My cat brother Kyle has started peeing outside the box At first they thought it was me doing it but then they caught him in the act. Nothing has really changed around here so we don’t think it’s stress of any kind. Today they’re taking him to the vet to get tested for a urinary tract infection. If it’s a UTI will he go back to using the box after it’s cleared up? If it’s not a UTI then what could it be and how hard will it be to train him back? I sure hope Kyle’s okay and that we can get things back to normal around here. Any ideas, insights or words of encouragement are welcome.

See also: How to take awesome pictures of your pets

A very informative Marketplace episode on what goes on behind the scenes at pet stores that sell dogs. Of course, I recommend checking Petfinder.com FIRST, since that’s how I found my sweet Ruby. There are so many amazing pets available for adoption. Many of them are pure breeds that were given up by their previous owners for reasons not pertaining to the dog or its behaviour. I cannot believe anyone would have given up my sweet Ruby, she’s the perfect dog! And it’s sad to think that there is a chance that some of them will be put down if they can’t find a home. So please, consider adopting instead of buying. Watch the entire episode online.

Veterinary Pet Insurance recently analyzed its database of more than 466,000 insured pets to find the most popular dog and cat names of 2008. For both dogs and cats, Max was the most popular name in 2008. VPI’s data indicates that there is a trend toward people names such as Max over more traditional pet names such as Fido. Some of the most popular dog and cat names also rank among the Social Security Administration’s most popular baby names. I am guilty as charged!

Here’s the list:

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As anyone with a Boston Terrier knows, plush toys are generally out of the question… unless you have money to burn and/or don’t mind constantly vacuuming up stuffing.

I stopped by Bark & Fitz to pick up a little something for Rubes for her birthday, naturally, and owner Gary recommended a Puppy Tough Ball. I told him I wasn’t so sure, and that Ruby would go straight for the eyes, but he mentioned the Chew Guard Technology, a super tough, durable liner, plus reinforced seams. I got the pig. I had high hopes.

Here is the result after approximately 10 minutes:

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