The Border Collie is one of the most intelligent and agile of all dogs. Sadly, this breed is often misunderstood - some think it is hyperactive, destructive and difficult to train. The truth is quite the opposite. The Border Collie, or BC is among the easiest dogs to train if you know what you are doing. If not, you will have a dog with so much pent up energy, that he must find another way to release it (perhaps by ripping up your couch or running off through the neighborhood). The key to keeping a BC happy is to give him a job to do. "Eager to please" hardly describes the dynamic BC. These dogs are driven! Plus, they make affectionate and loyal companions. Border Collies are often seen as champion disc dogs, agility competitors and herders. Why? Because the combination of their smarts and fervor is the perfect recipe for success in dog sports. BCs are naturally athletic, agile and brainy. If you get a Border Collie and treat him right, you will have a canine soul-mate for life. BCs bond very closely with their humans, especially if they participate in activities together. Are you enamored with the amazing Border Collie? Tell us about yours, and submit your photos! Photo by Doug Pensinger / Getty Images

Independence Day is this Saturday, and many of us will be celebrating all weekend long. As fun as it may be to spend the holiday with your dog, make sure you are in a dog-friendly environment. There are various summertime hazards that can cause harm to your dog, so be aware of the following: Fireworks: Besides the obvious danger of physical injury from fireworks, your dog can be very frightened by loud noises. This can cause her to become quite anxious, and she may even run away and become lost. Read what Dr. Janet Crosby, Guide to Veterinary Medicine says about noise phobias. Dangerous Foods: The Fourth of July was made for grilling, and there will be many tasty morsels around that your dog wants. If guests don't know better than to keep their food to themselves and throw garbage in the appropriate places, your dog could get into something dangerous. Hot dogs, hamburgers and other fatty or rich foods can make your dog sick. Or, your dog could choke on discarded bones (especially chicken bones). There are also many people foods that are poisonous to dogs, so be careful. Heatstroke: Despite all the precautionary words, dogs are still dying from heatstroke every day. You dog can overheat so much faster that you, so use caution when it's hot outside. Stay near her and watch her closely. If you're in doubt, leave your dog indoors and out of harm's way. Now you are armed to protect your dog, so have fun this weekend and all summer long. You can still include your dog in your plans if you know how to keep her safe. So, what are your plans this weekend? Photo by William Thomas Cain/Stringer/Getty Images

We all love looking at pictures of cute critters, right? That's why I'm looking for more photos for the Dogs site. So, if you have some that you'd like to show off, check out the photo submission guidelines. Big or small, old or young, mutt or purebred - all are welcome. Speaking of photos, I am so pleased to announce that I have been asked to be a judge in the Cutest Cat Picture Contest. Cats Guide Franny Syufy has already gotten tons of great cat photo entries, but time is not up. If you are also a cat lover, why not enter the contest or check out the gallery. The contest ends on July 5th, so you still have time! Photo © Brygida T.

The West Highland White Terrier, or "Westie" is a compact dog with a big personality. Full of life and eager to please, this breed makes a great companion. Westies are ideal for people who want a small but active dog. Plus, the breed is considered hypoallergenic because it sheds very little, making it ideal for those who suffer from allergies. What is your favorite thing about the West Highland White Terrier? Westie lovers, share your stories and photos! Photo © Randy Son of Robert on flickr

Mimi Ausland is very much like another other ordinary 13 year old girl. She enjoys hanging out with her friends, going to movies with them, swimming and biking. But underneath that cute facade lies a teenager who is anything but ordinary. Mimi has also been featured in newspaper articles, on radio and television, and even has been a guest on Oprah Winfrey's and Ellen DeGeneres's shows. What makes this young girl so special? Well, for starters, Mimi could hardly wait until she turned nine, because that was the minimum age to volunteer at the Humane Society of Central Oregon (HSCO) in Bend, Oregon. She didn't stop there, though. Mimi raised the bar by donating kibble to the shelter, then raised it even further, when she founded freekibble.com, and freekibblekat.com in April of 2008. With the addition of corporate sponsors, Castor & Pollux, an Oregon family-run pet food manufacturer, followed by Canidae, and Dogtime Media, at the present time over 1,200,000 meals have been served to hungry dogs and cats in 12 animal shelters across the U.S. I was honored to be granted an interview with Mimi Ausland, and found that she is a seasoned veteran to interviews. But underneath it all, Mimi Ausland is still a sweet, "normal" kid, untouched by her sudden rise to fame. Learn more about Mimi's background, as well as her hopes and dreams for the future. Mimi has had a love affair with animals all her life. Today the world of animal lovers has a love affair with Mimi Ausland.

It's been huge fun looking at the unusual names while sorting through entries for the Cutest Cat Contest, and some stand out as so popular, I've had to number the entries with duplicate names. Thus far we have 3 Chesters , 2 Sashas , 2 Callys, 2 Callies, and a Cali. We have a Bird, and a Mew-Mew, an amusing combination. I've personally had two female cats with male names. We had Figaro (who became Figaroa after giving birth to a litter of 5 kittens), and Arthur, whom I smuggled into the house under the guise of being a male. My Angel cat Shannon was the only cat to my knowledge who actually had a street sign named after him (he was also named after Shannon park, where my daughter found him.) Read the featured article to see how other people name their cats, then tell us how you arrived at your own cat's name. Your comments are welcome.