World's tallest and smallest dogs meet up for a playdate

Size differences didn't cause any issues when the world's tallest and smallest dogs met up for a playdate last month. Reginald is a 7-year-old Great Dane from Idaho who is the size of a small horse. Pearl is a 4-year-old chihuahua from Florida the size of an apple. Both are certified winners in their respective height titles by Guinness World Records. Pearl stands at 3.59 inches. Reginald measures in at a whopping 3-foot-3.

Burro racing wins over runners in backcountry ode to mining history

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The backcountry sport of burro racing is a grueling feat of endurance that tests the sudden urge to stand still. A burro race through turquoise-mining country in northern New Mexico pairs each runner on foot with a burro to complete a 3- or 6-mile course on single-track desert trails. Other seasonal races can extend for nearly 30 miles. The burros carry a pick, shovel and pan in homage to a bygone era of Old West gold panning and the mythical sprint to a claims office by miners and beasts of burden. Semi-pro enthusiasts adopt wild burros. Novices can rent an ass to try it out for kicks.

How the democracy sausage, a polling day snack, became Australia's election symbol

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Many Australians arriving at polling places on Saturday followed their civic duty with a democracy sausage. It's a cultural tradition as Aussie as koalas and Vegemite that for some is as important as casting their vote. The grilled sausage wrapped in a slice of bread is offered outside voting places. Its popularity has prompted the creation of a crowdsourced, real-time website tracking democracy sausage offerings and variations at polling places throughout the country and overseas. Australia’s compulsory voting laws ensure high turnout and make democracy sausage sales lucrative fundraisers for schools and community groups.

Never argue: 115-year-old British woman, now the world's oldest, gives her recipe to long life

LONDON (AP) — For Ethel Caterham, the trick to a long life is not to argue. Caterham, who is 115, became the world’s oldest living person, according to the Gerontology Research Group, after Sister Inah Canabarro, a Brazilian nun and teacher, died on Wednesday at the tender age of 116. She said the secret to her longevity is “never arguing with anyone.” The title of the oldest person ever is held by French woman Jeanne Calment, who lived to 122 years 164 days, according to Guinness World Records.

Nigerian teenager sets world painting record with canvas that's bigger than a soccer field

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — A 15-year-old Nigerian has set a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest art canvas in a bid to raise awareness for autism. Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, who is autistic, set the record in Nigeria, where people with the spectrum disorder face stigma and limited resources. Kanyeyachukwu’s record attempt also sought to raise funds for those on the spectrum and their families. His artwork was unveiled in April in Abuja. It spans 12,304 square meters. While there are no official records from within Nigeria, about 1 in 100 children worldwide is autistic, according to the World Health Organization.

Kentucky man who won Powerball jackpot lands in Florida jail days later

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky Powerball winner has been arrested and charged with kicking a police officer in Floridadays after he won a $167 million jackpot. The Kentucky Lottery says James S. Farthing found out Sunday he won the state’s biggest ever jackpot after his mother called him. But the 50-year-old Farthing was in a Florida jail by a few days later. He is charged with battery of a police officer and resisting arrest. A Pinellas County, Florida, deputy wrote in a report that he was attempting to break up a fight between Farthing and another person when Farthing kicked the officer in the face.

Scientists once thought only humans could bob to music. Ronan the sea lion helped prove them wrong

Researchers say Ronan the sea lion can still keep a beat after all these years. Ronan burst to fame about a decade ago after scientists reported her musical skills. At age 15, she's still got it. And researchers say she was better than people at keeping rhythm. Findings were published Thursday in the journal Scientific Reports. Ronan joins a select group of animal movers and shakers -- which also includes Snowball the famed dancing cockatoo -- that together upended the long-held idea that the ability to respond to music and recognize a beat was distinctly human.

Wiener wonderland: Hundreds of dachshunds chase record in Hungary

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hundreds of dachshunds and their owners have gathered in Budapest’s City Park in an attempt to set Hungary’s record for the largest single-breed dog walk. Thursday's event, observed by the Hungarian Records Association, drew about 500 dachshunds. That's enough for a national record but short of the Guinness World Record of 897 set in Germany. Dachshunds, known for their long bodies and short legs, were originally bred in Germany to hunt burrowing animals but have since become popular pets. Participants praised their pets’ loyalty and affection, with one calling her dachshund a “love bomb.” Organizers have vowed to try for a world record next year.

Banksy's ‘Broken Heart' painting defaced on a Brooklyn wall is up for sale

NEW YORK (AP) — A slab of Brooklyn wall that the artist Banksy emblazoned with a bandaged, heart-shaped balloon is emerging after more than a decade in storage. The “Battle to Survive a Broken Heart” is set to be auctioned off May 21. Some proceeds will be donated to the American Heart Association. The family that owns the artwork says they are honoring their father, who died from a heart attack after running his business from the warehouse where Banksy stenciled the image in 2013. The wall became the canvas for a graffiti battle before the family removed the painted section and had it preserved.

A woodpecker has invaded a Massachusetts neighborhood. Residents are taking it in stride

ROCKPORT, Mass. (AP) — During the War of 1812, residents of Rockport, Massachusetts, hurled rocks at British soldiers using their stockings as slings. Today, they’re slinging trash bags and towels over the side mirrors of their cars to protect them from a destructive and determined pileated woodpecker. Over the last few weeks, the bird has broken more than two dozen mirrors and at least one vehicle’s side window. But residents are taking the violence in stride. Resident Ben Favaloro says he and his neighbors are having a good laugh about it, and no one wants to harm the bird. Pamela Hunt, an avian biologist with New Hampshire Audubon, says lots of smaller birds will be aggressive against their own reflections, but pileated woodpeckers don't usually peck at opponents.