There are few more prestigious positions in the animal world than the Chief Mouser to Cabinet Office. The honored cat who holds the role is required to de-mouse the official residence of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom at No. 10 Downing Street. Chief Mousers have been serving the kingdom for centuries. The first mouser was employed during the reign of the infamous Henry VIII when Cardinal Wolsey installed a cat whilst acting as Lord Chancellor in 1515.   Image credit Mousers are far more than family pets. It is usual for Mouser’s terms not to coincide with those of the Prime Ministers they share their home with. Wilberforce, who worked as Mouser for 18 years, the longest term in history, served under Edward Heath, Harold Wilson, Jim Callaghan and Margaret Thatcher. Official records released to the public show first modern mention of the Mouser was on the 3 June 1929 when the Treasury authorized the Office Keeper “to spend 2d a day from petty cash towards the maintenance of an efficient cat.”    Image credit The current holder of the post is ‘Larry’ who was employed in 2011 after rats were spotted by media on 10 Downing Street’s doorstep after the retirement of prior Mouser, Sybil in 2007. David Cameron’s daughters chose him from the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home after public pressure and a “pro-cat faction” within Downing Street, according to a spokesman, pressured for an appointment.   Image credit  According to the No. 10 website, “Larry spends his days greeting guests to the house, inspecting security defences and testing antique furniture for napping quality. His day-to-day responsibilities also include contemplating a solution to the mouse occupancy of the house. Larry says this is still ‘in tactical planning stage’.”   Image credit   The Chief Mousers of history have always found a place in the hearts of the British public. Wilberforce, when he appeared on television with Margaret Thatcher, received by far more fan mail from an admiring public. The iron lady is said to have purchased him a tin of sardines when she was visiting a supermarket in Moscow.   Humphrey was another popular and long-serving Chief Mouser of note. Named after Sir Humphrey Appleby, a character in the hit television show Yes, Minister, Thatcher was said to have approved his appointment after the retirement of Wilberforce as the cost of a Chief Mouser (£100 a year) was far better for the departmental budget than the employment of a pest-control contractor (who quoted £4,000).   He kept King Hussein of Jordan waiting when he refused to move from the welcoming red carpet laid out for the monarch and was almost run over by Bill Clinton’s armored car when he went out to investigate it.   Much fuss was made when he disappeared in 1995 for three months. It was thought an accident must have befallen him when he was roaming the city and The Times published an obituary. However, the members of the Royal Army Medical College a mile from No. 10 were surprised to see the likeness between the stray they had been caring for and the Chief Mouser. Downing Street was contacted and the Prime Minister’s staff arrived. A hunt of the College ensued and the cat – actually Humphrey – was found napping in a soldier’s quarters.     The Presidential cat, Socks Clinton, sent a message to his fellow high-ranking feline wishing him well and expressing his happiness at his safe return to his post.   In 1992, a governmental memo approved of Humphrey’s conduct: 'He tends to eat little and often, no doubt because he knows he can get food whenever he wants. He is a workaholic who spends nearly all his time at the office, does not socialise a great deal or go to many parties, and has not been involved in any sex or drugs scandals that we know of.'     Feature Image credit

This cat's got some serious skillz! I don't know about you, but I think I'd lose pretty quickly against Moe's steady paw. Watch, then SHARE his incredible Jenga playing feat with the buttons below.    

There’s no doubt that pets enrich our lives. Science is proving that forming a close bond with an animal makes us happier, reduces stress and improves our overall health and wellbeing. But what are the motivators to having a pet in the first place, or how do we view their purpose in our household? Having a pet is a commitment. Whatever the kind of animal, all pets cost money, require time, effort and responsibility and can impact on your plans and life choices. So why do so many of us, approximately 63% of US and Australian households, willingly sign up for pets? Companionship Companionship is still the main reason that people want pets - and that's pets of all sorts, from four-legged furballs to the most exotic birds & parrots. Pets ease loneliness, offer comfort and provide unconditional love. Almost all people say thath their pet is a part of the family.  Structure and routine Pets require routine caring. Many people like or need this type of structure and purpose to their life. It makes them feel needed, valued and can be very satisfying. Pets are a wonderful reason to get out of bed and get on with enjoying the day. Meaning Sharing your life with a pet can provide meaning and bring a sense of fulfilment. It’s very rewarding to be involved in the life of another and being a major reason for their happiness; or indeed reason for their being in the case of shelter, rescue and adopted animals.  Safety This does depend on the kind of animal, although we have met some pretty protective guinea pigs in our time! A dog in the home can deter unwelcome visitors and when on walks can make sure that any unfriendly people keep their distance.    Image credit For children Many parents view pets as a great way to teach children invaluable lessons about responsibility and compassion, or, to provide children with a friend for life. When reflecting on childhood pets, people will often say they considered their pet as a sibling, a best friend or confidante. Pets encourage children to play, be active and treat others with kindness and respect. Exercise and sociability Again, this depends on the kind of animal, but some people have pets as a reason to introduce exercise into their day. Dogs in particular need outdoor activity such as walking and visiting parks, rivers, lakes and beaches. In various cities, such as Hong Kong and others throughout Asia, people will take their caged birds to parks so that the birds have time outside and interact with other birds. Pets promote socialising, conversation and new friendships amongst owners, especially when joining a group associated with your pet.    Image credit Hobby or interest For some, their love extends to wanting to show the world how special their pet is. These people enjoy the work, thrill and competition of the breed or agility show circuit. Whether being judged on beauty and breed characteristics or herding sheep, competitions prioritise the welfare of the animals involved. Joy Not much in the world is able to bring more joy to either an adult or child than watching and frolicking with a pet. Pets are fun, funny and encourage playfulness. For a lot of people, this is reason enough.    Image credit Feature image credit  

Everyone loves a birthday celebration when they are lavished with attention, gifts and tasty treats - and our pets are no different. Here's a few tips to help you have fun on the big day but keep things safe for your little furry, feathered or scaled loved one.  1. OMG Cake! What would a birthday be without cake? It would be rather untasty and frankly, boring! But the cake needs to be pet-friendly and nutritious for the birthday boy or girl. If you have time, jump online and find a recipe for a cake suitable for your pet. Some online stores even sell packet cake mixes and kits. If you are pressed for time, head to a specialist pet bakery for a cake, pastries and treats.  2. Food No-nos For nibbles, buy some delicious (and appropriate) treats for your pet or make your own ensuring that you use only healthy and safe ingredients. Foods affect animals differently so do your research beforehand. As a general rule avoid sugars (sugar, corn syrup, molasses and brown rice syrup), preservatives and artificial flavours, colours or additives. Dogs and cats shouldn’t eat too much fat (chicken fat, pork fat, or vegetable oils are best) or too many starchy carbohydrates. Too much fatty barbecue scraps can give a dog or cat pancreatitis and organ damage. For dogs, cats as well as many other small mammals such as rabbits, avoid the following foods: corn, garlic and onion, raw fish (cats can tolerate a small amount), dairy foods, grapes and raisins, mushrooms, tomatoes, macadamia nuts, avocado, cooked bones (these can splinter), citrus peels and oils, rhubarb, the seeds and pips of apples, apricots, cherries, persimmons, peaches and plums, green potatoes and breakfast cereals. Also salt, caffeine and alcohol are to be avoided. If you are thinking of allowing your pet some chocolate indulgence then DON'T. Chocolate is an absolute no-no. Carob is a chocolate substitute safe for dogs, cats and rabbits.  3. Moderation  It's important to remember not to go overboard with food treats or let your pet overindulge. It can make your pet uncomfortable and cause some digestive issues. Balance sensibility with spoiling on their special day. Image credit 4. Presents Make sure any presents and toys you buy are safe and intended for your pet. It’s a good idea to purchase any presents from a reputable pet store, supplier or your vet.  5. Party Time  You can have a quiet and intimate celebration or have a party and invite any of your pet’s human friends as well as their animal friends. 6. Make it special Have the whole family spend some quality time engaging with your pet, playing games and showing them some birthday love. Make it extra fun by taking your dog to the beach or a new park, building a homemade activity centre for your cat from boxes, pillows and baskets, and if it is safe to do so, allow your guinea pig, rabbit etc a longer wander outside their cage.  7. Decorations Decorations will really bring the party vibe but they can be dangerous for pets. Tinsel, ribbon and dangling ornaments will look very inviting to cats as something to play with. Clean up any wrapping paper, string, plastic etc as soon as possible. If eaten by your cat or dog these, items will likely get stuck and require removal by surgery. Pets can get tangled in lights or chew on the wires. Hang any decorations out of your pet’s reach. And of course be mindful or pets and candles.    Mum said to share. It's my birthday too! Image credit Feature image credit

If you've ever adopted a dog from a shelter, you've probably wondered about the dog's previous life- like where they came from, when their birthday is, who their previous owner was and more. And unlike when you purchase a dog from a breeder, you never really know what to expect when you adopt from a shelter. Some shelter dogs appear to be purebred based on breed standards, while others are clearly a mix of breeds. If only they could talk! Alas, most of these things will remain a mystery, with assumptions for answers at best. But there are some questions that can be answered thanks to Wisdom Panel 2.0, a canine DNA testing kit you can do at home. image credit For $79.99, you can order a kit off Wisdom Panel's site. The kit contains instructions, two DNA cheek swabs, and a pre-paid shipping label. The procecss is easy - as long as your dog doesn't mind you poking around his mouth real quick. One at a time, you roll the swab between the inner surface of the cheek and gums for 15 seconds. The swabs need to air-dry for at least 5 minutes, which allows time for you to activate your test online, where you'll provide the activation confirmation number that comes with your kit. Once the swabs are dry, you just pack everything back up and mail it to the lab.  image credit It typically takes 2-3 weeks to receive your results, but in the meantime you can check the status of your test online. You'll receive an email when the results are in, with a detailed report on your dog's ancestry. The report breaks down your dog's lineage in the form of a family tree and then goes on to describe the key breeds detected in terms of history, appearance, and behavior, and how these traits are inherited. Ancestry tree for my dog Finn who turned out to be a Lhasa Poo! The Wisdom Panel kit is a really great tool for any dog owner that is simply curious about their dog's genetic makeup. Perhaps you adopted a dog and you want to know what breeds they're made up of, or maybe you're curious if your dog is a purebred or a true designer dog (a cross between two purebreds). If your dog is still a puppy, knowing their breed can also help predict weight and other characteristics.  If you're interested in ordering a kit you can check out their website here. Also check to see if Wisdom Panel's National Swab-a-thon is coming to your city, where you can have your dog's DNA swabbed onsite for only $30! Pretty good deal to reveal the past of your pooch!    feature image credit

1. I said that six lizards dragged into my bed were quite enough for one morning.    Image credit   2. I asked that he share his dinner with his siblings.    Image credit   3. I accidentally sneezed whilst she was sleeping comfortably on my face.   Image credit   4. I didn't know we were playing hunter versus prey and that I was meant to crumble in fear and agony when she pounced on my big toe.    Image credit   5. I called his meow very cute. It was supposedly a big lion's roar.    Image credit   6. I did the laundry without asking whether the dirty clothes pile was still being used as a day bed.   Image credit   7. We watched '101 Dalmations' and received the silent treatment for the whole night.    Image credit   8. He pleaded to have chicken for dinner but changed his mind during the time it took to open the can and serve it. How could we expect him to eat chicken!     Image credit 9. I said that the box wouldn't make a good pirate-kitty ship for the bathtub.     Image credit 10. I asked that everything not be made into a big drama. Apparently, it was all too much.    Image credit   Feature image credit

Many dogs can’t be stopped from diving into the ocean when they arrive at the beach. Nowadays, some dogs love to surf the waves as well.   Dog surfing has become a popular activity amongst pet owners in coastal regions. Dogs can be trained to balance on boards by themselves or with their owners, or even with other dogs in what is known as ‘tandem surfing’.   Image credit Image credit   Competitions take place annually in California and Florida. The Loews Coronado bay Resort Surf Dog Competition is the largest dog surfing competition in the world, with the first event taking place in 2006.    Dogs are judged on their overall certainty on the board, the size of the waves surfed, and their ride length. Entrants participate in ten minute heats where they attempt to catch as many waves as possibly.   Image credit   Image credit   Usually over 50 dogs partake in the tournament of all different sizes and breeds. At the 2012 competition three Guinness World Records were broken, including a new record of the most dogs photographed on a surfboard.   Another popular competition takes place on Huntington Beach, California called ‘Surf City Surf Dog’.   Image credit  Image credit   Dog surfing, whilst never as popular as it is today, has a long history. Surfing dogs were documented in California and Hawaii in the 1920s and in the 1930s. Night Hawk, a terrier, was captured in the silent film 'On The Waves in Waikiki' with his owner Phillip K. Auna surfing on a wooden board. Night Hawk was even able to perform the ‘hang ten’ surfing maneuver.   Image credit   Image credit   Dogs aren’t even the only pets who enjoy the waves. In Lima, Peru tortoiseshell cat Nicolasa loves surfing with her owner Domingo Pianezzi.   He discovered his kitten’s passion when she unexpectedly jumped on his board as he took off on San Bartolo beach. Since then, they have enjoyed many sunny days on the water together.    Feature image credit

Dogs and cats just can't stop making friends! Here are some more unusual animal besties pets have made.  The Wild Boar and The Jack Russell   Image credit   The Dahlhaus family found a piglet starving in a field in southwest Germany. Taking pity, they took the tiny wild boar baby home. When he met their Jack Russell Terrier puppy Candy, the two embarked on an unlikely friendship. The pair enjoy running around together and playing outside. Image credit   The piglet, called ‘Manni’ has recovered well and will either stay with the Dahlhaus family or move to a wildlife park.      Image credit   The Kitten and the Crow   Image credit Elderly Massachusetts couple Wallace and Ann Collito discovered the strangest of relationships unfolding in their backyard. A little stray cat they called Cassie appeared outside sometimes. She may have been abandoned by her owners, but she was well taken care of.   Image credit A crow, ‘Moses’ as he came to be known, fed the kitten worms and bugs and kept her away from the street. When Cassie decided to start sleeping inside the Collitos’ house Moses waited outside every morning for the cat to run outside and join him in play.    Image credit The Greyhound and the Owl Image credit Long-eared owl Shrek and 6-month-year old Greyhound Torque bonded at an animal centre after Shrek was taken away from her mother at three days old for her own safety. Keepers were afraid her mother might eat her own clutch if she became stressed which the species is known to do. Shrek went home with head falconer John Picton and his dog Torque.   Shrek is allowed to wander the lounge room and she and Torque regularly curl up and watch television together in the evenings. During the day, outdoors at the Ringwood Raptor and Reptile Centre, they sit together with Torque vigilantly guarding his young feathered friend.     Image credit When Shrek grows up she will be used as a display owl at fetes and open days so the public can see the rare bird variety first hand.  The Cheetah and the Shepherd   Image credit Anatolian Shepherd Alexa and Cheetah Sahara have been friends for life. They became best buddies as cub and puppy at Cincinnati Zoo and eventually participated in the zoo’s Cat Ambassador Program.   Image credit   In conjunction with the Cheetah Conservation Fund, the program seeks to educate South African and Namibian farmers how the shepherd dogs can be used to protect livestock from cheetahs without shooting the big cats and reducing numbers of an already endangered species. The idea is to show the farmers that cheetahs have a healthy respect for dogs like Alexa and such dogs have no fear of the spotted cats.    Image credit Image credit  

Lassie is one of the most iconic dog characters of all time – but who was the face behind the famous name? Said to have had the most spectacular canine career in film history, Pal was the Rough Collie actor that played the first and defining Lassie. Despite Lassie being female, Pal was in fact a male and earned the role through a convoluted series of events.   Image credit   Born at Glamis Kennels in North Hollywood on June 4, 1940, Pal had a fine pedigree, with ancestry that can be traced back to the nineteenth century and notable collies such as ‘Old Cockie’. However, he was considered a poor specimen of his breed due to his large eyes and the white blaze on his forehead and so he was sold as a pet-quality dog. He came into the possession of Howard Peck who struggled with the rambunctious pup in spite of being an animal trainer. He despaired of Pal’s uncontrollable barking and determination to chase motorcycles. Frustrated, he took the dog to fellow trainer Rudd Weatherwax, hoping he would be able to stop the behavior. Weatherwax succeeded in part, putting the endless barking to an end, but couldn’t get rid of Pal’s obsession with motocyles. Disappointed, Peck agreed to give Weatherwax Pal instead of paying him for his services. Weatherwax decided to give Pal to his friend, but soon asked for him back when heard they were looking for a star of MGM’s film adaptation of Eric Knight’s 1940 novel Lassie Come Home. Weatherwax had a feeling Pal was the dog for the part and bought him for $10.00. Later on, when Pal became the star of the dog world, his original owner Peck tried to reclaim ownership of the dog, but Weatherwax’s legal ownership was upheld.   Image credit  At first it had seemed Weatherwax was wrong. Pal competed amongst 1,500 other dogs for the part of Lassie and was rejected. The reasons cited: he was a male, his eyes were over-large, his head was too flat, and his sizeable, white blaze was unsightly. Instead, a prize-winning female show collie was picked – but at least, as a consolation, Pal’s owner Weatherwax was hired to train her.  When filming of Lassie Come Home began in 1943, it was decided to take advantage of the spectacular flooding of the San Joaquin River to make an attention-grabbing sequence. The show Collie refused to enter the rampant floodwaters and Weatherwax offered for his dog, Pal, to perform the scene. Pal performed magnificently. He swum across the river, hauled himself out, lay down without shaking and pretended to attempt to crawl forwards before finally lying on his side with exhaustion, unable to go on. Director Fred M. Wilcox was so moved by the dog’s acting he had tears in his eyes.   Image credit   It was decided immediately Pal was to take the starring role and the show Collie was dismissed. MGM executives were so impressed with Pal they upgraded the production to an ‘A film’ rather than a simple children’s black and white movie and threw behind it full publicity support. In an amazing action for a film studio, the first six weeks of filming were ordered to be reshot to include Pal in all the scenes, this time in Technicolor. Pal never faltered. He rarely required more than one take to get his performance just right. Lassie Come Home was an amazing success and more MGM Lassie films followed: Son of Lassie, Courage of Lassie, Hills of Home, The Sun Comes Up, Challenge to Lassie and The Painted Hills. After seven films, and enormous success, MGM decided to bring the Lassie series to end – but Weatherwax was certain Lassie still had a future and negiotiated that instead of being given $40,000 in back pay owed to him by the studio he be awarded the Lassie name and trademark. The studio agreed and Pal and his trainer travelled around America performing shows at department stores, rodeos and dog shows. When television produced Robert Maxwell suggested the idea of a Lassie television show, Weatherwax and he created a story of a boy and his dog living on a struggling farm.   Pal was left to decide on the boy that was to be his on-screen companion. Three candidates stayed at Weatherwax’s Hollywood home for a week and he warmed strongly to 11-year-old Tommy Rettig and the boy was chosen for the role on the dog’s decision. When the pilot episodes were played CBS was impressed and signed up the show at once - but Pal’s age was beginning to show. His son, Lassie Junior, took over the role, but his retired father would accompany him to work every day. He had a bed on set and was referred to by the respectful title, ‘The Old Man.’ When Weatherwax asked Lassie Junior to perform a trick, Pal, on hearing the cue, would often perform the trick backstage.   Image credit Pal died at an amazing 18 years of age in 1958. Weatherwax was hit hard. Robert, his son, described his father’s despair at the loss of his dog. “He buried him in a special place on the ranch and would often visit the grave. Dad would never again watch an MGM Lassie movie. He just couldn't bear to see Pal. He didn't want to have to be reminded of just how much he loved that dog.” Child actor Jon Provost remembered Weatherwax’s affection for Pal as profound. "As young as I was, I recognized how much that dog meant to Rudd. Rudd loved that old dog as much as anyone could love an animal or person." To this day, Pal’s descendants play the role of Lassie he defined, and he remains the most iconic canine star to have ever lived.    Image credit   Feature image credit 

Oh Keyboard Cat - how we love you so! And best of all - you're still releasing brand new kitty-board hits like this furry take on '96 Tears'.   Share the Keyboard Kitty love with your friends. What's your favorite Keyboard Cat jam?