Pet Gaze

The Schmabbers. - Photo: Peggy Morsch

Abby came into my life in early January 1999.  It was about a week after a record-breaking blizzard dumped 21 inches of snow on Chicago, where I was living at the time. I remember trudging through a thigh-deep bank of plowed snow lining the curb while she yowled in a plastic carrier.

This purrfectly lovely feline is less likely to get lost thanks to her Tagg pet tracker GPS collar. The Tagg Master Kit costs $100 and comes with a battery charger and a month of wireless service; service is $8 a month after that. A basic Loc8tor Pet kit costs $100. – Photo: Courtesy

Houdini the dog lived up to his name.

Stock Photo

The Associated Press asked a couple of pet lifestyle experts to describe ways people might celebrate the holiday season with their pets. Some of the answers: Buy your parrot a piñata full of dried fruit. Put a tiny video camera around your cat's neck and let it record some Christmas memories. Or build a holiday dinner around your dog's gluten-free needs.

Photo: Stock

The holidays often involve visits from family and friends, but unless your dog keeps all four on the floor, you might be the one in the doghouse.

Photo: Courtesy

Remember the fate of the pet rabbit in the movie "Fatal Attraction"? Unfortunately, that scenario is not far-fetched. Pets often become tools of manipulation or revenge in unhealthy relationships. 

A female calliope hummingbird. – Photo: birdwatchingdaily.com

A tiny summer visitor has turned into something of a pet and a backyard tourist attraction for a family in North Vernon, Ind.

Photo: Courtesy

In addition to offering charm and living texture, houseplants are excellent oxygen producers that are good for the home environment. But some plants are not good – and even deadly – for dogs. 

Photo: Abby Wilcox/istockphoto.com

There are more dogs than kids in the City by the Bay. So it stands to reason dog owners carry a lot of clout – so much so they believe their endorsement can sway the upcoming mayoral race.

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Leading Texas veterinarians are mobilizing to enlist pets in the testing of experimental cancer therapies, a potential benefit to not just dogs and cats – but also people.

Daniel. – Photo: Courtesy

In a reversal of fortunes, a once-unwanted cat has come to the rescue of an animal shelter in need of a new home.

Photo: istockphoto.com

Just over half of American pet owners will buy gifts for their pets this holiday season, and they'll spend an average of $46 on their animals, with toys and treats topping the list, according to a new AP-Petside.com poll.

Honey Bunch is a 5-year-old American pit bull terrier mix.

Meet Honey Bunch

Honey Bunch is a 5-year-old American pit bull terrier mix with an incredibly sweet personality and excellent manners. You won’t catch this pretty girl jumping on visitors. She prefers to wag her whole body and greet you with a dance. Calm and gentle, Honey Bunch gets along with people of all ages. Like all of our dogs, she’s been vaccinated, micro-chipped and spayed, so all she needs now is a loving home!

Tip of the Week:

Puppy ABC class isn’t only wonderful because you and your new puppy get to bond, but it’s great to start off on the right paw with training. Plus he or she will love the socialization with other canines – and you’ll love having a tired pup. There is a discount for adopters of dogs from shelters and rescue groups, too. Register at www.wihumane.org.