In addition to thermostat and security sensors, Iris will help you monitor carbon monoxide levels, water heaters, pet doors and the moisture levels of your house plants.

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We find meaning in a bottle of water, a rescued pet, a family reunited, an act of selflessness.

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Heidi's owner Amanda Williams, from Christchurch, said her pet took to it like a "duck to water".

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D. student Roxana Leontie developed a program that would allow the robot to carry items without stable centers of gravity say, bottles of water or half-filled bags of pet kibble.

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It resembles the Portuguese water dog breed popularized by the Obama family pet, Bo, and looks like any number of designer "doodle" dogs a mix of a poodle and something else.

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The result is a 3-D animated television series in English and Italian (Italian subtitles) with six Pet Pals as main characters focusing on the issue of water protection, which has been broadcast on the public national broadcaster Rai Due in May and June 2010.

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Not only does she have her own talk show and lucrative endorsements with the likes of American Express and Vitamin Water, but she also owns part of a pet food company, Halo, and recently started her own record label.

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