"The Lonely Dog" to be a movie.

Warner Bros. Pictures has acquired screen rights to Ivan Clarke's limited-edition painting book "The Lonely Dog" reports Variety.

Clarke hatched the project when he left his dog alone, caught the look on the pooch's face and painted a fully clothed character with a lonely look on its mug.

Clarke and Weta Workshop's Oscar winning VFX head Richard Taylor hatched a mythology for the character that became Lonely Dog. Only ninety of the oversized books were published, selling for as much as $6,000 each.

The studio plans to turn the dog tale into a CG animated film that Akiva Goldsman and Kerry Foster will produce.

Michael Vick to be released to home.

RICHMOND, Va. — Imprisoned NFL star Michael Vick will be allowed to finish his sentence under home confinement because there is no room at a halfway house for him, a government official told The Associated Press Thursday.

Vick is serving a 23-month sentence at the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan., after pleading guilty to bankrolling a dogfighting operation at a home he owned in eastern Virginia's Surry County. He also admitted to participating in the killing of several underperforming dogs.

Vick's lawyers have said they expected him to be moved any day into a halfway house in Newport News. But because of a lack of space, Vick will be released instead to his Hampton home at some point on or after May 21.

Vick will be on electronic monitoring and will only be allowed to leave home for activities approved by his probation officer, the official said. He is eligible for release in July.

According to Vick's lawyers, he'll attempt to resume his pro football career. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who suspended Vick without pay, has repeatedly said he will review Vick's status after the legal proceedings are completed.

Vick also earned substantial sums from endorsement deals with Nike and other companies, but that income vanished after the dogfighting revelations virtually destroyed his image and well as his finances. Vick filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in July, claiming assets of $16 million and liabilities of $20.4 million.

75 dogs dropped off at shelter in Maryland.

FREDERICK COUNTY, Md. - The Frederick County Animal Shelter is making a plea to Marylanders after 75 dogs were dropped off at the shelter.

Animal control agents said the dogs just need a new home and care. The group of 75 consists of 10 different small breeds.

The dogs are separate from a set of dogs that agents found abandoned earlier this month.
Handlers said that the dogs were not randomly abandoned, but rather a concerned citizen brought them in.

The problem is that the shelter has a "no refuse" policy, meaning that organizers have to act quickly to deal with the 75 additional dogs.

Agents said the shelter has more than 100 new intakes in February alone. Thirty-four dogs were found on Feb. 5, wandering around the county.

All but three have been adopted so far.

Officials said the new dogs were in much better shape but they still need some help. The dogs are reportedly social but not house trained.

Animal control officials said an unidentified Thurmont man brought the dogs in after a friend from St. Mary's County asked him to watch them.

Agents said the man became overwhelmed and when he tried to contact his friend, the other man was no where to be found.

So far some have been taken to shelters in Loudon County, Virginia and Ocean City. About half have been placed in foster homes, which has been a big help for Frederick County.

In the meantime, Frederick County authorities are continuing to work with those in St. Mary's County to determine -- once the owners are found -- if charges should be filed.

"We are working very feverishly and aggressively to try and locate the original owners," detectives said.

Anyone who would like to adopt a dog or become a foster family is asked to call the Frederick County Animal Shelter at 301-600-1546

Clublabrador.com

For those who enjoy the Labrador breed, head on over to new site 'ClubLabrador.com'.

Here you'll find links Labrador clubs and rescue sites as well as articles on nutrition, training, health issues and more.

While the site is still relatively new (appears to have debuted earlier this month), one can only assume that it will grow in time with additional information and posts. Go ahead and submit ideas and questions all things labrador to the sites webmaster/author. We're sure he'll appreciate it.

Los Angeles Pet Store Goes Humane!

(Los Angeles, CA) - The Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS) is pleased to announce that after five weeks of protests by animal welfare activists at Elaine’s Pet Depot in Los Angeles, the store has decided to convert to a new business model as a rescue center for abandoned animals. Elaine Binner, owner of Elaine’s Pet Depot, signed an alliance agreement and relinquished her puppies to Chance and Jocelyn White, co-founders of Good Dog Animal Rescue.

A group of Los Angeles activists organized by Carole Raphaelle Davis and Carole Sax conducted an investigation of the puppy mills that supply the Pet Depot Chain of franchise pet stores. The acquired evidence revealed that the puppies sold in the store were from inhumane commercial breeding facilities in the Midwest. Two other franchises of the Pet Depot Chain “Kirby’s Pet Depot” of Simi Valley and “Judy’s Pet Depot” of Westwood have also converted to the humane model and are currently holding adoptions.

The Companion Animal Protection Society commends Elaine’s Pet Depot for helping the fight against puppy mills. Elaine’s Pet Depot is following the great example set by Judy’s Pet Depot part of the Pet Depot store chains. “When there are no longer any animals being euthanized at the shelters and the last dog has been adopted from rescue groups, then maybe people can think about selling an animal from a reputable breeder…” - Judy Robertson, Owner of Judy’s Pet depot

Man Arrested For Cutting Off Puppy's Ears

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- A Lawrenceville man has been arrested for cutting off his puppy’s ears.

Luis Alberto Cabrera-Garibay, 21, was arrested and charged with felony cruelty to animals and practicing veterinary medicine without a license.

Gwinnett County Animal Control officers responded to an animal cruelty complaint on Rocky Cove Trail Tuesday evening.

When police arrived, Cabrera-Garibay’s brother told them his brother cut off their 4-month-old pit bull’s ears.

The puppy’s ears appeared to have been cut and then burned in an attempt to stop the bleeding.

The puppy also suffered burn injuries to the head and inside of the ears.

Authorities suspect Cabrera-Garibay was trying to crop the dog's ears.

"He thought it would look cool. That was his explanation for it," said Officer Joey Brooks.

The puppy was taken to Eastside Animal Emergency Clinic for treatment and is expected to have surgery to correct the damage to the ears.

The puppy is expected to recover from his injuries.

Cabrera-Garibay is currently being held on a $22,400 bond.

Actor Mickey Rourke mourns Loki.

NEW YORK -- Mickey Rourke is headed to the Academy Awards both as a nominee and a grieving pet owner after the death of his 17-year-old Chihuahua, Loki.

A representative for Rourke, Judy Woloshen, said the actor's beloved dog died Monday night.

Said Rourke: "Loki is deeply missed but with me in spirit. I feel very blessed that she fell asleep peacefully in my arms."

Rourke, who's having a career comeback with his acclaimed performance in "The Wrestler," was especially close to Loki and is a longtime owner of Chihuahua.

Tips for a dog that has gone blind.

What can I do for my dog that has gone blind?
Bob
Walk-about, OK

Dr. Barchas: A number of conditions can cause blindness in pets. Fortunately, people whose pets have suffered vision loss can take solace from the fact that blindness almost never compromises pets’ quality of life.

For both cats and dogs, smell is the most important sense. Vision is number two. This is different from humans. For us, vision generally is considered the most important sense. Yet people who have suffered vision loss are still able to lead normal lives.

A few minor accommodations make things easier for pets who have lost their vision. People with blind pets should try to avoid rearranging the furniture in their houses. Blind pets usually memorize the locations of objects in their environment. Changing those locations can make it hard for them to navigate.

Cats who have suffered vision loss should be kept indoors. Blind dogs should be walked on leash and should not be forced to go too fast. Many animals with impaired vision may require gentle coaxing before they will go down stairs or step off curbs, since they can’t tell whether they are about to step down six inches or six thousand feet.

And that’s all the advice I have. Your dog’s blindness should not interfere too dramatically with his lifestyle, or with yours.

10-year-old Sussex spaniel wins Westminster show

-Ben Walker, AP

NEW YORK -- Having just turned 10, a Sussex spaniel called Stump became the oldest best in show winner at the Westminster Kennel Club, ending his retirement last week and taking the big prize Tuesday night.

"He hasn't slowed down a bit," expert handler Scott Sommer said. "I thought it would be fun."
With floppy ears and a plodding gait, the golden-red Stump became America's top dog and an instant fan favorite at Madison Square Garden.

Sommer said Sussex spaniels can live to be 15. The previous oldest winner at Westminster was an 8-year-old Papillon in 1999, and Stump was the first of his breed to capture the silver bowl.

Stump barely made it past 5 or so. He left the show ring in 2004 and later nearly died from a mysterious medical condition. The vets at Texas A&M saved him.

"It was miraculous," Sommer said.

A nearly full crowd at Madison Square Garden cheered loudly when judge Sari Tietjen pointed to the new champion. She picked Stump from a field of seven that included a giant schnauzer that was the nation's top show dog, a favored Brussels griffon, a Scottish deerhound named Tiger Woods, a standard poodle with 94 best in show wins, a Scottish terrier and a puli.

"He showed his heart out," Tietjen said. "He was everything you want."

After he won, Stump showed off his one trick: He got up on his hinds, as if to beg. He didn't have to, he was already No. 1.

Nearly 2,500 dogs in 170 breeds and varieties were entered in this 133rd edition of Westminster. Last year's champion, a beagle named Uno, was perhaps the most popular winner ever.

But with a bounce in his step, Stump is sure to win over plenty of people while he reigns for a year. He'll also get extra playtime with his green Grinch toy.

"He really is retired this time," Sommer said.

Adorable and mellow, Stump doesn't bark much. He'll have something to howl about now _ after being shipped to New York because he's too big to fit under the seat, he'll fly back in first class.

Stump won the sporting group at Westminster in 2004, then went into retirement. Soon after, he nearly wasted away and spent 19 days in a pet hospital.

"It was very traumatic," Sommer said.

Once he recovered, Stump mostly spent his days hanging out with Sommer, living a dog's life. That was more than fine with Sommer. He'd handled a great Bichon Frise called J.R. to the best in show at Westminster in 2001, and wasn't looking for Stump to try again.

Besides, Stump had two sons to take care of, named Root and Forest.

Then five days before this show, Sommer thought Stump might enjoy one last walk on the green carpet at the Garden. And what a walk it was _ his 51st best in show victory overall.

Stump began by winning the best of breed, then took best in group.

"Can you believe that?" said New York Yankees president Randy Levine, a regular at this event.
There was more in store, too. Stump lives with J.R. at Sommer's home in Houston, and may have gotten some advice.

"J.R. must've told him this morning, 'Keep up the family name,'" Sommer said.

Hero dog Tiger, gets a reprieve....for now.

Donations have poured in for two Raleigh, N.C., families who lost everything in a devastating apartment fire — and for the dog that saved them, Tiger.

The local Fox News affiliate that ran the story on air has received an overwhelming number of telephone calls and emails from people across the mid-South hoping to donate clothes, food and furniture to the struggling residents. The blaze ripped through their complex on Monday.
One family agreed to donate clothing as well as a garage full of furniture to fire victim Patricia Calvin and her four children as soon as she has a new place to live, MyFOXMemphis.com reported.

"We appreciate everything that’s going on, everything that they have to give because, like I said, we don’t have nothing," said Calvin. She and her kids weren't injured in the blaze.

Many people are also hoping to fund medical care for Tiger, the dog hailed as a hero after he saved the lives of the Calvins and his owner Velma Boyd when he detected smoke late Monday night, the station reported.

Boyd, who recently lost her job and has now lost her home as well, could no longer afford to pay for Tiger's medical bills for what veterinarians have called an easily treatable skin disorder.

Ironically, she had planned to have the dog put to sleep Monday afternoon — but the Humane Society never showed up, MyFOXMemphis.com reported.

The Humane Society has agreed to accept donations on behalf of Tiger to pay for his medical bills.

"Here he'll get walked by the dogwalkers, we'll get him checked out by a veterinarian, we will take care of him, board and food and medical and any donations that come will be allotted to him for his care," Humane Society Director of Operations Butch Lulloff said.

Despite the financial assistance, Boyd is still unsure whether she will be able to afford to keep Tiger.

So any TDW readers out in the Memphis area, please contact Fox News or the Humane Society of Memphis for possible adoption or continual donations to help this hero dog out.

Hero Dog Alerts Family of House Fire

Memphis, TN - A Raleigh family's dog is being hailed a hero after he alerted them to a fire at a neighbor's house, MyFOXMemphis reported.

The dog, named Tiger, woke up his owner Velma Boyd with loud barking. Boyd said she smelled smoke and ran to get her neighbor, Patricia Calvin, away from the fire.

It took firefighters three hours to put out the blaze. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire, but officials say they believe it was started by faulty wiring near the dryer.

In an ironic twist, Tiger had been sick and Boyd could no longer afford his medicial bills, and she was ready to give him up. She had called the Humane Society earlier Monday to pick up the dog to be put down. They never showed up.

"It's a blessing in disguise," said Boyd.