Gina Spadafori

Universal Press Syndicate

As I write this in Northern California, it's daylight, but the sun is obscured by the smoke from hundreds of wildfires. Countless families have evacuated their homes or stand ready to, along with their animals.

As I write this, the floodwaters are receding from a friend's farm in Iowa, but she and her family are safe, along with their animals.

As I write this, a photographer friend is back in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans, following the progress -- or lack thereof -- of a great city working to get back on its feet, along with its animals.

As I write this, I wonder again: Am I ready for a levee break, living as I do near the confluence of two great rivers? Am I ready for an earthquake?

Maybe. Mostly. Now that I think about it, I'd better check.

Disaster preparedness is so easy to let slide. We get all worked up after a major disaster is in the news, and certainly after we're lucky enough to be reminded of the potential -- a thick layer of smoke, in my case, with the nearest fire two counties away.

We read up, we stock up, we move on. And then, we forget. In a pinch, we take the can opener out of the emergency kit and don't replace it. We rotate the food and water into our kitchen cupboards, but we don't buy anything new to rotate into the supplies in the garage.

It's human nature, of course, to react to immediate threats and to put off preparing for something that might never happen.

If you're one of those people who not only have a disaster plan but have also included your animals in it, now is the time to review those plans.

If you've never done any disaster planning, for you or your pets, this is as good a time as any to start. But no matter where you live, there could be a crisis heading your way, and your pets are counting on you.

Start your preparations with something you've probably already taken care of, by making sure your pets have ID.

Most animals will survive a disaster, but many never see their families again because there's no way to determine which pet belongs to which family if the animals go missing, a common occurrence even under normal circumstances. That's why dogs and cats should always wear a collar and identification tags. Add a microchip, too.

Once your pet has up-to-date ID, it's time to collect some equipment to help you cope in case of an emergency. A big storage bin with a lid and handles is an ideal place to keep everything you need together and on hand.

Keep several days' worth of drinking water and pet food, as well as any necessary medicines, rotating the stock regularly. For canned goods, don't forget to pack a can opener and a spoon. Lay in a supply of empty plastic bags, along with paper towels, both for cleaning up messes and for sealing them away until they can be safely tossed.

For cats, pack a bag of litter and some disposable litter trays.

Even normally docile pets can behave in uncharacteristic ways when stressed by an emergency, which makes restraints essential for the safety of pets and people alike. For dogs, leashes should always be available.

Shipping crates are probably the least-thought-of pieces of emergency equipment for pets but are among the most important. Sturdy crates keep pets of all kinds safe while increasing their housing options. Crated pets may be allowed in hotel rooms that are normally off-limits to pets, or can be left in a pinch with veterinarians or shelters that are already full, since the animals come with rooms of their own.

The final item of restraint for dogs and cats: a soft muzzle, because frightened or injured pets are more likely to bite. And don't forget to put first-aid supplies in your disaster kit, along with a book on how to treat pet injuries.

You may never have to pull out your disaster kit, but it's always good to be prepared.

For more information or a free emergency preparedness brochure for pet lovers, visit www.ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY.

Q&A

Antibiotics: Let your veterinarian decide

Q: My friend says she almost never goes to the veterinarian with her pets. She's from a farming family, and she says they always kept antibiotics around and treated their animals themselves. She says it's pretty easy to get antibiotics -- the fish kind are fine and lots cheaper, too. And, of course, she isn't paying for a vet visit.

Our budget is stretched pretty thin these days, like a lot of people. I'm open to the idea of doing more vet care at home. But is it really OK to give fish drugs to dogs? -- S.I., via e-mail

A: Antibiotics have saved countless lives of both the human and animal variety. But we have become so comfortable with these medicines and their frequent use, we sometimes forget they are powerful drugs that should be used with care.

As you've noted, some pet owners respond to any sign of illness by dosing -- and often, overdosing -- their pets with antibiotics commonly available at pet-supply stores (and often labeled for fish). "Prescribing" antibiotics on your own for your pet is a bad idea, for a couple of reasons.

First, if your pet has a viral or fungal infection, antibiotics will not help -- and they may even worsen your pet's condition.

Second, not all antibiotics are the same. They each have their target bacteria and may little affect bacteria that they're not designed to combat as well as bacteria that are resistant to their effects. To choose the right antibiotic for a particular health problem requires not only expertise, but it may also require a diagnostic test.

Third, regular use of antibiotics may affect both your pet's immune system and the bacteria trying to beat it, leading to the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria that will be hard to stamp out, even with the "right" medication. This last point has ramifications beyond the health of your pet: Experts say the wide use, misuse and overuse of antibiotics is behind the rise of drug-resistant bacteria.

When you buy an antibiotic at a pet-supply store, you are often wasting your money, and you're certainly losing time -- time that should be spent taking your pet to your veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment.

There are many ways to trim the costs of pet care, but guessing at what's ailing your pet and then guessing at a course of treatment wouldn't be at the top of my list.

After all, guessing wrongly may end up costing you more than money -- it may end up costing your pet his life. -- Dr. Marty Becker

(Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com.)

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of several best-selling pet-care books.

On PetConnection.com there's more information on pets and their care, reviews of products, books and "dog cars," and a weekly drawing for pet-care prizes. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or visiting PetConnection.com.

PET BUZZ

Canine 'startup' costs not cheap

-- The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has released its annual estimate of pet-care costs and found a large dog's first year of care -- including food, veterinary care and spaying or neutering -- will cost about $1,843. Want a less expensive pet? The ASPCA puts the "startup" cost for a small bird at $270, and at $235 for a fish setup.

-- Tail-wagging is a form of communication (dogs don't usually wag their tails when they're alone). But a wagging tail doesn't necessarily mean a friendly dog, since even a dog with a tail on the move can and will bite. The book "Why Do Men Have Nipples" says the wag can convey good spirits, fear, aggression, dominance, submission or a state of conflict, the latter the simultaneous need to advance and retreat. Wagging also spreads pheromones by causing the muscles around the tail to contract and press on glands that release a scent that communicates information about sex, age and social status.

-- Alligator blood may hold the key to fighting deadly infections in humans, reports The Miami Herald. Preliminary data shows antibodies in gator blood killed about two dozen strains of bacteria, including E. coli, strep and salmonella, as well as a deadly form of staph infection. Researchers believe alligators developed strong immune systems to deal with injuries sustained in the swamp. -- Dr. Marty Becker

THE SCOOP

Dock diving: A big jump and a cool finish

Dock diving is one of the newest sports for dogs, and in the hot months of summer, it's easy to see why it's so popular.

The sport is easy to understand -- jumps off an elevated dock into a portable pool are measured for distance or height -- and fun for handlers, dogs, spectators and TV viewers. And although the top teams are now getting sponsorships and are training for even longer jumps, in dock-diving, even new competitors can do well.

If your dog loves the water, all you need to do is sign up, show up and have a great time.

Water dogs -- retrievers, primarily -- have a natural advantage in this sport, of course. A dog who doesn't fancy landing into a pool may lack the motivation to compete, no matter their ability to leap a great distance. Still, dogs of all sizes, breeds and mixes have competed, and many have posted more than respectable results.

Dock-diving is welcoming of newcomers, so if you think your dog has what it takes to get "big air," check out these organizations for more information:

-- Dock Dogs (www.dockdogs.com). Dock Dogs offers more events and a series of televised regionals leading to a championship. Most events are on the East Coast and in the Midwest.

-- Splash Dogs (www.splashdogs.com). Splash Dogs competitions are big in California and throughout the Western states, with a national championship in Arizona. -- Gina Spadafori

BY THE NUMBERS

Ticks mean health problems for dogs

Tick-related diseases are a major source of illness in dogs. According to an analysis of claims submitted in 2007 to the Veterinary Pet Insurance Co., Lyme disease is the top infectious disease in dogs for the third year in a row. Ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis, other tick-borne conditions, came in at No. 3. Together, these three conditions accounted for 47 percent of canine claims for infectious diseases last year. The top infectious diseases:

1. Lyme disease

2. Papillomatosis

3. Ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis

4. Valley fever

Source: Petinsurance.com

ON GOOD BEHAVIOR

Be conscious of what you're rewarding

When your pet is trying to get your attention, ask yourself this question, "Do I want this particular behavior to increase or decrease?"

For example, if you want your pet's vocalization and pawing at doors to decrease, then ignore those behaviors. As tempting as it is, do not even look at your pet. Eye contact alone is enough attention to encourage your pet to continue a behavior.

Instead, encourage behaviors you do want. Ignore your pet's unwanted behaviors until they stop. Then, give your pet an instruction or wait until your pet sits quietly before rewarding him with eye contact, praise or a treat.

Your pet will learn to offer those good behaviors you want instead of behaviors that no longer work to get what he wants.

(Animal behavior experts Susan and Dr. Roland Tripp are the authors of "On Good Behavior." For more information, visit their Web site at AnimalBehavior.net.)

Pet Connection is produced by a team of team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of several best-selling pet-care books. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper, by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.

4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111; (816) 932-6600

And Gina Spadafori

Universal Press Syndicate

Three-day holiday weekends are busy times at veterinary emergency clinics. While most of the animals who'll end up in emergency care over the Fourth of July weekend will be there because they should be, others have problems that could probably wait until the regular veterinary hospital is open again.

If you're not a veterinarian yourself, it's sometimes hard to tell a mild health problem from an emergency. But every day, people spend money they didn't need to for emergency clinic trips they didn't have to make. Knowing what's a true emergency and what's not can save you hundreds of dollars, since emergency clinics -- like human emergency care -- can be quite expensive. And it'll also help the emergency clinics take of the pets who truly need urgent care.

The first thing to do is figure out what you'll do if your pet has a medical emergency at night or on the weekend. That means calling your veterinary clinic or hospital now and asking about emergency or after-hours care. If your veterinarian refers clients to an emergency clinic after regular business hours, be sure you know which clinic it is, what the phone number is and how to get there.

With summer's big holiday at hand and lots of veterinarians closed for the three-day weekend, we want to revisit those problems that are definitely an emergency, in hopes of saving some lives.

You should be heading for the emergency vet if your pet has any of the following problems:

-- Seizure, fainting or collapse.

-- Eye injury, no matter how mild.

-- Vomiting or diarrhea -- anything more than two or three times within an hour or so.

-- Allergic reactions, such as swelling around the face, or hives, most easily seen on the belly.

-- Any suspected poisoning, including antifreeze, rodent or snail bait, or human medication. Cats are especially sensitive to insecticides (such as flea-control medication for dogs) or any petroleum-based product.

-- Snake or venomous spider bites.

-- Thermal stress -- from being either too cold or too hot -- even if the pet seems to have recovered. (The internal story could be quite different.)

-- Any wound or laceration that's open and bleeding, or any animal bite.

-- Trauma, such as being hit by a car, even if the pet seems fine. (Again, the situation could be quite different on the inside.)

-- Any respiratory problem: chronic coughing, trouble breathing or near drowning.

-- Straining to urinate or defecate.

Although some other problems may not be life-threatening, they may be causing your pet pain and should be taken care of without delay. Signs of pain include panting, labored breathing, increased body temperature, lethargy, restlessness, crying out, aggression and loss of appetite. Some pets seek company when suffering, while others will withdraw.

When in doubt, err on the side of caution, always. Better to be dead wrong about a minor medical problem than to have a pet who's dead because you guessed wrong about a major one. If you're not sure what to do, call. The veterinarian may need to see you, now.

SIDEBAR

Keep your pet cool when it's hot

The temptation to take a pet along to holiday gatherings can be great, but the danger posed by heat can be greater. Dogs -- especially those with short, broad muzzles -- don't handle heat well and can overheat to deadly levels in just a few minutes. If your dog shows signs of heat stress -- rapid, frantic panting and glassy eyes -- get him to a veterinarian immediately for emergency care.

Swimming is a great way for dogs to stay cool, but remember that not all dogs can swim (dogs such as bulldogs sink like rocks), and even a pet who's an enthusiastic and strong swimmer can get into trouble if pushed to exhaustion or if caught in dangerous currents.

If you do take your pet along, keep an eye on him to make sure he's not getting into trouble. For many dogs, staying home is probably the better option. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Q&A

Is missing tooth hurting sniffer dog?

Q: For the last three years I have been partnered with a drug-detector dog. The first year of our work together, he had surgery for bilateral laryngeal paralysis (a disease of the upper airway, making it difficult for the dog to breathe normally).

Then 10 days ago he had his lower right canine removed. Since then he has shown no interest in his work. He is also breathing heavily through his mouth. A colleague told me that detector dogs require their canine teeth to help them detect or search. Is this true? Also, is there a chance his laryngeal paralysis will come back? -- W.B., via e-mail

A: A dog's ability to detect odors is at least 10,000 times better than ours. That's why, for a dog, smell is the most important of all the senses. With your dog, who not only relies upon smell as a dog but also has a job that depends on his nose, your concern is understandable.

Drs. Gregg DuPont of the American Veterinary Dental College (www.avdc.org) and Kate Knutson of the American Animal Hospital Association (www.healthypet.com) were able to offer some advice, which we paraphrased:

The decreased sense of smell is not a direct result of the missing canine tooth. If fact, an infected tooth before removal can actually interfere with detection ability, because of strong odors created by the infecting bacteria in the mouth and from an overall sense of discomfort from chronic infection.

Your dog's loss of interest in detecting smells and his mouth-breathing may have started after the tooth was removed, but these symptoms are likely not related to the missing tooth.

The roots of canine teeth are long and curved, extending toward the back of the mouth. Because the roots extend deep into the jawbone, surgical extractions of these teeth are invasive. Both root curvature and length necessitate a significant portion of the jawbone to be removed in order to successfully extract the tooth. In addition, tissue is cut to get to the bone and arteries, and veins and small nerves are destroyed in the process. For several weeks there is considerable swelling in the tissue flap covering the extraction site.

The extensive nature of surgery and the postoperative swelling are likely contributors to your dog's decreased sense of smell. Stitches collecting food, bacteria and white blood cells can also affect the sense of smell. A drug reaction to antibiotics or pain medication taken after surgery can cause symptoms as well, which may be related to what you have seen.

Pain also contributes to behavior changes. Swelling of the bony socket that holds the tooth could be causing pain. Some dogs even tear out their stitches, leaving open bone exposed, and that can be extremely painful, as you might imagine. Your dog's panting behavior is likely a response to pain.

There can also be other, more serious reasons behind your dog's behavioral change, including a metabolic problem (such as renal failure) or aspiration pneumonia. Please take your dog back to your veterinarian for follow-up diagnosis and treatment as well as medication to address his pain.

You also inquired if laryngeal paralysis can reoccur following surgery. It would be unusual to see signs at the two-year post-surgery mark. However, nothing is impossible. If this is a concern, your dog needs to be lightly sedated so the surgical site can be evaluated. Again, talk to your veterinarian. -- Mikkel Becker Shannon

(Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com.)

PET BUZZ

Pet rental bans a big problem

-- Having a hard time finding a rental that will permit your pet? You're not alone. Apartments.com reports that 35 percent of renters with pets say it's very difficult to find an apartment that allows pets. Of renters who don't have pets but wish they did, 33 percent blame their lack of a pet on their building's no-animal policy.

-- Forget a better mousetrap! How about a smarter scarecrow? To keep away unwanted animals from your yard, try the ScareCrow, which uses motion sensors to spray animals with water from a garden hose. Suggested retail is $90 from garden centers or from the manufacturer Contech at www.scatmat.com.

-- Kids who want to be veterinarians are trying it on for size at Wannado City in Sunrise, Fla. That's where children can try their hand at veterinary medicine or more than 200 other occupations, including television director, police chief, dance club DJ and archaeologist. As reported in Veterinary Economics magazine, the animatronic dogs in the pretend veterinary hospital look so real that kids ask if they're OK when the "dogs" go motionless.

-- Less than 1 percent of the total feline population are pedigreed cats. The rest are usually cat-egorized by coat length in the United States, with veterinarians marking them in the records as domestic longhairs (DLH) or domestic shorthairs (DSH). Cats of no particular breed are sometimes also referred to as "alley cats" in the United States. In the United Kingdom, they're called "moggies." -- Dr. Marty Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of several best-selling pet-care books.

On PetConnection.com there's more information on pets and their care, reviews of products, books and "dog cars," and a weekly drawing for pet-care prizes. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or visiting PetConnection.com.

THE SCOOP

Begging dogs can be reformed

People say they don't like their dog begging, but they have only themselves to blame for the problem.

When we like the dog's behavior, we say we're "sharing" our food. When we don't like the behavior, we call it "begging." And we foolishly expect our dogs to see the difference.

If you never want your dog to stick her nose in your plate, put her head on your knee or paw at your arm, then don't ever reward her with food when she does.

What if it's too late for that? With patience and consistency, you can change your dog's behavior by never rewarding the begging again. When your dog finally becomes convinced that she will never again see another piece of food delivered from your plate, she'll stop asking. You can also have her practice a behavior that's incompatible with having her nose on your knee -- a down-stay on the other side of the room while you're eating.

But be warned: If you're inconsistent, you'll actually make the problem worse.

Rewarding a behavior occasionally is called random reinforcement, and it's a powerful motivator. In fact, it's what keeps the gambling industry afloat. Even though gamblers know the house always wins, they keep pulling the handle on those slot machines because they get a little back now and then, and because sometimes they hit the jackpot.

Dog trainers use these principles to instill good behaviors in dogs, but many pet lovers inadvertently use them to teach a dog bad habits -- like begging. -- Gina Spadafori

BY THE NUMBERS

Where cats come from

Cat lore dictates that if you feed a stray cat, you've adopted a stray cat. That seems to be largely true, based on a 2004 survey showing where people get their cats (multiple answers allowed):

Pet store adoption program 3 percent

Shelter 15 percent

Breeder 3 percent

Friend/relative 43 percent

Kitten of own cat 15 percent

Classified ad 8 percent

Pet store purchase 4 percent

Stray 34 percent

Rescue group 3 percent

Veterinarian 2 percent

Other 5 percent

Source: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association

PET RX

Thick, shiny coat normal for ferrets

A ferret's coat should be shiny and thick, never dull or dry.

Hair loss, and texture and quality changes are causes for concern. External parasites such as fleas, ticks and mites can cause abnormalities, but they are usually visible to the naked eye. The most common cause for hair loss in a mature, neutered ferret is adrenal disease. The most common cause for hair loss in an intact female ferret during its reproductive active cycle is a hormonal imbalance.

Normal ferret skin is smooth and pink without flakes, scabs or discoloration. In the wild, ferrets would spend a portion of their day in underground dens, where there is a constant temperature of 55 degrees with high humidity. In our homes in the winter, the air can be very dry and warm, which can dehydrate the ferret's skin. A cool home humidifier can help.

Your veterinarian should investigate any lumps, scabs or discoloration of the skin as soon as possible. Skin cancer is a common problem in ferrets and can be successfully cured with early treatment. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Pet Connection is produced by a team of team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of several best-selling pet-care books. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper, by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.

4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111; (816) 932-6600

Universal Press Syndicate

Every year I mean to have a magnificent vegetable garden. I have a perfect, sunny spot in my large yard with good soil and drainage, and I pick through the seed catalogs and gardening Web sites all winter long, dreaming of luscious heirloom tomatoes and more.

My dreams come true in late summer, when all those lovely veggies are ready for picking -- at the local farmer's market. Another year and no garden.

This year is going to be different. With food prices climbing and food recalls coming at a constant rate, I decided that this really would be the year for a home garden, with lots of healthy vegetables (for me and the pets both!) and beautiful flowers.

But can a pet lover really have fresh vegetables, bright flowers and lovely landscaping sharing the yard with dogs? When putting in my garden, I turned to Cheryl S. Smith, a dog trainer, avid gardener and author of several award-winning books, including the landmark landscaping guide "Dog Friendly Gardens, Garden Friendly Dogs" (Dogwise, $20).

Her tips:

-- Exercise your dog regularly. A tired dog is less likely to be destructive. Don't leave him to exercise himself unattended in any part of the yard you want left alone. Keep your dog in the house when you can't supervise him. If that's not possible, provide him with his own safe enclosure away from the choicest parts of your property when he has to be alone. (Make sure he's not barking while you're gone!)

-- Work with your dog's habits. Observe how your dog uses your yard, and plan accordingly. For instance, many dogs consider it their duty to run the fence line, leaving a well-worn trail where many people hope to put flowers. Go with his natural instincts: Place your beds and plantings away from the fence line, and let him do his guard-dog patrolling behind those plants.

-- Redirect digging. Some breeds were developed to dig, and expecting them not to indulge in it is unfair. You can find most of these digging dogs in the terrier group -- the word terrier comes from terra, for "earth." Put in a dig zone, and praise your dog for using it. Limit access to dirt elsewhere.

-- Put special plants in safer places. Raised beds and hanging planters are the place to put your most precious plants. In areas where your dog will roam, put the plants that can take being stepped on in front. Ask your garden center for suggestions.

Because most of my fragile plants -- not to mention those I certainly do not want to be leg-lifted on -- are in the vegetable garden and raised beds won't discourage my large retrievers, I have fenced off the area with edible plants completely from the rest of the yard. That protects my fruits and vegetables. For the rest of the yard, I'm choosing decorative landscaping tough enough to survive an occasional trampling from my dogs.

SIDEBAR

Strategies for avoiding the yellow spots

To avoid dead zones on lawns, provide your dog with an out-of-sight "potty zone" and train her to use it. Take your dog directly to the potty patch and give a command, such as "Hurry up" or "Go potty." Praise her for proper performance. Don't let your dog into the main part of the yard until she understands that her bathroom is around the corner.

If your dog does squat on the choicest patch of green, flush the area promptly with lots of fresh water, which will dilute the urine and minimize its damaging effect.

These strategies are not only easy, but they're also free -- and they won't have you giving anything to your dog that's not expressly for her benefit. -- Gina Spadafori

Q&A

Talk to vet now before the Fourth

Q: I adopted a shepherd mix from the local shelter more than a year ago. He's great, except for one thing: He freaked out on the Fourth of July last year. What should I do this year? -- M.R., via e-mail

A: Talk to your veterinarian now about tranquilizers that will help as the holiday gets closer. Considering how extreme your dog's reaction was last year, you'll likely want a full-fledged prescription product. If your dog were less anxious, I might suggest the homeopathic product Rescue Remedy, available in health-food stores, which many pet lovers believe helps to calm a nervous pet.

When the fireworks begin, make sure your dog is inside, turn on the TV or radio to muffle the sound, and be sure your pet can't escape in a panic. Scared pets are more likely to escape from the house or yard and be hit by cars or become lost forever. Prepare for the worst by making sure your pets have collars and tags, and know where to go for holiday veterinary care. Remember that terrified or hurt dogs are more likely to bite, so it's not a bad idea to have a soft muzzle on hand in case you need it.

Stay with your pet. A dog in this condition should not be left alone or taken to any holiday party.

After the fireworks calm down, ask your veterinarian for a referral to a behaviorist who can help you help your dog become more comfortable around loud noises. -- Gina Spadafori

Q: I'm getting a border collie -- my last BC died at 17 -- and I've found a litter with two puppies still available, a brother and sister. Would it be better to raise two at once so they have daytime company? Would you suggest getting two from the same litter or different litters? -- J.W., via e-mail

A: It's hard enough to raise and train one puppy well, and nearly impossible to handle two. The best choice, if you want two dogs, would be to raise one puppy to adulthood, and then get a second puppy and raise her.

Since you are aware of the border collie's intelligence and intensity, you likely know that even one BC is more than most people can handle. Do keep in mind, though, that border collies need training to keep their minds engaged and lots of aerobic exercise (daily is best). A bored border collie will find ways to keep herself amused, and you might not like the choices she makes. Imagine the mischief two canine Einsteins can get into!

You may well enjoy getting involved in a sport such as fly ball or agility with your new dog (or dogs). They excel at these sports, and the fast pace suits their type A personalities well. -- Gina Spadafori

(Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com.)

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of several best-selling pet-care books.

On PetConnection.com there's more information on pets and their care, reviews of products, books and "dog cars," and a weekly drawing for pet-care prizes. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or visiting PetConnection.com.

PET BUZZ

Ruling could change court status of pets

-- Vermont's Supreme Court will soon hear a case about whether a pet owner has the right to compensation for the emotional pain and loss of companionship when the animal dies as a result of negligence, reports the American Veterinary Medical Association's Web site (avma.org). Although the ruling will not change anything outside of that state, the court's decision may influence laws in other jurisdictions. The key issue is whether a pet owner can ask for more than the "property value" of an animal when suing. Currently, laws in most states allow owners to recover an animal's "market value," associated medical expenses and, at times, other economic damages, such as breeding status, pedigree and special training, but not any monetary compensation for emotional distress to the owner.

-- Summer foliage and flowers such as daffodils and tulips often look good enough to eat but can be toxic when consumed by dogs and cats. Eating bulbs can lead to cardiovascular problems and endanger the central nervous system, and ingesting lilies can cause kidney failure in cats.

-- When it comes to stretching before any activity, no personal trainer or coach will ever be as committed to the idea as the average cat. When a cat wakes up, she carefully stretches every muscle to make sure her strong, supple body is ready for action. Typically, the stretching routine starts with a good arching of the back and a very, very big yawn. Next is a full-body stretch, right down to the tip of the tail.

-- If you love your pet, you're in good company. Some 41 percent of pet owners consider their pets family members, 36 percent call them children, 19 percent think of them as friends, and only 2 percent think of them as an acquaintance or property, according to consumer research from the American Veterinary Medical Association. -- Dr. Marty Becker

THE SCOOP

Lively finches can be entertaining pets

Zebra and society finches are the "easy keepers" of the finch group, hardy little guys who'll bring energy and sound into your home.

They're not very expensive to acquire, set up or maintain. Unlike hookbills -- budgies, cockatiels and parrots -- who need and desire physical interaction, finches will be happiest if you leave them alone. That's really the only downside of having them as a children's pet, by the way: They're not the best pet for a child who wants a hands-on pet experience.

Since finches, unlike other pet birds, are generally left in their cages always, they're a good choice for a multipet household. (The cage will offer protection from cats in most cases.) Still, since predatory pets can be resourceful, you should probably keep finches in a room that you can close off when you're not around to supervise.

Because finches stay in their cages, get the biggest cage you can afford, with bar spacing close enough to prevent escapes. Since cage-bound birds need to fly for exercise, choose a cage that's more horizontal than vertical, to give them room to flit from side to side. A reputable bird shop will be able to set you up with everything you need, including healthy finches. -- Gina Spadafori

PETS BY THE NUMBERS

It takes a village -- or at least friends

Although more people these days seem to be taking their pets with them on vacation than ever before, that's not always possible. Who cares for the pets left behind (multiple responses allowed)?

Friend/family: 61 percent

Pet sitter: 24 percent

Board at vet: 20 percent

Board at kennel: 12 percent

Other: 2 percent

Never travel without pet: 7 percent

Source: American Animal Hospital Association

PET TIP

Make sure all pets have lots of water

Keep pet water cool by adding ice chips or cubes to the dishes of smaller pets and ice blocks for larger animals. Ice blocks can be made easily by freezing water in used food tubs.

Cats and dogs may also appreciate a frozen treat. Freeze no- or low-sodium broth in ice-cube trays -- and offer them the cubes outside to minimize any mess. You can also find commercial frozen treats for pets, such as Ice Pups (from The Honest Kitchen) or Frosty Paws.

Be sure your pet is always kept supplied with lots of clean water. For caged pets, check to be sure that the delivery tube of a water bottle isn't clogged, blocking the flow of water. For other animals, don't just add clean water on top of dirty in a filthy bowl -- scrub and refill the dish at least once a day. -- Gina Spadafori

Pet Connection is produced by a team of team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of several best-selling pet-care books. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper, by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.

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