10 New Year Resolutions for Your Dog from PetPlace.com

The impending arrival of the New Year brings the inevitable resolutions: Trim your girth, be nicer toward your in-laws, spend more time with the family. We're all familiar with the promises we make to improve ourselves in the coming year.

As you make this ironclad list (you mean it this time – really!), have you wondered what resolutions your pet may be thinking of? Your dog also vows to improve himself (and he means it this time – really!). We conducted a survey of the resolutions pets may want to make for the coming year and found some surprises. Here are the top 10 New Year's Resolutions from the dog's perspective.

(Just don't say anything if he falls a little short of the goal. You keep his secrets and he'll keep yours.)

Resolution #1: I will eat less and exercise more.

Too many nights on the couch, too many dog biscuits and too little time running around the local dog park has made me a little, well, fluffier.

Resolution #2: I will beg less

I've got begging down to a fine art – he's puddy in my paws – but it sure is demeaning. I promise to reserve the begging for worthwhile things, like going out to the park and T-bone steak.

Resolution #3: I will recognize the difference between furniture and fire hydrants.

I promise not to treat the furniture and walls the way I do fire hydrants. It drives my owners batty and has no lasting benefit for me (they clear away the scent almost as fast as I can "deposit" it.)

Resolution #4: I'll stay out of the cat's litter box.

I vow to resist the urge to snoop around the cat's private lavatory – even though it's a lot of fun and really makes her go nuts.

Resolution #5: I won't bite the vet anymore.

I'll remember that the vets and their staff are just trying to help in their own, inscrutable way, although they really know how to push my buttons with those needles!

Resolution #6: I won't steal food as much.

I won't go out of my way to steal food, although all bets are off if they make it really easy for me.

Resolution #7: I'll introduce myself in more appropriate ways.

In other words, I'll focus above the waist when introducing myself to humans. Somehow, I get the feeling my normal greeting methods invade their private space.

Resolution #8: I'll do better "holding it" until morning.

When nature calls, I'll steel my resolve to wait for my normal morning walk, unless special considerations apply. I'll decide what those special considerations are.

Resolution #9: I'll bark at the mailman less.

Even though it works to put him in his place, I'll try not to exercise my authority over him and other delivery people, although my self-esteem does get a boost when they retreat.

Resolution #10: I'll tolerate those homemade bandannas more.

My owner has gone to a lot of trouble to make these things, so I'll just put up with the way they feel and the taunts of the other dogs.

Pet Health Insurance

Your pet can't tell you when he's not feeling well-and even if you pick up signs of illness, he can't tell you where it hurts, or why.

So, just like every other concerned pet owner, you rely on your veterinarian to tell you exactly what's going on with your pet's health.

When your veterinarian provides you a diagnosis and recommends a treatment, are you financially prepared for the cost to help your ailing pet? Would it surprise you to learn that more and more veterinarians are suggesting pet health insurance as a financial healthcare solution?

In fact, nine out of 10 veterinarians surveyed recommend VPI Pet Insurance as their preferred pet health provider, according to a recent study conducted by ACI Research.

Committed To Pet Care

Why such a landslide ratio? Veterinarians strongly support VPI because they recognize the company's longstanding stability and commitment to pet owners.

Founded by veterinarians more than 25 years ago, VPI's mission is to "empower pet owners to make optimal healthcare decisions for their pets."

You can trust that VPI has your pet's best interest in mind: the company is supported by the independent Veterinary Advisory Board, which provides ongoing insight and guidance on pet health trends and practices in order to better serve your needs.

You might also find confidence that VPI employs 10 veterinarians and more than 60 veterinary technicians, each of whom take part in continuous education in order to keep up to date on veterinary advances.

While veterinarians can offer your pet the best healthcare, the majority hope that you'll be financially prepared to follow through with optimal treatment.

Indeed, 86 percent of those veterinarians surveyed indicated they'd like to see wider use of pet health insurance among pet owners, agreeing it gives their clients peace of mind.

The Value Of VPI Coverage

Dr. Belinda Lee of the Orange Veterinary Hospital in Orange, Calif., concurs. "I recommend VPI Pet Insurance to every new pet owner who comes through our hospital.

"I also point out the importance of getting health insurance for pets while they're young," she says. "I can't tell you how many pets have had to undergo huge exploratory surgeries later in life, and how thankful their owners were for having a VPI policy."

Samantha Gowen, a long-time client of Dr. Lee's, admits she'd go to great lengths to ensure her pets get the best healthcare possible. A pet owner for more than 18 years, she is all too aware of the hefty cost of veterinary care.

"I always dread seeing the bill," says Gowen, who waits in the hospital's lobby with her Lab-Dane mix, "but what choice do I have? My pets are part of the family, too." She relies on her VPI policy to reimburse a portion of her veterinary expenses.

The Trusted Authority

The trusting relationship between pet owner and veterinarian is built on compassion, understanding and confidence, notes Dr. Lee.

VPI Pet Insurance can help build that trust.

"I tell clients that VPI offers a financial solution," says Dr. Lee, who reiterates the importance of enrolling pets while they're healthy. "Don't wait until something happens, plan ahead."

Good words of advice for Gowen, who was relieved to learn that her dog's odd behavior was more than likely due to a strained muscle. "It's worth bringing her to the vet," she says, "just to make sure everything is okay."

Ninety-four percent of veterinarians surveyed consider VPI to be the leader in health insurance for pets, according to ACI Research. With nearly half a million of America's pet owners currently enrolled with a VPI policy, there's no doubt about whom the trusted pet health insurance provider is. That's why nine out of 10 veterinarians recommend VPI to their clients.

Parrot Finds His Way Home

TOKYO — When Yosuke the parrot flew out of his cage and got lost, he did exactly what he had been taught _ recite his name and address to a stranger willing to help.

Police rescued the African grey parrot two weeks ago from a neighbor's roof in the city of Nagareyama, near Tokyo. After spending a night at the station, he was transferred to a nearby veterinary hospital while police searched for clues, local policeman Shinjiro Uemura said.

He kept mum with the cops, but began chatting after a few days with the vet.

"I'm Mr. Yosuke Nakamura," the bird told the veterinarian, according to Uemura. The parrot also provided his full home address, down to the street number, and even entertained the hospital staff by singing songs.

"We checked the address, and what do you know, a Nakamura family really lived there. So we told them we've found Yosuke," Uemura said.

The Nakamura family told police they had been teaching the bird its name and address for about two years.

But Yosuke apparently wasn't keen on opening up to police officials.

"I tried to be friendly and talked to him, but he completely ignored me," Uemura said.