Paw Nation

Rare is it that we get to see what baby mongooses look like, but these four mongoose "pups," as they're called, have moved into the Tropic Zone at New York's Central Park Zoo on public display.

We've loved mongooses since we first read about Rikki-Tikki-Tavi in Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book," but we didn't know much about them. According to the zoo, the "petite African carnivores get their name from the black stripes across their backs," which is great and all, but let's get down to brass tacks: If we visit, can we hold one? Look at those snouts! This calls for cuddle time!


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We know that there are cat people and there are dog people. There are pros and cons to owning either animal. One thing almost any cat person would admit is that their favorite pet is not as keen on performing tricks as their canine counterparts. Yet there are exceptions to every rule. There's no way in the world I'd ever get my cat to do a "barrel roll" like Pancake here. It's not really a barrel roll, of course, but it's about the closest approximation one can expect while grounded. And given the species of the roller, we at Paw Nation remain suitably impressed.



More Viral Video at AOL: Middle School Football Team's Trick Play

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Dog Breed: Gordon Setter

Personality: When Jan Ruggles, manager of the Nodrog Gordon Setter Club of Michigan's website, recently polled the club's members for words that best describe the personality of a Gordon setter, the three most popular responses were friendly, loving and loyal. The American Kennel Club says on its website, "the Gordon setter was originally bred as a personal bird dog, but they are equally at home as companion dogs."

Grooming: Nothing too fancy or arduous is needed. Most of Ruggles's survey-takers advocate "regular" brushing, which to many meant daily, but a few suggested brushings could occur as seldom as once every one or even two weeks. "The Dog Breed Bible" falls somewhere in the middle, advocating "brushing every two to three days." Otherwise, give baths on an as-needed basis (which probably won't be more than a few times per year) and always keep an eye out "to make sure no nasty mats are forming," as these are best dealt with as soon as possible.

Common Health Issues: Nodrog's members note cancer and bloat as two ailments that seem to occur in Gordons more often than other breeds. "The Dog Breed Bible," on the other hand, notes only bloat (aka "gastric torsion") and hip dysplasia as concerns, and gives a typical lifespan of 10 to 12 years.

Here at Paw Nation, we love funny videos and we love pet stories. So we decided to hit the streets to ask dogs (and their owners) about everything from how they were adopted to what was the naughtiest thing they've ever done. It's our weekly video series, "Pet On the Street."

This week we're in Miami asking owners if there is anything they'd like to change about their pet.




KitchenDaily teaches you "Kitchen Basics" in their weekly video series.

If you're considering expanding your clan by adding a canine, do you know what breed is best for your family? You need to look beyond which dog's coat is the same color as your couch, and really ask the important question: which breed's personality is the best fit for your family's lifestyle? With a little help from our friends at the American Kennel Club, including Gina DiNardo, Assistant Vice President of the AKC, we're offering helpful hints for narrowing down your decision.

If you think of your family as:

Super Sporty
Activity level is a major factor in determining the right dog for you and yours. An active family that loves to run and play will find that the border collie is a good match for them. This athletic dog was bred to work, and he'll be happiest with a family that keeps him physically and mentally stimulated.

Very Social
If you're a friendly family with plenty of guests dropping by, your best bet would probably be a sporting breed like the golden retriever, or herding dogs such as the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Why? "They are eager to learn, want to please, are very intelligent, and many are naturally very social," DiNardo tells us.