January 15When Sonya Liu moved to Spokane from dog-friendly Portland last year, she found the Lilac City somewhat lacking in canine culture. Like many large urban centers, Portland offers a host of amenities for dog lovers off-leash dog parks, doggie day care, and dog-friendly businesses that allow pets to accompany owners while shopping or dining. November 20The arrival of a new baby into a household is an exciting event, but also a little bit frightening. This is true for new parents and siblings, but it is equally true for their pets. New smells, sounds and schedules will cause your dog or cat some stress. There are a number of things you can do to make their adjustment easier. There are also a few things to do well before the arrival to ensure that your pets are in good health and free of disease. October 16This week is National Veterinary Technician Week. You don't have to wear a particular-colored ribbon to celebrate vet techs. Just say "Thanks" to these highly-trained, valuable people next time you visit your vet hospital. August 28The good news about the Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is now that kittens are routinely tested for it and vaccinated against it, the virus has declined in prevalance. August 21Mary Ellen Kerney is a dedicated reptile rescuer, with 68 reptiles sharing her Spokane home. Kerney considers them to be not only pets, but learning tools. August 7Your dog is scratching her ears, tilting her head, or shying away when you go to pat her on the head. You look at her ears and notice one is red, waxy and smelly. These can all be signs of one of the most common problems that dogs and their owners have to deal withotitis externa or inflammation of the external ear canal. July 31Of all the diseases for which we routinely vaccinate dogs, Parvovirus infection is the one we still see with alarming frequency. June 12Rabbits are growing rapidly in popularity. In the United Kingdom, they have edged out dogs as that nation's second most popular pet after cats. They are beautiful, gentle animals and can be quite sociable, though not cuddly. May 29Everywhere I go these days, it seems I encounter canines in need of boot camp. It's not their fault, of course: Getting a sound foundation in puppyhood is paramount if your dog is to be a well-adjusted canine citizen. May 22Now that summer temperatures have arrived, it's a good time to think about some of the hazards our pets face in the hot weather and how to prevent them. May 15Many of us who share our lives with pets have had the experience of coming back to the house, kennel or yard where we left our pet and finding that they are not there. That sense of dread and worry starts to creep up on us. Most of the time, we find them pretty quickly or discover they were never really gone, only hiding in an unusual place or stuck in a rarely opened closet. But, sometimes a dog goes through an open gate or a cat slips through the door. May 8Nothing can be more disturbing than to be awakened in the night by the cry of your female pet as she begins labor contractions, especially if you don't know what to expect. May 1The first harbinger of spring in Spokane is not daffodils blooming or kids practicing baseball in the park. It's the first dog brought into the clinic with a tick. That's when we know spring has arrived. April 24It's an unconventional lifestyle, that's for sure. Having a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week day care could get to anyone, but Sarah Forbes and Rick Olsen don't mind. A lot of people want to be a veterinarian at some point during their childhood. Most of them get over it. I did. April 17The last weekend in April, members of the Pacific Northwest Alpaca Association will join other alpaca breeders from the Northwest to exhibit their animals at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds. There will be 100 farms represented and more than 400 exquisite alpacas on display. Trying to teach your dog some manners?Try getting him to learn one magic command instead: Sit. April 10One of the most common and frustrating behavior disorders in dogs is separation anxiety. Most dogs experience some stress or anxiety when we leave them to go to work or school. After all, they are pack animals, so being left alone all day does not come naturally to them. Despite this, most dogs adapt to our absence, spend a good deal of their day sleeping, and then are overjoyed to see us when we return. April 3There is no doubt that dogs are safer and less likely to get themselves or their owners into trouble if they are not roaming free. For outdoor dogs, a fenced backyard or a dog-run are two ways of achieving this. Underground fencing offers many advantages over traditional methods of confinement. March 27Insurance companies ought to be embarrassed, according to Washington state Rep. Tom Campbell. "Taking homeowner's insurance away because of the dog breed a person happens to have is shameful," he says. The thyroid gland, located in the neck, produces thyroid hormone thatregulates metabolism and affects every organ in the body. Millions of Americans must take an oral thyroid supplement each day because of decreased thyroid function. This is thought to be the most common endocrine (hormone) disease in dogs, also. (In cats, hypothyroidism is almost unheard of, whereas increased thyroid function, hyperthyroidism, is extremely common.) March 20Euthanasia is a complicated subject. There are certain questions you may want to consider before you are faced with having to make that decision March 13The statistics are alarming. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 4.7 million Americans (or 2 percetn of the population) are bitten by dogs each year. One out of six of these bites requires medical attention, and more than half of these occur in children under the age 13. Among children bitten, three out of four are bitten by their own dog or by a dog known to them. Any dog can bite and inflict an injury that requires a trip to the emergency room. The majority of these bites are preventable if dog owners act responsibly and parents educate themselves and their children about how to avoid a bite. March 6In North America, most dog and cat owners who are not breeders have their female pets spayed and their male pets neutered to prevent unwanted pregnancy and to reduce behavioral problems. Virtually all humane societies and animal control agencies require spaying or neutering as a condition of adoption, and many perform the surgery before the puppy or kitten goes home with its new owner. February 27Keeping a parrot as a companion animal is a lot like raising a child. Perhaps, slightly less expensive. February 20One of the most common diseases in older felines is an overactive thyroid gland. Cats with hyperthyroidism almost always have a benign nodule (adenoma) in their thyroid gland. This nodule produces excessive amounts of thyroid hormone and doesn't respond to the body's normal attempts to decrease this production. February 13Hip dysplasia is a disease that occurs in young dogs, cats, humans and other species. It is characterized by an improperly formed hip joint, resulting in pain, inflammation and eventually osteoarthritis. It is relatively common in many of our most popular working and pet breeds, such as German shepherds, English bulldogs and golden retrievers. February 6Dental disease will affect the health of most of our dogs and cats during their lifetime. Brushing your pet's teeth is by far the most effective way of preventing periodontal disease. If your pet already has periodontal disease, brushing will help slow its progression. January 30February is national Pet Dental Health Month. It's a good time to think about your pet's dental health. January 23Testing puppy temperament is something experienced dog handlers have probably always done intuitively. People selecting working dogs for guarding, search and rescue, guiding the blind or other tasks, have a series of tests they put a puppy through to try to predict which pup will best succeed in his intended job. January 16The most common behavioral problem in cats is inappropriate elimination (not using the litter box). It is, unfortunately, the number one cause of behavioral euthanasia or surrender to a shelter for cats. This behavior can be a sign of a serious illness, and you should consult your veterinarian as early as possible, but it can be as simple as the animal's reaction to some stress in the household or perceived threat to territory. January 9Ferrets have become increasingly popular as pets over the past 30 years. January 2Since our companion animals don't need to quit smoking, save more money or become better people, let's focus on the one big resolution that could improve their well-being in 2007: They need to lose a few pounds. December 26When the temperature drops, we put on the snow tires and turn off the outside water. Our pets need special attention in the winter, too. December 19Your daughter wants a kitten. She told you in the car on the way to school. She told you during dinner. She told you just before you tucked her into bed. She's your child, you love her and you want her to be happy. You would love a cat as well, so why not get her a kitten for Christmas? Americans are expected to spend $3 billion or more on Christmas for their pets this season. That's billion with a "b." December 12Dangers to pets lurk throughout the house all year, but especially during the holiday season. This time of year people frequently suffer from allergies. They aren't alone. Their pets may be just as miserable. For dogs and cats, licking, head shaking and scratching are often signs of allergies and are common reasons for pets to be presented to a veterinarian. December 5Many of us are looking for fun and interesting ways to get outside and exercise. Why not try something new and include your dog? November 28Qball, is a handsome, white cat. Two years ago, Qball's owner, Susan May, noticed that he was losing weight and urinating outside the litter box. In certain dog-training circles, it takes something approximating courage to make the following statement, but what the heck. How to Make Roped Dog Leashes Class - Children can make a leash for your favorite pet, your friend's pet or donate one to an animal shelter. November 21We're a nation of animal lovers. November 7More and more of us are sharing our homes with cats. There are approximately 90 million pet cats in the United States. Cat ownership has increased while dog ownership has remained stable over the past 10 years. October 31For pets, any holiday, not just Halloween, can be a little scary. Our routines change, and change is stressful for your pet. At Christmas, there are decorations just asking to be eaten. Smart, sweet and fascinating to watch, mice are inexpensive, easy-care, enjoyable pets that are making a comeback. "We've noticed an increase in the demand for specialty mouse products," says Joe Fucini, a spokesman for the Pet Supplies "PLUS" chain of stores. October 24Most people put more thought into buying a new car than they do into adopting a new pet. Adding a dog to your life is a big decision and you must act with your head, as well as your heart, before making a 12 to 15 year commitment. October 17Our pets need medicine but don't want to take it. A recent KLB marketing study revealed that only 10 percent of cat owners and 30 percent of dog owners succeed in medicating their pets correctly. October 10We are inundated with images of people with perfect smiles, clean teeth, bright, and standing all in a pretty row. But did you know orthodontics is a burgeoning field for dogs? October 3There is an expression that goes, "You two are fighting like cats and dogs! "There are a few reasons that dogs and cats have gained this reputation as antagonists. September 26Blood pressure measurements have been a standard in human medicine for many years and due to recent advances in blood pressure measurements for our pets, it may not be the first thing done, but it is becoming more common for routine, annual, pet health checkups. September 19As the days grow shorter, four-legged fur coats grow thicker, and we know the fall shedding season has officially arrived. This isn't news to dog and cat lovers who already have tumbleweeds of pet hair drifting through their homes. September 12Why would a cat refuse to use a perfectly good litter box and prefer to leave smelly waste behind the couch, or on the wall, risking the loss of pampered indoor kittydom to roughing it outdoors, or worse yet, being taken to the shelter? September 5Got puppy? Want a calm friendly adult dog? Here's how to prevent bad behaviors and encourage good ones. We tend to fall head over heels in love with a new puppy and lavish the hairy princess or prince with presents and attention. For Tuesday, September 05, 2006. August 29Spoiling your pet rotten with the latest fashion designs, entertainment gizmos, treat flavors or after-bath scents has gone from raised eyebrows and thoughts of the crazy pet lady, to beyond socially acceptable. August 22While some pets live to a healthy old age, with very few breakdowns along the way, most experience increasing health problems along life's journey. The health issues span from mild aches and pains to serious problems, such as heart disease and cancer as dog years fly by. August 15Editor's note: This week's column is by Dr. Rolan Tripp who is a veterinarian and animal-behavior specialist. What is it with some cats? August 8As our pets age, they often appear to be functioning on worn-out batteries. Older pets may grow less active, limp, and just don't seem themselves. August 1This country vet wasn't surprised when suddenly everyone was dressing their dogs in clothes. My 82-year-old mother, Virginia, has had her schnauzers in doggie duds for years. July 25Veterinarians have earned the love and trust of pet-loving kind, and for good reason. That's why nobody would ever expect to be the brunt of a veterinary practical joke. July 18I have a 16-year-old son, Lex, and when he brings a pack of friends home for an Xbox 360 party, they go crazy when my wife, Teresa, whips up a batch of peanut butter-chocolate chip cookies to fuel their gaming. July 11It's summer and your friends have just invited you to the lake, or you have made an impromptu decision to catch an outdoor concert and the question is, Should your dog come along? Today's pets are well loved and have become treasured members of the family. Families are extremely committed to keeping these beloved companions safe and happy, which is why I was not surprised when I saw that a local veterinarian was offering a free pet first-aid class to the public. June 27Whether your cats are hiding under the bed to find cooler air, enjoying the shade of an outdoor enclosure, lapping up cool fresh water, or sleeping from dawn to dusk, cats are champs at escaping summer's heat. June 20A dog's ear canals are much longer and more L-shaped than humans. Much like the plumbing elbow underneath the kitchen sink, doggy ears are the perfect place for debris and microbes to gather. June 13Hermit crabs take up very little space, don't chew or scratch furniture, seem to have unique personalities, and never need to be taken for walks. June 6Editor's note:This column is written by Dr. Rolan Tripp, a veterinarian and animal-behavior specialist. You may view his work at www. animalbehavior. net. May 30Don't be fooled into thinking just any birdhouse will do. Actually, biologists and wildlife preservationists prefer the term "nesting box" to "birdhouse" because birds live in nests not houses and because some "birdhouses" on the market are for purely decorative uses only. These days, we're more likely than ever to include our pets in family activities, not only on land but in water, too. From a day at the lake, to a spin on the boat, to a dip in the pool, many of our canine friends will be joining us for some wet and wild fun this year. May 23More dogs are hitting the road today than ever before. According to a recent American Pet Products Manufacturers Association survey, almost one in five dog owners will pack their pooches when they head off on vacation this summer. May 16So you found a place that's big enough for both you and your horses, but now what do you do? If there isn't already a barn on your property, chances are you'll have to build something. Blood pressure measurements have been a standard in human medicine for many years. Due to recent advances in blood pressure measurements for our pets, hypertension (i.e., high blood pressure) is being diagnosed more frequently during their yearly health examinations. May 9Acne is a common skin disorder of cats. Whereas human acne is typically linked to puberty, feline acne may occur in a cat of any age, although it's more common in adults. April 25If your pet is stricken with a rare condition or complex disease, your veterinarian is no longer limited to help from a colleague around the corner. A Coeur d'Alene horse show this Saturday will feature more than 50 head of horses for sale and show. The Second Annual Morgan Horse Open House is a free event, open to the public to see horses and horse-related vendors at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds, North Barns and Arena, from 10 a. April 18Pets are living longer, happier and more enriched lives than ever before. At the same time, caring for our four-footed friends has never been easier. For Tuesday, April 18, 2006. April 11Last year in the United States, more than 700,000 pets enjoyed being the life of a party thrown in their honor. Sweet 16s and bachelor bashes are so yesterday. April 4Gloria Stepps treasures her sleep. When her beloved 6-month-old kitten, Bongo, began interrupting her blissful slumber, she wondered what he wanted. At first, she thought he was just hungry so she gave him breakfast early. March 28Imagine getting a cat to sit still long enough to poke in a needle. Veterinarian Rosemarie Asterino not only does this with pets on a regular basis, she often relaxes animals so much with acupuncture that they fall asleep. A new baby changes the family dynamic. This change does not go unnoticed by the four-footed members of the clan. But with a little preparation and patience, babies and pets can be a wonderful combination. March 21Of the thousands of pets left behind during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, many of the survivors that weren't later reunited with their owners have since been adopted around the country. March 14GASTRIC DILATATION VOLVULUS, or GDV, often referred to as bloat, is a serious danger and is of the No. 2 cause of death (after cancer) for several large and giant breed dogs with deep chests like the Akita, bloodhound, collie, Great Dane, Irish Setter, Irish Wolfhound, Newfoundland, rottweiler, St. March 7Data from the newly released National Health Interview Survey show that more than 50 percent of U. S. adults are overweight and one out of five adults are obese. A nook off Mary Reed's kitchen features a tile floor with a drain and a hose coming out of the paw-print-papered wall. If it's not obvious enough that this is a room made for dogs, the basket of chew toys gives it away. February 28What if you woke up every morning and found nothing on your to-do list? Sure, it might be paradise for a week or two, but it is very likely that boredom would soon strike hard and deep putting a real dent in your zest for life. February 21Pet fish give the illusion of easy. Sooner or later, most parents face the kid-favorite plea for an innocent little goldfish. "But mom, it's free PLEASE," begged my 11-year-old son this past May. Way back before they embarked on their life of leisure in our homes, canids (dog family) got their food the old-fashioned way they earned it. A dream house can go to the dogs, if Pacific Science Center organizers have anything to say about it. The center has launched a Doggie Dream House Contest open to Northwest builders, engineers, designers or community groups. For Tuesday, February 21, 2006. February 14A new vehicle license plate with a yellow-colored dog and smiling cat proclaims: "We Love Our Pets. " Pam Graham, one of the first in Spokane to get a pet-lover plate, appreciates that the sales of the specialty plates, available since Jan. Many parts of the United States have suffered from very wet winter weather. The Pacific Northwest has been particularly hard hit with some areas having more than 30 straight days of drizzles and downpours. February 9An Egyptian cat guides a third-grade online tour set in ancient times when felines ruled. Young kids can help the cat find a missing pharaoh on an interactive Web site while learning cat facts, Egyptian history and geography. For Thursday, February 09, 2006. February 2Mary Simons used to be a teacher and a flight attendant, which is to say that she's used to dealing with screaming children and belligerent adults. For Thursday, February 02, 2006. January 26I am the master of my perch; I am the captain of my cage. Birds, it seems, like to be in control as much as the rest of us. For Thursday, January 26, 2006. January 19One member of the Partners in Travel crew gets paid handsomely in dog biscuits. Caesar, a Sheltie, smoothly handles his workplace duties: official greeter, message deliverer, child pleaser. For Thursday, January 19, 2006. January 12The temperature is minus five degrees. The time is past 8 p. m. The crisis: The dog got out. Again. Bundled up in a billowy jacket, box of dog biscuits in hand, I trundle out into the cold, up and down our street, calling our shaggy brown mutt, Fenway, and shaking the box of biscuits as loudly as possible. For Thursday, January 12, 2006. January 5WASHINGTON Jason Wesley has always considered herself a sensible woman, the kind who keeps flashlights and bottled water handy just in case. But she never thought that instinct would one day lead her to the floor of a veterinarian's office, giving mouth-to-mouth to a fake dog. December 29A passion for parrots flew into Cheryle Jones' life with an orange-winged Amazon. The pet was a 1982 college graduation gift that inspired Jones to return to school for another degree in biology-zoology and then start a business breeding parrots. December 22Cheri Moland is putting her talent where her heart is. "I own mostly adopted animals three dogs and three cats," she said. "When I adopted a hound dog and a cat from Julia's Jungle a no-kill privately owned animal adoption facility, I thought there might be a way my new pet card line could help get pets adopted. So you've checked off everybody who's been nice on your holiday shopping list. Gloves for Great Aunt Edwina, a train set for little Johnny. December 15The holidays are rushing toward us at dash-away sled speed and local experts from animal shelter and rescue facilities all agree: sometimes pets get lost in the shuffle. Your poodle comes home more than once with cuts from grooming tools. A neighbor's dog seems traumatized anywhere near a groomer. These could be bad signs. For Thursday, December 15, 2005. December 8Winnie and Bear attend school every day. While the ferrets skip the reading, writing and arithmetic, they still get involved in learning at St. George's School. December 1Like energy-efficient cars, socialism and high tea, microchipping has never quite caught on here. According to industry estimates, only 5 percent of American dogs and cats have been implanted with the rice-size transmitters, which can provide information to reunite an errant animal with its worried human. November 23Birds remind us that nature goes on, even on those interminable winter days when we less-hardy humans are stuck indoors. Making your yard hospitable to birds increases the chances they'll make regular stops at your house. PITTSBURGH The holidays are frequently a time when people feel the loss of their deceased loved ones more deeply and pet owners who have lost their animal companions are no exception. November 17When I told my husband I wanted a dog, he wasn't very enthusiastic at first. After much pleading and many longing looks cast at our neighbors walking their dogs on beautiful spring days, I could tell he was relenting. November 10PHILADELPHIA The offerings at the after-work happy hour at Philadelphia clothing boutique Leehe Fai are delectably upscale: watercress, prosciutto-wrapped figs, and long-stemmed glasses of white wine. November 3NEW YORK Art teacher Katya Arnold works with students year-round and on two continents. Just like the children at Saint Ann's School in Brooklyn, N. October 27Halloween night can be a nightmare for your pet. The doorbell keeps ringing, strange people chant "trick or treat," and chocolate candy is enticingly close by, sometimes unattended. While you and your family have fun on Halloween, your dog or cat may be miserable. Here's how to keep them safe: Keep pets safely inside, away from trick-or-treaters and other Halloween festivities. October 20"Put your chest on the deer. Reach out and hold the legs. Never let go of the hooves. " October 13Feeling a little overwhelmed with the new school schedules? This weekend, the Third Annual Susan Rae's Animal Fair at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center could bring animal lovers just the break they need. There are coyotes in my neighborhood. This may not be huge news, but when you consider that I live on an STA route close to the heart of an old residential area, it is, perhaps, a little surprising. For Thursday, October 13, 2005. Who do you call when Rover inhales a chunk of his rawhide bone at 10:30 on a Saturday night? Worried pet owners don't have the option of dialing 911 or calling an ambulance, says Dr. October 6NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. It took more than a year for Jerry Dunlap to fix up his 1910 dream sailboat. But it took only a weekend for the weight of about 15 hefty, uninvited sea lions to sink it. WASHINGTON Does this look like something you lost? "My dog's veterinarian, Patricia Peynado-Boyce of New Carrollton, Md. , Veterinary Hospital, was pointing to an X-ray of my 4-pound toy poodle's stomach. WASHINGTON Pica is a potentially life-threatening condition that involves the craving, eating and digestion of nonfood items. Young dogs up to 2 years old are just as curious as human toddlers and may experiment by chewing and eating things they shouldn't. September 29This week I walked with my friend, her 4-month old, and my dog through Manito Park. The flowers in the formal garden were crazy with color, as if they'd sucked the last moments of summer into their blooms, captured it and refused to let fall take them without a fight. September 22When Craig and Rochelle Fairfield moved just south of Coeur d'Alene and started their farm, Mica Glen Alpacas, their grown children were very surprised. Wienerfest, the third annual picnic and potluck BBQ to benefit Dachshund Rescue NW, will be 3-6 p. m. Saturday at the Lilac City Dog Training Club in Spokane. September 15When I was 15 and spending the summer with my grandparents in the Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts, I saw a bear walk across the road one evening as I drove home from my job as a busgirl at Hillside Restaurant. September 8Anyone who has ever loved an animal would understand the horror: Hurricane Katrina left untold thousands of cats, dogs and other pets wandering debris-strewn streets, floating in floodwaters and trapped in houses, abandoned during the confusion and evacuation. COLLEGE PARK, Md. Professor Mike Raupp is close to his subject of scholarly study. Very close. When a fiercely buzzing bee lands on a flower beside him, he leans over to pet it. For Thursday, September 08, 2005. September 1August 25Is your pet a genuine family member? Looking for a way to memorialize your pet? A pet photograph may be the answer. August 18A horse is a horse, of course even if it's 2 feet tall. The darlings of European royalty as far back as the 1600s, miniature horses fell out of the lap of luxury with a thud when they were imported to the United States in the 19th century. Because I love my 7-year-old dog, Sam, more than life itself (yes, I'm one of those people), I had a more-than-passing interest in the American Red Cross' new book "Pet First Aid" ($12.95 at local Red Cross chapters or at www.redcross.org). August 11HACKENSACK, N. J. If you met Barbara Sue Allegretta on the street you might be struck by her tendency to talk fast, in a friendly, ex-bartender kind of way. The human and animal bond is complicated, and lovely, and the subject of a current show at the Spokane Art School, which honors this bond through exploration. Yesterday when I went to see The Human-Animal Bond art show at the Spokane Art School (see next page), I had no idea I would float back in time to my childhood in Louisiana. August 4These days, it seems a celebrity's walk down the red carpet is simply not complete without a twitchy toy dog atremble on her arm. The biggest player in this "pup tart" phenomenon is Paris Hilton, whose Chihuahua, Tinkerbell, rode shotgun on her mistress' reality show, "The Simple Life," piddling on the threadbare carpets of modest American host families the nation over. So you're just settled in your favorite chair. The lemonade glass is beading. You've skimmed the first page of that summer novel you've been dying to read. July 28Farm Animals in Town? Old McDonald had a city lot? That doesn't have quite the same ring, does it? But lots of folks living within the city limits have farm animals for pets. July 21Sherry Shumaker has grooved to "Dancing Queen," "Wild Thing" and "Doo Wah Diddy" with her dancing partner Heidi, a Doberman pinscher. Heidi has taken lessons in standing on her hind legs, walking backward and spinning, all in time to music and in sync to Shumaker's dance steps. When Kevin Pockell grew up as a surfer and lifeguard on the California coast he loved to scuba dive. He also loved to see what was growing and alive on the ocean floor. For Thursday, July 21, 2005. July 14What better way to teach kids to expand their reading ability and learn social skills than by reading about pets? A visit to your local children's bookstore or the children's section of the library will show dozens of children's books about animals, pets in particular, which bring these benefits. You can say that again. Or maybe you can't. Presumably, all canines speak the same language, an Esperanto-ish pastiche of woofing, panting and the occasional belly display, which translates quite literally as, "Don't hurt me please! July 7Kaye Kamp, a 4-H leader and Math and Science teacher at Post Falls Middle School, currently owns two rats, three rabbits, five laying hens, three dogs and four cats. June 30During the summer months, and in particular the Fourth of July, pets should be monitored closely, especially those with runaway tendencies. "You wouldn't believe the number of animals that turn up missing because of their fear of the Fourth of July fireworks," said Melanie Helms, adoption counselor for the Spokane Humane Society. Toni Sumerlin is knee-deep in homeless ferrets. She owns and operates Ferret Rescue of North Idaho, and in mid-June, she agreed to take 16 ferrets from a shelter in Portland. June 23Alex and Marcus Covington, ages 8 and 6, are hypnotized each day for moments at a time by Swimmer and Scales. The boys gaze dreamily as their fish bob and dive in their 10 gallon aquarium at home in Spokane. Jessica and Zach Hill, Spokane, travel throughout the western U.S. because of Zach's love of competing in triathlons. A race season could find them in Portland, Vancouver, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, Olympia and many other race and training sites. June 16WASHINGTON There is something just so tomorrow about the Russian robo-therapists with their mechanical cats. Alexander Libin softly strokes the orange-cream fur of NeCoRo a semi-realistic cat-robot packed with visual, auditory and movement-sensitive sensors and weighing 3. WICHITA, Kan. Two years ago, my husband and I adopted our first baby a little girl we named Abby. She weighed 8 pounds and was covered in black and white fur. June 9On Saturday, the Spokane Humane Society will host its second Parade of Paws. This year, along with the 2- or 4-mile fund-raiser walks, there will also be contests and live music. Over Memorial Day my husband and I visited my grandparents in western Massachusetts after a year-long absence. I was relieved to see that most everything looked the same: the slanting kitchen floor, the radiator-turned-bookshelf, the 5-gallon can of birdseed and the giant squirt gun. Annual Parade of Paws A 2- or 4-mile walk with your favorite canine. Sponsored by the Spokane Humane Society. Sponsorship sheets are available at the shelter; various prizes available. June 2When choosing a pocket pet, don't pick one that is quiet, tired, has diarrhea or looks sickly. The pet should be lively and alert with a glossy coat free of droppings. When Elise Gregory was a little girl, she and her younger sisters longed for a furry, tail-wagging, tennis-ball-chasing, four-legged friend. "Every single Christmas, every single birthday I would ask for a dog and my sisters followed," said Gregory, now of Spokane. SEATTLE Here's something you don't see often in the King County Courthouse or Juvenile Detention Center: people breaking into smiles and reaching out eagerly for hugs when members of the Prosecutor's Office walk into the room. For Thursday, June 02, 2005. We want to hear about wacky pet names. Send the name of your pet, along with a few sentences about how it got the name, and your contact information to: home@spokesman. May 26WASHINGTON Genetics Savings & Clone, a pet-cloning company based in California with labs in Wisconsin, is considered the leader in the industry if you can call a few far-out and flaky-named companies an industry. When I was a girl I lived with my family in the pinelands of north Louisiana. We had two ponds, one close to our house. Spokane Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show - Dog show and obedience trials. Saturday-Sunday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Spokane Fair and Expo Center, Main Exhibition Buildings. May 19SANTA ANA, Calif. Yes, miniature horses are cute. But cute doesn't pay the bills. That's what Darrell Dronet told his three young daughters after the girls visited a miniature horse farm and got the adorable creatures stuck in their heads. Whether scales, whiskers or sad eyes characterize your pet, by the time the weekend rolls around, they want some quality time with their family. Pet Fest -- When, where: Saturday, 10 a. m. 5 p. m. Sunday, 11 a. m. -5 p. m. at the Spokane Fair & Expo Center, Ag buildings Admission: Adults $6; kids under 6 free; family pass for four $15; pets $3For more info: 939-9698, or spokanepetfest. Author Glenn Murray The New York Times best-selling children's author is promoting his latest book, "Rough Weather Ahead for Walter the Farting Dog." The group will be joined by puppies from Spokanimal. May 12You've had a long hard day at the office. All you want to do is get home, park the car in the driveway, kick off those uncomfortable shoes and relax. Author Glenn Murray - The New York Times best-selling children's author is promoting his latest book, "Rough Weather Ahead for Walter the Farting Dog. " The group will be joined by puppies from Spokanimal.
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