Next in line: Uga VII

The new Georgia mascot, Uga VII, will be introduced to fans tomorrow during the Bulldogs' first game of the season against Georgia Southern.

The almost-57-lb. canine succeeds his daddy, Uga VI, who passed away in June.

Read more of the story here.

Traveling with Kitty

Happy Friday, everyone!

Since today we're kicking off Labor Day weekend, I thought I'd post something for those traveling out of town - with your cat.

About.com has some great tips for you road warriors - human and feline. In fact, a number of those tips are applicable to other four-legged pets.

Read about them here.

Have a great weekend!

Pet tricks

Here's a video of my little creature CeCe doing tricks. They're pretty basic but still an accomplishment!

Next I'm going to teach her how to fetch.

Does your pet have what it takes to be on Pet Star? What cool tricks can he or she do? E-mail me (videos are welcome!) at ahernandez@ledger-enquirer.com.

Pet of the Week: Tabitha!

The Pet of the Week this Wednesday is Tabitha, a three-month-old Shih Tzu from Phenix City, Ala.
















Here's a description from proud mother Bobbie Miller:

"Hello, attached is a photo of my precious puppy name Tabitha — we call her Tabby for short. She is a three-month-old Shih Tzu and has brought a lot joy to us. She loves to play in her pool when we go outside. I also have a cat who I have had since 1999 and they love playing together. I hope you enjoy my pets as much as I do. Thanks."

Here's a pic with Fidget, Bobbie's 10-year-old cat:
















Congratulations, Tabby!

Part-aaaay

Thank you to Shannon Hustick from Midland, Ga., who sent in this cute picture of her dog, Sanford.














Sanford (English Bulldog on the left) celebrated his 10th birthday with friends and relatives on Sunday, Aug. 17. Parents Shannon and Jeff threw the party, which was held at his Mee Mee and K-Daddy's house in Midland. Here's Shannon's description of how it went:

"The six dogs and 10 humans were treated to hot dogs, cake and ice cream. Each dog got a treat bag with tennis balls and Bacon Strips. The party even had two party crashers — two neighborhood dogs!"

Adorable!

Poor pups

About 1,000 dogs were seized from a West Virginia kennel over the weekend.

According to this Associated Press story here, authorities said the dogs were never let out of their cages and hardly touched by humans.

The Humane Society of the United States videotaped their findings. Check it out here.

Poor pups. =(

Potty-training for kitties

Has anyone watched that movie "Meet the Fockers" with Ben Stiller? In the movie, the family cat, Mr. Jinx, is able to use the toilet and flush. Mr. Jinx also ends up flushing the family dog, Moses, down the toilet.

I thought this was an anomaly, but I hear that some people actually train their cats to use the toilet instead of the litterbox.

Bad idea?

Pam Johnson-Bennett thinks so. She's an author and animal behavioral consultant. I came across her Yahoo blog post today, in which she cites several reasons why it's a no-no.

Yeah, I think it'd be pretty traumatic to fall into a toilet.

Read Pam's blog post here.

Happy Monday!

Happy Monday!

Just wanted to let everyone know how HAPPY it makes me to see such a great response to this pet blog. I've gotten a bunch of e-mails and phone calls regarding potential blog posts/story ideas/pet pix/etc. and I'm working hard to respond to everyone. Keep 'em coming!

This past weekend I visited some animals at the Muscogee County Humane Society and PetSmart. So many cuties! Sweet, too. It makes me very sad to see some of the reasons why animals were turned in...one Hound, I read, was given up because the family could no longer afford her. A tiny Chihuahua once belonged to a lady in a nursing home - she couldn't take care of her anymore.

When I first contemplated getting a pet, someone told me not to go to the shelter to get one. He said I wouldn't know the background or personality of the pet and that it would be hard to train.

Good thing I didn't listen!

Check out more pets available for adoption in our area.

Dieting doggies

I was on Animal Planet's Web site (http://animal.discovery.com) today, and I noticed a pretty interesting casting call for a new show:

Shape Up with Your Dog!

You eat drive-thru for breakfast, pizza for lunch and takeout for dinner. The last time you exercised, acid wash jeans were in style. You get winded just walking to the coffee shop down the street. Does this sound like you and your dog?

Animal Planet is looking for dogs and their owners willing to trade in unhealthy habits for a whole new lifestyle. We want people who seriously want to fight their fat and get in shape. If you and your pup are looking to take the plunge together to get on track to a happy, healthy lifestyle, ­tell us your story! How did you lose the battle of the bulge? Why are you and your pup both packing a few extra pounds? Why do you want to lose this weight...why now?

If you and your dog are interested in being featured on the show, send your story and a picture of you and your canine companion to ydif_banyan@banyan.com by Wednesday, August 27th. Good luck!

I like watching makeover/life change-type of reality shows. I'll most likely be tuning in for this one.

This show brings up an important issue. Do you think it's a pet owner's responsibility to watch their animal's weight? If it's their pet, should pet owners be able to feed them pizza/burgers/steak/whatever they feel like? What does a pet's weight say about its owner (if anything?)

Oh, and for those who are considering submitting for the show, hop to it! You have five more days.

Coming home

I love all kinds of pups - purebred or mutt - but I've always had a soft spot for rescue dogs. If I could, I would totally bring one home every time Petco or PetSmart holds shelter adoption events. Meaning, every weekend.

Something tells me my apartment complex's management wouldn't like that idea.

I guess this would be a good time to explain how CeCe came to me. I've never owned a dog before her, even though as I child, I would ask for one (a Golden Retriever) every Christmas. My parents would tell me we couldn't have one because they were allergic.

(By the way, they're not allergic.)

I moved to Columbus two years ago and was determined to get a dog of my own. I wrote up a list of things I wanted in the dog: adult, male (so I could name him Boochie Boy), short-haired, laid-back temperament, one that hardly barked, preferably a dachshund mix or Jack Russell terrier mix.

I headed to the Muscogee County Humane Society on Feb. 3, 2007 to bring home just that. When I arrived, I looked through the cages and no dog really "spoke" to me. I started talking to a staffer about what I wanted. She disappeared for a bit and came back to put a tiny black and white creature in my arms.

She weighed about eight pounds - definitely malnourished - and couldn't stop shaking. Her "shelter name" was Cloe, a four-month-old Boston terrier/rat terrier mix. The shelter had no prior history on her. She curled up in my arms and licked my neck.

I took her home that day.

It took a lot of getting used to. CeCe would shake all the time. She wouldn't play with any toys. She would screech (seriously, screech) when I put her on a leash. She wanted me to carry her where ever we went.

It's been about a year and a half since we found each other. And CeCe - at a healthy 19 pounds - has definitely broken out of her shell. She loves giving dog kisses and running around in circles. She likes playing with other dogs (even if they don't like playing with her.) She walks fine on a leash, although she does pull a lot. And she doesn't shake anymore (unless the dishwasher is on...weird.)

Even though CeCe didn't fit my initial criteria, I'm convinced she was meant to come home with me that day.

Calling all pet stars!

Tomorrow (Thursday 8/21) the paper will be running a little blurb about this blog. The most important part about it is that CeCe's photo is running with it. Hehe.

Anyway, just wanted to post a call-out here to everyone who thinks their pet is super-cute. I am going to start doing a "Pet of the Week" feature here, probably every Wednesday. Send your pics to ahernandez@ledger-enquirer.com with a short description about your pet (breed, age, favorite activities, where he/she lives, where he/she came from, etc.) Oh, and don't forget to mention owner names as well!

I am really excited about this blog, but of course, I can't do it without YOU! So if you own/work at/are a total advocate for any local veterinarian office, kennel, pet business, pet organization, etc., please get in touch! I want to know what's going on at your pet-friendly place so I can let everyone else know.

So...e-mail me! Andrea Hernandez - ahernandez@ledger-enquirer.com

So stank

Here's a story I found about an unusual kind of pet:

Stinky pets? Domesticated skunks find love

This part surprised me: "Over the years, the couple would see skunks in pet stores but they were always already spoken for."

Really?!

Where are these stores? And who buys these animals as pets?

I think a Chinatown turtle is the most "exotic" I'd get.

Recession-proof pets?

The Goodlife Recipe brand released a survey today that showed even during tough economic times, 1 out of 4 people agreed they wouldn't cut anything out of their pet budget.

Other highlights:

- Half of those surveyed said they wouldn't reduce spending on vet visits.

- 4 out of 5 said skimping on pet food wouldn't be the first pet cost cut.

- As for the holiday season, 2 out of 3 said they will spend between $25 and $100 for pet gifts this year.

Read more of the findings here.

Count me in for the group that won't skimp on vet visits or pet food. Clearly those are necessities.

But I will admit I've been spending less on special treats and clothes for CeCe.

Oh well. CeCe has no problem being nude.

What about you? Is your pet still living large while you've cut your own budget? If you've reduced spending on your pet, what were some of the first things to go?

Animal lovers, welcome!

Welcome to Girl's Best Friend, the Ledger-Enquirer's official blog for Columbus pet owners! This blog was created for animal lovers, by an animal lover. It's a place to connect, share stories, ask questions and just enjoy. This blog also gives me a chance to let you know what pet-friendly events and activities are going on in the area.

Oh, and owners of all kinds of animals are welcome - furry, feathered, scaly, whatever.

A little about me...I'm Andrea Hernandez, staff reporter at the Ledger-Enquirer. I report business news (Aflac, small business and health care are my beats) for the newspaper. I'm also a "mom" to CeCe Marie Hernandez. She's an almost-two-year-old Boston Terrier/Rat Terrier mix, who came to me from the Muscogee County Humane Society on Feb. 3, 2007. She likes running leash-less, eating yogurt and Milkbone treats, watching Animal Planet (especially the shows "It's Me or the Dog" and "Animal Cops") and meeting people and other creatures. Here is a pic: