Dear Miss Fifi:

My cat Andy loves to chew on stuff—shoes, clothes, linen, you name it. It has gotten much worse since last fall when his diet was changed. His chewing is loud enough to wake me up ... which I think is the objective: wake me up so you can feed me. Any suggestions?

- Vera

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Dear Vera:

Um ... duh.

Of course your funky feline is vying for attention. You should just be glad he's not gnawing on YOU while you're sleeping. I'm not sure why his diet changed in the fall, but his behavior is perhaps a sign that you should re-evaluate they food he's eating. Look for a variety that has enough protein in it to fill his belly and curb his appetite while at the same time meeting whatever his diet requires. If that doesn't work, talk to his vet to see if there's something snacky you could offer between meals.

Dear Miss Fifi: 

What can be done to help prevent tick bites this time of year? 

- Once Bitten 

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Dear Once Bitten: 

Ick! Mis Fifi cannot stand ticks!

Those creepy crawly parasites seem to be everywhere this year, so dilligence is key in avoiding a disasterous bite—for both you humans and we pets. I had my faithful feline assistant, Dilettante Dilly, do a little research for us. She found two great sites with quick tips for avoiding the bite. I've only listed some highlights below, so make sure you take a minute to read further through 10 Tips to Avoid Tick Bites and the National Park Service's site. It might do you some good.

• Check your pets and your kids before letting them loose in the house.
• Inspect your head and body thoroughly when you...

Dear Miss Fifi:

I have a 15 year old miniature Poodle who was always house-broken up until about six months ago. He never has an accident in the day time, but in the middle of the night he will get up (out of bed) and pee in the hallway. Now, the doggy door that he uses all day long is two feet from where he pees. Why do you think he is doing that?

- Alicia

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Dear Alicia:

Unless you've done something in the last few months to irritate him, like cut out his favorite puppy treats or make him wear a pink feather boa that embarrasses him on leashwalks, I'd say that his age is a factor. Nighttime incontinence is not unusual in older dogs (or humans, for that matter), so he would probably appreciate if you took him to the vet for a checkup. I think you'll find that his new actions are physical rather than emotional.

Tell him Miss Fifi said, 'Woof' ... and good luck.

Dear Fifi:

Hi. I have a new puppy, Cody, who is a full breed Corgi around 8 - 9 weeks old. When we first got him both ears stood up. It was so cute. But now ... one flops over. Is this something we should be concerned about and have checked by a vet when he goes for his check-up. What could cause it to flop? I've heard so many things that could be the cause.

Thank you for your help.
Loving parents, Rodney and Charlotte Davenport

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Dear Davenports:

Oh, Miss Fifi loves Corgi's. They're horizontal dogs, like me. Rest assured, I'm sure there's nothing wrong with Cody's ears. He's still a little young for his ears to both stand up—if he were closer to four months with floppy ears, then a little concern would be more warranted. I've known quite a number of Welsh Corgi in my day, and even spent a good deal of my youth romping around at Buckingham Palace with them ... but that's a story for another day. Suffice it to say, some ears need time to...

Dear Miss Fifi:

Our newly acquired, one year old Husky mix is killing our wallet and our house! We have bruises all over from the constant biting/nipping, and he's tearing up everything he can get his teeth on. We've tried the Kong—but it doesn't work. Peanut butter, cheese, cookie filled—doesn't matter. He has plenty of toys and we play with him and walk him, but it never seems to be enough. He's tearing up the backyard. Digging everything, including a newly planted tree with fresh soil and mulch. I know I need obedience training, but are the basics enough? Will that kill the biting/ digging/tearing up stuff?

- Jennifer

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Dear Jennifer:

Whoa ... uh, I mean woof. That sounds like one serious handful of a Huskie you've got there. I believe obedience training will be a huge asset to you and your pup, and it will most definitely go a long way toward curbing his urge to chew. Will it totally stop the destructive playful...