There has been plenty of talk lately about determining the origins of the domestic dog, so I decided to do some digging into my own ancestry: the domestic cat and found that domestic cats have been traced back to a single wild ancestor whose relatives still live...
This heartwarming story by Lindsay Holmes appeared in the Huff Post on Thursday, March 23, National Puppy Day: "9 Ways Your Dog Knows You Better Than Anyone Else." The story proves pups really are our best friends. And there is research to prove it. One study found that...
The other day I made a breakthrough of sorts. I had a realization about pet disposition that I think will help pets like me meet our right people. It can be summed up as VertroPet, the study of pets as introverts and extroverts. Not only is this cutting-edge science, but...
Last week’s Pet Column was about cat chatter and what it means. The “language barrier” between pets and animals is challenging; pets like me are often misunderstood. And because people like to anthropomorphize pets in many ways, our communication often is translated in human perspective rather than pet perspective. This...
Dear Pet Column, I have a very vocal cat with a wide range of vocabulary, including his meow greeting which sounds awfully similar to “hello…” Is there a way to figure out what all of his sounds mean? Sincerely, The Cat Whisperer [caption id="attachment_64641" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Clementine[/caption] Dear...
Are dogs a fashion statement? Many would say yes. And as a dog, I can’t exactly argue that alleged fact. Fashion is after all an outer reflection of the inner person, which helps in understanding and/or connecting with individuals. Think about how you react when you see a large man with a small...
My name is Steve. I grew up in a puppy mill. Frankly, it was a crappy existence. But now that I have been rescued, along with looking for a forever family, I have become the poster child for World Spay Day here at Second Chance Humane...
This may be new news to some, but in addition to a shelter, Second Chance also offers a very versatile foster care program. Being a foster care provider is at once challenging and extremely rewarding. The challenge comes from bringing a new pet into your home and working...
You know those emotional, yet heart-warming animal stories which begin with hardships and end happily-ever-after through what appears, at first glance, to be divine intervention? Well, I don’t yet have one of those stories. But I want one, so I hijacked this week’s Second Chance Pet Column in hopes of...
Dear Pet Column, Help me to help you. I have a cat that is not yet spayed. I do not want her getting knocked up, but cannot afford the operation. Will Second Chance pay for the surgery so there are fewer unwanted cats in the world? Sincerely, Dismayed about...
