Blog Posts by Purina

ThinkstockSure, it may look cute to have your dog or cat perched on your lap while you cruise down the highway, but common sense should tell you that it just isn't safe to have your pet behind the wheel. Just like us, our pets need to be restrained - for their safety, for yours and for the that of other drivers.

A sudden stop or crash could easily cause injury to an unrestrained pet - or to others in the vehicle. According to pettravelcenter.com, "An unsecured, 25-pound dog in a 40 mph crash becomes a 1,000-pound mass (half a ton) flying uncontrollably inside the vehicle." Unrestrained pets are also more likely to run off after an accident - causing danger to themselves and on-coming traffic.

Additionally, an unrestrained pet can be as distracting to a driver as a cell phone. And in many states, not securing your pet in the car can lead to a ticket and a hefty fine. About half the states have laws against the practice and more are currently reviewing them for possible implementation.

Thinkstock: Labrador retrieverWe all seem to be partial to different kinds of pets: floppy eared dogs, flufftastic cats. And each of these pets has its own personality - some special trait that makes them unique - and irresistible to each of us. All our pets are all, of course, one of a kind, but certain breeds have made quite a reputation for themselves - exhibiting traits that people can't seem to get enough of. So which are the most popular? Is your pet one of them? Let's find out, by taking a look at the top three breeds of dogs and cats - courtesy of the AKC and the Cat Fancier's Association.

Top Dogs

#3 - Yorkshire Terrier. Yorkies are well known for being brave little dogs. They're loyal, clever and full of spunk. And with their itsy bitsy adorableness, it's no wonder people choose them as companions.

#2 - German Shepherd Dog. German Shepherds are fearless and brave, but rarely hostile. This confidence makes them excellent service dogs, and truly loyal family pets.

#1 - Labrador Retriever.

You may have seen one or two on TV, or heard a little bit about them, but how much do you really know about cat shows? How do they work? And what exactly are those judges looking for? Well, let's find out, by taking a quick look at these furry feline contests.

Groups. The International Cat Association recognizes more than 50 breeds of cats, and at their cat shows, these breeds are divided into three groups for judging: Championship Kittens (pedigreed cats 4 to 8 months), Championship Cats (pedigreed cats 8 months and older) and Championship Alters (adult cats that have been fixed). There's also a Household Pet Competition, where non-pedigreed cats get the chance to compete.

Judging. After the cats are divided into their respected groups, they're judged according to breed, division and color/pattern. Color is typically awarded first, with judges selecting the top five competitors of each color group. Out of these color groups, three best of division contenders are selected.

ThinkstockI finally crossed the line. And it had nothing to do with the puppy backpack I bought, or the tiny, Pomeranian-sized camo hoodie and "doggles" I purchased the month before. Or even the fact that I refused to take Ike to Petsmart when he got a heinous haircut that made him look like a gremlin (I couldn't let him be seen in public . . . sad - I know).

The line was crossed - nay, jumped over with absolutely zero regard - when I actually had him pose for puppy portraits. With a professional photographer.

It's official. I am obsessed with my dog.

In my defense, Ike is ridiculously, adorably, daily squee kind of cute. His tail wags have literally stopped traffic. And I have given up counting the times that people have stopped me on the street to ask what kind of dog he is - or find out where they can get one (sorry folks, he's one of a kind).

Ike has melted the hearts of the curmudgeonly and found his way into the laps of "I don't like little dogs" people. I don't know how,

Getty ImagesThe Border Collie mix my aunt and uncle had growing up was always herding - me, my sister, my cousin, my grandparents' lab - even fireworks. Yes, fireworks. Every year during the family's Fourth-of-July celebration, Peewee was there to control the crowd … of sparks and gun powder.

As kids, we thought it was funny and sweet when he would run circles around an erupting fountain or nip at a sparkler. Little did we know that what we thought was play, was actually hysteria and fear over the foreign sights and sounds that were invading his yard, his home, his people. Keeping him leashed was our way to keep him safe - but while it kept him from the possible burn of a firecracker, it didn't exactly ease his fear.

Just like Peewee, our pets can go through some serious anxiety this time of year. Luckily, there are some simple tips you can follow to keep them happy and safe this holiday weekend - regardless of whether you have brave firework fighting dog like our old Collie or a cat that cowers

Hopefully, you'll never have to use this knowledge, but if you happen upon a pet emergency, you'll be glad you have it - because it just might save your pet's life.

The American Red Cross has been teaching pet CPR for quite some time. And their techniques are easy for pet owners to remember - just follow these simple ABCs:

A is for Airway. You need to be sure your pet isn't choking on something. Carefully open your dog or cat's muzzle and make sure there's nothing restricting airflow, but do not put your fingers in your pet's mouth if he is still conscious. A frightened pet may bite. If you do see something, try to remove it with pliers or tweezers. If it is lodged too deep you can try to dislodge it using quick firm pressure (with both hands) on both sides of your pet's rib cage. You can also place your pet on its side and strike the side of the rib cage firmly with the palm of your hands. Do this three or four times, and repeat until the object is dislodged.

B is for

Getty ImagesOur pets are more than companions. They're teachers too - furry little Buddhas who seem to have the ways of life all worked out. Okay, so maybe it's a stretch to say that they're truly enlightened, but they definitely know a few things that we don't - and they can truly teach us some valuable life lessons.

Be a good friend. The best example of "best friend" I've ever known is curled up in my lap at this very moment. He's loyal. He's dependable. And he's always there for me. Without question. No matter what. Funny how a much a little furball can teach you about friendship.

Have a little patience. Potty training a Pomeranian has been an adventure. And teaching him to sit, stay and shake has been an undertaking. None of it has been easy - but it has been worth it. And the process has taught me that good things are worth waiting for.

Love unconditionally. Our pets don't care if we're not perfect. In fact, many of them our privy to our biggest flaws. They see us at our best and

Getty ImagesBeing able to bring Ike to work is a pretty awesome office perk. Sure, he can't answer phones, and typing out memos isn't exactly his forte. But when the day gets stressful, he's right there with a friendly little nudge and a wag of his tail - and everything just miraculously gets better.

Not everyone is as lucky as me. Pet-friendly workplaces are becoming more common, but they certainly aren't the standard. Good thing there's Take Your Dog to Work Day - an annual holiday that's gaining some momentum.

First celebrated in 1999, TYDTWD was designed to promote pet adoption and draw attention to the fact that dogs make excellent companions. It was created by Pet Sitters International, who believed that if more people could see the loving bond between humans and their pets - even for just one day - they'd consider adopting an orphaned pet of their own.

So why should your workplace want to participate? Well, studies show that pets in the workplace can boost employee morale,