Knut Saga Takes a Turn Toward Romance

Knut, the celebrity polar bear reared by a human zookeeper, recently had his first encounter with the opposite sex. Allaying the fears of Berlin Zoo keepers and Knut fans worldwide, Knut neither faced outright rejection nor tripped all over his paws with his lady friend. The female in question: Gianna, a female polar bear on loan from the Munich Zoo known to be a bit of a diva. As expected considering that Knut is just beginning to interact with other polar bears, Knut was shy but not indifferent to Gianna’s charms. Gianna even possibly signaled some interest, giving Knut what might be reckoned a love smack.

Only time can tell if the two acquaintances will become love birds, or more precisely, love bears. Both Knut and Gianna have yet to come to sexual maturity. And independent of the two young adolescents’ preference for privacy, goodness knows the world will be watching. Stay tuned.

HSUS Protect Seals video campaign wins award

“Club sandwiches, not seals,” the t-shirts proclaim, and celebrities sundry as Paul McCartney, Carmen Electra, and Nigel Barker echo the sentiment.

Each has spoken up in support of the Humane Society of the United States’ (HSUS) efforts to end the commercial killing of baby seals for their fur by fishermen on Canada’s east coast.

This week, the HSUS “Protect Seals” online video campaign won the coveted Interactive Advertising Bureau’s 2009 MIXX (Marketing and Interactive Excellence) silver award, evaluated on 17 critical components of interactive marketing, including strategy, creative and execution.

“Compelling video footage that is shared across multiple distribution channels is a proven way to foster critical messages and effect change,” said Mark Portu, President and CEO of The FeedRoom, The HSUS’s media management company, in press release.

The HSUS was able to capture footage of seal slaughter at the Canadian ice floes and, traveling back by helicopter, produce and upload the video to The HSUS Website within minutes. By the time the crew landed, the media was sharing broadcast video and high-resolution images with the world.

According to Portu, “This recognition of The HSUS is illustrative of forward-thinking organizations who have embraced online video and rich media to improve the reach and velocity of communications to internal and external audiences.”

For more information on the HSUS and Protect Seals campaign, visit HSUS.org/protectseals.html.

–Sarah Hughes

Canine surfing champ hits waves to raise money for charity

Ricochet, also known as “Rip Curl Ricki,” recently took 2nd place overall at the 2009 Helen Woodward Surf Dog Surf-a-thon. The event took place Sept 13 in Del Mar, CA and raised money for homeless animals at the Helen Woodward Animal Center.

According to her guardian and trainer, Ricochet is an up and coming dog surfer, at only 1 and 1/2 years old. Judy Fridono started giving the pup surfing lessons on a boogie board in a kiddie pool when she was 8 weeks old. This past June, Ricochet ventured into bigger water and competed in Purina Incredible Dog Challenge Surf Dog Competition where she won 3rd place in the large dog category. On top of that, the pooch completed the first known tandem surf session with 15-year-old Patrick Ivison, a quadriplegic adaptive surfer.

Next up for Rip Curl Ricki is the Surf City Surf Dog Contest in Huntington Beach on Oct. 11, where she’ll be competing in the large dog category, as well as doing a tandem surf demonstration with Ivison, who has also been named an official beneficiary of the event. Ricochet is leading a fundraising campaign for Ivison through her Surfin’ for Paws-abilities program, which will help fund his physical therapy/rehabilitation and new service dog.

Ricochet’s fundraising efforts will offset the very high costs of Ivison’s physical therapy and service dog, which aren’t covered by insurance. She is also looking for corporate sponsors that will provide a grant/donation to reach her fundraising goals. To become a corporate sponsor or make a donation, go to RipCurlRicki.com/SurfinforPawsabilities.htm.

In addition, folks in the Los Angeles area can check out Ricochet and Ivison as they practice for the upcoming Surf City Surf event. The duo will be hitting the waves this Saturday, Sept. 26 at Huntington Dog Beach at the corner of Goldenwest and Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach, CA.

Pet Pic of the Day

“It’s beginning to feel like Fall” by flickr user Red-Star.

Want your pet’s mug to be our pic of the day? Join our flickr photo group and upload your images.

Cesar Canine Cuisine launches new product line for small dogs

Are you and your small dog ready for the Cesar Bistro: Share the Love Tour? Cesar brand pet food is launching its newest product line – Cesar Bistro Entrees – and they want your little Patches to try them out.

The Share the Love initiative is a program offering free products samples to dogs at parks across the country. And every Saturday between Aug. 22 and Oct. 10, Cesar Bistro’s simulation of the doggy fine dining experience could be at a park near you.

They will be taking these visits to 125 small dog parks and beaches in 22 cities across the country and are inviting you to come along for the experience. Your pet may want to try any of their samples from the grilled chicken primavera dinner or Tuscan style stew with braised beef, to the steak tips or steak Florentine flavor. If you’re interested in all the flavors or in downloading free sample coupons, visit Cesar.com for more information.

And to find out if the Share the Love Tour will be in a city near you, paw over the complete list of locations and dates at Cesar.com/events.

-Morgan McMillan

World’s Oldest Dog Dies at 21

Guinness World Records has lost a great. Chanel, a white, wirehaired Daschund who was living on Long Island with her pet parents, Karl and Denice Shaughnessy, died Friday, Aug. 28. She held the current record for world’s oldest dog.

Having lived a long 21 years – which is about 147 in dog years – Chanel will no doubt be missed. While 21 is a significant year in young human’s lives, Chanel just celebrated her final birthday in May – at a doggie hotel and spa, nonetheless.

Because of her cataracts and sensitivity to cold weather, she was best remembered wearing a colorful sweater and sunglasses. Karl and Denice mentioned, though, that she still had plenty of pep in her step.

She died of natural causes in her home in Jefferson Station, N.Y., which is about 50 miles east of New York City.

–Morgan McMillan