Bred this way! Max the poodle is transformed into outfits of Lady Gaga for hilarious calendar

By HARRIET COOKE

Sausage dog: Max modelling his own version of Lady Gaga's iconic meat dress, which was a sought-after Halloween costume in 2010 Wacky singer Lady Gaga has met her match in the canine world - in a cross-dressing poodle dubbed 'Lay Z Gaga'. Seven-year-old Max was rescued as a stray and now stars in a calendar inspired by the Born This Way singer. The mutt modelled streaky bacon, a blonde wig and lipstick to recreate some of the music idol's most iconic outfits.

Outlandish: Lady Gaga, pictured, at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards in her meat dress The calendar was the brainchild of Lara Jo Regan, 47, who wanted to show off the 'beauty and potential' of stray animals through artwork. She said: 'I tried to imagine what Lady Gaga might fashion herself if she were reincarnated as an aging, lethargic poodle with not much of a wardrobe budget.' Ms Regan, a fine art documentary and filmmaker from Los Angeles, took Max in after he was left homeless during the economic meltdown in 2008.

Colourful: Lay Z Gaga wears a wig, green cape and glasses for the August month of the Bred This Way calendar by Lara Jo Regan She said the 2ft-tall pooch had looked like a ‘former aristocratic drag queen who fell on hard times’. The artist's fascination with animal artwork began in her childhood when she assigned detailed human profiles to her pets based on their looks, behaviours and habits.

Spiky: Max the dog modelling a design worn by Lady Gaga, with a matching bone She added: 'Artists trying to show the extraordinary qualities in things other people may dismiss or dispose of is nothing new - I'm just applying it to stray and otherwise unwanted animals.' Lady Gaga and her outlandish, colourful outfits proved a particularly fertile ground for this project.

Ice cool: Lady Gaga's strikingly spiky outfit was recreated by Max the dog

Glammed-up: Max the dog modelling the singer's famous firework outfit The singer's meat dress - a creation made from six pieces of sewn-together steak teamed with a matching meat hat and bag - was a sought-after Halloween costume when it first appeared in 2010. At the time, it came with a warning that it would last for a maximum of three hours before distergrating - but for Max, it seemed the the toughest challenge was not eating it. The 2013 calendar can be bought at www.layzgaga.com source: dailymail

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The paw-fect entrance: Dancing poodles dressed as ballerinas welcome visitors to the world's most bizarre pet show

By DANIEL MILLER

Paws for applause: Two poodles stand up on their hind legs to welcome visitors to the annual Pets Cultural Festival in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province A pair of pampered poodles spring up on their hind legs to perform an awkward dance and welcome visitors to the world's wackiest pet show. This is the three-day Pets Cultural Festival extravaganza in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province where everything you can imagine, and a lot you can't, is available for your four-legged friend. China is now home to some of the most obsessed pet lovers in the world and owning a dog, especially an expensive rare breed, is a huge status symbol.

Devotion: China is now home to some of the most obsessed pet lovers in the world and owning a dog, especially an expensive rare breed, is a huge status symbol The show's slogan is 'a mutual zone for pets and residents' but humans were clearly taking a back seat and letting their furry friends take centre stage. Immaculately-groomed pooches, dressed in extraordinary outfits, sniffed out the very latest in designer pet accessories. Among the items on sale was a bewildering array of dog clothes with something for every size and shape from the tiniest Chihuahua to the burliest St Bernard.

A golden retriever has a good sniff of a winner's trophy after being voted best in its class while the dancing poodles continue to strut their stuff

Fashion statements: Pet owners dote over their small dogs dolled up in a selection of outrageous outfits including doggie jeans and even a doggie Union Jack T-shirt The festival boasts eight zones inlucing a sports centre, make-up street, movie room, pets club, knowledge site, clinic and even a pets theme park with its own ‘water world'. Visitors can wonder at more than 40 types of small animals from all over the world at the 'rare animal show' while a cute puppy competition drew the crowds at the sports centre. With a huge amount of pride at stake - impartial referees were brought in from Hong Kong to judge the fittest and the most beautiful dog.

Pedigree chums: A pampered pooch tests out the latest in designer dog beds while its friends model the latest wacky fashions source: dailymail

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Casper the fat cat who used to gorge on chicken and roast potatoes loses half his weight - pictured AFTER his diet

By PAUL CHRISTIAN

Still a handful: Cuddly Casper pictured AFTER his diet with owner Christine Collins

A fat cat which became so obese he couldn’t even turn his head to clean himself is feline better after losing - HALF his body weight.
Over-indulged Casper ballooned to a whopping 22.4lbs (10.2kg) - twice his recommended size - after being pampered with treats like chicken and roast potatoes.
The mega-moggy even stole food from owner Christine Collins’ terrified terrier Timmi to feed his appetite.

Left, Casper at 22.4lbs before losing the weight and right, a slimmed-down Casper as he is now at 13.8lbs

Casper struggled to walk at his heaviest, could not jump and had to be washed by hand as he was unable to lick himself clean.
But last year Christine, 54, decided to take action and put him on a special diet.
Six months later Casper is half the size and now weighs in at a relatively slender 13.8lbs (6.3kg).
But the former rescue cat still cuts a fairly roly poly figure despite his dieting success.

Casper the enormous cat before shedding half his bodyweight. He became so fat he could no longer turn his head to clean himself and weighed 22.4lbs

Christine, from Edinburgh, said today: 'He couldn’t jump on the sofa and he used to waddle when he walked.
'He used to eat everything, roast potatoes, chicken, and he even used to steal the dog food from my Jack Russell.
'He was so heavy I couldn’t even pick him up. He was massive.
'I had to wash him because he couldn’t reach past his stomach to clean himself.
'Now he’s lost the weight, but I have to stay vigilant to keep him away from food which is difficult because now he can jump. But he’s much happier.'

Following his crash diet Casper's agility is returning

Christine rescued Casper when he was four weeks old and weighing just a pound after finding him neglected in a house over-run with cats.
She nursed him back to health but over-indulged him with a constant supply of treats.
At his heaviest Casper was eating 150 grams of cat food a day, on top of treats and stolen food.
She added: 'When I found Casper home he was so small he fit in the palm of my hand.
'It only took me a month to get him back to a normal weight but then things went too far and over the years he just became greedy.'

Looking up: The future looks brighter for Casper after his dramatic weight loss

source: dailymail

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Cute in boots! Injured hedgehog Bootsie gets his own purple footwear after being found with fractured front feet

By ANNA EDWARDS

Cute in boots! The little hedgehog is making a recovery after he was discovered with injured wrists by a group of children

Discovered hobbling about on fractured feet, this prickly creature was in agony.
But after being taken to an animal hospital, he is well on his way to recovery - and sporting some fancy-looking footwear in the process.
Nicknamed Bootsie, this little hedgehog is currently being cared for by staff at Tiggywinkles wildlife hospital in Buckinghamshire.

The height of fashion: He is currently being cared for by staff at Tiggywinkles wildlife hospital in Buckinghamshire

The young male was taken to the wildlife hospital by a group of worried children after he was found with fractured front feet in Pinner, Middlesex.
Les Stocker Tiggywinkles founder said: 'Bootsie was found walking on his knuckles because his wrists were injured.
'We reset the wrists and plastered the legs and he now has a shallow food bowl to make it easier to eat.

Bootsie was found walking on his knuckles because his wrists were injured, but they have now been reset

'I've nicknamed him Bootsie because he looks like he is wearing little boots made from the bandages.
'He is doing very well. We'll assess his legs in two weeks time for any improvement.'
Animal lovers can help injured hedgehogs by know how to spot one that needs medical attention.
Epping Forest Hedgehog Rescue has guidelines to help recognise the symptoms of a hedgehog in trouble.
Any hedgehog seen out in daylight will need urgent help, any cut or wound needs quick attention, and if it has any maggots or flies crawling on it, it requires treatment.

Bootsie, who was X-rayed as staff tried to find out what was wrong with him, will be assessed in two weeks

If a hedgehog is limping or walking strangely it needs help, as does any that look very thin or wobbly or has bald patches or missing spines.
If you see a baby hedgehog or any small hedgehog weighing less than about 500 grams, or is about the size of a large orange or small grapefruit, at any time that is out on its own, pick it up, carefully put it into a box with food and water and contact your local rescue centre for help and advice.

source: dailymail

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Well that's one way to get your five-a-day! Cheeky chimp steals all his friends' carrots

By JILL REILLY

Greedy: This cheeky chap is well on the way to having his five a day - after stealing an entire meal of carrots and chomping his way through the whole lot

This greedy chimpanzee is well on the way to having his five-a-day - after stealing an entire meal of carrots and chomping his way through the whole lot.
After the mammoth meal was thrown in for him and his friends by zoo keepers, the greedy animal proceeded to collect them all before dashing off to eat them on his own. But there were so many he could barely hold them all - and had to stuff half of them in his mouth as he didn't want to leave them behind.

Caught on camera: The hilarious moment was captured by keen photographer Susi Fischer, 45, who couldnt believe her eyes while on a trip to Neuwied Zoo in October

When one fell out his mouth he wasn't prepared to leave it behind and stopped before picking it up with his foot.
He then ran off and scoffed his haul into his mouth before he could be challenged.
The hilarious moment was captured by keen photographer Susi Fischer, 45, who couldn't believe her eyes while on a trip to Neuwied Zoo in Germany last month.

Time to eat: Ms Fischer: 'He scooped up the lot and ran off with them all for himself. The others didn't seem too annoyed, or at least they didn't show it as he was the alpha male'

Susi, from Weisenheim am Sand, Germany, said: 'It was just feeding time like any other day only he must he much have been more hungry than usual.
'He scooped up the lot and ran off with them all for himself. The others didn't seem too annoyed, or at least they didn't show it as he was the alpha male.
'It was really funny so I started snapping away with my camera. I don't think I'll ever see something this funny again.'

Quick: In a rush to get them away from everyone else the chimpanzee dropped one out his mouth and picked it up with his toes

source: dailymail

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No entry... this is a trunk road: Terror of safari Britons as bull elephant overturns their car

By REBECCA EVANS

Rampage: The huge bull elephant emerges from the bushes and rambles onto the dirt road towards the small Chevrolet Aveo car in South Africa's Kruger National Park

Getting up close and personal to some of nature’s most fearsome beasts is the main attraction of a safari holiday.
Unfortunately for two British tourists, one elephant took his brief a little too seriously.
The newly engaged couple’s car was rammed, skewered and tossed upside down by the bull elephant, which lashed out after also trying to attack the car in front.

Might of way: The Chevrolet Aveo is now in touching distance of the charging elephant

Trunk road: The huge elephant wanders out onto the road moments before it thrusts its tusks into the little car

Amazingly the couple, who were named locally as Chris Hare and Helen Jennings, both 40, escaped the incident at South Africa’s Kruger National Park with just minor injuries.
Mr Hare said: ‘When I came around the bend, the big guy was right in front of us. He walked towards us and I pulled off the road.
'The elephant appeared to walk past the car but then turned back, pushing a tusk against the passenger door and rolling the car. It was terrifying and I just thought: “But it can’t be possible that this is happening”.’

Look out behind: The angry jumbo charges up behind the Chevrolet Aveo and lifts its rear into the air with its tusks

Calm before the storm: The elephant momentarily backs away from the vehicle

Vasti Fourie, who was travelling in a convoy through the park when she witnessed the attack on the hatchback, said: ‘It charged towards the side of the car, lifted it up with its tusk, dropped it on its roof and calmly walked away.
‘It all happened so quickly. Once we drove around the corner, the driver of the flipped car was kneeled down in shock.

Aftermath: The occupants of the upturned Hyundai Atos were named as British tourists Chris Hare, 40, and fiancee Helen Jennings, also 40

‘I’ve never seen anything like this before in my life and I’m sure they haven’t either.’ Mr Hare and Miss Jennings, from Stockton-on-Tees, are understood to have been spending three days on holiday at the national park before flying on to the city of Durban.
Rangers later said they found blood on the car of the British couple and thought that the elephant might have had a tooth abscess.

Damage: The raging bull elephant thrust its tusk through the passenger door before flipping the Hyundai Atos onto its side

The elephant certainly left its mark on the small Hyundai Atos belonging to two British tourists

It is now being tracked to see if it needs treatment. South Africa National Parks spokesman Reynold Thakhuli warned tourists to take extra care around wild animals and allow nothing to protrude from their cars.
He said: ‘When you see an animal approaching do not panic and try to move away as fast as you can.
‘Elephants can be very dangerous when they feel threatened.’

source: dailymail

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Don't count your chickens - leave the sums to them! Animal lover claims rescued battery hen has eggstraordinary head for maths

By ANDREW LEVY

She would be a great entertainer at a hen party.
The card trick that JJ can perform would leave guests in raptures.
For the rescued battery hen has been taught to count from one to seven – and is currently trying to crack eight. She shows her numeracy by pecking on a playing card the same number of times as the number of hearts, clubs, diamonds or spades printed on it.

Of course, the fact that JJ is rewarded with sunflower seeds every time she gives the right answer might explain her enthusiasm.
Owner Helen Jones, a former boss at a large catering firm, said: ‘I spent many years managing people and training people how to manage. I can honestly say training JJ was much easier.

Eggs-traordinary: JJ the counting chicken taps her beak on it the same as many times as the number printed on the card

‘She really is the most remarkable hen. She is trying to learn how to count to eight but she keeps getting a little confused.
‘She will get there. She is our little [Carol] Vorderman after all.’
Mrs Jones, a landscape gardener from Felmingham, Norfolk, who runs a shelter for rescued chickens, began teaching JJ after watching a BBC2 programme, The Private Life of ... Chickens. It revealed that hens have a good visual memory, enabling them to associate patterns with food rewards.

Hen-spired: JJ with owner Helen Jones who offers her a treat every time the hen counts correctly

She started by showing JJ an ace and tapping the card once with her finger. If the bird pecked the card once, she received a treat. ‘She seemed to take to it very, very well. We were amazed,’ said Mrs Jones.
JJ’s astonishing progress has been achieved in just six weeks.
Mrs Jones added: ‘The other chickens are amazed. They all stand and watch and then want to have a go themselves. One or two have tried it but they don’t seem to get it.’

Rescued: JJ was days from death and is shown here just after being liberated from a battery farm with a broken pelvis

JJ – whose name comes from the initials of Mrs Jones’s husband Justin – was rescued from a battery farm by the British Hen Welfare Trust last summer.
Her number was almost up at that point as she had a broken pelvis at the age of 18 months and was days away from being slaughtered.
Jane Howorth, founder of the Trust, said: ‘Hens are underrated on so many levels ... they are not the bird brains they are so often assumed to be.’

source: dailymail

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Meet the pigs who really can fly (well, nosedive): Farmer claims pond acrobatics makes their bacon taste better

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Triple back-bacon somersault: Huang says he can charge three times as much for his meat as a result of their fitness regime

Olympic diver Tom Daley won't be too worried about the competition, but these thrill-seeking pigs are having a splashing time nonetheless.
Their acrobatics attract visitors from far and wide for their daily plunge into a pond in south China's Ningxiang county.
Huang Demin, who runs the farm in Guanshan village, claims the diving make the pigs healthier and their pork taste better.

Tom Daley, eat your heart out: These pigs show off their diving skills on a farm in China, which, their owner says, makes their meat healthier and tastier

It also makes him happier as he says he can charge three times as much for his meat as a result. He admits some of his animals don't seem to enjoy the experience and he has to push them hard to jump from the 3m platform, according to China Daily.
But at least it brings home the bacon.

Done for the day: Huang Demin herds his animals in their pen after their watery acrobatics

source: dailymail

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Almost human: Photographer's intimate studio portraits that show wild creatures making unnervingly similar gestures to us

By LEON WATSON

These stunning pictures were created by UK-based photographer Tim Flach, who has made a name taking intimate photos of animals

How he got them to sit still, we don't know.
But somehow award-winning UK-based photographer Tim Flach managed it, and this was the result.
The 54-year-old has created a collection of incredible photographic portraits of animals so intimate they reveal the complex emotions of their subjects. And the emotions on show look strikingly familiar to our own.

Mr Flach is known for his highly-stylized animal portraits. His work aims to capture the emotion animals evoke in humans

Almost humanlike: Turned away from the camera, this gorilla was captured for a spectacularly intimate shot

After receiving worldwide attention for his photographs of dogs and horses in projects titled Dogs Gods and Equus, Mr Flach, from London, turned his attention to more exotic creatures.
His latest project, titled More Than Human, consists of intimate studio portraits of various wild animals, from various monkeys and apes to specially-bred featherless chickens.

London-based photographer Tim Flach's latest project, titled More Than Human, consists of intimate studio portraits of various wild animals, from various monkeys and apes to specially-bred featherless chickens

The description of Mr Flach’s work on his website reads: 'Although drawn from different animal species, Tim Flach brings his subjects into such close focus that we begin to read their poses and gestures as we would the body language of a human figure, face or hand [...] We find ourselves irresistibly drawn into a distinctly anthropomorphic tête à tête, suddenly able to see eye to eye with a curiously kindred species whose behavior is not unlike our own.'

Mr Flach has received worldwide attention for his photographs of dogs and horses in projects titled Dogs Gods and Equus, Mr Flach, from London, turned his attention to more exotic creatures

Near naked: A chicken pictured mid-stride with one eye on the camera

Spreading its wings: Up close and personal with a peacock

This portrait of an elephant shows it spouting water from its trunk

Tim Flach brings his subjects into such close focus that we begin to read their poses and gestures as we would the body language of a human figure, face or hand

Sad eyes: This orangutan is pictured gazing out of shot, thoughtfully

A capuchin monkey picks at his finger, and looks surprised (left) while a rare white tiger (right) is intrigued

Mr Flach graduated from the renowned St Martins School of Art in London and has spent the past 20 years working taking pictures for advertising.
He has worked for Adidas, Cirque du Soleil, Jaguar and Sony during his career. But more recently he become known for his highly-stylized animal portraits. His work aims to capture the emotion animals evoke in humans.
To do this, he brings his subjects into such close focus that the viewer begins to read the gestures and body language as we would a human being.
His work has been widely exhibited in the UK, U.S. and Far East and he has also lectured extensively around the world.
The photos will go on display at the Osborne Samuel Gallery in London's Mayfair from December 5 to 21.

A look of concern? A gorilla's orange eyes are seen gazing out in this intimate portrait

Very personal: Two apes enjoy an intimate moment together

A bat looks almost shy as it covers its face from the camera

source: dailymail

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