From a group of birds stopping four lanes of traffic to a hero rescue dog who saved the life of her 84-year-old owner, there have been plenty of pet stories this week.
As well as viral videos and heartwarming animal heroes, we have been putting together our Newsweek Pet of the Week with reader’s submissions.
If you want your pet to be part of next week’s lineup, follow the instructions at the end of this story.
Winner
This week’s winner is Pattie, a rescue Rhodesian ridgeback mix who is being fostered by Tracey Janeski through Maryland’s Reach Out Rescue & Resources.
After being saved from a kill shelter where she ended up as a stray, Pattie was briefly adopted but returned after her adopters realized that she wasn’t fully trained.
“Pattie has been in my foster care since April. She’s trained now and ready for her new home,” Janeski told Newsweek.
A playful and energetic dog, Pattie thrives outdoors and loves to play in the grass. “I had no idea how much she enjoyed the high grass until she took her first dive,” Janeski said. Pattie also loves car rides, especially sticking her head out the window to feel the breeze. “I slow down to keep her safe, but she truly loves the wind in her hair—and teeth,” Janeski added.
Well-socialized, Pattie gets on well with other dogs, and her ideal home would be with an active family who would take her on long walks and hikes. Up to date on shots and familiar with commands such as sit, stay and down, she is searching for the perfect forever home.
Finalists
First up this week is Orville, a rescue dog who is all set for the end of the month in his Halloween costume.
Owner Vicky Greco told Newsweek: “My granddaughter and I got Orville from a shelter. He’s just a wonderful companion.”
Getting him set for the Halloween season, they have decked him out in a hilarious outfit, inspired by the character Pugsley from The Addams Family.
“He’s so funny, such a real personality,” Greco said. “And now he’s ready for Halloween—funniest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Next up this week is Candie Morse’s “fur baby” Kyng, a playful dog who brought lots of joy to her life, but sadly died after falling ill a few months ago.
“I wanted to share a special moment in his remembrance,” Morse told Newsweek, before adding: “We love you, Monster; you took my whole heart when you went but you know you’re always with us.”
Missing her beloved pet dearly, Morse urged others to cherish “every second of every minute” with their own pets.
Last but certainly not least this week is Mike Berry’s beloved dog Asia, who helped him through a heart-wrenching loss.
Asia came into Berry’s life, just days after he lost his wife of 13 years to sudden heart failure in 2022. When Berry was still struggling with grief, a friend visited him one day and handed him a puppy she had found curled up on his doorstep.
At first, Berry hesitated, but he told Newsweek: “I sat down with this baby girl and went to take a picture … I felt immediately like I was loved by this sweet pup, like I’ve known this pit my whole life.”
Asia’s unexpected arrival has led to the two being the best of friends, barely ever apart, and helped Berry cope with a truly heart-wrenching loss. “She’s given me a reason to keep living,” he said.
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