PET TALES

I spent the better part of a recent Friday evening trying to avoid a rather rotund and amorous Jack Russell Terrier.

Now I am all for doggy love - just not the kind that involves candlelight dinners and moonlit walks on the beach.

But apparently "Spot" is afflicted with some kind of canine confusion and assumed I might want to be his new girlfriend.

So instead of paying attention to the guests at the party, I spent my time fending off an unwanted furry suitor. This was not exactly what I had in mind for my Friday night.

But I can't blame Spot for his poochie advances or bratty behavior. Nope, the spotlight needs to shine on the owner - which in this case was a tad too tipsy to think Spot was being anything other than adorable.

Good or bad doggy behavior is usually a direct reflection on the pet-owner. Though Spot's dad seemed to think his fuzzy white pooch was being anything less than a model canine citizen, the guests had a different story.

Recent news reports show more people are electing to take their four-legged pals with them to social events, including swanky soirees and teas. Fun for the pets? Possibly, depending on the food available for raiding. Fun for the folks attending the bash. Not so much.

As fellow animal lovers, we need to temper our eagerness to bring our pets to every function. Just use common sense and courtesy. As cute as Fifilooks dressed in a pooch-sized Prada gown, her nose rooting in the bowl of imported truffles might not be as charming. Nor will Prince's Casanova-like behavior with the ladies wow most of the crowd.

According to reports from Charlotte Reed aka Miss Fido Manners, the better you and your pet behave, the better impression you will make as pet and pet-owner goodwill ambassadors.

And folks it's pretty easy to be a goodwill ambassador. Basic stuff like keeping pets leashed and under control while at social functions will go a long way towards insuring everyone has a good time.

Other details for party and pet success include bringing a stash of your four-legged pal's food, bedding and toys. Make sure the other people attending the event are comfortable with pets and not allergic or scared of them. Also, only bring well-behaved and socially adept pets to functions.

Leave hormone crazy and wild critters at home where they'll be safe and sound and not driving others to howl or join some anti-pet league.

In other pet news:

The Calusa Nature Center, 345 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers will hold a dog walk from 4-6 p.m. on , May 6 on its walking trails. Cost is $5 per leashed dog. Humans are free. For more information, call 275-3435.

PETCO is sponsoring a Chihuahua race in Miami at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 5. So if you have a sporty little guy ready to burn some rubber enter him in the regional race at North Miami PETCO, 14601 Biscayne Boulevard, North Miami Beach. Register on line at www. PETCO.com. For more information, call 305- 940-2840.

The Gulf Coast Humane Society, 2010 Arcadia Street, Fort Myers is sponsoring a Golf Tournament on Saturday, May 5 at the Gulf Harbour Yacht & Country Club. For more information, call 332.0364.

Contact Ella

uReaders are welcome to share their stories, information and needs with Ella Nayor. Pet Tales is designed to provide entertainment, support and education to our pet lovers.