Portraits from the Westminster Dog Show

The Westminster Kennel Club show started Monday morning and, to the owners of the 2,711 pooches set to take part, it's the Super Bowl, World Series and Daytona 500 of dogdom in the United States, one giant bark in the park.

The finale of the Westminster Dog Show is February 17, when one dog will be named Best in Show at Madison Square Garden. Here is a collection of portraits of some of the participants. (AP)

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The Truth About Cats: They're Good for Us

- Cats have gotten a bad health rap, as new research suggests they may be beneficial to human health.

- Cats could even help to lower human risk of cancer.

- Cats may harbor T. gondii, but feline ownership does not predict risk of infection with this parasite.

News headlines over the past few years have linked cat ownership to everything from cancer to craziness, but new studies suggest that cats are actually beneficial to human health, and may even reduce our risk for cancer and other diseases.

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Think You Know America's No. 1 Pet? Read On!

With all the press that goes to the dogs, you might think canines are Americans preferred pet. Actually the number of cats kept as pets edges out the dogs by 86 million to 78 million. That’s according to the American Pet Products Association survey.

In celebration of man’s best "feline," let’s talk about helping your cat stay healthy and happy. Indoor cats thrive on social interaction, predatory play and purr-sonal space.

Social interaction is more than "Kitty" sitting in your lap. With a little human effort, indoor cats can enjoy experiences similar to their outdoor cousins, minus the risk of infectious diseases, injuries or accidents.

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From Poodles to Deerhounds, Dogs Seek Honors at Westminster Kennel Club Show

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Perfectly coifed Standard Poodles and small and sprightly Bichon Frises were among more than 2,700 dogs from 15 countries primping and prancing on Monday at the opening of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

The show, which is in its 139th year, is the second longest continuously running sporting event in the United States, behind the Kentucky Derby horse race.

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Patty Hearst Back in the News With Early Win at Westminster

NEW YORK (AP) — Famed and infamous heiress Patty Hearst was back in the news Monday after a dog she co-owns won its group at the Westminster Kennel Club show.

A shih tzu called Rocket was picked as the top toy dog at Madison Square Garden.

Hearst is the granddaughter of William Randolph Hearst and gained great notoriety in 1974 when she was kidnapped by the radical group the Symbionese Liberation Army. She was seen brandishing a semiautomatic rifle while robbing a California bank, pictured in the group's poster holding a machine gun and later spent almost two years in prison.

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Woman Carrying Baby Kangaroo in a Blanket, Asked to Leave McDonald's Restaurant

Beaver Dam,Wisconsin - A Wisconsin police officer says he's quite certain he's never responded to a call like the one he handled recently at a McDonald's restaurant.

Officer Rich Dahl of Beaver Dam responded to an anonymous complaint about a woman who brought a kangaroo into McDonald's. Dahl said Tuesday the woman had the baby kangaroo wrapped in a blanket and tucked in an infant car seat.

Dahl says when he confronted the woman she explained the kangaroo was a service animal to help her cope with emotional distress and she produced a letter from a doctor.

The officer says the woman was upset at first, but then agreed to leave the restaurant. Dahl says he doesn't know if a kangaroo would qualify as a service animal under the law, but he says he's glad he didn't have to find out.

Living with a House Rabbit

Perhaps you've just adopted your first rabbit, or maybe you already have a rabbit and would like more information to help you understand her better. The House Rabbit Society, a national nonprofit organization, recommends that you keep your rabbit in the house rather than outdoors. Rabbits are intelligent, social animals who need affection, and they can become wonderful companion animals if given a chance to interact with their human families.

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Why Does Your Dog Yawn?

(PETS/DOG BEHAVIOR/PUPPIES) Many pet guardians become concerned with the amount of yawning displayed through their dog or puppy’s habits. Is it possible that dogs are that tired all the time? The Dogtime article below reveals the meaning behind dogs’ yawns, and explains how yawning can actually be a form of communication between you and your pet. — Global Animal

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