, Maine is in search of a great home for two kittens — Mischa and Cleo.

These two do not need to go to the same home, but it is suggested, because they enjoy each other’s company.

For more information, visit AnimalWelfareSociety.org.

Oh, baby! Rhino right at home in Germany

At almost 130 pounds, it’s hard to miss the latest arrival at the Allwetter Zoo in Germany.

It’s a baby rhino, who’s become quite a hit with the zookeepers. The one-week old calf was separated from its mother shortly after birth, after the mother showed signs of becoming aggressive toward the baby. Zookeepers are feeding the calf every two hours, and keeping it company constantly.

The newborn is said to responding well to bottle feeding and seems to enjoy all the attention. (More great video after the soundbite, which is in German.)

Puppy training: Part one

Meet Achoo!
No, we didn’t sneeze…
Achoo is a Belgian Malinois puppy we’ll be following for the next few months!
Tune in for Scott Dunmore’s tips, in a training program you can follow along with at home!

The secret life of snakes

Can you identify this striped species?
Learn more about the secret life of snakes from Bunny Watson at the Museum of Science in Boston.

Bedding – without the battle

Finally – pet linens that won’t leave you ready for a nap after laundering!
Confused? Just think back to the last time you had to wrestle with your dog’s mattress cover!
Vicki shows off one of her favorite products in this week’s Pet Gear.

Interested in learning more?

One “pawsh” hotel

Trade in the kennel service for a little room service the next time you visit Boston.
The hotel staff at XV Beacon offers a wide variety of services aimed at helping travelers with dogs – and other pets in need.
Click on the video to step inside.

XV Beacon Dog Biscuits

2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup graham flour
½ cup rolled oats
1 ¼ cup peanut butter
2 tablespoons molasses
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 ½ cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350. Mix together flours, oats, and powder. Mix milk, peanut butter, molasses, and vanilla until smooth. Add to dry ingredients. Dough will be stiff. Knead dough with hands. Roll out to ¼ inches and cut into shapes.
Bake 20 minutes until lightly browned. Turn off oven and leave in oven until crisp and dry. Cool and store in airtight container.

(Compliments of Mooo and ten licks approved by XVB GM’s dog Heidi.)

Eat, spay, love

Dogs, vegetarian chili, a big wonderful crowd, great folk music, funny contests, and a spectacular sunny day.

Sunday I was the “grand marshal” (don’t worry: no tiara, no sash) for the Standish Humane Society’s Benefit Walk for Animals in Wompatuck State Park. It was a real honor to spend time with people who pull off such miracles every day in saving animals.

Standish Humane runs a no-kill shelter for cats in Duxbury and also provides a spay/neuter service for the pets of people who cannot afford regular veterinary fees.

Doggie education shopping list

With a new school year underway, there may be a teachable moment or two for our dogs, and we might even think about enrolling them in a behavior class.

Joining the Secret Life of Animals with an indispensable shopping list for doggie education is one of our favorite trainers, Scott Dunmore.

Dr. Bill Langbauer on everything elephant

You may have seen the story recently about a 48-year-old elephant in Thailand named Motala, who lost part of her leg ten years ago to a landmine. She has just become the second elephant in the world fitted with an artificial leg to help her walk.

To learn more about her and all things elephant, we’re lucky to have on Dr. Bill Langbauer a man who really knows these creatures. He studied African elephants in the wild for many years and now as the director of the Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford Massachusetts, he oversees the care of two charismatic Asian elephants.