ArcaMax

PHILADELPHIA — Beloved nonagenarians Mommy and Abrazzo are parents once again.

Nine more western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises have hatched, the Philadelphia Zoo announced Wednesday. This is the couple’s second clutch, bringing their total number of offspring to 16.

The hatchlings mark a milestone for the 150-year-old institution: ...Read more

Dear Cathy, I adopted a three-year-old longhaired dachshund mix about nine months ago. She came from a rescue after a traumatic start to life. She had been found chained to a tree with puppies and arrived fearful and sick. Over time, she adjusted and became very affectionate, and we even overcame her initial fear of walking and pottying outside....Read more

A Superman HISHE cartoon. The Man of Steel is looking for Krypto but finds he has to battle more than just Lex Luthor this summer.

TAMPA, Fla. -- The first time Tammy freaked out, her human had no idea what was happening.

It was summer, two years ago, afternoon sun streaming through the windows of the dog’s Port Charlotte home.

Suddenly, the happy, waggy Basset Hound started whining, drooling, shaking. She paced around her owner, Jill Powers. She wouldn’t leave her ...Read more

Accused assassin Vance Boelter now faces the possibility of life in state prison alongside a possible federal death sentence after a Hennepin County jury indicted him on premeditated murder and other counts Thursday for allegedly carrying out a politically motivated rampage in June.

A Hennepin County grand jury indicted Boelter Thursday on two ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

Our sweet and intelligent two-year-old Himalayan cat, Felix, is driving my wife around the corner. He follows her everywhere because he’s begging to get more Laxatone as a treat. He is very affectionate to us both and often sleeps in bed with us. He almost always obeys my instructions. However, during the day, he jumps on my ...Read more

Pet owners often rely on meows, barks or tail wags to understand their companions, but animals communicate far more through posture, expression and subtle movements. For cats and dogs alike, body language is the first language — and learning to interpret it can transform the bond between people and their pets.

The Tail Tells the Tale

...Read more

For some, the bond with a pet is instant and unconditional. For others, it comes with watery eyes, sneezes, and a box of tissues. Pet allergies are among the most common allergic conditions in the world, affecting an estimated 10 to 20 percent of the population. Yet despite the discomfort, most people choose to keep their animals. Why? Because ...Read more

In shelters across the United States, behind the clang of metal doors and the shuffle of paws on concrete floors, thousands of dogs and cats wait each day for something they don’t know how to name: a forever home. The journey from kennel to couch is not always short, nor is it simple, but when it happens, the transformation is undeniable. ...Read more

From the battlefield to Broadway, from Instagram feeds to Hollywood backlots, cats and dogs have left paw prints on history and culture in ways both surprising and enduring. Their stories reflect not just the animals themselves, but also the human societies that adored, mythologized and sometimes even depended on them.

Cats with Nine Lives ...Read more

For many pet owners, leaving a cat or dog behind while traveling feels unthinkable. As airlines, hotels and even cruise companies expand their pet-friendly policies, the possibilities for four-legged companions to join in adventures have never been greater. Still, traveling with an animal is more than simply clipping on a leash or buying a ...Read more

For as long as people have kept pets, cats and dogs have carried the reputation of being natural enemies. Children’s books, cartoons and even everyday sayings portray them as locked in constant conflict. Yet anyone who has watched a dog curl up beside a purring cat on a winter evening knows the reality can be far more complicated. Far from ...Read more

The signs of age arrive quietly. A dog that once bounded up the stairs now takes them with caution. A cat that spent nights leaping from bookshelves prefers a warm spot on the floor. As veterinary care improves and pets live longer than ever before, owners are facing a new challenge: how to keep aging cats and dogs comfortable, healthy and part ...Read more

LOS ANGELES -- Pet owners, beware: Flea-borne typhus is on the rise in parts of Southern California.

The good news is there are several common-sense ways to protect your pet and yourself from getting infected.

A flea becomes infected when it bites rats, opossums and stray cats that are carrying the disease. The disease is caused by Rickettsia ...Read more

Dear Cathy,

I enjoy your column each week, but I have never seen my problem mentioned. We have a 16-year-old Schnauzer/Yorkie rescue boy. He is a wonderful dog, but he is getting very old.

A couple of years ago, we started using doggie diapers in the house because he was beginning to experience incontinence. That has helped tremendously. Now ...Read more

As the seasons change, so do the risks facing household pets. From sweltering summer heat to icy winter sidewalks, cats and dogs depend on their owners to anticipate hazards and protect their health. Veterinarians say the key is preparation — and a willingness to adjust routines to keep animals comfortable and safe in any weather.

Summer Heat...Read more