The Muttropolis Blog

Pupperazzi: The Doggie Gaga Project

 

Puh-Puh-Puh Pupper Face 

Armed with a Polaroid camera, plenty of dog treats, miniaturized Lady Gaga costumes and a healthy dose of humor, San Francisco bay-area photographer Jesse Freidin has gone where no photographer has gone before and become an overnight internet sensation with his Doggie Gaga Project.

Freidin and a small team of stylists created and photographed miniaturized Lady Gaga-esque ensembles on a host of pooches - including a Boston Terrier, a Mexican hairless, a Shiba Inu and two Pit Bulls. The resulting collection is nothing short of ridonkulous. 

While some might see a whole lotta wrong with these photos -  Friedin states in his press release that "no animals were harmed during the photo shoot ....or even irritated."  Despite being a big Lady Gaga fan, something tells me that my dog Zazou would not be down with Gaga's infamous lacy red VMA ensemble ...though he might be willing to chill with the hat on for a spell.

Would your dog sit still for something like this? 

To check out Jesse Freidin's entire Doggie Gaga Project collection, visit JesseFreidin.com

Photo courtesy of our friends at PeoplePets.com

Article reprint courtesy of Animal Planet's The Daily Treat with Janet McCulley

CatRoulette: Cat Video Chat

Chatroulette is a social website that pairs users with random Webcam partners. Attracting nearly 20,000 curious visitors a night, it draws mostly teenagers, inebriated twenty-somethings, college kids packed into dorm rooms and a whole lot of pathetic, half-naked dudes with nothing better to do.

In other words, Chatroulette is quickly becoming the go to site if you want to chat with the most socially depraved people you will ever interact with.....and cats, yes, lots of cats. 

Enter CatRoulette

In fact, so many cats have been spotted on Chatroulette that a new site, CatRoulette highlights (via screenshots) some of the best Cat chats spotted on the site. By Cat chats, we mean: cats scratching away on a scratcher, riding Roombas, playing with catnip toys and....well, doing what cats do!

source: Urlesque

Article reprint courtesy of Animal Planet's The Daily Treat with Janet McCulley

Warts and All: Rascal Reigns at the Annual Ugly Dog Contest

Who're you calling ugly?

Rascal proved he's still got it at the 15th Annual Del Mar Ugly Dog Contest held here in San Diego, CA last weekend, as he reigned supreme at the annual contest attended by hundreds - all to benefit the Helen Woodward Animal Center.

A pure bred Chinese Crested pooch who is naturally hairless and born without a lot of his teeth, Rascal has scored a superfecta of Ugly Dog contests, as he is the only living Ugly dog to hold the coveted "Ring of Champions" title which makes him the current "World's Ugliest Dog." 

Fugly runs in the family

The butterface gene has apparently always run in Rascal's family, as he is a descendent of Chi Chi, who is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for winning the most ugly dog contests, according to his owner Dane Andrew of Sunnyvale.

“At first they think he’s ugly and then they think he’s cute,” Andrew said about Rascal's fans. “He grows on them in just seconds.” 

In fact, Rascal has amassed some famous fans along the way - as Andrew and Rascal have been interviewed by Jay Leno, Barbara Walters, Jane Pauley, Carson Daly and Kathy Griffin, according to his IMDB site.

Personally, I think he's darling in a "face-only-a-mother-could-love" kind of way! What do you think?

Article reprint courtesy of Animal Planet's The Daily Treat with Janet McCulley

Funny Dog Video: Law & Order Theme Song Bums Out Dogs Across America

Dogs. DOINK! DOINK! Howling Dogs. DOINK! DOINK! These are their stories.

It all started when Knuckles the Jack Russell's parents noticed that each time he overheard the theme song of "Law & Order" on the television, he would begin to whimper and then forcefully howl his way through the opening credits while the theme song played on.

Finding his behavior nothing short of hysterically funny, Knuckle's parents did what any upstanding citizen would and should do.... they posted a video of him howling along to the song on Youtube. Since posting said video of Knuckles one year ago, and racking up more than 10,000 views, dozens of videos have since been posted of dogs with a similar aversion to the unmistakeable DOINK DOINK of the L&O theme song! 

Why they're howling: A thin plot-line? Volume too loud? An involuntary reaction?

According to ABC news and veterinary neurologist Susan Wagner, dogs are probably involuntarily howling at this song due to its higher-register notes in the iconic DOINK DOINK theme song. (I personally believe that it is the darkly criminal and somewhat upsetting story lines of the show that is totally bumming out these dogs.)

Dozens of videos reside on Youtube that showcase this hysterical howling...but my all time favorite is of the Doberman who is casually chilling in his Bark-o-lounger, complete with his cozy macrame blankie (and possibly a lap tray?) - it's awesome. Really. The second video is a mash up of a bunch of different dogs singing along, each one funnier than the next. ENJOY!

Article reprint courtesy of Animal Planet's The Daily Treat with Janet McCulley

Olympians and Their Furry 'Chomp'-ians

All eyes are on Vancouver B.C. this week as athletes from all around the world compete for medals in a wide variety of winter sporting events at the 2010 Winter Olympics. 

These winter Olympics are also called the Winter Ouch-lympics, since a high percentage of participants wear helmets and nearly every event has a perilous aspect, whether it's a hard surface, sharp blades, mortifying speeds or dizzying airborne maneuvers. As fun as it is to watch these incredible athletes, let's face it, it's akin to watching a train wreck.

One of my favorite parts about the Olympics is hearing the interesting and occasionally odd back stories behind each of the amazing athletes that provide answers to such pressing questions as:

1) How they actually discovered the thrill of curling 

2) How it is that they came to be called "Picabo" or "Apollo;"  

3) Where one can buy the bedazzled, feather embellished pantaloons sported by male figure skaters?

4) And, naturally -  do they indeed have any wittle-bitty-snuggly-wuggly-fuzzy-wuzzy creatures at home that help them train for their big event?

Behind every great athlete is a great pet

While expert teams of coaches, trainers and physical therapists may keep this year's Olympians in top shape, our friends over at Petside.com share this week that these world-class athletes indeed count on their beloved pets to provide companionship and support for the biggest competition of their lives. 

From figure skater Mirai Nagasu's (at right) Chihuahua, Kousuke and Cat, Gigi to Snowboarding sensation Lindsey Jacobellis' (pictured above) dogs Gidget and Bear, check out Petside.com to see the all the cool pets wagging their tails wildly for this year's Olympians! 

photos courtesy of petside.com

Article reprint courtesy of Animal Planet's The Daily Treat with Janet McCulley

Calling All Sniffers: Search + Rescue Dogs Bound for Haiti

Professionally trained "sniffer" search dogs from around the globe are being deployed this week to aid rescue operations in earthquake-ravaged Haiti. The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation posted a deployment on their website which calls to action the American organizations that train search and rescue dogs. 

According to Discovery News, an international contingency of search and rescue doggies are being readied to aid the devastated people of Haiti. British, French, Chinese, Canadian, Russian, Peruvian, Mexican, Taiwanese and United States-based canine sniffer teams have been dispatched along with tons of tents, food and medical equipment. 

New York-based canine handler Scott Mateyaschuk and his dog Aragon are headed to the island nation to help in the search and recovery of effort. Watch Mateyaschuk describe the mission below, and meet one of the brave four-legged rescuers.

Therapy Dogs: On a sweet and heart-warming note, some reports indicate that the presence of the doggies on the long flights to Haiti helped to ease the tension of the rescue workers on board the plane.

Good luck and a big thank you to Scott, Aragon and all the search and rescue teams!!!

Article reprint courtesy of Animal Planet's The Daily Treat with Janet McCulley

Top Cat: Persian Puff Ball Wins 2009 Best in Show

Did that furry toss pillow just meow at me?

The puffiest, poofiest, uber-fluffiest Persian cat you have ever seen in your life scratched out 650 other entries to land the coveted "Best in Show" prize at this year's "Catlanta" - the CFA International Cat Show in Atlanta held just last week. At only eight months old, Kuorii Gorilla of Cuzzoe (right) - nicknamed "Go Go" at home - is being touted as a "superb example of the Persian breed,” due to his massive bone structure, a round and smooth head, and over-the-top fluffy coat. 

When I first spotted this cat on CNN last night, it looked like the handler was petting some kind of fur throw or toss pillow - this cat is HUGE! 

Other finalists included a platinum Tonkinese male called "Purrtek's Syrah", a silver and white American Shorthair called "KCDancers Eye-of-the-Tiger", a Maine Coon called "Highlander Tony Bennett of Wenlock", and a Burmese cat called "Mar-chu Electra of Karleton".

Cat Agility Tourney?

In addition to the best in show contest, the International Cat Show also featured a kitty agility course which you simply have to see to believe. Check out the video below, and to learn more about Persian cats visit Cats 101 on Animal Planet.

Article reprint courtesy of Animal Planet's The Daily Treat with Janet McCulley

Holy Hounds: LA Church allows pets in pews

From doghouse to God's house

For many of us, our pets are official family members who accompany us just about everywhere we go. Occasionally we might even decline an invitation because, well, Buster and/or Mademoiselle Pouf Pouf were not welcomed to accompany us to the affair and frankly we'd rather stay home and watch Animal Planet with them.

Well, apparently the Rev. Tom Eggebeen realized that this very issue may be why many of his previously devoted worshipers at his Covenant Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles were no longer attending services. So he came up with a brilliant and unconventional idea: He turned his house of God into a doghouse by offering a 30-minute service every week, complete with canine prayers, an offering of dog treats and even special music, such as "GoD and DoG."

After putting the word out, holy hounds big and small, from pit bulls to Dachshunds, have piled into the church's chapel to worship ... the pile of biscuits in the offering bowl. 

Check out the holy hounds in action in a short video at USATODAY.com

Reprint courtesy of Animal Planet's The Daily Treat with Janet McCulley.

Pets Who Want to Kill Themselves (dot com)

The ever-growing trend of dressing up our beloved pets is certainly here to stay, given the abundance of choice in pet fashions and accessories today.

Yet, as much as I personally enjoy outfitting my furry four-legged sidekick, the Lulu Schmoo, in an occasional rain slicker or couture-inspired trench, I can't say that she particularly enjoys it...witness photo below.

Many of us have been to various community pet parade events and have silently asked ourselves: Does Mister Fluffy-bottoms over there really want to sport both a Captain Kirk uniform and a miniature model of the Starship Enterprise? Does Mojito the Mastiff really belong in leg warmers?

One need only glance at the unmistakable look upon their faces to obtain an immediate answer.

Pets at Their Most Embarrassed State

This sort of pondering is apparently what prompted Los Angeles based comedy screenwriter, Duncan Birmingham, to launch his website, Pets Who Want to Kill Themselves, a site dedicated to showing pets at their most 'embarrassed' state.

Featuring photos of everything from Greyhounds to Guinea Pigs in ridiculous predicaments, the site pokes some serious fun at well-meaning pet parents who simply can't help themselves when it comes to pimping their pets. The user-generated captions are priceless and definitely worth a look-see.

You can event submit your own photos to me for your very own personal shaming. Just email me at animal_planet@discovery.com

Article reprint courtesy of Animal Planet's The Daily Treat with Janet McCulley

Obama's welcome newest Presidential Pooch: Bo Obama

Over the years, the White House walls and floors have enjoyed the pitter patter (...and tinkley-tinkles?) of first pets Lucky, Rex, Millie, Buddy, Socks, Miss Beazley &  Barney. Starting this week, Americans officially have Bo Obama, a gangly Portuguese Water Dog as "our" newest Presidential Pet and four-legged family member.

Yesterday, the Obama's proudly marched Bo out for his first press conference and he frolicked like a goofy goof ball just as any good 6-month old pup should. We're all not sure what the scoop is on the plastic lei he wore around his neck, but we have no doubt that said lei is likely now shredded and scattered about the Oval Office, or one of the other hundred rooms that Bo will now call home.

Naturally, with Bo Hysteria rippling across America, the Obama's are receiving a flood of Puppy Do's and Don't Advice from pet parents around the globe  Shrill speculation from political pundits and curmudgeons alike is abound regarding Bo's political preference, sexual persuasion and whether Malia or Sasha Obama will be responsible for 'picking up?'

We Muttropolitans are not concerned with Bo's lifestyle choices and instead are simply thrilled that the Obama's have a new little bundle of happiness that will bring certain needed levity into their lives and new home.

As for the 'toxic assets' that Bo will undoubtedly be depositing upon the White House lawn, may we kindly suggest Muttropolis' stealthy Euro-Bone Pick Up Kit leash attachment.