Keisha, Jesse, Toby, Matilda and Duncan are waiting for mom to come home. The Chi-Gang, as they are known, are companions to Debbie of Malabar, and they welcome you to the November issue of the NewsPetter.

The winning idea for The Humane Society Legislative Fund's recent "There Oughta Be a Law" contest was to create a tax credit for spaying and neutering pets. If you agree this concept will help with the problem of pet overpopulation and should become law, and you have a web site, blog, Facebook page or Twitter account, you can help generate momentum. Read more here.

Volusia County's Beach Advisory Committee has recommended to the City Council a one-year pilot program that would allow dogs on New Smyrna Beach, specifically Sapphire North to the Inlet from 6 p.m. to dark. If you live in New Smyrna Beach and support this, email Jack Hayman at jhayman@co.volusia.fl.us and express your feelings in a professional manner.

I mentioned this last month, but it's such a worthy cause, so here it is again: Many homeless people have canine companions and winter can be cold for them too. If you'd like to help make dog coats for homeless people's pets, contact me and I'll put you in touch with the organizer.

Pet Vets is a cool resource I found recently that provides a Disease or Condition Finder for cats and dogs. My motto: Knowledge is Power.

Looking for something fun to do with your energetic dog? Why not try Dock Jumping, a great water sport with events all across Florida.

How to raise a humane child or grandchild? Send them to Humane High School, a wonderful web site that offers free online courses on such topics as Animal Cruelty 101 and Using the Legislative Process to Speak up for Animals.

A reader from Panama City is wanting to partner up with area animal people and groups to help make Eglin AFB "swimming holes" dog-friendly once again. As is typical, one loud dissenter has ended an innocent fun outing for many and now the right to enjoy the outdoors with a beloved family member must be fought for again. If you'd like to get involved, please contact Ritch at b4dlens@yahoo.com.

Businesses in Saratoga Springs, NY, are signing up to be part of an organized effort to help the public identify dog-friendly shops by a special blue decal in the window. I mention this here because I think there are surely a few cities in Florida that would be interested in doing this. If so, check out Saratoga Springs Dog-Friendly Downtown for ideas and info.

Last month, I invited comments about Michael Vick - had he paid his debt and if not, what more should be do? I received mostly negative comments about Vick, but one reader pointed out that this wasn't all about Michael Vick, that his parents were also to blame, "This is a clear example of poor child-raising," she said. "When children are taught, or learn by example, to hate, or to not care or to react with anger, this is the sort of thing they tend to do."

This month's question: Do you feel children under age 12 should be permitted in dog parks? Write me with your opinion.

New dog park alerts in Parrish in Manatee County and Zephyrhills in Pasco.

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter where we're always dishing out pet-friendly "Tweets."

That's it for this month. Thanks for continuing to "tail along" with FloridaPets.net. Please drop us a note anytime you have a comment or suggestion, or would like us to feature your pet or a pet-friendly event in your area.