Many people treat their pets as family members and celebrate special days with them. A birthday party for your pet is a great way to make him or her the center of everyone's attention for a day. And such parties are becoming more and more popular every day. It was recently reported that over 700,000 pets in the United States have had birthday parties thrown for them by their owners. It's a win-win situation for everyone; pets love to play, they love to eat, they love parties, and most of all, they love presents. If you haven't thrown your pet a party yet, now is the time to consider this fantastic way to connect with your pet's friends and other pet parents.

Take one look at me and you'll see how my Mom picked my name... She and Big Mama saw my raccoon eyes in a photo on the shelter's website and knew that I would be a "Bandit", and I do my best to live up to this name every day. It took a little longer for them to decide on a name for my sisfur, Lucy. But between a trip to the emergency vet her very first day at home and various other misadventures, Mom know that this was a dog who would cause nothing but trouble... Just like one of Mom's favorite TV characters, Lucy Ricardo from the I Love Lucy show.

There are many ways that humans go about picking pet names. Like mine, your human may have decided to give you a traditional pet name like Fluffy or Sable. A lot of humans avoid names like this though, because they are so common. But I say that if you are a princess, then it's ok for you to be called "Princess". It's more important for a name to fit than for it to be fashionable.

Other times, humans give their pets "people" names like my Mom did with Lucy. This can cause great confusion (and humor) when others don't know that "Charlie" is a cat and not another person. When your Mom or Dad gives you a name like this, they have to make certain that others know you are a furry people not a human people or else they could get in big trouble with the authorities for putting "George" in a cage.

If your human is having trouble naming you, then they shouldn't try to rush it. One way to choose a name is based on physical characteristics. This is how so many doggies wind up named "Spot" and kitties get the name of "Socks". They could also try naming you based on your emotional characteristics. After spending a little time observing your habits, they should easily be able to come up with a name based on your personality. For example, if you are the snuggly type, then "Cuddles" would be a great name. If they need more help, there are lots of websites on the Internet that have pet name suggestions. They even offer different names depending on whether you are a girl or a boy!

For humans needing help to name their next furry friend, here are some Do's and Don't of pet naming:

• Do let the whole family participate in the naming process. This will help cement your pet as a new family member.
• Don't pick a name that is embarrassing for you or others to use in public.
• Do pick a name that is easy to understand with only one or two syllables.
• Don't pick a name that sounds like any commands. "Stacy" sounds so much like "stay" that this could lead to confusion.
• Do try the new name out for a day or two. It will be easier to change in the first week, rather than after a month or so.

Pets are wonderful. They keep you laughing, cheer you up when you are down, and love you no matter what. And there is nothing more heartwarming than seeing a child who has fallen asleep curled up next to a favored animal. So it is no wonder that pets are a very common gift for children at holidays. What child's eyes wouldn't light up at the sight of a brand new baby animal to hold and hug?

However, you should remember that pets are a long-term commitment. Little critters are soft, warm and fuzzy gifts but (and it's a big but) they all grow up. Cute little puppies become big romping, barking dogs. Cuddly little kittens turn into large aloof cats. Soon the baby ducks and chicks are no longer soft and fuzzy, but big, noisy and messy. And most surprising of all, those two bunnies, Fred and George, turned out to be Fred and Georgia!

Also, keep in mind that animals cost money way above and beyond the initial purchase price. Food, leashes, food, collars, food and water bowls, training supplies, food, toys, vet bills, food, licenses and tags, and more food!

Buying a pet as a gift should be a well-planned and thought out move, not a spur of the moment decision based on emotion. If you are honestly thinking of getting someone a pet for the holidays, even if it is not for a child, make sure the gift fits. Be sure it is something you would do even if there were no holiday involved.

Once the pet is revealed, promises to love, feed, and take care of the new addition to the family will flow like water. Therefore, it is important to choose an animal the recipient is capable of handling. For example, you don't want to get a dog that will quickly grow to the size of a small pony for a young child. In fact, you might want to expose your child to other people's animals before buying a pet of your own. This will let you know if your child by chance has allergic reactions to animals before you bring one home that they will fall in love with. It will also give you time to try to convince them that they would really prefer a turtle, lizard, or something else that doesn't have dander.

Finally, there is a great deal of time that has to be invested in getting any pet acclimated to your household, and the holidays are not always a good time to do that. The hustle and excitement of a houseful of friends and family is not the best setting for a new puppy, kitten, or any other young animal. A better idea might be to cut out a picture of the pet you have in mind, put that in a card, and make sure the child understands that as soon as the holidays have passed and things have gone back to normal, they can help pick out the newest member of the family.

Today, we wanted to take a moment to remember and honor those who have gone across the Rainbow Bridge before us.

The loss of a pet is a devastating experience. Death is universal, but accepting the loss of a loved one is one of the most difficult things in the world. And for some, the death of the pet can be worse than the loss of a human family member.

Although comforting words from friends and family can soothe a grieving heart, ultimately people find peace and heal in their own time and in their own way. If someone you know has recently lost a pet, consider expressing your condolences in one of the following ways:

• Participate in a burial or memorial service with owner.
• Give a pet sympathy gift such a floral arrangement, wreath, or gift basket.
• Help the owner create framed pictures or photo albums to remember their pet.
• Commemorate the life of the pet with a memorial such as a keepsake box, custom made jewelry, or garden stone.

Remember, your goal is not to alleviate an individual's grief (that will happen with time) but to assure the recipient that people acknowledge their grief and send a message of support and comfort.

If you have any words of sympathy or encouragement to share, please feel free to do so in the comments.