DEAR DR. FOX: I commend you for writing about the media's exposure of cruelty to animals in your column, which I read in the Asbury Park Press. I agree wholeheartedly, and I want you to know that this newspaper has been publishing stories about dog abuse, neglect and cruelty with heartrending photos of the victims, as well as the photos of the felons with court judgments resulting in jail time and heavy fines.

The public in this area have responded with donations, gifts and public court appearances on behalf of dogs like Sammy, Heaven and, this week, Danny, a pit bull found in the coldest weather in decades. I hope that parents will show such photos to their children and impress on them that all animals are to be cared for with food, clean water and warm shelter. These felons obviously hadn't been sensitized by their neglectful parents. -- C.G., Asbury Park, N.J.

DEAR C.G.: I really appreciate you informing me that your local newspaper gives good coverage of animal welfare and cruelty issues.

I am glad to see more newspaper editors realizing the connections between animal cruelty and family violence, and cruel forms of animal exploitation and a dysfunctional society. Through public awareness via a responsible and responsive media, change can be accomplished. We've seen this in cruel puppy mill breeders, pit bull dog fighting and, in some medical schools, engaging in student training procedures on live animals, many being former pets.

Children who engage in animal torture, in the absence of appropriate therapeutic intervention, can become sociopaths and psychopaths. But what of children growing up in a culture that still condones widespread animal cruelty and exploitation? They see wolves being killed for sport; whales being harpooned; elephants being chained, beaten, forced to perform in the circus and slaughtered for their ivory; and tree-swinging, socially and emotionally dependent monkeys being put alone in small cages to ostensibly find cures for diseases we primarily bring upon ourselves.

Do most empathic children suffer from what psychiatrist Jonathan Shay calls "moral injury," which is part of the post-traumatic stress disorder complex seen in America's war veterans? Or, worse, do they become desensitized, indifferent to the suffering of others, human and non-human? Ignoring animal mistreatment just because they are animals and because there are more pressing community issues -- from sex crimes and homicides to drug addiction and suicides -- is ethically unacceptable and shortsighted. The plight of animals must be addressed, and state prosecutors and educators as well as newspaper editors and others in positions of responsibility should see the connections.

It is time to change how animals are regarded and treated for their good -- and for our own.

DEAR DR. FOX: I have an 8-month-old beagle mix and a 16-month-old shepherd mix; the dogs are both spayed females. I adopted the shepherd at 10 months old and the beagle at 13 weeks. They have peacefully co-existed for the most part for the past four months -- playing and wrestling together, sleeping together and only on occasion do I have to break up a spat over a toy.

Yesterday our shepherd mix starting mounting and humping the beagle from behind on numerous occasions. When I say "no" she stops, but then starts up again. Today it has happened again at least 10 times. The beagle does not seem to be distressed by this at all; in fact, it looks like she encourages it because she will back her rear end toward the shepherd before they do this.

I want to stop this behavior because they both go to cage-free doggie day care, and I don't want this to become a habit. Do you know why this behavior might have started all of a sudden? Is this normal? -- C.D., St. Louis

DEAR C.D.: I recall a fellow who would come to our local illegally off-leash dog park with his neutered male Sheltie with whom my neutered dog Batman was in love. Batman would periodically mount the Sheltie between chases, and they would happily engage in sex-play while the man jumped up and down in a rage. He said Batman was a pervert.

This is a normal part of the dog's behavioral repertoire and is best left alone. If you are uncomfortable, use a clicker or squeaky toy to distract and redirect their behavior.

When both dogs are consenting, there's no problem. But mounting can also be a kind of dominance display or testing, especially when the mounter is showing signs of aggressive intent and the one who is being mounted protests. If he or she does not submit but turns defensively, a fight may ensue. For more details, check my e-book, "Understanding Your Dog," available on my website, DrFoxVet.com.

RESPONSE FROM C.D.: Thank you for the response -- I am much more relaxed now regarding their behavior! After reading your email, I realize that WE are the ones who were uncomfortable with it, not the dogs, who appear to be thoroughly enjoying themselves!

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox's website at DrFoxVet.com.)

DEAR DR. FOX: Last week, we had to have our beloved 13-year-old kitty, Alice, put to sleep for health reasons. Our house is so empty without a cat.

We plan to adopt an adult female cat. Our local shelter, King Street Cats, has many to choose from. I would like you to help me convince my husband to adopt two cats. We are senior citizens, but we are still away from the house five or six hours each day. I am afraid a cat who is used to living in a shelter would be very lonesome while we are gone.

I appreciate anything you can add to my desire to adopt two adult cats who are littermates or are used to being together. -- S.J., Alexandria, Va.

DEAR S.J.: I am glad to read that you would prefer to adopt two cats because you and your husband are away from the home for much of every day.

Cats do suffer from loneliness and boredom. I frequently emphasize in my advice that two cats are generally happier, healthier and more active and lively than those who live alone.

Cats living together engage in social grooming that reduces stress and may boost their immune systems. They often enjoy sleeping together, which provides mutual security and the benefits of rest and relaxation. Most cats enjoy playing together and can be encouraged with various interactive toys, my favorite being a feather tied with a long string to a short cane -- the cat fishing rod. Physical play, including stalking, chasing and wrestling, provides mental and physical stimulation and serves as social bond strengthening and affirming activity.

Strange cats will often get on well, but, generally, littermates and a mother and one of her kittens get along best of all. My book "Supercat: How to Raise the Perfect Feline Companion" will give you more insights and inspiration to make your indoor environment as cat-friendly and as safe as possible.

DEAR DR. FOX: I've got a problem with my dog, Charlie. For several months now, he has had a bad case of fleas.

No matter how many flea baths, flea powders and flea collars I've tried, they just won't subside. I live with my mother, and I wanted to bomb the house, but she won't let me because she thinks it will get all over her doll collection and furniture, etc.

What can I do? I know the fleas are really bothering my dog a lot. Is there a homemade remedy? -- R.F., Milford, Conn.

Dear R.F.: You are correct that the house most probably must be thoroughly fumigated by a professional to break the flea cycle. Fleas feed off the dog and hatch and develop in carpets, floor cracks, crevices and down the sides of upholstered furniture.

Alternatively, set up some 15-watt light bulbs just off the floor over pans of warm soapy water to act as flea attractors. Fleas will jump toward the warmth of the lights and fall into the sudsy water and drown.

Sprinkle and vigorously brush into carpets borate powder, like Flea Busters, or try diatomaceous earth on carpets, sides of furniture and everywhere the flea larvae may be hiding. Vacuum up after 72 hours, and repeat after seven to 10 days and again after another seven to 10 days. Be sure to have the dog given at least one flea-killing shampoo during this time, and use a flea comb to check for and catch any fleas you may find on him.

The in-home dustings with borate powder or diatomaceous earth will not harm your dog.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox's website at DrFoxVet.com.)

DEAR DR. FOX: We have a 6-year-old female Pomeranian, Alla, who is indoor "pee pad" trained. For the past six years, she has faithfully utilized her pad for her duties.

Recently, we left her for three days at a trusted pet sitter's house. We are now experiencing her wetting once or twice daily on the floor just outside her pad.

Any insight or suggestions as to how we can restore the consistency she once had? -- C.D., Chesterfield, Mo.

DEAR C.D.: Before coming to a psychological interpretation of an animal's change in behavior, one must always first rule out a physical or medical cause.

The stress of separation and of being in an unfamiliar environment at the pet sitter's house could have brought on cystitis (bladder inflammation), possibly complicated by a bacterial infection and urinary calculi -- a veterinarian can rule out this possibility.

Try accommodating her behavior by putting four pee pads side-by-side on the floor, on top of several sheets of newspaper. Then, at weekly intervals, make the area smaller until you are down to one pee pad. This shaping of her behavior to re-train her to urinate on one small spot should prove effective. If she has difficulty squatting, you may want to have her checked out for lower lumbar or hip arthritis.

DEAR DR. FOX: My 5-year-old cat has recently started defecating in the bathtub, much to my disgust.

I have changed her diet to include wet food and fiber. I've changed her litter and taken the top off the litter box -- nothing works.

Her stools are always dry and hard, and I've caught her crying in the tub once or twice. I leave her alone while I'm at work, but I have another cat, and they get along fine, so I don't think it's an aggressive behavior toward me for leaving her without company.

I come home every day to tub poop now, and I am coming to my wits' end. Can you help with a suggestion or two? It will be much appreciated. -- A.D., Olney, Md.

DEAR A.D.: I am glad you wrote to me regarding this very common cat problem, because I am sure many cats are wrongly scolded for pooping outside of the litter box. Some will do this when the box needs to be cleaned or a cover makes the dark interior irritating. But most cats who behave like yours experience pain when evacuating in the box and become aversely conditioned by associating being in the box with pain.

Your cat could be suffering from painful constipation, blocked anal glands or both. A veterinary checkup would be advisable. The mild laxative Laxatone and a few mashed lima beans in your cat's wet food may help. Also, deep abdominal massage can help many cats who are suffering from chronic constipation.

MANUFACTURERS REFORMULATE JERKY TREATS

Two companies have reformulated their pet jerky treats and will reintroduce them to store shelves. Jerky treats made in China have been linked to illnesses in 4,500 pets, mostly dogs, and close to 600 deaths. Nestle Purina Pet Care's Waggin' Train treats for dogs and Del Monte Foods' Milo's Kitchen Chicken Jerky Strips and Chicken Grillers Recipe treats will soon be available again.

Nestle Purina is working with a single supplier in China and also has products made entirely from sources in the United States. Del Monte will use U.S.-sourced meat for its treats. Some consumers and veterinarians remain wary of the products because the Food and Drug Administration's extensive investigation hasn't yielded an explanation for the illnesses.

SELECTIVE BREEDING CAN MAKE DOGS SUFFER BRAIN-DEFORMING DISEASE

Selecting toy dog breeds for a desired appearance could cause Chiari malformation in some canines, which is like trying to fit a big foot into a small shoe. Dogs with the disorder had taller foreheads, and in severe cases, the cerebellum was folded under another part of the brain. Such malformations can lead to problems including headaches, brain pressure and cavities of fluid in the spinal cord, says lead author and veterinarian Clare Rusbridge. The disease affects many toy dog breeds, such the Brussels griffon, Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Chihuahuas and their crosses. Rusbridge states, "There are responsible breeders out there who have invested in screening and who are breeding for health as well as producing attractive puppies, and it is vital that people only look to buy from them."

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox's website at DrFoxVet.com.)