www.roanoke.com

The New York Daily News' Web site is reporting that Michael Vick, who is nearing the end of his 23-month prison term for operating a brutal dog fighting ring here in Virginia, has a literary agent shopping for a book deal.

According to the Web site, the book could be viewed as an act of contrition on Vick's part and a step toward the remorse NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said would be required for the suspended quarterback to be reinstated in the league.

It is unclear if Vick were to sign a book deal if the money could be seized by the government under the "Son of Sam" law that prevents convicted criminals from profiting from book and movie deals about their crimes.

Vick's crimes, in my opinion, were not victimless and did cost taxpayers money beyond the court costs of prosecuting him. I think it's only reasonable that any advance he might receive or profits from book sales should be redirected to the Virginia shelters that kept more than 50 dogs until he entered his guilty plea and to the rescue groups across the country that took the dogs in after he was convicted.

If the law doesn't compel him to do it, I think Vick should offer to do it voluntarily. Of course, that assumes there is a publishing house that would release the book and that it would sell.

What do you think? Would you buy Michael Vick's book?

Comments on this blog are mediated. Please remember to keep all comments clean and on topic.

Click here for today's Happy Wag newspaper column, which is all about walking a cat on a leash.

Steve Jacobson and Jean Miller, the authors of the book "Walk Your Cat: The Complete Guide," sent me the picture of Monster, their black cat, that appears in the newspaper and they sent this photo of Monster with Minnie, the gray cat featured on the book cover.

Both are beautiful kitties and were "sidewalk specials," as Miller called them, meaning they were once homeless. I have no doubt these felines lead a charmed life with caring pet parents. These folks are clearly dedicated to their cats and feel passionate about this topic.

My reluctance to take Thai out on a leash is that I knowI would never feel at ease letting him explore. I am very fortunate to have a home that has plenty of windows and a comfortable "outdoor living" space that lets our kitty get a lot of sunshine and fresh air but saves me from worrying about his safety.

What do you think? Would you consider putting in the time it takes to train your cat to a lead and harness? What do you think of leash walking your cat?

To purchase a copy of the book, click here.

It was a tough call, but the book "Cat Capers" will find a home with Lee Baron, who wrote about Midgey and her favorite toy.

Lee wrote:

"It's morning, I'm making the coffee. Not quite awake, and fumbling for the coffee filter, I pan to my right, and there she waits, tall, stark white with her Cheshire green/amber eyes, subtly blinking at me and I know what she wants, no, not her breakfast, not yet, she wants what's in the kitchen drawer. I look at her, we communicate and she's waiting, patiently. I slowly open the kitchen draw, she knows the sound very well, since she could fit in the palm of my hand, I get her prized possession, not a toy mouse, her most favorite thing in the world,......I take it out, put it on the kitchen counter, Oh is she ready....I position the plastic ring from the milk container and Flick it out over her head!! She catapults, whacks it hard and volley's it back onto to the kitchen floor, YIKES, I pick it up with my toe and flip it right at her, she's on it better than the NY Rangers going for the goal! Ah, another awesome morning with my Midgey girl, I giggle, drink my coffee, she eats her breakfast, content, we're ready for the day!"

Other contenders were Cathy's tale of her talented kitties Little Coqui and Mufasa, who found a creative way to entertain themselves with toilet paper and a shower curtain, and of course Melissa, who's Romeo apparently loves cake batter enough to take a dive for it.

Thanks to all the cat lovers who wrote a comment. Monday's Happy Wag newspaper column is about leash-walking felines, so I would love to hear what cat aficionados think about that.

(iStock photo)

You may have heard that Oprah Winfrey recently lost a puppy to parvo, a common, deadly doggy virus.

The talk show host adopted Ivan, pictured here being held by guest Ali Wentworth, and Sadie, held here by Winfrey, from a cocker spaniel rescue group. Ivan was sickened by the virus before he could complete the vaccination process.

Sadie was also infected and is reported to be recovering from the virus.

I get a daily e-mail from the Web site Woof Report that included one of the best layman's explanation of parvo I have read. Every pet parent, especially of new puppies, should be aware of parvo and what can be done to prevent and treat it.

From The Woof Report:

What is parvo?
Canine Parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) is a highly contagious virus attacks the gastrointestinal tract and in some cases the heart muscles of puppies and dogs. Puppies under four months of age that have yet to be vaccinated an especially high risk. 

What are the symptoms of parvo?
Lethargy, fever, lack of appetite, vomiting and severe, often bloody diarrhea. The symptoms can cause rapid dehydration and most deaths from parvo occur just 48 to 72 hours after the signs appear. It is critical that dogs receive immediate veterinary care.

How does parvo spread?
Parvo spreads through direct contact with infected dogs and contaminated feces and surroundings like kennels, food bowls, collars and leashes, and the hands, shoes and clothing of people who interact with infected dogs. The virus is resistant to heat, cold, humidity, and drying, and can survive in the environment for long periods of time.

How is parvo treated?
A vet will confirm the diagnosis with a fecal test. Since there is no specific drug available to kill the virus, the treatment is intended to help the dog’s immune system fight the virus. This includes replacing fluid loss and electrolytes, controlling diarrhea and vomiting and preventing further infection.

Dogs with parvo are kept isolated to avoid contaminating other dogs, and all blankets, beds, toys, and items the dog had contact with are disinfected to help control the spread of this contagious disease.

How can parvo be prevented?
Vaccination and good hygiene are essential in preventing parvo. Adult dogs' vaccinations should be up-to-date. Puppies must receive a complete series of canine parvovirus vaccinations.

The Woof Report recommends that do not put your puppy on the floor anywhere outside your home to avoid contact with infected dogs or feces.

"Since this is a critical time for puppy socialization, carry your pup in your arms to see the outside world and only socialize with healthy dogs that you know are vaccinated," the report said. "Reputable training or puppy social classes are fine too since they reduce exposure risk by requiring vaccinations for participation and maintain a sterile environment."

(Photo from the Chicago Sun-Times Web site)

Blog reader Carol sent me an e-mail on Saturday recommending a product that should make living with kitties a little more pleasant. Carol writes:

"I have used a product that I'd like to recommend.  I have a cat who has peed on every bed and davenport we have, some multiple times.  Only a real pet lover could fathom why he's still here.  The only thing that took the odor out, and I mean completely out , is called NATURE'S MIRACLE.  It says "Stain and Odor Remover", but the stains on the matresses are still there.  I can live with that.  We use sheets.  The smell is totally gone, and I have a sensitive nose.  I bought it at Nature's Emporium on Brambleton.  Actually, just now reviewing the directions, I did not scrub the spot like they recommend, so that's probably why it is still there.  I don't see a Web site, but the number of the company (Eight in One Pet Products) is 877-880-8855."

Click here for a link to what I believe is the right Web site.

Thanks for the recommendation, Carol. I may pick up this product and use it on the carpet under the litter box at our house.

I once worked with someone who told me she had a perfectly healthy cat euthanized because he would not stop urinating on a futon.  

Personally, I would have found another home for the cat or ditched the futon.

DENVER (AP) — A parrot whose cries of alarm alerted his owner when a little girl choked on her breakfast has been honored as a hero.

Willie, a Quaker parrot, has been given the local Red Cross chapter's Animal Lifesaver Award.

In November, Willie's owner, Megan Howard, was baby-sitting for a toddler. Howard left the room and the little girl, Hannah, started to choke on her breakfast.

Willie repeatedly yelled "Mama, baby" and flapped his wings, and Howard returned in time to find the girl already turning blue.

Howard saved Hannah by performing the Heimlich maneuver but said Willie "is the real hero."

"The part where she turned blue is always when my heart drops no matter how many times I've heard it," Hannah's mother, Samantha Kuusk, told KCNC-TV. "My heart drops in my stomach and I get all teary eyed."

Willie got his award during a "Breakfast of Champions" event Friday attended by Gov. Bill Ritter and Mayor John Hickenlooper.

I was out of the office yesterday battling what I hope will be the last nasty cold of the season. Misery loves company, so Dexter hung out with me all day yesterday while I coughed, sneezed and wheezed.

As you can see we did not get much done. I snapped this picture with my BlackBerry while I was stretched out in bed. Dexter took his snooze on the chair. He was modeling the behavior I needed to feel better. I just followed his lead.

You are never lonely when you have a good dog.

Thanks for all the great entries in the book giveaway. We will announce a winner later this week so no more entries please, unless you just want to share a kitty story with us. In that case, bring 'em on.

I got a press release today from the ASPCA warning that a common house plant, a sago palm, pictured here, is highly toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Noshing on this innocent looking plant has already claimed the life of a young dog in Florida.

Since spring quietly arrived today, I know lots of people will soon be airing out their houses and getting ready to add plants to patios and gardens. Before you head to the garden center, it may be wise to review the list of safe and not-so-safe foliage to prevent inadvertently poisoning a pet.

Click here to see the ASPCA list for plants. This includes the phone number for the ASPCA poison control hotline, but keep in mind that, in order to maintain the world's most extensive list of possible poisons for pets, the ASPCA charges $65 to answer any questions. So if you have to call, have your credit card ready.

Here is a list of five tips from sustainlane.com on ways to make pet care more environmentally friendly. 

Some are pretty good suggestions, but some are rather vague and don't do much but sow the seed of idea on green ways to care for critters.

I know a lot of people are skeptical about the whole green movement. My take on it is that no matter what you believe about global warming or the fate of the planet, using less stuff and finding alternative uses for the stuff we already have instead of wasting it is a great way to save money.

And that's the kind of green most of us are particularly interested in saving now.

My comments are bracketed in italics. Post a comment and share your ideas on how eco-friendly or money-saving pet care.

 1. Spay today. Some 3,000 kittens and puppies are born every hour in the U.S. each year. As many as 8 million unwanted dogs and cats wind up at animal shelters and about 4 million of them are euthanized annually because no one will adopt them. What do the numbers have to do with the environment? Pet overpopulation is cruel to animals — and bad for the earth, too. Feral and abandoned pets suffer hunger and disease, foul waterways with their feces, and chase away or kill wildlife. Spaying is the best thing you can do to solve what many experts call a pet overpopulation crisis. Spaying is affordable, kind, and helps animals and nature in equal measure.

[Besides the impact on the environment, stray cats and dogs are a risk to public safety and a drain on tax dollars. Unless you are prepared to care for all the litters your pet will produce, get 'em fixed. And adopting a dog from a rescue group or a shelter is the best way to recycle.]

 2. Green the chow.You won’t see these ingredients on the label, but conventional pet foods contain earth-hurting (and dangerous) additives like pesticides, herbicides and hormones. If you see "meat or poultry byproducts" or "reconstituted animal byproducts" on pet food packaging, what you could be getting is waste material from slaughterhouses, including hair and blood. Some pet foods even contain byproducts from “4D” animals: the dead, diseased, dying, or disabled. Buy natural organic pet foods. They’re produced in eco-friendly ways and free of harmful chemicals, additives, and drugs.

[ Actually, the only way I know to really feed your pet, and your family, a completely organic diet is to buy fresh food from local farmers or grow it yourself. It's a great idea, may be a little hard to implement.]

  Read more »