ASK A DESIGNER: Stylish decor and pets can coexist

“It’s gotten easier to have a house full of pets without sacrificing the home decor you want.

Interior designer Vern Yip, a judge on HGTV’s “Design Star” and a dog person, says new technology has led to a variety of stylish AND pet-friendly home-furnishing options.”
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Want to buy happiness? Splurge on these 5 things

“If I ever have trouble sleeping at night, I close my eyes and think of Clash, my dog who was named after the rock band.

Giving him a home was the best decision my family ever made. He had the proud, handsome face of a Jack Russell with the wobbly behind of a Dachshund. He only ever wanted to chase a tennis ball. He swallowed the ball, and it cost hundreds of dollars to have it removed. But he was worth every dollar”
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How owning a dog could improve your health

“Nearly everybody will smile when they’re petting a dog. If the dog happens to plant a big kiss right on your hands or face, you will probably laugh and giggle, even while pushing the dog away. Did you know that dogs can bring more than a smile to your face, though? Science shows that they actually improve your health.”
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Pet Talk: A cat’s eye view — facts about felines

“Cat food was invented by an Ohio electrician named James Spratt (who also invented dog food). An 1876 advertisement for ‘Spratt’s Patent Cat Food’ promised the product ‘keeps cats in perfect health.’ Before that era, cats were expected to provide their own food, such as mice, birds and rats, or sometimes given boiled horseflesh.”
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Why do cats purr?
These comforting sounds are good for them and for us, too.

“It’s easy to assume that cats purr because they’re happy. After all, when your kitty contentedly curls up in your lap for some well-deserved scratches and rubs, she’s obviously one happy feline.

However, cats also purr when they’re frightened or feel threatened, such as during a visit to the vet.”
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13 of the world’s most gentle dog breeds

“Some dog breeds are spastic, while others are incredibly calm. Some breeds have reputations for playfulness, while more athletic types work on farms bossing around sheep or find their calling doing police work.”
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‘Mysterious power over humanity’: How cats affect health

“In ‘The Lion in the Living Room: How Cats Tamed Us and Took Over the World,’ journalist Abigail Tucker traces cats’ journey from fearsome Near Eastern predator to global intruder, shedding light on how this baby-sized beast worked its way into so many homes.”
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