DOG CHEATS DEATH -- TWICE
A dog that cheated death twice is being showered with gifts in his new home of Atlanta. The dog, named Hope, was shot in the back by a Texas man who then buried her. When the dog dug her way out the man shot her again and buried her again. Then a neighbor found the dog and took her to the veterinarian. She was treated and recovered, but no one was willing to give her a new home in Texas, reported WXIA-TV in Atlanta. So, David York, who owns Atlanta's Barking Hound Village Day Care, heard about Hope through a friend and paid the vet's bill. Since then, Hope has been moved to Atlanta and is being flooding with gifts. Calls seeking to adopt the dog have been directed to Atlanta Pet Rescue.
LEOPARD AND COW ARE PALS
In a rare case of predator-prey friendship, a leopard and cow have become the talk of a town in India. The incredible ways of the two animals in the Antoli village have attracted the attention of many, including wildlife activists, The Indian Express in Bombay reported. According to honorary wildlife warden Rohit Vyas, "the leopard has been visiting the cow since last October at regular intervals." They approached each other at very close proximity and the cow licked the leopard on its head and neck, said Vyas. The forest department gave up its efforts to capture the leopard after learning of the friendship. Moreover, the leopard did not harm other animals in the village and its presence has kept other animals from damaging crops in the field.
A GUIDE DOG FOR A DOG
A guide dog and his blind companion are seeking a new home together in England. The National Canine Defense League animal shelter is appealing for a new home for two of its dogs -- one of which acts as a guide dog for his blind companion, according to Britain's Horse & Hound Online. Robbie, a 13-year-old Labrador, is a guide dog with a difference -- instead of leading a blind human, he leads his lifelong friend, an 18-year-old mix named Prince who cannot see because of cataracts. The two dogs are currently living at the NCDL's Canterbury shelter after their previous owner became ill and could no longer look after them. The pair are quite active, despite Prince suffering from extensive liver damage.
SWIMMING CAT
Cats usually hate water, but a British cat named Paddy has taken to swimming a few laps in the pool, reported the British Broadcast Corp. Paddy was attacked by a fox and it left him with a nasty injury on one of his legs. His owner, Matt Knowles of Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, in England, says his cat is "a bit of a fighter." The ginger tom's veterinarian suggested hydrotherapy -- swimming in warm water -- might help his recovery. After five sessions in the pool, Paddy has taken to swimming like a duck to water. Hydro therapist Steve Powell explained he keeps the cat's legs moving and the swimming has made an improvement. Hydrotherapy often is used by people, horses and dogs, but it's rarely tried on cats, according to Powell.
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