Since I'm on the subject of dog sports this week, I though it fitting to feature the Border Collie. Most dog sports are open to just about any breed of dog, but the Border Collie is the poster child for dog sports. These intelligent and driven herding dogs have boundless energy. They thrive when given a job, which is why they tend to excel at dog sports. The Border Collie is definitely not the right breed for everyone. Unfortunately, some people find they are in over their heads if the get a BC without researching first. These dogs need to work - whether that means herding sheep, competing in disc dog competitions, or tearing up your house. Don't let the latter happen - give your BC a job. And, if you are thinking about adding this breed to your home, read all about Border Collies first. If indeed this is the right breed for you, then a wonderdog is in your near future. Have you lived with Border Collies? Tell your story! Photo © Digital Vision/Getty Images Dog Breed of the Week: Border Collie originally appeared on About.com Dogs on Thursday, March 11th, 2010 at 10:10:08.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Spring is coming up, but it just can't get here soon enough! Your dog is probably aching to get outside and expel some energy, and he wants you there with him. Participation in dog sports is a wonderful way to get active and connected with your dog. While many require agreeable weather, other dog sports and activities can be enjoyed indoors. Agility can go either way. Perhaps you are looking into a sport for you and your dog. Or, maybe you are just curious about canine athletes. Check out today's top dog sports. There is pretty much something fitting for any dog/owner team. Got a great story about your dog's accomplishments? We would love it if you share your story. Get Active with Your Dog originally appeared on About.com Dogs on Thursday, March 11th, 2010 at 00:19:40.Permalink | Comment | Email this

It was many, many years ago when I saw my first agility demonstration. I was floored. All I could think was "is this for real?" Knowing just a little bit about dogs at the time, I did realize they were intelligent and athletic, but I never imagined they could fly around the field like that. Since then, I have been hooked. I've always wanted to get my own dogs involved in agility, but for whatever reason it has not worked out yet. However, I still try to check out the events in my area, or at least catch them when they are on television. What a thrill! Canine agility is a competitive dog sport that takes place within an obstacle course. Dogs are trained to make jumps, travel through tunnels, and navigate various walkways - all in a specific order. Each step of the way, the dogs are directed by their owners. Agility is an excellent form of exercise and mental stimulation, making it ideal for high energy dogs like Border Collies and Australian Shepherds. However, just about any dog can participate in agility. The intensity and difficulty of the course can be altered to accommodate dogs with health complications or special needs. Teamwork between dog and human is the cornerstone of this sport. Learn more about agility training from dog training expert Amy Bender. It could be a great activity for you and your dog. Are you and your dog already involved in a dog sport? Tell us about it. Photo © Joe CamerinoGetting Started in Canine Agility originally appeared on About.com Dogs on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 21:13:57.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Do you fully understand "felinese?" That's Amy Shojai's term for the various communication sounds cats make, that are sometimes exasperating because we don't fully comprehend what the cat is saying. Sometimes it's easy, as in a cat standing next to her empty food dish, meowing piteously. Kittens' first mews are charming. At other times meowing can be downright annoying, as it is when we're trying to catch that last hour of sleep. Amy does a great job of explaining the meaning of cats' many forms of vocalization, but she doesn't stop there. Be sure to read her full article to find out how to out-think loud-mouth cats. Photo Credit: © iStockPhoto/Ruslan OlinchukMeowing originally appeared on About.com Cats on Monday, March 15th, 2010 at 12:37:05.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Kitten fosters perform a challenging, but rewarding, and valuable service to the world of cats at large. Fostering abandoned cats and kitten litters is a wonderful way to help the cat population problem, while also enjoying kittens grow and thrive under your loving care. While it may be sad to give up a cat or kitten you've nurtured for weeks, it is a joyous event to see that baby go to a permanent loving home.Kitten fosters were invited to share their photos and stories in a Show & Tell on my site, and the enthusiastic acceptance was heartwarming. I particularly like the story by Cat Foster, Foster Mom of 75 Kitties in 2.5 Years!. She describes the best parts of fostering, as well as the sad parts in poignant detail, and dispenses valuable advice to would-be kitten fosters. You may contribute your own Kitten Foster story and photos by using the online form.If you are the member of a cat rescue/foster group, you are also invited to participate in my Adoptable Shelter Cats Gallery, which features shelter and rescue cats from many organizations. It is my way of giving back to the cats who have given me so much. Please use the Shelter Cat Submission Form for that purpose. Photo Credit: © Foster Mom Kitten Fosters Share Their Stories originally appeared on About.com Cats on Sunday, March 14th, 2010 at 05:19:04.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Dr. Janet Crosby, DVM, and Guide for Veterinary Medicine has reported on the expanded recall of Nature's Variety frozen chicken diets announced by the FDA and Nature's Variety in February, 2010. The recall is now expanded "to include all Chicken Formula and Organic Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diets for dogs and cats with any 'Best If Used By' date on or before 2/5/11." You can find out more information on this recall by reading Dr. Crosby's blog entry dated 3/9/2010.Nature's Variety Recall Expanded originally appeared on About.com Cats on Sunday, March 14th, 2010 at 03:53:35.Permalink | Comment | Email this

I am almost certain that another of Leigh's cats has been Cat of the Week in the past. Leigh is very proud of her cats, and dotes on them, as you can see, and her cats have appeared in several galleries on this site. I chose Biscuit this week, not from favoritism, but because Leigh painted such a loving picture in her description, and of course, because Biscuit is clearly a beautiful tabby cat. Leigh writes in part: Biscuit is a blue Maine Coon, aged 5. He is Muffie's elder brother. When I first got him, he didn't like being touched because he was very nervous. He had a heart condition. Now, four and a half years later, he no longer has a heart condition, and he loves being kissed, held, brushed, combed, you name it. He takes CoQ10, vitamin E, Taurine, Stress B, etc. In this picture, he is in my lap, reveling in being petted. As you can see, he has very interesting markings. The father was pure blue; the mother was a white, red, and black patch Maine Coon, the daughter of a beautiful red and white show winner. . .Read more of Biscuit's story. Biscuit appears in the 2010 Tabby Cats Picture Gallery, now online on About.com Cats. You may submit your own tabby cat photos by following the Photo Submission Guidelines. Sorry, but I will be unable to publish your photos without all the requested information. Please use Tabby Cat Photo as the subject of your email. With your very best picture, along with an appealing story about your cat, your tabby may also appear as a Cat Picture of the Week.Cat Picture of the Week: Biscuit originally appeared on About.com Cats on Saturday, March 13th, 2010 at 04:00:22.Permalink | Comment | Email this