You hear a lot about the benefits of adopting a rescued pet rather than from a pet store. You help lower shelter populations, help keep strays off the street, give a loving home to a deserving animal. But more often than not, we discover that the roles of rescuer and rescued are not set in stone. 

Numerous studies have proven pet ownership is good for you. Dogs encourage their people to be more active, and it's been demonstrated that a cat's purrs can help heal injured bones and tissue. 

But there are far more dramatic examples of animal heroism, stories we hear of and share every day! A rescued wolf-hybrid named Shana saved her elderly owners Eve and Norman Fertig when they became trapped in a snowstorm. Shana's story is not uncommon, however. A dog named Honey saved her owner Michael Bosch after a terrible crash left him trapped in his vehicle. He eased Honey out of the wreckage, and she ran for help, quickly finding a man about a half-mile away and leading him back to her owner.

While a cat might not be strong enough to drag their owners to safety like Shana did, they are certainly no slouches in the rescue department either. A down on his luck homeless man named James Bowen rescued an orange cat with an abscess on his leg. After cobbling together enough money to get the cat antibiotics, the cat--now named Bob--returned the favor. The inseparable friends began performing tricks and gained a following. The happy ending is that James and Bob now have a home, and a book about their remarkable story. 

And who can forget Lil Bub, that adorable, toothless, floppy-tongued, short-legged kitten from "outer space" who captured the hearts of the world? Bub's charm helped pull owner Mike Bridavsky out of a rough patch in his life, and now they make videos, have a line of products and make appearances all over the U.S. to raise funds for animal shelters everywhere. Of course, they're on Facebook, too! In the words of Mike B, which have become her tagline: "Good job, Bub!"

Oh, the Places They'll Hide!

Animals in the wild are great at hiding and that trait remains in their domesticated cousins. The reasons pets hide can vary: some hide if they're not feeling well, or maybe they just want to be alone. But the two most common reasons a domesticated animal hides is when it's time for medicine or a bath!

There are a few Pet Maven doggie clients that Helen grooms who just aren't crazy about baths. Every time bath day comes, their owners have to strategically close off access to their hidey holes. Otherwise they dog-gone disappear, refusing to emerge until Helen has to leave for her next appointment.

Our sitters have found cats burrowed under bedclothes, curled up in closets and cupboards, and dawdling in drawers. Other cats find the highest shelf, creep beneath the claw foot tub, or do their best stuffed animal impression. Then there are the masters who can worm through tiny gaps in the upholstery, making themselves impossible to find unless you know the exact place to 

press beneath the left arm of the couch so you can feel their sneaky little backside. (Yes, I'm talking about you, Maddox).

But while hiding is a survival instinct in the wild, domesticated pets still find it a fun way to play! Just click the teal links below to see how both dogs and cats can enjoy a good game of hide-and-seek or peek-a-boo! For dogs, there's also this fun variation where you hide a treat while they're in another room, then let them sniff it out!

Many pets will spontaneously pick these games up on their own, as it mimics stalking and playing behavior they already instinctively know. But if you're trying to teach your old dog this new trick and he just isn't biting, here's a few pointers that can help your buddy pick up this delightful game.

Did you know The Pet Maven has a new way to pay for cat sitting and grooming services? 

TPM is now accepting Chase QuickPay payments. QuickPay works much like PayPal, but without the associated costs and delays. You don't even need to bank with Chase to register.

Now you can take care of payments in just a few clicks, and you don't have to worry about your kitten shredding the check! If you're already registered, email Jessica to find out what email address to use, or learn more about the program using the links below!

• Learn more 
• Enroll Now