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This month's issue of The Scoop is just being polished off and we're getting ready to blow you away with another awesome newsletter!
We've been busy bees this month, searching for the web's hottest stories in the World of Pets, and bring them to you in a way you'll enjoy!
In this issue, we cover such stories as:

• Planet-Pets.com TV Episode 2!
  
• New trends in how to travel with your pet!
• Helpful tips on how to travel safe or move homes with a pet!
• A new winner of the "You and Your Pet" contest! Submit your story about your pet and compete to win an awesome pet owner's prize!
• All the funny videos and cartoons we could find on the Net!
• Famous Pet related quotes you can use with your friends!
  

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PLANET PETS TV - Episode 2 - Now On Stands Everywhere!

We at Planet-Pets.com are proud to present our second installment of our brand new show, Planet-Pets TV, hosted by none other than Me :), Brandon James and Amanda Fruta. This episode continues on the topics we discussed with dog owners at the Huntington Dog Beach, a beautiful 3/4 mile stretch of Ocean front dedicated to dogs. We found out some interesting things about personal experiences with the pet food recall, how to get your dog trained to become a therapy dog, and about how rescues work. Check it out!



Video: Planet-Pets TV Episode 2

Is Corporate Going to The Dogs too?

It is in this office! Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. is a company that walks the talk -- and the dog too. At the company's site in Hertfordshire, Britain, several dogs can often be found in the office. Walking into the LA based advertising company TBWA\Chiat\Day, you would find both 2 legged and 4 legged employees running around. There might be 40 to 50 dogs -- compared with 850 people -- in the company's largest office at any time.

"If it is practical it can be a great benefit," says Ziela Haider, a spokeswoman for Blue Cross, an animal welfare charity in Britain. "Dogs really do reduce stress. We have a part-time office dog and spending a few minutes stroking him lets you take a mental break." They also found that many employees spend longer hours at work, knowing that their dog is beneath their desk where they can care for them.

While I can definitely see the benefits of having the wonderful energy of pets around in the office, I can also relate to the other side of this debate that feels as though they are a distraction. It's not hard to imagine that. I guess my thoughts and feelings tend to go to a larger debate that I have which is how we North Americans 'live to work' and not 'work to live.' I see this step to include our amazing bond with domesticated animals as one step closer to the latter. So I'm all for it... allergies included ;)

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'Idol' Carrie Underwood Does Gulf Benefit Concert For Katrina Relief

"American Idol" winner Carrie Underwood, and the other eight Idol finalists closed their summer concert tour with a benefit for Hurricane Katrina relief.

The American Red Cross will benefit from Sunday's sold-out crowd of 6,000 that paid $35 to $45 for a seat at the War Memorial at Oncenter, as the Idols wound up a tour of 43 cities in 62 days.

"It's a very happy thing that we're doing to help people," Underwood said. "When (executive producer) Simon Fuller suggested the idea of putting on a special charity concert to help those in need, I and all the Idols on tour were happy to help."

Underwood, of Checotah, Okla., said she would donate the revenues from her merchandise sales at the benefit concert to the Humane Society of the United States to help pets stranded in the hurricane region.

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Dog Walking - Friend or Enemy?

Well apparently "Big Bird" organizations are out to get their natural rival, the dog. Apparently some stupid professor from the University of New South Wales has "published" (and I use that terms lightly) an in-depth study into how dog walking, or the vicinity of dogs has a devastating effect of the presence of natural bird wildlife.


His experiments show that dog-walking causes more than 40 per cent reduction in bird abundance and more than 35 per cent reduction in bird diversity in woodlands, even if the pets are kept on a lead. I say DUH!!!!!! What the heck do you expect when a bird gets around a dog? They fly away. But for Pete's sake, they come back! For anyone with large trees on their property like mine, I wish that a dog in the backyard would keep those bloody sparrow away for good. I'm tired of cleaning up the excess amounts of bird dung left all over the ground.
Seriously! I'm beginning to think that becoming a tenured professor is an easier and more "lax" job than flipping burgers and dealing with people's custom orders each day.
I don't even want to know how much money he so blatantly wasted on this study. Get real....

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HOUSEKEEPER TO SUE HELMSLEY DOG FOR...

Leona Helmsley's former housekeeper is preparing to sue Helmsley's dog, Trouble, for 6 million pounds for biting her. She had previously tried to sue for the bite incident Ms. Helmsley but was unsuccessful. She still wears a brace on her right hand due to the injury she suffered.
Obviously the fact that what sounds like to me a little hellion is making out with a better inheritance from her owner than ANYONE in the extended family has got some backs up. I've never known it to happen, but not only will Trouble be in lots of it, need a lawyer, but apparently also Helmsley's brother, who inherited Trouble, does not want her.

On another note, let me give Trouble a bit of advice... check into the Hilton on their pet friendly policy, pay $90 a stay and enjoy the free treats...

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It's Official! We Love Pets More Than....

OURSELVES????
Yep you got it! With all of the current news out surrounding animals, and our love for them, it's just blatantly obvious that while we can stomach the images of war, starvation and death on the newscast every night, it's a heart wrenching affair to hear about the mistreatment of animals. In fact it's just gone TOO FAR!
Almost two thirds of homes in America own a pet. This year's estimated money spent in the pet industry is a whopping 41 billion dollars, up from a measly 38.5 billion last year! According to Bob Vetere, the president of the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, 42 percent of pets sleep in the same bed as their owners - up from 34 percent in 1998.
I'm pretty sure I can guess where Leona Helmsley's 12 million dollar pup Trouble slept......



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"I'm sorry for what I've done...."

The saga and epic downfall of Michael Vick continues... After having refuted any involvement with the alleged dog fighting on his Virginia compound, M. Vick has now coughed up the goods and pleaded guilty. Just in time to find Jesus and seek forgiveness for what he's done.
I don't know what's worse? Being now looked at as a monster by most Americans? Being suspended indefinitely from the Falcons and having them litigate you for the 20 some odd million dollars in bonuses they paid you on your $130 million dollar contract? (That hurts to even think about... what an idiot) Or having to spend the possibility of 5 years in prison?
I just can't seem to find a soft spot for this guy. He had it all - was living the dream. Then he went too far and now it's ALL gone. I just can't summon any sympathy.
Can't you blame me?

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Spot... Enjoy Your Stay With Us Here At.....

The Hilton?
Yep, you guessed it. The Hilton has now implemented across their worldwide chain a pet friendly policy. Recognizing that pets have become a very important part of their customer's family lives, the Hilton now allows dogs and cats under the weight of 34kgs to stay at their hotels. With a fee of $90 per stay, your fuzzy buddy will receive a bowl, bed, and treats to enjoy during their stay. A $500 deposit per stay is also taken against any possible extra clean up or repairs.
Pretty sweet!

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It's All Gone To The Dogs....

Leona Helmsley, a well-known hotelier and real estate billionaire, died last month and has left her white Maltese a $12 million dollar trust fund to make sure that "continue to live an opulent life, and then be buried alongside her in a mausoleum." Now if I was one of her children or grandchildren, I'd being cursing the aptly named puppy, "Trouble," and wondering what it was that made her go to such great lengths.


"I direct that when my dog, Trouble, dies, her remains shall be buried next to my remains in the Helmsley mausoleum," Helmsley wrote in her will. Helmsley died earlier this month at her Connecticut home. She became known as a symbol of 1980s greed and earned the nickname "the Queen of Mean" after her 1988 indictment and subsequent conviction for tax evasion. One employee had quoted her as snarling, "Only the little people pay taxes."
I think that's hilarious! Unfortunately, I was only 8 years old at the time of her trial, but honestly?.... the Queen of Mean. This lady must have been a real piece of work!
I guess Trouble really cashed in... good for you little guy... good for you...
Hey, Trouble?... got a few thousand dollars you could spare ;)