So the TV Squad blog thinks that giving Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick’s abused dogs airtime is overkill. I couldn’t disagree more.

Many now consider Vick a baddie for abusing his pit bulls and pit mixes and financing dogfighting, but this show would give people an opportunity to see the fruits of his labor.

These dogs are going to have medical problems, psychological problems and social issues.

How does TV Squad figure National Geographic is stooping low to show this? Maybe if more people saw what happens to these dogs more attention would be paid to people like Vick.

We’re always suckers for heartwarming stories about pets & this one definitely fits the bill. Check out this story on the LoHud.com Web site about a woman who adopted a dog, saving it from being euthanized, and Rex returned the favor this morning by alerting his new owner to a house fire.

Less than one month away, more than 2,600 dogs will compete for the title of Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, scheduled for Feb. 11 and 12 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

According to a press release issued by NBC Universal, there will be four new dogs in this year’s competition:

Plott (Hound Group)

Beauceron (Herding Group)

Tibetan Mastiff (Working Group)

Swedish Vallhund (Herding Group)

All images courtesy of the American Kennel Club Web site.

My co-worker directed me to a recently published article on LiveScience.com about the healing power of music.

Now, when I was a teenager my Greyhound, Kasey, thought nothing of laying under the piano bench and howling along as I practiced, though I’m not sure the howling was out of appreciation or desperation.

But the article sites several incidents when a CD of harp music was used to calm animals. I know several animal owners who have used herbal remedies such as Rescue Remedy and Clomicalm to soothe animals during stressful events such as traveling or grooming. But this may be an inexpensive way to stop a stressed out cat from ripping your forearm to shreds when you try to get it into a crate for a vet visit.

If anyone tries this, please let me know how it worked.