Spared euthanasia, animals can overcome adversity surprisingly well.

The American Kennel Club says new herding clubs are popping up across the country, although it does not track exact numbers. Nearly 200 clubs held herding trials last year. More than 10,000 dogs competed, a roughly 10 percent increase over 2006.

A growing number of pet owners are turning to custom-built wheelchairs to restore mobility to furry friends whose legs, hips or backs don’t work. The owners’ goals? To reward their pets’ unconditional love with whatever it takes for the animals to live normally.

At a Zen Buddhist temple in Japan, even the dog prays. Mimicking his priest master, the Chihuahua joins in  daily prayers, sitting up and putting his front paws together before the altar.

Gabrielle Ford was 20 years old and hiding in her room, driven there by the abuse of vicious bullying she had suffered in school because of a degenerative neuromuscular disease. She asked her mother if she could have a dog, because she desperately needed a friend.  Ford not only got a faithful companion, she got an entirely new and wonderful life.

How much safer is the pet food supply today? That's largely anyone's guess, experts say.