Dogs before turkey

While the turkey is cooking Thursday, take some time to watch The National Dog Show, right after the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, at noon.

This is the eighth NBC broadcast of the event and will feature 2,000 purebreds competing for the "Best in Show" title.

The two-hour special is hosted John O'Hurley and will be held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center.

For more information, click here.

Thanksgiving pet tips

The holiday season can be joyous and fun for you and your family, but a little stressful on your pets.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has some Thanksgiving-related safety hints for pet owners.

They include:

• Don't offer pets raw or undercooked turkey.
• Sage, a common ingredient in stuffing, contains essential oils that can cause pets gastrointestinal upset.
• Don't let pets overindulge on Thanksgiving food.

And from my files, if you have a lot of coming and going at your house for the holiday, make sure your pets can't accidentally get out when greeting guests. Up-to-date I.D.s on pets' collars is must.

Happy Thanksgiving

Here's a little treat from the Washington Post and its "On Being" video series.

Enjoy the holiday.

Traveling with Fido or Fluffy?

New Dutchess County reporter Jenny Lee has an article in today's Poughkeepsie Journal on traveling during the Thanksgiving weekend.

Along with it are tips for traveling with your pets.

The information, from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, includes such suggestions as keeping your pets safe and secure in a well-ventilated crate or carrier, never leaving your animal alone in a parked vehicle and making sure your pet wears a collar with an ID tag imprinted with your home address, as well as a temporary travel tag with your cell phone, destination phone number and any other relevant contact information.

There is one hint that is a "pet" peeve of mine. Please don't let your pet ride with its head outside the window. This, according to the ASPCA, can subject it to inner ear damage and lung infections. And it could be injured by flying objects.

That said, have a great holiday.