Born in New York and adopted as an 8-week-old pup in 1999, Poh was diagnosed with kidney failure last January.

His owner, Thomas Neil Rodriguez of New York,  knew there wasn’t a cure. But Poh’s diet was adjusted and regular fluids given to keep his system flushed out.

But then more bad news came. Poh had a large tumor in his liver and many tumors in and around his kidneys.

“Unfortunately surgery was not an option, and we knew our time with Poh was limited,” Rodriguez tells ������Ƶapp.

But Rodriguez, a DJ,  wasn’t going to wait around. He wanted to make the most of their remaining time together. He, his fiancee and Poh, were going on a road trip.

The original goal? Get Poh’s paws into the Pacific Ocean.

But it didn’t end there.

Rodriguez decided to take Poh on a cross-country trip, seeing the sights and fulfilling a bucket list of sorts.��And he documented it all on Poh’s .��

All in all, their adventure included 35 cities spanning 12,000 miles. The trip included the D.C. area, too.

One of the best parts, Rodriguez says, was getting Poh into the water. Especially at the dog park in San Diego.

“The water had a healing effect, he had so much energy after he got to take a dip. those moments were captured on his Instagram feed.”

In Oregon, Poh saw the “The Goonies” house. In New Mexico, he saw the house that Walter White lived in from “Breaking Bad.”

The Instagram account exploded with fans. Currently has more than 42,000 followers.

“I think this trip is something a lot of pet owners have thought about doing, would have loved to have done. But most people can’t just get up and leave everything at a drop of a dime,” says Rodriguez who often travels for his job.

Locally, Poh’s adventures included the Washington Monument, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, White House, Lincoln Memorial and Mount Vernon.

Also, he had a chance to visit Bourbon Street, the 9/11 Memorial  and Hollywood.

Now, Rodriguez is back home — and so is Poh. While Rodriguez says Poh’s body can’t quite make sense of things (he’s older than 105 in human years, after all) he has plenty of spirit and heart.

“And (he) still lights up when he gets to go somewhere new .”

To see all of Poh’s adventures, follow him on .

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Located in the old B.B. French School, the has served the D.C. community for 43 years. Once teaching classes in churches, D.C. agreed to give the nonprofit use of the school in the 1970s. Now, the workshop is bustling with classes for all ages, from dance and creative writing to ceramics and photography.

“This neighborhood has changed drastically and significantly over the last 20 years. Like much of D.C., it has become much more gentrified. So that makes us feel like we have an even more important role to play in bringing together different communities here in our building. And we have a strong commitment to maintaining that true diversity of speaking to our neighborhood and, as that neighborhood needs, to broaden out. So we too try to broaden out and make sure our doors are always open,” says Hannah Jacobson, director of marketing at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop.

As part of its mission, Jacobson says the workshop never turns away children and even offers financial aid for adults who want to become involved.

The Space

Being part of D.C. since the 70s, community involvement reaches beyond the brick schoolhouse’s doors and past the funky, painted columns greeting visitors at the entrance.

For the last few years, CHAW has brought together the Capitol Hill Alphabet Animal Arts project. Ten area artists are commissioned to make an animal that matches with a street sign in the Eastern Market area.

Outside CHAW, a grasshopper by artist Carolina Mayorga is perched on the G Street sign.  In a contest last year, he was affectionately named CHAWmper.

Further through the area, an emu rests on E Street, a dog on G and a spider right by the Metro station on South Carolina Avenue.

Back inside the upgraded schoolhouse, an art gallery to the left remains a permanent space for rotating shows. Occasionally, like on June 13, student artwork will go on display.

To the right, the Black Box Theater, named the best space for cheap theater in D.C. by the , houses several rotating theater companies. is CHAW’s resident company, but others, including , regularly use the space.

Downstairs, one of the only running darkrooms in D.C. is available for rental along with digital photography facilities and music rooms. All the way upstairs, visitors will see a light and mirror-filled dance studio along with music and art rooms.

And the atmosphere at CHAW is typically anything but quiet.

“It is a really fun thing to walk in here, be looking at a gallery show and hearing ‘A Second Wind,’ which is the senior choir that rehearses here on Wednesdays, or you can be downstairs in the darkroom and you’ll hear the kids gathering for community time up here,” says Jacobson.

But, she says, CHAW does make arrangements for noise when performances are scheduled.

“We have an amazing operations and safety team so of course when we have a show going in the theater we do not have our Tiny Tots tappers tapping away right above them, sounding like thunder.”

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While there are many traditional arts classes for dance and painting, CHAW also offers classes that not only encourage students to create, but are creative in and of themselves. One such class is Kate Deciccio’s “Unlikely Action Heroes- Adult Mixed Media Workshop.”

Deciccio, who used to teach inmates managing mental health issues in San Quentin Prison, hopes the class fosters discussion about society.

“The Unlikely Action Heroes idea came after considering the values projected on kids via the heroes and villains in cartoons and action figures. I thought it’d be super fun to critique this propaganda by providing the opportunity to highlight the qualities we identify with everyday heroism by reformatting the action figure into an art project celebrating grandmas, trash collectors, teachers, single dads, migrant workers and more,” says Deciccio, who first taught the class to teenagers.

“As a teacher, you’re always searching for how to stimulate thoughtful art-making in a way that is novel and challenges students to critique social norms and accepted values.”

As an example, Deciccio points to an unlikely hero she made. The small figure wears a yellow apron and holds knitting yarn. Her packaging, which Deciccio also teaches students how to make, calls her “Lil Rita.” It’s an homage to the real Rita, a now 93-year-old Nicaraguan woman with whom Deciccio is close.

“She completely embodies the ‘I don’t give a F, I’m old’ mixed with complete sweetness and unreal crochet and cooking skills. Being her friend has been a complete gift to my life and allowed me to realize how we don’t really change that much with age.”

Outside of her Unlikely Heroes classes, Jacobson says Deciccio is a gift to CHAW in the ways she reaches children, including in one of her recycled arts classes.

“She is truly focused on really high-quality art products but also on empowering students to learn how to find that in their own lives, which I think is a really exciting way of thinking about the arts and how they can become more a part of our lives rather than something extra or on top of.”

Spots for the Saturday, May 23 “Unlikely Heroes” class are still available. for more information.

The Mission

While Jacobson stresses that CHAW is for all ages and backgrounds, she says the middle school program is one that’s especially important.

“We feel that this is an age where we often forget that they also need creative outlets. In fact even more than others as they’re in the midst of that real identity shaping process. Using the arts (is a way) to really help them find and use that voice.”

This is part of the reason CHAW never turns away children. But, while CHAW does take in money from classes, it provides a significant amount of tuition assistance every year. In fact, it’s provided $125,000 to students throughout the last two years.

The workshop is currently running its annual through which it hopes to raise $65,000 in 65 days.

The funding helps keep its doors open, and gives students a place to experience art.  During the summer, the workshop also offers and programs for children of all ages

Social justice and community are running themes for , according to Jacobson, but that doesn’t mean the workshop shies away from building skills. The classes are taught by professional — and often working — artists.

“We truly hope to be a place where it feels welcoming to walk through these doors, even for people who are unfamiliar with the arts or think they’re not creative,” says Jacobson.

“The whole idea here really is an artful way of thinking about arts as a way of life for an entire lifetime. That (arts) become a part of us and help us to grow, become more confident, more creative and create a better community.”

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But luckily two fennec foxes, Daisy and Charlie, have two zoos looking out for them.

One-year-old Charlie, on loan from the Bronx Zoo, has just been transferred to the National Zoo as part of a species survival plan. He’s been matched with the National Zoo’s 5-year-old Daisy in hopes the pair will hit it off and, eventually, start a family.

Daisy arrived at the zoo in December 2014.

Right now, Charlie is a bit shy. According to the his youthfulness is a contributing factor along with the new environment. Daisy, being the older woman, is far more comfortable. But the two seem to get along and Charlie is more confident when he’s around Daisy.

Currently, their exhibit is covered with paper with some “viewing holes” while Charlie adjusts. Even then, fennec foxes are nocturnal and are typically sleeping during the afternoon.

Right now, the zoo can’t make predictions on when the pair will start a family.

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The kissy-face cat and wine glass are favorites of mine. Sometimes I’ll construct entire thoughts using only emojis. It’s a bit like a modern day haiku.

But all too often, as any emojer knows, I resort to words because not everything in our world has been captured in its emoji form. For example, there’s no taco emoji. There’s no burrito emoji. I mean, for the love of everything that’s right in the world, there’s not even a cheese emoji.

And while I may not be able to accurately express my hunger just yet, those discussing the District of Columbia on their mobile devices now have an option.

A new app called Emoji DC is lending a hand to encapsulate the District in a way words just cannot.

The new app can be downloaded to a user’s smartphone and then given permissions via “settings” to show up as a separate keyboard — much like the current emoji keyboard does. Choose the D.C. emoji you want and then copy, paste and send to your partner in modern-day communication on the other end of your smartphone.

There aren’t any emojis for broken escalators or cherry blossom tourists as , but there are a few interesting options.

If you want to send your friends a cheeseburger with a D.C. flag sticking out of it, you can now. Or, if you want to shut down someone in a debate, shoot a Constitution emoji.

A little more on the mark, there are pictures of monuments, a Metro car and D.C. landmarks.

If you download this app, you’ll find the process isn’t as smooth as the emoji keyboard that comes with smartphones. You have to paste the District emoji before you send, and the picture is rather large. But, hey. At least it’s there.

Deletes app.

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Facial hair has become the latest and greatest fashion accessory. And we’re not just talking about stubble. The full-on lumberjack look is being embraced for young and old. No chin? No worries, a beard will take care of that. Sensitive skin? Let it grow. Some studies have even indicated that when surrounded primarily by clean-shaven men, women will .

In fact, there are sections of and a devoted to bearded men with babies.

But the latest beard news might have us all reaching for a razor.

It turns out the faces of our burly men are full of bacteria from fecal. We’re talking toilet levels of bacteria here.

The in Albuquerque, New Mexico swabbed the facial hair of bearded men and had them analyzed by Quest Diagnostics microbiologist John Golobic to see what they contained.

“I’m usually not surprised and I was surprised by this,” Golobic told KOAT.

While the beards contained some normal bacteria, they also contained bacteria that typically lives on toilets. Not all of it will make people sick — but it still indicates a problem. Golobic tells KOAT that if the samples were found in a city water system, it would have to be shut down.

“There would be a degree of uncleanliness that would be somewhat disturbing,” Golobic said.

The recommendation from Golobic is scrubbing, handwashing and to keep hands away from faces.

But, if it makes you feel better, almost everything is covered with fecal bacteria. Studies in the past have shown that , , , . Indeed, that “actual proper studies” show that “bearded men shed more bacteria than clean-shaven men,” though the samples are small.

Actually. Never mind. Just wash your hands.

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It’s also the time to discover if you’re a woolly mammoth or a mantis shrimp.

Google’s newest Doodle for the special day offers users a quick quiz to discover what type of animal they are along with a quick description.

Flip through ������Ƶapp’s gallery to see all the animal options and to take the quiz.

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You’re ready to grab your shades and spend the day outside …

Outside with those … flowers. And blossoming trees.

And ragweed.

Maybe you’ll spend the spring inside.��

Pollen counts are spiking and as we move into the third and fourth week of summer, those counts are moving even higher, says Dr. Shaz Siddiqi with My Allergy Care.

While it may seem impossible to enjoy the outdoors this time of year, Siddiqi has tips to give allergy sufferers a fighting chance.

The first thing to do is check the pollen counts before leaving the house. This will give those affected by allergens an idea of what to expect and better plan outdoor activities. Pollens tend to peak between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m., so limiting outdoor exposure during those hours might be a good idea.

When it’s time to venture out, wearing sunglasses can help. For gardeners, a mask can offer some level of protection.

Allergy sufferers are also likely to need antihistamines or steroid-based nosesprays during the season.

Also, Siddiqi points out that the FDA recently approved some tablets that can be taken under the tongue for ragweed and pollen allergies.

Ultimately though, allergy shots are the best defense.

They actually work “to desensitize you to your allergies, so they’re actually working toward a cure rather than treating the systems,” says Siddiqi.

Since pollen is sticky, it’s good to hit the showers when coming in from outside as well as wiping down pets if they’ve been with you.

Inside, closing the windows and running the air conditioning is Siddiqi’s best advice. Using dust mite covers on bedding might add another layer of protection.

Relief of indoor allergens can be helped with air purifiers, the right medication and managing animal dander.

Above all, Siddiqi advises allergy sufferers to meet with allergists to make sure they’re on top of all medication refills and start them at least two weeks before the pollen season.

“You really want to use them every day through the pollen season to get the best benefit.”

My Allergy Care sponsors ������Ƶapp’s pollen count.

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Did you remember to buy a gift? Because it’s not your wedding day, of course. You’re not even in the wedding. In fact, it’s your second cousin’s wedding who you last saw three Thanksgivings ago.

There had better be an open bar.��

The cost to attend a wedding is up 12 percent from last year. With gifts alone averaging more than $100, attending someone’s special day costs hundreds of dollars. And weddings rarely come in singles.

CNBC consumer reporter says travel is a big part of the expense and that, on average, guests spend according to a new survey. This consists of everything from renting a car to airfare, but the little things also add up.

“For wedding guests, a lot of the time you need to scrutinize that invitation carefully. Like, if they do a blacktie wedding for example, that, of course, means you’ve got to rent the tuxedo or rent the gown. If you’re a family and it’s an adults-only wedding, then you’ve got to factor in the cost of getting a babysitter for however long that period you’re away,” says Grant.

Cash bars and valet parking also add to costs.

To try saving money, Grant suggests looking for deals on hotels or going in on a room with friends. And, if necessary, be upfront and let the couple know you can’t afford to attend.

“Be really honest and just say you’d love to attend and you’re happy for them but it’s just not in your finances right now for you to travel across country or whatever that entails.”

Even after travel expenses, clothes and hotels, wedding-goers can’t forget the gift. The American Express survey finds the average cost of a wedding gift ranges between $100 and $150.

But Grant says attendees who’ve already broken the bank to get to the ceremony don’t need to feel obligated to buy a big present.

“Your gift is always part of that budget and if you have to spend a lot on travel … maybe that does mean you don’t get them the stand mixer and you get them the engraved photo frame instead,” says Grant.

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“I think it’s a distinct possibility that it could get here,” says veterinarian Katy Nelson, also known as .

While there aren’t local reports yet, the strain, which appears to have started in Chicago, is reason for dog owners to pay attention and consider their options.��

“The virus that we’re seeing is different than any one that we’ve had here in the U.S. before. They’ve traced it back to South Korean and Chinese populations. [We’re not] 100 percent sure how it got here. But we have to think Chicago O’Hare had to have something to do with it and people who travel with their pets,” says Nelson.

So far the virus, identified as H3N2, has sickened more than 1,100 dogs in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin.

Like with the flu in humans, the canine version causes cough, runny nose and fever. In more severe cases, a small number of dogs have died.

While a canine flu vaccine is available, it doesn’t include this new strain.��Nelson says it’s possible a vaccinated dog could still benefit from cross immunity and better fight the virus if they become exposed, similarly to people.

A canine flu vaccine isn’t a typical vaccine given to dogs, like rabies or parvo/distemper. Pet owners in the D.C. area should specifically bring it up with their veterinarians to discuss whether it’s appropriate.

High traffic pet areas, where lots of dogs are going in and out, are more likely to be of concern during an outbreak. In Chicago, Nelson says, dog owners are being told not to take their dogs places unless it’s necessary.

In Chicago, many dog day cares, popular in more urban environments, .

The good news is, this flu hasn’t been shown to transmit to humans. It’s a dog’s illness. But Nelson reiterates that good hygiene with pets will help keep them safe as well as keep owners safe from zoonotic diseases. Zoonotic diseases can be transmitted from animal to human.

Examples of parasites and bacteria that animals can transmit include:

“So, just washing your hands, not making out with your pets. Don’t let your dog who just licked his bum stick his tongue in your mouth. These are just common sense things, but using really good hygiene is always highly encouraged.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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After becoming terrified of the big boy slide during a toddler-level tragic accident, becomes unilaterally scared of all slides. He’s therefore also scared of the fact that he may never slide again.

Living in terror, his friend Suzie approaches him and says it’s time to not be afraid.

“Stop saying you’re scared. You’re big and you’re brave. Like a big, brave dog,” Suzie tells Chuckie.

“Say it!”

“I’m a big, brave dog. I’m a big, brave dog, I’m a big, brave dog,” Chuckie chants.

It turns out that Suzie was really onto something.

A study published April 17 in the found that self-affirmations not only help people perform better, but also could make up for differences in power, reports science news publication

In the study, researchers developed three experiments in which groups of people were divided into groups with different power. In one experiment, there were job candidates and recruiters, in another there were buyers and sellers.

In the final experiment, there were also buyers and sellers but, before the experiment began, half were told to write about their most important negotiating skills. The other half wrote about their least important skills.

Buyers who wrote about their positive skills in the final experiment did better than the buyers in the second experiment, even though they were both in positions of less power than the seller.

In the first experiment, with candidates and recruiters, half were told they would learn negotiation skills while the others were told the experiment would gauge them. Job candidates performed worse in the experiment whereas the recruiters performed better because they had an inflated sense of ability.

“Most people have experienced a time in their lives when they aren’t performing up to their potential. They take a test or have a performance review at work, but something holds them back,”  lead researcher Sonia Kang, Ph.D. tells EurekAlert! “Performance in these situations is closely related to how we are expected to behave.”

When people don’t have high expectations of themselves, they’re more likely to meet those low expectations in reality, the study found.

“Self-affirmation is a way to neutralize that threat,” says Kang.

The experiment indicates that both thinking and writing down self-affirmations can help, though writing them may be more effective.

But, in Chuckie’s case, saying them aloud helps too.

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But they might be singing a different tune when the tendons in their hands rupture. Yep.

In a new journal entry in , doctors discuss the case of a 29-year-old man who approached physicians after his left thumb became painful and he lost active motion. It turns out the patient had been playing Candy Crush, a matching game, “all day for 6 to 8 weeks.”

The tendon, which controlled his ability to extend his thumb, had to be surgically repaired.

Needless to say, doctors are concerned. Buy beyond the physical harm excessive playing causes, doctors in the study wrote that the behavior is a type of coping mechanism to avoid the “perception of pain,” leading to addiction.

While the idea of someone using Candy Crush as a coping mechanism to avoid the painful realities of life seems silly, increased concern about gaming and Internet addiction has been around for years. first mentioned the issue of Internet and gaming addiction in 2013 calling it a “new phenomenon” that needed more research before determining if it should be listed as an actual disorder.

In South Korea, which has been a leader into the study of gaming addiction, about between the ages of 10 and 19 are considered Internet addicts.

Formerly a professor at Chung-Ang University Hospital in Seoul and now at the University of Utah, psychiatrist Dr. Han Doug-hyun has researched and treated gaming addiction. signs he offers for gaming and Internet addiction:

1. Disrupted regular life pattern. If a person plays games all night long and sleeps in the daytime, that can be a warning he or she should seek professional help.
2. If the potential gaming or Internet addict loses his or her job, or stops going to school in order to be online or to play a digital game.
3. Need for a bigger fix. Does the gamer have to play for longer and longer periods in order to get the same level of enjoyment from the game?
4. Withdrawal. Some Internet and gaming addicts become irritable or anxious when they disconnect, or when they are forced to do so.
5. Cravings. Some Internet and gaming addicts experience cravings, or the need to play the game or be online when they are away from the digital world.

Even if gaming addiction isn’t a concern for frequent smartphone users, there can be physical consequences. Excessive texting and phone use in general, especially when it comes to thumbs, is known to cause .

The advises stretching, non-repetitive motions and proper ergonomics to help prevent and relieve tendon problems in the hands.

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And you’ve heard of the — but have you heard about the horse who has an eye for color?

Meet Jacob, the St. Petersburg Florida Police Department’s crime-fighting gelding whose talents extend from the streets to the canvas.

It all started when Jacob’s trainer noticed he had a penchant for grabbing things with his mouth, St. Petersburg Police Officer Jason Hughes tells . So the officer decided to hand him a paint brush and see what happened.

Ever since, Jacob has created masterpieces. Hughes says it has helped the pair build trust and that the horse has fun.

A special horse-proof easel was even built to foster Jacob’s hobby.

“Not all horses will do it. For example, Brooklyn, the other police horse, wanted no part of it,” police department spokeswoman Yolanda Fernandez tells .

On its Facebook page, the St. Petersburg Police Department says it plans to exhibit the pieces for charity once Jacob has created enough paintings.

Watch the video below to see this police horse in action.

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And then you see it. A flashing red battery. Ten percent power.

Your phone is about to die.

And sadly, you don’t have options. There will be no mindless scrolling through Facebook for you today.

But there’s hopeful news. A reality where phones can be charged in one minute is on the horizon.

Scientists at Stanford University have created a prototype for an inexpensive battery that can offer quick charges that last, reports .

Lithium-ion batteries are the most common battery in phones, but they present a fire hazard. But they’ve typically presented longevity that an aluminum-ion battery alone can’t provide.

Through what he says was an accident, Hongjie Dai, a chemistry professor at Stanford, said graphite was found to be a solution for the “positively charged cathode” part of the battery. This was combined with a “negatively charged anode” made from aluminum — a battery material with which everyone is familiar. Together, they were combined with an “ionic liquid electrolite.”

What all those science words mean is that the battery is safer.

“In our study, we have videos showing that you can drill through the aluminum battery pouch, and it will continue working for a while longer without catching fire,” says Dai to Stanford News.��“But lithium batteries can go off in an unpredictable manner  – in the air, the car or in your pocket. Besides safety, we have achieved major breakthroughs in aluminum battery performance.”

In some tests, the aluminum and graphite prototype was able to charge in as quickly as one minute.

The main concern with the curent prototype is the voltage. Right now, it gets about half that of a lithium battery.

“But improving the cathode material could eventually increase the voltage and energy density. Otherwise, our battery has everything else you’d dream that a battery should have: inexpensive electrodes, good safety, high-speed charging, flexibility and long cycle life. I see this as a new battery in its early days. It’s quite exciting,” says Dai to the Standford News.

The new battery technology is still a ways off in terms of consumer availability. So, until then, bring an extra charger.

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We all have to go to the bathroom.

Cintas’ annual is back and nominations are now being accepted.

The contest, which has been taking a serious and in-depth look at America’s potties since 2002, is looking for restrooms that go above and beyond not only in cleanliness but in creativity.��

Past restroom champions have included a lavatory walled with lush greenery and another with chandeliers and granite and onyx pedestal sinks.

No bathroom from the D.C. area has ever taken the, ahem, throne, but did make the top 10 list of nominees in 2012.

That fancy powder room is located at Mie N Yu’s and boasts a Marco Polo theme. The unisex bathroom has intricate wall designs, barrel sinks and treasure chests holding paper towels.

If you’re looking for a local water closet to nominate, take a look at our collection of the .  Submit your nominations .

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WASHINGTON — Tomorrow we may find that this is an elaborate April Fool’s joke. But for today, we’re just gonna play.

Google Maps has released a PAC-Man option for its popular map service. It’s called PAC-Maps.

Enter any destination into Google Maps and, in the lower left, click the PAC-Man square. Your screen will transform into a fully playable PAC-Man game. Using the arrow keys you can navigate PAC-Man through the streets of the location you entered.

.

But beware of the ghosts. Yes, there are ghosts. This is a real PAC-Man game.

“With this update, we’ve added imagery of dangerous virtual beings, starting with Pinky, Blinky, Inky and Clyde. When navigating fruit-filled streets, determine at a glance which turns to pass to evade ghosts and get where you’re going safely,” it reads in the Google Maps blog.

And, don’t worry. It’s available for your Android and iOS devices.

to play the game around the streets of the ������Ƶapp station or enter your own address.

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