Alaska State Trooper Terrence Shanigan was responding to a call about a fire.  His GPS had just failed and he was about to make a wrong turn.  Just then, he spotted the German shepherd that led him straight to the burning workshop.  Now Buddy, 5-years-old, is being hailed a hero and is credited with saving his owner’s home from burning down.  To read the entire story, click here.

Buddy appears at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska on Friday, April 23, 2010. The German shepherd was hailed Friday as a hero for guiding Alaska State Troopers through winding back roads to a fire at his owner Ben Heinrichs' workshop on April 4. He received a commendation and a stainless steel dog dish from the troopers. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen) (Mark Thiessen - AP)

Qondor, a 21-month-old Doberman, escaped his crate for a second time before a flight at Dulles airport.  Fortunately, he has been found and is now scheduled for a 5:15pm flight to Norway.  To read more about it, click here.

The United States Postal Service has announced that it will now begin offering Animal Rescue: Adopt a Shelter Pet commemorative postage stamps.   They are intented to help promote animal rescue efforts, and purchases will help feed 1 million shelter pets.  Pre-order yours today!  To learn more, click here or visit http://stampstotherescue.com/.

PEOPLE Pets reports:

Forget the Iditarod. Earlier this week, residents of Anchorage, Alaska, were all about the Snausages Man Sled Race, a crazy event in which people pulled pups!

Four teams of humans dragged sleds — with dogs as the mushers — and raced across a frozen pond to win money for their pet charity of choice.

In a photo provided by Del Monte Foods, Malmute musher Buddy rides the sled as it is pulled by dog sled racing veterans Danny Seavey, left, and Dallas Seavey, center, and teammate Mari Troshynski during practice Tuesday, March 2, 2010 in Anchorage, Alaska, before the first-ever Snausages Man Sled Race. The race benefited local pet-related charities. Buddy's team won the race. (AP Photo/Al Grillo/Del Monte Foods)

PEOPLE Pets is reporting that celebrity couple, Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo have adopted a husky from a rescue organization.

The 1-year-old Siberian husky, named Kona, was on display at a roadside adoption event in Los Angeles. “I was driving down Ventura and we saw rescue dogs on the side of the road,” he explained. “Vanessa was with me — I don’t make those kind of decisions alone anymore — but since I grew up with a husky, I couldn’t resist.”

To read more, click here.

Thanks to a microchip, a German shepherd puppy missing for 2 months was reunited with his owners – 600 miles away.

A Virginia couple has been reunited with their German shepherd, which was found hundreds of miles from home in Florida. Pamela Holt, of Stuart, Va., says she thought DeLand Animal Control Officer Gary Thomas was playing a “mean trick” when he called to say he found 18-month old Deacon. The dog had been missing since December. The Holts thought their dog had died.

To read more, click here.

A seriously injured cat was saved by a persistent dog in Florida.  Toby, a Schnauzer, led his owner into a wooded area where the cat was discovered.

“When the owners finally followed Toby, they discovered a cat completely infested with maggots. The infestation was so bad that the cat’s face was nearly eaten off, but the feline was still alive. 

The cat was brought to Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary and Hospital for treatment.”

To read more, click here.   Warning: graphic images.

Pucker Up!

Here is some puppy love for you. We all know there’s no shortage of Valentine’s kisses when you  have a special pet in your life. Today The Daily Puppy features Echo, the Husky Mix puppy, who has a smile as sweet as sunshine.

How about a pooch smooch?

View more pictures of Echo here.

Pucker Up!

When was the last time you went to the dentist for a teeth cleaning?  Now think about the last time your little furry friend had his teeth cleaned…  Did you know that his bad breath could be a sign of something serious, like gum disease?

According to the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC), periodontal disease is the most common clinical condition in companion animals, and 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have the disease by age 3.

To combat and prevent dental problems for your pet, start by scheduling your pet’s annual dental exam at your veterinarian.

You can also care for your pet’s teeth by brushing them regularly, managing your pet’s diet and giving him dental-friendly toys and treats.

To read the entire article, click here.

David Sharpe, a former Air Force senior airman and Iraq war vet, started an animal rescue service called Pets2Vets.  It helps veterans find a homeless animal to adopt by way of local shelters.  Mr. Sharpe believes this service will not only help save hundreds of needy pets, but also help war veterans to heal.

Washington Animal Rescue League Executive Director Dr. Gary Weitzman said the
partnership with Pets2Vets was an ideal fit for his organization, which in the past
has worked with veterans at nearby Walter Reed on an individual basis. Pets can be
matched with vets up to two months before their discharge date and make weekly
visits with them; there also are volunteer opportunities to spend time with shelter
animals for soldiers who can’t yet be matched with pets of their own.

It’s a win-win situation for the shelter and the vets, Dr. Weitzman said: “We
provide them a healing environment, to continue their recovery, but they also help
our animals, many of which are recovering from traumas themselves.”

With the success of its pilot program, Pets2Vets plans to expand early next year to
additional shelters in the D.C. area and then across the country in partnership with
local veterans organizations.

Mr. Sharpe said his long-term goal is to extend the program to police, fire and
rescue workers, and victims of natural disasters and other traumas. While helping
the estimated 10 million to 12 million cases of PTSD in this country, he said,
“imagine saving the lives of that many dogs and cats.”

Of course, Mr. Sharpe would add that it’s not just the animals who are being saved.

“She saved me,” he said of Cheyenne.

To read the entire article, click here.