Pets
/Home & Leisure
/ArcaMax

Turning to animal communicators to talk to pets -- both dead and alive
DENVER — Josh McGirk was skeptical about animal communicators.
The south Denver resident loved his four-legged family members and was at his wits’ end after adopting a new cat, Amelie, who his two other cats were terrorizing.
He heard mixed reviews about people who claimed to be able to communicate with pets, but Amelie’s separation ...Read more

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi mourning death of beloved rescue dog
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi are mourning the loss of their rescue dog.
The former talk show host and her wife's beloved Beagle-Chihuahua mix, Augie, sadly passed away on May 15.
The couple took in the pooch more than a decade ago.
Sharing a series of photographs of Augie chilling around their home, Ellen wrote on Instagram on May 16: ...Read more
Ask the Vet: Pet Chewing on One Side of Mouth Needs Dental X-rays
Q: Penny, my middle-aged indoor cat, chews her dental treats only on the left side of her mouth. Is this normal?
A: I confess that I've never observed my cats or dogs closely enough to know whether they chew on one or both sides of the mouth. Nor have I heard this topic discussed at veterinary conferences. So, I consulted two renowned ...Read more

My Pet World: When love hurts -- What to do when your dog’s aggression is directed at you
Dear Cathy,
After helping my beloved Cavalier King Charles find peace from his battle with heart disease and cancer, we brought home a male toy poodle. He is beautiful, intelligent, funny – and violently aggressive.
From the beginning, I worked hard to socialize him. He went to puppy preschool and attended day camp twice a week for over ...Read more

Julia Roberts' beloved dog dies
Julia Roberts' beloved dog has died.
The 'Pretty Woman' actress adopted Myrtle from a rescue centre as a pup in 2006 but she revealed on Friday (16.05.25) that the pooch, who she hailed a "legend", had passed away.
Sharing a photo of her dog on Instagram, Julia, 57, wrote: "Our Myrtle. A Legend. 2006-2025 [crown emoji] (sic)"
Jennifer Aniston...Read more

Taking the Kids: And the Pets
The VIP was greeted effusively by the hotel staff and found special amenities and treats in her hotel room.
But at the newly renovated Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City Downtown, this VIP was our 12-pound rescue pup Loni, who found a dog bed, toy, dog biscuits and ...Read more

The Transylvanian Hound continues to captivate
The Transylvanian Hound, known in its native Hungary as the Erdélyi Kopó, is a storied breed with deep roots in the Carpathian Basin. Once a prized hunting companion for the nobility of medieval Europe, this ancient scent hound is renowned for its agility, endurance, and keen nose, making it an exceptional hunter across rugged terrain.
The ...Read more
Ask The Vet: Buy Pet Health Insurance or Start Pet Care Savings Account
Q: I'm considering adopting Hope, a 1-year-old cat who tested positive for the feline leukemia virus. She's healthy now, but I know from your column that she may get sick in the future.
If I could buy pet health insurance for her, I would be more likely to seek out the best treatment if her health worsens. However, I've been unable to find ...Read more

My Pet World: From trauma to trust — A senior dog’s potty routine
Dear Cathy,
After we adopted our 12-year-old dachshund mix three years ago, we realized he had been only partially housetrained. He had been removed from an abusive owner who had often kept him outside for days on end in bad weather.
He was also disciplined not to bark, kiss, or willingly get on people's laps. We established a routine with ...Read more

Tips on how to prepare for a natural disaster with your pup
Environmental emergencies and disasters affect all areas of the country and world. Hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and wildfires are the most common ones among others such as chemical and water breeches.
Every household should have a plan of action in case of an emergency for both you and your pets. The American Kennel Club offers tips on ...Read more

Little Maltese dog plucked from East River adopted by NYPD savior
NEW YORK — A small white Maltese found struggling to stay afloat in the East River six weeks ago has a new owner — one of the NYPD Harbor Unit cops who plucked him from the water.
Police Officer Jared Desalvo opened his home to the small dog, now named Hudson, after picking up the adorable pooch at the Animal Care Centers of NYC’s Queens ...Read more
Ask The Vet: Grass Hay Should Be Freely Available To Pet Rabbit
Q: Fern, our daughter's first rabbit, just joined our family. May she eat only rabbit pellets, or should we also give her lettuce and carrots?
A: Most of Fern's diet should consist of a variety of fresh grass hays, such as timothy, Bermuda, brome, oat, rye, barley, meadow and orchard grass hay. Avoid alfalfa, which is too high in calories and ...Read more
My Pet World: When a meow lingers — Do our pets stay with us in spirit?
Dear Cathy,
My wife has always been an animal lover, so in the 50-plus years of our marriage, we've had many pets that she and our kids loved. The last pet was a cat named Kasey, who lived for 18 years. We had to put him down about two years ago.
Since he passed, something strange has been happening. Over the past few years, we’ve both heard...Read more

My Pet World: When a dog's gaze feels intense
Dear Cathy,
We adopted a two-year-old boxer/hound mix. I've had dogs before but not like this one. She stares at me for long periods. I have never seen anything like it. She has a nice-sized yard to run in, and we take her for a 40-minute walk (daily), weather permitting. Is there a reason for this behavior?
— Emilio Ridge, New York
Dear ...Read more

My Pet World: Is it safe to paint with birds in the house?
Dear Cathy,
I have three budgies: two in one cage; one in another. I want to paint my room with Emulsion on the walls and the doors sanded down and painted. Would my birds be safe in a spare bedroom, if so for how long.
— Sheila, Redruth, Cornwall, England
Dear Sheila,
It’s great that you’re considering your parakeets' safety before ...Read more

My Pet World: From overenthusiastic to polite — Helping your dog master greetings
Dear Cathy,
Our Harry is a four-year-old Labradoodle. He is smart, loving, and generally well-behaved as in following basic commands like sit, stay, down, and heel. My husband has even taught him to "speak." We adore our Harry, but there is one problem that has always bothered us.
He is too friendly and demanding of attention from people who ...Read more

How to tell when your cat is happy, and when they're not
A happy cat may not always purr like a motor or dance around your feet, but there are subtle signs that point to feline contentment—and others that suggest something might be wrong.
When a cat is relaxed and comfortable in its environment, its body language reflects it. A gently swishing tail, slow blinks, and a soft, upright posture are ...Read more

My Pet World: Helping your energetic dog stay calm on walks
Dear Cathy,
I adopted a now 50-pound, one-year-old mixed breed rescue six months ago. She’s a sweet cuddler with lots of energy. She has plenty of toys, full backyard access, frequent play time with my other dog, and two 40-minute walks a day.
Overall, she’s well-behaved and growing out of puppy behaviors – except for one. I call them �...Read more

The purr-fect feline trait
A cat’s purr is one of the most familiar and comforting sounds in the animal world, a soft, rhythmic vibration that often signals contentment. But the true nature of the purr remains something of a mystery to scientists, even as it continues to charm cat owners around the globe.
Cats begin purring as early as a few days old, thought to be a ...Read more

Taming the terror or how to deal with a destructive indoor cat
Indoor cats can be affectionate companions, but without enough stimulation and structure, they can also become surprisingly destructive. From shredded furniture to overturned water glasses and relentless nighttime zoomies, even the most charming feline can develop habits that frustrate their owners. The key to reducing this behavior lies in ...Read more
Inside Pets
Popular Stories
- 7 dogs suddenly died and 11 more fell ill in Venice Canals: Neighbors clamor for answers
- For Fido, Fluffy or your dead pet donkey: An ‘aqua cremation’ biz expands
- How do you know when it's the right time to say goodbye to a beloved dog?
- The Politics of the Food Bowl: Are You Feeding Your Pet Right?
- Odd Couples: Unlikely Pet Friendships That Will Melt Your Heart