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‘Arf!’: The video variety show made for dogs
03.22.2018
10:22 am
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I wish I could take my dog everywhere with me. Recently, I ran into a man on the street protesting our local 7-Eleven. He claimed that the popular convenience store wasn’t “pet friendly” enough; that they wouldn’t allow his dog “Snowball” inside with him while he shopped. I don’t believe Snowball was fit to be a service dog or anything. It’s just nice to have the company every so often. And I’m sure our dogs would prefer the company, too.
 

 
I’m fairly certain that my dog Bella gets lonely when I’m not around. It really sucks to look her in the eyes before I leave the house. I mean, who knows what kind of crazy shit is going on inside her brain? There exist several remedies for pet separation anxiety and, in an age where we can have basically everything we want, there’s now a cable channel called DOGTV.
 
The concept is pretty self-explanatory. DOGTV is a 24/7 television network made exclusively for our canine friends. Designed by animal behavioral specialists, the station’s programming supports a dog’s natural everyday patterns with its original, ASPCA-approved content of three different categories: Relaxation, Stimulation, and Exposure. Each episodical segment is 3-6 minutes long and has been color-adjusted to appeal to a dog’s unique eyesight. Common everyday scenarios such as a visit to the park or a ride through town are accompanied by a soundtrack of healing frequencies, positive affirmations, and relaxing music. The programming is even considered educational. By use of gentle, low volume exposure, unfamiliar sounds are slowly introduced to the viewer, thereby “training” him or her to grow more comfortable. DOGTV has produced over 2,000 original programs to date, including The DOGTV Hour, which is intended to be enjoyed by pets with their owners. Honestly, I enjoy the dog programming much more than I do the human programming.
 

DOGTV ‘Stimulation’ Sample Episode

Much more after the jump…

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Posted by Bennett Kogon
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03.22.2018
10:22 am
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Filmmakers and felines: Jean Cocteau had a club for cat lovers!
01.10.2018
10:38 am
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If you like movies, then you probably have at least a passing familiarity with French director/artist Jean Cocteau. Maybe you picked up La Belle et la bête (1946) or Orphée (1950) during a half-price Criterion sale at Barnes & Noble. Maybe someone in film school made you watch Le Sang d’un Poète (1930) in some experimental film class and you thought: “What is this? This is some weird ass shit but…I like it! It’s definitely different than those other experimental guys. I might be able to get down with…what’s this dude’s name? Cocteau?”

Most cinephiles and culture vultures know the basics: Cocteau was French. He was gay. His social set was expansive, attracting everyone from Proust, Man Ray, and Pablo Picasso to queer artists like Gertrude Stein, Jean Genet, and Marlene Dietrich. Basic knowledge is fine if that’s all you want, but Jean Cocteau is SO much more interesting. His art was hot, his writing was beautiful, he was controversial…but let’s get real: What makes this Frenchman unique?

He loved the hell out of cats and he was not afraid to let the world know it!

Cocteau was romantically involved with his lead actor, Jean Marais for over two decades. It’s unclear whether Marais also enjoyed cats so that part of their affair is still a mystery. We do know that Cocteau firmly supported his lover’s close relationship with the dog he saved during WWII, Muluk. 

Clearly, bringing Muluk on-set was no problem. Wonder if it was in his contract?
 

 
What is it they say—opposites attract? If that’s the case and if we place cats and dogs on the spectrum as polar opposites, then these two men probably had a banging sex life! While Marais, son of a veterinarian, was fond enough of his dog to take glamour shots with him and signed autographs on pictures that featured himself and Muluk together, Jean Cocteau was much more than your average cat guy. More than your average cat lady, even. Cocteau believed in felines.
 

Jean Cocteau illustrated this lovely book of poetry in 1962, ‘La dame aux Chats’ (The Lady with Cats).
 

 
One of the illustrations: the lady with the cats!
 

These days Jean Cocteau might even be more notable on the internet for his heavily meme-d quotes about cats than for his elegant film work.

1) “I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul.”

2) “I prefer cats over dogs because police cats don’t exist.”

 

 
Cocteau made a great deal of art, but he made a lot of cat-related art. Not only is it vast and multi-faceted, spanning from sculpture to murals to sketch, it’s also extremely joyful. The Cocteau cats are a real treasure. 
 
Cocteau painted this in the local chapel near where he lived in Milly-la-Forêt, in 1959, where he wished to be buried (and was). It is still there.
 

As a cat lover, Cocteau shared his home with multiple feline companions. While not able to divine every furry friend’s name, two of his marvelous cats went by Madeline and Karoun. Cocteau was quite close with Karoun and nicknamed his furry buddy “King of Cats,” even dedicating a whole book to him! Lucky cat!
 
Much more after the jump…

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Posted by Ariel Schudson
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01.10.2018
10:38 am
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Dog owner discovers where all those missing socks went…
04.01.2014
02:04 pm
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Now this dog has a dangerous mind. Well dangerous to his owner’s sock drawer…

Redditor “Livelaughshart” posted this amusing image of where all his socks disappeared to during the winter months.

 

Posted by Tara McGinley
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04.01.2014
02:04 pm
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Rock stars with their cats and dogs

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Cool pictures of musicians with their pet dogs and cats, which show how even the most self-obsessed, narcissistic Rock god has a smidgen of humanity to care about someone other than themselves. Though admittedly, Iggy Pop looks like he’s about to eat his pet dog.
 
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Patti Smith and stylist.
 
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This is not a doggy bag, Iggy.
 
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There’s a cat in there somewhere with Joey Ramone.
 
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Tupac Shakur and a future internet meme.
 
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Bjork and a kissing cousin.
 
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O Superdog: Laurie Anderson and friend.
 
More cats and dogs and musicians, after the jump…
 

READ ON
Posted by Paul Gallagher
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03.27.2014
04:30 pm
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Dog sculptures made out of used bicycle parts
01.27.2014
02:41 pm
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Israeli artist Nirit Levav makes these rather peculiar life-size dog sculptures from recycled bicycle parts. Her series is called “Unchained.” The canines are mostly made from old bike chains, gear parts, saddles and pedals. 

You can view more of “Unchained” at her Etsy shop. If you’re curious how much these puppies (see what I did there?) cost… they’re a pretty penny to say the least.
 

 

 

 

 
With thanks to Gail Potocki!

Posted by Tara McGinley
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01.27.2014
02:41 pm
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Vincent Price wrote a book about his dog Joe
12.31.2013
12:05 pm
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If you didn’t have enough reasons to love Vincent Price, here’s one more.

Vincent Price loved animals, in particular dogs, and his favorite dog was the one he owned, a dog called Joe.

Vincent was so enamored with his four-legged pal that he wrote an entire book about him called The Book of Joe, in 1961, which begins as follows:

“This is a tale of how I went to the dogs or, to be numerically correct, to the dog. Now please do not expect this book to end with a glorious proclamation of rehabilitation. Not a chance. After fourteen years I’m incurably hooked on, intoxicated by, and addicted to - my dog Joe.”

I had never heard of Mr. Price’s foray into canine biography before, but now have it on my growing list of books I would like to read,  and going by some reviews on Good Reads, it sounds like a treat:

If you are ever lucky enough to find this out of print and rare book, you will be delighted by the WONDERFUL stories it contains. Told as elegantly and masterfully as only Vincent Price could tell. I could hear his distinct voice within every written word. A real rare gem for Vincent Price fans or Dog lovers in general.

This book tells not only the story of Joe but of other Price pets. Including apes, camels and roosters, just to name a few. The book is somewhat auto-biographical in nature as it relates to his love of animals. Sometimes sad but often hilarious, I laughed more often than I cried. I always enjoy a happy ending and so Mr. Price deliveres as the climax and ending becomes triumphant yet poignant.

This book helped me remember that the world lost not only a great Actor when Mr. Price died, but a loving husband, father, gourmet cook, art critic, and one of a dog’s best friends.

It appears Vincent Price’s The Book of Joe is a much sought after and rather difficult to find book, so I guess until I’m lucky enough to own a copy, I will have to make do with these charming ink drawings by artist Leo Hershfield, which illustrate Mr. Price’s book.
 
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More from Vincent and Joe, after the jump…
 

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Posted by Paul Gallagher
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12.31.2013
12:05 pm
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Chihuahua skeleton made from old typewriter parts
12.19.2013
12:05 pm
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I wish there were more photos of this chihuahua skeleton sculpture made entirely from typewriter parts by artist Jeremy Mayer. I wonder how big it is? Is it life-size? It must be.

According to Mayer’s Tumblr, he’ll be posting more photos of this piece in the next few days. Hold tight.

Via Boing Boing

Posted by Tara McGinley
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12.19.2013
12:05 pm
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Sylvester’s dog Princess Terry receives “celebrity pet” award, Castro Street Dog Show, 1984
12.17.2013
01:02 pm
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Damn my terrible timing! Yesterday marked the 25th anniversary of the passing of Sylvester; queer icon, incredible vocalist and Disco Diva extraordinaire. Well, I may be 24 hours late, but I couldn’t let another day pass without posting something in tribute here on DM.

And what a doozy of a clip! Yes, it’s Sylvester at the Castro Street Dog Fair in 1984, receiving the “celebrity pet” award on behalf of his pup, Princess Terry, from former Catwoman Lee Meriwether, all under the watchful gaze of a leather-vested cowboy. Yep. It really doesn’t get any more camp than this.

R.I.P. Queen Sylvester, you will forever be missed!
 

 
Major H/T to Matthew Hill!

Posted by Niall O'Conghaile
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12.17.2013
01:02 pm
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Zoo in China disguised dog as lion
08.15.2013
11:58 am
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A zoo located in People’s Park of Luohe in the province of Henan is receiving a major backlash from its paying visitors because zoo staff reportedly tried to disguise a Tibetan mastiff with a fancy hairdo as a lion.

The jig was up when visitors heard the dog’s “roar,” which sounded curiously like a bark…

According to People’s Daily, the zoo also tried to disguise fox-like animals as leopards and the snake cage apparently only had rats in it. Um, okay.

The zoo is currently under investigation for this tomfoolery.


 

Posted by Tara McGinley
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08.15.2013
11:58 am
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Little dog totally HATES recreating the famous chocolate scene from ‘I Love Lucy’
07.01.2013
01:18 pm
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Meet Kiwi. A pug who looks befuddled and humiliated beyond belief that her human would subject her to recreating the chocolate scene from I Love Lucy.

Kiwi totally has the classic canine “Why the fuck am I here?” expression going on.

PS: Don’t try this at home! Chocolate (like grapes, cannabis and onions) is toxic for dogs.

 
Via HYST

Posted by Tara McGinley
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07.01.2013
01:18 pm
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This will make you smile: Happy Dogs traveling in cars
06.13.2013
09:45 am
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How delightful is this? Happy dogs, traveling in cars, with the wind in their ears.
 

 
Via Arbroath
 

Posted by Paul Gallagher
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06.13.2013
09:45 am
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San Diego Airport has a bathroom for dogs
06.12.2013
03:06 pm
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San Diego Airport Dog Bathroom
 
The absolutely incredible image of a dog bathroom sporting a fire hydrant, above, was taken at the San Diego International Airport.

As of 2009, the Department of Transportation has apparently required all airports to make sure that there are pet relief areas available for any passengers traveling with service animals. The website Petfriendlytravel provides a handy guide to pet bathrooms across the US, and confirms that there is indeed a fire hydrant in the San Diego location:

San Diego International has three pet and service animal relief areas. One is located outside between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. At the Commuter Terminal, go to the west end; the area is located outside the terminal entrance. There is also a post-security animal relief area in Terminal 2 West, complete with fake grass, hand-washing station and a fire hydrant.

(Via Reddit)

For more mayhem, follow me on Twitter: @jasonlouv

Posted by Jason Louv
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06.12.2013
03:06 pm
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The Mystery of the Dog Suicide Bridge
05.07.2013
02:07 pm
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Over the past five decades, more than fifty dogs have jumped to their deaths from Overtoun Bridge, near Dumbarton, Scotland. These so-called “dog suicides” are linked by three strange but intriguing factors. All of the deaths occurred at the very same spot on the right-hand side of the bridge. All of the dogs who died were long muzzle breeds like Collie, Labrador, or Greyhound. All of the deaths took place on bright, clear days.

Due to the number of these inexplicable canine deaths, this still popular and scenic location has been dubbed the “Dog’s Suicide Bridge.” Over six months in 2005, five dogs leaped to their deaths. One bereaved owner, Donna Cooper was out walking with her family when her dog, Ben jumped over the parapet and fell fifty feet onto the rocks below.

‘His paw was broken, his jaw was broken and his back was broken and badly twisted. The vet decided it wasn’t worth putting him through the pain, so we had to let him go,’ recalls Donna.

A few superstitious locals have claimed the bridge is haunted by an evil spirit. In 1994, thirty-two-year-old Kevin Moy threw his baby off the bridge after claiming he was the Anti-Christ, and his son was Satan. Shortly after he tried to end his own life with an unsuccessful suicide attempt from the same bridge. Moy was remanded to Carstairs State Hospital, a maximum-security psychiatric facility.

There has also been the equally strange suggestion that the bridge is situated in, what the Scots call, a “thin place” - a meeting of two worlds, where spirits from the “Otherside” have access to this world. Cue Scooby-Doo, some all-enveloping mist, the howl of a wolf, and a craggy-featured old Scotsman saying, “Ye dinnae want tae go doun yon road, naw. It be haunt’d by the De’il.”

More recently, another popular yet equally unlikely theory emerged, which suggested these poor unfortunate dogs were committing suicide. A leading Animal Behaviorist, Dr. David Sands investigated these claims and has pointed out, “it is impossible for a dog to premeditate its own death”.

Sands uncovered the most likely explanation for the dog deaths is the onset of mink farming in the area, which started fifty years ago:

Evidence of mink was confirmed in the area not only by a naturalist, who spotted droppings beneath the bridge, but also by [an angler], who explained that the top hill quarry had lakes that contained trout (perfect mink diet).

The intense scent of mink aroused each dog’s curiosity, leading to their fatal leap of faith.
 

 
 

Posted by Paul Gallagher
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05.07.2013
02:07 pm
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Chewbacca is that you?
02.01.2013
12:10 pm
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Redditor gweebah posted this photo of a dog (at least I think it’s a dog) sticking its head out of a car window.

As Redditor theropod points out “Looks like Chewbacca if he stuck his head out of the Millennium Falcon’s window…”

Indeed it does.

Via reddit

Posted by Tara McGinley
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02.01.2013
12:10 pm
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Dog to have been euthanized because it was gay!
01.31.2013
11:37 am
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Some witless asshole dropped off his male pitbull/American bulldog mix at the Jackson Rabies Control Animal Shelter in Tennessee yesterday because he deemed his dog as “gay” for mounting another male dog (by that criteria ALL dogs would be “gay”!). Apparently the fucking idiot owner didn’t want a “gay dog.” The pooch, who displayed no signs of aggression, was scheduled to be euthanized today at 1pm!

Good news, though, a kind soul on Facebook who goes by the name “Jackson TN Euthanasia,” shared the hell out of this poor pup’s story and photo and got this doggie a new home. The dog was lucky, but the old owner will probably always be stupid.

Via BuzzFeed

Posted by Tara McGinley
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01.31.2013
11:37 am
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