To help make a difference in the lives of animals throughout the world, Joanne took it upon herself to sell her home and take Oscar on a $40,000 trip around the world to help bring attention to the plight of shelter pets. To the left, you can see Oscar at Machu Picchu.

During their trip, Joanne and Oscar fell in love with another pup in Romania, and their new friend Zara will soon join them at their permanent home in South Africa.

Puppy Bowl VI went off without a hitch this year, and the animal shelter stars were absolutely spectacular –like always. This year’s MVP was a delightfully rambunctious chug (chihuahua/pug) mix named Jake. This little devil not only won MVP, but also took first place in the online viewer poll. Way to go Jake!

To see Jake in action, be sure to watch the video on Animal Planet.

California has been suffering from an overpopulation of chihuahuas this year, in part thanks to idiotic things like Legally Blonde, Beverly Hills Chihuahua and Paris Hilton. The shelters are loaded up with the little guys, but there is hope. A number of organizations have been taking chihuahuas to other states where they will have better odds of being adopted.

The sweetie seen above is one of fifteen to be flown for free on Virgin America a few weeks ago in order to find them new homes in New York. Passengers on the flight were offered a free round of cocktails to celebrate the event. Now there’s a plane I wouldn’t mind being on.

One of the blog’s loyal readers informed me that his beautiful pup, Kaya, has just passed away. You have my deepest condolences Gary.

Name: Baxter, but he is usually called “Pupper”…Baxter is usually reserved for when he’s being naughty
Age: 1.5 years
Mix: Basset Hound/Springer Spaniel…realized only after seeing Sadie Mae on Muttskis!
Hobbies: Being very active and full of energy. Running, wrestling, sniffing and being chased. Also fetching, but not dropping his tennis ball. Going to Diggity Dog Daycare, where he can frolick with other dogs and get tons of exercise! And, chewing on shoes, pens, pencils, bras, etc…and snatching food off of the counter.
Owners: Aimee Hennessy and Brian Witt, LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA

Interesting note: Baxter was rescued from a puppy mill. A police officer decided to foster him until she could find him a home. He was found on Craigslist, and picked up that very night!

Name: Roscoe
Age: 10 Years
Mix: Red heeler/blue heeler/cocker spaniel
Hobbies: Playing with a rope toy and spinning in circles like crazy, and chasing horses and motorcycles. Being a star –Roscoe was on the Planet’s Funniest Animals few years ago.
Owner: Alison Lincoln of Kroghville, Wisconsin

One of the big problems with purebred dogs are the breeding standards that promote unhealthy conditions that are purely cosmetic. One of the biggest problems is ear cropping. Now the inventor of Neuticles is promoting a new product to help dogs who have failed ear croppings get their floppy ear to stand up straight. As if the invention itself isn’t bad enough, there is apparently huge support for both of these moronic products. One of our friends over at InventorSpot blogged about all the downfalls of these products only to be attacked. So throw her some support. Real dog-lovers know how stupid these things are, and so should the general public.

A new English documentary covers the problems associated with breeding purebred animals. The documentary even covers how these breeds have changed in the last century as long as the breed-specific diseases associated with many breeds. The show will be appearing on BBC America for those who are interested in watching it.

Cody, a helpful and friendly dog ambassador in a Florida gas station, has been ordered to stay home because health inspectors have no sympathy for animals being in the same place as food for sale. Of course, Cody really poses no threat to the pre-packaged, sealed food, but that’s bureaucrats for you. To read more on the issue, see the article on Dogster.