Kate dances!

Well, the good folks at JibJab have this nifty Interweb type thingie that lets you put yourself or loved ones into Christmas videos based on the movie "Elf."

Kate, being ever photogenic, is the star of the one I made. And there is a cameo by yours truly.

And, of course, you can buy stuff, including a downloadable version of the video to have and keep and bore all your friends with.

The JibJab people are extremely clever, don't you think?

Ready for adoption — Thanksgiving edition

Here is the Dutchess County SPCA Pet of the Week — Ready for adoption. What are you waiting for?

This week's featured pet:
Maddy — Tabby
"You'd think Mandy's got it made the way she's just lounging about in her cat bed. Life is pretty good for the cats residing in the free-range room, but it is clearly no substitute for a home and a family. This striking brown tabby female would gladly trade the bed for a lap. A home with other feline friends would be fun as well. Mandy loves a big family!"

The Dutchess County SPCA is located at 636 Violet Avenue, Hyde Park, NY 12538. The shelter is open Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Wednesdays. Call 845-452-SPCA (7722). Browse our adoptable animals today!

Shelter pets rule.

Voluntary pet food recall extended

Mars Petcare US has extended its voluntary recall of dry cat and dog food manufactured at its Allentown, Penn., facility with "Best By" dates between August 11, 2009 & October 3, 2009, because of potential contamination with Salmonella.

See the complete press release here.

The recall affects product sold at BJ's Wholesale Club, ShopRite Supermarkets and Wal-Mart locations in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, and West Virginia.

The press release lists all the brands affected by the recall. This is an extension of the voluntary recall of Special Kitty brand dry cat food.

So far, there have been no reported cases of human or pet illness causes by these products.

Cat health research needed

There are 82 million cats in homes across America — you know who you are.

In spite of the fact that cats are the No. 1 pet in the U.S., felines receive less medical care than dogs. Also there is less medical research on cats than on dogs.

Because of that, the Morris Animal Foundation has started the Happy Healthy Cat Campaign to help eliminate suffering and premature death in cats.

Check out the Web site to find health warning signs and common health problems for cats.

There is plenty of information on the site for cat owners, as well as veterinarians and scientists.

The foundation will also increase funding for feline health research and the training of new scientists.

So where have you been?

A dachshund, missing for five years, has been reunited with its owners.

Here's the story from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Pictures of presidential pets

With all the interest in what kind of dog the Obamas will eventually get for the White House, the Washington Post has assembled a slideshow of presidential pets.

See it here.

There's even a horse or two.

And thanks to the Presidential Pet Museum, here's a list of, well, presidential pets.

Sweet embraceable kitties

For all you cat lovers out there, here's a cuddly little video.

Tips on adopting a pet

A friend sent me an e-mail from the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, reminding people of 10 questions they should consider before adopting a pet.

Here they are:

1. Do you know that this particular breed/type of pet is right for you?
2. Are you ready to make a long-term commitment to your new pet?
3. Will you be responsible enough to provide your new pet with the appropriate food, attention and medical needs?
4. Do you travel or are you away from home often? If so, who will care for your new pet?
5. Can you spend quality time with your pet?
6. Is your home situation “pet-friendly”?
7. Are you economically stable and will be able to care for your pet?
8. Do you have other pets at home? If so, will they get along?
9. Who will the pet live with? Will your guests/family commit to the new pet as well? Do they suffer from allergies?
10. Do you have the time, energy and patience for a pet?

They are good questions, and something to think long and hard about. Getting a pet, especially at the holiday season, may not be the best of thing to do. Read No. 2 again.

Ready for adoption

Here is the Dutchess County SPCA Pet of the Week — Ready for adoption. What are you waiting for?

This week's featured pet:
Emily — Lab mix
"Emily may be part lab, may be part Ridgeback and who knows what else. What we do know is that mixed breeds are usually the healthiest and most long-lived dogs and that shelter dogs make the best pets (Hello, White House!). Emily is a young female, very active and would do best in an active home."

The Dutchess County SPCA is located at 636 Violet Avenue, Hyde Park, NY 12538. The shelter is open Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Wednesdays. Call 845-452-SPCA (7722). Browse our adoptable animals today!

Shelter pets rule.

Puppy watch

Economy got ya down? Got those post-election, what do I do now blues? Waiting for the ax to fall at work?

How about watching shiba inu puppies?

Click here for the webcam.