In an effort to minimize the number of paw injuries in its canine force, police officials in Germany have mandated that all 20 members start wearing shoes. The German and Belgian shepherds of Dusseldorf police are currently being trained to walk in plastic fiber shoes designed by Wilhelm Fennen. Spokesman Andre Hartwich isn't sure if the dogs like wearing the new boots, but says the canine unit would have to get used to it.

The Livingston County American Red Cross honored a 2-year old English Mastiff, who according to them had donated blood more than 20 times. The donations of the dog, named Lurch, had reportedly been of great help to the organization, as it had even aided in the recovery of a dog that ingested rat poison.

ilipino inventor Virgilio Malang invented a vitamin-enriched beer that has garnered awards and recognition worldwide even before it is commercially marketed. Malang's Vitamin Beer, fortified with Vitamin B Complex, became widely popular at the First International Inventors' Day Convention held recently in Bangkok, Thailand. It also won a gold medal at the European Union-sponsored Genius-Europe competition at the Budapest Fair Center in Hungary and it also won the Romanian Ministry Education and Research Cup few years ago.

A couple both wearing goth outfits were banned by a driver from boarding his bus, with his reason being that there were no "freaks" or "dogs" allowed on the vehicle. The couple, 25-year old Dani Graves and 18-year old Tasha Maltby, said that the driver had refused to let them board the bus on three past occasions.

Hungarian scientist's claim they have come up with a computer program, which would enable people to understand dog, barks. The group o scientists said the software is able to decode dog's barks, howls, yaps and growls.