Here is a portion of that story posted today on Vetstreet.com:

Fascinated by felines but don’t know a Cornish Rex from a Sphynx? Wonder what a judge looks for when selecting best in show? Eager to witness the fast-growing sport of feline agility? Then it might be time to go to a cat show.

If you’re in the San Diego area, you can satisfy your curiosity about all things feline this weekend at one of the nation’s largest and oldest cat shows, the San Diego Cat Fanciers’ Food and Water Bowl XX, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, Calif. Scheduled two weeks before the Westminster Kennel Club’s 136th Annual Dog Show at Madison Square Gardens in New York City, the Del Mar cat show will feature more than 450 felines representing 41 breeds in eight rings of competition.

So what really happens at a cat show? What’s the proper etiquette for feline fans? For answers to these questions and more, Vetstreet spoke with Joan Miller, vice president of Cat Fanciers Association and chairwoman of its outreach and education committee, who’s arguably one of the nation’s top cat experts.

Q: What are some dos and don’ts for spectators?

A. Joan Miller: Please do not disturb the judges when they are evaluating the cats. Look for our team of roving ambassadors wearing “Ask Me” buttons; they’re more than happy to answer your questions. Leave your own cats at home — the only cats allowed in the show hall are those who have been registered in advance.

Q: What’s the proper way to greet a cat? Will I get the chance to pet a show cat?

A. Joan Miller: The best way to greet a cat is to extend your index finger and let the cat first sniff it. Cats have scent glands on the sides of their mouths. If a cat rubs his face against your finger, it’s a sign that he likes you and is ready to meet you. Don’t stare directly into a cat’s eyes. Offer a couple soft blinks – it’s a way to say hello to a cat. At the show, we want people to get to know the various breeds. Go to the educational rings and look for the flags that read “Pet Me” at various cages. As long as the owners are there, they will take out their cats and give you the opportunity to pet them and ask questions about the breed.

To read the rest, please click here: http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/vetstreets-insiders-guide-to-cat-shows

Experts have estimated that, over a dog’s lifetime, his name will be called over 30,000 times, so a name has to sound right. Words, like thoughts, are a form of energy and vibrate on various frequencies. Picking the right name for a pet can set up the right vibrations for a happy life, while choosing the wrong name can be harmful to the animal, and even to its owner. The scholar and philosopher Jean Houston, in her book, Mystical Dogs, tells about bringing home a new dog and naming him ‘Zeus’, after the Greek god who hurls thunderbolts. That very week, her house was damaged by lightening several times, to the tune of $6,000. “It was evident Zeus was going to live up to his name,” Houston wrote.

I bounced ideas around with my husband, Alex and my daughter, Kathy. We all wanted the puppy to have a distinguished, even royal name, such as ‘Princess Di’, or ‘Princess Grace’. On the other hand, these ladies had short lives (each died in an auto crash); I did not want to associate our dog with such a legacy. Then I thought it would be fun to give her a name after a famous movie dog, such as Lassie, Maya, Nina, Rin Tin Tin, or some other very well-known Hollywood canine. But none of these names pleased me. The ‘perfect dog’ deserves a perfect name.

I kept reading and searching, dreaming up names. There was an interesting historical poodle I read about. In the 17^th century, there was Prince Rupert of the Rhine, nephew to King Charles I of England. Prince Rupert owned a white poodle named Boye. Rumor had it that this dog was possessed by a witch’s spirit. Supposedly, the witch, traveling in the form of a dog, ensured the prince’s victory in his battles against the Parliamentarians. Rupert was a commander in Charles’s cavalry, and Boye was always at his side. Throughout the English Civil War, the Parliament feared the dog, claiming it had supernatural powers. Boye was finally killed at the famously ferocious battle of Marston Moor in June of 1644, which was the first major defeat for Prince Rupert and the Royalists. The defeat, coming as it did with Boye’s death, convinced many that the poodle had indeed been possessed.

Well, I definitely did not want my dog associated with witchcraft and supernatural events and bloody battles. I kept digging for the right name.

One night, a phrase just came to me ‘Princess of Swan Lake’. There was a wonderful children’s movie, Barbie of Swan Lake, directed by Owen Hurley, which we had all enjoyed. Princess of Swan Lake was such a subtle and beautiful fairy tale name, a soft and precious title befitting a darling little creature. When Alex and Kathy heard the name, they instantly knew it was just right. We’d finally found the perfect name.

Olga Horvat, MA, author of Paranormal Pooch

www.RoyalDogsGallery.com

www.facebook.com/olgahorvat

On Thanksgiving Day, quarterbacks won’t be the only ones barking signals. From noon to 2 P.M., the best dogs representing more than 170 breeds will vie for top honors in the 10th annual National Dog Show Presented by Purina on NBC. The event is hosted by The Kennel Club of Philadelphia and is regarded as one of top American Kennel Club-sanctioned dog shows.

More than 25 million viewers are expected to watch the show, which will be hosted by actor John O’Hurley, best known for his role as J. Peterman on Seinfeld, and David Frei, the voice of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

On the eve of the Thanksgiving Day special, Vetstreet’s Arden Moore caught up with O’Hurley and Frei, who’ve become friends beyond the show ring.

You two are like the dynamic duo of the dog world. Congratulations on teaming up again for this Thanksgiving tradition.

John O’Hurley: On screen, we have a partnership that clicks. Off screen, we have a deep friendship that’s shared by our wives and family.

David Frei: Dynamic duo? I’m not sure which one of us is Batman and which one is Robin. But John and I have become close friends. My wife, Cheri, is a Catholic chaplain and she arranged for John’s son to be baptized by the monsignor on the Upper East Side in New York City.

Is it true that you are also dog in-laws?

Frei: We have Cavalier King Charles Spaniels who are half-sisters from the same breeder. I have Angel and he has Sadie. The dogs have actually never met.

O’Hurley: Sadie has a bit of an overbite, so she doesn’t compete in dog shows, but she is adorable. David’s dog is the spitting image of Sadie, but we live on different coasts, so they don’t get to see one another. If they could, it would be as if they were looking at themselves in the mirror.

Do you remember the first time you met?

Frei: Definitely! We were in a production meeting for the first telecast of The National Dog Show. John walked into the room and he looked and sounded just like J. Peterman. We hit it off right away. I kept expecting to see Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer to pop in at any moment.

John, you’ve had great success teaming up with partners. You won the first Dancing with the Stars title with professional dancer Charlotte Jorgensen, and for 10 years, you’ve worked with David on the dog show. What’s it like?

O’Hurley: Charlotte is the #1 ballroom dancer in the world, and David is the most knowledgeable guy in the world about dogs. I feel quite fortunate.

So you don’t plan to challenge David to a game of canine trivial pursuit?

O’Hurley: Definitely not. He would kill me. I stand in his shadow.

John, any new challenges this year?

O’Hurley: We started this show with 162 breeds and we’re now up to 185 breeds that are recognized by the American Kennel Club. One breed is not so new, but it fell out of favor, and it’s now back. It’s taken me since October to learn how to correctly pronounce the name. I’m talking about the Mexican hairless, the Xoloitzcuintli. Let me say that name again, Xoloitzcuintli.

Frei: See how John can just have that name roll off his lips? The Xoloitzcuintli comes in three sizes. All six new breeds will be joining the party on Thanksgiving Day.

Any parting comments?

Frei: I grew up in a football family and I’m a football guy. You can see hundreds of football games all season, but only one National Dog Show on Thanksgiving. So I’m urging everyone to set their TVs to NBC at noon and hide the remote until 2:00.

O’Hurley: We plan to bring back some of the best clips for this 10th anniversary show. Call over your dog to join you on the couch. It’s fitting that the National Dog Show is shown on Thanksgiving, when people are all together. I promise that this show will have something for everyone, whether you’re nine or 90.

To learn more about The National Dog Show, and hear more from Frei, O’Hurley and other key people involved in the show, tune in to Arden Moore’s “Oh Behave” show on Pet Life Radio.

Here's the very happy Chipper and me today.

Exciting news! I am now an editor with Vetstreet, THE place to go to learn all things pets. This is a veterinarian-approved website bolstered by a team of the very best in the pet world. Here is my first post that landed on the home page today – please share with your pet pals considering adopting a dog or other pet. Finally, please be sure to support Petside.com’s Pet ‘Net 2011 Adoption Event.

Here’s my ‘tale’ of how I adopted Chipper:

The drive home was a blur. I’d just adopted a two-time shelter reject named BJ from a Siberian Husky rescue group.

Now, the 2-year-old, just-spayed Husky-Golden Retriever mix I was about to rename Chipper sat motionless in the back seat, looking at me with weary eyes. I’d quickly ushered her into the car during a rainstorm and I remember how much this dog’s matted coat stunk — and how helpless I felt because I couldn’t open the windows for ventilation.

Am I crazy? Is this the right dog for me at this time in my life? What is this dog going to do when we get home? Is she going to pee on my rug? Will she listen? What have I done?

Do these questions sound familiar? People speak of buyer’s remorse when they make a major financial investment, like purchasing a new car or a home. But one of the biggest emotional investments you will ever make is adopting a dog.

The clock starts ticking on the longest day of your life the second you sign the adoption papers. For the next 24 hours, you’ll experience a crazy blend of euphoria and doubt. You may have trouble eating and concentrating. Your heart may race. Don’t worry — these are all normal occurrences.

To set you — and your new dog — up for success and a lifetime of happiness, here are some pointers for the first 24 hours.

• Dog-proof your home before dashing out the door. Shut bedroom and bathroom doors, install doggie gates, put away electrical cords, potentially toxic plants and small objects that may be accidentally swallowed, and introduce your dog to limited parts of your home.
• Take the day off from work. And don’t schedule any other activity, such as catching a movie with a friend. For those first 24 hours, it’s important that you’re there for your dog as he adjusts to a strange, new environment filled with novel sounds, sights and smells.
• Buy just the basics. Skip the Fido fashion outfits and pick up a buckle collar or harness, a 6-foot leash and stainless steel food and water bowls.
• Stick with his current chow. Feed him the same food he has eaten at the shelter or rescue home, and work with your veterinarian to gradually transition him to a diet that’s best for his age, breed, health condition and activity level.
• Don’t go overboard with treats and happy talk. Speak in a calm, confident tone to ease his possible feelings of anxiety, and avoid upsetting his stomach with too many food rewards.
• Run a bath. Be patient and calm as you bathe your new dog to get rid of any shelter smells. He’ll feel much better — and smell better, too. If that’s too stressful for the first day, the bath can wait a day or two.
• Be selective when introducing friends. Pick one or two dog-savvy friends to meet him on the first day, and limit additional distractions. Wait to host a big welcome party until a few weeks have passed.
• Don’t expect a full night’s sleep. As your new dog snoozes in a crate or on your bed, your racing mind will record every breath he takes — and every move he makes.
• Remember that the only constant in life is change. It’s natural for newly adopted dogs to take a few weeks, even months, to feel comfortable and secure enough to show you their true personalities. It took Chipper a couple of weeks to sport her now trademark open-mouth grin and full-body wiggle. But it was worth the wait.

Speaking of Chipper, let’s fast-forward seven years. She surfs, joins me in a people-dog workout class, and serves as my demo dog for the pet first-aid classes I teach. Sure, the first 24 hours with her turned me into an emotional wreck, but it was worth every second for the life that we now share.

Flo writes it best — here is her take on the dangers of multi-tasking!

The always-busy Flo with her-always barky Buddy and one of her fabulous quilts.

I have always been multitasking. Now I don’t recommend this to everyone, but for me it has served me well. That is until last Friday afternoon. But first let me tell you just how this multitasking came about. I have always been a person that had only one speed, and that was full speed ahead. In my youth I could do more in a morning than most people could in a week. I am not bragging just trying to say I never was known to slow down.

My children have cautioned me often, with “Mother, stop rushing.” I walk fast – well, I used to walk a lot faster — but I think I have slowed down quite a bit. Why I am in a hurry is beyond me, and I have found it very difficult to do less and sit more.

My son has taken all my garden tools away so I won’t go digging in the yard. Our back yard is a large hill leading up to the park, and years ago my husband had steps made so we could work on the hill with easy access. Well not any more, again, my dear son removed the steps from the lower level and now I can only look with dismay at all the weeds growing but can not get over the wall without a stepladder, and God Forbid I even think of doing that because with my luck I would fall, and then have to listen to, “Mother, I told you so”!

Having portable phones has been great for a multitasker. I can talk on the phone, empty the dishwasher; fold clothes, tidy up a room and even make my bed. I have been know to load the washing machine, empty the trash, let the dog out or better yet, fill his water bowls, and still carry on a conversation. There was very little I could not do while talking on the phone. That is until Charlotte called me last Friday. I was doing my thing, you know folding clothes, putting them in my drawer and when all done, I left my bedroom, still talking on the phone.

I lost my balance and with nothing to hold on to, I went crashing down to the floor. Unfortunately, the phone went flying, my head hit the wall and I saw stars. Lots of them. The pain in my head was almost overpowering, but as I had the phone close, I dialed my friend, Judi at her office, and told her I had just fallen, and just wanted to clear my head. The phone peeped as I was talking and I connected with the new caller, and it was Charlotte checking if everything was all right. I told her I had fallen but was OK and would call her back. Judi said that she was coming right home and to stay where I was. Well, not one to just lay on the floor I got up and went into the den and sat down on my recliner. I admit I walked very slowly, and felt uncomfortable.

Judi soon arrived and with an ice bag on the back of my head I felt all right. Not great, but better than I thought possible. Now the doorbell was ringing and with Buddy, my miniature Schnauzer, barking like mad Judi opened the door to greet Charlotte who was worried that I might need help. Buddy gave her his usual greeting; you know barking like mad and no one able to hear a thing but him.

I realized what a hardheaded person I really am when I saw the dent in the wall where I hit my head. I vowed right then to change my ways. Both of my shoulders are black and blue, and my neck was so stiff I could hardly turn my head. Thank goodness all aches and pains have left and I have taken a good look at my problem with multitasking.

I realize the time has come to listen to those that have cautioned me, and when the phone rings to sit down and enjoy the caller’s conversation. Not an easy thing for me to do, but the thought of falling again, is frightening, and perhaps I would not be so lucky if it happens again. Are there any household tasks worth risking my health for? I think not, and if I want to live to be 100, I will. Give up multitasking, slow down and take time to smell the roses.

Our timing was ideal — the hotel is located in the Gaslamp district within easy view of Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres. From the 9th floor bar terrace, we got to hang out with our pups, sip delicious cocktails and dine on tasty flatbread, calamari and chicken wings as we rooted the Padres to a 3-1 win over the Florida Marlins.

I called it playing hookey, but as many of you can attest, purposely taking a day off does a body — and mind — good. I feel revived and rejuvenated. Plus, having well-mannered dogs along for the ride is an added bonus.

Here are some short videos form our recent Hotel Indigo ‘dogcation’ adventure for your enjoyment. I invite you to subscribe to my YouTube channel - it’s fun and free.

1 – Unleash the playful pup in you at Hotel Indigo in San Diego

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_6udqfjSdc

2 – Chipper and Cleo give the straight yap on Hotel Indigo in San Diego

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBrmoes8V5w

3 – Take a “dogcation” at Hotel Indigo and catch the San Diego Padres

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJYVmbv4JWs

4 – Chipper and Cleo check out their dog-welcoming room at Hotel Indigo in San Diego

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdQt4boflqA

What’s your favorite place/getaway activity that you enjoy with your dog? Share them by emailing Arden@fourleggedlife.com.

The three of us do a lot of hiking, camping and surfing, and don’t want to spend time shooing flies or swatting mosquitoes during these activities. Or worry about bringing home unwanted guests – fleas and ticks. Buzz Guard is easy – and more importantly, safe. Just mist your skin and on your dog’s coat. It delivers a clean citronella scent and leaves no greasy residue.  And, it works up to five hours.

Here’s a rundown of the ingredients: water, polysorbate 20, neem seed oil, pure essential oils of citronella, fir, geranium, rosewood, basil, myrrh plus potassium sorbate.  Each 2-fluid ounce spray bottle delivers about 600 mists, according to the manufacturer. Priced at about $12, that comes to about 2 cents per mist, if my math skills are up to par.

In addition to this product, Earth Heart also makes other all-natural aromatherapy mists for dogs, including Travel Calm (to subdue tummy upsets and restlessness in traveling dogs), Guard Well (to relieve itching and swelling causes by irritants and minor illnesses) and Canine Calm (to reduce stress generated by thunderstorm phobias or veterinary clinic visits). This lineup is for dogs, not cats or birds, who have totally different physiologies.

The folks at Earth Heart are staging a special discount offer on their all-natural products between now and Aug. 25. When placing an order on their site online (www.earthheartinc.com), simply enter the code, HURRAH FLL in ‘special instructions” or “note to seller” at checkout to receive a second product free with your order of either Travel Calm or Buzz Guard. Please indicate which of these products you would like to receive for free.  Offer is good for one-time use with a single purchase between now and Aug. 25, 2011.

Buzz Guard fights fleas, ticks, flies and more pests naturally

Any questions, you can contact the company directly at 847-551-1806.

And, you are also invited to sign up for their newsletter and follow Earth Heart on Facebook.

Final note:  I received a complimentary sample of Buzz Guard to test, but did not receive – or seek – any financial compensation for posting this review.

The product was created by Snaptracs, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm, the world leader in mobile technologies. At a media sneak peek meeting earlier this summer, I also discovered that the team members behind Tagg are also major pet lovers. Many quickly shared photos of their pets from their cell phones.

“As pet owners ourselves, we were inspired to design a purpose-built solution that provides owners the peace of mind that their pet is where he or she is supposed to be,” says Dave Vigil, president of Snaptracs and proud owner of dogs named Hershey and Tag. “We are proud to have developed a simple-to-use and affordable tracking system that will help reunite pet and owner quickly if the pet wanders off.”

Here are the specifics:  Tagg tracker is designed for dog sand cats over 10 pounds. It is built to handle rigorous play and rolling and even swimming. The battery lasts up to 30 days. There’s a trip button, which allows you to take walks, car rides or travel with your pet without sending you an alert. After all, your pet is right there with you!  Service is provided on the Verizon wireless network. Cost for the Tagg Master Kit, which includes all hardware and one-year of service, is $199.99. Tagg is expected to be available for the first time in September.

To learn more, I invite you to ‘sniff around” Tagg’s website or follow it on Twitter (@TaggTracker) and Facebook. Please send me your feedback about this new pet tech product!

As founder of Four Legged Life and a certified pet first-aid instructor, I went to the pet expo to network. As we make our way from booth to booth, we both spot the Paw Pleasers booth at the same time. Chipper wags her tail and smiles at me.

She is hot and deserves a cool treat. Paw Pleasers owner Loree Silver makes healthy ice cream for dogs that is non-dairy, lactose-free and as you can see by Chipper’s actions in the video — delicious! If you want to treat your dog or host a dog party event, Chipper and I encourage you to check out the Paw Pleasers shop in San Diego.

Here’s the link to the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1UsFeCaUpU

And for more fun dog and cat videos, I invite you to subscribe to my YouTube channel – it’s called ArdenMooreKnowsPets. Click here.

Vote for Leash Your Fitness as Best Bootcamp!

Do you take your dog for a daily walk? While on your walk, do you REALLY bond with your dog? Do you find yourself teaching them new things, working on dog obedience, and mixing up your walks OR are you talking on your cell phone, allowing your dog to pull you all over the place, and walking the same block EVERY day just so that your dog can potty and you can go home?

Working out with your dog should be fun and challenging for both of you. The goal should be a good calorie burn and a tired dog so that they stay out of trouble and don’t get bored and chew up your slippers or bark all day.
You got your dog so that you can have a buddy, right? So why not do fun things with Fido instead of the dreaded walk around the block. Leash your Fitness was created because Dawn Celapino, owner, got her dog, Jack, and fell in love. She NEVER wanted to leave Jack at home because he was so much fun to be around. As a personal trainer, she saw a need and filled it.

If you work all day and then go to the gym or a class after work, your dog is left for an awfully long time alone. Dogs really love their owners and want to be with you so why not include your dog in your workouts and activities? You may ask, why should I pay for a class when I have a gym membership or can walk my dog on my own? Leash Your Fitness classes are structured hour workouts that will give you a full body challenging workout AND tire your dog with physical AND mental challenges.

Your dog will be more tired from the workouts than they will from a dog run or walk because they will be mentally tired from the dog obedience. They may even learn new tricks in class! PLUS, you will be surrounded by dog lovers that share the same passion about their pets, want to lose weight or get fit, and you will be introduced to new exercises and activities that you may not have done otherwise. What other program offers that?

Other boot camp classes still leave you with going home to take care of Fido without offering you contests, hikes, yoga, yappy hour classes, kayaking, surfing and more. Leash Your Fitness mixes it up so you won’t get bored! Who says the only thing you can do with your dog is take them on a run or walk?
If you think that Leash Your Fitness is a good idea, they would LOVE to have your vote so others know that working out with your dog ROCKS!!! Please take a minute and vote for them for BEST BOOTCAMP. They really appreciate it. The contest, sponsored by 10news.com, permits only one vote per email address, but feel free to have your dog friends vote for them as well. Dog people unite!!!

If you would like to hear what their “regulars” have to say about the Leash Your Fitness program, please visit their testimonials page. Their family will welcome you with open arms!! Hope that you join them today – they will take your dog walks to the next level!