pets

The American Humane Association has opened voting for the 2012 finalists for the Hero Dog Award.  With eight great dogs to choose from, it's difficult to decide which one should win!

                      ******************************************

You may think that newborn babies need a clean and sterile environment to be healthy, but newly published studies indicate a house pet can help your infant be healthier.

*********************************

The mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska, is celebrating fifteen years on the job, which is pretty much his whole life. 

*****************************************************

Keeping your dog on a chain might seem like the responsible thing to do, but it may be kinder and safer to find another way to restrain your best friend.

*************************************

Ticks are more than just a nuisance; they can be a threat to the health and well-being of both animals and humans. 

*******************************************************************************

As the mercury rises to unseasonably high temperatures, the heat can cause problems for our pets!

********************************************

Training a cat?  Okay, maybe your cat won't do parlor tricks but it is possible to teach your cat some basic good behavior.

****************************************

June 9, 2012

In order to have a great pet, you have to invest in it, but you are almost guaranteed to get a great return! 

In order to have a great pet, you have to invest in it, but you are almost guaranteed to get a great return!

By Mindy Norton

Are you a dog person or a cat person?

I like both, although right now I happen to have cats. It started with one cat that showed up at our house, then another - well, you know how it goes.

You may think of your cat as your pet, or your friend, but teacher? Turns out you can learn a lot about life by watching your cat (so pay attention)!

By Mindy Norton

The month of June is one a lot of folks really look forward to. For some it means the start of summer vacation. Churches are booked every weekend for June weddings.

But for animal shelters, it means more cats will be surrendered this month than during any other time of the year.

That's why June is designated as Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month.

There are lots of great things for pet owners to do this weekend, including the Dog Bowl in Frankenmuth, Michigan, but even in the midst of all the fun and games remember to keep your animal's safety in mind.

By Mindy Norton

On Memorial Day weekend, dog lovers are flocking to the little town of Frankenmuth, Michigan, for the annual Dog Bowl.

Once again salmonella is in the headlines as tainted pet food is posing a threat to both animals and their owners.

By Mindy Norton

Every year there are recalls of pet food, often due to the danger of salmonella contamination.

Within the last couple of weeks several pet food brands have issued recalls, all for dry pet foods manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods at its plant in South Carolina. Sampling of the product revealed the presence of salmonella.

The 26th Annual Genesis Awards have been handed out, and you can watch to see who receives the honors for helping improve conditions for our animal friends.

By Mindy Norton

The Genesis Awards began in 1986 when Broadway actress Gretchen Wyler decided that she could help animals by recognizing members of the news and entertainment media who were spotlighting issues that would increase public awareness and compassion toward animals.

We humans may enjoy this haunted holiday, but for our pets it can be intimidating, terrifying, even deadly.

By Mindy Norton

This is Halloween weekend, a scary time for all of us, but especially for our pets.

From their point of view, their routine is disrupted by the doorbell ringing and strange people showing up making lots of unusual noises and asking for candy and other goodies.

And when they act like pets, barking or hissing at these intruders, they're told to be quiet!

Dogs bark, yip, whine, even growl sometimes, but now they can tweet!

By Mindy Norton

Do you tweet?

That has become a familiar question as folks with computers and smart phones engage in social networking through Twitter, a website that allows them to post short messages that others can see. A message is referred to as a tweet.