LOS ANGELES — The world's smallest bird can take up a big chunk of a person's spring to-do list: Trim the trees, weed the garden, make the nectar and hang the feeders.

One of the most novel events of the spring? Arizona Polo Club’s Picnic and Polo Clinic.

BeagleFest 2013 will be held on 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 10, at the Ruben Romero Corporate Ramada at Kiwanis Park.

PHOENIX — The children buzz in excitement, boisterous and barging in, their little hands covering seemingly every part of the Australian shepherd’s body.

About a week before the body of Joann Rotz was found in a dirt lot on Lemon Street near Apache Boulevard, Rachel Hall said she argued with the homeless woman over not sleeping in her campsite area near Escalante Park.

Whether it’s his foster parents or their dog or a cat, Triscuit, a 2-year-old Cairn terrier mix, just wants to be pals. The folks at AZ RESCUE say he splits his nights sleeping part of the time with his foster mom and dad and part of the night with their dog. At the dog park, he plays with all the dogs he encounters. And he’s even friendly to cats.

Travel for humans during holidays is tough enough: Long lines, crowds everywhere, extra bags full of presents. Throw a pet in the mix, and it’s a recipe for disaster.

In all the rush to conquer holiday shopping, don’t forget the pets on your list.

Mojo is a Pomeranian rescued from a hoarding situation so he needs some work. This boy is a happy and very active 5-pound, 3-year-old, who is learning what it’s like to be held and loved, to receive regular quality meals and grooming. When rescued he had no idea how to walk on a leash, and with each day he improves. Mojo is not potty trained and needs to learn to be productive outside. He will require a patient home willing to continue training and working with him. Mojo was rescued with six other Poms from the same hoarder: Leila, Trixie, Mindy and Flame (also available for adoption), and Nina and Chelsea (adopted). Mojo will be neutered and receive a dental prior to adoption. He is vaccinated and has a microchip.

LOS ANGELES — Travel for humans during holidays is tough enough: Long lines, crowds everywhere, extra bags full of presents. Throw a pet in the mix, and it's a recipe for disaster.

DALLAS — President George H.W. Bush had a problem so important he sent a memo to White House staff asking them to take a pledge. His dog, Ranger, was packing on the pounds.

Fifteen dogs attended Sue Subkow’s first Halloween party in 2005. Half wore costumes, half were naked and all went home in about an hour.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has declared Oct. 21-27 Cat Week, but we can honor our feline family members all year by following these tips:

A beloved pet dressed in a Halloween costume, posed next to a lit jack-o-lantern, sounds like a great photo opportunity — but it's also a fire hazard.

Fifteen dogs attended Sue Subkow's first Halloween party in 2005. Half wore costumes, half were naked and all went home in about an hour.

LOS ANGELES- Karen Nichols wanted a life unchained to the monotony of twice-daily dog walks, so she got herself three cats. But she still strolls the neighborhood on nice days - with her cat Skeezix.

Equipment in specially designed FIDO Bags to help treat cats and dogs after a fire will soon be deployed by the Mesa Fire Department.