Have you ever noticed how my dog friends and I are obsessed with peeing on the snow?  It doesn't matter if there is only one teeny tiny patch left on the ground -- we will find it and we will pee on it.  We will, at all cost, leave our vibrant yellow mark on the last remnants of winter!  Long live yellow snow!

I'm sure you're wondering why we do this.  I suppose I would ask the same question if I saw a human mill about until they found a viable patch of snow and then oh-so-gratifyingly relieved themselves on it.  Come to think of it, I have seen that before -- but that's another story.

Here's the deal when it comes to dogs and snow.  We male dogs like to mark our territory.  Typically we sniff about until we find a scent we like -- more often than not, another dog's pee -- and we lift our leg.  And mind you, we don't let it all come out at the same time, rather we measure it, saving enough for a few more pit stops along the way.  Oops, I digress -- back to the snow thing. 

Well, imagine this . . .

How sweet would it be to not only be able to follow a scent and then mark your territory on top of it, but to then also see that mark?  We males are visual creatures you know.  Man oh man do I feel like a man!  

So next time you see me, or any other male dog for that matter, intently searching for that last little mound of snow; you should know that it's for no other reason than . . . we like to see the mark we've left on the world -- in this case, snow.  It's as simple as that!

What does your dog want this Valentine's Day.  Well, according to a survey we conducted among dogs (just kidding) -- among dog owners, the number one gift they plan on giving their pooch is more quality time together!  And I'm sure a few big ole wet smooches.  

Think about it.  Who loves you more than your dog?  He or she is always happy to see you.  And even when they do get upset with you, not only do they forgive (and very quickly), they also forget.  How many dogs do you know that hold a grudge?  They don't care if you have morning breath, wear no make-up or have dirty hair.  And more importantly, they don't complain when you crawl into bed with hairy legs.  Ah the joys of dog ownership!

When was the last time your dog looked at you and asked "do I have to eat Kibble again?  Can't I have something more interesting for dinner?"  And they don't complain when you throw your dirty clothes on the floor (they actually like the dirty clothes -- NEW TOY!) nor do they bitch and moan when you take too much time to get prepped for a night out on the town. 

And they never, ever tell you that you made a fool of yourself because you had one too many at the holiday party!

So what's not to love about your dog?  Forget "man's best friend."  Your precious pooch is the best friend you women will ever have!  So lay on the love this Valentine's Day and spend some real quality time with the one who loves you baby. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

I guess it's my love of animals that always makes me think of them first whenever a natural disaster takes place.  So when I heard about the earthquake in Haiti last week my heart plummeted into my stomach.  It's not that I don't care about the people of Haiti, because I do.  It's simply that I know the animals are not the priority for most people and they are also suffering great injury and loss.  

I was so pleased to hear that American Human Association was among the first to join an international group of professional animal welfare organizations -- the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH) -- in their commitment to aid animals in Haiti.  

This big-hearted team is preparing a mobile animal clinic and staff to perform outreach work in Haiti.  They'll assess and  assist with the needs of animals of people who have been displaced by the earthquake, as they transition into temporary camps.  The plan includes providing food and clean water, as well as vaccinating them against rabies. 

At the time I'm writing this, unfortunately they haven't hit the ground running yet due to huge issues they are having with getting actual access to the country.  But let's all hope and pray they make it into Haiti very soon and that they are able to provide the love and care these animals so desperately need.

If you'd like to make a donation to American Humane and the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti, visit http://tiny.cc/m0Htv.  Please give anything you can!  The animals of Haiti need you. 

So it's that time of the year again -- the holidays -- and along with all the fun and festivities, come some real hazards for your pets.  So pet owner's beware!  Here are a few things you need to watch out for this season to make sure both you and your pets have a happy and healthy holiday.

#1 - Chocolate

While all chocolate should be avoided, "Baker's Chocolate" is the most toxic to dogs.  The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is to pets.  The toxic ingredients are Theobromine and caffeine. 

#2 --The Christmas Tree

Make sure the tree is securely anchored so your curious pets don't cause it to fall, possibly injuring them or someone else in the family.  Also, the preservatives often put in the tree water to prolong its life can cause severe gastrointestinal problems should your dog or cats choose that as their water bowl. 

#3 - Seasonal Plants

While Poinsettias typically take the rap for being poisonous, there are other toxic holiday plants that can actually be more problematic:  Christmas cactus, mistletoe, cedar, holly, balsam and pine. 

#4 - Table Scraps

Feeding Fido from the table may make him happy, but it may also make his belly upset.  Rich, fatty foods can result in life-threatening pancreatitis.  Anything salty, spicy or greasy is a no-no for our furry friends.  And don't forget that chicken and turkey bones can splinter in the the stomach so keep those out of reach as well. 

#5 - Ornaments

Tinsel can be tantalizing for curious cats so be careful they don't serve it up as a snack.  Small, low-hanging tree decorations can be ingested by both dogs and cats and cause dangerous intestinal blockage. 

There's nothing more important than the safety of your pets, so make sure your friends and family are all aware of these holiday hazards.  For more holiday hazards click here. 

Here's to a safe and happy holiday season to all!

Just when you think that people don't open up their hearts enough to help pets and their owners, you meet someone like Dr. Neil Shaw and his brother Darryl.  These two amazing individuals -- and founders of BluePearl Veterinary Partners --  started a non-profit organization, The Veterinary Cancer Foundation, whose mission is to save pets with cancer.  In actuality, their mission was much broader -- to raise money and help pets who would otherwise suffer without proper care or be euthanized due to their families' lack of financial resources. 

In 2008, the foundation changed its name to "Frankie's Friends" to honor Frankie, a beautiful Greyhound and the beloved pet of the Edward DeBartolo family of Tampa.  The big-hearted DeBartolo clan rescued Frankie from the horrific world of dog racing and spent the next 10 years showering her with all the love and care she deserved.  

Frankie died in 2006.  She had been treated by Dr. Shaw and his team of vet specialists since 2000 for both heart disease and cancer.  To demonstrate their appreciation to the team at Florida Veterinary Specialists -- and to honor their beloved Frankie -- the DeBartolo family has been among the foundation's most generous supporters.  So while the loss of Frankie was indeed sad, and quite poignant, her passing served as the impetus for many good things to come for other animals in need. 

How you can support Frankie's Fund

There are many facets of Frankie's Fund each offering a variety of ways you can help.  These include:

Cure Canine Lymphoma Project:  Launched in 2009, this project's goal is to treat dogs with lymphoma and find a cure for the most common cancer in dogs.  The objectives of this effort are to:

• raise public awareness of the successful early treatment of the disease;
• provide free care for dogs enrolled in clinical programs of promising new treatments; and
• assist with heavily discounted care for dogs whose families cannot afford treatment

HOPE Fund:  The HOPE fund provides grants for families who have few alternatives if they simply cannot afford to pay for a pet's unexpected illness.  If families can demonstrate financial need and their pet has a good prognosis for recovery to a normal quality of life, they will be considered for the program. 

The folks at Frankie's Friends are doing so many wonderful things to help assist those in need -- both pets and owners -- and for this we thank them.  To learn more about how you can help Frankie's Friends, go to http://www.frankiesfriends.com/