Episcopalians, Catholics and several other religions have been specifically setting aside dates for annual pet blessings. As humans find comfort in their pets, especially those who have lost their loved ones (i. e. , spouses, children and so forth), they also want their pets to be blessed by their religious affiliation. This brings humans an additional comfort as their religion recognizes the bond between themselves and their pets.

An agency for pets called Hollywood Paws have been sued by more than a dozen owners of a Rottweiler and other dogs for not making their pooches into stars. They claim that the firm had charged them tens of thousands of dollars but failed to procure film and television auditions for their pets. "I lost a lot of money," said Rachel Armstrong, owner of Goliath the Rottweiler.

According to the National Geographic, firefighters in a Malaysian village recently had to remove an 18-foot-long python from the roadway. The python had managed to swallow an entire pregnant sheep and was apparently too full to move. Unfortunately the stress of moving the reptile caused it to regurgitate the dead ewe.

An animal-loving couple included the unofficial town mascot - a camel named Matilda - in its wedding ceremony on Sunday. Sitting on top of Matilda, the bride, Sherel Crockett, rode along a horse trail leading up to the Norco Christian church. Crockett and George Stone met while working in a therapy program involving pets, and both currently work as therapists with children who are severely emotionally disturbed. When the two met they found they share a love of animals that is seldom equaled.

Britain's largest hotel chain, Travelodge, will offer a bed to dogs and cats in an effort to entice their owners to come and stay. The plan will be tested at locations in Newcastle upon Tyne, Liverpool, Birmingham and Nottingham, where Travelodge will have a special 2ft 6in long by 2ft wide pet bed.