by Michelle Mantor

One of the biggest concerns for pet owners is what to do with their “baby” if they need to travel without their pet or if they are gone from the house for long periods due to work. It’s really no fun to go on vacation and worry if your dog is going to be confined to a crate for long hours or be upset by your absence or worry that they may be harmed in some way by other animals or people. It’s also equally stressful to be …

Holy Hot Dogs….I just saw a black squirrel! At first I thought I’d just been chewing on tainted pine bark mulch too long but after running in the house screaming for mom to come see (yep..got in trouble for that again…she thought a hawk ate my brother. No such luck), she told me they are not that “uncommon”. Hmph.

Now, I am not racist but I thought this little fella was kinda freaky. Perhaps his mom mated with a skunk? Anyway, he let me take his picture and he promised to …

No, this is not about Kitty Boot Camp! If training your cat to sit, stay and heel is your goal, perhaps you should get a dog. This article is about training cats to use the litter box instead of the carpet and a scratching post instead of the stereo speakers. If you’re like me, you admire your cat for being a cat and you want them to behave as nothing other than a cat, but a well-behaved one.

The key to training is to make sure that whatever you want your …

Unfortunately, most cat owners who decide to add another cat to their home do not stop to consider the gravity of their ambitions.  They assume that all they have to do is call a meeting, take the new cat out of its carrier, present it to the old cat and say, “Tom, this is Jerry.  He’s going to be playing with your toys, using your litter box, drinking from your water bowl and sharing the bed with us.  Isn’t he cute?”

At which point Tom is thinking “Right.  He’s about as …

Safeguarding the health of your senior pet is of primary concern. Senior wellness programs allow veterinarians to help increase your pet’s lifespan through proactive preventive health care. Because many health problems cannot be identified by a physical exam, it is recommended all senior pets receive wellness screenings to permit early diagnosis of any hidden problems.

Have you ever thought about what would happen to your pet if you died first?  Who would be there to provide food, shelter, comfort and love?  How would a prospective caregiver know about your pet’s needs, such as medication or a special diet?  What are some of the options available to plan for your pet’s future?

Professor Gerry Beyer, of St. Mary’s Law School in San Antonio, is a well-known authority on estate planning for pets.  In his article, “Estate Planning For Non-Human Family Members,” he writes about three simple measures …

Miracles happen when fate intervenes, and luck plays its part. Left lying beside a rural Texas road with multiple hip fractures, severe head trauma and deep lacerations, Sunshine’s “ray of hope” was wavering until she felt the kind of touch and gentle lifting hands of her guardian angel.

A cry for help went out on her behalf. It was soon discovered that this might not be the first time NASPR had been contacted about Sunshine. For two long and tormenting years a family from the same area had been searching for …

It’s true…Deborah Duncan is just as big-hearted as her smile is charming and her wit is quick! The new host of Great Day Houston is dazzling her audience every day but what some may not know is that she also gives her time and talent to animal charities in Houston.

Deborah Duncan needs no introduction to Houstonians. Prior to becoming the “Lead Dog” of KHOU’s morning show, Great Day Houston, Deborah co-anchored the morning news, hosted a radio program and had a nationally syndicated talk show in 2002, The Deborah Duncan …

As temperatures soar to record highs in August, many pet owners are left asking what exactly they should be doing to shield their dogs or cats from the heat wave’s unforgiving side effects. Heat waves leave more humans dead than any other natural disaster and it isn’t much different for animals either. WebVet.com offers a wealth of tips for keeping one’s pets cool, comfortable and hydrated this Summer.

What Your Readers Don’t Know:

SUNSCREEN FOR YOUR PETS: Sun block can be used on dogs and cats depending on the location of …

Being a parent is a hectic job. Adding pet ownership on top of that can sometimes feel overwhelming.