ABQjournal: Pets

See Fetch! every Friday in your Albuquerque Journal

Albuquerque veterinarian Jeff Nichol answers readers' pet-care questions.

Search for other columns by Dr. Jeff Nichol.

Visit his website at www.drjeffnichol.com

Want a new best friend? Check the classifieds

Top Albuquerque Journal
ads for 02/09/2010

AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD pups DOB 12/10/09 AKC/ASCA reg. blk tri & merles, 2 females $500ea, 2 males $400ea. 869-7137 or 261-9323 lv msg... #9030401CK

AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD pups DOB 12/10/09 AKC/ASCA reg. blk tri & merles, 2 females $500ea, 2 males $400ea. 869-7137 or 261-9323 lv msg... #9030401CK

AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD small Free to approved home only. Blue Merle Female approx. 18months. Call (505) 281-1510

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More Pets for Sale

LOST A PET?
Top Albuquerque Journal
ads for 02/09/2010

FOUND DOG On 66, west of Moriarty, small Poodle-y, adult neutered male. Friendly. (505) 577-1123.

FOUND dog, Black Lab X, Isleta & Rio Bravo area Friday afternoon on 2/5. Please call (505) 275-6623 or 379-1958 to claim identify.

FOUND DOG, Chihuahua male, light green collar, friendly, found by Chama Park. Please call to identify. (505) 712-0335 after 3pm.

FOUND dog, small female, Toy Terrier/Chihuahua mix, Stonebridge Subdivision. Call (505) 898-0551 to claim.

FOUND Dog. Black and white Dachshund mix near Chelwood and Indian School on 1/29/10. Call 228-6129.

FOUND female boxer puppy, around area of 54th St. Call 898-8874

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Check the Classified Ads for More Lost and Found Pets

Looking for a lost pet or need a companion?
Check out the City of ABQ's missing & adoptable pet page

JOURNAL STORY: City Councilor Mayer's Overhaul of ABQ's Animal Ordinance in the Works aug. 11, 2005

JOURNAL STORY: Exotic Cats Combine Look of Wild with Domesticated Disposition may 18, 2005 [+] Click for Bengal Leopard Cat slideshow

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This Month's Local Cute Pets

To view pet photos chronologically or to e-mail a pet photo, use this slideshow.

Spaying has cat running scared
Q: I had my cat spayed a month ago. Ever since the surgery she acts like I'm the enemy. She runs away every time she sees me and barely allows me to pet her. Will she ever love me again? She is still allowing her kittens to suckle after we had her fixed.   (Friday, February 05, 2010)

Pet Party!
As soon as the Animal Humane sign went up three weeks ago, before the kennels and condos were put in, before the long reception desk was completed, people passing by on the 9100 block of Montgomery NE would stop, park and come to the door.   (Friday, February 05, 2010)

Older cat a bit stiff in joints
Q: My cat is 18 years old and generally healthy. But he has stiff joints and seems to be in pain sometimes, mostly in the mornings. Is there a pain reliever I can give him? Baby aspirin?   (Friday, January 29, 2010)

Life is harder for outdoor cats
Cats, the charming contrarians. Hate change, love novelty. Aloof, affectionate. Graceful yet goofy.   (Friday, January 29, 2010)

Smaller dogs do make for good pets
Q: A couple of weeks ago there was an article in the Journal about all the "negatives" of adopting "very small" dogs because of their teeth and other health problems. I've been thinking about adopting a small one but this article has put me on hold. I like Chihuahuas and Shih Tzus.   (Friday, January 22, 2010)

Hamsters and the like find safe haven
Cindy Cribbs' sunroom is populated by a teddy bear hamster, a golden Syrian hamster, a sable short-haired Syrian hamster, three dwarf hamsters, two Roborovski hamsters, three guinea pigs, two gerbils, three mice, three regular rats and one naked one, and a basketful of flashlights.   (Friday, January 22, 2010)

New animal welfare chief faces tall task
Animals at a glance n Euthanization of dogs dropped about 7 percent in 2009, compared with 2008. n Euthanization of domestic cats increased about one half of 1 percent in 2009. However, adoptions were up. n Visit cabq.gov/pets to learn how to volunteer. Foster parents and other volunteers are needed. n Call 311 for information on the spay-neuter program for pets of low-income families. n To contribute to spay-neuter efforts, the public can make a donation to Kennel Kompadres, 139 Palacio, Corrales, NM, 87048. Write “sterilization” on the check. Source: City of Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department   (Friday, January 15, 2010)

Shih Tzu has lost best pal in world
Q: We have lost a very important member of our family. Virgil, our Rhodesian ridgeback, and the most kindhearted dog in the world. Our remaining dog is very depressed and sad. They were so close and the best friends. I am so sad for our loss, but for his too. He is a Shih Tzu, and has a slight separation anxiety problem. He did pretty well when Virgil was with him.   (Friday, January 15, 2010)

Shih Tzu has lost best pal in world
Q: We have lost a very important member of our family. Virgil, our Rhodesian ridgeback, and the most kindhearted dog in the world. Our remaining dog is very depressed and sad. They were so close and the best friends. I am so sad for our loss, but for his too. He is a Shih Tzu, and has a slight separation anxiety problem. He did pretty well when Virgil was with him.   (Friday, January 15, 2010)

Humans, animals do share diseases
Q: When the Europeans came to America, they brought diseases that we as a people only scarcely survived. Because of the Europeans' close association with their animals, they were immune to most of the diseases that we were not. My question: A lot of people kiss and do other questionable things with their animals, the animals kiss and lick other animals' butts and parts; is this how diseases were and still are transmitted to humans?   (Friday, January 08, 2010)

Dog that Chases Its Tail Isn't Amusing (Friday, January 01, 2010)

Getting Excess Pounds Off Your Dog Or Cat Can Prolong Its Life (Friday, January 01, 2010)

Cat poses a risk to dog's one good eye (Friday, December 25, 2009)

Ultimate gift (Friday, December 25, 2009)

Cats eat darndest things (Friday, December 18, 2009)

Small dogs come with large concerns (Friday, December 18, 2009)

Puppy's eating a concern (Friday, December 11, 2009)

Licking a sign of anxiety for dog (Friday, December 04, 2009)

Courthouse dog a comfort to victims (Friday, December 04, 2009)

We can use a bit of Faith (Friday, November 27, 2009)

Las Cruces animal shelter overrun by excess critters (Friday, November 27, 2009)

Exercise, diet best help for old joints (Friday, November 20, 2009)