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Malaysian Reserve
16-06-2025
- Science
- Malaysian Reserve
Detector Dogs: Agriculture's Best Friend
MISSION, Kan., June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — (Family Features) They may be cute, fluffy and friendly, but some dogs also have an important job: protecting America's food supply. By deploying specially trained beagles, Labrador retrievers and Jack Russell terriers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Services' (APHIS) Detector Dog Program puts elite canines to work on the front lines at international airports, mail facilities and border crossings throughout the nation. These furry sleuths maneuver between passengers and luggage to search, locate and respond to the presence of banned fruits, plants and meats that may harbor damaging insects and diseases that threaten the country's agricultural production and natural resources. The program was started in 1984 and soon grew in demand. By 2009, APHIS opened a 17-acre National Detector Dog Training Center near the Atlanta International Airport. At the center, dogs and their handlers go through an 8-10-week training program to learn how to inspect passenger luggage and handbags for agricultural goods such as fruits, vegetables, beef and pork. Detector dogs patrol ports of entry, borders and airports to keep harmful pests, like invasive fruit flies, out of the country. For example, labrador retrievers and their handlers protect the nation's fruit by patrolling citrus orchards along the Texas–Mexico border in search of infested or diseased crops. Safeguarding U.S. agriculture and natural resources is part of the program's mission, but APHIS' Detector Dog Program also partners with countries like Canada and Taiwan to supply guidance, training and testing of canine detection. There are even detector dog teams on the job at cargo airports throughout countries in the Pacific, tasked with identifying invasive species and stopping them from reaching Hawaii. The work these dogs and their handlers do is critical to help stop the spread of invasive plant and animal pests and diseases that could ravage America's agriculture. A detector dog's career spans 6-8 years before they retire at 9 years old. At retirement age, 90% of dogs are adopted by their handler. In the rare case they are not, the handler will recommend a good home and a successful adoption program ensures all dogs are well placed. Constantly on the lookout for new pups, APHIS works closely with animal shelters, rescue groups and private individuals to find the right dogs for the job from anywhere in the country. New recruits are 1-3 years old, heartworm negative, have high food drive and are environmentally and socially friendly. The ideal candidate is often that high-energy, hard-to-handle pooch who simply needs a job and a purpose. If you or someone you know would like to help the program grow its squad of super sniffers, email usdacanineadoptions@ call (887) 797-3899 or learn more at Content courtesy of USDA Michael Frenchmfrench@ About Family Features Editorial SyndicateA leading source for high-quality food, lifestyle and home and garden content, Family Features provides readers with topically and seasonally relevant tips, takeaways, information, recipes, videos, infographics and more. Find additional articles and information at and
Newsweek
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
40-Pound Dog Meets 0.9-Pound Kitten—His Reaction Goes Viral
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A viral TikTok video shows a big dog's hilarious reaction to seeing a tiny kitten for first time, and internet users can't stop laughing at it. The clip shared on Tuesday under the username @.pinkskates, shows the large-sized dog perching on the veterinarian's lap, looking terrified as the doctor sitting next to him holds a sleeping newborn kitten, a few feet away. "Aw, it's so terrifying, so scary …" the veterinarians can be heard saying as they try to make the pup comfortable. "A 40lb dog courageously confronts a 0.9lb kitten," the poster writes in the clip " … Harrowing," she continues in the caption. Despite the fact that they're often bigger than their feline counterparts, it is not very uncommon for dogs to be scared of cats. But what makes these small furballs terrifying to our dogs? Canada Vet says this fear is usually due to a mix of instincts, past experiences, and the felines' powerful personalities. Maybe your dog experienced a cat's claws or bites before and they still remember how it felt, which can cause fear. Not all dogs, however, are afraid of cats, and their size and breed play a part in this. Certain breeds, like smaller ones, or those bred for companionship, are more likely to be afraid of cats. When adding a dog to your cat household, or vice versa, it is important that you choose the right match. While it is true that most canines can be trained to live with felines, some breeds are better suitable to life with cats than others. Burns Court Veterinary Care explains that breeds such as Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, and beagles are the canines that get along best with cats, because of their friendly manners, which not all other dogs share. For cats, the breeds that are most likely to accept a dog into their life include Maine coons, rag-dolls, and Siamese. Stock image: A dog and a cat look at each other in the yard. Stock image: A dog and a cat look at each other in the yard. getty images The video quickly went viral on social media and has so far received over 938,000 views and more than 281,000 likes on the platform. One user, Lacy Thompson-Harper, commented: "My kitten has NO EYES and is 1 lb, and my 80 lb pittie shakes and cries." Idiot_in_space posted: "TBF [to be fair], how many people are scared of 0.5oz spiders?" Cassandra Appell added: "Look you laugh now, but that dog clearly had been in a house with a kitten before. It's all fun and games until that gray fur-ball wakes up and sinks its claws into your ankles." Newsweek reached out to @.pinkskates for comment via TikTok comments. We could not verify the details of the case. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Newsweek
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Dog Raised by Cats Has Internet in Stitches: '10/10 Loaf'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A pit-bull named Opie has baffled social media users with his ability to act exactly like the cats who raised him, in a viral video that has received over 30.8 million views and 6.7 million likes on TikTok so far. The hilarious clip, shared on Saturday under the username @justopiethings, shows the pup effortlessly curling into a loaf, squeezing into tiny cat beds, and displaying behaviors similar to those of his feline siblings. "Do yo want to see what a pit-bull raised by cats looks like?" the poster writes in the clip. "Part cat part ... Maine coon?" she continues in the caption. Dogs and cats can not only live together peacefully, but they can also form a close bond and become the best of friends. However, that is not always the case, animal charity Dog Trust explains on its website. Some cats are nervous around dogs, who sometimes have a predatory drive so strong that it may compromise the welfare of the cat. Usually, when dogs get overly excited around cats and can't be calmed down, it isn't safe for them to live together. A cat and a dog should be introduced slowly and mindfully, starting with scent swapping and then gradually removing physical barriers when you finally know that they are comfortable together, and don't pose a risk to one another. While most dogs can be trained to live with cats, with the help of a specialized animal behaviorist if needed, some dog breeds are more suited for life with a feline than others. Burns Court Veterinary Care explains that because of their friendly manners, dogs like Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, and beagles are the breeds that get along best with cats. Cat breeds that are most likely to accept dogs into their life include Maine coons, rag-dolls, and Siamese. A stock image shows a pit-bull mix looking over his shoulder at the camera. A stock image shows a pit-bull mix looking over his shoulder at the camera. getty images Newsweek reached out to @justopiethings for comment via TikTok comments. We could not verify the details of the case. The video received over 19,000 comments from amused users. One user, Mariahargrove5, commented: "The way his facial expressions show how much he is judging you, just like a cat, is absolute perfection." Jess, the brazillionaire said: "My favorite animals are cats raised by dogs or dogs raised by cats and if you don't agree, you're wrong." T added: "Tell your dog I said pspspspsps," while Sharp Lives said: "10/10 Loaf." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Newsweek
08-05-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Couple Think They Got Cane Corso Puppies, Can't Believe What They Turn Into
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A family thought they brought home fully-bred cane corso puppies, but as the animals grew, so did the owners' suspicions. Instagram user @future_dogter_maya shared in a post earlier this week how her parents researched an ethical breeder and bought what they thought were fully-bred cane corso puppies; the pets came from a breeder registered with the American Kennel Club. The family went with a breeder who had years of experience. Those breeders who register their litters with the AKC can receive a registration certificate for each puppy, the club's website states; this shows people you are a responsible breeder and that the puppies meet breed standards. There is also a Breeder of Merit Program open to all purebred dog breeders who go "above and beyond" on health issues, temperament, genetic screening, individual care and placing puppies in responsible homes. But, as the family's puppies started growing, they began showing traits that resembled other dog breeds. A thought crossed the owners' minds that perhaps they did not get fully bred cane corsos. People thought the dogs looked like Labrador retrievers as puppies, but the family wouldn't know what their true breed was until taking a DNA test, which ending up revealing these pups were more than just cane corsos. The family found out "the hard way" that the puppies came from an accidental litter. The poster said in a comment that the breeders were training their brother to also raise dogs, and he had an intact, surprise breed in the same house. This led to the mix. Wanting to make it right, the breeders offered to take the puppies back and give the family new, fully bred cane corsos, but they had already fallen in love with their puppies and kept them. The caption reads: "Not what we paid for, but worth every penny we got back." Screenshots from a May 5 Instagram video of how the two puppies being held, and playing around, right. Screenshots from a May 5 Instagram video of how the two puppies being held, and playing around, right. @future_dogter_maya/Instagram With over 3 million views, Instagram viewers flooded the comment section with their guesses on what breed they thought the puppies were, including huskies, German shepherds, Doberman pinschers, shar-peis and pit bulls. One person jokingly wrote: "Those are the most gorgeous bears I've ever seen." Another added: "Ma'am those are clearly panthers." Curious about the true breed of the dogs, the family eventually ordered a DNA test. A follow-up video revealed the test results, which shocked many. It turns out these pups included a mix of Rottweiler, Doberman, bully, Labrador and "even horse." The poster wrote in a comment: "We really lucked out with them." Newsweek reached out to @future_dogter_maya via Instagram for additional information. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Epoch Times
01-05-2025
- Health
- Epoch Times
Contagious, Deadly Parvovirus Persists in Environment
Q: Our pit bull puppy died of parvovirus. How can we prevent parvovirus in our next puppy? A: Instead of choosing a puppy, I recommend you adopt an adult dog whose parvovirus vaccination is up to date. Vaccination is very effective at preventing parvovirus infection, nicknamed 'parvo,' and all dogs deserve protection from this common, life-threatening disease. Parvovirus causes rapidly worsening bloody diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite. The virus wipes out the dog's disease-fighting white blood cells and damages the lining of the intestines, causing most untreated pups to die of overwhelming infection. The disease occurs most often in unvaccinated puppies, particularly pit bulls, Rottweilers, Doberman pinschers, Labrador retrievers, and the Arctic sled dog breeds. Parvovirus is extremely contagious, and an infected dog sheds huge quantities of virus for weeks in the feces, vomitus, and saliva. The virus contaminates the yard, home and even people's clothing and shoes. It persists indoors for months and outdoors for years, despite freezing winter temperatures. To prepare for your new dog, reduce your parvovirus population by ridding the yard of your pup's feces and vomitus. Discard contaminated materials, including pet bedding and toys, in plastic bags. Related Stories 11/24/2021 3/12/2025 Then, sanitize your home and yard. Most detergents and household disinfectants have no effect on parvovirus. So, you'll need to follow the directions on cleaning and sanitizing detailed by Veterinary Partner at Best wishes to you and your new dog. Q: When our daughter developed swollen lymph nodes, her pediatrician diagnosed cat scratch disease. Our cat, Barney, is sweet and seems healthy, but we wonder if we should find him a new home to prevent this from happening again. A: Don't look for a new home for Barney. Instead, treat him for fleas, which I assume he has. Let me explain. Cat scratch disease is caused by Bartonella bacteria that infect cats but rarely cause them problems. However, when fleas bite an infected cat, they ingest the bacteria and excrete them in their feces, tiny black specks euphemistically called 'flea dirt' that you may find when you comb Barney with a fine-toothed flea comb. When Barney scratches his itchy skin, bacteria-laden flea dirt embeds in his claws. From there, the bacteria are transmitted to humans through a scratch, a cut already present on the skin or another body opening. Symptoms in humans include enlargement of nearby lymph nodes, fever, headache, and lethargy. People with compromised immune systems may experience more severe reactions. Antibiotics administered to infected cats that appear normal don't clear the Bartonella bacteria or block transmission to humans. However, you can prevent cat scratch disease if you: Kill Barney's fleas and treat every pet in your home with a flea preventive throughout the year. Trim Barney's claws regularly. Research shows that declawing does not reduce the risk of cat scratch disease in humans, so don't even consider that. Minimize scratches and bites by teaching your daughter and her friends to pet cats gently. Buy cat toys that keep children away from claws, such as a laser pointer or a fishing pole toy with a feather on the end of the string. Immediately wash any cat scratch or bite thoroughly with soap and water, and seek medical attention. Once Barney's fleas are killed and his flea dirt is gone, he can no longer transmit cat scratch disease. Dear Readers: We would love to hear from you. What topics would you like to read about? Please send your feedback and tips to
