The last time you brought a date over to your place; did your dog act abnormally? Don’t be surprised because your dog is probably jealous. The strong bond that you built between you and your canine can go deeper into creating a love triangle with your significant other.

Prior to recent studies, dogs were previously believed to not harbor emotions like jealousy, embarrassment, empathy, or guilt. This is quite the contrary as Dr. Friederike Range of the University of Vienna’s neurobiology department has found that “dogs feel intense jealousy when they are unfairly treated compared with other dogs.” “Dogs show a strong aversion to inequity.” The study also involved other animals such as cats, horses, cows, and sheep. “They can suffer simple forms of many emotions we once thought only primates could experience,” says Dr. Paul Morris, psychologist at the University of Portsmouth.

Dr. Morris also found that among dog owners, almost all reported jealous behavior. The dog often tried to pry their owner away from a new lover in the early days of a relationship. Behavioral experts think that the best thing to do is keep their dog’s routine as much as possible when a new partner or child comes along to prevent jealous activity by the dog such as barking or whining.

Hail to the chief! President-elect Barack Obama has many things on his mind from selecting members of his cabinet to finding a solution to the economic collapse. The question that remains is what kind of puppy will he choose for his daughters? Obama’s selection of a dog for his daughters will hinge on a breed that is hypoallergenic and is a shelter dog. “Malia is allergic, so the dog has to be hypoallergenic”, says Obama. Friends of the Peruvian Hairless Dog Association offered the Obamas a Machu Picchu (Peruvian hairless), a bald, hairless, and toothless breed.

Allergy experts say there are no hypoallergenic breeds. Allergy, Asthma & Immunology said, “It’s a common misconception that people are allergic to a dog’s hair, and it is falsely believed that a dog that sheds less will not cause a reaction.” “Allergies to pets are caused by protein found in the animal’s dander (dead skin cells), saliva or urine.” Dr. Anne Marie Ditto, allergist/immunologist at Northwestern University said, “Proteins are carried through the air and inhaled, triggering the allergic reaction.”

Hypoallergenic dogs may not exist but there are many methods to reduce allergy causing dander. Dog products have become more advanced over the years bringing on more cleaning supplies that have similar needs for humans but formulated for pets. Companies like Pet Health Solutions (PHS), Vet Solutions, and even salon shampoo manufacturer John Paul Mitchell have developed dog specific shampoos to ensure your pet a clean and healthy coat.

• Wash the dog weekly; this helps in controlling dander. Use shampoos designed for dogs as human dandruff shampoos can irritate a dog’s skin. Rinse conditioner can also reduce dander and keep the dog’s skin healthy.
• Keep your dog away from the bedroom; people spend a significant amount of time in the bedroom and dander can collect on pillows and covers.
• Wash bedding/clothing in hot water; animal allergens are not easily removed in high temperatures but can help. Hot water can help with allergies and dust mites.
• Hardwood vs. Carpets; carpets can easily collect and hold dander as opposed to solid surface hardwood flooring. Vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters can help clean carpets if replacing your floor isn’t an option.

Eats with one mouth, meows from both.

In the land down under of Perth, Australia, a kitten was born with two faces. The mother had complications during delivery but the kitten appears to be doing well. Currently unnamed, the owner considers calling it Quasi Modo. Nurse, Louisa Burgess said in her 12 year career, she had never seen a two faced cat before. “I have seen cats with two tails and extra legs, but not this,” she said. She also mentioned that, “It has a full tummy and it survived the night so that is a good sign. It seems content, it meows and purrs.”

The kitten is only capable of eating out of one moouth due to a cleft palate. There have been other reports of two-faced kittens. A kitten with four eyes, two noses, and one mouth in Ohio, died five days after. In Texas, a two-faced kitten born in a litter of seven.