Although there are other ways to get veterinary care for your pet, there are definite advantages to having a regular veterinarian and a regular veterinary hospital.

Regular Veterinary Care Is Important To Your Pet's Overall Health

Your pet has a unique personality and place in your family. Like you, he or she also has a unique medical history. Imagine if you had to give your complete medical history every time you went to the doctor! An up-to-date medical record helps keep your pet's vaccinations up to date, helps with diagnoses and can save valuable time in case of an emergency. Having a regular veterinary hospital is more cost efficient, as tests do not need to be re-run and all previous medical information is noted on his or her record.

Using The Same Veterinary Hospital Ensures Continuity Of Care

By visiting the same veterinary hospital on a regular basis, the veterinarians and staff get to know your pet as an individual and provide continuity of care. If you don't have a regular veterinary hospital, it's best to get one before an emergency arises.

Grooming your dog accomplishes much more than just making your pet's coat look nice and shiny. It provides you with the opportunity to spend some "quality time" with your dog—combing, brushing, bathing and generally bonding with him (or her).

While grooming, you can check your dog closely for any problems. Move the fur aside and examine the skin closely for signs of fleas, ticks or skin irritations. Look for any unusual problems with the coat such as mats, tangles, dandruff, etc. Mats and tangles can be carefully removed while grooming.

Learn where your dog likes to be combed and brushed and where he or she doesn't. All dogs have sensitive areas that need to be groomed a little more gently and carefully than other areas. By paying special attention to these areas, your dog will be more comfortable while being groomed and most likely will not resist future grooming sessions.

Before jumping right into it, let your dog sniff the brush and comb. As you are grooming, talk to your pet in a reassuring tone. If the grooming procedure is made comfortable, he will enjoy the procedure and begin to look forward to regular grooming sessions.

Healthy Coat Care

Regular grooming is essential to your dog's health and well being. Regular combing and brushing keeps the coat clean and healthy. It stimulates the skin and allows the natural oils to circulate to the coat. It also allows you to carefully check for potential skin problems. Check areas for hair loss, inflammation, unusual tenderness and/or lumps and bumps. Constant scratching in a particular area may also be an indication of a problem. Check with your veterinarian about any unusual problems that you find.

Combing

Comb in the direction of hair growth. It's best to comb small sections of the coat at a time. Continue combing until the coat is tangle free. If the coat has a particularly stubborn knot or tangle, you may have to trim it off with scissors. (Make sure that a piece of skin is not trimmed off as well.) A de-matting comb or slicker rake can be used to remove mats. When using a combination comb, begin with the widely spaced teeth, then follow with the finer teeth.

Brushing

Begin brushing your pet at the head, working toward the tail and down the legs. Always brush in the direction of hair growth. Pay particular attention to the legs and flanks, and areas that easily mat. A pin brush can be used to fluff the coat by brushing against the directions of hair growth. Regular brushing is good for your pet as it helps distribute the natural oils from the skin, producing a healthy, shiny coat. Brushing several times a week is recommended for most dogs.

Puppies

Like children, puppies have short attention spans. They require some special attention when it come to grooming. Select a time when the puppy is less energetic. Begin with short grooming sessions - five minutes, maybe even less. Constantly talk to your puppy in a gentle, reassuring tone while grooming him. Your voice has a tendency to keep him calm. Be sure to check his ears, paws, teeth, and underside during the grooming procedure. The more you groom your puppy, the more accustomed he becomes. Eventually, you puppy will appreciate the attention and look forward to each grooming experience.

Frequency

It is important to establish and adhere to a regular schedule of grooming sessions. Schedule these at a convenient time for both you and your dog. A good time to do this is after the dog has been walked, while he is relieved and calm. Select a time when you are generally not interrupted and have ample time to do a proper job. Long-haired dogs should be groomed daily, while short-haired breeds may require grooming only twice a week. It won't take long to see what frequency your dog requires.

Nail Trimming

Regular nail trimming is important to your dog's health and well being. Never use ordinary scissors to trim your dog's nails. Use trimmers that are specially designed for dogs.

Nail trimming is a procedure that requires patience. The first attempt may only get you as far as touching the paws and looking at the nails. During subsequent attempts, you may get as far as trimming a few nails. Don't push your luck on the first few tries. Make sure that you reassure your pet frequently, and don't turn it into a battle.

Hold the dog's paw firmly, and cut off the tip of the nail with a single stroke. Be very careful to stop short of the quick, the blood vessel inside the nail. (Cutting into the quick is painful and very messy.) Trimming the nails right after bathing often makes the quick more visible. Applying baby oil to the nails serves the same purpose. Follow up by filing your dog's nails with a nail file.

Scientists believe that the predecessor to the first land carnivores was most likely an animal called Miacis. Miacis lived about 55 million years ago and fossils show that the animal looked somewhat like a weasel.

Drawing of a Miacis Skeleton

The cat family split from other mammals about 40 million years ago, making them one of the oldest mammalian families. The best-known cats of pre-history were probably the saber-toothed cats (Smilodon) that lived during the late Pleistocene era (1.8 million to 10,000 years ago). Saber-toothed tigers, forerunners of the modern cat, were named for their sharp dagger-like canines. Able to kill full-grown elephants, these animals were plentiful in Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Their small brain, large body and cumbersome teeth led to their extinction about 10,000 years ago.

Saber-Toothed Tiger

Although the saber-toothed cat has no close living relatives, paleontologists reconstruct how Smilodon looked by comparing its bones with those of large cats living today. Often called a saber-tooth tiger, Smilodon was not actually related to the tiger, although it may have behaved a bit like one. Scientists have determined that the saber tooth's skeleton was not built for speed. Very powerful front legs and a short tail indicate that it probably ambushed its prey, goring it with those fearsome canine teeth and leaving the victim to bleed to death.

Wild cats are believed to have evolved in Africa, and due to continental drift, eventually arrived in South America. About 2 million years ago, when North America and South America joined together, the cat made it's migration northward.

Evolutionary biologists agree that the domestic cat is a cross between Felis sylvestris (European wildcat) and Felis lybica (African wildcat). Of all the cats in existence, the domestic cat is the only one that has agreed to live with humans. Due to this fact, the domestic cat has been given the name "Felis domestica."

Cats were first domesticated by the Egyptians around 3000 BC in order to control the rodent problem in their cities. Since the Egyptians stored grain in woven reed baskets, rodents were able to chew through these baskets and eat the grain. With no devices, poisons or traps to fight the increasing rodent population, rats and mice swarmed through the cities. During this period, a small yellow cat with black stripes (the predecessor of today's domestic cat) began coming into the cities in order to feast on the rodents. The Egyptians welcomed these visitors and encouraged them to stay. The Egyptians named their new domestic animal "mau."

After realizing that cats had helped them solve their rodent problem, the Egyptians began holding them in high regard. Not only did the cat gradually take up residence in Egyptian households, but came to be revered and worshiped as being godlike. Bast, the Egyptian goddess of fecundity and beauty was depicted with the head of a cat. This beautiful goddess was the symbol of light, heat and solar energy. It was believed that she controlled fertility, cured illnesses and took care of the dead souls. According to Egyptian history, cats were held in such high regard that their export was forbidden, and the penalty for killing a cat was immediate death.

Cats were mummified after death and buried in sanctified plots, often with supplies of mummified mice for the afterlife. In 1890, one such plot was found to contain the remains of 300,000 cat mummies. The mummies were wrapped in expensive colorful cloth and enclosed in engraved wooden cases. Many of these mummies were distributed to museums around the world.

Since they reproduced prolifically and lived long and healthy lives, the Egyptian cat population began to swell. For a long time, Egypt had held a strict rule that cats could not leave the country. Despite this rule, the Egyptians began selling cats to the Greeks. After several years of breeding, the Greeks started selling cats to the Romans, the Gaels, the Celts and later to the Europeans. Resulting from trade relationships between Asia and Europe, cats were being exchanged for silk. The Asians loved their cats and began breeding them right away. Several distinct breeds of cats were produced in Asia, such as the Siamese, the Balinese, and the Himalayan.

Previous to the introduction of the domestic cat, the only mouse hunters in ancient Europe were semi-domesticated weasels and skunks. The Romans, and to a certain extent, the Greeks, introduced the domestic cat to the rest of Europe. In European countries, the cat was not worshipped but kept as a companion as well as a rodent hunter. However, by the time the Black Death appeared in the 11th century, cats were once again held in high esteem for their rodent killing abilities.

The Middle Ages in Europe were the worst times for cats. Cats were believed to be agents of the devil, and thought to possess magical powers. Pope Gregory IX declared the cat to be a "diabolical creature" and authorized a total persecution. Persons who kept cats were suspected of being witches, and were put to death along with their feline companions. With rat extermination becoming urgently necessary, cats were beaten, killed and driven away from towns and villages.

In Tudor England, cats were burned as a sign of both Protestant and Catholic heresy. During the inquisition, the burning of heretics, Jews, witches and cats were just some of the atrocities that were committed. By the 15th century, the European cat was on the verge of extinction, thus allowing the population of rats to increase. For lack of cats, more than two thirds of Europe died from the Bubonic plague.

Eventually the witch-hunts ceased and cats once again became highly prized and beloved household pets.

Cats were first domesticated over 5000 years ago and have since become one of the most popular pets in the world. The first record of domestic cats in Great Britain dates back to 936 AD. By the mid 18th century, cats were fairly abundant in the United States. By the late 1800s distinctive breeds were being established and cat shows held, with the long-haired breeds being especially popular.

Although the North American continent had many varieties of wild cats, there had been no history of domestic cats preceding the arrival of the Europeans. The first domestic cats were imported in order to control the rodent population in the settlements. Eventually, cats became quite popular and the first American breed, the Maine Coon Cat, was established.

The Maine Coon Cat

Domestic cats now live on every continent except Antarctica and have been bred into more than fifty distinct breeds.

Stretching out, jumping up on two legs, rolling over for a belly rub - at first glance, those are all natural dog behaviors. But are they yoga poses, too? Some people and their canine companions think so. Yoga for dogs - also known as doga (pronounced DOH-ga) - is popping up everywhere, with yoga centers and fitness clubs across the United States and even in Japan offering yoga classes for people and their pooches.

The first doga class started in New York City in 2002. Yoga instructor Suzi Teitelman started incorporating her dog Coali into her regular yoga routine.

"As a yoga instructor and practitioner, I was often on my yoga mat, and Coali started to join me," Teitelman said. "Before long we were doing the poses together, and I was creating a new class. Coali and I started teaching Doga all over New York City in 2002, and now it is all over the world."

Teitelman now teaches doga in Florida and maintains a website to help spread the word about yoga for dogs. Since then, classes have sprung up from California and Texas to Maryland and New York. There's even a doga association in Japan.

Suzi Teitelman and Coali practice doga.

Dogs and yoga might seem at first an unlikely combination, but the two are a natural fit, in a way. One of the most basic yoga poses is "downward facing dog", after all. In doga, owners and their canine companions practice together; sometimes, an owner will help his or her pet get into a pose, while other times, the dog will become part of the owner's pose. For example, in the "chair pose", the dog stands on his or her hind legs with the front paws in the air while the owner supports the dog. In the "savasana relaxation" pose, a dog lies on his or her back and has his or her belly rubbed.

Okay, so that last one isn't very different than the usual tummy rub your dog gets while lying on the living room floor. But some doga classes also include light massage and acupressure for dogs, and the overall result is a lot of direct human-to-dog contact. Doga practitioners say it is more about bonding with your pet than exercising and increasing flexibility (though those are plusses). Sessions typically start with owner and dog sitting together, perfectly still, and breathing together. Doga teachers and practitioners have reported that a good doga session calms down hyper pets and greatly relaxes both pets and their people. Other benefits for dogs include better sleep and stronger muscles.

"You will find that both you and your pet become more peaceful, more loving, more connected to each other," Teitelman said. "The more you practice doga, the more you find that you need it and want to stretch and relax, and bond together with your pet. I find that many dogs become better behaved and listen more to their owners."

Suzi Teitelman and her dog Roxy bond through doga.

For novice dog yogis (dogis, perhaps?), Teitelman recommends starting out with a pose called the "sacred kneel." Teitelman describes it like this: "Sitting on your heels, have your dog sit and face you. Take a moment to connect with your dog through massage, positive words, and get into your long deep inhales and exhales. Allow the dog to feel you breathe and feel your calming energy. The dog picks up on your energy through your touch and breath, so stay peaceful through all the poses. Carefully move deeper into the pose by gently and lovingly lifting the paws of the dog into the air. Either hold their paws to help them balance, or place the dog's paws on your shoulders. Hold and breathe for 5-10 breaths."

Doga hasn't made to every yoga studio in the country yet, but for budding dogis and their people, there's the book "Doga: Yoga for Dogs", a handy introduction to dog yoga. Of course, you could always just watch what your dog does and follow his or her lead - they've been doing their own sort of yoga for years.

Have you ever noticed your cat stalking something you cannot see or hear? Have you ever noticed your cat turning her attention to something or looking quickly in a certain direction while you sit dumbfounded wondering what she is doing? It's possible that she hears something you do not. Of course, that must mean that when you call your cat and she turns her head as if she doesn't hear you, she is choosing not to hear you. If you are familiar with "cat-titude," then knowing about your cat's hearing can come in handy.

Anatomy of the Cat's Ear

It all begins with the cat's outer ear, or pinna, which sits on top of the cat's head. The outer ear is controlled by about 30 different muscles that enable the cat to independently rotate each ear 180 degrees, and position one ear or both facing any sound the cat detects. The shape of the ear is designed to funnel sound down to the middle ear, where the tympanic membrane and three small bones, called auditory ossicles, transmit vibrations into the inner ear. The middle ear also contains a canal called the Eustachian tube that helps to equalize pressure in the ear. Within the inner ear is a curved bone, known as the cochlea. This is where the actual hearing mechanism is located, called the organ of Corti. It is here that small, sensitive hairs pick up sound vibrations and send them through the auditory nerve to the brain.

Each part of the ear, working together, gives the cat superb high-frequency hearing. Since mice squeak at an extremely high frequency, cats can hear these noises. This is no coincidence. Waiting in ambush and listening closely for the slightest squeak, cats' hearing allows them to be extremely effective hunters. To put it into better perspective, humans can hear frequencies from about 20 hertz to 20 kilohertz while cats, on the other hand, can hear frequencies from about 30 hertz to 60 kilohertz. Cats also have an incredible ability to localize sounds. They can hear and differentiate sounds three feet away whose sources are only three inches apart.

Because hearing is such a large part of a cat's life, it is important to try to shield them from loud, high-pitch noises such as sirens or loud whistles. It is also important to take sound into account when playing with cats. There are several toys on the market that mimic the sound of prey species to entice cats to play with them. This has the advantage of making the toy much more interesting. However, if the volume is irritating to you then it could be harmful to your cat. So, the next time your cat is sitting nearby and does not respond to your commands, remember that she can hear you loud and clear and is probably choosing to ignore you.

About two weeks before the puppies are due, a nesting box should be introduced to the expectant mother. The box should be made from a washable material and located in a warm and secluded area. The bottom of the box should be lined with an absorbent material that can be changed frequently. Newspapers, towels, or clean rags make excellent bed liners.

Late Stage of Pregnancy

The first stage of labor is marked by uterine contractions. The expectant mother appears restless and may pace about the house. She refuses to eat and sometimes vomits. The bitch may isolate herself and exhibit nesting behavior. (Hopefully, nesting will occur in the whelping box.) This behavior is normal and there is little that the owner can do. This stage generally lasts 8-24 hours.

The second stage of labor begins when the cervix is completely dilated. The delivery of the puppy occurs during this phase. Phase three of labor refers to the expulsion of the placenta and the afterbirth.

After several contractions, the first puppy is born. If the first puppy is not born within 45 minutes after the beginning of contractions, a veterinarian should be called. The time interval between successive puppies is extremely variable and can range anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. It is not unusual for a mother to rest between groups of puppies.

Generally when each puppy is born, it is enclosed in a membrane or sac. The mother usually licks the puppy's face and rips open the sac. If this sac is not immediately broken by the mother, human intervention is required. The sac must be opened, and the puppy's face must be rubbed. Rubbing the puppy's face with a clean cloth is an excellent method to stimulate breathing.

A placentas is usually passed within 15 minutes after the birth of a puppy. Occasionally, two placentas may follow two puppies.

There are two normal positions for delivery. The puppies may come out "head first" or "rear first". A "head first" delivery is generally easier than a "rear first" delivery.

Human intervention is required when a puppy is lodged in the birth canal. When this occurs (and the mother is not able to expel the puppy herself), the mother must be restrained and gentle traction applied to the puppy. The puppy is grasped with a clean dry towel and pulled in a downward position, toward the mother's feet. When a puppy is lodged in the birth canal for a considerable amount of time, it is usually born dead.

Following each birth, the remaining portion of the sac should be removed from the puppy's face. Any mucus surrounding the nostrils should be cleared away. Puppies should be placed on a dry clean towel and rubbed. Vigorously rubbing of the puppy stimulates breathing. Using a fine-diameter thread, each umbilical cord should be tied about one inch from the puppy's belly. The cord is cut on the far side of the knot, and the remaining stump (with the cord) is dipped into a white iodine or Betadine solution. If the puppies are similar looking, it is best to number each one with a permanent marker.

Recently Born Puppy

When the mother is relaxed and she settles down with her puppies, it is safe to assume that the birthing process is over. Within 12-18 hours after all puppies are delivered, the mother should be examined by a veterinarian.

Normal vaginal discharge is brown, green or red in color. A significant amount of discharge is present following birth. This discharge tapers off and gradually subsides in 4-8 weeks. If the discharge is abundant, foul-smelling, pussy, or extremely bloody, a veterinarian should be consulted.

Whether it's a trip to the dog park or a jaunt across the country, pets are joining their owners on vacation more and more often. Cities and towns across the country are realizing that providing pet-friendly facilities and activities—along with a steady supply of treats—will lure more people and their four-legged friends to their communities. San Diego, Calif. and Colorado Springs, Colo. were voted the two most pet-friendly cities in the U.S. in separate surveys conducted by Dog Fancy Magazine and Forbes Magazine.

First, a note about the designations: in the surveys conducted by Forbes and Dog Fancy, the term "pet friendly" is equated with "dog friendly." Why? Because dogs are the pet most likely to travel with their owners. Additionally, dogs require more services (dog parks, daycare facilities and so on) than other pets. According to these surveys, a city that welcomes dogs is likely to welcome other pets as well.

Topping Dog Fancy's list is San Diego, Calif. With more than 1.3 million people and 305,000 dogs in the city, San Diego is a pooch paradise. According to the survey, San Diego boasts more than 60 dog-friendly hotels and 50 dog-friendly restaurants, along with a multitude of hiking trails, dog parks and off-leash areas on the city's beaches. Additionally, San Diego features a number of animal shelters and support organizations that help pets and their owners. The city is home to AniMeals, a program that provides free pet food for homebound elderly and disabled pet owners. City fire and rescue squads have dog-sized oxygen masks for pet rescue operations, and the city's animal shelters combined have a more than 80 percent adoption and rescue rate for all impounded dogs. For pet owners visiting San Diego, the website www.sandiegopet.com provides valuable information about pet-friendly restaurants and stores, pet resources and local pet information.

The runners-up in Dog Fancy's "DogTown USA" survey are:

• Austin, Texas
• Carmel, California
• Colorado Springs, Colorado
• Fort Collins, Colorado
• Long Beach, California
• Madison, Wisconsin
• Sanford, Florida
• Seattle, Washington

Meanwhile, Forbes magazine selected Colorado Springs, Colo. as its most pet-friendly city. While Dog Fancy's survey relied on reader input and nominations, Forbes used a different set of criteria, looking at the 50 largest cities in America and basing their selection on how much public park space was set aside for dogs, the number of pet supply and service business and the most veterinary facilities. The average cost of veterinary care in each of the cities was also used as part of the criteria. Colorado Springs came out on top thanks to its more than 100,000 acres of park space, seven dog parks and 113 veterinarians. About 400,000 people and an estimated 61,000 dogs and 54,000 cats live in Colorado Springs, according to the survey.

The other pet-friendly cities selected by Forbes include:

• Portland, Oregon
• Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Austin, Texas
• Charlotte, North Carolina
• Virginia Beach, Virginia
• Kansas City, Missouri
• St. Louis, Missouri
• Seattle, Washington
• Denver, Colorado