Laura Vogel

We feel bad for poor Paula Abdul: Cut adrift from Simon, Randy, Seacrest and the rest of the "American Idol" juggernaut, with a failed reality show and a great many loopy, addled interviews out there on YouTube. Just what is an unemployed superstar to do? Well, according to many sources, Ms. Abdul will soon be combining her two greatest passions in life: dogs and fashion.

As those who watched the short-lived "Hey Paula" know, Abdul is the loving owner of four chihuahuas (Bessie Moo, Thumbelina, Tinkerbell and Tulip), and a dedicated fashionista. Now she has decided to share her designing flare -- with which she's made plenty of money selling her line of jewelery on QVC -- with four-legged beauties.

The entertainer has reportedly met with major pet-supply retailers to try to gauge the demand for her line, which would include attention-getting leashes and collars studded with crystals, according to the National Enquirer. Abdul also plans to provide for the dog owner who really wants to outfit their pooch in style; her line will include red-carpet-worthy tees, sweaters and boots.

There's talk of Abdul's own dogs starring in print and TV ads for the line. Hopefully, they love the spotlight as much as their choreographer "mom." We wish Paula all the luck in the world, and can't wait to bedeck our own dogs in her razzle-dazzle raiment!

Canine artist Sammy was originally trained by Mary Stadelbacher, president, founder, and lead trainer at Shore Service Dogs in Maryland, a nonprofit organization that trains assistance dogs for people with mobility disabilities. "All of my guys are rescues. Some I get really early on, others are much older," Stadelbacher tells Paw Nation. "The old saying that you can't teach old dogs new tricks is completely false."

Stadelbacher has taught many of her dogs to paint, but Sammy was a real natural. "Far in advance of the first session, each dog had to know many commands -- to grab onto something, to hold onto another location, and to 'go paint,'" says Stadelbacher. "They will keep going as long as they are being encouraged. They love it!"

Stadelbacher explains that she clearly delineates painting as a "fun" activity, as opposed to their assistance jobs. "A dog working for a handicapped person has to obey every command every time, so you can only train them with affection and verbal praise [rather than with treats]." Painting is different, she says, "That's one of the few things that I do give them treats for."

Sammy's paintings sell for up to $1,700, and all of the proceeds from the animal artwork goes right back into supporting the Shore Service Dogs. When asked if she believes her dogs know what they are doing when they paint, she says, "They know if they've done something good when they are done. Their tails are wagging and they are obviously excited."

We may not think of it much, but what happens to pets when their owners divorce? Laura Vogel tells this tale of a pet custody battle.

In 2000, my boyfriend of seven years and I made three monumental, life-altering decisions: We got married, bought a house, and adopted a five-month-old stray puppy named Daisy.

Guess which of the three -- husband, house, hound -- are still mine?

With couples delaying child-bearing, and divorce rates holding steady in the U.S., pet custody battles have become the "new children" in divorce courts. Lawyer Peter Mogren of Mogren, Glessner and Roti in Seattle, has dealt with many cases in which pets were subject to custody battles. For those facing a painful breakup, the thorny decision about who gets custody of an animal beloved by both is gut-wrenching, though the courts still adjudicate the pet custody in the same manner as a house, car or piece of furniture, say Mogren.

"All 50 states have different laws," Mogren explained to Paw Nation. "Here in Washington State, pets are dealt with as property. The law is changing to realize the emotional ramifications and relationships people have with their animals, but the courts are pretty straightforward: Who bought the pet? Who fed, walked and shampooed the pet? If the pet is a purebred, whose name is on the papers? Though the law is fairly clear, through mediation, parties often work out visitation arrangements that are less cut-and-dried."

"In the vast majority of cases, one 'parent' gets full custody, and sometimes, in exchange for visitation, one party will contribute to the pet's upkeep--food, vet bills and the like," says Mogren.

When asked if he sees clients dealing with their pets as children, Mogren readily agrees, but notes that battles generally occur between parties without offspring. "All of the cases where there have been custody battles, the couples have no children, are in their late thirties or early forties," he says. "Their pets mean everything to them."

For pet-owning couples facing divorce, it's important to remember that each state's laws in regard to pet custody vary. To know your rights, consult with a lawyer who has experience in pet-custody cases or conduct research at a local library or at legal Web sites like Nolo.

Before you adopt a new pooch, it is vital to dog-proof your house or apartment. We spoke with leading pet experts to find out the best ways to ease the transition of a new dog into your home, and ensure that your pet and your pad both come through unscathed.

Sheila Boneham -- an author, trainer, rescuer and breeder based in North Carolina -- shared with Paw Nation her tips and tricks to make a home safe for any dog that is about to join your family, regardless of its age.

Step 1: We Can Have Lots of Fun (As Long As It's in a Crate)
"Even though older dogs may seem like they're beyond the the puppy phase, they may revert back to bad behavior like chewing or accidents, due to the stress of a move," Boneham said. "The number-one rule is: Crate until you know the dog is reliable, both to safeguard your dog and your possessions. Make the crate a wonderful place to be. Put the most delicious treats in there, a soft bed, and have them go in only for short periods of time initially."

Step 2: There's So Much We Can Do (But If You Break My Stuff, You're Going Back in the Crate)
Pet-proofing is about keeping your home safe for your dog and from your dog. "Fragile things, family heirlooms, irreplaceable photographs: These need to be packed away or put up very high where the dog can't reach them," said Boneham. "Be cautious of things like tablecloths that hang down. To a puppy, that waving piece of fabric can look very tempting, and the next thing you know, your grandmother's china is shattered on the floor.

Paper training has a whole new meaning for pet lovers, thanks to stationary company The Pink Sea Turtle.

The cute, preppy, online-invitation firm, based in Connecticut, offers "Bark Mitzvah" and other animal-party invitations, as well as birth and adoption announcements so that new pet parents can share their joy with the world. The stationers even take the companion-animal experience all the way to the end: They sell bereavement notices for mailing when your beloved Bowzer goes to that big dog run in the sky.

Pink Sea Turtle owners Sheryl Brass and Kim Bastien started their company, they say, because of their love of social events, and the sheer novelty of receiving mail that isn't a bill or "junk." Their wide variety of party and announcement stationary includes the usual items -- i.e. wedding and birthday invites -- but they definitely go the extra mile when it comes to underserved markets: In addition to their pet life-change options, they offer cards for quinceañera, gay-and-lesbian wedding, and baby-shower cards.

The home-customizable cards cost about $12.50 for ten, a real deal when you consider how far they'll go in convincing your friends and family you're simply mad about Max or bananas for Boo-Boo Kitty.