2010 Holiday Gift Guide: check out editors' picks for the best gifts

Recent conversations on these topics

• switching teams

  I worked at a vet clinic for sometime. We sold the veterinary level foods from several different brands. The kinds pets need when they have extreme food allergies or diabetic or renal care. This food is on the higher end of pet food price range. About twice as much as grocery grade foods. But still we regularly have people come in buying the best for their furry babies. One time, a man came in to pick up the renal food for "his wife's" cat. I think for the case of canned cat food the total was $24. He jokingly scoffs at the cost and hands me a credit card. Then he says, "I can't believe I'm spending this much on cat food. I never used to be a cat person. I didn't get them. I was a dog person. I understand dogs, they show you exactly what they're feeling and thinking. Who would want an animal that doesn't run up to you when you get home? But now that we've had these two cats, I get it. It's a different kind of love. It just took having them to understand it." I haven't worked at that clinic for a few years now but moments like that are still crisp and vivid in my mind. It sounds like a similar transition for your dad. Maybe it started as a quest for companionship but turned out to be such a close camaraderie. Congratulations to him on his newfound love and hopefully this will be a new point of connection for the two of you.

• I wrote a song to help end animal abuse and raise money for non-profit groups

  I am an animal lover and musician. I wanted to find a way I could help animals and shelters, rescue groups, etc. So I wrote and recorded the song "It's Gotta Stop: The Animal Abuse Song". My goal is to have any animal related non-profit groups use the song to raise funds. My idea is to let them upload it as an MP3 or wave file where they could put it on their websites and let people download the song for a donation. Any thoughts? You can listen to the song at www.soundcloud.com/dogmom

• Location to train trainers in Northern California

  Does anybody know of a school in the Northern California area that trains people to train dogs? I have experience in training Police Dogs, but I would like to go through a school and get a certificate. Thanks, Barry

• Mini Schnauzer's changing coat

  My 8 month old salt and pepper mini schnauzer has developed patches of lighter (and some brown) hair on her back. Any ideas on why this is happening? Love her regardless of what her coat looks like but I'm curious. Thanks