We're still sorting through our New Year's resolutions, most of which seem to involve our pets (walk them more, brush their teeth more often). As we swing into the new year for real, we thought we'd share some information from two of our favorites of the books we've written together, "BowWow" and "MeowWow" (both from HCI).

Don't bite the man who names you: A handful of 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. Another is the Parson Russell terrier –- more commonly known as the Jack Russell -- named after the Rev. John Russell, a Victorian-era clergyman with a fondness for hunting terriers.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was named after King Charles II, although centuries after his death. There's also the Gordon setter, named after the Duke of Gordon.

An All-American Cat: The Maine Coon cat is an American original. This hardy, long-haired breed was developed as an all-purpose, all-weather New England farm cat and companion. The markings for which the breed is best known -- a distinctively marked tabby -- leaves the cat with a fluffy tail that somewhat resembles the tail of a raccoon.

Despite the persistent idea that the large cat came about because of mating with raccoons ... well, hate to ruin a good story, but it's just not true. Nor is the idea of that the cat developed from matings with North American bobcats. Maine Coon cats are all cat, and a lot of cat, for all that.

White can be a fright: Not all white cats are deaf, but it's certainly not uncommon. White cats with blue eyes are more likely to be deaf than white cats with eyes of any other color. As protected indoor cats, however, a deaf cat can still be a wonderful pet.

Just say "Aaaaahhhh!": All dogs have pink tongues, with two notable exceptions: the Chow Chow and the Chinese Shar Pei -- breeds with tongues variously described as purple, black or blue-black. Both breeds originated in China, and Shar Pei (the name in Chinese refers to "shark skin") was in the 1970s described as the rarest breed in the world -- a distinction lost long ago as the breed has become more popular.

Cats who chitter-chatter: Chattering is an involuntary reaction of a cat who sees something she wants very badly -- a fluttering bird or a feline enemy -- but can't get to for some reason, such as being on one side of the window when the bird or other cat is visible on the other.

If the keyed-up cat could pop her knuckles or chew gum to let out that extra energy, she would. By the way, a cat that's wound up is probably best left alone. A little redirected aggression could leave you with some nasty claw tracks on your arm! Sometimes when it comes to cats, it's best to keep your distance.

Beware ... watch out ... don't enter: The phrase "Beware of dog" is so old that its Latin equivalent -- cave canem -- has been found on signs in Roman ruins. The word "watch dog" isn't quite as old, but it has been around a long, long time. The first known mention of it? By Shakepeare, in "The Tempest."

We'll share more tidbits in the months ahead. We're both chronic savers of interesting pet facts, and we have files of our best clippings for future books.

Q&A

'Learn to earn'

teaches manners

Q: I have a golden retriever who's almost 2 years old. She's a loving dog, but she's just too hyper. I know big dogs take time to mature, but she's so big and strong that I'm afraid she's going to knock one of us down. She doesn't mean to be bad, but she just doesn't think. We can't afford professional training right now. Can you help? -- via e-mail

A: Yes, retrievers are often slow to mature, but you don't have to put up with bad manners in the meantime. More exercise is a must -- a tired dog is a good dog -- but you also need to lay the foundation for good behavior by showing your dog with every interaction that she has to earn what she wants.

This "learning by earning" starts with the basics of dog obedience -- sit and stay. Chances are your dog already knows these commands. If not, check out a class (group classes aren't expensive), a book or a video (try the library for free) to help you to teach her. Once your dog understands and performs these behaviors more or less on command, you're going to use them to reinforce your authority, gently but persistently.

Ask your dog to sit before you put her leash on for a walk; to sit before you pet her (which will also keep her from jumping up) or before you throw a toy for her to fetch; to sit and stay when her bowl is placed before her, and hold that position until released; to sit and stay before the door is opened; to sit and stay before being let out of the car into the park, and so on.

Be patient. Your dog will soon catch on as long as you're consistent in insisting on her good behavior before good things come her way.

No sit, no reward, no discussion.

The real beauty is what's happening deep down. Without raising your voice, jerking a leash, spanking or otherwise roughly handling your dog, you've made it clear to her that there are household rules that must be followed. And that's going to make everything else about living with and training your dog easier. -- Gina Spadafori

THE BUZZ

Pet population

trends to canine

-- Cats or dogs? Forty-three million American families owned at least one dog in 2007, the latest year statistics were available, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. That accounted for 37.2 percent of American households. About 37.5 million families owned at least one cat in the same year, or 32.4 percent of households.

-- Dogs with arthritis can increase their mobility by performing certain exercises. Australian researchers found that walking uphill and climbing over small obstacles can help dogs develop increased flexibility.

-- Locusts and cockroaches hold chemicals in their brains with anti-microbial properties that are strong enough to kill up to 90 percent of drug-resistant bacteria without harming human cells. The insects' brains likely have developed their anti-microbial compounds as a way to survive in the dirty, infectious conditions in which they live. Scientists hope the findings can be used to create new antibiotics to attack severe infections in humans.

-- A genetic test is available to indicate whether a racehorse would do best at short-, medium- or long-distance racing. Research teams have isolated the myostatin gene -- a crucial indicator of athletic ability in Thoroughbred horses. Japanese researchers further found that the characteristics of the area surrounding the myostatin gene are also linked to athletic ability, which further suggests what racing followers have known all along -- that racing performance and athletic ability are hereditary traits. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" and "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Dr. Becker can also be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker.

Some people are born into cat-loving families, while others have cats thrust upon them. And then, of course, there are those who independently make the decision to take up life with a cat.

Cat lovers are members of an exceptional club. A relationship with a cat can be joyful, entertaining and sometimes frustrating, but in the end, it's always rewarding. Life with a cat is special, if you know what to expect.

Cats are so connected to myths and misconceptions that it's no wonder they are often misunderstood. I want to help you separate fact from fiction.

First and foremost, cats are not small dogs. When you are reading about different cat breeds or looking at the personality descriptions of cats at a shelter, you may come across some that are described as "doglike." It's true that some cats, like dogs, will follow you around, play fetch or go for walks on-leash. But that is where the resemblance ends. Cats differ from dogs in many ways, but here are some of the most important:

-- Their nutritional needs are different. Cats are what biologists call "obligate carnivores." That means they must have meat in their diet to survive. Lots of meat. While dogs can exist on a diet that contains large amounts of grains, cats need meat protein to be at the top of their game. Meat contains a nutrient called taurine that is essential for heart and eye health and normal cell, muscle and skeletal function. Cats can't synthesize taurine on their own, so they must get it from their diet. Cats also have other nutritional requirements that vary from those of dogs, such as the type of vitamin A they can use. That's why you should never feed your cat the same food you give your dog.

Their physiology is different. Cats metabolize drugs differently than dogs or people. It's very dangerous to give a cat the same drug that you or I or the dog next door might take, even if it's for the same type of problem. Take pain, for instance. I've seen clients kill their cats by going to the medicine chest and giving their cats aspirin or acetaminophen. The same holds true for parasite treatments: Never apply a flea or tick treatment or shampoo made for dogs to your cat. Always call your veterinarian first and ask if a particular medication is safe for your cat and at what dose.

The way cats express pain is different. Well, it's not really different. It's almost nonexistent. It's much easier to notice pain in a dog because we tend to interact with dogs directly. We take them on walks and we see whether they're limping, for instance, or moving more slowly. With cats, it's much more difficult to see the changes in mobility that signal injury or arthritis. Cats know instinctively that displaying pain puts them at risk from other predators, so they do their best to mask it. That works to their disadvantage when it comes to veterinary care. The signs that a cat is in pain are so subtle that most people miss them unless they are keen observers of their cats.

Cats need to see the veterinarian. It's a mystery to me why people are so much less likely to provide veterinary care to their cats than to their dogs. Cats are the most popular pets in America, yet veterinarians are seeing a decline in veterinary visits for cats. That's a shame, because cats need and deserve great veterinary care to ensure that they live long, happy, healthy lives. They might be intelligent and independent creatures, but they can't doctor themselves -- at least not yet. Providing your cat with regular veterinary care is a good investment, and it's one of the responsibilities you owe your cat when you bring him into your life.

Q&A

Pilling the cat

not working out

Q: Our cat has been put on a drug that she'll have to take for the rest of her life. Given the luck I've had so far with "pilling" her, I have to admit that if her life depends on this medication, she won't be with us very long. What is the best way to pill a cat? -- via e-mail

A: One of the biggest problems veterinarians have in helping pets get better is, well, pet owners who aren't able to give medication as prescribed. You're in good company, since this problem is very, very common.

Here are some strategies to make the pill-popping easier for you and your cat:

Pop and treat. Have your veterinarian demonstrate. Always start with a positive attitude and end with a treat and praise. You can find "pill guns" through pet retailers that help with getting the pill quickly in the right place.

Stealth. Perhaps the most popular method is to hide the pill in something cats love, although most cats figure this out soon enough and start eating around the pill. Try Greenies Pill Pockets -- treats that are designed for pill-popping. They're yummy little bits with pockets for hiding the treats.

Presto-chango. For pets who just won't tolerate pills (or people who just hate giving them), ask your veterinarian about using a compounding pharmacy. These businesses take all manner of medications and turn them into edible treats in pet-friendly flavors.

New technologies. Ask your veterinarian for the latest options. The medication you're using may be available in an easier-to-use format, such as transdermal.

No matter what, always give pet medications exactly as prescribed. If none of these strategies work for you, keep talking to your veterinarian until you find out what does work -- there may be other options that don't involve lifetime medication. Don't give up. Your veterinarian wants your pet to stay healthy just as much as you do and will work with you on your pet's behalf. -- Dr. Marty Becker

THE BUZZ

Dogs have benefits

for autistic kids

-- Children with autism showed a reduction in their levels of the stress hormone cortisol when a service dog was introduced to the family. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Montreal, measured cortisol rates before, during and after a service dog was introduced, with positive results. Parents also reported a decrease in disruptive behaviors, such as tantrums, when a dog was present. Previous work has shown that service dogs help autistic children interact with others and acclimate to routines.

-- "Cat Scratch Fever" is probably best known as a hit for rocker Ted Nugent. But the disease, which is really called Cat Scratch Disease (CSD), can be pretty serious, and cats aren't the only animals able to transmit the bacterial infection. Transmitted via a scratch from an animal with fecal material on its claws, CSD is linked to heart valve disease and may have a link to neurologic and arthritic disease. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there are about 22,000 cases reported a year, but there may be many more, since cases with mild symptoms are likely never diagnosed.

-- The Guinness World Records for 2011 note many amazing animals' achievements, including a long jump of 9 feet, 6 inches set by Yabo, a rabbit, and the popping of 100 balloons by a dog. Anastasia, a Jack Russell terrier, set the latter mark on the set of the TV show "Live with Regis and Kelly." -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" and "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Dr. Becker can also be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker.

And Gina Spadafori

People flip over puppies, but to me, a well-loved older dog is one of the most beautiful creatures on earth. An older dog has a nobleness about him, a look in the eyes that speaks of years of the special love that only a pet can give -- trusting, nonjudgmental and unwaveringly true.

Your dog's health as he ages is not entirely in your control, but you can have a real impact on his attitude. Your dog doesn't know he's getting older. His gray hairs concern him not, nor does he worry about the other visible effects of time -- the thickening of his body, the thinning of his limbs. He doesn't count the number of times he can fetch a ball before tiring and compare that to his performance when he was a young dog in his prime.

A dog lives in the now. Just as he doesn't reflect on his past, he can't imagine his future. Your dog takes his cues from you. When you're upbeat, encouraging and loving, he'll be at his best, no matter his age.

This time can be a special one for both of you, and it's up to you to make the most of it.

As your dog ages, increase the frequency and diminish the intensity of his exercise. Instead of taking your dog to the park once a week to chase tennis balls until he's exhausted, take him for a long walk daily. If your dog is having problems with physical activity, talk to your veterinarian. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications may help, as may supplements such as glucosamine and Omega 3 oils, or complementary treatments such as acupuncture. Your veterinarian can also prescribe medications that may address the confusion and anxiety some old dogs experience.

Your dog has no real sense of shame or embarrassment, so he suffers no loss of face if you come up with some ideas to make his life a little easier. Here are a few tips to get you thinking:

-- Beds. Think soft. Think cushioned. Think low. Think heated. Your dog will thank you for all of these thoughts, especially at this time of year.

-- Clothes. Older dogs, like older people, have a more difficult time maintaining their body temperature. This problem is even more pronounced in slender, short-coated breeds like the greyhound or whippet, or in tiny dogs. So check out the sweater selection at your local pet supply store.

-- Ramps and steps. If your dogs are allowed on the couch and the bed, consider buying or building steps to help the dog who can no longer make it in one jump. You wouldn't want to watch TV without your dog at your side, would you? A permanent ramp going down the back-porch step or a collapsible one to help your dog into the car will also be appreciated.

-- While you're making household adjustments, don't forget to make an appointment for a senior dog checkup, ideally twice a year, to improve your odds of catching little problems before they become big ones. Your veterinarian will likely recommend some diagnostic tests in addition to a physical examination -- typically blood work and an X-ray -- to spot problems early, or to establish a baseline of what's normal for your dog. You should also discuss having your dog's teeth treated and cleaned under anesthesia, because gum infections and mouth pain will affect his comfort and health.

The senior dog checkup is also a good time to determine if your dog's slowing down means his diet will need to change to take excess weight off his joints.

Helping to keep your older dog healthy and fit will mean his senior years will be happier and more comfortable. And that will be good news for you both.

Q&A

Dogs on the couch

source of dismay

Q: We had my in-laws over to share Thanksgiving dinner. They have a dog, but they don't let her on the furniture. We have two dogs, and we do let them on the furniture. Also, the bed.

Now, I vacuumed the furniture so there would be as little fur as possible on it, but my mother-in-law complained to my husband behind my back that the dogs shouldn't be up on the couch and that she had dog hair on her pants. He told her that he was fine with the dogs on the furniture, but that if she wanted, he could put down a clean sheet for her to sit on.

Her house is not that clean, by the way.

What do you think I should say about the dogs on the furniture the next time she's over? -- via e-mail

A: Say nothing, and if she says something, smile, nod and change the subject.

You and your husband have an absolute right in your own home to allow your dogs to get on the furniture and the bed. Your husband's offer to put down a sheet to protect his mother from whatever stray pet hair remained after you cleaned was more than sufficient.

The fact is that few things so perfectly reflect the changing attitudes we have about pets as what people believe about pets getting up on beds and furniture.

It used to be that the majority of questions I got regarding furniture were about how to keep pets off. Some people still don't want to share their furniture with their pets, and some allow pets on some pieces but not others, or on the furniture but not on the bed. But more often than not, these days I get questions such as "Where do I buy steps for my older dog?" (several companies make them now, and you can find them in pet care superstores), or "Can you recommend an easier way to clean pet hair off the upholstery"? (use a damp sponge).

For dogs with behavior problems, having access to the furniture and the bed is frowned on by trainers and behaviorists. Keeping them off the privileged people perches is often part of programs that get the pets to respect limits and an owner's authority.

If behavior problems aren't an issue, sometimes allergies and insomnia are. Doctors recommend that people with either (or both) of these health issues establish the bedroom as a pet-free zone, so at the very least the sufferer can get a good night's sleep.

But in the absence of any of those situations, there's no reason why your pets can't sleep anywhere you choose to let them. If it continues to be a problem, you can always have next year's Thanksgiving dinner at your in-laws' home. -- Gina Spadafori

THE BUZZ

Roaming days over

for more pet cats

-- Keeping cats from roaming continues to gain in popularity, with 64 percent of cat owners telling the American Pet Products Association that their pets are not allowed outside. Safety is the main advantage for cats: Indoor cats are protected from infectious disease, from being hit by cars, attacked by other animals or trapped by neighbors who don't want cats on their properties. Despite the advantages, there are some downsides: Indoor cats are prone to boredom and obesity-related health-problems, although both of these can be avoided by providing an enriched environment to engage the animal.

-- Prenatal exposure to farm animals and cats lowers a child's chance of developing atopic dermatitis, according to European research reported in BusinessWeek. The condition affects up to 20 percent of children in industrialized countries and is one of the most common childhood skin diseases.

-- Korean Sapsaree dogs have come back from the brink of extinction. The shaggy-haired, medium-sized dogs were nearly wiped out by the end of World War II after decades of being killed for their fur. Only eight of the dogs could be found by 1980, according to Reuters, when a Korean professor combined traditional breeding with advances in DNA technology to save the breed. The Sapsarees, whose name means "the dogs that ward off evil spirits or misfortune," can be traced to 37 B.C. and are one of only three native Korean breeds.-- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" and "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Dr. Becker can also be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker.