While we would never advocate obesity, being abnormally rotund proved to be a life-saver recently for one lucky canine companion.

Jiffy, a 120-pound border collie, nearly froze to death in his hometown in Wisconsin but was saved by excess layers of fat, which kept him warm overnight while he braved single-digit temperatures. It was so cold that the poor guy had to have warm water poured over him to unstick him from the sidewalk. Animal shelter officials admitted that not many pets can survive those types of conditions without extra pounds.

This isn't to say you should let you dog get fat -- you could face jail time if you do. Here's a better suggestion: Let the dog inside if it's well below freezing outside. I, for one, sure hope the Wisconsin authorities are looking into why poor Jiffy was left outside.

(via Calorie Lab)

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Overfeeding your child is fairly serious -- some even feel it's a form of abuse. Now animal rights groups are saying the same thing ... about your pets. And the government in the UK agrees -- according to the Daily Mail, new controversial rule under the animal welfare act could have serious consequences for pet owners who don't put their fat animals on a diet.

Overfeeding pets is a 'serious welfare concern' and can lead to suffering, according to the new law. Therefore, people who allow their pets to become dangerously obese can face fines of around $30,000 or even up to a full year in jail. There's no word on whether similar laws could be adopted here in North America, but maybe they should be. After all, if you can't give your pet the necessary amount of exercise, maybe you shouldn't have one.

Too harsh? What do you think?

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Need a loyal workout buddy? Look no farther than your favorite pet. Dogs make great walking and hiking companions. They keep you company, help you feel a little safer, and never, ever take no for an answer ... even at 6 AM.

Good pet owners know that dogs need time to build up their fitness just like humans do, and that you should never overwork your pet. But once you two make a commitment to fitness, you'll never find a more loyal companion.

Here are five gifts the fitness-loving pet owner in your life would love to see under the tree this year.

Nick, the youngest of the Jonas Brothers, just received the cutest birthday present ever -- a puppy he named Elvis. He was spotted out and about walking his new best friend. Nick works hard to keep his diabetes in control, so I'm sure the future walks and runs with his dog will be a welcome addition to his exercise routine.

Do you have a dog? Dogs can be a great motivator for exercise. Even if you've had a long day at work and the last thing you want to do is exercise, it's hard to say no to those pleading puppy dog eyes. In fact, statistics show that dog owners cover more ground than your typical gym-goer.

If you're thinking of getting a dog, be sure to choose a breed that suits your lifestyle. Most breeds (including my lazy English Bulldog) are thrilled to go for a stroll around the neighborhood. But if you're looking for a dog who will willingly join you for a run or bike ride, be sure to choose a longer-legged, energetic breed.

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Volunteering at our local Humane Society and caring for a room full of rescued cats is keeping me and my little boys plenty busy and happy this summer. It may also be helping our hearts.

Researchers have found a correlation between cat ownership and a decreased risk of deadly heart disease. While we don't own our very own cat, we do engage in many of the tasks that cat owners practice. And so maybe, if we're lucky and keep at our community service project, we'll enjoy a 40% lower risk of one day dying from a cardiovascular condition.

Caring for cats can make you more energetic and happy, say researchers. I believe it. My seven-year-old is very content while petting, brushing, and loving the cats we visit. And while having any pet companion is good for both physical and emotional health, it seems cats do the trick better than dogs do. Maybe it's because there are more cats owned in the United States -- there are 90 million compared to 74.8 dogs. Makes sense. There are 90 some cats in our Humane Society cat room. There were about 10 dogs last time we visited. Clearly, there's more cat work to be done.

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CBS News has tips for creating a first aid kit for your pet and tips to help you in the event of an injury, bee sting, or heat exhaustion. I'm an animal lover, so I know how pets can quickly become part of the family. Protect yours by keeping them safe and out of the heat this summer, and by being prepared if something does go wrong.

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I'm all about helping my family follow a healthy diet, and by family, I mean everyone, including my dogs. I make an effort to buy a high quality dog food, do the vet visits as needed, and keep them free from fleas and heartworms. I like to treat them as well, and I often bring home treats from the neighborhood doggy bakery, and have been known to bake up some doggy biscuits for special occasions.

However, when it comes to my dogs' daily meals, I think I have to draw the line at preparing it myself. I came across a section in All Recipes where they list a number of different recipes for homemade pet food, such as Doggy Meatloaf with Vegetables and Poochie Meat Cakes (both of which take longer to prepare and bake than many of the things I make for the humans in my family).

What do you think? Does homemade dog food cross the line, or is it a great option for pet owners who wish to have more input in their dogs nutrition?

(If you do opt to make a change in your pet's diet, please discuss it with your vet to ensure your furry friend will receive the proper nutrition!)

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The health benefits of pet ownership are well-documented -- lower blood pressure and less stress among them. But not everyone is able to keep a pet. Allergies, lifestyle, and restrictions on pet ownership in living spaces can prevent animal lovers from having a pet of their own.

In Tokyo, it's especially hard to keep a pet. The market for apartments is competitive, and landlords are increasingly banning pets from their properties. But a new cafe allows people to reap the benefits that pets can offer, without all the hassles that pet ownership can bring. At the Calico Cafe, customers can drink coffee, order snacks, and shop for a variety of goodies, all while enjoying a cuddle and a purr from the stores many cats.

Would a similar business be popular in the U.S? What do you think?

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For my brother's 30th birthday party, we held a special costume party. Guests were asked to dress how they thought they might look 30 years down the road. I dressed up as a "cat lady." I lived alone at the time in a tiny upstairs apartment with two cats, and had taken in my grandparent's cat as well, while they vacationed in Florida. The costume didn't seem to be too far off the mark, all those cats in that little space. My friends and family nodded knowingly.

Fortunately for everyone involved, the cat population in my apartment decreased after that winter. But though my costume was meant to be funny, animal hording is a rare but serious condition. You hear about it every now and then on the news -- a person discovered with an alarming number of animals in their home, sometimes numbering in the hundreds. Often, these people are arrested for neglect ,and the animals that are not adoptable euthanized.

MSNBC has an interesting article on why animal hording happens. It often stems, they say, from an abusive or traumatic childhood where animals become the only stable force for a child. In some cases, care-giving becomes compulsive. The condition isn't an isolated diagnosis, but often stems from a combination of attachment disorders, addictive behavior, and personality disorders. It's a sad situation for all involved -- human and animals alike -- but with treatment, people who horde animals can learn to control their behavior.

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My husband often says that if our dog's and cats' bad habits were combined into one animal, we'd have grounds to get rid of it. He says it in jest, of course (at least I think he does), but a German family recently discovered that their pet was doing more harm than scratching up the furniture and keeping them up at night...it was harboring the superbug MRSA.

When a family member repeatedly acquired MRSA infections despite treatment, doctors couldn't figure out where she was being exposed to the potentially serious bacteria. All family members originally tested positive, but after treatment all were negative...except for the woman. Finally, it was discovered that one of the family's cats was the carrier.

Doctors believe it was the family who infected the cat originally, not the other way around, so you don't have to fear your feline. The family's pets were all treated and have since tested negative. Now the cats likely back to their normal, run-of-the-mill bad behavior (at least if they're anything like mine).

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The majority of Americans have, or have had, a pet as part of their family. Studies have shown that having pets can be really good for your health (lowering heart rate and reducing blood pressure and cholesterol) but pets, like all animals, can also carry disease. If you don't take the right precautions you and your family could end up getting really sick. The very old, the very young, pregnant women, and anybody with a compromised immune system are at the most risk, but anybody could catch any number of nasty things. Here are a few pointers for avoiding pet-related illnesses:

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You probably have a favorite brand of bottled water, but what about your dog? When you're out hiking or jogging you may bring water along for your dog in a bottle, but have you ever considered buying water already bottled, specially branded, and marketed just for your four-legged friend?

Fortifido is just that -- bottled water for dogs. Available in flavors like "parsley," "peanut butter," and "spearmint," Fortifido is fortified with vitamins to help promote healthy bones, healthy skin, fresh breath and healthy joints in your dog.

Will you buy it?

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Fellow pet lovers know the joy that a animal can bring to your life. Whether it's a dog, cat, or less popular but equally loved animal, pet ownership has been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve quality of life. Some people even claim that their dogs have helped them to lose weight. What else can a pet do for your health and well-being? According to eDiets:

• A dog can help you feel more secure on your daily walk.
• Pets help children develop higher self-esteem and build confidence.
• Kids who own pets are generally more involved in activities like hobbies, chores, and sports.
• People who suffer from heart disease and own pets have longer survival rates than those who are pet-free.
• Seniors who own pets tend to be more active and need less medication.
• Pets -- especially dogs -- may help you be more social.

(Of course, pets are also a huge commitment, requiring time, energy, patience, and money. So running out to get a pet when you aren't at a place in your life where you can care for one will only increase your (and your pet's) stress levels.)
What about you? How has your pet improved your well-being?

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I don't think it's any surprise anymore that pets can be a great thing for the health of older adults, especially seniors living alone. But for those on restricted incomes (and that's quite a few) the cost of owning a pet can simply be too much. But the Humane Society in Colorado Springs, CO is making a difference in the lives of pets and people through a program called The Senior Citizens Pet Companionship Program. The program not only does the obvious of matching up seniors with happy companionship animals as new pets, but it gives them an annual allowance to help offset the costs of caring for them.

One 77 year old woman named Joan lost almost 40 pounds, stabilized her diabetes, and feels happier and less lonely since adopting a little Jack Russell Terrier named Monty through the program. Now doesn't hearing a story like that just give you the warm fuzzies?

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As many of us become heavier in the waist area, are those lovable dogs at home becoming the same way? Those who feed their dogs table scraps (which is a no-no) filled with processed food and other nastiness probably have fat pets. Low and behold, there is a new diet drug that claims to help pets lose weight.

As ridiculous as that sounds, the same adage goes for dogs as for humans: there is no substitute for a good walk (exercise) and good food. Dogs are mammals too, and the same health maladies related to weight can happen to them just like us.

Having a dog and following the "walk every night" rule is a good one 00 it exercises both the pet owner and the animal. Why anyone would need something like Slentrol to help their plump pooches lose weight is beyond me. Just like kids, having a pet is a responsibility, and if there is lack of time to pay attention to your dog (like walking with him or her) or giving that pt dog a bunch of junk food, should you really own one?

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