Alyssa Milano Is 'Godmother' to Rescued Dog

A two-legged dog named Scooby-Roo has gone from rags to riches. The stray mutt, who was found under an abandoned car in a gang-ridden neighborhood, has captured the interest of celebrities including Michael Jackson's children, Demi Moore, Shannon Elizabeth, and Alyssa Milano. According to People Pets, the celebs tweeted his photos, asking fans to donate money to fund Roo's rehabilitation at Fuzzy Rescue, the Los Angeles organization responsible for the 11-month-old dog's care.

Actress Alyssa Milano has taken a particular shine to the pup, even inviting him over to her home to hang out with her and her 10 horses. Posh playdate, right? Milano tweets, "I fell in love w/ Scooby Roo. I helped him get wheels. How could I not? He's coming to see me today."

"Milano said he had the most perfect nose, the most beautiful eyes, beautiful coloring," Fuzzy Rescue CEO Sheila Choi said. "We decided she would be his godmother."

Scooby-Roo spends three hours a day in his cart, but is still adjusting to the wheeled life. The wheels help him to strengthen his back legs and get around more easily. He will need life-long therapy including massage, hydro-therapy, and acupuncture.

While the bipedaled pooch is enjoying love from his movie-star patron, he still is in need of a permanent home. For more information and updates, visit Fuzzy Rescue's Web site.

Paige the Border Collie Can Do Your Laundry

Border collies are smart -- this is not news. But not every border collie has the kind of talent (or the star quality) that Paige, the dog in the video above, has. Paige's owner, Lauren Girard of Washington D.C., works with the two-year-old border collie every day for 20 to 30 minutes, using positive reinforcement, to keep the dog's skills sharp.

"First, I started with basic obedience classes, then went into more serious classes," Girard says. "Now we're doing competitive obedience and agility, which is more serious, so the tricks are just something I do on the side. She's so smart that she generally picks them up in just one session. You know the laundry trick? I showed her, she figured it out, and then I filmed it."

Now, if we could only get Girard to work with our dogs!

Pets Welcome at Stetson University

Ah, college. All those tough classes, the crazy parties, the dog walking, the flea-collar-purchasing...

That's right. Florida's Stetson University has tapped one of its dormitories to provide the first pet-friendly housing on campus starting next fall, reports WESH News in Orlando, Fla. School administrators say they believe that students bringing along pets will help relieve the stress of living away from home for the first time. According to Dean of Students Rina Tovar, "If they can bring Fido, or one of the Fidos, the family pet with them to school, it's going to help with that transition and really help with them feeling comfortable."

Stetson's Director of Housing and Residential Life, Justin Williams, says that the pet-friendly housing will be found in Nemec Hall. 36 of Nemec Hall's rooms will be included as part of the program, allowing residents to share space with hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, mice, rats, cats, and dogs under 30 pounds. The building will even feature a dog park just outside its walls. A pet council will deal with any problems that may arise -- the animal residents fighting like cats and dogs, maybe? No word yet on whether the rooms will be connected by hamster tunnels or plain old human hallways.

Overcoming Grooming Fears: The Hairbrush and the Blowdryer

The condition of your pet's fur may be less than flattering due to their affinity for romping in mud and sifting through garbage cans, but what can you do if your mangy-looking friend is terrified of the grooming tools needed to clean up their act? The razor-toothed hairbrush and loud, scary blowdryer may send many pets bolting to the nearest hiding place, but there are ways to help your pet become accustomed to, and possibly even comfortable with, these grooming necessities.

The Hairbrush
Once you're ready to combat your pet's tangles, put them into proper grooming stance. "While you are brushing your pet, it is often best if it's in a standing position," says Jen Quick, Director of the Fur Institute, a grooming school located in Alberta, Canada. "You can keep them standing by placing one hand between their back legs and resting it on their belly."

Another crucial step in maintaining your pet's patience with grooming is to give them frequent breathers. "You may want to give your pet a little bit of a break if it is taking more than a half hour to remove all tangles from their fur," suggested Quick.

Some animals may become agitated while you're brushing their tangles out, and could wiggle or even try to snap at you. In this situation, "place your hand around the animal's muzzle to keep their mouth closed, and in a stern voice, tell them 'no,'" advised Quick. If your pet continues to bite or growl, you must regain control over the situation. "You can flip them on their back, make eye contact, and tell them 'no,'" said Quick. "Do not break eye contact until they look away first." If all else fails, you may need to muzzle your pet to avoid getting hurt.

It may seem easier to forgo brushing between visits to the groomer, but the benefits outweigh the difficulty of struggling for your furry friend's compliance. If you neglect your pet's fur, it may become matted which "can restrict blood flow and air reaching that area of the skin, and there can be serious health issues," according to Quick.

The Blowdryer
"If your pet is afraid of the blowdryer, they may need to be reintroduced," said Quick. The first step is getting your pet comfortable with being in the vicinity of the blowdryer. This can be done by leaving the blowdryer in an area where the pet spends a lot of time, and it cannot be accidentally turned on. Once the presence of the blowdryer is no longer frightening to your pet, leave it running for a while so they can become accustomed to the noise. "Make sure to have a safe place for your pet to go (like a kennel) if [the noise] scares them," said Quick.

Quick cautions that it may take several attempts, but once your pet is comfortable with the noise of the blowdryer, you can start blowing air onto them. "You always want to start at the back end of the pet and slowly work towards the front, leaving the head last."

When all else fails, treats can often save the day. Acting as a positive distraction, treats will often convince your pet that sticking around to get dried off may not be all bad. "Pets often respond in a positive manner when they are rewarded for doing a good thing," said Quick.

AKC's Top 10 Most Popular Dogs in the U.S. in 2009

Today, the American Kennel Club released their 2009 registration statistics revealing the top 10 most popular dog breeds in the country. What's the secret to being popular? For dogs in the United States, it's all about safety.

Several of the dog breeds on the list are known for their hard work in keeping the country safe through border patrol, bomb and narcotics detection and searching for missing persons.

Put your paws together for the Labrador retriever who took the title as the #1 most popular purebred in America for the 19th year in a row.

Bumping the Yorkshire terrier out of the number two spot, the bold German shepherd is now the second most popular dog in the nation for the first time in over 30 years.

"Labs have been America's top dog for nearly two decades due to their loyal and gentle nature," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "But the German Shepherd Dog has gained ground recently, quite possibly due to the increased attention they receive for their security efforts at home and abroad."

Did your pooch make the list?

Top 10 Most Popular Dogs in the U.S.
1. Labrador Retriever
2. German Shepherd Dog
3. Yorkshire Terrier
4. Golden Retriever
5. Beagle
6. Boxer
7. Bulldog
8. Dachshund
9. Poodle
10. Shih Tzu

Homemade Dog Treat Recipe

Peanut Butter Puppy Poppers

2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 tbsp. baking powder
1 cup peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 375'F. In a bowl, combine flour and baking powder. In another bowl, mix peanut butter and milk, then add to dry ingredients and mix well. Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness and use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Bake for 20 minutes on a greased baking sheet until lightly brown. Cool on a rack, then store in an airtight container. --- This is the original recipe, but I have found the cookies burn easily.

Indestructible Dog Toys

Most dogs outgrow the need to chew as puppies, but some have an oral fixation that Freud would find noteworthy. If Fido has jaws of steel and has started eyeing your shoes, here are five of the most indestructible dog toys on the market.

1. Nylabones. Nylabones are dog bones made of durable plastic that is made to smell like bacon or chicken. They come in several different sizes and strengths. Be sure to check the rating on the package to ensure the Nylabone is made for heavy chewing. Nylabones can last for a year or more, although be warned that small pieces can flake off during use. Cost ranges from $5 for puppy bones, up to $16 for heavy-duty Nylabones.

2. Buster Cubes. Buster Cubes are hard plastic cubes that trap dog treats inside. Dogs extract the treats by rolling the cube around the room with their noses and paws, or by picking it up with their teeth and tossing it down. Buster Cubes are often recommended by animal behaviorists because they are ideal for destructive dogs who may be bored in addition to having a strong need to chew. This is also a great toy to break out when company comes over. Fido will be so absorbed with the buster cube, he'll forget to jump on the guests. Cost ranges from $15 up to $20 depending on size purchased.

3. Kong. Kong brand name products are used by police K-9 units and are available in an assortment of indestructible dog toys. From heavy duty rubber bones to hollow cones that can be stuffed with treats, Kong dog toys are built to last. The cones are particularly useful because they not only exercise the jaws, but also provide intellectual stimulation since the dog has to work to get the treats out. For extra fun, stuff the Kong cone with a mixture of dog food and peanut butter. Kong products are rated for specific weight ranges, so know your dog's weight and check the package for the weight range before buying. A large Kong cone costs $9 and will last forever.

4. Everlasting Treat Ball. This product is the winner of the 2007 New York Tails readers' choice award, and is a ball that can be stuffed with treats. The manufacturer sells treats specifically made for the Everlasting Treat Ball, but dog owners can also use their own treats. The bonus with this product is that it can be used not just as a chew toy, but for games of fetch as well. The ball costs $25 and the treat refills are $8.

5. Pig ears and rawhide bones. If all else fails, go with a chew toy that is meant to be destroyed. Pig ears can be purchased in bulk at warehouse stores or pet retailers, and are good for about 15 minutes of entertainment. Rawhide bones will last longer. When purchasing rawhide bones, look for the ones made in the U.S., as imported rawhides are sometimes cured with arsenic which is poisonous for dogs. Supervise the use of rawhide bones, and ensure water is available to prevent choking. Pig ears are sold in packages of 24 or 40 and prices range from $18 up to $30. Rawhide bones can be purchased individually or in bulk and cost from $5 up to $30.

For safety, always supervise dogs while chewing and inspect chew toys regularly for signs of wear and tear.