Cats make themselves at home in graveyards for a variety of reasons, both practical and -- maybe -- supernatural

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

During a recent stroll through La Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires, Argentina, I spied one of the resting ground’s residents. Not a ghost or zombie, but clearly a permanent resident: a cat curled up in front of one of the mausoleums.

What is it about cats and cemeteries? Cats have made homes in them around the world. Cimetiere des Chiens et Autres Animaux Domestiques (otherwise known as the Paris pet cemetery) isn’t just a resting place for deceased pets. Feral cats wend their way through tombstones or nap inside crypts, one of which has little cat-shaped entrances (or are they exits for kitty ghosts?). Inside a small building, living cats can find shelter and food, and water flows from a fountain.

At Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, feral cats snooze among the stars -- movie stars, that is -- enjoying food, water and shelter provided by cemetery management.

Yanaka Cemetery in Tokyo is located in an area known as “cat town.” Community cats greet cemetery visitors and are cared for by volunteers.

Cats hang out at the graves of rock star Jim Morrison and French writer Colette -- a noted cat lover -- as well as at many other burial spots in Paris’ Pere Lachaise. They even have their own Facebook page, the Cats of Pere Lachaise.

Rome’s Non-Catholic Cemetery, also known as the Protestant Cemetery, has a managed colony of feral and stray cats. Perhaps they’re admirers of one of the cemetery’s other residents, English Romantic poet John Keats, who penned the sonnet “To Mrs. Reynolds’ Cat.”

Your own local cemeteries likely house a clowder of cats. When you think about it, cemeteries have a lot of appeal for felines: They’re quiet, with little traffic, and offer shelter from the elements. Tombs make a nice vantage point -- it’s easy to see the approach of other animals or humans from the top of one -- or serve as a launchpad into a tree. Grassy lawns or stone markers warmed by the sun are a pleasant place to catnap. If meals aren’t provided by volunteers, mice, squirrels and rabbits probably provide good hunting. There’s little risk from dogs or other predators, and plenty of hiding places if necessary.

“Cemeteries are quiet, and the cats are under no threat there,” says Luz Damron, author of the upcoming memoir “The Cat Lady of Baltimore,” the story of her struggles to help keep stray cats safe.

Veterinary behaviorist Wailani Sung, at San Francisco SPCA, agrees. “I would suspect it is due to lower risks from predators and disturbance from human population,” she says. “Most cemeteries are quiet and fenced off, so it is similar to being in a rural setting amid an urban environment.”

And who knows? Cats may feel at home in cemeteries because of their long association with transformation and the afterlife. In Finnish mythology, cats escorted the souls of the dead to the underworld. Celtic mythology has cats guarding the gates to the otherworld. Babylonians believed a benevolent cat accompanied the souls of priests to the afterlife. A Greek myth tells of a servant bold enough to trick the goddess Hera. She was punished by being turned into a cat and sent to the underworld to serve Hecate, goddess of restless spirits and entranceways. In Thailand, it was said that the souls of kings who died passed into the body of a Siamese cat so that the former king could appear at the coronation of his successor.

Whether cemetery cats are communing with the spirits, exercising their role as spirit guides, or simply enjoying the good life in surroundings populated by the dead, they are a living reminder of the millennia-old bond between cats and humans -- even beyond the veil.

Q&A

How to head

off pet fears

Q: With Halloween coming up, I’m worried about how my puppy will react to scary decorations, especially the giant inflatable spiders and skeletons. How should I prepare her for them or react if she seems frightened?

A: Fear of strange objects isn’t unusual in puppies, especially if it’s something that is large and meant to be frightening. And puppies can even be taken aback by less threatening seasonal items, such as bags of leaves, if they’ve never seen them before. They may freeze in place, try to hide behind you or bark ferociously at the scary thing.

You’re on the right track to try to tackle this potential fear before it grabs ahold of your pup. Your own attitude can make a big difference in how she responds. If your dog sees that you aren’t afraid of this strange new thing, she’ll take her cue from you.

Be both confident and nonchalant as you and your dog walk toward the object. If your dog puts on the brakes, sit or kneel in front of the item yourself and just wait quietly. Don’t try to coax her. Once she sees that you’re not afraid and that you haven’t been incinerated by the inflatable dragon, she’s likely to approach on her own, although still cautiously. Give lots of praise and have plenty of treats in your pockets to hand out as rewards.

Teaching your dog to investigate new things at her own pace is a smart way to familiarize her with new places, things and even people in uniforms or costumes. Reward any sign of interest, such as looking at or touching an item. Learning to check out an item this way will increase your dog’s confidence in any situation and help to ensure that she’s not afraid of new things in the future. -- Mikkel Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

DNA tells story

behind blue eyes

-- Siberian huskies are known for their striking blue eyes, and researchers may have discovered the source of the trait, thanks to dog DNA testing. A study published earlier this month in the open-access journal PLOS Genetics looked at a panel of more than 6,000 genetically tested dogs whose owners provided phenotypic (appearance) information such as eye color about their pets. They found that a duplication on canine chromosome 18 was strongly associated with blue eye color in Siberian huskies, as well as with blue eye color in non-merle Australian shepherds. Scientists at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine partnered with dog DNA company Embark to make the discovery. In a blog post, senior scientist Aaron Sams wrote, “While more work will need to be done to figure out exactly how this duplication leads to the development of blue eyes, we think that this duplication may disrupt the process by which pigment is deposited in the iris of the eye during development.”

-- The demand for veterinary specialists such as radiologists, cardiologists and more is outstripping supply, according to a report earlier this month in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. In highest demand are internal medicine, surgery and emergency and critical care specialists, but more veterinary ophthalmologists, dermatologists and dentists are needed as well.

-- It’s not too late to celebrate Adopt-A-Dog Month, sponsored by the American Humane Association; Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month, sponsored by the ASPCA; National Animal Safety and Protection Month; National Pet Wellness Month; National Pit Bull Awareness Month; National Service Dog Month; and on October 29, National Cat Day. Ways to mark the occasions include adopting a pet; volunteering time at a shelter; handing out information about pet care, health or adoptions to friends, family and neighbors; and sharing profiles of adoptable pets on social networks. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

9 ways to keep Halloween fun for you and your pet

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Halloween is coming up, and that means there’s a good chance you’re planning to put your pet in a costume. Last year, 16 percent of pet owners dressed up their dogs and cats for this popular “howl-iday.” Expect to see lots of pet pumpkins out there, as well as hot dogs, bumblebees, devils, lions and superheroes.

Whatever silly or spooky get-up your dog or cat will sport, now is the time to make sure Bella and Baxter wear it comfortably and happily. Here’s how to help them have a fright-free holiday.

-- Comfort comes first. Consider whether your pet enjoys playing dress-up before outfitting her as a pirate pup or cupcake kitten. If she’s outgoing and game for anything, go for it. If she’s more of a retiring type, a simple Halloween-themed bandana or collar might be a better choice than a full-on costume. Or just tell people she’s wearing her birthday suit.

-- In the same vein, check the fit. A costume should never restrict your pet’s vision, hearing, breathing or ability to move. Straps should fit without dragging on the ground or catching on fur. Adjust them so they aren’t too tight or too loose. Avoid items with buttons, bows, fringe or other features that could be chewed off and swallowed.

-- Look for a costume that’s visible in the dark. Choose one that glows, or outfit your pet with a light-up collar or leash if you plan to go trick-or-treating together.

-- Signs that your pet isn’t having a good time in his finery? Look for ears laid back, lowered head and tail, and dilated pupils. He may paw at it in an attempt to remove it. Don’t force him to wear a costume if he’s uncomfortable.

-- Will your pet be cool with costumed revelers coming to the door? If frequent knocking, ringing doorbells and strange-looking people upset him, he’ll likely be happier in a room away from all the commotion. Give him a catnip-stuffed bat or a monster chew toy to keep him occupied.

-- Got a social animal? Pets who aren’t fazed by people in costume can help you hand out goodies. Use a baby gate or other barricade in front of the door to thwart escapes. To be on the safe side, your pet’s costume should include ID tags in case she slips out. Halloween is second only to Independence Day as the most common holiday that pets become lost, says Marty Becker, DVM, founder of the Fear Free initiative.

-- Let your pet get used to seeing you in your costume, and watch her reaction to it, especially if you’re planning to wear a mask. Your sudden change of face can send her howling for the hills. Cavalier King Charles spaniel Harper Thornton barks and growls every time she sees a person in a mask, even if she watches it being put on. Your pet may be happier if you go unmasked.

-- Keep pets safe from Halloween decorations such as candles or jack-o-lanterns, not to mention all that candy. If you’re having a party, set out a bowl of treats that are safe for guests to give pets -- but ask them to limit the number they give.

-- And if your pet’s not a fan of Halloween? Turn off the porch light and settle down on the sofa together with popcorn and watch horror flicks or “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” Your pet will love you for it.

Q&A

High-tech aids

for pet lovers

Q: Do you have any favorite apps or tech toys for training, playing with or protecting dogs and cats?

A: Do we ever! There are apps to help lost pets get home, devices that deliver treats remotely and more.

The Pawscout tag emits a low-energy Bluetooth radio signal. If a dog or cat designated as lost comes within 300 feet of a phone running the Pawscout app, the phone signals the person carrying it to notify the owner with the pet’s location. It works best if you ask lots of neighbors, friends and family members to install the app, increasing the likelihood of someone locating your pet with it. You can also use it to track the length of dog walks in urban areas. The tag is $19.95, with no monthly fees, and the app is free.

The Gibi tracker attaches to a collar or harness. Using the app, set up a safe zone for your dog, and the device monitors your pet’s location, notifying you by text or email if your pet leaves the safe zone. Through the app, you can then check Google Maps to pinpoint your pet’s location.

Cats are masters of relaxation, but sometimes even they need a little help to chill. The Relax My Cat app uses music specially composed for cats and offers options for different moods or events, such as playtime or bedtime, including one for separation anxiety. The Android version is free; iOS is $2.

PetCube Bites, an HD camera, allows you to see, talk to, play with and reward your pet remotely. Load it with up to 100 treats and program it to fling them up to 6 feet away. Ask your dog or cat to do tricks for treats. It’s a great way to provide play and attention, even if you’re not home. $229. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Fowl play in LA,

roosters say

-- Cock-a-doodle-don’t! Los Angeles County joins other municipalities in limiting ownership of roosters in unincorporated areas. The new ordinance went into effect after authorities seized 8,000 birds last year in a cock-fighting raid. Cock-fighting aside, many towns and cities nationwide limit or ban residential roosters because of the noise they make. The new rules in LA County allow people who keep chickens to have up to 10 roosters, depending on the size of their lot. Hens are not affected by the ordinance.

-- The global trade in live parrots has contributed to the worldwide spread of psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD), according to a study published in August in the journal Conservation Biology. The viral disease, reported in several wild parrot populations, has been detected in eight countries where it was previously unknown. The researchers also documented the presence of the beak and feather disease virus in wild populations of Psittacula krameri (rose-ringed parakeets) in Asia and Africa, as well as in four other species in Africa, the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius and Seychelles, Asia and Europe. The findings highlight the need for more effective regulation of the international parrot trade.

-- Berger Picard? He’s not a captain on a Star Trek series but a rare French herding breed known for his comic sensibility, brains and athleticism. You may be familiar with him if you saw the 2005 family flick “Because of Winn-Dixie.” The 25- to 35-pound dogs have a rough, shaggy fawn or brindle coat. Heavy eyebrows and a bearded face contribute to their comical expression. A J-shaped tail -- like a shepherd’s crook -- is a distinguishing characteristic. Expect to provide this busy dog with a job, whether that’s herding sheep, becoming involved in search-and-rescue activities or taking up a dog sport such as agility or nose work. The name? Say “bear-ZHAY pee-CARR.” -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

Dogs perform a variety of tasks on a working ranch in Patagonia, Chile

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

In Patagonia, the sheep are hardy, and the dogs are hardier. At Cerro Negro Estancia (Black Hill Ranch), halfway between Punta Arenas and Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, sheep are managed by a team of gauchos, herding dogs and flock guardian dogs. Together, they drive the sheep from winter to summer pastures and back again, direct them through chutes into stalls to be shorn of their heavy coats, and protect them from predators.

The current reigning member of the team is Manta, a cross between a border collie and a Patagonian dog called a barbucho, also known as a Magellan sheepdog. Barbuchos are typically used with cattle, but when crossed with border collies, they make good sheepdogs.

The cross combines the cleverness and trainability of the border collie with the endurance and weather-resistant coat of the barbucho. The goal is to create a working dog with traits suited to the climate and type of livestock worked.

Breed is less important than behavior. If a dog has good working ability, he or she is brought into the gene pool.

The result, in Manta’s case anyway, is a dog with the black-and-white coloring of a border collie but a wirier coat and an ability to do anything she’s asked -- at least as long as it doesn’t require opposable thumbs or speech.

One dog can work up to 300 sheep. With about 4,000 sheep on the ranch, plus some 300 head of cattle, a number of dogs stay busy. At 7 years of age, Manta is still going strong, but younger dogs are in training to take over her job. Other puppies go to neighboring estancias, where they are in high demand.

Manta doesn’t work alone. She’s aided by Great Pyrenees dogs who act as enforcers against the region’s primary predator: the puma. The 3-year-old Great Pyrenees who greeted us at the estancia is a friendly family pet, but her relatives who guard flocks on the ranch don’t take any guff from the big cats, and they aren’t especially fond of people, either.

Brought up with lambs from an early age, the 80- to 120-pound dogs are fierce protectors of their woolly charges. They work independently, and a pair of them stay in the field with flocks for days at a time. Their presence alone is often enough to deter pumas and send them packing to seek easier prey. That’s good for the ranchers, the sheep and the pumas themselves, who otherwise risk being shot for killing livestock -- money on the hoof.

The Great Pyrenees originated in France, where the breed was used to protect flocks from wolves. The Kusanovic family, the owners of Cerro Negro, traveled widely and became familiar with the majestic white dogs in other countries. When they needed a guardian breed for their sheep, the Great Pyrenees was a natural choice, with a weather-resistant coat that allows them to thrive in cold weather and a serious, protective nature.

Now they breed the dogs for themselves as well as selling them to other estancia owners, who appreciate the protection from puma predation. The pumas might not like it so much, but it protects them from being shot, and that’s an important boost to the local economy, where puma trekking by wildlife enthusiasts is taking off.

Visitors to Patagonia can see Manta and dogs like her demonstrate their abilities on estancias that offer tours, as well as at local shearing festivals, which usually run from October to the end of January (summer in the southern hemisphere).

Q&A

Which cats will

walk on a leash?

Q: I want a cat who will enjoy walking on a leash. Are there certain breeds or personality traits I should look for, or can any cat learn?

A: Leash training can be a great way to help your cat get some exercise and safely enjoy the outdoor environment. It’s also a good way to help young cats develop confidence.

Depending on how early you start, many cats can learn to walk on-leash, but some are definitely better candidates than others. Here are some of the cat breeds who have a reputation for taking to leash training.

-- The Abyssinian is a daring and active cat with a social personality. Going out on a leash gives him the opportunity to meet his adoring fans, so he’s generally all for it.

-- The pedigreed American shorthair is usually easygoing, tolerant and adaptable, as well as being a quick learner. This is a sturdy and often adventurous cat who may be willing to try new things.

-- Active, curious and smart, the Bengal loves to learn new things and can be a cat trainer’s dream -- as long as you can keep a few steps ahead of him. Leash training challenges his brain and helps to burn off some of his energy.

-- The Savannah is a large cat who may outweigh some of the poodles and pugs he sees on walks. Keep an eye on him so he doesn’t use his gymnastic ability to escape you and go hunting.

-- Siamese cats and other Oriental breeds typically take to leash training with enthusiasm, thanks to their endless cleverness and curiosity.

-- A Persian? That’s a cat who might prefer to be pushed in a stroller.

You don’t have to get a pedigreed cat to find one who’s willing to walk on-leash. Plenty of random-bred domestic shorthairs and longhairs successfully learn how to walk on a leash. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

FDA warning: Seizure risk

from some flea, tick drugs

-- Check the flea and tick preventives you’ve been giving to your dogs and cats. The United States Food and Drug Administration warned last month that products containing isoxazoline, including Bravecto, Nexgard and Simparica, have been linked to muscle tremors, ataxia and seizures in some animals. Another product in this class, Credelio, was recently approved by the FDA. Manufacturers and the FDA are working to provide new label information warning of potential neurological events to help veterinarians and pet owners decide if a product is appropriate. Seizures are most likely in pets with a prior history of them, according to the FDA.

-- Fans around the world bid a sad farewell last month to Uno, the beagle who won hearts after his 2008 Best in Show win at Westminster, becoming the first of his breed to take the coveted title. The personable hound spent the next year and more touring the country as an “ambassadog,” visiting the White House, riding on the Peanuts float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, and, as a registered therapy dog, visiting children at Ronald McDonald Houses around the country, accompanied by his biggest fan, David Frei, longtime co-host of USA Network’s Westminster telecast. The top-winning 15-inch beagle was 13 years old.

-- You may have seen a photo on social media of a black cat with white spotting, giving him a marbled appearance. His owners believe the cat’s unusual-looking coat may be the result of a hereditary or familial pigmentary abnormality called vitiligo: depigmentation of the skin that can also affect coat color. No treatment is available, but fortunately the condition is not harmful. It is also seen in Arabian horses and some dog breeds, including Belgian Tervuren and Rottweilers, and can also affect the appearance of claws and hooves. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.