The Wide World of Pet Keeping:
Trends and Tidbits
By Jeannine Moga

The recent Olympics gave us insight into another countries culture. Studying the trends of pet keeping is another way to learn about people, culture and places around the world. The United States ranks first in domestic dogs, cats and fish —and ranks third in the world for bird-keeping households. The 2007 American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA) National Pet Owners Survey found that 63% of American households (an estimated 71 million homes) include an animal of some kind.

However, American families are not the only ones to demonstrate a fondness for (or even an obsession with) pets. China is consistently one of the top pet-keeping countries for cats (#2), fish (#2), birds (#1) and yes, even dogs (#3). Also tops in pet-keeping are Brazil and Japan, where it also seems that dogs, cats and birds are the most common critters to share family space.

Many may be surprised to learn about the numerous ways people of other cultures choose and care for their animal companions, as the geography of pet-keeping is full of surprises.  read more »

I came across the greatest little art studio in Northfield. Called Barefoot Studio, the artist Carla Thompson captures bright bits of spirit in acrylic paints on wood, canvas and walls.

A piece that caught my eye was a painting of rolling hills with a house in the distant background. On the piece, Carla wrote. “My dog smiles at me…and I smile back.”  read more »

I believe full disclosure is important here—-I hate reality TV shows. I don't watch them because reality TV has nothing to do with reality. Also, I think the shows are designed to bring out the worst in people.

Of the reality shows I have seen, they seem to include insecure, morally corrupt, untalented individuals trying to win money, a husband or fame.

So it is no surprise that I especially hate Greatest American Dog. I watched 10 minutes of an episode and was disgusted because those insecure, morally corrupt, untalented people who are trying to win money have now involved their dogs.

After learning a contestant treated her dog inhumanely to get him to do what she wanted--I'm outraged.  read more »

My husband and I were recently eating lunch at a sidewalk café when we started talking about the high prevalence of small dogs that aren't trained.

We were contentedly eating our sandwiches when relentless barking shattered the ambiance. A dog and owner were nearby standing outside a store, waiting for their party that was inside shopping. The dog barked at everyone who walked by.

Trust me when I say that I'm not picking on pugs. The dog just happened to be a pug. It was straining on its harness and leash, barking and wheezing. It was also overweight.  read more »

My Star Tribune cohort Josephine Marcotty recently blogged about Batman the dog who was the first patient to receive an experimental therapy that researchers at the University of Minnesota hope will cure his brain cancer.

Batman has the same cancer that Sen. Ted Kennedy has. If it works for Batman and other dogs, researchers say, it holds enormous promise as an effective treatment for people, too.

Pet Central readers might be interested in reading Marcotty's blog that gives us an update as to how Batman is doing. To read the Star Tribune article, click here.  read more »

Today's guest blogger is Wendy van Kerkhove. Wendy is a local trainer who has written an article for us about DNA testing to find a mix breed's heritage. In this accompanying blog, she addresses the question, "Does finding a mixed breed's true identity change the way we should train and treat our dogs?" What do you think?

True Colors Shining Through: DNA Testing Mix Breed Dogs
by Wendy van Kerkhove

What would happen if you had your dog's DNA tested and discovered that your Siberian husky mix was really a golden retriever mixed with poodle and Dalmatian? Would you believe it? Would the new information change anything about the way you train, exercise and relate to your dog?  read more »

Today's guest blogger is Kelli Ohrtman. Kelli works in the trenches at Best Friends Animal Society helping to educate people about puppy mills. She was recently in town kicking up her heels with local dog loving Twin Citians.

Beer With Your (and everyone else’s) Canine Buddy
by Kelli Ohrtman
Last weekend, home on a visit from Utah, I headed from the airport straight to a bar where fifty-plus dogs and dog lovers gathered for Beer with Your Buddy. That may seem strange to some, to come from home where I have five of my own dogs, and where I work at a sanctuary with six hundred dogs, but I guess there are some things you just can’t get enough of. It was fun even though technically, I was having a beer with everyone else’s buddies, since my dogs were miles away at home.  read more »

How many neighbors does it take to rescue a lost parrot? In my neighborhood...11.

Last night, my husband came inside and said, "Cheri, we need your help rescuing a parrot."

With a bite of carrot cake suspended halfway to my mouth, I asked, "A what?"

"A parrot."  read more »

According to BBC News, "Yawning is known to be contagious in humans but now scientists have shown that pet dogs can catch a yawn, too."

Researchers say the copying activity suggests that canines are capable of empathizing with people.

I could have told them that—and they could have witnessed it—when I first brought Meadow into my home more than seven years ago.  read more »

Retired Greyhounds Racing For Home
By Laura French

At the end of the racing season, five-year-old greyhounds reach mandatory retirement age. Other dogs might also be retired depending on their record at the track.

That’s when organizations like Northern Lights Greyhound Adoption (NLGA) step in. In late July, a volunteer from Kansas City brought 11 dogs to Minnesota for placement by NLGA. Vida and Jemma are two retirees who will soon start new lives as cherished companions.  read more »