Their names were Pixie and Dixie, one male and one female we couldn’t tell apart, and they belonged to our next-door neighbors. One afternoon, when I came home from work, I found Pixie (or Dixie) sitting on our back deck, so I went outside and cuddled with the cute kitty. This same scenario repeated for several days. One evening, I left the sliding-glass doors open, and in came the cat, who began curling up on the sofa with us and watching TV at night until we put him/her outside to go home. This happened every night for a couple of weeks; eventually we started buying cat food and feeding the little sweetie. We told the neighbors about it, and they were fine with it.

Within a month, our semi-adopted cat was sleeping in the bed with us at night. It was becoming a very close relationship, as we became used to having the cat in bed with us. Then, deep in the middle of one night, my husband tossed, turned and swept his leg across the bed, sending the cat flying and shrieking across the room until the wall stopped the poor thing. You’d think that would have been a deal-breaker, but no. The cat kept coming.

The Last Straw

We had been talking about getting a dog for a long time, and my husband had always wanted a German Shepherd, so we got ourselves an adorable GSD puppy and named him Zak. Truly, he wasn’t much bigger that the cat that had become our companion for months.

So there was Pixie (or Dixie) waiting for us on the back deck when we came home with Zak. We opened the sliding-glass doors and brought Zak outside to meet what we thought would be his new, little friend. The cat freaked, flew off the deck (voluntarily this time) and never came back to visit again. Pixie (or Dixie) would just sit in the neighbor’s yard (ours was fenced) staring at us with a look that said, “I can’t believe you replaced me with THAT. What were you THINKING?”

We were thinking we might have two pets for the price of one, but clearly, we were wrong. I guess the little guy didn’t want to wind up like this…

Hi, folks! Max here, with a guest post from one of our best friends, Susan, who’s having a little difficulty in the dog department. I’ve never had this problem, so I don’t know how to help her. When it comes to training, I’m always on the receiving end. So I’m asking all of you to help her out with some good solutions.

Thanks, Max! This is driving me crazy, and I don’t know how to stop it! What makes it worse is that I’m not sure which of my German shepherds is doing it. I have a 3 1/2-year-old 90 lb. shepherd and a 4-year-old 60 lb. shepherd, and either one could be the culprit. (That’s not them in the photo, though they look amazingly like my two sweeties. But I digress.) Here are the facts:

• They’ve both been housebroken for three years, except for the occasional accident, which might be anywhere in the house.
• The dogs are crated while we’re at work.
• I let them out as soon as I go home, opening all the doors required to get them into the fenced backyard, where their bathroom is located.
• Every few days I discover one of them has urinated in the same place on a corner of the love seat in our family room, so it’s pretty well marked, though I clean it as best I can every time it happens.
  
• We close off the area at night so they can’t get into the family room.
• We let them out first thing in the morning when they get up.
• We’ve been renovating our whole house over the summer, so the house has been in disarray and occasionally full of painters, plumbers, etc., but the urinating started before we began the renovation.
• We’re out of ideas on how to stop it.

I need your help. What can I do to eliminate this problem? Thanks for your help! S

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For decades, I’ve dreamed of doing this exact same thing for dogs. I have nothing against cats, of course. Some of my best friends have cats. I just have this thing for dogs. I truly believe I’m a dog in another existence, because I feel so connected to them. And frankly, I wouldn’t want to live in a world without dogs–the ONLY animals who love and protect their owners.

All I need is about $3M and a nice, big piece of land in the North Georgia mountains. If you can help me out, just let me know! When it’s up and running, you can visit my puppy paradise any ‘ol time you want…

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Why 40? Because Dog Fancy magazine is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Congratulations, Dog Fancy! And congratulations to all the winners. (I’m betting my city is somewhere in that top 40. I love where I live!)

What Makes These Cities the Best?

The criteria used to select the winning city include lots of dog-friendly open spaces and dog parks, events celebrating dogs and their people, sufficient veterinary care, plenty of pet supply and other services, and municipal laws that support and protect all pets.

The next nine cities in the top ten are:

* Carmel, Calif.
* Madison, Wis.
* Benicia, Calif.
* Fort Bragg, Calif.
* Lincoln City, Ore.
* San Diego, Calif.
* Virginia Beach, Va.
* Sioux Falls, S.D.
* Salem, Ore.

I think every city in America should do whatever it takes to win this competition next year!

Customize Your Profile, and Then Buy Pets!
Are you a wolf, a cat, or a bird? Choose which animal you want to be and also pick a habitat. Then, check out all of the other human pets, and buy a few to take care of!

Search for Pets
You can find “human pets” near you, and become real life friends! Or, check out the random profile viewer and meet people from all over the world.

Besides online auctions, chats and blogs, games, discussion boards and classified ads, you can create similar interest groups known as “herds,” and discuss your hobbies with new friends. There’s an online market, so you can go shopping and find new items for your pets. You can even open up your own shop and earn virtual points from sales. We think they can take it even further!!

Let’s See How THEY Like It!

You know how much humans like to dress us up in ridiculous outfits they wouldn’t wear in public themselves? Well, Mittens and I think this Web site provides a great opportunity to turn the tables. After all, turn-about is fair play. You know how my Mom and Dad put me in dog sweaters every once in a while? I just suck it up and have fun with it, because it makes them happy. With this new site, you all have a chance to have your pet stroll the neighborhood streets au natural—naked, nude, like pets are supposed to be. Won’t that be fun!? America, get your cameras ready!

I love this site! Created for people who treat their pets like family (and that would definitely be me,) it features a health center and an encyclopedia of animals, where you can find out about hundreds of potential pets. There are also forums for all kinds of pets and some fun games.

Mostly, it’s about hooking up socially active pets and their people, encouraging inter-species connections, too. Just because you have a dog or a cat doesn’t mean you can’t “hang” with a fish or a rodent. You’re invited to create a free profile for your best friend, where you can share photos, videos  and information about favorite activities, favorite toys, even the energy level of your pet. The site covers dog breeds extensively, and you’ll be happy to know the many breeds of cats, horses, fish, birds, etc. are given equal time.

Especially touching is Rainbow Bridge–a place on the site where people can memorialize the pets they’ve loved and lost. The page includes the beautiful work of an unknown author who wrote comforting words about where our deceased pets go and the extraordinary moment when we’re reunited with them.

And, of course, there’s a blog–Cindy’s Blog. She’s a former surgical veterinarian technician and education specialist for the Humane Society. Covering everything from ear mites to raising chickens as pets to heartwarming orangutan/dog relationships, Cindy gives great tips for caretakers of precious pets.

Why not head over there and browse awhile? I think you’ll be amazed, not just at the variety of pets people share their homes with, but the deep, enduring love at the heart of those relationships.

Which Teams Have Cat Mascots?

The tournament starts with 64 teams, and 13 of those teams wear some kind of cat on their T-shirts and hats and stuff. That’s about 20% off all the teams in the tournament! Understandably, cats are pretty popular when you’re looking for a mascot that’s fierce, determined, persistent, competitive and, of course, lovable like me.  Here’s a list of the tournament teams that have combat-ready catalysts for team spirit:

University of Kentucky Wildcats

University of Missouri Tigers

Kansas State University Wildcats

University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions

Clemson University Tigers

University of  Houston Cougars

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University of Northern Iowa Panthers

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Villanova University Wildcats

University of Vermont Catamounts

University of Ohio Bobcats

University of Pittsburgh Panthers

North Texas State University Bobcats

Brigham Young University Cougars

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGO, CATS, GO!

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen top the list of human medications most poisonous to pets.

“The Pet Poison Helpline (1-800-213-6680) offers tips for the prevention of pet poisoning caused by human medications.

Justine A. Lee, DVM, DACVECC, associate director of veterinary services at the helpline, said as far as animal poisonings go, “they are unfortunately very, very common.” The 24-hour helpline is available throughout North America for veterinary professionals and pet owners who need help treating a potentially poisoned pet.

Tens of thousands of phone calls are fielded on human prescription drugs, rat poisons and environmental/home toxins, Lee said. Nearly half the calls involve over-the-counter and prescription medications for humans.”

Below are the top 10 human medications most frequently ingested by pets.

1. NSAIDs (e.g. Advil, Aleve and Motrin) Common household medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) top the list. The names include ibuprofen (e.g., Advil and some types of Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve).
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2. Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) Even though this drug is safe, this is not true for pets—especially cats. One regular strength tablet of acetaminophen may cause damage to a cat’s red blood cells.
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3. Antidepressants (e.g. Effexor, Cymbalta, Prozac, Lexapro) While occasionally used in pets, overdoses can lead to serious neurological problems such as sedation, incoordination, tremors and seizures. Pets, especially cats, seem to enjoy the taste of Effexor and often eat the entire pill. One pill can cause serious poisoning.
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4. ADD/ADHD medications (e.g. Concerta, Adderall, Ritalin) Minimal ingestions of these medications by pets can cause life-threatening tremors, seizures, elevated body temperatures and heart problems.
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5. Benzodiazepines and sleep aids (e.g. Xanax, Klonopin, Ambien, Lunesta) About half of the dogs who ingest sleep aids become agitated instead of sedate. In addition, these drugs may cause severe lethargy, incoordination and slowed breathing in pets.
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6. Birth control (e.g. estrogen, estradiol, progesterone) Large ingestions of estrogen and estradiol can cause bone marrow suppression, particularly in birds. Additionally, female pets that are intact are at an increased risk of side effects from estrogen poisoning.
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7. ACE Inhibitors (e.g. Zestril, Altace) Pets ingesting small amounts of this medication can potentially be monitored at home, unless they have kidney failure or heart disease.
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8. Beta-blockers (e.g. Tenormin, Toprol, Coreg) Small ingestions of these drugs may cause serious poisoning in pets. Overdoses can cause life-threatening decreases in blood pressure and a slow heart rate.
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9. Thyroid hormones (e.g. Armour desiccated thyroid, Synthroid) Large acute overdoses in cats and dogs can cause muscle tremors, nervousness, panting, a rapid heart rate and aggression.
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10. Cholesterol lowering agents (e.g. Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor) Most “statin” ingestions only cause mild vomiting or diarrhea. Serious side effects from these drugs come with long-term use. <HOME>

You know us pets. We love “see food.” If we see food, or anything else small and enticing, we eat it, so whatever drops on your floor is fair game. Thanks for thinking of us when you have something potentially dangerous hanging around the house!

Today, we’re going to have one of our friends here at Max & Mittens explain why she believes dogs are more popular than cats. I can’t wait to hear this. Her name is Susan…

I think I know why dogs have the upper hand in the battle for the hearts of pet lovers. But first, I want to say something about cats. I’ve never really had a cat companion. My husband and I have German shepherds, and we foster German shepherds for our local GSD rescue group.  We’ve talked about getting a cat (my husband had one as a child,) and we think our own dogs would eventually get used to having a cat around, but our fear is that the cat would be traumatized by every new foster we bring into the house.

I also have many cat-loving friends, and it’s given me an opportunity to get  very close to some fabulous cats. Over the holidays,  I visited a friend in California who was keeping her daughter’s rescued cat temporarily.  Stubby (so named because of an unfortunate accident to her right-rear leg when she was a barn cat,) became incredibly attached to me—and I to her. Stubby sat in my lap while I read and slept next to me in bed every night. I realized then that I’ve missed having a cat in my life, and someday, if we ever give up our fostering, I’d love to add a cat to our family. But here’s why I believe dogs prevail over cats in popularity:

AAAAAAAADogs are the only domesticated animals who love and protect their owners.

I know there have been stories from time to time about people or families being saved from fire because the cat woke them up in time, or horses who went to get help when their rider had fallen and was injured, or a fish that saved Pittsburgh. But dogs instinctively protect their human families like no other animal and, unlike cats, their love is enthusiastic and unconditional. Clearly, it’s hard to beat that combination.

For me, it doesn’t matter which pet is more popular. What matters is that we always strive to be responsible pet owners who honor the love and trust our pets—furry and otherwise—place in us, and that we never forget the affection and joy these friends bring to our lives. Rescue. Adopt. Love. Max and Mittens—you BOTH rule!

Today, we’re turning over our forum for an op ed piece by Susan, one of our co-workers, who is an ardent animal lover (two German Shepherds and counting) and a foster Mom for her local German Shepherd rescue organization.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMax & Mittens
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Two New Zealanders have begun what I believe is, on their part, an unwinnable war. Their book, Time to Eat the Dog: the Real Guide to Sustainable Living, contends that the carbon pawprint of our pets is double that of a “gas-guzzling sports utility vehicle,” and we should reconsider our love and care for  the fellow creatures that make our lives complete.

Yahoo! News reports that Robert and Brenda Vale, specialists in sustainable living at Victoria University of Wellington, “analyzed popular brands of pet food and calculated that a medium-sized dog eats around 164 kilos (360 pounds) of meat and 95 kilos of cereal a year.

Combine the land required to generate its food and a “medium” sized dog has an annual footprint of 0.84 hectares (2.07 acres) — around twice the 0.41 hectares required by a 4×4 driving 10,000 kilometres (6,200 miles) a year, including energy to build the car.”

In their book, the Vales also site dog and cat poo as toxic, “causing high bacterial levels in rivers and streams, making the water unsafe to drink, starving waterways of oxygen and killing aquatic life.”

To this I say, so what? Humans are far more responsible for polluting our planet in an ever-expanding variety of ways. Maybe we should eliminate all the polluting humans, too. Good luck with that. Living in a world without SUVs is eminently doable. Living in a world without our beloved pets would be devastating. As a matter of fact, the Vales go so far as to say that other animals are not good for the environment either. I guess they conveniently forgot that humans are also animals, a fact frighteningly proven every day in newspapers, television, radio and on the Internet every day.

The Vales suggest that, if you must have a pet, get one that’s dual purpose—like a chicken that lays eggs or, as Robert Vale recommends, “Rabbits are good, provided you eat them.” You have got to be kidding me. Clearly, this couple doesn’t get the concept of pets. I feel sorry for any kids they may have, who get a precious bunny they fall in love with, only to wind up chomping away on its lucky rabbit’s foot during Sunday dinner.

As you can imagine, animal rights activists and pet owners are up in arms—but they don’t have to be. The diversity of life—wild, and otherwise—is the very essence of our world. And with the need for unconditional love becoming greater and greater, our pets aren’t going anywhere.

But there is a place Robert and Brenda Vale can go where they’ll be happy, because there will be no loving, cuddly pets or animals there to affect their environment. Not even a rabbit to roast over the fire…

AAAAAAAAAAAAAA