Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto have found evidence that family pets can catch diseases from their owners.

The Canadian researchers looked at cases of resistant staph infections in horses, cats, and dogs. They found that the animals had infections that were genetically similar to the ones that occur in people. In some cases, the animals became ill after their owners developed a staph infection.

Staph, which is a very difficult infection to treat, is seen most often in hospitals, where it spreads to patients with open wounds, causing skin problems, pneumonia and blood infections. Healthy people can carry it on their skin without getting sick.

Although human to animal transmission is difficult to prove, at least one microbiologist believes this may be the reason vets are seeing staph more often in domestic animals.

Ever seen a kitty who brushes his own teeth? Want to meet the cutest pug to hit the streets of New York?

The dynamic dog-and-cat duo is among the dozen canine and feline stars of the ASPCA's 2002 Companions for Life calendar. The special-edition four-color calendar features companion animals who were rescued, adopted and subsequently spoiled by ASPCA staffers, captured on film by pet portraitist Kim Levin.

Visit the ASPCA website at http://www.aspca.org for more information.