Saudi Arabia’s religious police have banned selling dogs and cats and walking them in public. The head of the religious police said the ban was due to:

“the rising of phenomenon of men using cats and dogs to make passes at women and pester families … [and] violating proper behavior in public squares and malls.”

Guess I’m going to have to figure out a new way to approach women next time I vacation in Riyadh…

takepart by following the progress of a renewable energy bill in Congress.

A green puppy was born in New Orleans last week. The puppy is perfectly healthy thus far, just green. Veterinarians say this occasionally occurs when the mother’s amniotic fluid mixes with the placenta during birth, which dyes the coat of the puppy.

Freak occurrences aren’t the only way to get the your dog or cat to go green, however. You can by checking out the blog Great Green Pets, which offers myriad ideas on how to make having a pet more environmentally friendly. Recent posts include information on organic dog biscuits, dog portrait cards on recycled materials and eco-friendly cat toys.

Click here for video of the green puppy—->:

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The chill in the air still says “winter,” but NYC’s Union Square Greenmarket was ablaze today with the happy harbingers of spring: daffodils, pansies, tulips, ranunculus, all blooming their vibrantly hued little heads off. I couldn’t resist taking out my iPhone to snap some shots of all the flower-filled flats.

My floral euphoria was short-lived; I reflexively checked my e-mails, and my heart  sank when I saw one from our friend Jen with the subject heading “Our Dear Lloyd”¦”:

It is with a very heavy heart that I’m telling you that our dear Lloyd passed away yesterday.  I am too tearful to talk on the phone, so please accept this e-mail note instead.

Our precious marmalade cat would have been 18 next month.  I know many people feel their pets are special, but Lloyd was truly unique.  He was meant to be with us.  He literally reached out and poked us at the animal shelter in New York City many years ago — “hey, pick me!””¦

 

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