For many of us, summer travel season is just around the corner. Leaving your animal companion safe and comfortable at home while you travel doesn't have to mean checking your loved one into a kennel, cattery, or veterinarian's office, where animals often become stressed, frightened, ill, or even hurt or lost. Ideally, "safe at home" means finding the right companion-animal …

These days, you can't turn on the TV or look at a magazine without being "greened." We're guided to the best green car, the most savory green restaurant, or the most efficient green energy system. Emissions are examined, and thermostats are tightened-and our belts are not far behind. We compost, compact, and conserve, lest our carbon footprint inch a size larger, all …

Each of us could easily recite the myriad reasons that our animal companions hold such a special place in our hearts. A common argument levied against animal activists suggests that we prefer animals to people. Rhetorical questions such as, "If you could only save a baby or a dog from a …

©2011 Jupiterimages Corporation

Although they are equipped with fur coats, dogs and other animals can still suffer from frostbite, exposure, and dehydration when water sources freeze. Cold temperatures mean extra hardship for "backyard" dogs, who often go without adequate food, water, shelter, or medical care. When the temperatures nosedive and you start piling on the …

For most of us, the New Year's resolutions we make with the best of intentions will be tossed out faster than the holiday fruitcake. Let's be honest: Getting organized, pinching pennies, and losing weight aren't much fun. Maybe that's because-noble as they may be-these resolutions benefit primarily only us.

What …

"You're a vet, and you've never lived with a cat?" Until I graduated veterinary school, I had to plead, "Yes," whenever this question crossed my path (although I didn't think it was a very big deal). I grew up with numerous wonderful dogs, whose love …

As an animal advocate, I am always talking to people about the importance of going to an animal shelter when you want to add an animal companion to your family. And I am so very, very gratified when I hear back from people who have successfully adopted their perfect companion.

It seems that everyone I talk to knows that animal shelters are full …