Everyone knew what a Turnspit was. There were thousands in kitchens all through the kingdom. No one thought about them much. Turnspits as were as regular, and dull, as dishwashers. British people in the 16th century loved roasts. The problem was meat roasted on a spit needed to be turned constantly, and without the technology, this had to be done by hand. This was the chore of the lowliest kitchen boy until the turnspit came along.   Image credit Turnspits were dogs designed specifically to run, hamster-style, in a wheel connected by a chain to the roasting meat that spun it around. The wheels were generally placed high up on the wall, away from the fireplace, so the dogs did not overheat and faint. Also known as the ‘vernepator cur’, Latin for “the dog that turns the wheel”, the Turnspit appeared in one of the first books on dogs ever written in 1576. Even Shakespeare mentioned them in his play, The Comedy of Errors: “a curtailed dog fit only to run in a wheel.” Charles Darwin also used them as an illustration of genetic engineering, commenting, “Look at the spit dog. That’s an example of how people can breed animals to suit particular needs.”   They were not glamorous creatures. They were small, low-bodied with short crooked front legs and drooping ears. Their fur was gray and white, black or reddish brown. However, for their size, they were very strong and capable of working for hours. It is thought the modern day Welsh corgi, beloved by Queen Elizabeth, might trace some of its ancestry to the lowly, commonplace Turnspit. Forget the tradition of the modern Sunday roast – that was the day the Turnspit was usually given off to accompany the family to church. This wasn’t due to kindness or concern for their doggy souls, but their other practical use as foot warmers.   Image credit Over the years however the Turnspits use steadily declined as technology developed. By 1900, what was once the most common of dogs, had all but disappeared. The final nail in their coffin was the emergence of clock jacks, cheap spit-turning machines that took over their job entirely. Unfortunately, Turnspits were quite ugly and known for having a glum temperament, so no one wanted to have them for pets like other working breeds such as the Border Collie when dog jobs became scarce. But the turnspit is to be remembered as a hard-working canine who helped to feed our ancestors for centuries and played a largely unseen, but valuable part, in human history.    Image credit   Feature image credit  

Three Dog Bakery takes pet treats to a whole new level. Image credit   The café started when Gracie the albino Great Dane was in bad health. Her owners Dan and Mark couldn’t get her to eat. They bought her the fanciest dog food that money could buy but she wouldn’t touch it and looked at them with doleful blue eyes.   Image credit So Dan and Mark took matters into their own kitchen. Their first batch was far from the impeccable treats their store sells today but Gracie gobbled them up and they knew they were onto something when her fur-sisters Sarah and Dottie did the same.   It wasn’t long before their neighbor’s dogs were fancying their snacks and Dan and Mark began selling to the rest of their city on lunch breaks and weekends. In 1989, Mark and Dan left their jobs to focus entirely on developing their pet bakery and moved to commercial premises.      Image credit There are now over thirty Three Dog Bakery locations that bake treats fresh on-site. Each store has its own exclusive seasonal treats, gourmet dog pastries and one-of-a-kind canine cakes.   Image credit Three Dogs Bakery makes all their treats from scratch using all-natural ingredients, such as blueberries, spinach, carrots, cranberries, chicken, white fish, peanut butter and carob. They aim for their products to be nutritious as well as tasty. They sell not only quirky dog treats but also premium dog food and cat rewards.   Image credit   They were recently named the number one dog bakery in America by Yahoo and one of the top pet treat vendors by Relish.com.   On their blog they share great pet recipes for readers to try at home such as ‘Snickerpoodle Cookies’, ‘Howl-o-ween Tricking Treats’ and ‘Pawshake Cake’.    Feature image credit  

Munchkins are the Dachshunds of the cat world, with short-legs and a long body. The breed got its start when a music teach from Louisiana, Sandra Hochenedel, found a pair of pregnant cats beneath her car in 1983. She kept one and named her Blackberry. Strangely, half of her kittens were born with unusual short legs.   Image credit Sandra gifted one of the kittens to her friend Kay LaFrance. She named him Toulouse and after awhile the two friends began to notice more short-legged cats appearing in the neighborhood all bearing a remarkable resemblance to Toulouse. Toulouse, it seemed, had been busy becoming a father… Kay and Sandra started to wondering if they might have a new potential breed on their hands and contacted Dr. Solveig Flueger, the chairperson of The International Cat Association’s genetic committee. Dr. Flueger determined the short-legged trait was not connected to spinal problems that appeared in similar breeds such as the Corgi and the Dachshund. A breeding program to create the Munchkin breed began shortly after.   Image credit Though Munchkins were only created recently, short-legged cats are not new phenomena. In 1944 a British veterinarian made a report on four generations of cats born with unusually short legs. The family vanished from records during World War II but other short-legged cats were noted in Russia and the U.S. in the 1950s and 1970s. In Russia, such cats were dubbed ‘Stalingrad Kangaroo Cats’. At the 1991 International Cat Association show held at Madison Square Garden the Munchkin breed was unveiled to the world. The display was not without controversy however.   Image credit Critics held that the short-legs were an abnormality that would surely be linked to health problems in the future. One judge resigned over the issue, stating the breed was an affront to breeder ethics. The breed is divisive amongst cat fanciers to this day. So far, the TICA, The American Association of Cat Enthusiasts, The United Feline Organization, the Southern Africa Cat Council and the Waratah National Cat Alliance accept Munchkins.   Image credit Cat registries such as the Federation International Feline, The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy and Cat Fanciers’ Association do not approve of the breed however. Munchkin lovers maintain the short legs in no way interfere with the cat breed’s health and they are playful, sweet-natured pets. They are held to be healthy breed with their running and leaping abilities not at all affected by their leg length.    Image credit    Feature Image credit

We have heard about the toxic plants we should avoid adding to our gardens to keep our cats safe – but what about the plants cat’s love? There are a variety of plant species kitties adore, many of which are great for their health too.   Cat grass (dactylis glomerata) Image credit    As its name suggests, cats are fond of Cat Grass. It helps cats with their digestion, and is great for dogs, guinea pigs and rabbits as well.    Lemongrass (cymbopagon)   Image credit  Cats absolutely love the smell of lemongrass and even enjoy a nibble or two. You can also add it to your cooking for a touch of Asian flavor. Funnily enough, cats despise the smell of lemons!    Catnip (nepeta cataria)   Catnip holds a special place in the feline heart. Beware, your kitty may go a little crazy on the stuff and you may attract legions of neighborhood cats to your garden (seriously). Cats react to the nepatalactone in catnip leaves and stems. Upon contact cats have a psychosexual reaction – essentially ‘get high’ – for up to 15 minutes. Catnip also products pretty pink flowers that attract bees to your garden, helping with pollination of all your other plants.     Valerian (valeriana officinalis)    Image credit Valerian has a similar effect on cats as catnip. To us, the white and pink flowers have a pleasant sweet vanilla fragrance, making a great choice for pet and owner. In Valerian a compound called actinidine works as a semi-psychotic stimulant for kitties, sending them into a relaxed, purring fit.   Cat Thyme (Teucrium marum)  Image credit   Cat thyme is another plant that sends cats into a frenzy. In spite of its name, it is actually not a variety of thyme but a germander. Some cats even prefer it to catnip. Unfortunately, human noses aren’t generally so keen. To us, it smells quite dreadful.    Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)   Image credit   Licorice root tastes yummy to cats and it is also good for them, especially those who have allergies, colds and digestive issues, as it is a natural cortisone and soothes mucus membranes. It also has cleansing and anti-inflammatory properties making it a great choice for people with elderly cats suffering from arthritis.    Image credit   Feature image credit

All dogs are gorgeous and lovable but these ones happen to be particularly fetching. 1. Friends call this helpful pup 'Letters'. Sometimes the mail arrives a little slobbery with bite marks but a bit of training and Letters could learn to do that to bills only.     Image credit   2. I know it's in here somewhere. Hey, I found the frisbee.     Image credit   3. Fence? Ha! I chortle in the face of your so-called obstacle.    Image credit 4. I says to Daisy ... oh sorry, here's your ball. Anyway, I says to Daisy, not without chewing you won't.    Image credit 5. I want you to know that I'm doing great without you.     Image credit 6. So I guess I just knock the ball in here and then what? Any moment now ... Wow. BEST. BUCKET-THINGY. EVER.   Image credit   7. The solenoid is from Japan and now the torque is optimised. I adjusted the angle of trajectory, increased the input wattage and voila, I simply fetch the ball.    Image credit   8. I gots it, I gots the ball. Ha ha, I gots water up my muzzle.    Image credit 9. Well, Australia's coastline is bigger than it looks. I might need a minute before you throw my favourite stick again.   Image credit   10. Why won't you throw the stick? I've put it right at your feet so you hardly have to move at all. Please. Oh come on, throw it. PLEASE.   Image credit ? Feature image credit

The Scottish Fold breed began in a remote barn near Coupar Angus in the Tayside Region of Scotland in 1961. A shepherd and cat fancier, named William Ross spotted an unusual white cat called Susie with folded ears on a neighbouring farm. On closer inspection, it was apparent the cartilage in her ears was bent in the middle, giving her a notable ‘owl-like’ appearance. When she gave birth to a litter of kittens, two inherited their mother’s exotic looks.   Image credit   Ross asked if he might take one of the pair home and Susie’s owners agreed. With the help of English geneticist Pat Turner, Ross and his wife Mary began a breeding program with the kitten, which they named Snooks, with the hope of creating a new breed. They crossed Snooks with British Shorthairs and farm cats and in the first three years the program produced 76 kittens. Of these kittens, 42 had folded ears. Unfortunately three months after Snooks was born Susie was hit and killed by a car. But through her daughter her bloodline and fascinating looks lived on. All Scottish Folds can trace their lineage back to Susie and Snooks.   Image credit Ross registered the breed in the UK with the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy in 1966. The cats were originally called ‘lops’ after lop-eared rabbits but their name was soon changed to ‘Scottish Folds’ to honour their country of origin.   Scottish Folds can have both long and short hair, and come in a broad array of colours. Long-haired Scottish Folds are known by a number of different names, including Highland Fold, Scottish Fold Longhair, Longhair Fold and Coupari. Image credit   Folds are not born with their distinctive ears. As young kittens all Folds have straight, unfolded ears that, if they have the Fold gene, begin to bend within about 21 days. Some kittens’ ears never bend and these cats are dubbed ‘Straights’. Despite their distinctive appearance Scottish Folds still use their ears to express themselves like other breeds. Their ears lay back when they are angry, prick up when they are interested and swivel to listen to noises around them. Folds have a number of other unusual characteristics beside their ears. They are well-known for sleeping on their backs and sitting with their legs stretched out and their paws resting on their belly in the so called ‘Buddha Position’.   Image credit   They also have unique voices, which are very soft and expressive. Their complex repertoire of meows and purrs are not found in any other variety of cat. They are sweet-natured, placid cats that generally become extremely attached to their owners. They are playful and adaptable pets that handle children and other animal companions well.    Image credit Feature image credit

People sent to the ‘doghouse’ might not mind so much if they had to settle in the canine pad built by one dog lover in the United Kingdom.   A pair of beloved Great Danes have had £250,000 dropped by their surgeon mistress to create one of a kind dog kennel on her 550 acre Lower Mill Estate at the Cotswolds Water Park, near Cirencester.   Image credit For their enjoyment, the kennel features sheepskin-lined temperature-controlled beds and a £150,000 sound system and a plasma TV with a 52-inch screen. Automatic dispensers ensure dry food for snaking on and chilled, filtered water is always available for the pampered pooches. It also includes an 18-inch deep spa with a saline treatment built in, which has been proven help keep dog coats in premium condition.   Image credit To ensure no sibling squabbles, each dog has its own bedroom which large windows with a view of their own personal playgrounds. Of course they also have an air-conditioning and heating system to ensure the Great Danes are always cosy and never hot.   Webcams are installed throughout the dog apartment so their lady owner can monitor her pet’s activities throughout the day.   A retina scanner is installed at the front door to ensure no other neighbourhood dogs are sneaking into the exclusive pet retreat.   Image credit The kennel was designed by award-winning architect Andy Ramus. It's about a quarter of the size of the main residence ‘Hedron House’ which has been priced at £1.4 million.   Not only is it super luxurious, the kennel is also eco-friendly. The main house and kennel produce more energy than they use, utilizing an underground heat pump, geothermal heating and its own solar and wind power.  Feature image credit

1. "Ready or not, here I come... Oh, I guess you weren't ready."   image credit   2. Points for creativity!    image credit   3. "Hey buddy, you didn't happen to see a puppy come through here recently?" image credit 4. Rule number one of hiding: be silent and stay very still.   image credit     5. "Hmmm, doesn't look like there's anyone hiding in the bedroom..."     image credit 6. "Can you see me now, how about now?" image credit   7. "Just because you can't see me, doesn't mean I can't see you!"   image credit 8. "Nothing to see here, just a mini horse grazing."   image credit   9. "I didn't remember this bed being so fluffy!"   image credit   10. "That upside-down dog bed is a little suspicious looking!"    image credit   11. I think you're a little too husky to hide in there!   12. "A" for effort.        13. "What do you know! A couch with a tail!"    image credit 14. "Something is different about that one in the middle..." image credit 15. "Okay I give up! You're practically invisible."   image credit

Dubbed the ‘Lassie of the 90’s’, Jack Russell Moose rose to stardom for his role as ‘Eddie Crane’ of hit sitcom ‘Fraiser’.   Moose was born on Christmas Eve 1990 in Lake Country, Florida. He was the last pup born in the litter, but strangely, the biggest. Owners Sam and Connie Thise sold the other three puppies but kept Moose.   Image credit   However, problems soon emerged. Moose was, to put in mildly, wild. He used to climb trees – straight up for about 6 feet, constantly escaped, barked a lot, couldn’t be housetrained, dug holes everywhere, and chewed everything. He also enjoyed rolling around in cow manure, especially after being bathed. He was found chasing horses and cats.   Knowing they were not up to the challenge of caring for the rambunctious Moose, his owners set about finding a new home. This start was rather like Lassie who was given up by his original owners because he was too much to handle.   Struggling to find a family willing to take him on, he was eventually offered to the Florida manager of Birds and Animals Unlimited, a group of animal trainers, Cathy Morrison, as a last resort.   Image credit   For a year and a half, Cathy strived to train the incorrigible Moose. It wasn’t an easy task. She would come home to find him up on the table eating something, or ripping something to pieces in another corner of the house. He was mischief start to finish. But some of the best show business dogs had that kind of spunk and that convinced Cathy to battle on.   When Cathy was about to start marketing Moose as a movie dog, a casting call was put out calling for a small dog to become part of the cast of a new TV show called ‘Fraiser’. He quickly won the role and at just two and a half years old Moose was put on a plane and entered the care of LA trainer Mathilde DeCagny.   Image credit   Moose was found to have a particular talent for staring at Kelsey Grammer fixedly on set and this became a running sight gag in the show.   In order to get Moose to lick and nuzzle on cue, sardine oil was put on actor’s faces and liver pate put behind their ears.   Moose received more fan mail than Fraiser’s human cast members at the height of the show’s popularity. Image credit   With Fraiser’s hit status, concerns began to grow over Moose’s age as the years passed. There were only so many years of his life a dog has the stamina to withstand the demands of a rigorous appearance schedule.   A litter of puppies were bred with Moose as the father, with the hope one could become a stand in for their aging sire. His daughter Miko was thought to be a good option, but never grew large enough, and so was gifted to a technician. A son, Moosie, wasn’t enough of a look-a-like and found a home with Peri Gilpin, the actress who played Roz Doyle. Both dogs however appeared in the show as a litter of puppies ‘Eddie’ was supposed to a have fathered with a neighbour’s poodle. Image credit   Another son Enzo had unusually similar facial markings to his father and so was cultivated as his TV heir. He originally worked as a stunt double, performing more physically challenging tricks as Moose aged. In the eighth season he took over the role in its entirety.   After retirement, Moose spent the last six years of his like in West Los Angeles in the home of Mathilde, her husband and Jill, a fellow canine actor who starred in As Good As It Gets. He died of natural causes at the age of 15 and a half and was mourned around the world.    

1. How they think they look frolicking in the snow. "So powerful, so fast and so all-terrain." Image credit How they really look. "Help, I can't feel my whiskers." Image credit   2. How they think they look in close-up. "Hey girl, can I buy you a glass of cream sometime?"   Image credit   How they really look. "Hey girl... hey girl...wait up I want to ask you something... can you hear me?"    Image credit   3. How they think they look climbing trees. "I'll just be here looking wonderful, sniffing these strategically placed flowers that purrfectly complement my fur."   Image credit   How they really look. "Hurry, get help. My claws can't hold on much longer."   Image credit   4. How they think they look lounging around. "Mmmm so cosy and soft. This sofa and I were meant for each other."   Image credit   How they really look. "Does this sofa make my bum look big? I think it's cut the circulation to my tail"   Image credit 5. How they think they look having drinking. "Oops I have managed a few small, delightful drops of milk on my lips that make me look more adorable."    Image credit How they really look. "Don't blame me, the bowl's too big. Ow ow ow - I think some got in my eye."    Image credit 6. How they think they look enjoying the rain. "John Updike once said, 'Rain is grace; rain is the sky condescending to the earth; without rain, there would be no life.' Such exquisite words.” Image credit How they really look. "Sing in the rain they said. Go jump some puddles. It will be fun they said."    Image credit Feature image credit