Pet Party Line is a column written by Beth Byrd and is featured weekly in The Citizen News, one of our local newspapers.

Favorite Animal Myths

Dogs have been our close companions for at least 12,000 years, cats for 8,000. They warm our feet, guard our homes and love us unconditionally. Now, its about time we “debunk” some of the favorite animals myths that owners mistakenly hold about their pets.

- Think you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Think again. - Kaiser, a ten year old German shepherd was recently adopted. His legs are wobbly but that hasn’t stopped him from learning to sit, come or go to bed on command. His mind is willing and he will do anything to please his new master.

- Neutering makes cats and dogs fat and lazy. Not so. Top vets say that the problem is eating too much! Neutering your pets protects them from medical problems such as testicular and mammary cancers and uterine infections. And laziness? The dogs that routinely protect our borders are neutered. If you want to call them lazy, do it from a few feet back.

- Pets can be spiteful. Wrong. Pets become stressed when left alone and may seek comfort by finding a scent of you in your favorite chair or shoes - anything that smells like you. They may express their stress by chewing or leaving a puddle. It doesn’t mean they are trying to teach you a lesson.

-Dogs “know” when they’re been bad. If your pet has been mischievous and has that guilty “look”- head low; tail tucked- what he is telling you is he knows when you are upset. Dogs live in the moment. Next time - put the trashcan in a safer place! Prevention really works.

Quote of the week: "Dog ownership is like a rainbow. Puppies are the joy at one end. Old dogs are the treasure at the other." - Carolyn Alexander

Reminder - We are getting very low again on the weekly pet food donations at the Bi-Lo bin. Keep us in mind and thanks to the regulars!