Domino, a three-year-old Staffordshire Terrier mix rescue, with his best friend, Cora. As one of the six “pet-testants” participating in So You Think You Can Bark , Domino will perform a routine of tricks onstage with the help of Cora during the benefit for the nonprofit Stand For Animals on Feb. 21 at Knight Theater.

Domino, a three-year-old Staffordshire Terrier mix rescue, had his best day ever in 2018 when he was adopted by a family that includes his now-best friend, fifth-grader Cora, 11.

The two constant companions have spent months learning tricks with the help of a professional dog trainer as part of their commitment to being one of the six teams of “pet-testants” (dogs and their owners) competing at So You Think You Can Bark on Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m.at Knight Theater.

The fun event is a benefit for Stand For Animals Veterinary Clinic, which operates three nonprofit clinics in Charlotte, Pineville and Lake Norman. Its mission is to make sure every pet and pet owner has access to quality, affordable veterinary care and spay neuter services with the goal of reducing the number of dogs and cats euthanized in regional shelters and to creating a community without homeless pets. 

Tickets are $27.11 and can be purchased at standforanimals.org.

Cora, who describes herself as being an animal lover for as long as she can remember, decided to get involved with the event after attending last year’s benefit with her dad. Now she and the six other teams are working hard with their dogs while also trying to reach a fundraising goal of $10,000 each for a total of $60,000. To help them reach their goal, you can go online to make a donation.

Cora’s grandparents Dave and Karen Dillard in their #teamcoraanddomino T-shirts.

Two of Cora and Domino’s biggest cheerleaders are Cora’s grandparents, Dave and Karen Dillard. They live in Waxhaw and are rooting for #teamcoraandomino. To learn more about Cora’s devotion to helping pets, click here.

You can learn about the other “pet-testants” here.

While on a break from practicing his routine with Cora and his trainer, Piper, Domino agreed to answer questions for The O Report’s first Pet Profile.

Meet Domino, who kindly agreed to be The O Report’s first Pet Profile.

How did you and your human family meet? 

At the Humane Society of Charlotte’s shelter. My name then was Paddy. I was next to a smaller dog that barked a lot and would never look at me. I was so happy that Cora and her family fell in love with me right away.

 What do you love about Cora?

She’s very sweet to me and she lets me snuggle with her in her bed.  She also walks me, feeds me and trains with me weekly.  

Who do you like to play with other than Cora?

My toy dragon.  

What are your favorite pastimes?  

Playing with Cora and her brother, Cole, and playing with my toys.

What’s your favorite way to relax?

I like to lay in the sun on my dog bed. Or I’ll sneak up to Cora or Cole’s bedrooms when they aren’t home and take a nap.

What’s your favorite meal? 

I have to eat my dog food, but I love cheese.  

 What’s your favorite treat?  

Cheese and bread.

 What do you think makes you so special? 

I’m very loveable and sweet.  I love kids and enjoy rolling around on my back.  

What do you do that your family thinks is funny? 

I like to make strange noises — it makes them all laugh.  

 What are you most looking forward to about being a pet-testant at So You Think You Can Bark? 

Being on stage with Cora and my trainer Piper and showing other kids how important it is to spend time with their animals and to love them! 

ADORABLE PET COSTUMES...PLUS HOW TO KEEP YOUR PET SAFE ON HALLOWEEN

Lion Mane Cat Costume, $7.41 (was $14.99).

Monstrously Cute Cat Headpiece, $4.99 (was $9.99).

King Purrington Cat Costume, $5.99 (was $11.99).

Lucky Cat Costume, $7.49 (was $14.99).

House Mouse Cat Costume, $5.99 (was $11.99).

Classy Feline Bowtie Cat Collar, $3.49 (was $6.99).

Franken-Kitty Cat Headpiece, $4.99 (was $9.99).

Caticorn Cat Costume, $7.49 (was $14.99).

Darth Vader Illusion Dog Costume, $20.99 (was $34.99).

Teddy Bear Dog Costume, $10.99 (was $21.99).

Bacon for More Dog Costume, $10.99 (was $21.99).

Avengers Black Panther Dog Hoodie, $13.99 (was $19.99).

Justice League Batman Dog Bandana, $6.99 (was $9.99).

Toast of the Town Dog Costume, $10.99 (was $21.99).

Jack O. Lantern Dog Hoodie, $9.99 (was $19.99).

Lion Mane Costume for Dogs, $8.71 (was $15.99).

Sometimes it pays to procrastinate.

If you waited to buy your pet the perfect Halloween outfit, all costumes are now on sale at Petco. You can order online and have them shipped to your house or to your nearest Petco store for pickup.

The O Report sorted through hundreds of options to come up with our favorites in the slideshow above. The cat costumes are one size fits all. The dog costumes come in sizes XS-XXL.

Just remember that Halloween can be tricky for pets. The O Report does not advise anyone to put their pet in a costume unless they love to dress up. (Your pet will definitely let you know!)

Even if your pet loves to get into the Halloween spirit, the ASPCA recommends making sure their costume doesn’t limit their movement, sight or ability to breathe, bark or meow. And check the costume carefully to make sure there are no choking hazards are anything else that could lead to an injury. Festive bandanas are a great compromise.

Here are more Halloween tips from the ASPCA:

Stash the Treats: Several popular Halloween treats are toxic to pets. Chocolate in all forms — especially dark or baking chocolate — can be very dangerous for cats and dogs, and sugar-free candies containing the sugar substitute xylitol can cause serious problems in pets. If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.

Watch the Decorations and Keep Wires Out of Reach: While a carved jack-o-lantern certainly is festive, pets can easily knock over a lit pumpkin and start a fire. Curious kittens are especially at risk of getting burned or singed by candle flame. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered relatively nontoxic, but can produce stomach discomfort in pets who nibble on them.

Keep Pets Calm and Easily Identifiable
Halloween brings a flurry of activity with visitors arriving at the door, and too many strangers can often be scary and stressful for pets. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. While opening the door for guests, be sure that your dog or cat doesn’t dart outside. And always make sure your pet it wearing proper identification. If for any reason he or she does escape, a collar with ID tags and/or a microchip can be a lifesaver for a lost pet.

PETS AND DISASTER SAFETY CHECKLIST

The best way to ensure the safety of your pets during hurricane season or any other disaster is to be prepared with a plan.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 and includes the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 to November 30.

The best way to ensure the safety of your pets during hurricane season or any other disaster is to be prepared with a plan.

That’s why the Weather Channel and the American Red Cross put together this Pets and Disaster Safety Checklist that’s a must-read for all pet owners, especially during this time of year:

Plan Ahead

Plan to take your pets with you in an evacuation. If it is not safe for you to stay, it is not safe for them either.

• Know which hotels and motels along your evacuation route will accept you and your pets in an emergency. Call ahead for reservations if you know you may need to evacuate. Ask if no-pet policies could be waived in an emergency.

• Most Red Cross shelters cannot accept pets because of health and safety concerns and other considerations. Service animals that assist people with disabilities are allowed in Red Cross shelters.

• Know which friends, relatives, boarding facilities, animal shelters or veterinarians can care for your animals in an emergency. Prepare a list with phone numbers.

• Although your animals may be more comfortable together, be prepared to house them separately.

• Include your pets in evacuation drills so that they become used to entering and traveling in their carriers calmly.

• Make sure that your pet’s vaccinations are current and that all dogs and cats are wearing collars with securely fastened, up- to-date identification. Many pet shelters require proof of current vaccinations to reduce the spread of disease.

• Consider having your pet “microchipped” by your veterinarian.

Know What To Take

Assemble a portable kit with emergency supplies for your pets. Keep items in an accessible place and store them in sturdy containers so that they can be carried easily. Your kit should include —

• Sturdy leashes, harnesses and/or carriers to transport pets safely and ensure that they can’t escape.

• Food, drinking water, bowls, cat litter/pan and a manual can opener.

• Medications and copies of medical records stored in a waterproof container.

• A first aid kit.

• Current photos of you with your pet(s) in case they get lost. Since many pets look alike, this will help to eliminate mistaken identity and confusion.

• Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to foster or board your pets.

• Pet beds and toys, if easily transportable.

Know What to Do

• Often, warnings are issued hours, even days, in advance. At the first hint of disaster, act to protect your pet.

• Call ahead to confirm emergency shelter arrangements for you and your pets.

• Ensure that all pets are wearing collars with securely fastened, up-to-date identification.

• Check that your pet disaster supplies are ready to take at a moment's notice.

• Bring pets inside so you won’t have to search for them if you need to leave quickly.

After a Disaster

• The behavior of pets may change dramatically after a disaster, becoming aggressive or defensive, so be aware of their well-being and protect them from hazards to ensure the safety of other people and animals.

• Watch your animals closely and keep them under your direct control as fences and gates may have been damaged.

• Pets may become disoriented, particularly if the disaster has affected scent markers that normally allow them to find their home.

• Be aware of hazards at nose and paw or hoof level, particularly debris, spilled chemicals, fertilizers and other substances that might not seem to be dangerous to humans.

• Consult your veterinarian if any behavior problems persist.

Include All Your Animals
For information on disaster planning and emergency actions to take for livestock, horses, birds, reptiles or other small animals, such as gerbils or hamsters, visit RedCross.org, the Humane Society of the United States (www.HSUS.org) or Ready.gov.

COOL TREATS FOR HOT DOGS

For advice on the safest way to give cool treats to your hot dog, we turned to animal expert Dr. Wayne Mercer, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at SouthPark Animal Hospital.

The dog days of summer are definitely here. And just like us, our pets enjoy a cool treat when it’s hot outside.

To find out the safest options, we turned to Dr. Wayne Mercer, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at SouthPark Animal Hospital.

“The safest ‘cool down ‘ treat for dogs is crushed or shaved ice — but in moderation,” Dr. Mercer says. “And no ice cubes because they can fracture teeth!”

If your dog has been outside, he says to be aware that too much of something cold on the stomach of a hot dog can cause nausea.

If you choose a store-bought processed treat such as Purina’s Frosty Paws, Dr. Mercer recommends only giving your dog one a day.

Whether you choose to buy frozen treats, such as Purina’s Frosty Paws, or make your own homemade versions, Dr. Mercer recommends limiting the amount you give your pet the first time. “There are always dogs who eat something new, or too much of something different, and they’ll develop diarrhea,” he says. “It’s best to try it in moderation and see how they do the first time to make sure your dog’s GI track can tolerate it.”

Even if your dog can tolerate store-bought processed snacks such as Frosty Paws, because of the ingredients Dr. Mercer recommends limiting it to just a once-a-day treat.

Paw Print Muffin Pan Ice Cube Mold from Pawsome Doggie, $11.99.

For a healthier homemade recipe freeze layers of pureed pumpkin, mashed bananas and Greek yogurt in a silicone mold. For fun, try the Paw Print Muffin Pan Ice Cube Mold from Pawsome Doggie ($11.99). It makes tiny two-inch treats and can also be used for mini doggie cakes or muffins.

Freezing broth (chicken, beef or bone) in an ice cube mold is another option. Or pureeing and freezing their favorite fruit (The O Report’s resident dog is wild for watermelon).

For cats, Dr. Mercer says they like pumpkin and dairy also, so you could freeze those or their other favorite ingredients, too., as long as you follow the same rules for dogs (make sure your cat can tolerate the treat and only give it to them in moderation).

Whether it’s your dog or cat, what’s the easiest cool down solution of all? “Just put ice in their water,” Dr. Mercer says.

REST IN PEACE, CHASER

Dr. John Pilley and Chaser during their many happy times together.

One of the most famous animals from the Carolinas has died.

Chaser, a border collie known as “The Smartest Dog in the World,” died peacefully of natural causes on July 23 at the home of the Pilley family in Spartanburg, S.C.

As a puppy, Chaser was given as a gift to Dr. John Pilley, a retired Wofford College psychology professor, by his wife in 2004. Dr. Pilley taught Chaser a remarkable number of commands and to identify and retrieve more than 1,000 toys - each with a different name.

Chaser rose to worldwide fame with numerous articles and television features including an interview with Neil deGrasse Tyson for PBS’ Nova.

Here’s the famous video:

Dr. Pilley died last year at 89 with Chaser by his side. Chaser’s Facebook page has a moving description of their last days together written by Dr. Pilley’s son.