dog videos

We’ve had movies on the mind at DogWatch headquarters ever since the Oscars were given out last month in Los Angeles. In addition to catching up on last year’s award winners, the DogWatch Hidden Fences team have been coming up with our list of favorites. Sticking with what we know best, Dog Tails presents the results of our survey of the best dog movies. These 11 films cover a wide range, but all feature unforgettable dogs who have touched our hearts and tickled our funny bones.

The Classics

Lassie Come Home (1943) [G]

Film’s most famous dog made her movie debut in this MGM classic. This version, based on the 1940 novel, takes place in Depression-era rural England. Having fallen on hard times, the Carraclough family is forced to sell their beloved rough collie to a Duke. The family’s young son Joe (Roddy McDowall) is determined to retrieve Lassie, and enlists the help of the Duke’s young niece Priscilla (eleven year-old Elizabeth Taylor). Lassie is played by Pal, the first in a long line of canine actors to portray this loyal family pet. Lassie Come Home is an historic dog film, and one that will still delight the whole family.

101 Dalmatians (1961 and 1996) [G]

Disney has introduced numerous dog characters, but one film stands alone for the sheer number of canine cast members. This film also features the unforgettable villain Cruella De Vil, who wants to steal the titular pups to make a fur coat. Viewers can choose between the 1961 animated classic, or the 1996 live-action version, featuring Glenn Close as De Vil. Either way, you’re bound to enjoy watching these famous spotted dogs outsmart the devilish fashionista and steal your heart in the process.

Old Yeller (1957) [G]

Based on the 1956 book by Fred Gipson, this movie is a classic tear-jerker centering on a boy and his beloved Labrador retriever/mastiff mix. Parents will remember this movie from their childhood, and children seeing it for the first time will never forget it.

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As we begin an New Year (and a new decade!), it seems like a good time to review some of the 2010 highlights. We saw economic struggles, a Winter Olympics, the oil spill in the Gulf, the health care debate, the continued rise of Facebook, and many more unforgettable events. And since there aren’t enough lists at this time of year (just kidding!), we have compiled our own. In the first DogTails post of 2011, DogWatch Hidden Fences gives you our first annual “Dog News Review,” featuring the most memorable dog stories of the past year.

January

One of our favorite dog photos of the year first premiered way back in January. That’s when Maureen Ravelo snapped a photo of her Bichon Frise-poodle enjoying a special treat on his birthday. The resulting photo (shown at left) captured an unbelievably expressive and contented smile on the one year-old dog’s face. The image quickly became a sensation after a friend posted it on the sharing site Reddit.com. For more info on the story, and to see Riley in action, click on the photo to watch a video of the famous dog and his owner on NBC’s “Today” show.

February

One of our favorite parts of Super Bowl XLIV did not actually take place in Miami. While we applaud the New Orleans Saints’ victory, we confess that we didn’t watch all of the pre-game coverage. Instead, we switched over to Animal Planet from 3-5PM, when it aired its sixth annual “Puppy Bowl.” The event, which is even cuter than it sounds, features lots of adorable puppy playing, aerial coverage of the “field”, rabbit cheerleaders and a kitty halftime show. We can’t wait for Puppy Bowl VII – oh, and Super Bowl XLV, too.

March

It was the chomp seen ’round the world. Winston, a Pit Bull-Boxer mix, got loose from his yard and attacked a police car, eventually chewing off the entire front bumper. And it was all caught on tape! The amazing video made headlines around the world, and sent Winston to the shelter for a few weeks before being released to his family. The trainers supported his owners’ claim that Winston is a “sweet dog,” but a judge did order obedience training for the powerful pup. Winston’s owner promises that Winston will be “a model citizen” from now on – but just in case, he will add some extra protection in his yard in case a police car drives by again.

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Last week in DogTails, we had a great time profiling our favorite social media all-star pets.  Continuing with the theme of pet-centric social media, this week we want to share our opinions on a few of the most popular social sites and applications for pet owners.

We love how these tools now allow users to share their pets’ stories, photos and videos, and connect with fellow furry friends around the world.  These sites are entertaining, informative, and a great way to keep your friends near and far up-to-date on your pet’s cutest, funniest, sweetest and craziest moments.  We hope you’ll enjoy our reviews, and try one out for yourself and your pet! Who knows, maybe they’ll be the next social media pet stars!

Dogbook

Facebook is the most popular social media site on the planet, and this fun application allow you to share information with your fellow pet owners without leaving the site.  Created in 2007, Dogbook allows owners to create their own mini-pages for their pets.  Like a regular Facebook profile, a Dogbook profile include pictures, status updates, lists of friends (human, canine or other animal) and even location tracking.

But what about your other animals?  Don’t worry, there are apps for them too.  Catbook, Horsebook, Birdbook, Ferretbook, Rodentbook and Fishbook are all there and ready to use.  The apps’ creators have also developed an iPhone app exclusively for Dogbook users.  It allows them to see where their dog’s “friends” are and meet up for a playdate.  (Watch this video for more details.)

Dogbook is easy to use, and is a great way to connect with your pet-owning friends and meet new friends across the globe.  You can join groups based on breed or geography or any other characteristic you choose. There are currently over 2 million users on Dogbook and another 1 million on Catbook.  That’s quite a crowd!

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