Researchers have not isolated a definitive reason why an individual with the YouTube handle ChinTubeHD took two small chinchillas, Soju and Saki, placed them in wine glasses and set the romance that ensued to soft piano. Or, for that matter, why it is so funny.

But such is the special species of entertainment, inspiration and emotion that we draw from animals – whether it’s those we keep as pets, the creatures we marvel at in nature or the ones that star in ubiquitous, absurdly cute (or cutely absurd) Internet videos like “Chinchilla Love.”

Such is the inspiration for the Weekly’s new Animal Blog. We’ll pull furry gems from our archives – like the saga of a jittery bloodhound who made it from a truck in Seaside to his Carmel Valley home, on his own, in four days, successfully crossing Highway 68, Carmel Valley Road and Canyon Del Rey along the way – to complement a menagerie of current tales of tails, paws and whiskers. We’ll do it because our community cares about animals, because what we care about says a lot about us, because our favorites stories often are carried on four legs, and because formal and informal studies show that people live longer, and are happier, when they have a pet (or at least a pet blog) in their lives.

Here’s a glimpse of blog posts currently up at www.mcweekly.com/animal, which, yes, include the chinchillas:

Life and Death With My Best Friend

Weekly contributor Corby Anderson enjoyed some epic adventures with his steadfast companion of 15 years, Bear – one such adventure earned first place in a Travels With Charley story contest held by the National Steinbeck Center. That story, and the poem he wrote when he had to bid Bear farewell, form a two-part piece, and are a must-read for outdoor enthusiasts and dog lovers alike. “We sat there in the sand, me and Bear,” he writes, “Watching one last sun sink into its lair.”

Baby Seal of Approval

Most know baby harbor seals are adorable. Fewer folks realize that right now is peak pupping season – an ideal time to see the squirmy little sausages on beaches near Lovers Point. Joel Ede captured the action on video, and Sara Rubin narrates the action.

Dramatic Development

At the age of just 2 ½, Piper has a longer resume than most middle managers. Last year alone she was in MPC’s Anything Goes and Legend of Sleepy Hollow, PacRep’s Carmel Follies 2010, and even starred in her own one-off, “Piper’s Show” at a Pet Food Express special event. The foot-tall, 11.2-pound diva even has her own entourage: Every Tuesday at 11:30am “Piper’s Parade” meets at Pet Food Express for a walk in a group as big as 18.

The best section of the half-mini Pinscher/half Chihuahua’s CV is the skills section. There are some classics – “Sit and stay,” “Speak” and “Shake” – and some more sophisticated skills, including: “‘On Your Mark’ if you want me somewhere particular, ‘Load Up’ if you want me to jump up on something” and ‘Take a Break’ if you want me to go to the bathroom.”

The lady behind Piper’s fame, whose ambitions include an advice column, is an interesting cat herself.

Whale of a Dog

Borrowing a page from Piper’s playbook, Whiskie the Whale Spotter wrote an autobiographical piece for the blog. “Hello everyone,” he writes. “I’m slightly embarrassed to say I’m also not sure of my heritage. I think I am a boxer, shepherd, Rhodesian mix, but I wouldn’t bet my collar on it. Anyway… what is important is that I am an amazingly talented whale-spotting dog and I do the best impression of a spy-hopping orca in the whole of California.”

Whiskie heads out with Peggy Stap and her whale and dolphin conservation foundation, Marine Life Studies – and plays a key role in their efforts.

“Not to blow my own trumpet,” he continues, “but I am pretty indispensable on these expeditions… while it is true to say that I may take the odd nap, I am never completely off my guard. My senses are so much more acute than my human companions so, even if I’ve been dozing, I am awake and alert in a flash if I sense any cetaceans are present.”

Follow the Weekly’s Animal Blog at www.mcweekly.com/animal. To submit a wagging tale, email animal@mcweekly.com. Jordan Walsh contributed to this story.