We love when anyone wears our gear, but we also love when people feel the need to write about it on their social media! ATA was recently featured on AStylePixie.com. A Style Pixie is a Los Angeles based style blog created by Erika Fermina, stylist, model, feminist, and full time nerd. We just wanted to share the goods with you all. It can be seen here. Erika posted a Stormtrooper inspired look featuring out Cat-At Crew.

11 Dogs Who Have No Idea Where This Mess Came From.

I mean, innocent until proven guilty... right?

1. "I swear, it just EXPLODED...

Reddit: KiteTales

2. "I saw nothing. I know nothing."

Reddit: tslout

3. "Psh. I have no idea who ripped up that toilet paper. I've been laying here with my bone this WHOLE time."

Reddit: NickVo

4. "Those... those aren't mine..."

Reddit: alexxlea

5. "I swear, I'm just as baffled as you are." 

Reddit: cajun_kidATL

6. "... No, this was already here when I walked in the room."

Reddit: iwillthinkaboutit

7. "Something on my face? What are you even talking about?"

Reddit: GameGenie710

8. "Trash? What trash? I love you!"

Reddit: Zwonix

9. "Man, I'd sure hate to be the dog who made this mess, am I right...?"

Reddit: 1890s_kid

10. "I literally have no idea what just happened."

Reddit: IEatConcrete

11. "I was just taking a bath, I swear!"

Reddit: balbuzard09

*Editor's note: make sure your pup is getting enough attention around the house, and that they always get enough exercise, otherwise they might get bored and start shredding stuff! Also make sure they have something to play with if you leave them home alone! 

By: Lindsey Robertson

Source: The Dodo

Children can get attached to a pet very quickly, and learn valuable emotional lessons from their animals.

Pets and children share a deep bond, one that teaches children empathy, compassion and respect. When Cynthia was five years old, her family acquired a cockapoo named Nellis from a neighbor who no longer wanted it. "I still consider Nellis to be the brother I never had," wrote Cynthia one afternoon a while ago on the New York Times blog.

Nellis played baseball with Cynthia by holding a plastic bat in his teeth and running the bases. When her family moved to a new location, he was the bridge who enticed neighborhood kids to visit, helping Cynthia make new friends. He was also her mother's late-night TV watching companion when the children went to bed and her father was out.

"He set the tone for all the pets I've had since," Cynthia wrote, "and a big factor in why I volunteer with animals today. His legacy is a rich one, as is the legacy of all companion animals."

Legacy of Empathy

That legacy includes the lifelong skill of empathy – feeling the feelings of others, knowing when someone is uncomfortable, caring enough to change your behavior so that the other person becomes more comfortable.

 "Parents have traditionally encouraged children to respect and care for animals in the belief that this would enable children to become more caring, compassionate, and responsible," said Elizabeth Omerod, companion animal veterinary surgeon, and member of the Pet Health Council in London, England. "Studies demonstrate that children who interact with animals have higher levels of self esteem, greater empathy, and better social skills."

Evidence on Animals and Nurturing

Research around the world demonstrates the tremendous benefits of owning a pet. Studies show that children who own pets have more empathy and nurturing ability, and as they grow into adulthood, essential skills to develop meaningful relationships.

• Researchers in Poland studied the impact of keeping dogs or cats at home on the social development of 530 children 4-8 years old. Those children with pets had higher scores in pro–social behavior and self-reliance than those without pets.
• A study in Germany found that children 6-17 years old with diagnoses of anorexia, bulimia, anxiety disorder, and autism had improved behavior with a therapy dog than without one.
• A study in Australia concluded that animal-assisted preventive efforts are an optimal vehicle for promoting nurturing and empathy. 

Pets Can Teach Compassion to Children

TLC is a violence prevention program designed for at-risk youth in Los Angeles, part of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. This program is helping 400 middle school age teens feel empathy and compassion for others.

These children are in this program because of gang affiliation, drug use, history of violence, being severely withdrawn, decreasing grades, decreasing socialization, severe shyness, or being a victim of bullying or being the bully.

One such child arrived at TLC dressed in black. He spoke to no one and seemed angry, recalls Melanie Wagner, director of this program. He had no friends and was bullied often. After he was assigned a dog, he had someone to talk to. Slowly, his self-esteem rose and he became friendlier, so much so that he is now a peer leader with the program, helping other at-risk children turn their lives around.

The children spend a month working with shelter dogs, teaching them basic obedience and giving them attention and companionship. They also learn about conflict resolution, anger management, coping skills, tolerance, and teamwork. For many children, it stops the cycle of violence and helps them become productive citizens.

Teaching children to respect animals helps them learn to respect people – others and themselves. By tuning in to an animal's feelings of wanting attention, love, food, companionship and respect, a child can grow up into a caring adult who can more intuitively tune in to other people's feelings as well.

By Silvia Foti for WebVet | Reviewed by Amy I. Attas, VMD

Source: Everyday Health

On January 22, 2015 DailyMail.com did a feature on Imogen Anthony a long time animal rescuer and advocate from Australia. Imogen had posted some risque photos on her Instagram account wearing our Dear Hunter Crew, and they happened to make the article as well as some of her own fashion designs. The photos can be seen below, and see the full story here!