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Dog's 'Pure Joy' as Owner Sets Up Splash Pad in Yard Wins Pet of the Week
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A week filled with fun videos of puppies trying to master the stairs and a friendly doggy neighbor making his rounds brightened our social media timelines, but a few of our readers' pet videos and pictures stood out.
Check out our latest winner and finalists for this week's Pet of the Week line-up.
Be sure to follow the instructions at the end of the story to submit your pet to be in the running.
Winner
Photos of Camden, the rescue dog who is obsessed with playing in water toys, won Newsweek's Pet of the Week.
Photos of Camden, the rescue dog who is obsessed with playing in water toys, won Newsweek's Pet of the Week.
Courtesy of Debi Kleiman
This week's Pet of the Week winner is Camden, a "supermutt" dog obsessed with playing in the water.
Camden's owner, Debi Kleiman, will place a splash pad out for him with water shooting out like a fountain all around the perimeter. He'll jump through the water, back-and-forth, again and again, showing nothing but "pure joy." He'll play until it turns off, Kleiman told Newsweek via email.
"During this escapade, he played for 20 minutes straight until he busted it," she said. "We were able to repair it."
Camden will trade in a chewing toy or stuffed animal for any game that spouts out water, such as hoses, gutters, faucets or sprinklers. But the one in the video is by far his favorite, Kleiman said.
"Camden is 100% fun and love, he is always happy," Kleiman said. "...We were so lucky to find him, he always makes us laugh."
Finalists
Thelma and George, two rescue Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz mixes from Spain.
Thelma and George, two rescue Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz mixes from Spain.
Susanne Dickmann
After seeing animal shelters desperate for adopters as the COVID-19 pandemic ramped up, Susanne Dickmann and her family stepped up to adopt George and Thelma, who earned a spot as one of our finalists for this week.
George and Thelma are Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz canines, Dickmann told Newsweek via email. Also known as the Andalusian terrier, these dogs were bred to help protect vineyard wine cellars from potential rat infestations.
"They have a lovely, calm, affectionate disposition and are the perfect family dogs," she said.
A photo of Shaggy, the Schnauzer mix, who is a therapy dog in Florida.
A photo of Shaggy, the Schnauzer mix, who is a therapy dog in Florida.
Monica Terrazas
A Schnauzer mix earned our next spot in our finalists section. Monica Terrazas adopted him from the Humane Society in Dania Beach, Florida, after he was dropped on her lap at work during an event that brought in shelter dogs.
"As soon as I took a walk outside my office, the HR director placed a puppy in my arms," Terrazas said. "She basically told me that he was adorable and that if I didn't take him home, then she would."
She welcomed Shaggy home where he's quickly adjusted with her other dog, a 9-year-old named Kiki. Kiki has been showing Shaggy the ropes of how to be a dog, while also easing his fears and anxieties.
With endless training, Shaggy is now a therapy dog and has earned a Canine Good Citizen certification.
Photos of the animals a woman in Arizona helps rescue and rehabilitate.
Photos of the animals a woman in Arizona helps rescue and rehabilitate.
Courtesy of Ellie
Last but not least, we are highlighting the rescue cats one woman has saved through the years.
Ellie of Arizona has spent years dedicating her time and energy to helping animals. She volunteered at a local no-kill cat shelter.
Since 2000, she's been working with numerous cats, helping to feed and medicate them. She especially focuses on the sick and elderly felines that are often overlooked.
If you think your pet could be next week's Newsweek "Pet of the Week," send us your funny and heartwarming videos and pictures of your pet, along with a bit about them to life@ and they could appear in our "Pet of the Week" lineup.
