Photo by Nelson Chenault, USA Today

For some, it is very difficult to cope with the loss of a pet. You miss seeing your favorite fur-pal wandering around your home every day. But what if you could keep your pet, looking just as cute and happy as ever, even after he passes?

Taxidermy is typically a freeze-drying process that preserves the animal, keeping it in a life-like position so that it can be put on display. As more pet owners choose taxidermy as an option to commemorate their late pets, Animal Planet has been inspired to come out with their new reality TV show, American Stuffers.

How much does it cost? At Xtreme Taxidermy in Romance, Arkansas, the shop featured in Animal Planet’s new show, the basic price starts at $725 for any pet up to 10 pounds and an additional $49 for each extra pound. The process can take up to six months.

So what do you think, would you preserve your pet with taxidermy?

Read the full article on USA Today.

This is Callie. She was found by our local pound at 6 weeks of age inside of a plastic bag. Despite this rough start to life, she has grown into the most loving dog around. She makes sure that nobody ever feels lonely and loves to sneak kisses or even give suprise wet willies to unsuspecting guests. She has given me a lot and I hope to always be able to give her the care she deserves which is why I signed her up for Trupanion soon after getting her. I keep getting all the kisses and unconditional love I could ask for, and feel good knowing I have done all I can to make sure it lasts for as long as possible!

Wow that is such an incredible story. Thank you so much for rescuing Callie and giving her a much better life, Amanda!

Nominate your pet for Pet of the Week by clicking here!

TLC introduces new show “I Cloned My Pet,” about people who were willing to pay big bucks to preserve the essence of their beloved furball.

A fisherman kayaking in the Gulf of Mexico finds a stray dog paddling in the water and rescues him. The injured dog, Barney, was brought to a veterinarian where he was nursed back to health and reunited with his deceased owner’s family.

Lucy the 2.5 pound Yorkshire Terrier was named the Guinness Book of World Record’s smallest working dog.

Jazzi the Lhasa Apso ran away from home on New Year’s Eve due to a firework scare and spent the night on railroad tracks. Several trains went over her but she came out unscathed.

Scientists explain why dogs’ paws can withstand extremely cold temperatures.

A 33,000-year-old domestic dog skull was found in Siberia, suggesting that the history of domesticated dogs is much more complicated than previously thought.

He posted the following photo with the comment: “Monty. Deep brown eyes, noble demeanor, finest dog ever. A sad day. Goodbye Big Boy.”

We at Trupanion extend our deepest sympathies to Mr. Hanks, as we know no matter who you are, the loss of a pet is a devestation that is universal.

Follow Tom Hanks on Twitter at @tomhanks, Dog Files at @dogfiles, and Trupanion at @Trupanion. You can see the announcement on Dog Files here.

Mandy

I got Mandy when she was about 8 months old. A family member bought her as a pet and after a few weeks realized it was too much responsibility. I was told she was going to be placed on Craig’s list! I loved her and didn’t want to see her end up in the wrong hands or find out she was sent from home to home. So I immediately said I’ll take her. I already had two dogs a Maltese named Max, and a Poodle named Missy. Mandy loved my home and my other dogs and was happy and content from day one! She was a handful but learned the rules fast.. Thanks to Missy my poodle. I’m happy to say she is a good loving and smart dog and I’m so happy to have her! She is also insured by Trupanion!

Mandy is such a cutie pie and I’m so glad to hear that you were able to give her a forever home!
To learn more about nominating your pet for Pet of the Week, click here!

Keeping your pet safe and sound this year is a task worthy of topping everyone’s to-do lists! Whether you’re looking to make your entire home safer, protect your pet from chilly winter weather or work on their general safety, these few tips should help you get started and point you in the right direction.

• Home Security: If you don’t already have a security system, or if you’re not using the system you already have, learning to properly utilize it can keep you and your pet safe round-the-clock. And, while you may not consider ADT important to your pet’s safety, a lot of the features offered can help you monitor your home while you’re away. You can change lights and temperature or monitor cameras to keep an eye on your pet and keep them comfortable. You can also ensure that your doors and windows are closed and know for sure that your pet is inside.
• Monitor Exposure to Cold Weather: Be sure that you’re not giving your pet too much outdoor exposure. While pets definitely need to get some fresh air here and there, limiting exposure to about thirty minutes at a time and giving your pet a chance to go inside and warm up or drink water is the best way to make sure they get exercise, but stay safe. Be sure to give animals with short or fine fur a sweater or booties to keep them warm while they play. Also, if your pet has arthritis, check with your vet about what you can do to ease their pain, as it increases in colder weather.
• Proper Identification: If you don’t have your pet micro-chipped or if you’d rather not, having them outfitted in a collar and tag with your contact information is a must. Always be sure their tag is properly affixed before going out to play, or for a walk.
• Pet Insurance: Investing in pet insurance is a great way to ensure that your pet is healthy, safe and happy. You can choose your coverage and be reimbursed for charges, have medications covered and be sure that your pets are protected in the event of an accident.
• Outdoor Pets: If you have an outdoor pet, take extra care before the bitter cold weather sets in to make sure their shelter is in good condition. Check for leaks, cracks that let wind in or any moist spots. Change out the bedding and maybe include a heated floor mat or generous bed of straw for warmth. Avoid using heat lamps as these can be dangerous or catch fire. Check throughout the winter, especially during severe weather to be sure that their accommodations are holding up. Check their water frequently to be sure it doesn’t freeze over and invest in a heated water bowl if necessary. Outdoor pets will also need extra food calories to help sustain their body temperature, so keep them well fed.

With these tips, you’ll be on your way to keeping your pet safe, happy and healthy all year long and be sure to get started sooner rather than later!

At what age did your children become pet owners?

How cute are these pictures? Do you have children and pets who get along this well?

Guinness came to us as a foster dog back in July. As first time doggy foster parents, we really hadn’t intended to keep him but in no time at all he was a part of the family, and we couldn’t bear to give him up.

Guinness is easily the most affectionate dog we’ve ever known. He has great fun playing with other dogs, but he loves to be with people best; he wants nothing more than to cuddle up next to you, or to place his head in your lap and go to sleep. If given half the chance he’ll give kisses until your face is raw, and he wants his pack to be together, to the point that he now tries to herd us into the same room if we’re in different parts of the house! When he’s happy he wags his tail so hard we call it the “deadly weapon” – he’s even broken a branch on the Christmas tree with it!

A curious explorer, Guinness loves to be in the middle of the action, whatever it is. He loves riding in the car, and will even jump in the back for a nap if we’re not going anywhere. He occasionally gets into mischeif, and he’s sometimes too smart for his own good, but after a rough start to life it’s wonderful to see him learning how to be a dog again. Give him a treat, his favourite ball and a belly rub, and he’s the happiest pup in the world.

We are grateful every day that Guinness joined our family and found his forever home with us!

Guinness is such a gorgeous dog! Thanks, Jennifer, for letting us share all of these beautiful photos on our blog.

Would you like to see your pet on our blog? Just e-mail a picture (or a few) and a bio to socialmedia@trupanion.com!

Here are some of our favorite responses:

Graeter and Tristan

My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Tristan’s favorite thing is to ride in Graeter’s my Bernese Mountain Dog’s decorated Christmas Cart ! -Cathi D.

Yogi

I am going to have to say his favorite thing about the holidays is wrapping paper. He loves to try to attack it while I am wrapping gifts and he just found out the joy of having lots of paper on the floor to use for his confetti making business (which I swear he is planning to open) as a group of friends exchanged gifts recently. Oh the joy a pile of paper brings to my pup! -Laura F.

My dogs favorite thing about the holidays is SANTA!!!!!! -Rayna P.

We give them a special tweet on Christmas Eve at midnight and we thank them for being good and faithful friends. – Kelly Ann T.

My dogs love that they’re the center of Christmas. They get the most treats and presents. My parents dog loves hamsters that move and my pug just like treats, treats, treats! -Treania W.

Duke, my pet Doberman’s, favourite thing to do is unwrap all of his and others’ presents from under the Christmas tree while I’m sleeping. He proceeds to destroy some of them, and force me to re-wrap others! But then he looks at me with a ribbon taped to his cheek and wrapping paper lodged in his lips… and all I can do is laugh. -Sep B.