dogs

STUDY: Pilates Growing In Popularity Among Dogs

Sparky, a puppy from Boston, MA, thinks he may have finally found a way to stay in shape that he’ll really enjoy: pilates. According to a new study from Ohio State University, he’s not alone.

The study found that pilates is on the rise among puppies aged 2-5, especially in the Northeast.

“We’re finding that dogs really enjoy pilates, but more importantly, that they stick with it,” said lead author, Whitney Jones, a Ph. D. student in kinesiology.  The study found that pilates enrollment is up 40% among pups since 2011 and dogs are sticking with it an average of six months.

As for Sparky, the puppy has been having trouble sticking to any one single exercise routine or program, but thinks pilates will work long term.

“He would would start out great, but then get bored of exercising and peter out,” said friend Carson McKeel. “With pilates, he has all those balls and foam blocks to play with. He loves it!”

Via amyvictoriapeden.

Dog Disappointed Manky Old Boot Isn’t Portkey

A Golden Retriever from Brighton, UK is unsure how he’ll get to the Quidditch World Cup after discovering that a “manky old boot” he found on a nearby hill was in fact not a Portkey.

“I keep trying to tell him that Harry Potter was a book and there’s no such thing as a Portkey,” said Oswald Lubberstuck, a close friend of the dog. “But he just keeps searching on the Internet to see if he can locate an entrance to the ‘Floo Network’ or find a stopping point for the ‘Knight Bus’ nearby.”

Sources tell The Fluffington Post that the dog does not know how to Apparate.

Via aquilino_o.

Local Dog Jumps from Plane for Charity

A local dog named Hettie jumped from a plane this afternoon to raise money and awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project.  

The pup, a lifelong baseball fan and unfailing patriot, got the idea for the jump after watching New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman skydive to raise awareness for the group a couple of weeks ago. 

“She saw Brian do it and immediately insisted on doing it too,” said longtime friend Deborah Dennick. “She wasn’t afraid, even after she learned that Cashman had broken his ankle – her only goal was to raise awareness for such a worth cause.”

Hettie’s jump was successful and, unlike the Yankees general manager, did not result in any broken bones.

Via bertypitt1.

PHOTO OP: Westie in Winter

Via mashastrapchaya.