pets

Let Cats Scratch

Pet Connection by by Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker
by Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker
Pet Connection | August 25th, 2008

Universal Press Syndicate

The observable delight cats get from a good scratch is reason enough to provide them with non-destructive opportunities to indulge in this satisfying behavior.

But too many people seem far too willing to deny their pets this normal behavior by declawing them without even trying to train them. While it's natural on our part to not want our furniture demolished, it's also possible to let cats keep their claws and channel their behavior in ways we humans can live with.

If you're going to have any success in getting your cat to scratch where you want -- instead of somewhere you don't, such as the corner of your couch -- you need to provide alternatives -- scratching posts and boxes, and cat trees -- that are not only sturdy but are also made of a material your pet can enjoy digging into.

Stability is important, because the first time a scratching post or cat tree comes crashing down on your pet is the last time she'll ever use it, rest assured. As far as material, sisal, a natural ropelike covering, is popular with cats, as is a carpet with loops that aren't too shaggy.

Many cats love cat trees, especially those with shelves, hiding spaces or perches. These days, these products come in all shapes and sizes, and many are designed to fit in attractively with the decor -- no more leftover '70s shag carpet covering!

Horizontal scratching boxes or pads offer another alternative, as do doorknob hangers made of cat-friendly scratching material. Try to offer as many choices in as many places as possible.

Be sure to place scratching items in places your cat frequents. A cat tree won't be of any use if it's hidden in a garage or basement, after all. You can ease the transition by positioning the scratching post, tree or box near the place where you're discouraging scratching. If that's not an aesthetically attractive spot, you can slowly move the scratching material to a more eye-pleasing location after your cat gets in the habit of using it.

You can make scratching posts, trees and boxes even more appealing by rubbing fresh catnip on them, by adding toys, or by playing games with your cat on (or near) the scratching material. These strategies will help make your cat comfortable with preferred scratching areas and will help to encourage return business.

Once you have pleasant places for your cat to scratch, you can discourage use of the furniture by covering the corners (or other scratched areas) with double-sided tape or panels of foil. The use of such materials is temporary: Once your cat gets in the habit of scratching where you want and leaving the unpleasantly padded furniture alone, you can remove the tape or foil and enjoy the look of your furniture again.

Keep squirt bottles handy as well, and be sure to deploy them in a way that makes the cat think the water that hit her didn't come from you.

Always remember to reward your cat with treats, praise and gentle physical attention when she scratches in a suitable spot.

Above all, be positive! Why punish your pet when you can offer alternatives and reward your pet for using them? If you're patient and persistent, your cat will learn to focus all that happy scratching on the places you've provided, leaving your expensive furniture unscathed.

SIDEBAR

Clipping your cat's claws is easy

Keeping the sharp tips of your cat's claws blunted will also help make living with your cat easier.

All you need is patience and a nail trimmer (either human or pet variety works fine). While your cat is relaxed and sleepy -- after a meal is a great time -- slowly expose a single claw and praise your cat. Over time, let your cat get used to you handling her feet gently as part of a petting session, exposing all her claws without clipping them.

After your cat is comfortable with having her paws handled -- this step can take a few days or more, depending on your cat -- nip off the very tip of a single claw. Don't push: While some cats may not mind a swift progression to having all claws nipped in a single session, others may tolerate only one nail tip a day.

Always end your trimming session with praise and petting, of course! -- Gina Spadafori

Q&A

Too many dogs for the park

Q: We have a problem in our dog park with a dog walker who brings in a half-dozen dogs at once and turns them all off-leash to run. They don't mind him, and he can't control them off-leash. He doesn't even try, and usually he's talking on his cell phone while completely ignoring them when they bully the other dogs.

People have told him he should bring in only as many dogs as he can control, but he says he can do what he wants. Others can't use the park when he's there. Do you have an opinion about this? -- B.C., via e-mail

A: No one should be in the dog park if he is unable to handle the animals he brings in, whether it's a single dog or a half-dozen or more.

Everyone who takes a pet into a dog park needs to be responsible for the behavior of that animal, watching to be sure the dog is neither bully nor victim and that no one gets hurt. The dog park is not for catching up on one's reading or cell phone conversations, but rather for safely exercising and socializing a dog. One dog is hard enough to monitor properly; multiple dogs are nearly impossible.

To operate safely, dog parks need good basic rules, an active community to police through peer pressure and plenty of common sense. Your dog park needs to review its rules -- not to ban dog-walking professionals from using the facilities, but to insist that they behave in ways that are safe for all involved.

With the rules changed, you can then point to them and insist that the dog walker shape up or get out. -- Gina Spadafori

Q: To put it bluntly, our dog stinks. We've tried all kinds of products, and nothing works. Is there something we can feed him that will help? -- D.S., via e-mail

A: If you're constantly wincing at your pet's objectionable odor, you need to make an appointment with your veterinarian. Bad breath can be a sign of rotting teeth or gums, and smelly ears are often a result of infections. An overall bad smell may indicate skin problems.

Don't ignore these warning signs. Disease can make your pet miserable and shorten his life. Stinky pets aren't normal. Proper diagnosis and treatment by a veterinarian can improve your pet's quality of life -- and your life, as well, by keeping your pet sweet-smelling. -- 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 monthly drawing for more than $1,000 in pet-care prizes. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.

PET BUZZ

Hotels offer best for pets

-- A mosquito explosion has increased the number of heartworm infections in dogs and cats. Veterinary experts say dogs and cats that haven't been checked for the parasite in the last six months should be tested and put on some preventive medicine. Purdue University's School of Veterinary Medicine notes that heartworm preventives can kill the young heartworm before it reaches the heart.

-- With an increasing number of pet lovers taking their dogs on the road, hotels are responding with tail-wagging gourmet meals fit for a king -- a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, that is. USA Today reports that entrées including Zen Yo ($11), a hearty vegetable stir-fry with poached eggs and steamed brown rice that's designed to help pets adjust to jet lag and altitude, are available at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa in Phoenix. Or dogs can devour an organic Buddy Burger hamburger with cheese ($5) at the Los Angeles Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, which also offers organic and locally sourced foods and in-room doggy dining service with cooked-to-order items.

-- The robotic nose may replace working dogs someday. Scientists are developing an electronic sniffer that could be used to detect drugs, bombs, termites and other unwanted things that working dogs currently handle. The super-sensitive nose will be made of a thin film that will capture gas molecules, with the information processed by sensors and computer software to identify the smell.

-- The tragic death of a horse at this year's Kentucky Derby may be influencing a change in attitude toward the Sport of Kings. A recent Gallup Poll reveals that 38 percent of Americans are in favor of an end to the racing of horses and dogs. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon

BREED TYPE

French Bulldogs a perfect city dog

You see them everywhere you look these days, hardy little dogs with upright ears, trotting pugnaciously next to their owners. Their growing popularity is no surprise, given their compact size, happy natures and easy-care coats.

The French Bulldog -- or "Frenchie," as his friends and fans usually call him -- is in many ways the perfect dog for city dwellers. Topping out at 28 pounds, he's ideally sized for apartment living. Despite his characteristic "tough guy" attitude, Frenchies are far less likely to become nuisance barkers than other small dogs. They also have minimal grooming and exercise requirements, making them great companions for seniors or those with physical limitations.

Devotion to their owners is a hallmark of the breed, which can be a blessing in terms of companionship but can make them less than ideal for anyone who spends a lot of time away from home.

Frenchies can also be a bit harder than other breeds to house-train and aren't always the best with cats. They can have a number of genetic health problems, including breathing difficulties, spine malformations and heat intolerance. And they snore. Loudly.

The Frenchie's popularity is on the rise, which means you'll want to avoid those seeking to profit from his popularity with careless or greedy breeding practices. Be sure to obtain your French Bulldog from a reputable rescue group (www.frenchbulldogrescue.org) or a breeder who is a member of the French Bulldog Club of America (www.frenchbulldogclub.org). -- Christie Keith

PETS BY THE NUMBERS

What reptiles need

Here are the top pet supplies purchased by owners of pet reptiles, by percent of those who reported purchasing the items:

Glass habitat 64 percent

Habitat furnishings 58 percent

Books on care 54 percent

Incandescent bulbs 39 percent

Fluorescent bulbs 38 percent

Bedding 30 percent

Source: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association

PET TIP

A recipe for 'de-skunking'

Forget tomato juice. If your pet ever gets skunked, the most effective de-stinking recipe is one you make fresh, from ingredients that you should keep on hand.

The recipe: Take 1 quart of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of liquid soap, such as Ivory. Mix and immediately apply to the stinky pet. Rinse thoroughly with clean tap water.

The key is to mix the ingredients immediately before applying them to your pet. The chemical reaction bonds with the molecules that produce the smell and neutralizes them.

Use a washcloth to work carefully around your dog's eyes and ears. And don't even think of storing any leftover solution. The chemical reaction of the combined ingredients cannot be contained -- so just throw the leftovers away. -- 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.

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

pets

House Rules

Pet Connection by by Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker
by Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker
Pet Connection | August 18th, 2008

Universal Press Syndicate

The first step in turning an adult dog into a reliable house pet is to embrace a key concept: There's no such thing as a "partially" house-trained dog. He either is or he isn't.

Why is realizing this important? Because if you have a dog who is "sometimes" reliable, you have a dog who isn't getting the picture, probably because no one took the time to teach it to him properly in the first place. To do that, you're going to have to go back to square one.

Before you do, though, make sure you're not dealing with a sick dog. If you have a pet who was perfectly house-trained and is no longer, you must determine that what you have is really a behavior problem, not a health problem. That means you need to check with your veterinarian first.

To be fair, if you've just adopted an adult dog who seems to be urinating all the time, you should have him checked out, too, before assuming he's not house-trained. If everything is fine, you can start training him.

You need to teach your dog what's right before you can correct him for what's wrong. To do this, spend a couple of weeks ensuring he has nothing but successes by never giving him the opportunity to make a mistake. Here's how:

-- Leash him to you in the house so you can monitor his every move during his training period. If he starts to mess, correct him with a sharp "no," take him outside, give a "go" command, and praise him for doing right.

-- Confine him when you cannot watch him. Dogs don't like to mess where they're sleeping, and most will quickly learn to "hold it" when resting in a crate or carrier. Make sure he has a favorite chew toy to work on while he's confined, so he's less likely to be anxious or bored.

-- Take him outside first thing in the morning, at lunch, as soon as you get home from work and just before you go to bed, when you put him in his crate for the night. Always remember to give your "go" command when you're out with him, and praise him when he does as you wish.

The most difficult part of house-training an adult dog is your attitude toward limiting his options in such a way as to make success possible. You may not like the idea of keeping such close tabs on your dog, but bear in mind you won't need to do it forever. Crates and leashes are training tools, not lifelong crutches.

If you've been consistent, your dog will likely have a good idea of what's expected of him at the end of the two weeks, so you can start to give him a little freedom. Don't let him have the run of the house yet. Keep his area small and let him earn the house, room by room, under your supervision, as he proves his understanding of the house rules.

Accidents will happen. If you catch him in the act, correct him with a sharp "no," take him outside and give him the chance to set things right. Give your "go" command, and praise if he does. Clean up the mess promptly and thoroughly, so he won't feel so inclined to refresh his smell there.

If you aren't catching him messing, you're not keeping close enough tabs on him. Go back to the crate and leash and start over.

Consistency and patience are necessary for house-training an adult dog. If you have both, you will likely succeed. Without them, you'll have a very difficult time getting the results you're hoping for.

SIDEBAR

Want to win $1,000 in pet-care supplies?

Every month the Pet Connection sends out a free e-mail newsletter, offering the news and information you need to know to keep your pet healthier and happier. All you have to do to have it delivered to your e-mail inbox is visit PetConnection.com and sign up. We don't sell or share your information, so all you'll be getting is the free e-mail newsletter.

Even better, on the first of every month we draw a name from our e-mail newsletter subscribers and give that person a collection of pet-care supplies with a retail value of $1,000. Past collections have come from Premier Pet, Oster and Kurgo.

The Sept. 1 drawing is for a complete aquarium setup from Hagen, everything you need to get started in fish-keeping except the fish. For more information or to sign up, visit PetConnection.com.

Q&A

Iguana release against the law

Q: Our son has lost interest in his iguana now that he's in middle school. I never liked the thing, and now he's my sole responsibility. We live in South Florida, and it seems the iguana would do OK on his own. I know I've seen other iguanas around. What's the harm in turning him loose? It seems he'll survive just fine. -- M.Q., via e-mail

A: Aside from the cruel proposition of turning loose a pet to fend for itself, your plan is a bad one for the environment -- and in Florida, it's against the law.

The release or escape of non-native plants and animals causes a great deal of problems in places where they can do well enough to displace native species -- and nowhere is this more true than in Florida. The green iguana has been living wild in Florida since 1966, according to state biologists, and is one of more than 40 species of non-native reptiles with a presence in the state.

Shelters and rescue groups do take iguanas and other reptiles, but the number of new homes available for even a healthy, well-socialized large iguana isn't many.

If you cannot or will not keep your pet, you are showing your son that living things are disposable, and that's not a lesson you'll want him to take into your old age. That said, I would always rather see a pet placed in a new home rather than neglected in an old home. So contact your veterinarian, local shelters and rescue groups, and be patient as you work to find a good home for your iguana, if that's the final family decision.

"Iguanas for Dummies" author Melissa Kaplan maintains a current list of reptile rescue groups, along with information on how to find a new home for your pet -- and considerations on how you may be able to keep him instead. Check out the page of resources at www.anapsid.org/societies. PetHobbyist.com has a large and active community of reptile enthusiasts who may also be able to offer advice. -- 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 monthly drawing for more than $1,000 in pet-care prizes. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.

PET BUZZ

No dog-cat war in most homes

-- While the idea of dogs and cats at war with each other is a comedic staple, in fact, 47 percent of people who share their homes with a cat also have a dog. These pets get along to varying degrees, from out-and-out loathing to familiar affection. If properly introduced (as in slowly, at the animals' own speed), dogs and cats can usually tolerate each other well. More households have dogs, by the way, but there are more pet cats in the United States. How is that possible? More dogs are "only children," while the average number of cats kept in the average household has increased to nearly 2.5.

-- The phrase "Beware of dog" is so old, its Latin equivalent -- cave canem -- has been found on signs in Roman ruins. The word "watchdog" isn't quite as old, but it has been around a long, long time. The first mention of it: by Shakespeare, in "The Tempest."

-- Most cats have five toes on their front paws, but only four of them hit the ground. The fifth toe is called a dewclaw and is found on the inside of the front paw. The dewclaw is the feline equivalent of our thumb, and it's used for grasping prey and climbing trees. A normal feline back paw, by the way, has four toes that are all called into service when walking.

Any number of toes over the norm (usually an extra one or two, but occasionally as many as three or four) makes a cat polydactyl, which means "many fingers." Polydactylism is a dominant genetic trait, which means just one polydactyl parent is enough to make a litter of polydactyl kittens.

-- Helen Keller, the blind and deaf Alabama girl whose triumph over her disabilities made her an international sensation, was the first American to own an Akita. On a speaking tour of Japan in the days before World War II, Keller became infatuated with the courage, loyalty and lore of the Japanese breed and was promised a dog of her own. A breeder offered her an adult, but then realized a puppy was better-suited for her. The puppy was Kamikaze-Go, called Kami by Keller. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon

THE SCOOP

Tall, taller, tallest: Irish wolfhounds rule

While we humans measure our height to the top of our heads, the height of a dog is measured at the highest point of the shoulder, called the withers. The tallest living dog is a Great Dane named Gibson, who is 42.4 inches at the withers -- but more than 7 feet tall when standing on two legs.

In general, though, the Irish wolfhound is considered the tallest breed of dog.

The recent trend toward ultra-tiny dogs has a lot of petite pups being carried around, but the smallest so far is a Chihuahua named Heaven Sent Brady, 6 inches long from nose to tail tip.

The heaviest breed of dog is the English mastiff. For the biggest of the big, you have to go back a few years. Zorba de la-Susa, a male English mastiff born in London, was certified as the world's heaviest dog at 343 pounds. Zorba, who was born in 1981 and died in November 1989, was also the world's longest dog, at 8 feet, 3 inches long.

And that brings up an important point: While we love superlatives -- biggest, smallest and so on -- when it comes to our dogs, breeds that are extreme in any way tend to struggle with chronic illness and die young. It doesn't really seem fair that these animals should suffer because of human whims when it comes to how dogs should look.

Nature seems to have limits to just how far we can push the design of dogs, and we go beyond those lines at peril to our pets. -- Gina Spadafori and Dr. Marty Becker

BY THE NUMBERS

Big birds more popular

While the overall percentage of birds kept as pets has remained small -- 6.4 percent of all households in 2004 -- the trend in bird ownership has been away from small birds such as canaries and finches. Ownership percentages among bird owners:

1998 2004

Small birds 58 percent 45 percent

Medium birds 30 percent 53 percent

Large birds 12 percent 18 percent

Source: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association

ON GOOD BEHAVIOR

Dogs don't get why people spank them

Primates often swat at their offspring, but dogs do not use their paws in this way. Rather, when dogs paw at each other, it's a friendly invitation to play. When it comes to showing leadership -- or trying to -- dogs growl, show teeth or try to look bigger, with hackles up, ears and tails raised.

Puppies know instinctively that size and voice tones matter. Standing tall and using a low tone in asking your dog to sit transmits authority in a way a dog can understand.

Bottom line? Don't spank your dog. At best, it's a miscommunication; at worst, dogs who are spanked may become afraid of hands or are likely to see moving hands as a threat and a reason to bite.

(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

pets

Down Shifting

Pet Connection by by Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker
by Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker
Pet Connection | August 11th, 2008

Universal Press Syndicate

Big sports-utility vehicles have been the dog-haulers of choice for years, along with minivans. But with gas prices so high, SUV sales are stalled as people look for smaller vehicles. If you can't fit your St. Bernard comfortably into a Smart Car, are there still choices for you?

You bet.

The Pet Connection's DogCars.com Web site has already been reviewing vehicles with an eye toward how they function for people who don't like leaving their dogs behind. We looked over the vehicles we've driven and came up with "Five and 25" -- five (actually six with a tie) models with a base price of less than $25,000 and a fuel-economy rating of close to or exceeding 25 mpg on the highway.

These models all have rear-hatch entries, fold-flat seats and relatively roomy cargo areas. Fuel economy ratings, cargo capacity and base price are noted, as well as alternative vehicles that almost made the list and should be considered as well.

-- Subaru Forester (20/26 mpg, 68.3 cubic feet, $19,995): All new and better than ever, with lots of room for dogs. The Forester has long been a favorite among dog lovers who want a surefooted ride but don't want a large SUV. The redesign should assure the Forester's continued popularity. (Also check out: Suzuki Forenza wagon and Volkswagen Passat wagon.)

-- Pontiac Vibe (26/32 mpg, 49.4 cubic feet, $15,895) and Honda Fit (28/34 mpg, 41.9 cubic feet, $13,950): We just couldn't pick a winner when comparing these two small hatchbacks, we liked them so much. The Vibe (which is also sold as the Toyota Matrix) is amazingly capacious -- so much so, it's almost like a magic act to see how much you can fit into it. The Fit is a winner on price and fuel economy, but not as roomy. (Also check out: Kia Rondo.)

-- Scion xB (22/28 mpg, 69.9 cubic feet, $16,600): No one's on the fence about the Scion xB. You either love the look or hate it, and the same was true of the earlier incarnation of the quirky Toyota-made box with wheels. We like it -- lots -- and so did the pile of dogs we put in it. Some people think the recent redesign made the vehicle less distinctive, but it also made it bigger, a plus when you have big dogs. (Also check out: Honda Element, perennial DogCars.com favorite edged out by a thin whisker here.)

-- Saturn Vue crossover (19/26 mpg, 56.4 cubic feet, $24,370): Most expensive of our choices, but such a comfortable ride for man and beast we just couldn't leave it out, especially since some of our best dog-friends love theirs so much. Great if you have both kids and dogs. (Also check out: The Saturn Vue hybrid. We liked the hybrid version a great deal and liked the 26/32 mpg even more. But the base price, $26,270, was beyond our set limit.)

-- Dodge Grand Caravan (17/24 mpg, 140.6 cubic feet, $22,470): The recently remodeled Dodge Grand Caravan falls just a little short of the 25 mpg fuel economy standard we were shooting for. But if you have a lot of dogs and a lot of gear, you're going to need the space. The Caravan has tons of room and a comfortable ride, with decent fuel economy. The company that created the minivan still does it right. (Also check out: The "minivanish" Mazda 5 crossover.)

Don't forget to crate or harness your dog for safety before you hit the road, no matter what you're driving.

(The Pet Connection's DogCars.com editor Keith Turner contributed this story.)

Q&A

New home for a neighbor's cat

Q: My next-door neighbor died, leaving behind her cat. The woman's daughter planned to take the cat to the pound, so Sophie is now living in my garage. My son is allergic to cats, so this isn't a long-term solution. Sophie is a nice cat, but no one wants her and we can't keep her forever. Do you have any suggestions? -- K.R., via e-mail

A: Since you seem willing to care for this cat for a while, I'd suggest you work to keep her healthy, friendly and well-behaved, and be patient while looking for a home. Many people are willing to take (and even prefer) adult cats, and your odds of finding such takers will improve when "kitten season" tails off in late fall.

Have a veterinarian check out the cat and bring her vaccinations up to date, if necessary. If Sophie's not spayed, get that done as well. You'll want to ask a small adoption fee for her to deter people who collect animals for unsavory purposes. So you'll be offering her "vet-checked, spayed and up-to-date on shots," with the adoption fee advertised as covering some of that cost -- a ready-to-adopt bargain!

Take a really cute picture of her and make up an attractive flier, briefly stressing the cat's advantages (sweet nature, litter-box trained, vet-checked, etc.) and her sad story (people naturally gravitate to animals with a difficult history).

Post the fliers everywhere you can: bulletin boards at work, pet-supply stores and veterinary hospitals. Give some to your friends and family to post, too. Talk up the cat and her story, at least briefly, with everyone you know. Even people who don't like cats (or don't want one) may know someone who is looking for a pet. Take out an ad in the newspaper, and post online at craigslist.org and other sites.

Touch base with all the non-profit feline rescue groups and shelters in your area. Some groups may be able to take your cat, if you are willing to wait for an opening in a foster home. At the very least, they may be willing to put Sophie on their Web site or fliers, especially after kitten season.

Check out prospective adopters thoroughly. If you place this cat into a bad home, you haven't done her any favors. Make sure the person who wants to adopt has a landlord's permission to have a pet, if they're renting.

Ask about previous pets. The person who has had a lot of pets who disappeared, died young or were given away is probably not your best choice. A veterinary reference is useful as 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 monthly drawing for more than $1,000 in pet-care prizes. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.

PET BUZZ

Dachshunds come in many varieties

-- Love dachshunds? Veterinarians like to say these popular short-legged dogs are "half a dog high and two dogs long." While most people think of a brownish-red, shorthaired dog when they think "dachshunds," the American Kennel Club in fact recognizes two sizes (standard and miniature) and two additional coat types, wirehaired and longhaired. As for colors, some long-coated dachshunds have fur as red as an Irish setter's, and other combinations are acceptable, too.

-- "Biomimicry" borrows nature's design ideas and applies them to solve human challenges. Reader's Digest reports that consulting biologists looked to the African reed frog, a champion in keeping cool in hot temperatures, to design Nike apparel to keep Olympic athletes cool this month. Other researchers looked at how woodpeckers can hammer away at trees without harming themselves, in order to create impact-resistant cars. And what about the humpback whale? The whale's flipper has scalloped edges to calm turbulence, a design mimicked by a new kind of wind turbine that can rotate in very low wind.

-- The show must go on, and Sandy sure knew it. The canine star of the long-running Broadway hit "Annie!" saw a lot of tomorrows, playing the entire run from 1977 to 1983 -- more than 2,000 performances. The friendly fuzzbutt (probably an Airedale-setter mix) came from a shelter in Connecticut. After all those curtain calls, the dog retired to the comfortable life befitting such a star, and died in 1990 at the grand old age of 16.

-- Looking to astound others with your knowledge of trivia? Here are a few fast facts: A crocodile can't stick his tongue out. A shrimp's heart is in his head. It's physically impossible for pigs to look up. Horses can't vomit. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon

THE SCOOP

What's in a name? The man behind the breed

A handful of dog breeds were named for people. Louis Dobermann, a German tax collector in the mid-19th century, developed the elegant and protective breed that bears his name to, in the words of Britain's Kennel Club, "protect him and ... 'encourage' slow payers." (In the United States, the final "n" on "Dobermann" was dropped long ago.)

The Parson Russell terrier -- more commonly known as the Jack Russell -- was named after the Rev. John Russell, a Victorian-era clergyman with a fondness for working terriers. There's also the Gordon setter, named after one of the Dukes of Gordon.

The Cavalier King Charles spaniel was named after King Charles II, albeit centuries after his death, since the breed was developed by fanciers in England after World War II.

Arguably, you can say that the St. Bernard was named after a person, but really, probably more after the monastery where the dogs became famous for their heroic rescue efforts. (No longer practiced, by the way: The monastery now "borrows" St. Bernards from nearby towns for tourist season but doesn't keep any otherwise.)

There's also the Dandie Dinmont terrier, which isn't named for a real person at all, but rather after a character in Sir Walter Scott's "Guy Mannering."

There's something else fairly unusual about the long-bodied, short-legged dog with a puff of fur on his head and whiskers on his muzzle: Dandies are so rare that the breed is considered on the verge of extinction. Every year, more pandas are born than Dandies. -- Gina Spadafori and Dr. Marty Becker

BY THE NUMBERS

Protect your dog from poisoning

The best way to protect your dog from poisoning is to make sure you keep all such hazards away from him. For tips on protecting your pet, visit the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center Web site (www.aspca.org/apcc). According to the APCC, these are the top five household poisoning hazards:

1. Human drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter

2. Pesticides and herbicides

3. Foods, most notably chocolate

4. Toxic plants

5. Veterinary drugs

ON GOOD BEHAVIOR

Make learning fun with 'pingpong'

Play games with your pet to keep good behavior interesting and fun, and to practice what your dog already knows.

For example, play "pet pingpong" in a closed hallway, with one person at each end, when your dog is hungry. Start the game with each person taking turns calling the dog for a treat. As the game progresses, ask your dog to "sit," "shake" or "lie down" for the treat.

As you raise the bar, increase your praise. Keep your dog guessing. Give a treat quickly for coming one time, and then randomly ask for two or three behaviors before the treat at other times. Keep the game brief and end on a high note.

(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.

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