Terminally ill bulldog saves his owner from a house fire

Scott's decision not to end his terminally ill bulldog's life has ended up saving his own.

Scott Seymour's dog, Brittney, awakened him with her barking early on Sunday in time for both of them to escape from his burning house in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The fire came two weeks after a veterinarian discovered the 9-year-old American bulldog had several cancerous tumors. Scott has had her since she was 6 weeks old.

The vet said the dog might not survive surgery, and Seymour ruled out chemotherapy, believing it would be too hard on Brittney.

Seymour said he could have had Brittney put down, but instead decided to give her medication to blunt her pain until death comes naturally, probably within a few weeks.

What an incredible dog and what an amazing story.

Urban Animals ...

Want or need news about your pets?

Or boarding options, the closest vet or the latest dog pillow?

Urban Animal Magazine is a funky resource full of information for residents in Sydney's Eastern suburbs, Inner West and the CBD.

I love that my favourite vet Animal Doctors, is one of the outlets listed in Urban Animal Magazine.

The latest issue (15 May) has info about pet products on the Internet, what's in those pet treats and whether 1 year in human years is 7 in animal years.

So if you live in Sydney, grab a copy of this great mag. I read a bit of it while waiting at the vet on Monday.

Ahh to be a cat ...

A blogging cat to be exact.

They have the life. Sunshine, fresh laundry, lying in beds all day and served food like on an airline.

It would be fantastic.

Want more cat blogs?

New Cat City Can a man who's never had pets and who is allergic to cats become a great "CatDad?" New Cat City chronicles Avram's cats, Arthur and Beowulf, from his first search for two kittens, and is loaded with great photos of his boys.

The PsychoKitty Speaks Out The PsychoKitty is Max, and he eats something called "Stinky Goodness" and lives with "the Woman" and "the Man."

BloggingCat.com Muddy (Prince MuddyPaws) is the author of this blog, which is loaded with photos of him and his buddy, Myst, and some other cats. Unless Muddy has opposable thumbs.

William of Mass Destruction posts from beautiful black William and his housemates, interspersed with loads of photos, make this an interesting and newsy cat blog.

Cat 'n' Dog Blog This blog is truly authored by cats and dogs.

Monkey Cats The Monkey Cats are Tomas and Tenzin, and they share equally in posting their blog, if not their food.

The Cat Room Max, Bonkers, and Miss Daisy live with "the Human," and an occasional visitor, "the lady with the creaky knees." CoolCatSites.NetThis site is loading with information and links for cat lovers. The center column is in the form of a blog.

Abbie the Cat Has a Posse Abbie writes her own blog with the assistance of someone named Martha. She must be a gourmet, because all the entries are food-oriented.

100 years from now
it will not matter the sort of house I lived in,
how much money I had in the bank,
or what car I drove,
... but the world may be different
because I hope I was important in the life
of the animals and creatures
of this earth.

How much is that doggy in the window?

Here's a great site to help you find that perfect doggy. This site brings registered breeders and buyers together.

With options like choosing the breed or size of the puppy, news and selling your puppy - as well as good advice for buyers ... they really do believe that education is the key to reducing the number of pets ending up at shelters

And they have an amazing blog packed with information.

Whatever puppy you're looking for, you'll find it here.

Pets are good for you ...

Owning a pet is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, fewer visits to the doctor, and a reduced risk of asthma and allergies in young children.

There may even be less absenteeism from school through sickness among children who live with pets.

We have to get up to walk the dog, have to leave the house to take dogs for walks and in my case have to buy cat food or go look for Hemingway!

Explanations for the association between pet ownership and human health include social benefits and emotional support. Numerous studies have shown that support from pets may mirror some of the elements of human relationships known to contribute to health.

However, conflict between health and pet ownership can arise. It seems that pet owners would disregard advice to get rid of a pet because of allergies, while there are older people avoiding medical care through fear of being admitted to hospital or residential care as this often means giving up a pet.

Also - vet bills are extraordinarily expensive - when Hemingway had an eye infection, it cost me so much money ... I had to open a savings account to ensure this never happens again.

People do not own pets specifically to enhance their health, rather they value the relationship and the contribution their pet makes to their quality of life. Greater understanding among health professionals is therefore needed to assure people that they do not need to choose between pet ownership and compliance with health advice.

Someone will always be happy to look after your pet if something happens to you, a neighbour or a young responsible teenager who you can pay for their time. And depending on where you live, you may be able to re adopt if need be.

Having a pet, worrying about a pet and owning a pet is so beneficial .... this is only one opinion.

What is yours?

a Lynx ...

You Are a Lynx

You are a quiet observer of the world around you. Your wisdom comes from listening carefully. You've always been extra sensitive and aware. And it's made it difficult for you to fit in. You see past people's outward personas. You are able to penetrate a stranger's soul. What you've learned about people is both beautiful and ugly. And you keep these secrets to yourself.

http://www.blogthings.com/whatbigcatareyouquiz/