Master Dog Chef Micki Voisard, is the star of the series based on her book by the same title. She is an expert on the subject with over 25 years experience preparing nutritious meals for animals. The entertaining program, filmed before a live audience, demonstrates to dog owners the importance of a natural diet in an easy to follow format using ingredients found at the local grocer.

Voisard states, "For over 2000 years we have fed dogs what humans eat. After working with hundreds of rescue dogs, I saw dramatic health and behavior changes with improved nutrition. I teach dog owners how they can eat better themselves and share their food with their dog."

Industry experts describe pet food as a complex and changing market in which some customers think nothing of paying $1.25 an ounce for gourmet jerky treats from Omaha Steaks, while others complain about spending $11.78 for a 50-pound bag of Wal-Mart's Ol' Roy dry dog food.

As specialty pet-food makers gain market share, the nation's largest manufacturers, including Nestle Purina PetCare Co. of St. Louis, face a challenge: They must appeal to more health-conscious shoppers without alienating the masses.

Purina has its own categories for pet owners. To appeal to all of them, Purina kept its less-expensive offerings, such as Alpo, and its traditional ''chows'' on the market, but it also conducted high-profile launches of brands such as Purina One and Beneful.

Beneful, which sells for slightly less than Purina One, is between Purina's premium and super-premium categories. Purina said Beneful, a $200 million brand, was the most successful dog-food launch in a decade.

• Cozy travel blanket.


• Easy wash, collapsible food and water bowls.


• Food container for supplemental supplies.


• Refreshing Cloud Star(tm) Herbal shampoo & conditioner.


• Canine tooth brush and toothpaste for fresh breath.


• Happy Travel(tm) calming supplements.


• Package of disposable doggie potty bags.


• Pet information card secured within a luggage tag.


• Tin of soothing Bag Balm(R) ointment.


• Pet First Aid Book


• Pet Emergency First Aid Kit


• just for fun - a new toy.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the poisoning of four dogs in the Boise Bench area of Boise, Idaho.

The offer is in addition to an existing $200 reward offered by the Idaho Humane Society, up to $1,000 offered by Crime Stoppers, and $2,000 offered by concerned individuals.

"We believe these issues are not confined to one State as can be seen from the recent incidents of sadistic animal abuse in several States," the association said.

Prominent Canadian defense lawyer Clayton Ruby said Thursday that a coalition of breeders, including the American Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of Canada and the pro-pit bull organization Advocates for the Underdog, is considering a constitutional challenge if the breed is outlawed.

"It's limited to one breed, two breeds and other dogs that are similar, whatever . . . that means," he said.

"You could feel every bone in her body, her fur was matted beyond belief and her claws were dreadful.

"I don't know how long she had been at the side of the road for, but its clear she has not been cared for for a very long time.

"If the owners had got her treatment when the tumour started to grow, she would not be in this state.

"But the tumour grew and then spread and now its too late."

Standing in line with their pet dogs, cats, rabbits, and even the odd monkey, they wait patiently as the veterinarian deftly swabs a furry rump with alcohol before quickly injecting the vaccines - the first for rabies, the second for distemper, hepatitis and leptospirosis.

Proudly holding up two newly vaccinated squirming puppies - one chocolate brown, the other black and white - K. Samarasiri, 45, thanked the vet for his work.

Samarasiri said his house along the beach had been damaged by the tsunami - but the waves left the two unexpected gifts near his door.

"The tsunami brought them," he said. "We're keeping them now."

The serving of dog meat in eateries on the outskirts of Bangalore came up for discussion in the Legislative Council yesterday.

BJP's Ramachandra Gowda raised the issue during zero hour and informed the House that the dhabhas, situated on the outskirts of the City, were slaughtering dogs and serving its meat to the customers.

Congress member and noted cinema artiste Umashri endorsed Gowda's shocking revelation and pointed out that the dhabhas were serving 'dog biriyani' to its clientele.

The two members wished to know from the government whether dogs were safe for human consumption.

Minister for Transport Mallikarjun Kharge assured the assembly of action.

Jayanagar police arrested a 30-year-old man from Andhra Pradesh and rescued five dogs from his custody. He has been accused of eating dog meat and also supplying it to dhabas on the outskirts of Bangalore.

Acting on a tip-off, the activists of People for Animals (PFA), nabbed the accused, Anand, at Jayanagar 8th Block and handed him over to the police.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South Zone) Ramasubba said, "He is a labourer and there is no evidence to substantiate the charges that he ate or sold dog meat. We have registered a case under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act."

The Ministry of Science and Technology said the project is intended to find the cause of genetic diseases of those animals.

Until he put her on her back and rubbed her tummy and I caught him carefully examining her dog tags, which bears my address and phone number. Great. My imagination immediatly jumped ahead as I watched him break into the house to wait until unassuming Jen walked through the door.

Two Brooklyn dogs were zapped when they stepped on a charged portion of a Clark St. sidewalk, near Hicks St., just after noon yesterday, witnesses and firefighters said.

"He jumped up and started screaming," dog trainer Jennifer Bauch said of Cooper, the 68-pound pooch she was walking yesterday in Brooklyn Heights.

"It was a little thing, and it jumped about 2 feet in the air," said a firefighter who witnessed the jolt.

Cathy Prothro, president of the American Staffordshire Terrier Club of Canada, told a legislative committee that the proposed law unfairly blames pit bulls for attacks against humans by all breeds of dogs.

"For this type of racial profiling, it amounts to nothing more than canine ethnic cleansing," she told the committee on its first day of hearings.

Prothro also said there is "no scientific proof that genetics cause a breed of dog to be aggressive."

The groomer responsible for Murphy's death said she feels horrible and grief stricken about the tragic accident and has offered the family full restitution. She also said she will never again use the cage heaters in her shop.

The wild hog let out a high-pitched, blood-curdling scream as the pit bull crashed into it and latched on with his jaws.

The handlers had to use a Bowie knife to pry the dog's jaws from the hog's bleeding ear. The audience, including children, cheered from the bleachers.

• What are the biggest mistakes many of us do to encourage bad behavior from our pets?


• What do pet behavior problems really mean?


• How fast can we get better pet behavior?


• How can we avoid future problems with our pet?


• How do we know if a behavior problem is a symptom of something more serious?


• If we discover a problem, is there anything we can do at the onset to stop or correct it?


• Is there a "one solution fits all" for animal behavior problems?


• What steps can pet owners take to maintain good pet behavior?

"She's part of this course," golfer Al Nazworth said of the dog he has come to know as "Blackie." Others call her "Black Dog."

"That's the worst thing they could do for public relations at this course," he said shaking his head in disbelief.

Beagles given either the fortified diet, regular exercise or both did much better in learning new tricks than dogs fed regular chow and allowed to lie around more, the researchers reported on Tuesday.

"The combination of an antioxidant diet and lots of cognitive stimulation -- which was almost the equivalent of going to school every day -- really did improve brain function in these animals," says Elizabeth Head of the University of California Irvine, who worked on the study.

"The biggest part of their work is searching; either property for criminals or missing people. They are also involved in public order, such as football matches, pop concerts, or town centres on Friday and Saturday nights. Anyone worried about their inexperienced dog being thrown in at the deep in end should have no worries."

The researchers compared 10 schizophrenia patients who underwent animal-assisted therapy and 10 who were given non-animal therapy over a 10-week period and found that the group, which was given pet therapy, showed a significant improvement in the hedonic tone compared to the other group.

The final resting place for the cats and dogs of the rich lie beneath imposing headstones and aristocratic tombs, their foibles and qualities commemorated in stone for future generations to marvel at.

Lot 200 and Lot 202 do not contain the names and dates of the dearly beloved - their bones are covered by mere numbered plates.

She has a point - many areas of the burial ground are overgrown. Bushes have swamped the rows of headstones and dead branches lie across several graves.

The film takes place in an eerie stylised town that is half Carry On and half Stepford Wives. Things are not what they seem in this pleasant seaside resort. We'll see dogs trying to commit suicide, listening in on human conversations and even picking up smouldering cigarettes from the pavement. Mixed with this surreal atmosphere is an unashamedly bawdy humour, forever associated with the traditional British seaside town.

A "Dangerous Dog" means any dog that according to the records of the Hillsborough County:

(a) Has aggressively bitten, attacked, or endangered or has inflicted severe injury* on a human being on public or private property; or

(b) Has more than once severely injured or killed a domestic animal while off the owner's property; or

(c) Has been used primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting or is a dog trained for dog fighting; or

(d) Has, when unprovoked**, chased or approached a person upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public grounds in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack, provided that such actions are attested to in a sworn statement by one or more persons and dutifully investigated by the appropriate authority.

*"Severe injury" means any physical injury resulting in broken bones, multiple bites, or disfiguring lacerations requiring sutures or reconstructive surgery.

**"Unprovoked" means that the victim who has been conducting himself or herself peacefully and lawfully has been bitten or chased in a menacing fashion or attacked by a dog.

"By the age of three, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have developed gum disease," said Jon Klingborg, DVM, president of the CVMA. "It's been proven that unchecked dental disease can not only result in a loss of teeth, but may damage your pet's heart, kidneys, liver, and other organs."

1. If you have never brushed your pet's teeth, start by rubbing your pet's gums, beginning at the front and working to the back, with your index finger. You may want to wrap some gauze around your finger, and then dip your finger into beef bouillon for dogs or tuna water for cats. This gets them familiar with the general idea.


2. Next, get a toothbrush designed for pets or a very soft human toothbrush, as well as specially formulated toothpaste -- both can be obtained from your veterinarian. Never use human toothpaste because it can upset your pet's stomach. Repeat the process you began with your finger by substituting the toothbrush. Avoid forceful restraint of your pet; rather, try to make it a fun bonding experience, and always praise and reward your pet for its cooperation.


3. Keep the sessions short. Even brushing for just one minute can make a difference! Generally, pets get used to the procedure and enjoy the taste of the toothpaste. They think it's a treat!

According to a survey by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, 40 percent of dogs now sleep in a human bed, up from 34 percent in 1998.

"It's something that goes back to caveman days," says Christi Ahmen, of Green Bay, Wis., who works with her dogs in shows and obedience trials. "If I'm sleeping something may happen, and with your dog in bed with you there's one more set of eyes and ears on alert. There might be a fire or someone might jiggle a door handle. The dogs are a good alarm system. It goes back to being safe and secure."

Known as "The Dog Listener", Miss Fennell says delinquent dogs are far from irredeemable: "The naughtier they are, the more intelligent they are and they aren't going to be pushed around by an idiot.

Dozens of death row puppies, rescued from Windsor's pit bull ban, have been kept in a network of clandestine safe houses in the city and ferried to new homes across the province and one as far away as British Columbia.

People from as far away as Nova Scotia, who have heard of the ban and want to save a dog, are calling and e-mailing a local pit bull rescue group asking to adopt an animal.

Fifty dogs who weren't as lucky were destroyed at the humane society between October and December.

"You've never met a dog that gives more kisses," said Reynolds. "She's four months old and a little ball of joy."

Of the 10 categories, such as husbands, children and friends, people admitted that they were more likely to devote themselves to their dogs, cats or other pets than many of their close relatives. Those aged over 55 said they put their pets on an equal footing with their friends.

• 1. Labrador Retriever (146,692)
• 2. Golden Retriever (52,550)
• 3. German Shepherd Dog (46,046)
• 4. Beagle (44,555)
• 5. Yorkshire Terrier (43,522)
• 6. Dachshund (40,770)
• 7. Boxer (37,741)
• 8. Poodle (32,671)
• 9. Shih Tzu (28,958)
• 10. Chihuahua (24,850)

• 150. Harrier (53)
• 151. Sussex Spaniel (45)
• 152. Anerican Foxhound (42)
• 153. Otterhound (23)
• 154. English Foxhound (17)

"It was the right decision from a legal standpoint," said Council Bluffs City Councilman Chad Primmer, who voted for the new pit bull ordinance. "The evidence is these dogs are two-to-one more likely to result in fatality if there's an attack. I can't take that chance."

• Spaying and/or neutering animals (or distributing spay/neuter vouchers)


• Raising funds to spay or neuter animals


• Educating the public about the importance of spaying and neutering animals


• Helping the public locate spay/neuter services

"But we're just out there to enjoy ourselves and have a good time" says one coyote hunter, who admits that some of his fellow dog runners are flouting the law.

"My enjoyment is running dogs," said another dog runner. "I could care less about killing a deer. You can take a look at my hunting record to tell that."

"People who don't have access to big chunks of property ought not run dogs, says another dog runner. "If you've only got 3 acres to run on, run Chihuahuas."

An employee of the Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care, which runs the shelter, decided the dog could wait for veterinary treatment because it had suffered only "a flesh wound," spokeswoman Kathy Barton said.

"We treat some pretty serious lacerations from time to time and this probably one of the worst ones I've seen," said veterinarian Dr. Gene Bauer. "He was treated pretty aggressively for shock and blood loss."