$DOG

Priests at Malate Church in Manila blessed dogs, cats and other pets as worshippers brought their animals to the altar for the traditional blessing marking the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. Lines of pet owners filled the church grounds, with wagging tails and occasional barks accompanying the short blessings. The annual ceremony is a popular tradition in the predominantly Catholic Philippines.

A Halloween-themed Bluey mix-and-match story, presented as a read-aloud book for children and toddlers, is drawing a large audience during the Halloween season. The content features the popular Australian cartoon dog Bluey, aimed at young children, and is circulating alongside kids' songs and learning material. Families appear to be using it as seasonal entertainment for toddlers.

A runner is tracking daily 5k morning runs with their dog, Lumi, sharing progress charts to see whether the dog's average pace improves over time, just as it would for a human training regularly. The post is being shared within running and fitness communities online.

A corgi named Clementine was filmed hopping along as it played fetch on an island off the Maine coast, with its owner joking in song that the spot was 'not very close to the ocean'. The lighthearted clip is drawing warm reactions from dog lovers, with hashtags celebrating corgis and pets across the fediverse.

A senior dog has gone viral for its 'Turbo Tuesdays' routine, in which the older pet breaks into joyful bursts of energy known as zoomies. Videos of the weekly sprints have been shared widely, with viewers charmed that a dog of its age still has such playful moments.

An artist who usually works in pixel art has recreated one of their designs using traditional techniques, sharing the finished piece online. The artwork features a dog skeleton in a candy-skull style, decorated with flowers in green tones. Fellow art fans are responding positively to the crossover between digital and traditional styles.

Archaeologists report that a 3,500-year-old dog from ancient Egypt carried a unique name connected to Anubis, the jackal-headed god of the underworld. The finding highlights the deep spiritual association Egyptians saw between dogs and the afterlife. Readers of history and archaeology communities are sharing the story, drawn to the rare glimpse of how ordinary animals were commemorated and how closely pets could be tied to religious belief.

A new combined dog park and beer garden has opened in Columbia, South Carolina, giving residents a spot where pets and drinks mix. The venue is being promoted as a fresh leisure destination for the city, with local coverage offering a first look inside the space. Details on amenities, location and opening hours are drawing early interest from locals.

Baseball fans are trading lists of free food and drink promotions tied to MLB teams on October 4, 2026. Deals include free Mountain Dew Baja Blast for Milwaukee Brewers fans, free custard from Culver's for the LA Dodgers, a free Jumbo Jack from Jack in the Box, a $7 Panda Express plate, and a free Dodger Dog with a 16oz Coca-Cola from ampm.

Actress Elizabeth Hurley says she skips the gym, instead relying on what she calls 'found fitness' — folding exercise into activities she already loves, such as gardening, walking her dogs and working on her farm. The approach ties her health habits to everyday pleasures rather than structured workouts, and her comments are drawing attention as a low-effort alternative to traditional fitness routines.

Sylvester Stallone, marking his 80th birthday, looks back on five decades since 'Rocky' launched him to fame in 1976, telling the Jamaica Gleaner, 'I am a lucky dog.' The actor's reflective comments come as the film's anniversary prompts fresh appreciation of its unlikely journey from low-budget underdog story to enduring cultural landmark.

An artist is sharing a custom foiled drawing of Asahi, a white dog, presenting the pet portrait as their latest artwork. The piece, tagged with dog and art topics, showcases a foil technique applied to an illustration of the dog. The work is drawing modest attention from art and animal lovers as the creator promotes their custom commissions.

A church in Marion held its annual blessing of pets, an event where animals are brought by their owners to receive a blessing. The ceremony is part of a tradition honoring St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, typically held around his feast day in early October. Local coverage highlighted the congregation gathering with dogs, cats and other pets for the service.

A police dog has been introduced to its new robot colleagues, according to Xinhua reporting. The encounter between the live animal and robotic units highlights the growing role of automated machines in police and security work alongside traditional service dogs. The pairing of organic and robotic partners has drawn attention as a symbol of how technology is entering everyday law enforcement operations.

A Japanese dog owner shared the story of a dog that once lived as a stray in the mountains, now grown to a hefty 30 kilograms, alongside photos of it as a puppy. Readers flooded the comments saying they fell for the puppy pictures, with many remarking that the transformation from a wild stray to a big, well-fed pet felt almost unbelievable.

A travel feature makes the case for a small mountain town in California, arguing it is worth visiting in every season. The quirky hook drawing attention: the town's honorary mayor is a dog. Readers are sharing the story as a charming off-the-beaten-path travel recommendation.

A German Shepherd leapt from a boat into the ocean to swim alongside a group of dolphins. The unusual encounter, captured as the dog paddled out to join the marine mammals, is drawing attention for the animal's boldness and the rare sight of a dog and dolphins sharing the water.

A lighthearted series called 'Dogfirmations' featuring two dogs, Doofie and Dingus, is sharing daily affirmations alongside dog photography, with the latest instalment declaring that 'Groovy Dingus feels great, he's in the groove.' The project pairs cute dog photos with nature imagery and positive messaging, and links to a site where new entries are published regularly.

A home cook shared a budget take on French cassoulet, admitting the dish was really beans and rice with hot dogs rather than the traditional slow-cooked bean and meat stew. The joke of renaming it 'assoulet' is drawing amusement, with people sharing simple one-pot and pressure-cooker meals in a lighthearted food conversation.

A runner admits skipping a proper route check the night before a run, and ended up planning a path straight past a nearby farm and shooting range. The range is audible from their home when the wind blows from a certain direction, and the detour meant carrying their dog Penny uphill. The anecdote is being shared as a light-hearted running mishap.