http://www.startribune.com/pet_central RSS Feed for PetCentral en-us Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:49:03 GMT 2008-10-09T20:49:03Z en-us http://www.startribune.com/pet_central/30638244.html Despite 4,500 years of domestication, there's a little "wild" left in every cat. But some owners want to walk closer to the wild side. So they seek out one of the new domestic cat hybrids whose separation from the jungle or savannah may be only four generations, not 4,000. Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:45:43 GMT http://www.startribune.com/pet_central/30638244.html 2008-10-09T20:45:43Z http://www.startribune.com/pet_central/30638234.html I can still picture my younger sister at age 15 months or so, toddling down the hall with a huge grin on her face. Her tiny fingers were wrapped around the neck of a kitten. At last - she'd found the handle! We rushed to the rescue of the kitten, who seemed none the worse for the experience. My sister's ability to handle animals has definitely improved over the years - she is now a veterinary surgeon. The kitty-carrying incident however, does demonstrate that relationships between kids and animals have potential for joy and peril on both sides. Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:49:03 GMT http://www.startribune.com/pet_central/30638234.html 2008-10-09T20:49:03Z http://www.startribune.com/pet_central/30103349.html Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:26:09 GMT http://www.startribune.com/pet_central/30103349.html 2008-10-02T19:26:09Z http://www.startribune.com/pet_central/30103354.html Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:40:14 GMT http://www.startribune.com/pet_central/30103354.html 2008-10-02T19:40:14Z http://www.startribune.com/pet_central/29753364.html Thu, 25 Sep 2008 22:49:34 GMT http://www.startribune.com/pet_central/29753364.html 2008-09-25T22:49:34Z http://www.startribune.com/pet_central/29753369.html When a human being is fixated on a productive activity, we say that he or she is "working like a dog." We also praise fellow humans for "dogged determination." Yet many dog owners underestimate their pet's need for meaningful work. Thu, 25 Sep 2008 22:25:02 GMT http://www.startribune.com/pet_central/29753369.html 2008-09-25T22:25:02Z http://www.startribune.com/pet_central/28604829.html Your cat stands on its back legs by the couch, reaching up, up, up before hooking its claws into the upholstery and giving a scratch or two. What's up with that? Is your cat just being naughty? No, it's being a tiger. Thu, 18 Sep 2008 16:52:42 GMT http://www.startribune.com/pet_central/28604829.html 2008-09-18T16:52:42Z http://www.startribune.com/pet_central/28604819.html Before you decide that you really want the pets along for the holidays, take time to think through the type of pet, the final destination and the mode of travel. Thu, 18 Sep 2008 22:11:24 GMT http://www.startribune.com/pet_central/28604819.html 2008-09-18T22:11:24Z http://www.startribune.com/pet_central/28242644.html These are just some of the reasons owners surrender their dogs. The explanations - or as some would say, excuses - for surrendering an animal at a shelter go on and on. Unfortunately, owner-surrendered animals are a widespread phenomenon. In 2007, of the more than 30,000 live companion animals taken in at the Animal Humane Society's (AHS) five Twin Cities metro area locations, 81 percent of them were owner surrenders. Before you make the decision to bring a dog into your home, there are several criteria you must consider so your new four-legged family member does not become an unfortunate statistic. Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:13:58 GMT http://www.startribune.com/pet_central/28242644.html 2008-09-11T20:13:58Z http://www.startribune.com/pet_central/28242649.html A break. I needed a break. I needed to get out from under the concerns and buzz of everyday life - if even just for a day or two. Someplace quiet. Someplace comfortable. Someplace I could bring my dogs. Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:37:06 GMT http://www.startribune.com/pet_central/28242649.html 2008-09-11T20:37:06Z