If you've ever taken your dog out on a cold winter's night, or spent a couple extra cents on a better brand of cat food, this month's for you.

A woman from Formula PR, a public relations agency in California, recently e-mailed me with these tips "to show your pet he is loved" (as if any of our spoiled critters lack in this area - clearly she doesn't quite know her audience):

• Register your pet with the city and attach the license tag to your pet’s collar. The license serves as a rabies control measure, as well as increases the chance of a reunion should your pet become lost. The fees for the license usually go toward providing animal care and control services.

• Maintain your pet’s health with the proper vaccines. Ward off potential infections and diseases by taking your pet to the veterinarian for its annual shots. After all, pets are kids, too!

• Pick up after your pet. Whether you’re taking Fido for a walk around the neighborhood or cleaning out Fluffy’s litter box, disposing of your pet’s waste properly is essential. Bamboo’s Disposable Waste Bags & Dispenser (Blogger's Note: Ah-HA! Here's the reason she e-mailed me...) will get the job done. The bags boast the natural odor elimination powers of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda, while the convenient dispenser can clip onto any leash or belt loop.

Check out BambooPet.com for the disposable bags and a host of other neat items.

-- Sandra M. Klepach, SKlepach@News-Herald.com