Linus had a rough start in life. He was one of 20 fighting dogs that lived in cramped cages or on short chains attached to posts in Union County, Fla. Last April, the dogs were freed when police, acting on an anonymous tip, broke up the dog-fighting ring, seizing dogs and other property and arresting the dog fighters. (Today)

Adorable is the best way to describe the stray kitten brought to our office last week by good clients who found her in the neighborhood. She was calm, friendly -- and paralyzed. She had deep wounds of unknown origin along her back. Radiographs showed rib fractures, most likely from a bite wound, and she possibly had spinal cord damage. (Today)

There's a new executive director at the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society, and he's just brimming with enthusiasm. "I have the best job in the world!" said David Janusek, 46, of Baldwin Borough. Granted, he's only been on the job since Jan. 1. (01/28/2012)

Surgery went well for a former shelter dog named "Lucky," but he really hated that big plastic collar that his family put around his neck to prevent him from licking, scratching or biting his incision. People call them "cones," "Elizabethan collars" or "e-collars." (01/21/2012)

Fans of Champion Catgo's Sid the Kid Crosby will be happy to hear he'll be back in action next month. The Maine coon cat was a big hit with people who read about him in Pet Tales and went to a cat show to meet him. Sid will be meeting, greeting and competing Feb. 11-12 in two Steel City Kitties shows at the Shoppes at Northway Mall, McKnight Road, Ross. (01/14/2012)