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Last week the Fulton County Board of Commissioners Voted unanimously to ban tethered dogs. This means that it will soon be illegal to keep a dog chained up all day long in Fulton County. However, you can keep your dog chained for short periods as long as he’s attended to — for instance, while you mow the lawn.

The new law goes into effect Sept. 4. It was sponsored by Commissioner Robb Pitts, District 2, At-Large, who said, “This will make our community better and safer for its people and pets.”

Do you live in an area that still allows tethering? What can you do to get a similar law passed?

Photo: iStockphoto.com

There are few places on Earth I’d rather be than on a beach. Add a dog to the equation and I’m in heaven. My pups run, chase birds, swim, dig and sunbathe. And they motivate me to do more than just sit in a chair and zone out. I haven’t had any problems with owners or dogs at the dog-legal beaches I’ve visited. I think everyone knows what a privilege it is and acts accordingly. And the beaches haven’t been littered with poop — folks either bury it or bag it and trash it. I wish more beaches allowed dogs, even if it were just one day a week. What about you folks? Do you enjoy taking your dog to the beach, or do you think the beach is best left to humans only? Do you have a favorite spot to take your dog?

This week’s member entry comes from Deborah, who is responding to our discussion on aggressive dogs. She describes how after years of effort, one particular training method finally took hold on her pet: We have a pit bull that is the sweetest dog you will ever want to meet. She wiggles her tail so hard when she meets people in the park that she almost flips over. When she was a puppy, she nipped and bit at us a lot (scary behavior in a 70 pound pit bull), and we were worried that perhaps the legends about pit bulls were true. We tried pushing her to the ground and holding her feet, yelling “BAD DOG”, all the things you would think, and nothing worked.One day I read a tip on the internet that was a life-saver. Dogs play with other dogs by nipping and biting. When another dog doesn’t like it, he will whimper and cry, and walk away, like he’s hurt. Everyone in our family started reacting like that when our Scooby would bite or nip (yes, we looked really stupid!).The last time she ever nipped one of us was when she planted a good one on my husband (whom she adores). I made him start whimpering and told him to go away from her like he was hurt and sad. For 30 she sat at the bottom of the stairs with the most stricken look on her face. When my husband came downstairs, she was ecstatic! She has never bitten or nipped at anyone since then, and she is now going on six years old. How about your training stories? Have you ever experienced that one breakthrough moment that turned your pet’s behavior around? What did it take?

All three of my cats love snuggling up in laundry baskets, but Elle is practically obsessed. She will try to climb in the basket while you are still putting in the warm, clean laundry from the dryer. I usually try to find a clean but old towel to put on top, so she can “nest” in the warm laundry heaven without getting hair all over our freshly washed clothes.

If I bring up a batch of warm laundry from the basement, I can count in seconds how long it takes Elle to find it, even if previously she was zonked out in an upstairs bedroom. She also likes sleeping in the tall laundry hamper, and it’s really cute to watch her doing “kitty physics” in her head as she positions herself to enter and exit the hamper without it tipping over.

What about your cats, are they laundry basket lovers? What’s the rule in your house — do you let them in the basket with clean clothes, or is that a “no kitties allowed” zone?

The Obamas announced today that they have settled on the Portuguese water dog (pictured) as a pet for their school-age daughters. Already, experts are weighing in with canine advice for the Obamas (read the story here).

Today’s comment comes from DecaturCyn, who suggested a “puppy shower” for the Obamas’ new dog, which arrives in April.

“This is a slightly crazy idea, but wouldn’t it be great to have a ‘First Puppy Shower’ for the lucky White House dog? In lieu of gifts, Atlanta’s animal lovers could donate to area shelters to help local dogs find terrific homes.”

What would be on your puppy “shower” wish list? (Or, what would you give?) What items are essential for a pet entering a new home?

(If you would like to make a “First Puppy Shower” donation to animals in need, click here.)

Today’s comment from Ron came from a discussion of litter boxes.

Just train the cat to use the toilet and all problems are solved. Google it, there are many discussions on the subject. Took me about 2 weeks, and for 6 years now, no litter box and no accidents.

Have you tried to toilet-train a cat? Did it work for you? What advice can you give to cat owners who want to give up the litter box(es)?

Today’s Pet Tales comes from BeccaLinda and is on a more serious subject: the death of a beloved pet.

I have three dogs and would be really sad if any of them passed away. I’ve gone through the death of a dog before, and it is very, very hard. I felt like I could never love another dog as much as I loved the ones that passed away, but you move on, and you do love other dogs just as much.

How long did it take you to recover from the death of a pet? How soon is too soon to get another one? How do you get ready for another pet if you are still grieving?

This week’s Pet Tale was inspired by an ajcpets.com comment from Pat:

My eldest female Spots hates both of my other cats, and hisses at them each and every time she walks past them.

Do your pets get along? How do you maintain the peace between warring pets?

Today’s post is based on a comment from JD, who says:

I like pets but lately things have been getting out of hand. People dressing their pets up like people, they have them sitting at the dinner table with them now … furthermore what is this thing with carrying your pet under your arm like some trendy Coach bag?? They’ve got four legs — put them down and let them walk!!

Do you carry your pets with you when you go places? If so, what’s wrong with letting them walk?

Some of the residents at Cross Creek, a Buckhead condo complex, want to evict some of their longtime tenants: a flock of geese who have apparently become a nuisance.

While some Cross Creek residents like having the family around (including two adults and 14 youngsters), others complain about the smell of goose poop and the potential for damage to a nearby golf course.

One resident, who feeds the flock, referred to the geese as her “pets.”

Can any animal be a pet? If you take care of an animal or a group of animals, does that qualify as a pet/owner relationship?