Dognapped!
It's never a good idea to leave your dog tied to a tree or a pole while you run into the cafe for a cup of coffee. Neither is it wise to leave your dog in the car while you run an errand. Many pooches have gotten stolen from locked cars. A thief who wants your dog wont hesitate to smash your car window in broad daylight and steal your pet. It's a common problem.

Though there is no designated tracking system in place, experts say dognapping is on the rise, with a smattering of cases reported from New York to California. A 2-pound teacup Yorkshire terrier was snatched from a doggie day care in Manhattan in mid-April. In November, a 12-pound Norwich terrier was swiped from her owner's car parked near the Newberry Library in Chicago. Perhaps the most brazen puppy heist occurred in Los Angeles in February when two men held a family at gunpoint and chased a litter of scampering Yorkshire terriers around the room before stuffing the dogs into a black trash bag.

Dognappings of pint-sized pooches have gone up because of the price tag that people are willing to pay for them.Toy dogs such as teacup Yorkshire terriers and tiny Chihuahuas are easy targets for thieves. Because of their diminutive size, they are easy to snatch up and tuck under a jacket. Thieves steal the dogs and most likely resell them.

Dognappings have created a brisk business for pet detectives. The trend has spurred rewards as high as $5,000, and prompted pet shops to install sophisticated, high-end security systems. Though crimes are still isolated, the police are taking the reports seriously. Experts say the low birthrates among toy dogs have spurred high prices, long waiting lists and now theft.

Pet Tips
Houseplants: To keep cats from digging in your houseplants, put decorative rocks on top of the dirt.

Pet Hair: A simple and inexpensive way to remove pet hair from your furniture cushions, bedspread, etc., is to take a damp washcloth or sponge and rub it over the surface. The cat hair (or dog hair) will ball up and is easy to collect with the rag or sponge.

Ants: To keep ants out fo your pet's food dish, set the dish in a pan of water (such as a cake pan). The pan of water will act as a moat to keep the ants out.

An Informative Read
"Living with Kids and Dogs Without Losing Your Mind" by author Colleen Pelar is available through Amazon.com or your local bookstore. This book provides busy parents with simple, realistic advice to help ensure that the relationship between their kids and their dog is safe and enjoyable for all. You will learn how to manage interactions with your dog through each stage of your child's life from infancy through the teen years, recognize canine stress signals and know when your dog is getting worried about normal kid activity, identify serious behavior problems before someone gets hurt, and much more.

"Max the Shelter Dog" by Nicole Rivera
Max is a misunderstood, playful, and energetic pit bull placed in a shelter by his owners. Will he find a loving home in time? Find out as you read about his heroic journey as a shelter dog. Please visit the author's website to purchase or read more about this heartwarming novel. (Author donates a portion of the proceeds to charities and shelters that help the plight of the American Pit Bull Terrier & American Staffordshire Terrier, as well as other animals in need.)

Most Friendly U.S. Dog Destinations
A popular dog travel website has announced its 2007 list of the Top 10 dog-friendly vacation destination cities in North America. DogFriendly.com compiles this list annually for people who want to take their dogs with them on holiday.

1. Boston -- Take a boat or whale watching cruise. Walk the Freedom Trail, visit Salem and explore history at Minute Man  Park. Your leashed dog is also welcome on the subway.

2. Vancouver -- Walk the Capilano Suspension Bridge and park. Take a walking tour of Historic Gastown. Take the ferry and visit nearby Victoria and beautiful Butchart Gardens.

3. New York -- Stay in luxury at many fine hotels. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge. Take a walking tour of lower Manhattan. Ride the carriages. Watch a morning show. Shop in famous stores.

4. San Francisco -- Luxurious hotels, outdoor dining, the Golden Gate Bridge, Baker Beach and many off-leash areas. Ride the cable car to the Fisherman's Wharf area and stroll with your dog.

5. Austin -- Visit Zilker Botanical Gardens, catch a horse and carriage ride, dine in outdoor cafes. See the bats leave the Congress St. Bridge at dusk. Use the city's many parks.

6. Portland -- Enjoy over 20 off-leash areas, an amusement park and the famous Rose Gardens. Dine at the Lucky Lab. Visit the Saturday Outdoor Market and hike in the Colombia River Gorge.

7. Northern Virginia -- Dine or enjoy happy hour in dog-friendly Alexandria. Take the Canine Cruise on the Potomac. Visit outdoor monuments in Washington and Virginia.

8. Orlando -- Stay at resorts such as the Portofino Bay and Sheraton World. Take a boat cruise, shop Winter Park, and dine at Sam Snead's where Jeb Bush signed the doggy dining law.

9. San Diego -- Off-leash dog beaches. Stay at Loews Coronado Resort. Shop at dog-friendly Otay Ranch Shopping Center complete with a dog park. Dine outdoors. Visit nearby Julian.

10. Dallas/Fort Worth -- Ride a carriage, visit Pioneer Plaza, take a walking tour. Visit Fort Woof dog park and the Stockyard in Fort Worth. Dine on Texas BBQ at outdoor restaurants.

Honorable Mentions: Chicago, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Salt Lake, Seattle. For more details on these places, including more information about the rankings, please visit http://www.dogfriendly.com/top10.