PITTSTON, Pennsylvania: Everybody needs a good back rub at the end of a long, hard day's work.

Aching muscles, stiff joints, cowboy-like bowed legs... anyone who has ever gone for a nice long ride on horseback knows these feelings all too well. And that's just the riders.

LOS ANGELES, California: Proof that one is born every day, a mystery bidder has paid $305 on ebay for a can of organic dog food once owned by hotel heiress and socialite Paris Hilton.

And if that wasn't enough, the can was empty. Paris's beloved pet Chihuahua 'Tinkerbell' was unavailable for comment.

That little bundle of feline sitting and purring next to you might actually be a secret internet star.

A rash of funny feline photographs have flooded the worldwide web recently - and your seemingly innocent little kitty-cat might just be part of this latest online phenomenon.

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania: When you use the words 'Nora' and 'music' in a sentence, it's a safe bet you'd be referring to singer/songwriter Norah Jones and not a humble pussycat.

But that's about to change. Make way for the latest 'Nora' music sensation sweeping the world - Nora, the piano-playing cat!

TOCHIGI, Japan: Local dog owners have taken their obsession with their pets to new heights - with the opening of the very first canine nursing home.

BRYAN, Texas: June 22 could be your chance to join the growing global trend of taking your pet dog to work with you.

MISSOURI: Wormed? Check. Flea collar? Check. Neutered? Check. Canine testicular implants? Erm, check.

Neutering can be a difficult process for both dog and owner to undergo. While it is an essential step for many pets to enjoy a happy stress-free life with their families, the guilt pet owners can feel over the pain and disfigurement such a procedure may cause can leave owners wondering whether they did they right thing.

JERUSALEM, Israel: A man got more than he bargained for when he cuddled his pet cat one night in bed - only to discover it was in fact a leopard.

Authorities have warned the number of leopards approaching and even attacking humans is on the increase, especially in countries such as India.

SAN DIEGO, California: Limited edition, a one-year warranty and a 12-month wait - the new designer 'super breed' Ashera might just make your tabby obsolete.

TOYAMA, Japan: Is Fido looking a bit frantic? Is Mittens moping? At your wits end trying to work out why?

Well don't worry, help is at hand. A company has come up with a way of determining whether your beloved pet is suffering from that blight of our fast-paced society - stress.