NEW SOUTH WALES, Australia: Good police dogs are hard to find. So hard, in fact, that the New South Wales Police Force Dog Unit is 'making' them instead.

MILAN, Italy: Move over Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff - this summer, Italy's busiest beaches are being patrolled by four-legged lifeguards. Canine lifeguards, that is.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah: Meet Ross, the newest reading teacher to grace the national elementary public school system. Kids look forward to his reading classes. He is patient, unbiased, and loves kids very much. Instead of a pay check, he gets paid by treats and an occasional ear and belly rub.

SYDNEY, Australia: Whenever you get into a fight and you spend all night crying, who sits quietly by your bed keeping you company? Your dog. When that special someone is not around and you need to talk, who listens to you no matter what? Your cat.

PERRY, Florida: Millions of dogs end up in animal shelters on death row and are euthanized every year for lack of basic training and a little love. Now an innovative new program is not only giving these unlucky canines a second chance - it is also giving convicted felons a chance at rehabilitation and to repay a small part of their debt to society.

SYDNEY, Australia: They're tough, they're ready, they're Australia's newest breed of law enforcers. And they're worth $A90,000 ($72,000) each.

LAS VEGAS, Nevada: Glistening red blood is spattered on the wall, pieces of broken glass litter the floor. And lying on the battered couch, with eyes still wide open, is a body - limp and lifeless. Music slowly fades in.

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island: After attending to a patient, the nurse's aide excused herself, carrying an armful of dirty linen on her way out. As she opened the door of Room 310, she noticed the fluffy, grey-and-white brindled cat waiting just outside. "Hello Oscar," she said. "Are you going inside?"

ENGLEWOOD, Colorado: It seemed like just another weekend for you and Sasha, your Golden Retriever. More than just an animal companion, your pet has been a family member for over 15 years now- and you remember having her since you were a kid.

SAN BERNARDINO, California: They say curiosity kills the cat. But one particularly inquisitive feline has survived 18 days without food or water after sticking its nose where it didn't really belong.