I have a 7-year-old English Bulldog who, other than minor allergies, is as healthy as can be. Considering how much time he spends lazing on the back of my couch it's amazing he's as fit as he is. But a year or so ago he caught quite the stomach bug. I spent several days nursing him back to health. A few days later I was sick, too. I wondered for a moment if I had caught the bug from him. But then I thought, no, because things like that aren't communicable between species. Or are they?

For the most part, illnesses that dogs are susceptible to can't be passed to humans. There are some things that can be passed on though -- ticks, fleas, and worms to name a few. To reduce the risk of puppy illnesses, have your dog vaccinated and visit the vet regularly. Also, dogs need exercise and proper nutrition to stay healthy. As for you and your family, be sure to clean up after your dog frequently and practice good hand-washing habits.