My Pet World: If you have pets, don't bring lilies into your home
Dear Liz,
I can't find any scientific proof on this, but information all over the internet says a male dog can smell a female dog in heat from a mile away or more. Regardless of the distance, unneutered male dogs most definitely know when nearby neighborhood female dogs are in heat and will absolutely want to leave their homes and yards and refuse to answer to their names in order to track them down. As you now know, neutering a dog doesn't change his personality, but it does make him more content to stay in his yard or home. (I always say, if you want your dog to protect your home, neuter him because he is content staying at home.)
As for marking their territory, neutering dogs doesn't stop them from lifting their legs. But I do think if it's done early, it might reduce it. I have had four male dogs through the years and the only dog who lifted his leg to urinate and mark territory was the dog that had not been fixed until I adopted him at five years old. The other dogs, who had been fixed prior to four months old, lifted their legs to mark territory, but not to urinate in the yard.
Having said that, lifting legs to mark territory is a normal behavior for any dog regardless of whether they are neutered or not. I think some dogs are simply more inclined to do it than other dogs.
Dear Cathy,
Great column on rabbits. I'm glad you suggested adoption. I also would like to suggest fostering a rabbit. My local SPCA needs foster families for rabbits as well as dogs and cats. -- Marcee S., Las Vegas, NV
Dear Marcee,
That's a great suggestion. There are all sorts of rescue groups and animal shelters that might want foster families to care for their abandoned rabbits until they find a forever home. Be a rabbit foster parent. This would be a great way to decide if a rabbit is right for your family.
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(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)
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