Issue #11
It’s National Pet Month. Reward your pup with the freshest, most nutritious, delicious treats on the market. Here’s what’s in this month’s Real Pet Food box: chicken hearts, beef liver, mussels, lamb weasand, pig skin, turkey neck. Got a shellfish allergy? Let us know and we’ll be happy to replace them with something else.
The dog sitting and walking monopoly. The Seattle-based pet-sitting and walking site Rover.com has agreed to acquire DogVacay in an all-stock deal. The move marks an end to competition between the two firms, which together did more than $150 million in bookings last year. Both companies charge a 20% fee to connect pet owners to vetted sitters online, and offer related services like dog walking. Meanwhile, Wag, another competitor on the block quietly [raised $19M in series A and B funding.
](http://www.vcnewsdaily.com/wag%21/venture-capital-funding/hhktnxzwmq)
Remember that viral video if a United Airlines' passenger being forcibly removed from the plane last week? More people have been scrutinizing the airline's actions - by sheer number, United has had more "pet incidences", which refers to injuries, deaths, and losses, than any other major airline. There have been 4 injuries and 9 deaths.
Researchers are developing sensors to track how guide dogs react to potentially stressful situations. Whether they’re guiding a visually impaired person or working as an assistance dog with someone who has autism, guides are required to operate in tense situations and manage complex scenarios. Using a range of sensors — for detecting parameters such as motion, temperature, respiration, and ECG — will allow for a better understanding of each guide dog’s health and level of stress.
'Extinct' mountain dogs rediscovered in the wild. The New Guinea highland wild dog was thought to have gone extinct, but researchers have finally confirmed the existence of a healthy, viable population in the Papua province of western New Guinea. Thought to be among the rarest species of canine, DNA evidence suggests that the New Guinea highland wild dog is among the most primitive canines alive today and it may [be a key ancestor of domesticated dogs.
](http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/03/new-guinea-dogs-found-extinct-pictures-animals/)
Rat-borne disease killing dogs in New Jersey. Veterinarians in the state say they have seen a rise this year in dogs who have contracted leptospirosis — a bacterial infection that is transmitted through rat urine. At least 3 dogs died and 2 others were sickened by the disease. There is a vaccine and once antibiotic therapy begins, the level of the organism in the urine decreases quite rapidly. Dogs may be exposed to the infection after lapping up puddle water, so take heed during outdoor walks or at dog parks. Symptoms in dogs are marked by fever, loss of appetite and urination problems.
A new study finds that wolves may be ‘redomesticating’ themselves into dogs. The study looks at how changing the diet of predators could affect their size and social behaviors. As wolves have been increasingly dining on livestock and human garbage instead of their wild prey, the study suggests they may be repeating history and perhaps becoming a new breed of dog. But given today’s industrialized societies, bringing wolves closer to humans may actually cause conflict with disastrous consequences for both. Fascinating!
Puppies. Because it’s National Pet Month. And, because...puppies.