Rate a kittie

That's one way of taking care of being cute!

Kittens go mano a mano in a "cute-off" on this Web site.

Enjoy.

Nora wannabe?

Take a look at Kitten on the keys before you watch this clip.

It's sad really, but funny.

Dog TV

Sorry about the lateness of this, but I just found out about a Nature program on PBS.

"Dogs That Changed the World" is a two-part program currently airing. The first part is being repeated today at 6 p.m. on WNET, channel 13 here in Poughkeepsie. The second part will premiere Sunday at 8 p.m. and will be repeated May 5 at 6 p.m.

The first part is called "The Rise of the Dog," and in it the domestication of dogs is explored.

The second part — "Dogs by Design" — looks at how the same instinctual behaviors help different dogs do different tasks.

There's more information on the PBS Web site, including a video. So take a look and then set your TiVos, DVRs or those old-fashioned whatchamacallits, oh yeah, VCRs.

Kitten on the keys

This is sort of amazing. A cat named Nora that likes to tinkle the ivories. (Make up your own joke.)

Her technique reminds of the almost minimalist quality of the early works of Harry Connick Jr.

I tried to get Kate to take up an instrument, but when she found out a trombone wasn't what she thought it was, she gave it up.

Edit: I think I remember Vladimir Horowitz putting his face down on the keyboard during a concert at Carnegie Hall once. So I think Nora has "studied the masters."

Edit 2: Sorry to keep adding to this, but it's too good to pass up. I'm watching last night's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and they are talking about the recent Virginia Tech tragedy and who is to blame.

After a bunch of pundits offer their opinions, Stewart says, "Come on, people, violent video games, violent movies, those are my father's scape goats."

He then asks if anyone can come up with a better excuse.

A guy from CNN (sorry, can't ID him) says, "I don't know, maybe it's YouTube."

Stewart looks in the camera, shakes his head, and says, "People, if we as a society want to live, the cat playing piano must die."

Glad I can help.

New toy indulgence

I was trying out my new cell phone that I picked up today and thought I would snap a picture of Kate. Of course, she's sleeping. It's something she does very well. She gets a lot of practice.

In fact, I am still amazed she managed to stay awake long enough to have her picture taken with me for this blog.

Ask anyone in the newsroom, the day I brought her to have the picture taken pretty much all she did was lie on the floor and sleep.

She's like a rug you have to feed and take outside to pee.

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:
Kitty — Female Black Domestic Shorthair
"That's Miss Kitty to you! Kitty is a spirited, independent shorthair who is a bit overwhelmed at the shelter. We feel her true colors will shine through quickly when she is in a loving 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).

Shelter pets rule.

My Kate

I realized that there are not enough pictures of Kate on this blog.

Bad dog owner, bad!

By the way, the squeaky toy is not coming out of her butt; she is just lying next to it.

When I was free-lancing for the Journal and working out of my home, this is the toy that Kate would inevitably start playing with as soon as I picked up the phone and tried to do an interview.

Nothing says professionalism like "sqeeeeeek, squeek, sqeeeeeeeeek, squeek."

The tail wagging the emotion

The New York Times had an article yesterday that said the direction a dog's tail wags means that the dog is either happy or cautious. I oversimplify, because I need that in my life every once in a while.

I came home last night and studied Kate's tail — keep your minds out of the gutters — and, frankly, she is an enigma.

She seemed to be neither happy I was home nor afraid that I had returned.

And when I fed her, either she was overjoyed at the dry kibble or chagrined at being served it again.

It's not that she doesn't wag her tail. Her nickname is Seth Thomas.

The Times article reminded me of an episode of "Three Dog Bakery" which was on the Food Network a few years ago.

The hosts of the show had a "dog trainer" on to demonstrate training techniques after the guys cooked up some doggie treats.

One of the hosts said that the demo dog was happy to be in the studio because its tail was wagging.

The "trainer" said something to the effect that the dog was wagging its tail to maintain its balance. That was the only reason.

What?

How many of your dogs fall over if they don't wag their tails?

The "trainer" got his later in the show when the dog he brought wouldn't do anything he asked it to do. Even something simple like sitting on command.

Ha.

Purrsistence

This dog knows what it wants and the cat is having none of it. Thanks, Gretchen, for sending the clip.

Ever wonder ...

Ever wonder how your cat spends its day?

Watch this.

There's no need to fear

I'm not sure I approve of the idea behind the new "Underdog" movie, full of talking beagles. I don't like anthropomorphizing animals. And Kate hates it!

Here's the trailer of the summer film. I must admit I like the tag line "One Nation ... Under Dog."

The original TV show was fun, with the voice of Wally Cox as Underdog, the rhyming canine. Here's the theme song. And here's a 'toon from the show:

Nothing beats a sunny day

Here's Kate on our patio taking advantage of the first real warm sunny day.

Lucky dog.

I have the back sliding door open with the screen door in place because it is such a nice day here in Poughkeepsie. (Friday is the first day of my weekend so don't think I'm blowing off work.)

When we first moved here at the end of January there were a few moderate days where I actually had the back door open with the screen door. Now this is something Kate has never experienced — this fine, almost invisible, mesh that goes floor to ceiling. The first thing she tried to do was go right through it. Luckily I stopped her.

But that reminded me of a dog my family had many years ago in Texas. Candy was a black cocker spaniel mix who would scratch at the patio screen door to be let out. Eventually, she made a hole in the screen and she could go in and out as she pleased. Unfortunately, so could the flies, mosquitoes and tarantulas.

After several months, we replaced the screen, but Candy didn't get the memo.

She saw something in the yard and took off after it, running right through the brand-new screen.

A few feet out on the patio, Candy realized that she did something wrong and just laid down and didn't move. We didn't scold her — it was too funny. But she didn't bust through the replacement's replacement.

And now for a couple of kitties

Playing to a disco beat.

Dog quote

One of my favorite dog-related quotations comes from Grouch Marx:

Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read.

Anybody care to share their favorite quote — animal-related or otherwise?

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:
Butch — Male Rottweiler
"Tough looking big boy is actually a mush at heart! Don't let his initial demeanor fool you. Butch would rather curl up on the couch than carouse with the clan."

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).

Shelter pets rule.

Puppies!

Nothin' better than puppies.

Hedgehog in the house

This picture is great. Dawn from Wappingers Falls, N.Y., has obviously thrown down the cuteness gauntlet with this. She writes:

Pictured are my cat, Lily, and my hedgehog, Piglet. Lily is 8 and Piglet is 2. We live in the village of Wappingers Falls, along with a couple of lizards, 8 species of newts and a couple of snakes.

Readers, can you top this? Come on, I challenge you.

I think I want a hedgehog.

Thank you, Alice

After a long day of chasing flood-related problems in eastern Dutchess, I was stuck at the newsroom writing stories about the damage.

As my colleague Alice Hunt was leaving for the day around 7 p.m., I flippantly asked her if she would walk my dog. Much to my surprise — and pleasure — she said, "Yes."

Alice, Kate thanks you and I thank you.

It's all about the dog.

First aid for pets

Today's floods around the mid-Hudson Valley area — and throughout the east coast — emphasize the need to prepare for the unexpected. For ourselves and, especially, for our pets. Would you know what to do for your pet in an emergency?

With April being National Pet First Aid Awareness Month, the American Red Cross wants everyone to learn steps that can keep your pet safe.

The organizers even sells a book — "Pet First Aid" — that provides information on how to care for dogs and cats in the event of an emergency, as well as preventing and preparing for the unexpected.

"Pet First Aid" has detailed instructions on how to administer care for 50 injuries and illnesses. It gives step-by-step directions on how to administer CPR and tells how to give medications. From the book, you can learn how to build a pet first aid kit and to make your pet part of a family disaster plan, including identifying hotels and shelters that accept pets.

Purchases made through the online store benefit the Red Cross chapter in your area.

Wet dog

It's really raining today. Rained all morning. Forecast says it is going to rain all afternoon.

Anyone in the mid-Hudson Valley knows that. It's not exactly news.

But anyone with a dog knows that days like this are when we earn the big karma bucks.

The other day it was raining and I told a colleague that I was running home during lunch to let Kate out. He said, "In this weather?"

When you have a dog you don't get to decide "oh, it's drippy out so we'll just stay inside all day."

Luckily Kate is usually focused when it's raining; she doesn't exactly like being out in the cold and wind and wet either. One of the neat tricks we learned from our trainer was to condition the dog to "go" on command. It's not 100 percent, but the word will usually bring her back around to the task at hand if she's spending too much time checking her "pee-mail."

For the record, with us, it's "hurry up" for peeing and "do your business" for, uh, the other. (You start by saying the word or phrase every time the dog does whatever it is the word or phrase is going to be associated with. Every time. Every single time. Until the dog links it with whatever.)

The first time it really worked I was beside myself. It was one of those cold, slushy post-snowstorm Manhattan mornings. I said "hurry up" and Kate peed immediately. Lots of praise was heaped on Kate then.

This morning I was hoping she would shake her wet self on the front porch. I waited; she almost shook; I waited; she almost shook. Nothing, so we go inside.

Kate held off for about two minutes — until she got right beside the bookcase in the living room. No first editions, so no big deal.

We'll have to go out again before I leave for work.

It's still raining.

Weekend baking project?

I haven't made dog biscuits for Kate in a long time.

I started thinking about home-made biscuits since the recent pet food recalls.

I actually haven't made biscuits for Kate — and some of her friends — since I was living in Shekomeko. That's over two year ago.

I'd clean off my long, stainless steel dining table, scrub it good, and use it to roll out the dough after it was kneaded in a stand mixer.

Actually making dog biscuits satisfies the baking urge without risking the "eating all the fruits of your labors" urge. In other words, it's a lot safer than baking Toll House cookies.

While I was preparing the treats, Kate always seemed to know that something special was up. She seldom, if ever, would hang around the kitchen when I was cooking for myself.

Just like a kid, she would eagerly try the raw batter — if any just happened to fall on the floor.

The two recipes I have — Cinnamon Apple and Carrot-Oatmeal biscuit — smell really good while they are baking. I am told, though I've never tried them, that they are bland tasting (A friend of mine tried to eat one, at great risk to his capped teeth).

Even during the summer, Kate would lie by the oven until the biscuits were done.

Of course, the proof is in the eating and Kate would gobble up as many of the biscuits that I would give her. I would even give some of the home-made treats to friends for their dogs. One guy sniffed, "Oh, my dog would never eat anything with cinnamon." Boy was he wrong!

I think I just talked myself into making dog treats this weekend.

Rabies clinic in Wappinger Sunday

You can get your dog or cat vaccinated for rabies in the Town of Wappinger — that's in Dutchess County, New York — April 15.

The Sunday event will take place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Schlathaus Park, which is at the intersection of Myers Corners and All Angels Hill roads.

Dogs and cats can receive the shot for $10 per vaccination. Proof of most recent rabies certification is required. Without it, only a one-year immunization will be given.

Town residents can license their dogs at the clinic also. The cost of a license for a spayed or neutered dog is $4.50; $2.50 for senior citizens.

Microchipping will also be available at the clinic. A limited number of microchips will be available for $25. The fee includes the cost of the chip and registration.

Safety first, so cats must be in a carrier, and dogs must be leashed.

If you have questions, call the town clerk at 845-297-5771.

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:
Melanie — Female Domestic Short Hair Cat

From the DCSPCA: "If we could hear what Melanie is thinking... she would be dreaming of her very own sunroom to sunbathe in and her very own family to take care of through loyal companionship. Stop by and make Melanie's dreams come true."

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).

Shelter pets rule.

Ferrets in the house

Deb from Hyde Park, N.Y., writes:

How about doing somethin on ferrets? They are the third most popular pets in the US today. They make the greatest pets. They learn to come to their name and sit up and beg, and many have taught their ferrets a lot more! It would be good if more exposure was given to ferrets so people wouldn't think of them as rats! Here are pics of my current two ferrets, Gracie, a black sable, and Shakespeare, a silver. Thanks for reading this.

You're welcome and thanks for sending in the pictures.

Pulling is for dog sleds

A recent post about Kate sleeping on my couch led to a little confusion for and a question from Kat from Queens:

I've just moved in with my boyfriend and his dog.
She's generally a good dog, but there are a few things
that drive me nuts and I'm looking for possible
solutions from you and/or your readers:

She sheds like crazy and I can't keep her off the
people furniture (she's got a lot of her *own*
furniture, she's not deprived!!) I saw you wrote
something about special shedding sheets for the couch?

Now, she's definitely not my dog, but I do walk her
when my boyfriend is away. And it's weird, but while
she'll listen to me inside the apartment, she pulls
like crazy and doesn't listen nearly as well outside.
What's the best way to stop the pulling? (She's not a
huge dog, like, Tammy's Coal, but she's big enough and
strong) She also likes to lunge at other dogs - any
thoughts on how to socialize her better?

Thank you!

There are no special sheets that minimize shedding. I wish! I only meant that I keep a sheet covering the couch so that her many hairs don't end up on the upholstery. I've said it many times before: sticky rollers are man's best friend, especially if you have man's other best friend.

As far as the pulling, I'm no Dog Whisperer, but I did work with a trainer when I first got Kate. She was a real puller (Kate, not the trainer).

Dogs do like to lead, especially when outside. I've walked with other dogs and their owners and it's been a real contest between the two mutts to see who get "there" first.

The trainer and I used a prong collar to great effect, though some people aren't fond of them (they look scary, but I swear they are power steering for dogs). They are used along with, not instead of, a choker. Eventually I didn't need the prong collar ... nor did Kate!

Some people like Halti-type collars. To me, they look complicated. But that's just me.

Socialization is a process that takes time and patience. And you need other friendly dogs around on a regular basis to make it work. I'd bet there's a trainer in your neighborhood you could help you out.

Remember, dogs are 'pack' animals

An amusing 'toon from Speed Bump. Click here and pick the April 10 comic.

Coming soon: ferrets

I like saying the word ferrets.

But then I like saying Shih Tzu.

No, really, ferrets are coming soon.

Tammy's pooch

Inspired by Molly, Tammy of Poughkeepsie sent in a picture of the pride of her life.

Tammy writes:

Isn't he the cutest! His name is Coal and he doesn't do anything as noble as
Molly. In fact, he's quite the klutz and he would just do more damage.
Imagine, 118 pounds of wiggling doberlove. Anyway, thought I'd share...

"Wiggling doberlove." That made my day.

Happy Easter

Niki and Molly

Niki from Red Hook, N.Y., couldn't resist e-mailing me about her dog Molly:

Molly is my very best friend. She is a 9-year-old golden retriever and is an honorary member of the Red Hook Rotary. She is a certified therapy dog and visits med surge at Northern Dutchess Hospital and she also visits some very special friends that have physical and emotional problems. Molly works approximately 4 days a week and is "on call" when she is needed. The doctors have called her when someone needs a little cheering!

Molly not only makes my family and me smile but she make so many others feel her joy for life.

Just to give you a little hint of what she does:

A patient had a stroke and could not move her left hand, so she proceeded to pet Molly with her right. "None of that!" says Molly. Molly proceeded to move to the patient's left side and kept nudging and kissing her left hand and so the patient had no alternative but to lift her left hand with her right and pet Molly. A miracle? No, says Molly, that left hand had to be moved and what better place but on my forehead!

Another episode. A patient asked me why we bring Molly to visit them. I asked him to look in the mirror; he had the broadest smile on his face as he continued to pet Molly. A smile replacing the face of loneliness and frustration when we came in.

And what is Molly's pay for all her hard work? A lot of hugs, kisses, smiles and the satisfaction that today she made one person happy.

Well, that's my little story and there's so much more. Molly's getting a little embarrassed by all this talk, so I'll close for now.

Good dog!

What about the swimsuit competition?

A new TV show that aims to find the cutest puppy in the United States begins Saturday.

The WE network's "America's Cutest Puppy" will air at 9 p.m. ET.

The pooches will be judged on cuteness for the first round and playfulness for the second. The third round is called "Up Close and Personal," which the show's PR says will allow the dogs to "kiss up to the judges." Just so long as they keep the sniffing to a minimum.

The burning question to me is, what about Sanjaya?

For more information about the show, click here.

Happy Kate?

So just now I'm sitting on the couch after a long day, checking emails, trying to find more fodder for this blog. We never sleep.

Kate, however, is sleeping soundly at the other end (on the specially provided sheet so as to minimize the shedding).

Sometimes she "chases rabbits" while fast asleep. I had a dog-park friend down in the city who, the first time her pooch did the running and yipping in place, thought she was having a seizure and took her to the vet.

Well, Kate isn't chasing rabbits; she is wagging her tail. A lot. Really wagging it.

Nothing makes me smile more.

She's a happy puppy, even in her dreams.

Up a tree for the bird(s)

In Porter, Texas, William Hart found himself stuck 60 feet off the ground Tuesday when he tried to retrieve his $2,000 pet cockatoo.

According to an Associated Press article, Hart chased after the bird, named Geronimo, when it flew out a bedroom window.

Hart climbed the pine tree and the bird flew to him, but they both were stuck.

Firefighters couldn't back up a truck to the tree because of rain-soaked ground, so the Coast Guard was called in. They used a harness to get man and bird down.

I am so glad Kate can't fly or climb trees for that matter.

Puppy vs. cat part two

I think the video speaks for itself.

A dog's life

I've often said that when I die I want to come back as my dog. Let's face it: It's a sweet deal Kate has.

Here's a 'toon from the often brilliant Non Sequitur by Wiley Miller that says it in a nutshell.

Puppy vs. cat

A true battle in the making? Can they co-exist?

Hair today ... and tomorrow

I actually had a moment on Saturday when I looked around my house and thought that it seemed pretty clean.

And then the late afternoon sun came through the sliding glass door in the back at such an angle that I could see all the dog hair on the wood floor. Well, out comes the vacuum and a few minutes later the hair was gone.

Until, of course, Kate woke up, stretched and shook. Then the hair was back.

It's never really gone, you know. I can vacuum and sweep and Swiffer till the cows come home and my house will never be clean, really clean. (Come to think of it, if the cows came home, that would be a whole other kind of dirty.)

Kate is a shedder — big time.

Black pants? Forget it.

Navy blue sweater? Deal with it.

I'm constantly sticky-rollering and picking at hairs.

And having had Kate for over 11 years now, I could have knitted three or four dogs from all the hair she has left on the floor, rugs, couch, bed and kitchen counters (still trying to figure that one out). On wash days, the lint trap in my dryer alone could yield a dog the size of a Pomeranian.

Kate's shedding problem is the reason I have her. But that is a story for another time.