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After pitching in during a November dog-walking segment on the Today show, Michael Phelps was so smitten with one of the participating shelter dogs that he adopted her. Since then, the Catahoula mix, named Stella, has become pals with Phelps's bulldog, and is learning how to swim just like her owner. –Today in London
A new farm bill being considered by the Senate would impose a sentence of up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine for attending a cockfight or dogfight, as well as a maximum of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine for bringing along a child. Legislators believe the new measures will help reprimand animal fight organizers who have previously been able to disappear into the crowd. –Los Angeles Times
The giant Pacific octopus at Ohio's Akron Zoo chose her name Monday after selecting a ball with Cora printed on the side. Officials held a contest to name the octopus, with 2,200 names submitted, and narrowed the options to three for the octopus to choose from: Cora, Octavia and Scarlet. –Ohio.com
A dog survived a washout on a Milwaukee highway that took the lives of three people. When members of the sheriff's department began clearing out the vehicles, they discovered victim Mary Malinowski's dog, Dukie. "When I heard Dukie had survived the crash, I was shocked. I knew it was my sister's way of telling me she was going to live through him," said Agnes Butke, Malinowski's sister. –TheNorthwestern.com
Gunnar, a 38-year-old gray seal that resided at the Smithsonian National Zoo, died last week. He lived to be much longer than what is normal for the species, around 25-30 years, and was previously employed by the U.S. Navy to conduct underwater maintenance missions during the Cold War. –DCist.com
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