Entertainment

‘NET FOR PETS

PETS have inspired books, movies, plays, TV shows and magazines – so it was only a matter of time before they hit the World Wide Web as Weblog subjects. A new pack of bloggers is paw-printing the Internet with pet postings that are entertaining, informative and sometimes celebrity-studded.

On FetchDog.com, actress Glenn Close hosts a blog called Lively Licks. Not surprisingly, it’s fueled by star power: Among her topics are stories of celebrity dog lovers, including the likes of Debra Messing, Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen. Close also writes about visits to New York Animal Care and Control Center’s Manhattan shelter and also includes plugs for animal charities, including Puppies Behind Bars.

On his Web site SteveMartin.com, the dog-loving actor-author-art collector provides links to his favorite blogs, one of which includes the hilarious StuffOnMyCat.com, which features amusing photographs of kitties in costume. (Also check out its companion site, StuffOnMyMutt.com.)

Another fine feline blog, Hodge Shall Not Be Shot, takes its literary name from a statement uttered by one of history’s notable cat lovers, Samuel Johnson.

Professional deadlines aren’t enough for journalist-bloggers such as John Woestendiek (Mutts), Christie Keith (Dogged Blog) and Gina Spadafori (Pet Connection). All enjoy blogging about their pet connections.

Authors who love dogs also love blogs; for proof, visit the blogs of Karen Shanley (Author Mom With Dogs), Melissa Holbrook Pierson (It’s Nelly’s World), Martha Garvey (It’s My Dog’s World, I Just Live in It) and Joy Ward, whose For the Love of Dog Blog is Dogster.com’s secret weapon.

For a blog “written” by a dog with a wickedly funny voice, check out Jinky, Dog of a Hollywood Wife. Jinky, a rescued mutt, lives with comedy writer Kevin Rooney and actress-author Carole Raphaelle Davis, so his take on the writers’ strike is especially, um, biting.

Finally, if you need a virtual escape from urban living, check out Farmgirl Fare, the delightful blog of “Farmgirl Susan,” who shares her farmstead with two dogs, five cats and a donkey.

js@pet-reporter.com