In good times and bad, for better or for worse, pet owners owe it to their pets to keep their best interests at heart. Even so, pride, passion and basic survival have a way of running interference against our good intentions.

On September 18, Cleveland's The Plain Dealer reported, "Widow's custody battle in divorce court goes to the dogs: In-laws refuse to return animals after ex dies."

London's The Times ran a story on September 28 in which Johannesburg divorce attorney Billy Gundelfinger said, "I've had cases where [the pet] was the straw that broke the camels back, where they've settled the residency of the children … the finances … the cars and the holiday homes, and then they fight over the pet — and one of them says the whole deal is off, we're going to court."

And this month CNN brought you more love on the rocks. Sara Vreed, a 31-year-old associate at an architecture firm in Portland, Ore., told CNN, "After we broke up, my ex got Ivo on the weekends. But it was really taxing on [the dog], and he starting having a lot of behavior problems."

Meanwhile, back at the Reserve…

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has launched a new grant program to help eligible shelters and rescues fund and publicize programs that will make it easier for families to keep and care for pets in tough economic times. According to the HSUS website (hsus.org), "Pets have been among the voiceless victims of the current economic downturn. Animals have been left behind in foreclosed homes, and shelters are reporting that families are struggling to keep and feed pets."

It appears two extreme camps of dog owner now bookend the domestic canine experience: those who will devote untold hours and countless dollars to secure custody of their beloved, and those who, in hardscrabble times, drop the dog at the shelter to lighten their burden.

In order to circumvent the powerful effects of emotion and desperation and act in the dog's best interest: plan ahead.

In matters of the heart, whether cohabiting or legally united as a couple, put it in writing. Pet prenups reduce the quibble over who gets the pooch should the relationship sour. Usually, a dog will be more attached to one person than the other. Naming that person as the recipient of the dog should partners part ways is the right thing to do.

In matters of economy, those who expect the unexpected fare much better. Have a plan in place for the care of pets when disaster — natural or manmade — strikes.

The National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (petpopulation.org) lists as the "Top 10 Reasons for Pet Relinquishment":

* Moving

* Landlord issues

* Cost of pet maintenance

* No time for pet

* Inadequate facilities

* Too many pets in the home

* Pet illness

* Personal problems

* Biting

* No homes for littermates

Rarely do any of those issues fall from the sky without warning. They are problems that can be prevented by planning for the unexpected:

* Don't believe a home is forever until you own it outright.

* Live within your means and save for emergencies.

* Spay or neuter your pet.

* Nip behavior problems in the bud by giving your dog a basic education.

* Keep your dog fenced or on a leash when outside to prevent accidents and resulting emergency vet bills.

* Feed your dog a healthy, balanced diet of proper portions, and ensure he gets enough exercise to keep him in good shape, thus minimizing trips to the vet.

* Collect pet references and keep documentation of your pet's good manners, good health and good relationships with neighbors, friends, family and vets. This will help if landlord negotiations become necessary.

* Utilize resources like the HSUS and your local SPCA, animal control center and shelters. They are on your side and will do what they can to help you keep and care for your pet in hard times.

Woof!

Dog trainer Matthew "Uncle Matty" Margolis is co-author of 18 books about dogs, a behaviorist, a popular radio and television guest, and host of the PBS series "WOOF! It's a Dog's Life!" Read all of Uncle Matty's columns at the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com, and visit him at www.unclematty.com. Send your questions to dearuncle.gazette@unclematty.com or by mail to Uncle Matty at P.O. Box 3300, Diamond Springs, CA 95619.

COPYRIGHT 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.