NewburyportNews.com, Newburyport, MA

Opinion

February 2, 2012

Show dogs, cats some love

To the editor:

This Valentine's Day, and every day, let's show some love to the ones who love us for better or for worse: our dogs and cats. Here are some ideas:

Take long walks on the beach— or just around the neighborhood. The chance to exercise, breathe fresh air and sniff the hydrants is vital to your dog's well-being.

"Date" your cat: Schedule time to play with, brush and bond with her every day.

Give Kitty a manicure: Trim the tips of her nails instead of putting her through the lifelong trauma of declawing.

Spay or neuter, because humans aren't the only ones feeling frisky. Sterilization protects against many cancers and prevents animals from being born only to end up on the streets or euthanized in shelters.

Commit, already! Promise to make your animals part of the family — never chain or cage them.

For more ways to love your canine or feline Valentine, check out Ingrid E. Newkirk's books "250 Things You Can Do to Make Your Cat Adore You" (available on Amazon.com) and "Let's Have a Dog Party!" (available at www.PETACatalog.com).

Lindsay Pollard-Post

The PETA Foundation

Norfolk, Va.

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