Is it just me or was my human mom and Andy Varejao of the Cavs separated at birth?
Just Pondering.
Later, P.

A lion's roar isn't so ferocious when he's just an itty bitty baby. Thanks to Danielle Capriato for sharing this with me.



-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

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Make your day a little more bearable with a weekly feature on Pets Unleashed: Animal Crackers. Think of it as a mid-week snack that just might crack you up. Send an email or tweet with your suggestions for future Animal Crackers.

The dogs at the Geauga County Dog Warden shelter are pretty darn smart.

They have figured out when pills are hidden in hot dogs.

So to make sure the dogs get their medication, officials are hiding pills in peanut butter.

The shelter could use donations of peanut butter.

If you can help, drop off peanut butter at the shelter, 12513 Merritt Road, Chardon, or call the shelter at 440-286-8135.

-- Robin Palmer

rpalmer@news-herald.com

You just can’t have too much exposure to cute dogs running around simply being dogs.

And that is why we bring you the Puppy Bowl.

Animal Planet released the starting lineup for the 8^th annual Puppy Bowl, which can be viewed on their website, http://animal.discovery.com/tv/puppy-bowl/
 

And if you think your doggie is the cutest of them all, you still have time to submit a photo via Facebook, or to vote on other pup’s pics here, http://animal.discovery.com/tv/puppy-bowl/fan-photo-faceoff/

Take a look at highlights from the Puppy Bowl last year - and be prepared for a LOT of cute.

The Puppy Bowl airs Sunday, Feb. 5, beginning at 3 PM E/P on Animal Planet.

Felicity

This is Felicity, a beautiful 9-year-old female who is available for adoption at Geauga Humane Society’s Rescue Village, 15463 Chillicothe Road, Russell Township.

Felicity wants nothing more than a quiet home to live in.

She can be a tad shy and is frightened by young children and loud noises, so a calm home is where she will feel comfortable and show her true colors, shelter officials said.

Felicity is affectionate and loves to play with her toy mice.

For more information on Felicity, call Rescue Village at 440-338-4819, ext. 10.

Say it ain't so, Fausto, I mean Roberto!

So the cat is out of the bag (an expression I've never really cared for).

Indians pitcher Fausto Carmona is really Roberto Hernandez Heredia.

At least that's what his homeland, the Dominican Republic, is saying.

Top it off, he's really 31 years old and not 28.

Next, we'll find out he's a lefty and not even a pitcher.

Oh wait, we kind of figured out the latter last season.

Later, P.

Of course I feel a bit bad for this little guy, but not bad enough that I won't laugh at him. Thanks to April Grasso for sharing this.



-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

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Make your day a little more bearable with a weekly feature on Pets Unleashed: Animal Crackers. Think of it as a mid-week snack that just might crack you up. Send an email or tweet with your suggestions for future Animal Crackers.

Harley

This is Harley, a 10-year-old Australian shepherd mix available for adoption at Lake Humane Society, 7564 Tyler Blvd., Mentor.

According to shelter officials, Harley is a very sweet boy with a laid-back personality.

He is great to go on walks as he stays right by your side.

Harley would do well in a home with other animals as he likes dogs and cats.

Harley is a gentle, loving dog and he would make a great companion.

For more information on Harley or any of the animals available for adoption, call the shelter at 440-951-6122 or visit its website at www.lakehumane.org.
-- Robin Palmer
rpalmer@News-Herald.com

As I type this blog, it has begun to snow.

Are you all happy now?

I've never heard so many Northeast Ohioans whine about the lack of snow.

It would be like a cat complaining about not hurling a hairball in the past week or so.

Once the white stuff comes, and it will come, you'll all forget how to drive, you'll complain about shoveling and you'll cry about how you can't wait until spring.

Humans! Such a fickle bunch.

See you on the slopes....

Later, P.

This cute critter climbed into a hamster ball - maybe not exactly stuck, but it sure was entertaining:



(And yes, I know that's a lot of cat videos in a row. But once you find one, all the suggestions seem pretty amusing ...)

-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

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Make your day a little more bearable with a weekly feature on Pets Unleashed: Animal Crackers. Think of it as a mid-week snack that just might crack you up. Send an email or tweet with your suggestions for future Animal Crackers.

I know that sometimes I give dogs a hard time.

They are dogs, for God's sake.

But I must tip my hat (even if I don't have one) to Ole.

This Welsh corgi was feared dead in an avalanche Saturday that killed his owner in Montana.

But, somehow the dog  showed up four days later at the Montana motel where his owners had stayed the night before going skiing.

How he survived the avalanche and made his way back is a story that only Ole knows for sure.

One thing is certain, even in tragedy, Ole managed to provide a glimmer of hope.

Animals, even dogs, never cease to amaze.

Later, P.

P.S., At right is a picture of Ole

You meet someone new and eventually as part of the ice breaking conversation, the question of whether you are a ‘cat person’ or a ‘dog person’ is sure to come up.

Well, I’m Caitlin, and I’m a zoo person.

Currently, my little exhibit has dwindled down to my 12-year-old dog Shadow, and her brothers, Amigo and Pal (betta fish who share brotherly love from neighboring tanks).

I’ve had a host of pets over the years, which included my best friend of a cat Kiki, who died two years ago of cancer, and three rats: Rufus, Chester and Felix (two of which turned out to be females after their rather masculine names were chosen).

You may be thinking, rats?! But I assure you that these little fur balls are sweet pets and very intelligent. My boyfriend’s bulldog doesn’t know his own name, but these rats would come to me when called.

Speaking of the bulldog… Gus is sure to bring some interesting stories to this blog.

But let’s not forget Buddy, my betta fish who inspired the names for the newbie’s, and Chomper my little African Dwarf frog.

There were more childhood pets too, with more fish than I can count and a hamster who moved with me from Florida.

As I’m sure anyone who reads this blog already knows, pets provide such a wonderful addition to life that comes in the form of joy, support and comfort.

I always dreaded the day that Kiki would pass, like any owner would, but I thought I’d be immobile for days. She was my best friend for the majority of my life, after all. We picked her up as a kitten when I was seven years old.

She was a trooper, however, surviving renal kidney failure when she was just seven or eight years old. She lived a long and happy life, being carted around in a stroller during my younger years, hanging out in laundry baskets and always willing to help out with (or sit on top of) my homework.

I’d like to bring you memories of these pets’ antics as they come, as well as share some of the day-to-day goofball behavior of the current family members.

Caitlin Fertal

CFertal@News-Herald.com

@NHCaitlin

Try to watch this without laughing:



-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

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Make your day a little more bearable with a weekly feature on Pets Unleashed: Animal Crackers. Think of it as a mid-week snack that just might crack you up. Send an email or tweet with your suggestions for future Animal Crackers.