It’s proven: adopt a dog or a cat and you’ll have lower blood pressure, fewer headaches, a stronger heart, more friends and less stress. But all that health and happiness is shot if your pet drains your bank account. Care can be expensive.

In the list of cutest things on Earth, puppies have wriggled their way to the top. With their little pink bellies, too-big paws and shaky legs, they’re pretty darned hard to resist. But insiders know that puppies are W-O-R-K.

As we all know, pets are creatures of infinite powers and depth. One need only gaze into the eyes of a dog or feel the steadying rhythm of a cat’s purr against their chest to know that.

Pets can be so stuck up. Well, OK, maybe stuck up isn’t the right phrase. But you know what I’m talking about. When it comes to giving there is no creature more generous than our pets.

Anyone who’s ever hurried into a room only to wonder, “Why did I come in here?” or who’s ever been serenaded by knees that crackle like a campfire, can tell you that getting old isn’t easy. Well, the same is true for our cats and dogs, only faster … much faster.

When the adventurous and creative, not to mention the culinary, have gone mainstream, it’s given us numerous things to do with our dogs, things that range from sporty to shapely to fun and everything in between.

In this episode of Petsguide, in this time of our country and economy, we thought it a good idea to get back to basics. How to wash a dog. How to brush their teeth. How to take care of this and that.

Before you and your family go on your merrymaking way, remember that yuletide celebrations bring with them potential hazards to your pet. Luckily, you won’t have to worry as long as you keep the following tips in mind.

The growing pet industry, along with its luxury and holistic product niches, is an indication of how much we dote on our furry children. Pet expert Arden Moore has a friendly reminder for pet parents who love to spoil.

It seemed only natural that Drew Grendell’s Eagle Scout project would lead him back to German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County. After all, his family already has several ties with the rescue group. What did the 17-year-old give back? A good night’s sleep for the rescue’s resident adoptees.

The cajoling, the firm commands to “Sit!” and the toy-waggling – anything to make your pet hold that pose while you maneuver your camera to capture the perfect shot! If you’re a pet owner, you know how challenging it can be to get a beloved pet to sit still when their mind is on anything but obliging you. We got some tips for the photographically inclined from Chicago-based photographer David Sutton, the creative mind behind the annual Dog Days calendar.

Oh, the places you and your dog can go! Tired of the same ol’ trail, or looking to get away for the afternoon? Put away that map and try ours! We’re sharing one of our favorite finds with you yet – Southern California’s dog-friendliest beaches, parks and trails. Perfect for these dog days of summer and great year-round, the Petsguide Dog-Friendly Map also includes must-know details such as hours, leash rules, hiking levels for man and pooch, and more.

This weekend, paws and feet will pound pavement for a good (and very human) cause – Paws For Cause’s 2nd Annual 5K, 5K Dog Run/Walk and 1K Kids Fun Run. The event will benefit His Chaplain For You, one of the nonprofit’s programs providing emotional and spiritual support for people undergoing hardship and personal tragedies, from abuse and addiction, to illness, disaster survival and even death.

When you get down to it, what’s the point of travel if you can’t share the experience with someone special? More and more people have decided they’d like to share their travel experiences with their pet.

There’s no need to fret – not when the new Summer/Fall 2009 Petsguide is here! This issue is devoted to travel, be it by car or plane. We talked with pet experts to find what it takes to prepare pets for a trip, and even how to find a good pet-sitter match should Fido or Fifi stay home while you are gone. You’ll also find tips throughout the magazine, from helpful travel accessories to must-know information you should have on hand once you leave the door.

Spring is here! As we embark on springtime projects – gardening, cleaning, you name it! – we have to remember to safeguard our pets against plants that are benign to humans, but potentially dangerous to animals.

April, coincidentally, is National Pet First-Aid Awareness Month. In the spirit of keeping our furry, four-legged pals happy and safe to enjoy spring, here are some helpful factoids to keep in mind, courtesy of the ASPCA:

Pet obesity, especially among dogs and cats, has been steadily paralleling human obesity. Veterinarians and animal health experts said human behavior and lifestyles are partly responsible for fat cats and pudgy pooches ? they most likely eat how their owners eat, and exercise as much as their owners exercise. In the United States, more than 44 percent of dogs and 57 percent of cats are either overweight or obese, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.

The pet food industry is vast, but one segment of its market has seen tremendous growth in the last few years: high-end, premium products. Several factors have helped propel this particular segment to the fore, from competition within the market, to the disposable income. Perhaps the strongest driving force is the anthropomorphism of pets ? that they are now, more than ever, considered as family members. Why shouldn’t they dine as such?

March 1: How awesome is your family pet?

Kids between the ages of 5 and 12 are encouraged to enter their pets ? furry, feathery or scaly ? in San Juan Capistrano’s Kid’s Pet Parade, one of the city’s annual festivities. There are several categories, and one lucky pair will have the chance to strut their stuff at the Swallows Day Parade!

When we asked six pet food industry experts to give us the inside scoop on pet food, they told us everything we ever wanted to know (and some things we didn’t!).

More than 500 pups and their people participated in a 3K walk around the Shoreline Village Lighthouse Peninsula in Long Beach on November 17 as part of Veterinary Pet Insurance’s second annual K9K Walk for Pet Cancer.

In order to help pet owners free themselves and their pets of negative behaviors?or avoid them altogether?we asked seven professional animal trainers what they think are some of the most important things pet owners should know about their pets. The results? Six simple steps that can help promote the perfect pet-human relationship (no matter what degree of perfection you?re after).