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Bay Area man claims his French bulldog, moved from 1st class to coach, died due to airline's negligence
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Michael Contillo claims he did everything necessary to ensure his two beloved French bulldogs, Ash and Kora, had a safe flight back to San Francisco International Airport from New York City — including flying first class so the dogs would have more room.
But shortly before takeoff, the flight crew made him and his dogs ...Read more
My Pet World: Preparing feral cats for winter and how to stop a dog from digging
Dear Cathy,
My husband and I have been feeding a feral neighborhood cat for 14 years. She was nursing two newborn kittens when we found her, so she is probably at least 15 years old. We managed to trap her and have her spayed, but she has lived outdoors ever since. She allows us to get close, but not touch her.
During a brutally cold winter in...Read more
Answer Angel: Dog ramps and alternatives
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: My lovable 90-pound collie, Oliver, is getting old and his back legs are not what they used to be and he has great trouble getting into the back of my SUV for our frequent outings. I’m not as strong as I used to be so, it is nearly impossible to lift him into the car.
The problem is that the dog ramps...Read more
Beware of Halloween hazards for your dog
Halloween, with its tricks and treats, is a widely celebrated holiday. It also can be a dangerous time for your dog, with increased calls to the pet poison hotline.
Whatever your Halloween plans are, whether you will dress up your pup in costume or greet trick or treaters at home, the American Kennel Club offers the following tips for having...Read more
Monkeys as pets? Meet folks who own them and learn what that's like
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Reports of a monkey loose in North Myrtle Beach last month drew attention on social media and speculation from residents. Police even went looking for the animal twice but were unable to locate a monkey.
Although the prospect of monkeys in the Myrtle Beach area may seem odd, there are private monkey owners in and around ...Read more
Ask the Vet: Dogs See Blue, Yellow and Gray
Q: We're concerned that our middle-aged Labrador-German shepherd mix may be nearsighted because he can easily spot his nearby toys but doesn't see those that are far away. Still, he can always find his blue ball. I thought dogs were colorblind but otherwise had good vision. Please explain.
A: While dogs' smell and hearing are far superior to ...Read more
My Pet World: Building confidence in your rescue dog to overcome walking challenges
Dear Cathy,
We recently rescued a four-year-old lab/pit-bull mix named Vesna, who has bonded strongly with me. The issue is, she refuses to walk with my wife when I’m not there, sitting down in the driveway or sidewalk despite positive reinforcement. How can we train her to walk with my wife?
The second issue is her reluctance to walk on ...Read more
Dad duty: Same-sex flamingo couple hatches egg, cares for chick
SAN DIEGO — A pair of flamingos have become first-time parents at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park after hatching an egg together. And they’re both dads.
The male foster parents — both in their 40s — are raising one of six chicks born this year at the North County park, which cares for nearly 100 lesser flamingos with their distinctive ...Read more
How dogs were implicated during the Salem witch trials
I teach a course on New England witchcraft trials, and students always arrive with varying degrees of knowledge of what happened in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692.
Nineteen people accused of witchcraft were executed by hanging, another was pressed to death and at least 150 were imprisoned in conditions that caused the death of at least...Read more
Tips to get your dog’s coat and paws in shape for the fall season
As the summer season comes to an end, we are all trading in our summer routines with our fall ones. But from cracked paw pads to pollen to sun-bleached fur; your pet might need some post-summer TLC.
The American Kennel Club offers a few simple tips to tend to your pup’s coat and paws after months in the hot summer sun.
Paw Pads. Over ...Read more
Why vets recommend CBD to treat dogs with chronic pain and anxiety
DENVER — Kristy Rosenberger swears by cannabidiol – more commonly known as CBD – not for herself, but for her dogs.
Rosenberger was first introduced to CBD more than a decade ago when searching for something to help her dog, Punkie, who was anxious and epileptic. When thunderstorms rolled through, the Yorkie would whimper and shake. ...Read more
Ask the Vet: Calico and Tortoiseshell Cats Usually Female
Q: I adopted a calico cat from a shelter that named him Joseph for his coat of many colors. My veterinarian was surprised when she examined him and confirmed he was a male, because she said calico cats are almost always female. Why is that?
A: Calico cats have orange, black and white fur, while tortoiseshell cats, or torties, sport orange and ...Read more
My Pet World: Handling potty training challenges with small breed dogs
Dear Cathy,
We got a Morkie from a breeder when she was 10 weeks old. We've worked hard on potty training, but she doesn't go on a leash and has accidents in her crate at least four times a week. Last night, I spent 30 minutes with her in the yard giving her every chance to go, but this morning, her crate was soiled again. This also means ...Read more
Gadgets: Self-cleaning litter box
Neakasa, an innovator of intelligent cleaning technology, is on a mission to simplify and elevate people's lives with top-of-the-line smart cleaning solutions. Their latest is the M1 open-top self-cleaning cat litter box, a game changer for maintaining an odor-free, cat-friendly home that is hassle-free.
With the M1, Neakasa states they ...Read more
What is a 'toy breed'? The AKC describes breeds in the toy group
The American Kennel Club registers more than 200 breeds of dogs and categorizes them into seven groups, based on the function for which most breeds in that group were initially bred to perform: sporting, hound, working, terrier, toy, non-sporting, and herding.
The toy group currently contains 22 breeds, some among the most popular of breeds ...Read more
Ask the Vet: Monitor Diabetic Pet's Blood Sugar Levels at Home
Q: Pebbles, my 9-year-old terrier, was diagnosed with diabetes several months ago. I give her insulin injections and monitor her diabetes with urine test strips. Is there a better way to determine how well her diabetes is being controlled?
A: Diabetes mellitus arises most often in middle-aged dogs, usually around 7 to 9 years of age. Three-...Read more
My Pet World: Why opposition to declawing is about cat welfare, not zealotry
Dear Cathy,
I have two cats and have had multiple cats over the last 40 years. All of the cats were adopted at a young age from the local shelter, and a few were taken in from other sources. I had a grand total of nine cats and they were never allowed out of the house and I declawed all of them. I don't want any of them playing together and, at...Read more
Tips for hiking with your pup
Fall is approaching, which means the start of fall activities. Most dog owners would agree that your canine companion makes for a willing and eager hiking buddy. Going for hikes with your dog is a great way to get some exercise while enjoying all the season has to offer.
The American Kennel Club offers tips on how to make your hiking trip ...Read more
Ask the Vet: Protect Cats Traveling in Motor Home
Q: My spouse and I want to take our dog and two cats on a monthlong trip across the United States in our 30-foot recreational vehicle. The dog is no problem, but we are concerned about whether this is feasible with the cats. What's your advice?
A: Your family can make this work, but only if the cats are amenable. I suggest you first take an ...Read more
My Pet World: Mom concerned over dog’s reaction to adult daughter
Dear Cathy,
I have an adult daughter on the autism spectrum. She is high-functioning and lives in an assisted living environment. When she visits, our dog, Willow, growls and barks at her. My daughter has done nothing to warrant this response, and it breaks my heart and hers to see it because she wants to have a positive relationship with ...Read more
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