Sandra Bullock leaves Poppy behind

Poppy is learning that life has it's highs and lows. First, the pooch is adopted from a California shelter--paws up! Then, it turns out Poppy was adopted by a famous celeb--two paws up! But now poor Poppy is also learning the downsides of Hollywood life as the pooch gets left behind while Sandra Bullock and husband Jesse James travel--paws way down!

According to Hello Magazine, when Sandra and Jesse left their Manhattan home, Poppy assumed it was for a walk and chased them out the door. But Poppy was rejected and dejected when Sandra un-congenially carried the dog back indoors. The still-newlyweds were heading out of town and not just down the street, so it was back inside for the three-legged Chihuahua-Pomeranian mix, while new hubby Jesse watched in amusement.

Read more about Sandra, Poppy, and Jesse, and hear what Sandra says about her marriage to the Monster Garage dude here.

Photo: © Rex

Liz Taylor's quiet life with her dogs

The Guardian Unlimited has a rather sad and melancholic story about Liz Taylor. At 73, she lives in a home that is a veritable private hospital, "complete with nurses and a strict regime of drugs and treatments for a body now racked by age and illness."

As should come to no surprise to those of use who are pet lovers, Liz finds companionship in her dogs. The article says, "Taylor's routine appears to revolve around her dogs" in addition to television and visiting friend on the phone. "She watches soap operas and the shopping channel, usually accompanied only by her pet dogs."

The article notes that she will be presented with a Bafta award for excellence at a star-studded Hollywood event on November 10th. "It will be moving, but because she is beset by poor health, it could also be one of her last high-profile public appearances."

Liz is a true American icon, and we wish only the best and hope she continues to find companionship and love in her pets.

Read more about Liz here.

Richard Perle's dog attacks Benjamin Netanyahu

Okay, this is supposed to be a Hollywood and Celeb pet news blog, not a political pet blog--but since this story comes from Stephen Gaghan, the Oscar-winning writer of "Traffic," we think it's okay to share. Plus, it is really funny. After all, you and I may be used to our pet behaving badly in front of company, but how many of us have had that happen in front of world leaders?

Gaghan was interviewing Richard Perle, vocal advocate for the war in Iraq, when Benjamin Netanyahu, former Prime Minister of Israel, drops by. It was then that Perle's wheaten terrier puppy, Reagan, began jumping around and, as clawing the crotch of Mr. Netanyahu. As reported by the L.A. Times, Gaghan pulled the dog away from him and said, "Now, now, Reagan, not on former heads of state."

Isn't this how international incidents start? If you care to learn more, this small blurb can be found in a much larger L.A. Times article about Gaghan's upcoming movie, "Syriana."

Paris Hilton and pooch go shopping

Paris Hilton seems to have forgotten her love of pooches. Lately, she's been seen more with a ferret than a dog.

So it is nice to see her and one of her pooches out on the town. JustJared has posted pix of Paris shopping with her dog, and you can click here to see them.

Kevin fears Britney Spears' dogs

The National Ledger quotes an In Touch report that Kevin Federline and Britney Spears are battling over Bit Bit and Lacy, Britney's little dogs. It appears Kevin is worried the pooches will bite their new baby, Sean Preston.

Kevin's already convinced Britney to dump one of her pooches: "Brit still has two dogs, Bit Bit and Lacy but reportedly Kevin was able to get rid of Chihuahua Lucky after 'the dog nipped at him.'"

I'm sure Mr. Spears reads this blog, so here goes:

Dear Kevin,

You may not have noticed, but there are hundreds of thousands of families living with dogs. Somehow us normal people--the ones whose worth is not measured with seven or eight zeroes at the end--manage to maintain households with dogs and kids living in domestic harmony. Lay off the dogs! And if you really care about Sean Preston, straighten up and stop smoking near your child!

Sincerely,
Me

Read more here.

Does Star Jones love dogs or not?

Radar Online offers a fun little Halloween celeb quiz, and in it they claim the National Enquirer has reported a nasty rumor about Star Jones: "She hates dogs, but she still bought a pooch named Pinkie to win favor with pet-loving fans."

(Sorry. If you were going to take the quiz, I'm afraid just gave away one of the answers. Go ahead and take the quiz anyway and you can answer questions about Kevin Bacon, ButtMasters, Paris Hilton, prosthetic noses, Jennifer Garner, and Chuck E. Cheese.)

Well, given that I am a faux-professional blog journalist (wow, that's a title about which to be proud), I tried to verify this fact online, and I'm coming up empty. Then again, when I tried to pictures of star and her pooch, I came up empty, also.

If you can debunk the National Enquirer report and confirm that Star is a warm-hearted human who loves her pet, please post it here.

Anna Nicole Smith's dogs go on strike

Anna Nicole Smith's dogs seem a bit more independent and proactive than most pooches. While many humans who live with dogs have decided to boycott Iams products, Anna's dogs walked up to her and demanded she stop buying Iams!

Well, it might not have happened exactly that way, but PETA's latest ads might give that impression. "Marilyn, Sugar Pie and Puppy are boycotting Iams until it stops testing on animals in labs," say the ads. The ad will be posted next week on PETA's Web site, and it will appear on billboards this winter.

PETA claims an undercover investigation in 2002 and 2003 revealed "deplorable" conditions in Iams' contract laboratory. Iams disputes those allegations.

If you care to learn more about PETA's claims, click here. And if you care to learn more about Iams' defense, click here. Or, if you just want to learn more about Anna, her dogs, and their boycott, click here to visit the Star-Telegram Web site.

Image: AP Photo/PETA

Kim Sharma finds puppy love

Kim Sharma has a new love, and it's a cocker spaniel. Don't know Kim? Come on! The star of movies such as Khadgam, Kehtaa Hai Dil Baar Baar, and Mohabbatein?

Okay, so maybe you need to know Bollywood to know Kim, but she's a celeb and she loves her dog, and that's good enough for us!

Model and actress Kim has fallen head over heels for Savanna, her three-month-old cocker spaniel. A gift from her mother, the pet goes wherever Kim goes.

Says Kim, "When I am shooting, Savanna rests in the van. During my breaks I play with her and enjoy the little time we have together. I used to live alone in my Lokhandwala flat; now I have good company."

Learn more about Kim, Savanna, and their upcoming parting when Kim shoots a film overseas on Mid-Day.com.

Image: 2005 Mid-Day Multimedia Ltd.

Amy Sedaris' bake sale for her bunny

You'd think being a famous actress, writer, and comedienne might pay the bills, but apparently not.

Amy Sedaris, star of cult hit "Strangers With Candy," writer of Obie-winning "One Woman Shoe," and star of movies such as Bewitched, Elf, School of Rock, and the upcoming Chicken Little, is also a baker. Amy has built a small business in New York's West Village peddling homemade cupcakes to local coffee houses.

Why? According to Variety, her cupcake business started a few years ago as a way to provide allowance for a new pet bunny. "I didn't want her to be a trust-fund rabbit."

Poor girl--I hope Chicken Little is a hit so she can perhaps quit the second job and dedicate herself full-time to acting. To read more and get Amy's cupcake recipe, click here.

Mickey Rourke, pet lover & nice guy

Mickey Rourke has a bad rep. It's said he's difficult, mercurial, and that some of his movie choices have been a little questionable (although a guy who gets to have onscreen fun with the likes of Kim Basinger, Carré Otis, and Lisa Bonet is probably doing something right.)

In one of his more infamous incidents, he walked off the set of Luca Bercovici's Luck Of The Draw when producers refused to let him include his pet chihuahua in the movie. I'm not sure if that makes him difficult or just a pet lover. After all, his chihuahua might've been a really, really talented actor.

As it turns out, Mickey has mellowed in his old age. In an interview, he talks about his role in Domino (opposite yet another lovely actress--Keira Knightley) and says, "I'm not gonna get any more chances. This is it. I can't mess up any more."

Critics loved his turns in Domino and Sin City, so here's hoping Mickey keeps up the good work.

L.A. BowWowWeen this Sunday with Tori Spelling, Tiffani Thiessen, and Batman

If you're in Los Angeles and you live with a dog, I hope both of you will be Barrington Park this Sunday. That's the date and location for the Fourth Annual BowWowWeen. Dogswell Dog Treats and Much Love Animal Rescue are sponsoring the event, a benefit for Friends of Barrington Dog Park and Much Love Animal Rescue.

This is a chance to run elbows and paws with the stars who will be judging the costume contest. Judges include Tori Spelling, Tiffani Thiessen, Constance Zimmer, Emmanuelle Vaugier, Adam West, and Kate Walsh.

As if that's not enough, you can bid in a silent auction for a walk-on part in a hit TV show. (No word on whether your dog gets a walk-on part as well. You'll just have to let your pooch's agent sort out that issue.)

Click here for more details.

Godfather of Hip Hop and Bow Wow

You may know Russell Simmons as the Godfather of Hip Hop, the co-founded Def Jam Records, and the man behind Run-DMC, LL Cool J, Public Enemy and The Beastie Boys, but the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) knows him as the ASPCA Community Activist of the year.

Russell participated in the ASPCA's recent "Cruel's Not Cool" public service campaign. The broadcast component of the campaign has aired more than 8,000 times to date around the country.

Click here to read about the ASPCA's Dog of the Year Bugsey, Cat of the Year Pumpkin, Fire Fighter of the Year Bobby Fumarelli, and Police Officer of the Year Mathew O'Donnell.

Or click here to support the ASPCA.

Courtney Love would go to the dogs, if she had one

Now this is a sad story. I almost hate to share it; but really, if you've followed the sad and sordid tale of Courtney Love's life, this will likely not come as any surprise.

Courtney took her 13-year-old German Shepherd, Lloyd, to the Beverly Hills Small Animal Hospital in March after he had a stroke... and then left him there. She's not been back to pick him up!

According to Jeannette Walls, gossip columnist on MSNBC, a source said, “Initially, after the stroke, Lloyd couldn’t walk. But now he’s able to scamper around with the cutest cocked head."

Apparently the poor dog is living in a concrete cage at night, waiting for his owner to come and claim him. Then again, maybe it's time Lloyd and the animal hospital move on--find poor Lloyd a proper home with a proper owner, for heaven's sake! You know, a house filled with love, not Love.

Read more here--halfway down the page.

Tori Spelling is both a Trick AND a Treat

Tori Spelling is helping to judge a national "Trick and Treat" contest to identify and reward dogs that can perform the cutest and most original dog tricks. The contest is sponsored by Dogswell, manufacturer and distributor of healthy, premium dog treats.

Tori is joining Trisha Simmons ("Desperate Housewives," "The West Wing") and Malin Akerman (HBO series "The Comeback) as judges for the contest.

The grand prize winner will receive two tickets to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show 2006 being held in New York on February 13 and 14, 2006. In addition, he or she will receive $1,000 spending money or gift card, two round-trip coach tickets to New York from the closest commercial airport near the winner's home served by JetBlue Airways, three nights double occupancy at the Loews Regency Hotel in New York City, and a one-year supply of Dogswell dog treats.

By now you're probably thinking your talented pooch is money in the bank and you're dying for contest details. Get your details here. Or check out Dogswell's site for contest rules and the entry form.

Watch "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart" tonight and see Martha, Dogs, Susan Luci, Fran Drescher and John Lithgow

It's as if the planets are aligning! How often do trash TV, celebrities, pets, and doing good all combine into a single hour of TV heaven?

Tune into NBC's "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart" tonight (October 26, 9-10 pm ET) to catch a dog-themed show. Martha is challenging her candidates to plan a fundraiser for "Broadway Barks," which is devoted to helping homeless dogs and provides funds for New York dog shelters. Broadway Barks is Mary Tyler Moore’s and Bernedette Peter’s showbiz dog rescue charity.

According to Reality TV Magazine, each team will meet with four celebrities and their dogs, including Chad Pennington, Susan Luci, Fran Drescher and John Lithgow, among others to create a personal experience to be auctioned off during the Beneful Celebrity Dog Auction.

Learn more about Broadway Barks and how you can help.

Harry Dean Stanton, Rebecca De Mornay, Jason Alexander, and Jay Mohr are Beastly

Where do the stars go when they want to see beasts? No, not their agent's office--the L.A. Zoo!

Celebrity sightings are common at the Los Angeles Zoo. Sometimes it's random, but often it's because Hollywood lends its support to the institution. The "Go Wild About Reading" summer series featured book readings by the likes of Melissa Gilbert and Mark-Paul Gosselaar. And "Golden Girl" Betty White is a Los Angeles Zoo Commissioner!

The 35th Annual Beastly Ball that took place on June 18, 2005 featured Jay Mohr as host. In attendance were Harry Dean Stanton, Rebecca De Mornay, and Jason Alexander (pictured with Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association trustees Lori Winter Samuels at left and Susan Fine on the right.)

If you want to feel like a star, how about lending your support to the zoo? Learn how to support the LA Zoo here. Or, support your local zoo. (And if you're one of those people with mixed feelings about zoos and whether they're worthy of support, please pick up Yann Martel's wonderful Life of Pi, winner of the 2002 Man Booker Prize. Not only is it an excellent read, but it also contains an excellent and engaging defense of zoos.)

Paris Hilton's zoo

Paris Hilton claims to have 600 pets. Really. Yes, I mean Paris Hilton and not the City of Paris. And yes, I know the Los Angeles Zoo has 1,200 animals and it seems unlikely Paris has half that many.

She claims to have a mini-zoo at her home, including dogs, ferrets, goats, rats and a bobcat. She reportedly looks after two of them and leaves the rest to a housekeeper. (598 animals and one housekeeper? Apparently her housekeeper is named Noah.)

Paris says, "I've got so many pets, but I do know their names. I have a rottweiler called Tyson, Tinkerbell's a chihuahua, Bambi's another Chihuahua. I also have a ferret called Rascal."

Read more about Paris' zoo here.

Celebrity pet games

No news this afternoon, but I did find a couple of links worth sharing for those of you interested in testing your celeb pet knowledge. (Yes, I mean you!)

These links are from the iVillage site:

• Celebrity Matchmaker: Star Pooches: Match the picture of the pooch with his or her celebrity human companion. Think you can match Paris Hilton and Tinkerbell, Jessica Simpson and Daisy, and Jason Priestley and Swifty? Give it a try.
• Celebrity Pet Trivia Challenge: Test your knowledge of stars and their pets. What did Pamela Anderson do with her Golden Retriever? Which celebrity couple was once saved from a fire by their dog? Click away and enjoy!

Kimberly and Rod Stewart debate dog poo

Don't stars have people to do things like clean up dog messes? Heck, I'd take that job--what does it pay?

Ananova reports that Kimberly Stewart and her dad Rod are having a spat about Kimberly's Chihuahua. It seems the dog is doing what dogs do when dogs doo around the house. Rod doesn't like the mess in the home: "I'm like Ozzy Osbourne - I cannot stand it when there's poo and pee on the carpet. It drives me mad. Me and Ozzy have got that in common."

Click here to read more about the rocker's house being rocked by the pooch.

Image: Scanpix

Diddy & Beyonce Party (or at least their dogs do)

What does it mean when pet parties sound better than the ones I'm going to? Don't answer that--sometimes it's best not knowing.

The NY Times reports that a party at the SoHo Grand was held in honor of Motek's first birthday. Motek is the Yorkie of Lorraine Schwartz, jeweler to the stars. In attendance were Cha-Cha and Sophie, canine companions of Diddy, as well as Beyonce's pooch (although neither of the stars attended themselves.)

How ritzy was this party? The guest of honor wore a little tuxedo and a diamond collar worth several thousand dollars. (Hey, if your human companion is the "jeweler to the stars," you gotta a rep to maintain.) Click here to read about what Diddy's and Beyonce's dogs wore.

Jennifer Coolidge's dog wants her to be seen naked

I think one of Jennifer Coolidge's neighbors is purposely tempting her pooch out of her house at inopportune times. I think he hears the shower running and then starts waving doggy treats through her pet door. At least that's my theory.

Hollywood.com reports that her dog dashed out the door, she chased him. As she put it, "I ran out after him and forgot that I didn't have any clothes on."

Insert your own "Best in Show" joke here.

Photo(s) by Hollywood.com- © 2003- Hollywood.com, Inc- All Rights Reserved

Simon Cowell prefers pets--sorta

I always thought Simon Cowell's attitude on American Idol was likely all show--under that theatrically rough exterior, I assumed he was really a nice guy with an obsession for black t-shirts.

Maybe not. His partner, Terri Seymour, is apparently interested in having a child but Simon says, "That was the worst idea I ever heard." (Okay, not really, but can just hear him saying that, can't you?) Instead, News.com.au reports he said, "I told her to buy a terrapin because they can be affectionate and we'll have a little pet, but it didn't go down too well."

The AI judge apparently is old and likes his life just the way it is. Then again, who can argue? Terrapins are cute and cuddly!

Sam Champion's coworkers need to lighten up!

Sam Champion, the tri-state area's most-watched weatherman, needs to tell his coworkers to lighten up a bit. According to 25 Hours, Bill Ritter, Lauren Glassberg and Sade Baderinwa were giving Sam grief for being the kind of person who gets professional pictures taken of his dog.

Sam at first defended himself, saying, "But when you love your dog, you just.... And I love that picture."

But then Sam backed down, adding, "I know what it sounds like. Oh, God."

Stop apologizing Sam! Stand your ground--there's nothing to be ashamed of. Tell your teleprompter-reading peers to lighten up and get their own pet portraits. (I'd never trust an anchor that wouldn't carry a wallet-sized picture of his or her own pet!)

Catherine Zeta-Jones' dog on a trampoline

Okay, this isn't much of a celebrity pet news item, but when it comes to the beautiful Catherine Zeta-Jones, we'll use any small tidbit as an excuse to post her picture on our blog!

In an interview with Wales on Sunday, Catherine discusses the difficulty of being a working mom. She said she tried to bring her kids to the shoot of her new movie, The Legend of Zorro, but the kids kept making noise on the trampoline. Then, apparently, her dog started on the trampoline. Finally, she decided it was easier to rent a house and commute to the set.

Now, I'm not sure I can help with the kids, but I'm pretty sure there are some easy ways to keep your dog off a trampoline. Then again, who am I to stop a dog from having his or her fun?

The first Zorro movie made Catherine and international star of movies and T-Mobile commercials. In the long-awaited sequel, she'll star as Zorro's wife, Elena de La Vega, and reportedly will get more than her fair chance to kick some butt (and wield a sword). Wonder if her pooch will get any screen time?

Pet Stroller the "highlight" of the Louis Verdad Fashion Week Show

Our blog sponsor, JustPetStrollers.com, was thrilled to see a pet stroller enter the world of celebrity fashion. The Happy Trails PLUS Pink pet stroller made a stylish appearance at an L.A. Fashion Week show in front of guests such as Paris Hilton, Lucy Liu, Kimberly Stewart, and Jack Osbourne.

Of course, the media got it all wrong, calling it a "Baby Stroller." So much for journalistic research, but you bet we'll get the news right here!

According to the L.A. Times, the Louis Verdad show "opened with a busty uniformed maid pushing a dog in a baby stroller hot on the heels of an elegant diva."

Hello Magazine called the Happy Trails PLUS Pink Pet Stroller "the highlight of the Sunday-in-the-Park style show" (although they, too, labeled it a baby stroller---come on, people, it's a pet stroller!)

Our sponsor wants you to know if you wish to join the world of high fashion (for less than $125!), please click here to read more about the Happy Trails PLUS Pink Pet Stroller.

Image: Damon Winter / LAT

Stay at Doris Day's place (her hotel, that is)

Animal-lover Doris Day owns a hotel, and dogs are welcome to stay there. Best of all, it's located in a dog-friendly California town where "dogs can be seen joining their owners for a bite to eat at restaurants, tagging along at hotel check-ins and keeping their guardians company in the dressing rooms of clothing shops."

This article is about a debate in the town of Santa Cruz where some not-s0-nice residents are working to prevent dogs from going off leash in parks (or to prevent dogs from entering the parks at all!) (Boo, hiss!) The article contrasts Santa Cruz with Carmel, a city that relishes its "its pooch-friendly reputation."

In Carmel, the Doris-Day-owned Cypress Inn Hotel not only allows dogs, it even offers special blankets for the pooches! And down the street you'll find The Forge in the Forest, which offers a "Dog Pound Menu" with selections such as "The Quarter Hounder" and "Hen House Chicken Strips."

Read more about it here at SantaCruzSentinel.com. Better yet, let's all meet at the Cypress Inn Hotel, say "Hi" to Doris, and enjoy Carmel, CA!

Loverboy, The Average White Band, The Knack, Lucy Angel, and Charlie Daniels Band Rock for Pets

Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary & Hospital, a nokill animal shelter in Jupiter, FL will hold their 20th Annual Celebrity Dog Wash & Band Aid Festival on November 5-6 2005 at the Meyer Amphitheater in Downtown West Palm Beach.

The festival includes arts & craft vendors, Pet Costume Contest, Children’s Entertainment Amusement Area, International food court, and much much more.

Included in the event is a Celebrity Dog Wash including local celebs, but the highlight might be the rockers adding their talents to the event. Appearing on 11/5 are:

• The Knack 6:00 - 7:00 pm
• The Average White Band 7:30 - 8:30 pm
• Loverboy 9 - 10:30 pm

And on 11/6 are:

• Blair Lindsey 1:00 - 2:00 pm
• Lucy Angel 2:30 - 3:30 pm
• Charlie Daniels Band 4:00 - 6:00 pm

Think The Knack will do their hit dog song, "My Samoyed"?

Click here to learn more.

Joss Stone helping pets affected by Hurricanes

Joss is getting down for the animals! She's helping North Shore Animal League America's efforts to bring attention to the plight of pets left homeless in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Joss said, "It is so frustrating and heartbreaking that the animals seem to be the ignored victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. We need people to lend a hand and help these beautiful pets reach safe shelter and find loving, caring new homes. I believe that once people are aware of the situation, New Yorkers will want to step up and open their hearts and homes to these amazing animals."

Joss completed a PSA, which is being distributed to more than 100 radio stations in the New York area, asking New Yorkers to help the League in its efforts to rescue and find loving homes for the thousands of abandoned and homeless pets in need during this unprecedented animal crisis.

Click here to read more. Or visit the North Shore Animal League America's Web site to learn more, see a video of Joss visiting with animals, and hear her PSA.

Image: North Shore Animal League America

Times Square Dog Day Masquerade Tomorrow

Probably too short of a notice, but if you're in New York and looking for an interesting dog activity tomorrow (Sunday, October 23), the Times Square Alliance is presenting the first annual Times Square Dog Day Masquerade. This special event will show off the dogs of the city in costumes that evoke Times Square past and present.

Dogs will compete in three categories: Historical Hounds (costumes featuring historical figures from Times Square such as the VJ Day Sailor and Nurse, Ladies of the night or a street preacher); Current Canine Characters (current characters that populate Times Square like the Naked Cowboy, tourists or New Years Eve celebrants); and Broadway Bow-Wows (Broadway diva dogs and other theatre impresarios and characters such as Billy Flynn, Phantom of the Opera, or Cats).

This special event will also spotlight Animal Haven’s Adopt-A-Pet program, which will be held on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 from 10am – 2pm at the Times Square Information Center on 7th Avenue between 46th and 47th. For more information on Adopt-A-Pet and Animal Haven go to www.AnimalHavenShelter.org

For more info, click here.

Dakota Fanning, goldfish, horses, and pigs

Dakota Fanning has it all, doesn't she? She's one of the top-grossing stars of the last few years, has appeared in movies with Denzel Washington, Kurt Russell, Tom Cruise, Robert DeNiro, and Sean Penn, and she's only 11 years old. And she has the coolest name, don't you think?

But there has been one thing lacking for most of her life: a pet. She briefly had a pet goldfish, but Flounder passed away at a young age after flipping out of a fishbowl. Any time Dakota needs to cry, she thinks of Flounder laying next to his bowl.

But Dakota now has a new pet: a horse named Goldie, a present from Kurt Russell, her costar in the movie Dreamer.

Read more about Dakota, Goldie, and the pigs with whom she share screen time in the movie Uptown Girls.

Image: Mei-Chun Jau / DMN from WFAA.com

Meg Ryan with mystery man and dogs

Okay, I'll admit--this may be the thinnest, fluffiest celebrity pet news item of all time, but then again, I first heard the news on CNN so that must make it okay to report, don't you think?

The entire celebrity event can be summed up on one sentence: Meg and some unknown man were seen walking with two dogs in a parking lot of a Santa Monica pet rescue center. That's it. That's the entire story. Exciting, huh?

There's nothing more to read, but feel free to read it here anyway.

Ferret (and Paris Hilton) attend fashion show

We just posted a link to some Fashion Week tips, and now we've stumbled across this mention about a pet ferret attending the stylish 2 BE FREE's spring fashion show along with a famous friend. The L.A. Times reports that Paris Hilton was among the guests at the fashion show at Paramount Studios, and she attended with her pet ferret, Cinderella.

If you'd like so see some shots of Paris modelling at the show, including a couple pix of her with Cinderella, check out this gallery from JustJared.com.

Small dog the perfect companion for Fashion Week

We pet lovers already know a dog (or cat, ferret, bird, etc.) makes a perfect companion for any occasion, and this is the case even if you're attending a swank event at Fashion Week.

An article, "15 commandments of Fashion Week ," makes it official--dogs are hot, hip, and chic! Commandment Number 8 states: "One accessory that should never be brought into a fashion show: your brand new baby or small child... A small dog on the other hand is a different story - just make sure it's safely in your handbag when the show starts. " (Hey, what about a pet stroller?) (Sorry, shameless plug for our sponsor!)

Read the other 14 commandments here. Of course, if you already are a Fashion Week attendee you may not need this article, but it never hurts to be reminded of tips such as, "Don't whistle at the bare-chested male underwear models." (But feel free to whistle at their dogs!)

Claire Danes: Shopgirl and her pooch

Claire Danes has joined the trend of stars who travel with their pets for companionship. And who can blame her? A dog won't talk about you to the tabloid, sleep with your boyfriend, or sell personal movies on the Internet. (Okay, a dog may sleep with your boyfriend, but it's a whole different thing!)

In any event, Claire talks about her upcoming movie, "Shopgirl," and the buzzed-about nude scene with Steve Martin. She also talks about her unnamed schnauzer-poodle: "It's kind of lonely work traveling around," she says. "I get it. I understand why people have dogs. Better to have a dog than a baby."

Read about Claire, her movie, and her canine friend on CTNow.com.

Photo: TOUCHSTONE PICTURES/HYDE PARK ENTERTAINMENT

Desperate Housewives star judges the "World's Coolest Dog & Cat Show"

The World's Coolest Dog & Cat Show is underway online, and some celebrity judges could help you and your pet snag some great prizes. The show is an online photo contest open to any legal US resident 13 or older. The judges include Trisha Simmons ('Principal Susan Stark' in "Desperate Housewives") and Julia Szabo (pet columnist for Country Living and the Sunday New York Post).

Among the prizes you can win is a Pet Gear/Happy Trails PLUS Pink pet stroller, courtesy of JustPetStrollers.com (which sponsors and supports this blog). Of course, there's a lot of other loot available, so check it out at http://www.dogster.com/show.

Categories for dogs include:

• Tongue/Slobber
• Sports Fan
• Naughtiest Dog
• Craziest Tail

Categories for cats include:

• Funny Face
• Climber
• Scaredy Cat
• Best Friends

Enter your dog and cat--and good luck!

Rowlf the Dog (and friends) on stamps

Rowlf is not a real dog, but I think we can consider the Muppet an honorary spokedog, don't you?

If so, you may be interested to know that the US Postal Service has issued stamps bearing the likeness of several Muppets, including Rowlf. Other stamps include old favorites such as Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Sam the Eagle, Statler and Waldorf, Animal, Fozzie Bear, Swedish Chef, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker, and others.

If you hurry, you may be able to get a collectible First Day Cover at the US Postal Service site. Or, just purchase a pane of 11 Muppet 37-cent stamps and use them for all of your mailing needs.

Image: http://shop.usps.com

Shelley Morrison is an A.N.G.E.L.

Shelley Morrison, who plays Rosario on "Will & Grace," deserves a hug. If you see her, give her one to thank her for working to help our animal friends.

“I was always bringing home strays, mainly cats,” Shelley says. “I was a cat person until my husband and I got married (32 years ago). Then we began rescuing dogs… on the freeway, starving to death in Hollywood, even in our alley. We still have cats. But I would say since I was 10 years old I was collecting animals.”

Shelley has always been a supporter of animal causes, and now she's an honorary spokesperson for A.N.G.E.L.’s Day (Animals Needing Generous Endowments of Love & Support), a group of volunteers who help Senior citizens on fixed or low incomes with either low cost or no cost veterinary care. She even played blackjack to support the cause: She participated in a Celebrity Blackjack TV tournament and designated the winnings to go to A.N.G.E.L’s Day.

Read about Shelley, her pets, and her commitment to pet causes here.

Photo: http://www.thepetpress-la.com/index.html

Lassie Returns... with Peter O'Toole, Samantha Morton, & Peter Dinklage

Who's a bigger dog celebrity than Lassie? No one!

And Lassie's coming back to the big screen for the first time in 11 years. This time, Lassie's doing Scotland. The film is set in a Yorkshire mining town where a hard-luck family is forced to sell Lassie, their beloved dog, to a Duke. When Lassie finds herself transported five hundred miles away to live in the Duke's Scottish castle, she sets off to get home, 500 miles away.

The film is to be released on December 16th, 2005 and will only get a limited release, so you'll have to watch for it. With a cast that includes seven-time Academy Award nominee Peter O'Toole, the lovely and talented Samantha Morton, and Peter Dinklage, this should be a movie to watch for.

I cannot find an official Web site for the movie, so if you know of one, please post it here. Otherwise, you can watch for more details on Yahoo Movies or IMDB. Or, check out the Unofficial Lassie Web site.

"Lassie, come home!"

Al Roker looking for dogs that are keeping it real

Al Roker, the "Today" show weatherman , is developing the first-ever dog reality television show. The show has not yet been sold to a network, but here's hoping dogs get to share a little reality time with survivors, idols, and apprentices.

Rocker is teamed with animal behaviourist Tamar Geller, who has previously appeared on Animal Planet's "Who Gets the Dog?" Each show will have hidden cameras capturing dogs at their unruly best. Geller then swoops in with some obedience training.

Read more about Al's new animal show here.

Pet Art 7, hosted by Jillian Barberie

Lucky LA residents not only get to support a worthy pet charity but also see Jillian Barberie at the same time! Pet Art 7, an art auction to benefit Paws/LA, will be held Sunday, November 13, 2005 at the Hollywood Palladium. Tickets for the event, which will be hosted by Jillian, are $75, but if you purchase before Friday, November 11th, you'll receive 25 PAWS Dollars to apply to any art purchase over $100.

PAWS/LA is a non-profit dedicated to preserving the healing bond between humans and their companion animals. Focusing on low-income LA residents who are living with disabling life-threatening or terminal illness, PAWS/LA helps provide care for their pets. As a non-profit agency founded in 1989, PAWS/LA has grown from an organization with just two clients and two volunteers to one which provides services to over 1700 clients and their 2300+ companion animals.

So, go see some great art, support a great cause, and say "Hi" to Jillian!

George Michael and Mariah Carey add voice to animal cruelty campaign

The Sun, famed UK tabloid, has taken up the cause of animal cruelty prevention in a big way (You go, Sun!), and some celebs are adding their voices. George Michael, Mariah Carey, and Jay Kay have voiced support for The Sun's recent front-page series on animal cruelty. Says George,“I am delighted to back The Sun in this. I find it incredible anybody could harm an animal.”

As can be the case when the media takes up the cause of animal cruelty, The Sun's series was spurred by the sad case of Spot, a delightful and beautiful dalmatian who was found abused and killed. The Sun made the sad story front-page news, and a person moved by the Sun’s campaign (and the £5,000 reward) called the Animal Cruelty hotline.

Perhaps with stars like George, Mariah, and Jay and pubs like The Sun, a dent can be made in animal abuse. You "gotta have faith!"

Jessica and Sid the Pug go shopping

Sid the Pug may have looked better than Jessica Alba (as if that's even possible!) as they went shopping, him in a string of pearls and sparkly-handled lead. The two hit LA stores, but Sid may not need much--his wardrobe reportedly includes diamante collars that were gifts Colin Farrell gave to Jessica in his attempts to woo her over the summer.

Sid and Nancy, Jessica's other Pug (how very punk of her), seem to come to Jessica's mind at odd times. She says, "When you're making a movie with an actor, either it's someone you want to sleep with or you're thinking of someone you want to sleep with or you're thinking of your dog. I think of Sid and Nancy, my pugs."

Read it all on HelloMagazine.com.

Photo: © Rex

Mariah chauffeurs dog across country

Mariah Carey's dog, Jack, has quite the life! The dog shares Mariah's bath, and recently he took a cross-country chauffered trip!

Mariah was furious when an airline wouldn't let her beloved dog fly first class with her. So, she did what any of us would do: called her chauffer. Jack made the trip from New York to LA courtesy of her chauffer, Tom.

According to FemaleFirst, Mariah said, "They actually won't let me put him on a first class seat because he's too big. And they also said, 'We'd only allow it for a famous dog' Please! He has three websites dedicated to him!"

She's right. Here's a link to one of them, a Japanese site (with a bit of English) called Love Love Jack. Just click on the little drawing of Jack, and be sure to check out the Doggy P Fly section for more photos of Jack and Mariah.

Rachael Ray to offer pet recipes

Rachael Ray, the host of Food Network's "Inside Dish with Rachael Ray," has a new magazine, and it includes dog recipes. Really!

"Every Day with Rachael Ray" will focus on human food, but in honor of her late pit bull, Boo, who passed away last year at the age of 13, she will also offer recipes for dogs. You can check out Rachael's recipe for Boo-sotto and read about Boo, who sounds like she was quite the canine character. Rachel says, "I know I'll see her again one day. When I do, I'll still be cooking, and she'll still be hungry."

Doris Day to the Rescue

Thank heaven for aging actresses! Days ago we told you how Tippi Hedren was helping to educate kids about her animal sanctuary, and today comes a story of how Doris Day helped save the lives of 100 adoptable animals in Louisiana that were scheduled for euthanasia following Hurricane Katrina.

The transport project began when Santa Cruz SPCA Director Lisa Carter came across an online plea from shelter workers in New Iberia, La. Carter contacted an animal organization founded by 81-year-old actress-singer Doris Day. More than $20,000 later, an old cargo plane had been stenciled with both Santa Cruz SPCA and "Doris Day Animal Foundation" logos and was ready to go.

Don't you have Doris Day's number in your PDA contact list? Why not?

Learn more about the Doris Day Animal League, or read about the rescue effort for the 100 lucky animals.

Don't miss VH1's "The Fabulous Life Celebrity Pets"

Meet a very different breed of superstar: they're covered in fur, decked out in diamond collars, and always ready to make a splash.

It's today's celebrity pet. From Paris Hilton buying her Chihuahua Tinkerbell a $300 cashmere sweater with pearls, to Hilary Swank consulting a telepathic animal communicator for her new-found dog, "The Fabulous Life of Celebrity Pets," is your guide to the most extravagant lifestyles of Hollywood's elite animals.

You want more celebs? This show's got 'em:

• Mariah Carey's Jack Russell who flies first-class when he travels from her homes in New York and LA.
• Rachel Hunter's two dogs live in a custom-built $15,000 doghouse, made to look like a Mediterranean villa.
• Halle Berry buys Boquerones, a rare variety of white anchovies, for her cats at $70 bucks for 3 pounds!
• Nicolette Sheridan's dogs eat only raw vegetables, fresh ground meat and barley.
• Nicole Richie's dogs, Foxxy Cleopatra and Honeychild, get beautified every week with body wraps and "pawdicures" at LA Dogworks in Los Angeles.
• P. Diddy's Maltese, Sophie, gets a monthly hand-scissored, all-over "puppy cut," also known as "doggy botox".
• Jessica Simpson totes her little Maltipoo, Daisy, in a $1400 Louis Vuitton designer dog carrier. (What, no pet stroller?!?!?)
• Britney Spears' pampered pooch, Bit Bit, accessorizes her leash with a $100,000 diamond-encrusted collar.

Sure it's great to be a celebrity, but being a celebrity's pet is even better.

The show is on VH1 on Thursday Oct. 13 at 11/10c PM. If you miss it, click here to find out additional show times or to set up a reminder for when the show is repeated.

Get your celebrity pet calendar

The Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) is offering a celebrity pet calendar, and 100% of donations raised will be donated to help save the abandoned and injured dogs and cats left orphaned as a result of Hurricane Katrina in the flood ravaged southern United States.

Photographs in the calendar feature each star with one or more animals. A donation of at least $10.00 (just $10!?!) will get you a calendar.

This looks like one terrific calendar. It features celebs such as:

• Dean Cain
• Hilary Duff
• Vivica Fox
• Felicity Huffman
• Vicki Lawrence
• Masiela Lusha
• William H. Macy
• Danica Patrick
• Julie Roberts
• Charlotte Ross
• Warren Sapp
• Nicollette Sheridan
• So Taguchi

Get your calendar today!

Tommy Lee vs. "J.Cruel"

Tommy Lee, main squeeze of animal lover Pamela Anderson and (of course) Motley Crue stick man, is taking his crusade against animal abuse to the street. Over the weekend he led a protest at the Las Vegas J.Crew store over the fashion retailer's selling of fur, despite repeated promises to PETA that it would not do so. He says, "They should change the name to J.Cruel until they stop selling fur."

Learn more here, but while this page is completely safe, it contains a link to a page on PETA's Web site that many will find upsetting. The PETA page contains a disturbing video showing how dogs and cats are abused in China, the source of J.Crew's fur. If you care to view this, you may also complete an online form on the PETA site that tells J.Crew how you feel about their use of Chinese furs.

Gloria Estefan and her "Magically Mysterious Adventures"

When Gloria Estefan isn't congaing, she's apparently writing books for kids. Just released is her book, "The Magically Mysterious Adventures of Noelle the Bulldog," featuring a wide-eyed bulldog, wide-mouthed Dalmatians, bulbous goldfish and a few birds.

"I'm totally animal-oriented," Gloria says. "I've got nine dogs, eight birds, turtles, fish and I had wallabies at one point."

Learn more about Noelle and Gloria's book, or purchase it from Amazon.com.

Muppets support young people with cancer

Do Muppets count as pets? No, I don't think so either, but we were thrilled to see Rowlf the dog make even a brief, cameo appearance in a new ad for CanTeen, a New Zealand charity that supports young people with cancer. (The spot also features some guys named Kermit and Animal.)

In support of Bandanna Week, the Muppets have provided their considerable talent to an ad featuring an old Muppet fave: the "Mahna, Mahna" song! Check out the ad!

Dogs make big BO: "Wallace & Gromit" tops

Okay, so he's made of clay and doesn't have a mouth--he's still a dog and was tops at the box office this past weekend, so we're going to share the news. DreamWorks' "Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit" was the top film this weekend with a $16.1 million debut at 3,645 theaters. It's a somewhat modest opening, but strong word of mouth and reviews may lift it more in future weeks.

It beat "Flightplan," a film about a child missing on an airplane, by $6 million. Does this mean pets are more popular than kids at the BO?

Tippi Hedren loves cats

Tippi hasn't really been a headline-making celeb for a few years, but anyone who loves animals and has worked with everyone from Alfred Hitchock to Ed Wood will always be A-list in our book. Tippi recently visited a school to tell students about the Shambala Preserve, a nature preserve she maintains and on which she lives, all for the benefit of 70 rescued exotic cats.

The visit was more than your usual celebrity photo opp. Many of the students witnessed police shoot and kill a displaced pet tiger in February at Miller Park. Tippi told the children that exotic cats are not family pets and gave other info about her preserve.

Read about it here.

Or read all about the Shambala Preserve here.

Shatner and McConaughey Save Pets

If you happen to run into Matthew McConaughey or William Shatner, say thanks to them! Both stars are among those who helped to save the pet victims of Hurricane Katrina. Matthew vowed to stay in the disaster zone until he's helped rescue as many dogs, cats and hamsters as possible. And Bill sent a heartfelt letter to Louisiana Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, urging her to what she can to save the pets still struggling to survive in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Now I feel better about all those hours I watched Captain Kirk save the galaxy, and although I missed "Sahara" in the theaters, I'm going to go rent it to support pet-loving McConaughey.

Hollywood Pets Unleashed

Here is a Variety article from 2003 that you'll love. It's a little dated, but since I'm just getting this blog rolling, hopefully you won't mind some two-year-old pet news. These seemed pertinent and more than a little fun because of all the great news about stars pampering their four-legged babies, such as, "Dick Clark has reserved seats in his screening room for his three dogs. Julia Roberts often dispatches her limo to ferry her dog Diego to and from the Pet Spa in West Hollywood."

Check out the article to read more about Hollywood pet psychics and the Hollywood pet doctor who makes house calls: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117879468?categoryid=1308&cs=1.

In Touch Weekly announces first-ever pet awards

"In Touch Weekly" isn't normally on my reading list, but this caught my eye: they've announced their first ever pet awards. The awards were part of an event called, "Pets and Their Stars Unleashed," which is also a collection of black-and-white photos of more than 100 pets with their celebrity owners by photographer Christopher Ameruoso.

Here are some links about the event:

• Press release: http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/050922/225235.html?.v=1
• Celebrity Photos: http://www.celebrityphoto.com/scripts/search/event-search.pl?keyword=Intouch%20Pets%20Unleashed%20092105&search_type=keyword. Includes shots of Alexa Vega, and her pet Squirrel, Joanna Krupa and her dog, Jordan Ladd and her dog, and Pink and her fiancee Carey Hart--does he count as a pet? No, but Pink was honored with the Albert Schweitzer Award for her dedicated service to various pet charities across the country.
• More Celeb Photos: http://www.starfileonline.com/eventpics.asp?EventName=In%20Touch%20Weekly%20Presents%20Pets%20and%20Their%20Stars%20Unleashed. Includes shots of Kerry Kasem and her horse, the Laker Girls in animal makeup, and more Pink with a dog and cat (and fiancee).
• Book: You can buy the book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0976670836/104-6272100-0643923?v=glance&n=283155&n=507846&s=books&v=glance
• Christopher Ameruoso's Web site: In the event you want to check out more about the book on the photographer's own Web site: http://www.chrisaphoto.com/my_web_site_052.htm

Shirley MacLaine & her rat terrier

Shirley MacLaine has always been... um... interesting. But just like the rest of us, she loves her pet.

This article describes how Shirley, now 71 and looking great, has made a comeback as of late in movies such as "In Her Shoes," "Bewitched," and "Rumor Has It." There's not much about her pet, but it mentions she has a constant companion in her 6-year-old rat terrier named Terry, and she's fretting how to take it along with her to her next shoot in Scotland.

Enjoy: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=50155