Just in from Bowman Animal Hospital and Cat Clinic in Raleigh, which is kicking off its second annual Pet Weightloss Challenge: 

“For most of us,” said Summer Dallke, Office Manager of Bowman Animal Hospital, “strained waistbands and belts are signs we’ve put on too much weight and with the New Year right around the corner have already started making those resolutions to lose a few pounds … but how do we know whether our full-figured feline and pudgy pooches have crossed the line from healthy to hefty?” 

That’s the question one pet health facility decided to address directly. A ground breaking 14-year study by Purina researchers showed that dogs fed to a lean or ideal body condition throughout their lives had a median life span of 1.8 years longer and were considerably healthier than their littermates. 

Miss Fifi...

Dear Miss Fifi:

Do you know if having pets makes you healthier?

- John

~~~

Dear John:

What a most excellent question—particularly since it's time to make a few new year's resolutions. This topic can help you humans make the most important resolution of all: to add a pep to your step and a pet to your household!

I put my faithful assistant, Dilettante Dilly, to work to back up what Miss Fifi has known for years: having pets does make you healthier!

ABC News had an eye-opening claim in October, "They are called man's best friend, but they could also be the best weapon in the fight against childhood obesity." Having canine companions encourages you humans to get out and walk. Don't just open the back door and turn us out! Hook up the leash, don your most comfortable sneakers, and hit the pavement.

And according to the ...

Dear Miss Fifi:

What is the mailing address to mail pet pictures to WRAL?

- Pam

~~~

Dear Pam:

Glad to hear from you this morning.

All photos of your pets that you'd like to see online need to be submitted through the WRAL.com electronic submission form—they're not accepted via US mail or e-mail.

Hope that helps. Woof!

A bear walks into a popular burger joint
on a cold winter morning and stares at the
menu. When it was his turn to order he
decided to go with his regular:

"I'll have four cheeseburgers and ...

a Coke."

The waitress turned her head sideways
and asked, "Why the big pause?"

The bear held them up and said,
"I dunno. I was born with them."

Dear Miss Fifi: 

In the traditional carol, "The Twelve Days of Christmas," how many animals are given as presents by 'my true love'? 

- Nick 

~~~ 

Dear Nick: 

Great question! Miss Fifi had ol' Dilettante Dilly look up the lyrics for us, and the answer is: 23. Count for yourself: 

"12 Drummers Drumming
Eleven Pipers Piping
Ten Lords a Leaping
Nine Ladies Dancing
Eight Maids a Milking
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree"