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Sleep Soundly February 28, 2008 Here’s a twist on kitty beds that should win over some eco-interested folks: a deep, cushy, clamshell-shaped number stuffed with plastic bottles that have been cut to pieces, superheated and spun into a cotton candy material that is the height of fluffy. Go to Worldwise.com, scroll to SmartyCat, then CozyClamshell, type in your zip, and it’ll tell you the closest place to check one out. Staying Chic February 21, 2008 Argyle is all the rage again this fall, and now your dog can have a fashionable argyle collar. Actually, fashion trends aside, these are appealing. Go to www.earthdoggy.com. Collars in all sizes are $22; matching leash is $32. Good Night February 14, 2008 Got an especially stinky, grimy or sweaty dog? Chances are his bed seems a little like a Hazmat site. Here’s help: Beds constructed of Crypton Fabric’s amazing fabric seem to resist all manner of doggy crud. Three different sizes in round or rectangle, with famous names like Michael Graves attached, run $63 to $140 or you can design your own. Go to www.cryptonfabric.com. Dog-gone Good Gifts February 7, 2008 Got a boxer? Or a beagle? Or a basset? Whatever. Go to www.ourdoghouse.com to find scores of cute, funny or elegant gifts celebrating the breed of your choice. Doggy Immortal February 1, 2008 Want to immortalize your pet in tabletop statue form? Send photos of it (reclining, since the standing-up versions on narrow legs are too fragile) and New York sculptor S.G. Hoffman will make a picture-perfect clay replica with real-life coloring. It takes eight to 12 weeks, is a reasonable $150 ($180 if you want it mounted on a cremation urn) and he’ll even do two pets together for $200. www.petstatues.net Dogs on Film … and Mouse Pads January 24, 2008 Whatever your pet – cat, bird, dog, fish or ferret – you can find a fun, funky and artistically rendered card or mouse pad that celebrates it. Pennsylvania animal artist Mary Badenhop offers her collection of more than 300 designs (including dozens of breeds of dogs and cats) at http://pipsqueakproductions.com Good at Heart January 17, 2008 The whole Vick dogfighting mess has prompted many animal lovers to wear their hearts and feelings on their sleeves. The Humane Society of the United States makes it easy to do so with its stylish $28 T shirt that proclaims “Real Men Don’t Fight Dogs.” See it at www.HSUS.org/shop/ For Snow Dogs January 10, 2008 Those fleece capes and jackets are great for shorthaired, sidewalk-strolling canines this time of year. But if you have a drift-jumping dog that goes with you for long winter hikes, that dog needs more substantial garb. Check out the RuffWear K-9 Overcoat II at REI. It’s made of fleece and water-resistant material and moves with doggies without falling off. It’s $49 in three sizes. Fido Will Light the Way January 3, 2008 When the days are short (and the dark hours long) you’ve still got to walk the dog. Make the experience safer with this interesting item: The Puplight, which allows your dog to light the way. The around-the-neck flashlight held by an elastic strap will cast an adjustable beam up to 200 feet ahead. It’s $19.50 from DuluthTrading.com Fit to be Dog-Tied December 27, 2007 Got a dog-loving male in your life? Perhaps he could use a tie declaring his favorite dog breed. Go to www.doggyties.com and find dozens of breeds, from border collies to whippets and vizslas, tastefully patterned on ties. They’re $21.95 each. I Heart Lizards December 20, 2007 Lizard lovers haven’t been getting nearly the respect that dog, cat and bird lovers get from jewelry makers. Changes are afoot. If you love iguanas or geckos, wear it on your arm: a stylish, arty sterling silver lizard link bracelet is $37 from IguanaWoman.com. The Mississippi retailer offers scores of other lizard-hemed items, too, by the way, from home decor to figurines to all manner of jewelry. Virtual Vet December 13, 2007 A new computer game, Pet Vet 3-D Animal Hospital lets you play amateur vet. The better you diagnose and cure animals in your care, the quicker you build your reputation and bring in more cash for more sophisticated equipment - and the ability to treat more species. It’s $29.99 at www.viva-media.com. Cat Scratch Fever December 6, 2007 Some cats prefer baseboards and sofas to conventional commercial scratching posts. If you’ve got one of them, it might be worth investing in a white cedar scratching post invented and hand-crafted by a cat lover who’s seen it all. It’s $50 plus shipping (including guide to train Fluffy to use this exclusively). Check it out at NaturalScratch.com. Santa Paws November 29, 2007 Got a boxer? Or a beagle? Or a basset? Whatever. Go to www.ourdoghouse.com to find scores of cute, funny or elegant gifts celebrating the breed of your choice. All For Swag and Swag For All September 27, 2007 Find mugs, calendars, pillows, puzzles and more celebrating 100+ dog breeds – even the rarer ones like Saluki, Coonhound, Pharoah and Portugese Water Dog, at Dogbreedstore.com. There are even items featuring mixed-breeds like Schnoodles and Yorkipoos. The FUR-minator September 20, 2007 De-furring really hairy dogs and cats with long or thick coats is easier with the FUR-minator, a unique design that goes deep into the undercoat to drag out soon-to-shed hair more effectively than you’ve ever used. Really. Various sizes; about $25 to $60 at pet stores and Web outlets. The Pet Sitter September 13, 2007 Brainy, high-stimulation-need dogs keep themselves busy for hours with a “Buster Cube,” a square block you stuff with kibbles that randomly fall out as he noses it around the room. About $14 at pet supply places. Hot Dogs September 13, 2007 Got a warm dog? Some parts of the country are still steamy, and hard on long-haired, thick-furred of chunky-built canines. A solution: a cooling bed. There are varieties that run from $20 to $60 for small and $45 to $80 for large. Check pet stores and internet supply sources like [link:http:// jbpet.com]jbpet.com[link]. Tag … Doggies Are It! September 6, 2007 You’ll be able to quickly identify your luggage on those sea-of-black airport carousels and proclaim your doggie love at the same time with breed-specific luggage tags. There are 60 different ones, $4.99 to $7.99, at [link:http://www.DoggiePro.com]www.DoggiePro.com.[link] Calm High-Anxiety Dogs August 30, 2007 High-anxiety dog at home? DAP (dog appeasement pheromone), a synthesized version of a pheromone released by nursing dogs, is believed to calm nervous canines by reminding them of the safe days of puppyhood. About $25 at vets and online sources for a 30-day plug-in. Double Dogs August 14, 2007 Two-dog Leash, called Pet Walker-Plus, for folks with more than one canine, doesn’t tangle no matter how ill-behaved the dogs. J-B Wholesale, $16.99 to $21.99 depending on dogs’ size. More than Man’s Best Friend February 28, 2008 Most of us know that some of our best lessons about being honorable, keeping focused and living on the right side of optimism and happiness came from watching our dogs. Now a couple of management experts are integrating all that into a new leadership book, “Why Dogs Wag their Talks: Lessons leaders can learn about work, joy and life.” Interspersing their savvy management lessons with tales of canine common sense and instinct, Sherri McArdle and Jim Ramerman offer a comprehensive guide for navigating the sometimes-perilous shoals of being a boss. Keeping an Eye Out for Recalls February 21, 2008 Check in at humanesociety.org/petfoodsafety every so often to keep up with the very latest on pet foods and treats that have been recalled. And if you discover you’ve given your pet something that is on the recall list, call your vet immediately, even if the animal is displaying no obvious symptoms. What They’re Purring About February 14, 2008 The biggest mysteries of life have little to do with biophysics or black holes. They revolve around why cats do what they do. Well, some of that has been demystified in “The Cat Behavior Answer Book,” a cut-to-the-chase explanation of dozens of feline quirks. Written by animal behavior consultant Arden Moore, the $14.95 book also offers advice for dealing with some of the more unappealing cat craziness. Escape into the Animal World February 7, 2008 Not all of us get to live in pastoral harmony with our animals, but Jon Katz does, and he writes eloquent books about the experience. His latest “Dog Days” (Villard, 2007; $24), is a wonderful journey through living and learning from animals. Don't be Dumb January 24, 2008 For informative articles on everything from litter-box problems to barking or digging dogs, to how to integrate new animals into your home or aggressive bunnies, check out the Web site from the Denver Dumb Friends League, a decades-old animal-rescue shelter. Go to www.ddfl.org and click on Pet Behavior Advice and you’ll find more than 60 topics. They've Got Answers January 17, 2008 All those pet-care questions you’ve wondered about are probably answered at Healthypet.com, operated by the American Animal Hospital Association. Dozens of small articles deal with everything from allergies to a sore leg that doesn’t heal to dogs eating cat food. Click on “Library” on the home page and you’ll find them, well organized and easy to understand. Spoken Like a True Cat Lady January 10, 2008 “An Unlikely Cat Lady: Feral Adventures in the Backyard Jungle” (The Lyons Press, 2007, $14.95) a memoir by Nina Malkin, who became an accidental cat tender in Brooklyn, is a poignant, honest tale of feral-cat discovery and surprising human relations in the city. Photoshopped Felines January 3, 2008 You’ve GOT to go read this regularly, whether you’re a cat-lover or not: www.icanhascheezburger.com is a repository of hilarious cat pictures with crazy captions. Here’s how it works: a cat owner takes a goofy photo of the family feline, maybe manipulates it with image-editing software, attaches a laugh-out-loud caption (complete with bad spelling, such as a cat might write) and posts it. Lots of creative cat owners out there make this a mid-morning must-read. Euthanasia Essay December 27, 2007 The toughest choice a pet owner must make is euthanasia. It’s emotional, it’s guilt-filled and the question of timing is impossible to judge. One of the finest, most helpful essays on the matter is from Sarah Hartwell, a cat lover from the U.K. Read it, save it and pull it out when you need to: www.messybeast.com/euth2.htm. The Secret Life of Cats December 20, 2007 A fun, light read for cat lovers: The Secret Diary of Adrian Cat. You won’t learn much about the care or inner psyche of cats, but you’ll snort out loud at some of the observations and recommendations of this feline journal-keeper (translated by cat-savvy authors Stuart and Linda MacFarlane.). At bookstores and at the book's Web site, www.TheSecretDiaryOfAdrianCat.com. Total Health Tome December 13, 2007 At last. A reliable, veterinarian-based guide to pet health that regular people can understand. The recently released Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health is 1345 pages to help pet owners understand virtually every ailment and condition that might arise. It’s a great resource to broaden your knowledge base and take preventive-care steps. It’s also an affordable $22.95. Rover, Get Off Her Leg! December 6, 2007 In "Rover, Get Off Her Leg" (HCI, 2007, $14.95), animal behavior consultant, Darlene Arden, explains why dogs hump, and how to get them to quit (laughing, even to cover your discomfort, is a no no). Along the way, you’ll get some basic, solid training advice and confirmation that yours isn’t the only dog that passes gas while guests are gathered around. Free Will Pet Kit November 29, 2007 Learn what steps to take to provide for your pets when you are no longer there to do so. The Humane Society of the United States’ free kit “Providing for your Pet’s Future Without You” helps you sort through the details. Request it from petsinwills@hsus.org or call 202-452-1100. Housebroke Hotel September 27, 2007 Visit www.pettravel.com, an easy-to-search free database of more than 35,000 pet-friendly accommodations worldwide. Diary of a Best Friend September 20, 2007 Best Friends magazine, published by the nation’s biggest animal sanctuary, Best Friends Animal Society, Kanab, Utah, offers more than 60 pages every other month of heart-warming animal tales and articles about current animal issues. It’s slick and informed. $25 for 6-issue subscription; 435-644-2001. One Smarty Puppy September 13, 2007 Got a new puppy? Check out My Smart Puppy, a book/ DVD package created by Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson, veteran trainers with a down-to-earth, easy to understand approach. Preview the goods at www.mysmartpuppy.com. It’s $25.99 at bookstores. Who's Your Dumb Friend? September 6, 2007 Check out the website for the [link:http://www.ddfl.org]Denver Dumb Friends League[link]. They’ve posted scores of articles about how to deal with everything from canines that are destructive, diggers or escape artists to felines that scratch or bite. See the full list of offerings [link:http://www.ddfl.org/tips.htm#tips]here[link]. Dog is My Co-Pilot August 30, 2007 “Dog Is My Co-Pilot” (Crown Publishers, 2003), revered by dog lovers with a literary bent but largely unnoticed by the general public, is worth tracking down. It’s a collection of how-dogs-impacted-my-life-and-thinking essays by such writers as Alice Walker and Erica Jong. Stay Up-To-Date on Safety August 16, 2007 Make a regular visit to the ASPCA’s poison control page, which frequently updates newly discovered foods, substances, materials and flora that can be toxic to your pets [link:http://www.aspca.org/apcc]www.aspca.org/apcc[link] Dr. Dolittler August 14, 2007 Check out Dolittler.com, a blog from Miami veterinarian Dr. Patty Khuly. She’s informed, sometimes funny, sometimes heart-wrenching in her observations and always instructional and on the mark.
Adopt a pet at
PetFinder.com (Results will appear on PetFinder.com)  Ways to Welcome Home a New Feline
From Allie Phillips of King Street Cats, a cat-rescue group in Alexandria, Va., which holds open adoptions at downtown locations every Sunday
A new home can seem huge, intimidating and overwhelming. So find a room that will allow the cat to get accustomed to the smells and sounds. Placing a cat-calming Feliway plug-in device in the room may also help.
Make introductions slowly
If you have other cats or pets, a several-step introduction is best. First, allow your current pets to see the new cat through a baby-gated doorway or by someone holding the new cat while your current pet is held and petted (to reduce anxiety and jealousy.) Cats will invariably growl and hiss during introductions. Keep petting and talking to all pets. Let the pets decide when they want to get closer to sniff each other, which may take days or even weeks.
Kitty-proof your home
If this is your first cat, be sure electrical cords are hidden or secured to avoid chewing; check tables and shelves for breakable items; beware of lit candles on low tables; and be sure basements and other areas don’t have small openings to the outdoors. Lock away cleaners, chemicals, fertilizers and other toxins with baby-proof hinges. Have at least one litter box per cat.
Provide supervision
During the first weeks of allowing your new cat to roam free in your house, it's best to be watchful. You can help it locate litter boxes and food/water bowls and you'll discover its hiding places. And if you have other pets, you can ensure there are no conflicts.
Give lots of love
Keep your level of attention for existing pets consistent when a new cat arrives. If you suddenly stop or reduce the level of play and interaction with current pets, jealousy can ensue and the new cat could become the target of attacks. Engage in playtime with all the cats together.
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