Birds preen, cats groom, but how many creatures out there trim and twirl? Quite a few, apparently, as our not-so-scientific research has shown. During the month of November, many a prepossessed pet may display its mustachioed support for Movember, a campaign aimed at raising awareness for men's cancers, but several animals showcase their impressive 'staches year-round. Is your lip twitching to find out who falls under the handle(bar) of "best groomed"? Today, we bring you seven animals showing off their whiskery best.

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With Veterans Day falling this Sunday and the holidays soon to follow, I can't help but be reminded of the thousands of soldiers who keep our nation safe. While some of these courageous individuals will be spending the next few months on active duty, some will be coming home to loving families, including their adoring pets. There is a close relationship between dogs and the military: canines serve alongside soldiers overseas and provide comfort and support to veterans when they finish their last tours. But the crowning moment for a pooch is seeing his heroic pet parent walk through the front door.

Whether you and your pet have a brave soldier in your family or you're just honored to know that these women and men are protecting our great country, here's a sweet salute to all the soldiers and veterans and the dogs who love them.

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Today might be Hug a Bear Day, but if there's one rule you can count on while camping or hiking, it's that bears don't take kindly to embraces. In fact, if you encounter an adorable grizzly, polar, or kodiak while out on the trail, you should avoid eye contact and walk slowly away so as not to provoke or startle them. And even if you encounter a huggable-looking baby bear, get away while you can because his protective (and much larger) mother is undoubtedly nearby. Bear cubs sure are cute, though, so we thought we'd celebrate this unusual holiday with a roundup of cuddly ursine photos. And if you get the urge to give one a squeeze, please grab the nearest pal or teddy bear instead!

Recently, Lauren Conrad couldn't resist the big brown eyes of a puppy in need at her local animal shelter, and really, who could blame her? Puppies, kittens, and other young animals tend to be adopted first because they are just so darned cute. But this means that shelters often overflow with older animals who can make even better companions than their baby-faced counterparts. As the parent of a 14-year-old Jack Russell whom I raised from a pup, I can tell you that I look fondly on her wild and wacky days at the dog park, but I appreciate these last few golden years of mellow neighborhood walks and long afternoon naps.

November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month, so in honor of all the older ladies and gents who still need a loving home, I'm providing a handful of reasons why you should consider adopting an aging pal and a few ways you can make them feel right at home.

Source: Flickr user normanack

Move over N and make room for Movember in November! Started as a campaign to bring awareness to men's cancers (like prostate and testicular), today Movember is a movement, inspiring men all over the world to sprout splendid 'staches in support of some very serious men's health issues. So why can't our pets join in the campaign? We've tracked down 12 mustachioed trimmings that will bring a little humor to your pet's daily routine while spreading the word about a great cause!

Source: Instagram user hamilton_the_hipster_cat

This Sunday marks the end of daylight savings time, and while we'll have an extra hour of sleep (hooray!), it also means fewer sunlit hours. The earlier sunset also brings increased danger for your pet, whether from moving vehicles or dangerous nocturnal wild animals, so follow these six tips to keep your dog or cat out of harm's way until we set our clocks forward again in the Spring.

Source: Flickr user idea-saras

As we head into the waning months of 2012, it's easy to get caught up in the hullabaloo of the start of the holiday season. But rather than allowing it to be a stressful time for your pet, get him involved in the celebrations! Between Election Day flair, Movember mustaches, and Thanksgiving turkey, there are plenty of opportunities for your pet to represent this festive eleventh month.

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The frenzy of Halloween indulgence has come and gone, and between office-party punch and sweet treats, you're nursing one huge sugar hangover. One thing's for sure: leftover Halloween candy has got to go! If that candy corn and those Snickers were originally destined for the garbage, then consider some other uses that won't make you feel as though you're sending your money along with it. Here are nine better ways to use up uneaten candy that won't make you feel ghoulish.

Source: Etsy seller KnotTheOrdinary

If this year's Tompkins Square Park Halloween pet parade proved anything, it's that there are oodles of creative pet costume ideas out there. Who knows what you'll find when you turn a dark corner tonight . . . a Grinch? Spaghetti and meatballs? Mr. T? Google just released its list of the top 10 Halloween pet costume searches during the month of October, and while some are standby favorites, others might surprise you. In any event, at least you'll know what four-legged creatures to expect when things go bump in the night!

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Adopt a Shelter Dog Month is not quite over, and Lauren Conrad is doing her part to help the abundance of pooches looking for love all across the country. Stopping by her local shelter last week, the style icon unexpectedly scooped up a friend for her other rescue pal, 4-year-old Chloe. Dubbed Fitz, the teeny pup seems to be getting along splendidly with his new family and living the good life, taking plenty of naps and even helping mom with the laundry.

Of course, there are plenty of adorable adult and senior dogs who need homes, too, so don't pass up a companion with a little gray on his nose. In the meantime, we can still gush over this aww-mazing pup!

Source: Instagram User laurenconrad

Not surprisingly, I've been a horse lover since my first pony ride at age 3, but while many little girls fall for the allure of elegant Arabian steeds or swift Thoroughbreds, my equine obsession has revolved around something a little less refined: the long-ear. I can horse around with just about any hoofed creature, but what warms my heart is a mule or donkey with a big personality and a little sass. So when I found out that today is National Mule Day, I couldn't help but round up a few photos of these saucy hybrids hamming it up for the camera. Care to learn a thing or two about these big-eared, big-hearted creatures? Just check out this slideshow.

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Today, my precious pooch Lily turns a regal 14, and while I have plans to bake up some delicious and healthy homemade delights to celebrate my household's doggie doyenne, I can't help but drool over the beautiful pet delicacies offered on my favorite online marketplace, Etsy. So in honor of birthday pups everywhere, here are some safe-for-dogs eye (and tummy) candy for you to admire and for them to unapologetically devour!

Source: Flickr user prettyinprint

Cheap paper decorations from the dime store are certainly one way to spruce up your home for Halloween, but your party runs the risk of looking like a children's fun house. Never fear: with some basic crafting tools and the investment of your time, you can create your own Halloween decor that's both spooky and sophisticated. We turned to our favorite inspiration, Etsy, and found 10 devilish decorating designs that you can make yourself without setting you back a fortune!

Even though you're probably familiar with the underwater dog images that took the Internet by storm earlier this year, the photographer of these wild and wacky pups, Seth Casteel, may not yet be a household name at your pad. But in fact, the pet portraitist has been on the photography scene for several years now, snapping endearing shots of pets for magazine covers and celebrity moms and dads. Yet it's the gleeful images of dogs plunging into swimming pools, chomping after their favorite toys, that have put Casteel on the map as one of this country's premier — and innovative — pet photographers.

We tapped the man behind the camera for his tips on how to take awesome action shots of your pet, so check out his pointers and some images from his new book, Underwater Dogs, available today!

Source: Underwater Dogs by Seth Casteel