More of us live with cats and dogs than ever before: The American Pet Products Association’s 2011–12 survey counts more than 86 million cats and 78 million dogs in U.S. households. In 2004, when the American Animal Hospital Association asked people “Who listens to you best?” 45 percent of people chose their pet, and only 30 percent chose their spouse or partner. The regard’s mutual: 82 percent of respondents said they think of their pet more than once while they’re away at work. A full 93 percent said they were likely to risk their life for their pet; 64 percent expected their pet to come to their rescue. And more than half of the respondents said if they were marooned on a desert island and had to choose one companion, they’d choose their dog over their spouse or romantic partner. So with apologies to all the goldfish, French lop rabbits, parakeets, gerbils, and urban hipster chickens (not to mention all those spouses), we’re focusing on cats and dogs here: how to teach them etiquette, what to feed them, how to play with them, how to travel with them, how to take care of them when they’re sick—and how they can help to heal us.
Kathy Weichert's Beagle Breeding Trains Champions
One beagle is not like any other.
By Jeannette Cooperman
What you should know about teaching Fido
By Jarrett Medlin
A step-by-step guide by age
St. Charles Pet Groomer Stephaney Kemper is the Cat's Meow
Kitties purr for Kemper
By Byron Kerman
Five New Wildcat Breeds Making a Mark: Bengal, Chausie, Kurilian Bobtail, Savannah, and Donskoy
Wildcats strike!
By Stefene Russell
Ways to keep your cat's curiosity alive when you're not there
By Jarrett Medlin
Eight Pet-Tested, Boutique-Recommended Pet Toys
It's playtime!
12 Ways to Get Active with Your Dog
Make a move!
Taking a Dive: Baxter the Dock Diver (Web Exclusive: Extended version)
A Belgian Malinois breaks his own world record
By Jeannette Cooperman
Loosen the Leash Brings Together Adopted Dogs and Incarcerated Teens
Saving grace
By Rosalind Early
Tenth Life Cat Rescue Offers Another Chance for St. Louis' Vulnerable Stray Cats
More than nine lives to live
By Stefene Russell
Pet Laws: Four St. Louis Lawyers' Takes on Rights for Animals
By Jeannette Cooperman
KSDK's Kelly Jackson Helps Seniors' Dobs with My BFF Network
Senior dogs find their champion.
By Jeannette Cooperman
Meals that make sense
By Jeannette Cooperman
In loyal memory
St. Louis Medical Advances for Pets
Some medical advances are going to the dogs
By Jeannette Cooperman
Pet-Friendly Restaurants and Parks in St. Louis
Where to take your furry friends
The Chesire Inn Offers Pampering for Your Pets
Room service
By Jeannette Cooperman
Cramped kennels are a thing of the past.
By Rosalind Early
St. Louis Magazine's Cutest Pet Contest Winners (Web Exclusive: View a gallery of pet contest entries.)
Top dog (and cat)
ADDITIONAL WEB EXCLUSIVES:
• Watch YouTube videos of St. Louis pets.
• View pics of SLM staffers' own animals.
• Watch a behind-the-scenes video from this month's cover shoot.
• View a behind-the-scenes gallery of extra images from this month's cover shoot.
By Jeannette Cooperman, Rosalind Early, Byron Kerman, Jarrett Medlin, and Stefene Russell