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Across the country, more towns, cities and even states are targeting pit bulls, Rottweilers and other dog breeds under increasingly restrictive "dangerous dog" laws. In Minnesota, state lawmakers are hearing a number of proposals that would ban certain breeds in the state, including one bill that would make it illegal for residents to own a Rottweiler, Pit Bull, Chow Chow, Akita or wolf hybrid. Meanwhile, members of the Forsyth County Commission in North Carolina are studying possible regulations for "aggressive" breeds such as German shepherds, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinchers and pit bulls. Similar legislation has been proposed at the state level in Tennessee and Mississippi, and at the local and county level in Oregon, Alabama, Arkansas and other states, according to the American Dog Owners Association.

Breed-specific legislation (also known as BSL) proposals are becoming a common presence in statehouses and city halls across America. Such legislation usually follows on the heels of a much publicized dog attack, and lawmakers claim that targeting specific dog-breeds will help remove dangerous animals from the community. But the effectiveness of BSL in curbing attacks by dangerous dogs is unclear, and the policies that determine what happens to pet owners who share their homes with a "dangerous" breed" vary in each community.

According to an article by Linda S. Weiss with the Animal Legal and Historical Center, BSL "is not an effective approach for regulating dogs' behavior in communities." Weiss goes on to write that bans on specific breeds are little more than comfort legislation and "do not act to effectively regulate the behavior of any breed or of dogs and their owners collectively." Additionally, breed-specific bans routinely face constitutional challenges, with decisions varying from state to state. A 1989 decision by the Kansas Supreme Court upheld a ordinance regulating ownership of pit bulls within a municipality, while a Massachusetts court in 1989 found that a law targeting pit bull ownership was unconstitutionally vague, according to Weiss.

What happens to happens to pet owners who care for pit bulls and other targeted breeds once legislation is passed also varies. Most breed-specific ordinances and legislation have some sort of grandfather clause, allowing owners to keep their dogs, but preventing the purchase or breeding of other dogs in the targeted breed. However, enforcing these laws is difficult, costly and time consuming: according to Weiss, a breed-specific ordinance in Cincinnati, Ohio was overturned after the city began enforcing the ordinance, which lead to "gridlock in the animal control and court systems."

Meanwhile, organizations like the American Kennel Club and the American Dog Owners Association are vocally opposed to BSL. According to the AKC's position paper on BSL, "We support laws that establish a fair process by which specific dogs are identified as ‘dangerous' based on stated, measurable actions—The American Kennel Club strongly opposes any legislation that determines a dog to be 'dangerous' based on specific breeds or phenotypic classes of dogs." The AKC and the ADOA also maintain "legislation watch" web sites, where dog owners can track pet-related legislation. Click here to view the ACK legislative alert page. Click here to view the ADOA legislative update page.

Conversely, many states are proposing legislation that would prohibit insurance companies from denying home owners insurance coverage or unfairly increasing rates based on the breeds of dogs living at the home. In New Jersey, state Assemblyman Niel Cohen is sponsoring legislation that would prohibit insurers from basing policy coverage and costs on the basis of the breed of dog kept on the property.

"In most cases involving a 'dangerous breed,' the owner is the one responsible for teaching the dog its aggressive or dangerous behavior," Cohen said in a statement regarding the legislation.

Pets Help to Lower Blood Pressure—A recent study at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that people with hypertension who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than those who did not own a pet. (Dr. Karen Allen, State University of New York at Buffalo)

Pets Help to Reduce Stress—Walking with a pet helps to soothe nerves and offers instant relaxation. Studies conducted worldwide have shown that the impact of a stressful situation is lesser on pet owners, especially males, than on those who do not own a pet. (Josephine M. Wills, Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, United Kingdom)

Pets Help to Prevent Heart Disease—Because pets provide people with faithful companionship, research shows they may also provide their owners with greater psychological stability, thus a measure of protection from heart disease. (National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets)

Pets Help to Lower Health Care Costs—People with pets actually make fewer doctor visits, especially for non-serious medical conditions. (National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets)

Pets Help to Fight Depression—Pets help fight depression and loneliness, promoting an interest in life. When seniors face adversity or trauma, affection from pets takes on great meaning. Their bonding behavior can foster a sense of security. (Between Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship)

There is almost nothing more comforting than when a cat jumps on our lap and begins to purr. Ever since the Egyptians started worshipping the cat, philosophers, scientists and cat lovers worldwide have wondered why cats purr. When we hear and feel this purring, we assume that everything is just fine with the cat. But why do cats purr? And what produces this sound?

Purring is a mystery. No one can definitively say which mechanism in a cat creates the purr. Some feline experts believe purring is due to a vibrations caused by blood passing through a large vein in the cat’s chest. Yet others who have studied purring think it’s due to the vibration of the vocal cords when the animal inhales and exhales.

It appears as though purring is not just limited to domestic cats. Some wild cats, such as pumas and mountain lions, are able to purr. In general, most large cats that cannot roar are able to purr. The calls of the leopard vary and include a series of harsh coughs, throaty growls, and deep, purring sounds.

It turns out that cats have special wiring traveling from the brain to the muscles in the vocal cords. Nerve signals that pass through this wiring system cause vibrations of the vocal cords. While the nerves cause the vocal cords to vibrate, the air forced through them by the diagraphm causes the musical hum. Since breathing has both inspiratory and expiratory phases, cats can purr continuously. The problem with this theory, however, is that cats continue to purr even when the nerves to the area of the vocal cords have been injured or damaged.

It is commonly believed that cats purr when content. However, cats also purr when they are severely injured, frightened or giving birth. According to some veterinarians, the original function of the purr was to enable a kitten to communicate with his mother that things are going well. A kitten is able to purr by the second day of life, and although he can’t meow and nurse at the same time, he can purr and nurse.

As the cat matures, the meaning of the purr changes. Some cats purr to indicate contentment or pleasure, but badly frightened cats and severely ill cats also purr. It is not uncommon for cats to purr when they are close to death. This final purring may indicate a state of anxiety or possibly euphoria. These states have also been elucidated in terminally ill people.

Since the purr has lasted through hundreds of generations of cats, there must be a survival mechanism behind its continued existence. Researchers believe that self-healing is the survival mechanism behind the purr. There is extensive documentation that suggests that low frequencies, at low intensity, are therapeutic. These frequencies can aid bone growth, fracture healing, pain relief, tendon and muscle strength and repair, joint mobility, the reduction of swelling, and the relief of dyspnea, or breathlessness.

Animal behaviorists believe that when cats purr under stressful circumstances, they are reassuring or comforting themselves, much as humans may sing to themselves or hum when they are nervous. Frightened cats may purr to communicate submissiveness or non-aggressive intentions. A feral cat may purr to signal that he is not planning to attack and other cats need not feel threatened. Older cats may purr when they play or approach other cats, signaling that they are friendly and want to come closer.

The nictitating membrane (more commonly known as the third eyelid) is a structure that is located at the inside corner of both eyes. This membrane lies between the eyeball and the eyelid. It's purpose is to protect the eye and lubricate the cornea. Lubrication comes from a small tear producing gland that is located at the base of the structure.

The tear-producing gland becomes swollen and protrudes over the free edge of the third eyelid. This presents an unattractive appearance, often causing a chronic conjunctivitis. The gland becomes irritated, inflamed, and painful to the dog. This reddened, swollen gland has the appearance of a cherry, thus the name "cherry eye."

Many breeds of dogs seem to be predisposed to this condition. It is often seen in Cocker Spaniel puppies.

A dog showing symptoms of "cherry eye" should be examined by a veterinarian.

Cherry Eye in an English Bulldog

Medication rarely cures this condition. Surgery is usually required for permanent correction. Your veterinarian can discuss medical / and or surgical options for a pet with "cherry eye."

Scientists believe that the predecessor to the first land carnivores was most likely an animal called Miacis. Miacis lived about 55 million years ago and fossils show that the animal looked somewhat like a weasel.

Drawing of a Miacis Skeleton

The cat family split from other mammals about 40 million years ago, making them one of the oldest mammalian families. The best-known cats of pre-history were probably the saber-toothed cats (Smilodon) that lived during the late Pleistocene era (1.8 million to 10,000 years ago). Saber-toothed tigers, forerunners of the modern cat, were named for their sharp dagger-like canines. Able to kill full-grown elephants, these animals were plentiful in Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Their small brain, large body and cumbersome teeth led to their extinction about 10,000 years ago.

Saber-Toothed Tiger

Although the saber-toothed cat has no close living relatives, paleontologists reconstruct how Smilodon looked by comparing its bones with those of large cats living today. Often called a saber-tooth tiger, Smilodon was not actually related to the tiger, although it may have behaved a bit like one. Scientists have determined that the saber tooth's skeleton was not built for speed. Very powerful front legs and a short tail indicate that it probably ambushed its prey, goring it with those fearsome canine teeth and leaving the victim to bleed to death.

Wild cats are believed to have evolved in Africa, and due to continental drift, eventually arrived in South America. About 2 million years ago, when North America and South America joined together, the cat made it's migration northward.

Evolutionary biologists agree that the domestic cat is a cross between Felis sylvestris (European wildcat) and Felis lybica (African wildcat). Of all the cats in existence, the domestic cat is the only one that has agreed to live with humans. Due to this fact, the domestic cat has been given the name "Felis domestica."

Cats were first domesticated by the Egyptians around 3000 BC in order to control the rodent problem in their cities. Since the Egyptians stored grain in woven reed baskets, rodents were able to chew through these baskets and eat the grain. With no devices, poisons or traps to fight the increasing rodent population, rats and mice swarmed through the cities. During this period, a small yellow cat with black stripes (the predecessor of today's domestic cat) began coming into the cities in order to feast on the rodents. The Egyptians welcomed these visitors and encouraged them to stay. The Egyptians named their new domestic animal "mau."

After realizing that cats had helped them solve their rodent problem, the Egyptians began holding them in high regard. Not only did the cat gradually take up residence in Egyptian households, but came to be revered and worshipped as being godlike. Bast, the Egyptian goddess of fecundity and beauty was depicted with the head of a cat. This beautiful goddess was the symbol of light, heat and solar energy. It was believed that she controlled fertility, cured illnesses and took care of the dead souls. According to Egyptian history, cats were held in such high regard that their export was forbidden, and the penalty for killing a cat was immediate death.

Cats were mummified after death and buried in sanctified plots, often with supplies of mummified mice for the afterlife. In 1890, one such plot was found to contain the remains of 300,000 cat mummies. The mummies were wrapped in expensive colorful cloth and enclosed in engraved wooden cases. Many of these mummies were distributed to museums around the world.

Since they reproduced prolifically and lived long and healthy lives, the Egyptian cat population began to swell. For a long time, Egypt had held a strict rule that cats could not leave the country. Despite this rule, the Egyptians began selling cats to the Greeks. After several years of breeding, the Greeks started selling cats to the Romans, the Gaels, the Celts and later to the Europeans. Resulting from trade relationships between Asia and Europe, cats were being exchanged for silk. The Asians loved their cats and began breeding them right away. Several distinct breeds of cats were produced in Asia, such as the Siamese, the Balinese, and the Himalayan.

Previous to the introduction of the domestic cat, the only mouse hunters in ancient Europe were semi-domesticated weasels and skunks. The Romans, and to a certain extent, the Greeks, introduced the domestic cat to the rest of Europe. In European countries, the cat was not worshipped but kept as a companion as well as a rodent hunter. However, by the time the Black Death appeared in the 11th century, cats were once again held in high esteem for their rodent killing abilities.

The Middle Ages in Europe were the worst times for cats. Cats were believed to be agents of the devil, and thought to possess magical powers. Pope Gregory IX declared the cat to be a "diabolical creature" and authorized a total persecution. Persons who kept cats were suspected of being witches, and were put to death along with their feline companions. With rat extermination becoming urgently necessary, cats were beaten, killed and driven away from towns and villages.

In Tudor England, cats were burned as a sign of both Protestant and Catholic heresy. During the inquisition, the burning of heretics, Jews, witches and cats were just some of the atrocities that were committed. By the 15th century, the European cat was on the verge of extinction, thus allowing the population of rats to increase. For lack of cats, more than two thirds of Europe died from the Bubonic plague.

Eventually the witch-hunts ceased and cats once again became highly prized and beloved household pets.

Cats were first domesticated over 5000 years ago and have since become one of the most popular pets in the world. The first record of domestic cats in Great Britain dates back to 936 AD. By the mid 18th century, cats were fairly abundant in the United States. By the late 1800s distinctive breeds were being established and cat shows held, with the longhaired breeds being especially popular.

Although the North American continent had many varieties of wild cats, there had been no history of domestic cats preceding the arrival of the Europeans. The first domestic cats were imported in order to control the rodent population in the settlements. Eventually, cats became quite popular and the first American breed, the Maine Coon Cat, was established.

The Maine Coon Cat

Domestic cats now live on every continent except Antarctica and have been bred into more than fifty distinct breeds.

Most people are embarrassed by the fact that their dog eats his or her own poop. Since this behavior is not often discussed, most people don’t realize that it is a common dog behavior.

After puppies are born, the mother dogs keep them clean by licking them and eating their feces. If the mothers did not have this instinct, the puppies would get very dirty and the feces would accumulate. If too many puppies were produced in a litter and the mother was not able to keep up with her obligations, another adult dog in the family would very often take over some of the motherly responsibilities. Cats also perform these same tasks for their kittens.

Mother and Her Puppies

Eating feces is not at an unusual behavior for dogs. Within a few weeks, the puppies begin eating solid food and can walk well enough to get out of the nest. At this time, the mother can stop her cleaning responsibilities as the puppies start pooping elsewhere. This habit, however, can persist in her, and this same instinct most likely exists in most dogs (male and female), ready to be triggered by various life situations.

Why a Dog Eats Feces

Sometimes we don’t know why a particular dog starts eating poop, but certain conditions can trigger the behavior. Since some of these indicate a dog that needs help, you’ll want to consider them as possibilities for what is going on with your dog.

1. If a dog is not getting enough to eat or is going too long between meals, he may begin to eat his own feces. If you are having trouble figuring out a feeding schedule or the amount to feed your dog, it’s probably best to discuss this with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can help you evaluate the dog’s weight and can suggest a feeding schedule and amount. Sometimes it takes experimentation to see what works best for a particular dog.

2. Your dog may have a physical problem that causes excessive hunger, pain or another sensation that may resort to eating feces. If your adult dog suddenly starts eating his or her own feces, take your dog to your veterinarian for a check-up.

3. A dog with intestinal parasites or another condition that changes the consistency of his feces may resort to eating them. If another dog has a similar condition, your dog may decide to eat the other dog’s feces. When you take your dog to the veterinarian, bring a fresh fecal sample for evaluation.

4. Whatever the cause of the problem might be, a change of diet sometimes helps. There are so many dog foods from which to choose, and food that works well for one dog may not be right for another. When changing from one food to another, you need to make the change gradually. Start by mixing a small amount of the new food with the old. Over a period of two weeks, increase the amount of new food and decrease the quantity of the old dog food. At the end of this time, you should be feeding your dog only the new food. Gradually switching foods gives the dog’s intestines time to adjust and avoid diarrhea resulting from the change.

5. If you are punishing your dog during housetraining or punishing him for defecating in the house, he may react be eating his own feces. This is one of many reasons not to use punishment during housetraining or after a dog defecates in the house. Some dogs develop a mental connection that they will be punished if their humans find them in the same room with feces.

6. Boredom can cause dogs to do all sorts of things. If your dog is not socializing enough or you are not exercising him sufficiently, he may end up eating his own feces. If you are leaving your dog alone for long periods of time, you may want to purchase some toys in order to keep him amused. Toys that have treats inside them (for the dog to get out) can help with lots of boredom-based problems.

Miracle Cures That Usually Don’t Work

Eating feces is not healthy for your dog. The first thing you need to do to help overcome this problem is to keep your dog’s area clean of feces. Housetraining and supervising the dog whenever he is in the designated relief area is required.

Until a dog is fully housetrained and the feces-eating habit has died out, picking up after each bowel movement is important. After your dog develops proper habits, you may be able to pick up just once a day if you have a private place for the dog to use.

Some people swear that mixing food additives or meat tenderizers in a dog’s food can cure the habit. Their theory is that the additive provides a nutrient that the dog is craving. Another theory is that the additive makes the feces taste bad.

Before you try adding any of these substances to your dog’s food, consult your veterinarian. Some additives may not be safe for your particular dog. Also, don’t expect any additive to be a miracle cure. These things tend to work for the occasional dog, but chances are pretty slim that they will work for your dog.

Behavior Training - The Cure

If a medical or nutritional problem is not found, your dog may need behavior modification. Behavior modification takes time and you shouldn’t expect to cure the problem after just a few sessions.

Each time your dog goes out to potty, you need to have him by your side, attached to a collar and leash. If your dog is large and you cannot control him well, he needs to be fitted with some type of head halter.

Each time you take your dog out, he needs to be on the leash and collar. As soon as his poop hits the ground and he shows interest in it, call the dog to you. Don’t use the leash to jerk the dog, but simply to keep him from being able to reach the feces. Keep the treats that you have out of his sight.

Reward and Praise Your Dog

The instant the dog reaches you, praise him, whip out a treat that he likes and give it to him. Back away from the dog, praise him and give him another treat for coming to you. Repeat this process for a total of three to five times. At this point, you will have taken the dog’s mind off the feces.

When you first begin, put the dog inside while cleaning up the feces. Once you have good control and a good rapport with your dog, you can go ahead and clean up while the dog is still outside. As you repeat this process of rewarding him with a treat, you can increase the length of the leash. Eventually you can replace the leash with a long line and give him the reward at your back door. Once you feel that your dog is responding well, remove the line and reward him when he comes to the door. Keep up the same energy and level of the reward if you want your dog to keep responding.

Solving Behavior Problems

As with any behavior problem, it is best to begin intervention as soon as you notice the problem. The less time that the habit has persisted, the less time you need for correction and the more easily the problem fades.

If a friend or a family member’s dog has a behavior problem, let them know that punishment cannot solve it. Punishment is detrimental to the dog’s trust in people and to the family’s relationship with their pet.

One of the best ways to strengthen the bond between you and your cat is to play games together. When you play with your cat, you become the most interesting object in his or her life. Not only is playtime fun for your cat, it’s also a great way to get your cat to exercise, both mentally and physically.

Following are six games you can play with your cat. Not every feline will want to play every game on this list, but certainly there are at least a few games here that you and your cat will enjoy. While most of them require objects you may have around the house, there are also a number of toys available that provide the same fun. The key is to actually play with your cat in order to create a fun and lasting relationship with your cat while also keeping them trim and healthy.

Paw Hockey - Play this game in a room with hardwood, tile, or linoleum floors that has at least 10 square feet of free floor space. Break off an eight-inch square of aluminum foil and scrunch it up into a hockey puck shape. (Please remember that foil balls should always be thrown away at the end of the game. They are fine for games, but are not safe for unsupervised play.) Show your cat the puck and then flick it with your fingers so that it goes skittering across the floor. Your cat will then chase after the puck, batting it with his paws and making it scoot from one end of the room to the other. If your cat starts to lose interest in the game, pick up the puck and give it another flick.

Staircase Dash - With your cat at the top of the stairs and you at the bottom, fling a ping pong ball to the top of the staircase, against the side wall, one or two steps in front of where your cat is sitting. The ball bounces down the stairs and your cat should race down the stairs chasing after it. When the ball reaches the bottom of the stairs, probably with your cat just a step behind, fling the ball back up to the top of the staircase. Keep tossing the ball up the steps until your cat gets tired.

Bathtub Scurry - Put a ping pong ball in a clean, dry bathtub. Remove the bottles of shampoo and bars of soap and plug the drain so the ping pong ball doesn’t get lodged there. Put your cat in the bathtub, show him the ping pong ball, and bounce the ball off the side of the bathtub. As the ball bounces around, your cat should chase after it. If the ball starts to slow down, give it a good roll off the side to get it moving again and to keep up your cat’s interest.

Chase the Thing on the String - Get an aluminum foil ball, hollow plastic Whiffle ball, or catnip mouse and tie it to a three-foot piece of twine or heavy string. Pull the string along the floor in front of you, over the cat furniture, or up and down your staircase and let your cat chase after the object. Be sure to allow your cat to capture the object every once in awhile so he/she can feel like a successful predator.

Shadows on the Wall - Turn off the lights in the evening and shine a flashlight on a nearby wall. Dangle bouncy cat toys or other small objects in the light and move them back and forth so their shadows race up and down the wall. Your cat should leap up at the wall trying to catch the elusive prey.