"Genetically Engineered" Ashera Cat a Fraud, Reporter Sued

Are we about to be sued? It looks that way.

Several months ago, we reported the uncanny similarity between a new "genetically engineered" super-cat called "Ashera" and Savannah cats, a regular old (but very cool) registered breed. They're being sold by Lifestyle Pets, for a paltry $22-$25k.

Check out this article at posted yesterday at The-Scientist.com, which reports a brouhaha between the owner of Lifestyle pets and a reporter. Apparently, said reporter is being sued by Lifestyle Pets for suggesting that the "Ashera" cats are merely F1 Savannah cats, an existing breed, but with better marketing. We stand by our original reporting which pretty much said the same thing that the later reporter did.

So, I think we may be about to be sued. What do you think? We may have to put out a tin-cup for a legal defense fund soon.

Luxury Dog Beds of the Rich and Famous

So, up until now, you thought you had a nice dog bed. You thought wrong! How can you consider yourself to be a member in good standing of the dog friend community if you don't have a luxury dog bed like these, inside a custom-built, miniature bedroom for your dog? How? How I ask you?

Surfing Cat Aint Afraid of Water - Or Maybe She Is

Peruvian surfer Domingo Pianezzi rides a wave accompanied by a cat named Nicolasa at the San Bartolo beach in Lima January 31, 2008. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares (PERU)

Cat Wigs: As if Life Isn't Dangerous Enough

We at The Pet Effect shouldn't be able to be surprised at anything, and then...this comes along. Cats with wigs? My cat would fillet my forearms if I tried to pull something like this.

These multicolored kitty wigs are the brainchild of one Julie Jackson, and (presumably) her cat Boone. The wigs are available in "pink passion, bashful blonde, silver fox and electric blue" (pictured).

Seeming to acknowledge that this ordeal will require some coaxing, the package comes complete with a wig box, wig form and "a mouse with rattle to help you direct Kitty's stunned gaze."

For my cat, that would be a "murderous" gaze.

(Hat tip, Gizmodo).

Exploding Dogs: Odd International Headline of the Day

Exploding dogs pose no threat to estate houses

Wow! What a relief! (I think).

You see, apparently, there's a nearby pet crematorium, and dog there have sometimes been known to, eh, explode. That's because they "haven't been defrosted properly," say crematorium staff.

Interestingly enough, no measures are being taken to stop the exploding dog phenomena, but merely to enact better zoning to make sure no residential areas are built nearby.

As far as exploding dogs go, I generally prefer the exploding dog.

How Much Poop Will You Scoop?

BaxterBoo.com just launched their first (of hopefully many) fun tools on their site. What is the most important item on their list of pet-related widgets that they stuck their intrepid developers on? A dog doo calculator. That's right. Just enter the breed of dog you have, his or her name, and the calculator will tell you how much poop you will likely have to scoop over the course of your dog's life. Plus, you get a handy plaque to post on your site to tell people just how much you love your dog to be willing to put up with that much crap.

Here's an example:

10,991

THANKS TO DEXTER

One Dog's Amazing Gift for the Dying

Just found a great story on Izzy, a gifted dog with a unique ability to earn the trust of those at the weakest point in their lives.

In the three months since we started doing hospice work, Izzy has learned to spot and to head for wheelchairs and hospital beds. His gifts as a volunteer are multiple: gentleness, appropriateness, patience. He never pesters anybody or goes where he's not wanted. He can remain still for many minutes. When he's not wanted, he finds a corner to curl up and vanishes.

He approaches people in pain, people in comas, with dementia and paralysis, disfigured and frightened, always softly, carefully, and lovingly. He threads his way around IVs and oxygen tanks. I've never had a dog that could do this kind of work, nor could I begin to imagine how to train a dog to do it.

The author relates an amazing incident with an "untouchable" patient who was only able to be reached out to by Izzy, and Izzy had to work for it. Read the whole thing.

Iowa Caucuses Ignore The Needs of Our Pets!

OK, lady. Time to step away from the keyboard and take a wee break. Chelle Delaney of New Mexico has penned an opinion piece for the Clovis News Journal (woah, big name in news) lamenting the fact that no major presidential candidates are stumping with their pets, and that none of them are addressing the concerns of those of the four-legged (Or winged! Or scaled!) variety.

She calls for the formation of a new, independent political party: The Pro Pet Party.

Get real!

Don't get me wrong. I'm all for pets. Love 'em. But is this something that the Fed'ral Gummit needs to be concerned with? Do we need federal mandates and controls over local animal shelters? Just think about how many things the feds do well, and I think you'll agree that it's in the interest of all pets that Washington stays out of the micromanagement of local pet issues (as in actual dog-and-cat pet issues, not merely "pet projects").

Am I wrong, here?

More Dogs Killed by Deadly Algae Blooms

Several months ago we posted some scary stories of killer blue-green algae blooms in the United States that had been killing dogs who were playing in water. It looks like it has happened again, but thousands of miles away.

Two basset hounds in New Zealand died within 30 minutes of nibbling on poisonous algae blooms in the shallow water along the Hutt River during a walk on New Years Day.

"I went round to let him out and he didn't come out of his kennel and when I called and I looked in there he was dead in his kennel," the owner said of one of the dogs.

I'll say it again. People just don't think about something being in a normal, non-polluted body of water that could kill their pets (and even can kill people). Watch out, folks. Take a look at the picture above, and keep a look out when your dogs are near the water.

Bionic Cat Can Drive Himself to the LitterBox, But Can't Use It

I'm a bit confused. Elvis the cat has lost his ability to walk. Therefore, his enterprising owner built a robotic extension for him to drive around in that looks like the love-child of a cardboard box and the Mars Rover. After watching the little guy drive around, I'm not sure it's an improvement. Sure, he can go places, but he can't actually do anything once he gets there because, well, he's encased in a cardboard box, for cryin' out loud!

Still, kudos to the owner for designing a control scheme that can be understood by a cat. Maybe there's hope for the senior citizens of the world.