Francis Albert Friday!

No, this is NOT Frank and Audrey! I found this picture while thinking about today's story and looking for an appropriate picture to go with it. I couldn't resist since this looks so much like both of them!! Sadly, this would NEVER have happened! Today's story IS about a cat but it's not Audrey. As you know, Frank was always on the lookout for cats. I happened to miss this episode but Joe explained it so vividly and we still laugh about it today.

Joe was walking Frank one day when he suddenly darted after a cat he saw. They were walking alongside a house that had a big hedge all they way around it. The cat disappeared into the hedge. Frank shoved his whole body into the hedge. All you could see was his butt sticking out! Suddenly the cat fell out of the top of the hedge, landed on Frank's head and rolled down his back!! Every cell in Frank's body reacted! All the hairs on his neck and back stood to attention. He barked. He cried. He jerked himself around and before he knew it, the cat was off running again. SO CLOSE! And yet so far.........

He never forgot that he saw the cat in that hedge. Every time we walked him and would approach that house he would run ahead and sniff all around looking for the cat. We never saw it again.

I Need a Home!!

Michael sent in this picture of an adorable puppy that needs a home. He think's he's about 10-12 weeks. He says he appears to be a purebred, but one never knows until he grows up.....His name is Arthur.

If you have any interest please leave a comment and I will forward it to Michael.

Anatomy of the Cat Brain

It's the Evolutionary Story for the Day!

Everybody knows the Labrador Retriever, America’s most popular dog. The same goes for the Poodle, the Dachshund and even the Greyhound. But have you ever asked about an Azawakh? Ogled an Ogar Polski? Or even bad-mouthed a Blackmouth Cur? This is just a sample of the approximately 750 breeds of dogs around the world.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes 150 of those breeds, but how many do you know? You might know what an English Foxhound is, despite the fact that it’s the least popular AKC breed, according to the organization’s statistics for 2006. But have you ever actually seen one outside of a hunt scene? And what about the next three least popular: the Harrier, the Glen of Imaal Terrier and the Otterhound?

In 2006, the AKC registered 123,760 Labs and only 23 Harriers (Harriers look kind of like big Beagles or little Foxhounds). Besides the Harrier, 13 other breeds registered fewer than 100 individuals in that year. If each of those breeds were a species, they’d be on the endangered list. They’re far less common than the designer dogs touted as being so unique these days.

Many of the rarer breeds are, in fact, endangered. Responsible breeders won’t breed unless they have proper homes waiting, and because so few people have even heard of these breeds, there’s no demand for them. As fewer dogs are bred, the gene pool shrinks, and the possibility of cementing in undesirable traits, such as hereditary health problems, increases. Some breeders resort to multiple-sire matings, so they can breed a female only once but to two unrelated sires, in an effort to perpetuate as many bloodlines as possible through as few puppies as they can. The parents and puppies are then DNA tested to match the proper sire to each pup.

But why are these dogs rare? In some cases, such as with Foxhounds, the statistics are misleading. Most Foxhounds are kept as members of hunting packs, not pets, and are registered with separate Foxhound registries. In other cases, such as with the Glenn of Imaal terrier, the breed is a new face in this country.

Sometimes such breeds will catch on and scale the popularity charts; sometimes, they won’t. Media exposure and the cuteness factor are big determinants of that. There are also breeds that are difficult to keep: The Komondor, which looks like a giant mass of white dreadlocks, presents definite grooming challenges.

But what about the Canaan Dog, a breed that is healthy, smart, biddable and easy to keep? Only 147 were registered in 2006. Its problem is probably that its looks, while handsome, are somewhat nondescript, not unlike a dog you could adopt from the shelter. Other breeds, such as the Pharaoh Hound, are beautiful, distinctive and healthy—but still in search of admirers.

If you’re looking for a dog that’s a little out of the ordinary, look further than the AKC’s top 20. With so many breeds out there, chances are that you can find one of the less common breeds that just might be a better fit to your lifestyle. At the same time, you may be helping to keep a breed from becoming extinct.

To view the AKC registration statistics: http://www.akc.org/reg/dogreg_stats.cfm
To visit the American Rare Breeds Association: http://www.arba.org/
To find out more about non-AKC rare breeds: http://rarebreed.com/

German Police Dogs To Wear Shoes

BERLIN - Police dogs in the western city of Duesseldorf will no longer get their feet dirty when on patrol — the entire dog unit will soon be equipped with blue plastic fiber shoes, a police spokesman said Monday.

"All 20 of our police dogs — German and Belgian shepherds — are currently being trained to walk in these shoes," Andre Hartwich said. "I'm not sure they like it, but they'll have to get used to it."

The unusual footwear is not a fashion statement, Hartwich said, but rather a necessity due to the high rate of paw injuries on duty. Especially in the city's historical old town — famous for both its pubs and drunken revelers — the dogs often step into broken beer bottles.

"Even the street-cleaning doesn't manage to remove all the glass pieces from between the streets' cobble stones," Hartwich said, adding that the dogs frequently get injured by little pieces sticking deep in their paws.

The dogs will start wearing the shoes this spring but only during operations that demand special foot protection. The shoes comes in sizes small, medium and large and were ordered in blue to match the officers uniforms, Hartwich said.

"Now we just have to teach the dogs how to tie their shoes," he joked.

(Thanks, Karen)

What if????

Here's the second post in this new "What If ??" series. The premise is.....what if some of these animals mated? These pictures are so well done and they really make you wonder.

Petco To Reduce Number Of Pets Sold In Stores

Petco has announced that they will reduce the number of animals for sale in its stores nationwide by 30 percent. The company said they are making space for more products as they are trying to tailor stores to local markets.

Petco spokesman Kevin Whalen said the decision was based on the results of a test that started in November 2007. He stated that Petco is taking customer needs into consideration and is aiming to keep animals in stores for a shorter period.

But People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said that Petco’s move is because of their investigation of Rainbow World Exotics (RWE) in Hamilton, Texas, one of Petco’s animal suppliers. An undercover PETA investigator recorded abuse and neglect of birds and other animals.

PETA Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch made this statement: “PETCO is taking good steps that should send a ripple through the pet trade industry, but it is astounding that an abusive mill like RWE can still call the nation’s two largest pet supply companies its customers. The decisions by PETCO and PetSmart not to cut ties with RWE make it clear that to them, the bottom line is far more important than ensuring that tens of thousands of animals avoid pain and suffering. PETA wants consumers to know that animals do not generally fare well in the pet trade. Animal shelters and pounds are the place to go when you are ready to offer a loving, responsible home to an animal.”

Whalen responded, “While it will benefit animals, our decision to expand the test program to all of our stores is unrelated to our discussions with PETA.”

RED carpet ready....

No red carpet ensemble would be complete without the right shade of red lipstick and nails. After all, red is THE color for the Oscars. Is your little one ready to make her red carpet debut?

http://trixieandpeanut.com/toys/137233.html

Grey Gardens Sunday

The Grey Gardens influence is everywhere! I love this sketch on Logo's The Big Gay Sketch Show. They did an Extreme Home Makeover of Grey Gardens! I can't believe they got Christine Ebersole to do this but of course, she plays Little Edie to a "T"! Naked Big Edie is hysterical!!

Run for the Border???

A man called the police after his truck vanished - only to discover it had been stolen by his dog.

Police said Charles McCowan parked his pickup in front of a mini-mart in Azusa, California on Wednesday, leaving his 80-pound Boxer Max in the passenger seat. When he came out, the truck and Max were gone.

McCowan called police, assuming the truck had been stolen. When officers arrived, they found the pickup across the street in a fast-food parking lot but had no idea how it got there.

In security video, shown on Thursday on KCAL-TV, the truck can be seen rolling backward out of the store lot and across the street, threading its way through traffic and out of view.

Police said that after McCowan left the truck, Max knocked the vehicle out of gear and sent it rolling backward. Both Max and the truck managed to emerge without a scratch.

Francis Albert Friday!

There is one other thing that would always get Frank going "THE FLY". Frank would always chase flys. He would open his big mouth and snap his jaws like a T-Rex trying to catch flies. Whenever he would hear a fly buzzing by the sliding door he would run like mad barking and snapping the jaws. If we just whispered "Frank, the fly????" he would go nuts. Sometimes I would try to get his attention and test him with all the key words "Frank....the fish....the blimp.....sister......THE FLY????" and he would always lose it with the fly.

I know most dogs and cats chase flys. Why do you think that is? Is is the annoying buzzing? How could something so tiny seem like such a threat???

Say Cheese!!

I LOVE this picture of Olive and Eli, Michael and Daniels dogs. Eli almost looks like he's smiling!

Just Cuz.....

What Your Cat is Trying to Tell You

Experts estimate that 65 to 90 percent of all human communication is through body language. Since your cat can’t tell you what he or she wants with words, you really need to be able read your pet’s nonverbal signals.

Mieshelle Nagelschneider, a feline behavior consultant, shared the four body posture messages that have helped her clients improve their feline-human relationships. She also suggests responses you can use to reinforce your cat-human bond.

Don’t pet me anymore

“Most of my clients don’t realize that over-stimulating the cat through petting almost always results in a bite,” Nagelschneider says. “Before this happens, your cat’s tail begins to twitch. Their ears turn back or flick back and forth. This signal means your cat is preparing to bite. Because cats are predators, attacking is the release cats have when stimulation is overwhelming, even if that stimulation is pleasurable.”

“The trick,” Nagelschneider says, “is to recognize the signal and stop immediately.” With practice, you can learn to distinguish the first signs of over-stimulation and stop before your cat is distressed.

Leave me alone, I’m content

“Contented cats sit or lie with the tail curled around the body, paws tucked beneath. This is an indication to you and to other cats that everything is peaceful and harmonious, and that you are unwelcome visitors. This is not an invitation to come closer.” Nagelschneider advises to let contented cats lie.

I’m afraid

When cats are afraid, they crouch, often rolled slightly to the side. They tuck their tail or flatten it against their body, and lay their ears back. Remove the object, dog or small child that’s creating your cat’s reaction. Allow your cat to retreat and leave her or her alone. Your pet will come to you when it is ready.

You caught me off guard

Your cat may react defensively or with aggression. Or, it may flip from aggression to defense and back again. To defend, cats roll onto their backs, claws out. In aggression, the cat will make himself look as large as possible to intimidate an “enemy.” Techniques that signal increased aggression include turning to the side, arching the back with body fur up, tail upright and fur splayed. Hissing, yowling or growling usually completes the effect.

Nagelschneider suggests owners never punish a cat for his aggression. Physical punishment teaches your cat that you are to be feared. In order to avoid aggressive behavior try speaking to your cat before approaching.

Cat Found After 25 Days Lost In NYC Subway

Georgia has survived New York City’s subway system. This black seven-month-old kitten escaped into the subway and was found 25 days later by two track workers. And now she has been returned to her happy owner.

The cat was a bit thinner and had a scratch on her nose from her subway ordeal. After hearing about the story of missing Georgia, track flagman Mark Dalessio and track inspector Efrain LaPorte had been diligently checking the area where Georgia had been spotted by a Con Ed worker on Wednesday.

Dalessio said, “As I was walking down the track, I was making cat sounds, meowing. I heard a ‘meow’ back and I thought it was LaPorte. I thought, ‘Wow, LaPorte is inspired.’ Then I heard it again. I looked down, and said, ‘It’s Georgia!’ ”

Georgia had been taking shelter in a foot-deep metal drain between two tracks when she was spotted. The little kitten gave Dalessio a lick as he reached for her. They called the police and in minutes, NYPD transit cops Sgt. Daniel Green and Police Officer Ilker Ozuk climbed down and rescued the cat.

Georgia went missing after she escaped from her travel carrier when her owner set the carrier on the subway platform. After a checkup by the veterinarian, it was discovered that Georgia suffered a fractured back leg during her subway adventure. She went through surgery earlier this week and is recovering.

It's the Evolutionary Story for the Day!

The Welsh Corgi

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a hardy, highly intelligent, obedient, protective and devoted dog. Corgis are extremely active and devoted little dogs, and are usually good with considerate children. They make fine guards, and excellent show and obedience dogs. Wary of strangers, it should be properly socialized and trained when it is still young - to avoid over-protective behavior as an adult. Some Pembrokes are more outgoing, restless and excitable than the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. Several of these brave dogs have lost their lives defending their homes, as they were too small for the situation. They sometimes try to herd people by nipping at their heels, although they can be trained not to do this. The Pembroke tends to bark a lot and makes a good alarm dog. Males can be aggressive with other males, particularly if a bitch in heat is in the vicinity.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a long, low dog with large erect ears, a broad flat skull and a fox-like head. The tail is almost non-existent. (The Cardigan variety has a long tail.) The Pembroke's eyes are dark, preferably with black rims, and the nose is black. The soft, water-resistant coat comes in red, sable, fawn or black & tan, usually with white markings. Some differences between the Pembroke and the Cardigan are: the Pembroke usually has straighter legs as it is not quite as long- bodied as a Cardigan; the Pembroke's head is generally more wedge-shaped; the ears are smaller and closer together than the Cardigans; also the Pembroke tends to be lighter than the Cardigan.

Height: Dogs 10-12 inches (25-30cm) Bitches 10-12 inches (25-30cm)Weight: Dogs 25-30 pounds (11-14kg) Bitches 24-28 pounds (11-13kg)

Love is Blind.......Literally!

Chance and Louis may be blind, but that doesn’t stop them from having the time of their lives with each other. Chance, a ten-week-old Alsatian puppy, had a hard start in life because he was born completely blind and was then neglected by his owners. But after reading a story about Chance, Glenn Crossman and his wife adopted this blind puppy. And Chance already has a new friend, a ten-year-old blind cat named Louis.

The Crossmans already provided a home for Louis and another dog named Bella. They previously had another blind dog. Since the couple has extensive experience with blind animals, Chance settled in quite comfortably. Crossman said, “He’s truly a lovely puppy and a bundle of fun. It only took him an hour to figure out the layout of the house. He’s a very bright boy. The big advantage with being born blind like Chance is that he doesn’t have to adapt to his condition - as he doesn’t know any better. He just gets to know his way around and gets on with it.”

He added that it does take extra work raising a blind pet because you have to be more aware of what they are doing, but “people should rescue disabled animals, as they are just as rewarding.”

What if ???

I received a series of really intersting photos from Nana B. I'll be posting one a week in this new "What If ??" series. The premise is.....what if some of these animals mated? These pictures are so well done and they really make you wonder. Here's the first one.....

Hot Bitch of The Week!

Uno, The Beagle

History was made last Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden. For the first time ever a Beagle took home the coveted prize of Westminster’s Best in Show 2008.

Fifteen inch Beagle "Uno," bested 2,627 competitors and lived up to his name to become the number one dog in America. Judge J. Donald Jones pointed to the three-year-old Beagle and officially brought the breed out of the Best in Show doghouse.

Uno became an early crowd favorite at this year’s competition. In the ring he wagged his tail and bayed and barked, demanding attention from the judges. He had the sold out crowd on their feet and chanting his name as he was crowned Best in Show.

Although the Beagle has been one of America’s most popular breeds for over a hundred years, their merry demeanor and laid back attitude have not translated to wins in the ring, until now. Already the first Beagle to win the hound group since 1939, the cheerful Uno beat out six other Best in Group winners Tuesday night: a toy and standard poodle, a Sealyham terrier, a Weimaraner, an Australian shepherd and an Akita.

Happy Presidents Day!!

In Honor of Presdients day here is a list of the top 5 Presidential Pets!

#5 Him and Her (Lyndon Johnson 1963-1969)

Him and Her were brother and sister Beagles born on June 27, 1963. Johnson often played with the two on the White House lawn. Two of Him’s puppies, Freckles and Kim, were kept by Johnson’s daughter Luci. During his presidency, Johnson also had three other dogs, J. Edgar, Blanco and Yuki.

#4 Rex (Ronald Reagan 1981-1989)

Rex was a Cavalier King Charles spaniel owned by Nancy and Ronald Reagan. The former President gave Rex to the First Lady as a Christmas present in 1985. Rex is thought to be named for Rex Scouten, a former White House chief usher. Rex lived to age 13.

#3 Socks (Bill Clinton 1993-2001)

Socks moved into the White House with the Clintons in 1993. He was the first cat to live in the White House since Amy Carter's cat, Misty Malarky Ying Yang. When the Clintons left the White House in 2001 Socks was left under the care of Bill Clinton's secretary, Betty Currie.

#2 Millie (George Bush 1989-1993)

Mildred Kerr Bush, or Millie, was a Springer spaniel owned by the Bush family. She was named after the Bush’s longtime friend Mildred Caldwell Kerr. In 1997 Millie died of pneumonia at age 12.

#1 Checkers (Richard Nixon 1969-1974)

Checkers was an American cocker spaniel born in 1951. Checkers was given to the Nixon family by a Texas supporter after he read that Nixon’s daughters wanted a dog. The dog is buried at Long Island's Bide-a-Wee Pet Cemetery.

Grey Gardens Sunday

Here's another great clip at Grey Gardens today.

Smartest Dog Breeds

Ask just about any doting dog owner, and they’ll tell you how smart their dog is. Read just about any breed description, and you’ll see the word “intelligent” used to describe that breed. But if you spend a week with almost any dog, you’ll see that dog, no matter what breed he is, do some amusingly, even amazingly, dumb things. Of course, some do seem to be a little more amazingly dumb than others.

Just how dumb or smart a dog is depends on what defines a “smart dog.” Is it the ability to wrap people around her dewclaw and get her way, no matter what? Which dog is smarter, the one that does as he’s told and works hard for his supper or the one that cocks her head, looks confused and is waited on because she’s obviously too challenged to find her way to her own food bowl?

It’s not a simple question. Just as you have book-smart and street-smart people, you have dogs that are smart in different ways. Dogs that we consider book-smart are the ones that tend to learn commands easily—and once these commands are learned, do as they’re told. By these criteria, the border collie is at the top of the class.

Other breeds with 4.0 averages are the Australian kelpie, the poodle, the Beauceron, the German shepherd, the golden retriever, the Doberman pinscher, the Shetland sheepdog, the Papillon, the Belgian Malinois and the Labrador retriever.

Breeds often accused of being most likely to be held back a grade include the Afghan hound, the Basenji, the Bulldog, the Chow chow, the Borzoi, the Bloodhound and the Pekingese. Owners of these breeds might agree their dogs may not have college futures, but they do have street smarts, and when it comes to getting their way, they’re without peer.

The reason for these differences is all in the genes. Or more precisely, the tendency to follow human direction depends very much on what a breed was developed to do in the first place. Of the most trainable breeds, almost all come from herding or retrieving backgrounds, jobs for which the ability to follow human cues is vital. A good herder must be able to follow the shepherd’s directions to move the sheep where they are wanted. A good retriever must be able to follow his handler’s directions to locate fowl downed out of the dog’s sight, or to avoid swimming into danger. Even lapdogs tend to have an obedient streak, since they’ve been selected as companions for generations.

It’s easy to explain why some breeds are so obedient, but how can it be explained why some are so disobedient? Sometimes being disobedient, or at least independent, is a job requirement. Hounds and terriers, for example, were developed to trail or chase quarry without human direction; a hound or terrier that checked back with the hunter to see which way he should go would be a dismal failure on the hunt.

Other breeds tend to be disobedient simply because they’re less civilized, so to speak. Breeds that DNA studies have shown to be more closely related to the wolf tend to think for themselves rather than rely on humans. These so-called progenitor breeds include the basenji, the Afghan hound, the chow chow and the Pekingese.

Domestication has selected for dogs that have an aptitude for training to a greater degree than typical wolves, which are notoriously hard to train. Yet nobody would ever think of accusing a wolf of being slow-witted. After all, is it smarter to do everything you’re told or to make up your own rules?

Most people think they want a smart dog, but be careful what you wish for. Smart dogs need mental stimulation to keep themselves occupied. If you can’t provide it, they can undertake their own projects, which may include various home-improvement jobs, such as pulling up that old carpet, redoing the wiring or rearranging your pantry. Unfortunately, no matter how smart they are, they seldom get past the demolition stage of one project before moving on to the next.

There’s something to be said for a dog that’s easily entertained.

It's All Greek To Me

Here I am in Greece on the island of Santorini. Imagine my surprise when I came across this adorable female Doberman sitting on the steps of her owners home. I ran up to try to pet her and everyone was telling me "oh no, those dogs are not friendly". Silly people....

The owner let me in and let me play with her. She was beautiful and so sweet and happy. The owner told me how much she appreciated that I loved her dog. She said everyone is afraid of her and she doesn't know why. I went back to look for her the next day but she wasn't there. The husband had taken her for a walk. The owner thanked me for coming again. I showed her a picture of Frank on my phone and we had a nice chat about how special Dobermans are.

Save the Chihuahuas

Michael and Daniel just sent me some info on a rescue called http://www.chihuahuas4us.com/

It was run by a woman who died very suddenly from brain cancer last year. Her life work was running the rescue and it has all but come to a halt since she died. Her husband, Bob, is srambling trying to keep the dogs fed and healthy and is giving away dogs or selling for very low prices. Everything on the website is apprxomiately three months older than shown.

Please spread the word and let's try to help Bob and help the chihuahuas....

Francis Albert Friday!

When Kevin brought Ginger home he told us that her mother and father, who were owned by the breeder, were both award winning show dogs. Part of his agreement with them in taking Ginger was that he would show her. He agreed.

One day they called him and told him about a dog show that was coming up. He got so excited. One Saturday Joe, Kevin, Frank, Ginger and I got in the car and drove about an hour away to a park where the dog show was to take place.

Frank was visibly nervous on the drive there. The minute we pulled into the parking lot and he saw all these other dogs he started to get even more nervous. What did he think? That we were going to leave him there? That we didn't want him any more now that we had brougth home his sister?

Kevin took Ginger and off they went to learn how to properly 'show' the dog in the ring. I stayed with Joe and Frank. Frank clung to Joe. He was so aggitated. He was barking like crazy at all the other dogs. There were dogs on leases, there were dogs in little made up pens with wire fencing around them. We barely made it into the park when all of a sudden Frank lifted up his leg and pee'd all over Joe's leg. We couldn't believe it! He was marking Joe! He wanted to show all the other dogs that Joe was HIS!

We went to find a bathroom. It was way on the other end of the park. Joe took Frank into the bathroom with him and took off his jeans and rinsed them off in the sink. Out they came with Joe's wet pant leg. Frank behaved so badly that we had to spend the entire show sitting at the other end of the park so Ginger could have her moment without her brother embarrasing her.

Ginger won two first places that day. Best in her breed and best in show. Frank won an award too - Bad Doberman in Show.

Cat Survives 19 Days With Jar On Head

Wild Oats must love peanut butter. This feral cat survived 19 days with a peanut butter jar stuck on her head. The Cain family, who feeds Wild Oats, tried to get her to rescue her from the jar, but the cat kept on running away from them and hiding. Wild Oats disappeared for a week, and the family was worried about the cat’s safety.

Eventually, Wild Oats was caught with a fishing net, and the family used some oil to get the jar off of her head. She has been treated for her wounds and has begun to eat and drink again. “I’ve heard of cats having nine lives but I think this one has 19 because she survived 19 days,” Doretha Cain said.

The vet said that Wild Oats may have survived because she had some excess fat, but Cain thinks it is because, “God will take care of animals just like people because that cat is really a miracle.” The Cain family is thinking about renaming Wild Oats “Survivor” instead.

Happy Valentines Day!!

From me, Little Edie and Jake!!

I Need a Home

This is Cosmo. He's also available for adoption at http://www.billfoundation.org/ under the name of Alfred. Please spread the word if you know anyone who can take him or Peggy in. You can also leave a comment here and I'll pass it along to Daniel.

How Pets' Love Helps You Live Longer

It’s interesting that the word ‘pet’ -which means ‘to touch’- is used to refer to a domesticated animal who lives in our home. Especially since one of the benefits of pet ownership, that is mentioned in numerous studies, are those obtained through the touching of our pets and the closeness of the relationship with them.

The American Association of Human-Animal Bond Veterinarians (AAH-ABV) defines the bond that people have with their pets in part as, “The human-animal bond is a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and other animals.” Although this relationship has probably existed for as long as mankind has domesticated animals, it has been brought to more people’s attention during several recent disasters.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the California wildfires, numerous news reports showed pet owners taking considerable risks to try and save their pets. Mary Moore, of Fallbrook, CA evacuated her home during the October 2007 San Diego wildfires with four dogs, a couple of cats and several reptiles. She said simply, “These pets are all a part of our family and I wasn’t going to leave them behind.”

Research Agrees

Numerous research studies and polls in the United States, Great Britain and Australia have all shown that pet owners believe their pets are good for them physically, mentally and emotionally, and scientific research has shown the pet owners to be correct.

The British Market Research Bureau (BMRB) conducted research in October 2002 for the Pet Care Trust, an organization that promotes responsible pet ownership, and found there were multiple reasons why pet owners felt their pets were good for them.

75 percent said their pets made them laugh and thereby contributed to better mental health
67 percent said their pets offered unconditional love
66 percent said their pets provided companionship and alleviated loneliness
64 percent said their pets reduced stress and made them feel more relaxed.

Another study looked at the health benefits provided by pets. The Baker Medical Research Institute in Australia conducted a large-scale study of over 5,000 people and found that in general, pet owners had lower blood pressure levels than people who did not own pets. Other studies have shown that pet owners heal better and more quickly after surgery and have reduced risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

The bond pet owners have with their pets is a strong one. The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA) found:

21 percent of pet owners encouraged their pet to sleep in their bed
44 percent said their pet sleeps in their bed and probably gets more of the bed than themselves
66 percent said they would not date someone who dislikes their pet
Pets are Good for Kids, Too

The benefits are not just for adults; children benefit from pet ownership and from exposure to pet animals. In the BMRB study, pet owning parents felt that owning a pet taught their children kindness and responsibility.

Alan M. Beck, Sc.D., of the School of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University, a long-time researcher in the field of the human-animal bond, and Anthony Rud Jr., of the College of Education at Purdue University, conducted a survey of elementary school teachers about pets in the classroom.

They discovered that more than a quarter of the classrooms had animals in the classroom and that the teachers felt that the animals served to motivate the students to work well and behave in ways that would be better for the animals. This in general resulted in better behavior in the classroom. Caring for the animals also provided opportunities for the children to be caregivers and a chance to learn responsibility.

It's the Evolutionary Story for the Day!

The Saint Bernard

They are extremely gentle and friendly and very tolerant of children. The Saint Bernard is slow moving, patient, and obedient. Extremely loyal, this breed wants to please. Since this dog is so giant, be sure to socialize it very well at a young age with other people. It is highly intelligent and easy to train, however training should begin early, while the dog is still a manageable size. Bear in mind that an unruly dog of this size presents a problem for even a strong adult if it is to be exercised in public areas on a leash, so take control from the onset. The Saint Bernard is a good watchdog. Even its size is a good deterrent. They drool after they drink or eat.

The Saint Bernard is a very large, strong, muscular dog, with a powerful head. As long as the weight stays in proportion with the height, the taller the dog the more prized. There are two types of coat: rough, and smooth, but both are very dense and come in white with markings in tan, red, mahogany, brindle, and black - in various combinations. The face and ears are usually shaded with black and the expression is intelligent and gentle. In the rough-coated dogs, the hair is slightly longer and there is feathering on the thighs and legs. The feet are large with strong well-arched toes, making the Saint Bernard's sure-footed in the snow and ice. They have a highly developed sense of smell and also seem to have a sixth sense about impending danger from storms and avalanches.

Height: 25.5-27.5 inches ( 61-70 cm.)Weight: 110-200 pounds (50-91 kg)

I Need A Home

This is Peggy. She is a foster in need of a loving home. Michael and Daniel asked if you or anyone you know could take her in. Peggy is about 3 years old. If you are interested, her info and adoption info is on www.billfoundation.org or you can leave a comment and I'll put you in touch with the boys.

The Glamorous Life

Recently, Ginger threw a little birthday dinner for her daddies. It was important she look her best so she wore her faux mink stole. Here she is with Darren enjoying the festivities. She was the star of the night!

Dog About Town

No male dog should be without these two must have items. Anydog who is anydog has the latest Growlex watch and a bottle of Ruff Lauren Aftershave. How else are they gonna get the ladies? After all, status does count.......even in the dog world......

From $15 - http://trixieandpeanut.com/toys/137243.html

Introducing Eli, Muriel & Olive.....

Look at these faces!! Aren't they precious? These three angels belong to my friends, Michael and Daniel. Eli is the Golden Retriever and Muriel and Olive are the dachshunds. The boys won a sitting with a dog photographer and these are the pics that resulted!

Michael and Daniel are true animal lovers. Daniel volunteers for a rescue called http://www.billfoundation.org/. Check it out for more info. Maybe you can make a difference too!

Cat holds on in car clinch journey

Monty the cat is probably one or two lives short of his full compliment after his owner drove off with him clinging to the underside of his car.

The determined pet held on for more than 48km (30miles) before being thrown off at 60mph as John Cotgrave drove on to the M60 motorway in Manchester.

As Monty tumbled across the busy road, his owner watched the episode unfold in his rear-view mirror.

Mr Cotgrave said: 'As I started to increase my speed, I could feel bumps underneath the car and was shocked to see little Monty in the middle of the road. Seeing him bounce and roll is an image I will never forget. My whole life froze – I really thought we would lose him.'

Mr Cotgrave, 35, of Huddersfield, caught five-year-old Monty as he ran up an embankment off the M60 in Manchester.

The plucky feline, who had fallen asleep inside the car's rear bumper, managed to escape with a few minor cuts, a black eye and some missing teeth.

Alter Egos

Lately I've been noticing how very much Little Edie reminds me of my dearly departed cat, Audrey. I know you are thinking "Girl.....we've seen a lot of cooky stuff on this blog. You done lost your damn mind this time." I know it sounds crazy but hear me out.....

Audrey was a very special cat. She was a soulmate pet. We were very in tune with each other. Just a certain look or a sound and she would react to me. She was always in my lap. Inseparable we were. In the five months that I've had Little Edie I have noticed all these little Audrey-isms. I keep thinking to myself.....hmmmm....isn't that funny?? Now mind you, Jake lived with Audrey for 12 years. You would think he would have picked up on some of her traits after all that time. Nope. Not a one. But Little Edie came along and just practically filled her little shoes....

When I put my makeup on, Audrey used to jump up and sit behind me on the chair. She would watch intensely and sometimes I would pretend to put a little blush on her and she would just look at me with that cute face, purring very loudly and let out a little meow. Now Little Edie does the same thing (minus the meow.....she wags her tail).

When I lay on the couch, on my back, to watch tv Audrey used to love to lie in my lap with her front legs stretched all the way out almost touching my ankles and her back legs curled under and resting on my stomach. Now Little Edie does the same thing. And I mean, the same thing. Exact same position.

When I lay on the couch, on my stomach, to watch tv Audrey used to lay curled up on top of my thighs just under my butt. Now Little Edie does the same thing.

Audrey used to sleep under the covers right smack in the middle of the bed in the little dip where the two mattresses meet. I always wondered how the heck she could breathe under all the covers. Now Little Edie does the same thing.

Audrey was always in my lap. When I laid in bed, watched tv or was at the computer. Now Little Edie does the same thing.

When I talk on the phone with my mom, Audrey would start to climb all over me, trying to get my attention. I would put the phone to her ear and my mom would talk to her. Audrey would talk back. Now Little Edie does the same thing (Edie also brings me her toys to try to get my attention).

Audrey loved to go outside. She would lie on the sofa and put her head up with her eyes closed and bask in the sun. She would sniff intensely and whip her head around quickly when a bird went by. Now Little Edie does the same thing. (Hence, the photos.)

Audrey loved her pink Juicy bed. Little Edie inherited it (the reversible cover came in handy). Now Little Edie loves it too.

Audrey ruled the house. Jake had no say. Now Little Edie does too.

Audrey was a great little watch cat. She would stand up on her back legs and growl whenever she heard a sound at the front or back door. Now Little Edie does the same thing.

Audrey had this cute little delicate face with her little black button nose. Little Edie has the same cute little delicate face with her little black button nose.

I only have to look at Little Edie and she reacts. She barks, talks and wags her tail. She dances. Just like Audrey used to. Minus the barking - Audrey would swish the end of her tail, meow and purr.

I was Audrey's whole world. Now I am Little Edie's whole world. I thought Audrey and I were so lucky to have each other. Now I think the same of Little Edie and me.

Hurry.....The Deadline is February 13

Save the Seals

I received an email from my friend, Mara, who not only loves animals (she owes us pictures of her cats to post here..... by the way!!) she is also an animal activist. She likes to try to do little things every day to make a difference.

One of the little things she does is sign petitions to help make new laws to protect helpless animals or to try to change the drastic situation of massive global animal abuse. With the help of Peta Greenpeace, another organization that she supports, they have already won a lot of battles. But there is still so much to be done. The Seal battle is one of them. She passed along the following infromation and a link to sign a petition to try to save and protect baby seals from an horrendous massacre that takes place every year in Canada for their fur. Please log on today and take the survey. It will only take a couple of minutes. The deadline to have your voice heard is Wednesday, Feb. 13.

The European Commission is considering a seal-product trade ban that would save millions of seals from a horrible fate. You canhelp convince the EU to end cruel seal product trade now!

Click on the link below to learn more about the issue and make your voice heard:

https://community.hsus.org/hsi_uk/join.html?rk=C12pd59a9S%5fw

Grey Gardens Sunday

Here's a great clip from Court TV that shows how the story of the Edie's went from being a documentary to a Broadway play. It features an interview Albert Maysles and also with Jerry, the Marble Faun, who is still alive today!

Happy Birthday!!!

Today would have been my friend Kevin's 37th birthday. Kevin passed away in 2004. Hard to believe this year will be four years without him in our lives. Kevin was a rock star. He was a bad ass. He was crazy on the outside but on the inside he was sensitive, vulnerable, smart and totally genuine. He didn't like most people but he loved, loved, loved his family and friends. He would do just about anything for you if you were a family member or his friend.

Kevin loved animals. He used to find strays all the time and take them in until he could find their owners. I remember Kevin finding a dog on a busy street once and taking him home, taking his picture and making fliers to post all over his neighborhood. It worked. The dog belonged to a family in the neighborhood and they got him back thanks to Kevin's fliers. We used to crack up months later when we would see one stray flier still hanging on a light post somewhere because Kevin was holding the dog in the picture and you could see his skinny leg in his rocker jeans with his pointy Dolce and Gabbana boot. His signature look.

He had a cat, Lodi, that he loved that lived with his parents. He also got a Doberman for his parents, Archie.

He was responsible for bringing Frank into our lives. He went to Doberman rescue and found Frank there and brought him home as a surprise for Joe. Frank LOVED Kevin. Kevin used to take him everywhere when he was puppy. They always took their afternoon nap together. Poor Frank never really got over losing Kevin.

He was also responsible for bringing Ginger into our lives. He and Joe talked about how cute it would be to have a little Manchester Terrier so Kevin found a breeder and one morning he drove about three hours away to go pick her up. He brought her home as a gift to Joe.

Audrey, my cat, loved Kevin. He was the only other person to have had the pleasure of having Audrey sit in his lap. She hated everyone. She tolerated a few people. She loved Kevin.

One day we went to the mall together and visited the pet store. There was a Doberman puppy for sale. It broke his heart to see a Doberman all caged up so he yanked him outta there and bought him hoping that he could convince Joe to let him keep him. We told Joe we found the dog in the middle of a busy street. Our plan backfired a bit. They weren't able to keep him but Kevin eventually found a home for him. I finally told Joe after Kevin passed how we really got that dog. Joe said he always thought our story about finding him in the street sounded a little funny.

Happy Birthday, mama!! We love you and we miss you!!

Maybe They Will Do Something Right For Once....

U.S. close to decision on polar bears

The Bush administration is nearing a decision that would officially acknowledge the environmental damage of global warming, and name its first potential victim: the polar bear.The Interior Department may act as soon as this week on its year-old proposal to make the polar bear the first species to be listed as threatened with extinction because of melting ice due to a warming planet.

Both sides agree that conservationists finally have the poster species they have sought to use the Endangered Species Act as a lever to force federal limits on the greenhouse gases linked to global warming, and possibly to battle smokestack industry projects far from the Arctic."

All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others," said Kassie Siegel, an attorney with the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity. "And then there is the polar bear."Even Frank Luntz, the political consultant who advised President Bush six years ago to focus on discrediting the science of global warming and refer to it as "climate change," has recognized the bear's potency.

In an interview on the environmental website Grist.org, he said the public has a "soft side" for the bear. Federal government scientists have presented increasingly compelling evidence that the top predator at the top of the world is doomed if the polar regions get warmer and sea ice continues to melt as forecast. Two-thirds of the population could be gone by mid-century if current trends continue, experts say.

Bears are beholden to sea ice, where they perch so they can pounce on unsuspecting seals, their primary food.Images pop up regularly of scrawny, exhausted bears dragging themselves onto ice floes looking like bones covered in sodden white rugs. So do reports of struggling bears swimming wearily in open water. It's a shocking contrast to the pop-culture image: smiling animated bears guzzling Coca-Cola in commercials, fat lounging bears drawing crowds at zoos or fluffy Polyester stand-ins adorning children's bedrooms."These are soft and cuddly, giving bears," said Anthony Leiserowitz, a public opinion researcher and director of the Yale Project on Climate Change. "We give them to each other on Valentine's Day and tuck them in with our children at night."

All this humanizing of the ferocious carnivore makes conservationists believe they have found the charismatic mega-fauna needed to transform the issue of global warming from a distant abstraction into something real, accessible and urgent.The script calls for the big white bear to play a role similar to that of the American bald eagle in the 1970s, which was at center stage in the nascent environmental movement to tighten pesticide regulations and ban the insecticide DDT.

Conservationists hope the bear will focus the nation on curtailing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases blamed for melting ice and other symptoms of a warming planet. They are eager to press this case in court; oil and gas industries and their allies fear it.Heavy industry has reason to fear.

At least one part of the environmental community believes the bear's listing would provide the leverage to stop a coal-fired power plant thousands of miles away from the Arctic.Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), who is known for his skepticism about global-warming measures, asked U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director H. Dale Hall last week whether listing the polar bear could be used to halt the construction of a new power plant in Oklahoma City."

The Endangered Species Act is not the vehicle to reach out and demand all of the things that need to happen to address climate change," Hall said, to Inhofe's apparent satisfaction. Andrew E. Wetzler, director of the Natural Resources Defense Council's endangered species project, said Hall misunderstands the legal principles underlying the act, which was fortified by a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that carbon dioxide can be regulated as a pollutant.

If the builders of a coal-fired plant needed a federal permit, they would probably have to show how its emissions would not erode the polar bear's habitat or jeopardize its survival, Wetzler said.Several conservation groups have filed a lawsuit and threatened a second one to force the listing of the bear. Already, they have sued to nullify oil exploration leases in the Chukchi Sea, set for sale Wednesday, arguing that the bear's plight got short shrift during environmental reviews.

Francis Albert Friday!

Joe wanted me to share this story with you today. We were remembering another nickname we had for Frank. Houdini.

Frank earned the Houdini nickname one weekend while at the beach house. Frank was about 100 pounds of pure muscle and he was hard to control when he saw a motorcycle, squirrel or cat so Joe always used a harness and a choke chain on him when he walked him. He would then attach the choke chain and the harness together with the leash for maximum control.

Frank was always on cat patrol since every house at the beach seemed to have a cat. Joe was minding his own business walking Frank one morning when a cat appeared in front of them. Frank froze. He did the mouth up and down thing. The ears touched. The tongue was hanging out to the side. The cat stared back. Staring contest ensued. Finally the cat took a step towards Frank, taunting him. Suddenly the cat darted.

Before Joe knew what happened Frank had shimmied sideways under a car and contorted his whole body and suddenly came out of his choke chain, harness and leash contraption. Joe was left standing there holding the leash and empty harness while Frank chased the wild cat.

We never figured out how he managed to do that. It was literally in the blink of an eye. All that pent up longing of wanting to catch a cat exploded at that moment. One thing we're sure of is that he definitely broke Houdini's record!

Catabunga!!!!!!

Surfing Cat: Loves The Waves Or Simply Hanging On For Dear Life?

Most cats usually don’t like water, but there are those certain felines that love playing around in the water and here is one that even surfs. It all started when Domingo Pianezzi of Lima, Peru brought his cat, Nicolasa to the beach and the cat jumped onto his surf board.

Pianezzi said that Nicolasa loves catching waves and some say that she may have the technique to turn pro because she “hangs ten” with all claws hooked around the edge of the board. Pianezzi also stated that Nicolasa loves surfing almost as much as catching mice.

Unlikely Friends...

My friend Brad passed along this amazing video that his mom found and thought you'd all enjoy. It is really unbelievable..... I don't know who's funnier - the cat and the crow, the owners or the little doctor. They all made me laugh!

Six Feet Under

Dog Survives After Getting Stuck In Grave For Two Weeks

Billy is quite the lucky Jack Russell. This curious dog survived being trapped in a grave for two weeks after he disappeared from his family’s home in Australia.

It is believed that two-year-old Billy chased a rabbit down a hole at the edge of the grave and became stuck when concrete started to fall in behind him. The O’Sullivan family searched everywhere for him and were afraid that he had been bitten by a snake or got stuck in a rabbit hole.

But luckily, the family found Billy when they visited the cemetery to visit the graves of their relatives. The family heard barking at the cemetery and followed the woofing to the grave where Billy was it. They saw Billy’s little nose through a crack in the grave and he barked out to the family.

Authorities were called and rushed to the scene to save the trapped dog. They opened the concrete lid with crowbars and Billy rushed out to his freedom. His owner said, “He jumped out like a little rabbit but he was all skin and bones and his ribcage was showing.”

Billy was hungry, thirsty, had raw paws, but otherwise was healthy and doing well from his ordeal. Although Billy seems to not have learned his lesson because his owner stated, “When we took him back to the cemetery this week we had to hold on to him or he would have been back down the hole. To him, it’s a big game.”

Cats Set Records Too

Mr. Peebles, the World's smallest cat

Oldest: Granpa, who lived to be 34 years, 2 months and 4 hours old, holds the record for longest-lived cat.

Smallest Cat: Mr. Peebles is the world’s smallest cat, standing 6.1 inches tall and 3 pounds. Oddly, he’s larger than the world’s smallest dog.

Heaviest Cat: A neutered male named Himmey, weighed a whopping 46 pounds 15.5 ounces, and sported a 15-inch neck and 33-inch waist. He died of respiratory failure.

Longest Cat: A Maine Coon Cat named Verismo Leonetti Reserve Red measures 48-inches from nose tip to tail tip makes him the world’s longest cat.

Most Toes: Most cats have a total of 18 toes, but a cat named Jake has a total of 27.

Largest Litter: Mother cats have 8 teats, and typically have about 5 or so kittens. But one cat named Tarawood Antigone had a litter of 19 kittens, of which 14 were born alive and survived. She didn’t even take fertility drugs.

Most Kittens: Dusty, born in 1935, before the concept of spaying your cat was widespread, holds the record as the most prolific cat mother. Over the course of 17 years she gave birth to 420 kittens.

Oldest Cat to Have Kittens: The oldest known cat to have kittens was a 30-year-old cat named, imaginatively, “Kitty.”

Best Mouser: Towser, a cat employed by a distillery for mouse control, more than earned her wages by catching 28,899 mice.

It's the Evolutionary Story for the Day!

The Beagle

The Beagle is a gentle, sweet, lively and curious dog that just loves everyone! A happy little tail-wagger! Sociable, brave and intelligent. Calm and loving. Excellent with children and generally good with other dogs, but should not be trusted with non-canine pets, unless they are socialized with cats and other household animals when they are young. Beagles have minds of their own. They are determined and watchful and require patient, firm training. This breed doesn't like being left alone. Consider buying two if you will be gone a lot. A Beagle has a loud baying cry that was a delight to hunting horsemen, but can be disturbing to family and neighbors. Beagles have a tendency to follow their own noses. They may take off on their own exploration if let off their leash in an unfenced area. Be careful when selecting your Beagle. The breed is being over bred and in some lines, the dogs temperament is suffering because of it.

A hardy, sturdy squarely-built, small hound. The Beagle has a sleek, easy-care, short coat, which can come in any hound color, for example, tri-color, black and tan, red and white, orange and white, or lemon and white. The coat is close, hard and of medium length. The beagle looks like a small English Foxhound. The skull is broad and slightly rounded, and the muzzle is straight and square. The feet are round and strong. The black nose has full nostrils for scenting. The long, wide ears are pendant. The brown or hazel eyes have a characteristic pleading expression. The tail is carried gaily, but never curled over the back. Beagles have a distinct howl / bay of a bark when they are on the hunt.

Height: Dogs 14-16 inches (36-41cm) Bitches 13-15 inches (33-38cm)There are two height classes, 13-15 inches (33-38cm) and under 13 inches (33cm).Weight: Dogs 22-25 pounds (10-11kg) Bitches 20-23 pounds (9-10kg)

More Dog Records

Gibson, the world's tallest dog

Oldest dog: Bluey, an Australian Cattle Dog, worked cattle and sheep from the time he was a pup in 1910 until he took early retirement at the age of 20. He lived until 1939, when he was put to sleep at 29 years and 5 months of age.

Heaviest dog: Zorba, an Old English Mastiff, weighed 343 pounds. He also held the record for longest dog, measuring 8 feet 3 inches long from nose to tail. Zorba stood 37 inches at the shoulder.

Tallest dog: Gibson, a Great Dane, measured 42.2 inches at the shoulder.

Smallest Dog (length): In terms of measurement from nose to tail tip, a Chihuahua named Brandy, who’s length was a mere 6, holds that record.

Smallest Dog (height): Ducky of Charlton, MA, a Chihuahua bought for $5,000, holds the record for the shortest dog. Ducky stands 4.9 inches at the shoulder.

Smallest Dog (weight): Dancer, another Chihuahua, claims the lightest dog record with a weight of 18 ounces, about the size of a double cheeseburger.

Longest Ears: Tigger, a Bloodhound, sports 27.25 inches worth of ears, with one ear measuring 13.5 inches and the other, 13.75 inches.

Los Angeles May Mandate Spaying/Neutering

The first phone call came a couple of years ago. A man was on the line, recalled Ellen Lavinthal, president of the rescue group Animal Alliance, and he said, "I have a litter of kittens. I need to get rid of them."She picked up the kittens and dropped off a voucher that would allow the owner to get the mother spayed at a low cost. Six months later, the man called back."He said, 'I've got another litter. Are you going to come get them?' " Lavinthal did. And she gave him another voucher.Last spring, he called again. Another litter. Could she take them? "I said, 'Yes, but this time I'm going to take the mama cat, too. I'll give you $50.'

"Private rescuers exhaust their resources trying to collect and place animals. "We cannot do this all," said Lavinthal, who appeared before a Los Angeles City Council committee Monday.In the meantime, public shelters in Southern California try desperately to get animals adopted and euthanize the tens of thousands they cannot. Shelter officials and many activists say the only way to stem the tide of unwanted animals is to require people to spay and neuter their pets.

They may get as close as they've ever come to a sweeping mandate when the council today takes up a proposed ordinance that would require pet owners to spay or neuter their dogs and cats at the age of 4 months or older.If it passes -- and it has a good chance of doing so -- the measure would make Los Angeles the largest municipality in the country with a mandatory sterilization law.There would be numerous exceptions: police dogs, service dogs, breeders, dogs and cats on the show circuit or even aspiring to the show circuit, and animals whose veterinarians deem the procedure to be medically risky. Enforcement would be low-key.

City officials prefer to talk about educating pet owners -- passing out so-called "fix-it" tickets for violations that allow plenty of time to get the animal sterilized. "I think that's better than cold turkey and throwing a heavy fine on them," said Councilman Richard Alarcon, the sponsor of the measure.Alarcon and Ed Boks, general manager of LA Animal Services, say enforcement will be complaint-driven.

So if your unaltered animal lives quietly, it's unlikely that animal control will show up at your home.But if a neighbor calls about a noisy or aggressive dog and it happens the animal has not been sterilized, the owner should expect to receive an official notice to comply."If people are afraid we're going to go door to door enforcing this, we have neither the resources nor the inclination," said Boks. "We're trying to stop the serious inflow of animals into our shelters."The County of Los Angeles passed such an ordinance two years ago, but it covers only dogs and governs the unincorporated areas of the county.

A similar state bill faced enormous opposition last year but passed the Assembly. Without enough votes to get the bill through the Senate Local Government Committee, the bill's author, Assemblyman Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys) requested the vote be deferred. The bill, with some amendments, is expected to come up for a vote in the spring.The city bill seems to have flown a bit under the radar -- until today. Supporters and opponents are expected to appear before the City Council this morning in Van Nuys."If our city shelters had glass walls," said Haze Lynn, who rescues boxers, "everyone would be for spay/neuter.

It's heartbreaking to see the healthy dogs brought into shelters."On the other hand, Louis Krokover, president of the Los Angeles-based Concerned Dog Owners of California, says his group opposes the bill. "We are not opposed to spaying and neutering. We are opposed to the word 'mandatory.' "Enforcement of all animal regulations is daunting. Boks said only about 20% of L.A. dogs have licenses. But any law, supporters argue, gives officials something to work with.Alarcon says he may be among the first to line up to comply. He says his wife's two Chihuahuas, Corazon and Chico (father and son, respectively) are not sterilized. He promises he will have them neutered. "I've already talked to my wife.

If the messenger can't act in a way that's consistent with the message, then they shouldn't do it."LA Animal Services would add four more animal control officers to deal with enforcement as well as clerical staff for a cost of roughly $400,000, Boks estimated. He added that the shelter system spends about $2 million a year on animals that are euthanized.Last year, although the city saw a drop in euthanasia, the shelter system still killed 8,960 cats and 6,049 dogs -- healthy animals neither retrieved by owners nor adopted by new ones.

The cost of a spaying or neutering operation for a cat or a dog at a veterinary clinic or office can range from $50 to $400, said Jeff Smith, president of the California Veterinary Medical Association.The city of Los Angeles offers free and low-cost spaying and neutering vouchers to people who qualify. They can be redeemed at two mobile facilities or veterinary offices that partner with LA Animal Services.