Springs Chihuahua races for national title

A speedy 1-year-old Colorado Springs Chihuahua will compete in a national competition Sunday to find the fastest of the breed.

Roscoe, owned by Ken and Sandra Bonitz, will put his paws to the test between innings at a San Diego Padres-L.A. Dodgers baseball game. The race is at Petco Park in San Diego.

The brindle dog is among 15 regional winners going after the national title. His fastest race time was 3.4 seconds for a 35-foot run. But he has whittled a second off that time.

Roscoe comes to his sport naturally, his owners say.

“We don’t really train him. He chases our kids around on the grass,” said Ken Bonitz. “He was born to run.”

The only things Roscoe likes better? Beef jerky and chasing grasshoppers.

Watch a video of the race afterward at petco.com or on YouTube.

- Your pets can give you a lot of joy. They can also give you ringworm and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Here are some of the illnesses — called zoonotic diseases — that you can pick up from your pet, according to NPWM.com and its sponsor, the American Veterinary Association.

Cat scratch disease: Flea-borne infection from scratch or bite. Signs include pimples at site and swollen lymph glands.

Ehrlichiosis: Tick-borne ailment that causes fever, muscle aches and more serious symptoms that could require hospitalization.

Leptospirosis: Bacterial disease caused by contact with the urine of infected animals. Causes high fever, severe headache, and if left untreated, liver disease.

Ringworm: A fungal infection caused by contact with the skin or fur of infected dogs or cats. Signs are bald patch or scaly skin on scalp, or an itchy rash.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever: Tickborne illness that causes fever, headache, muscle pain and rash, and it can be fatal.

Toxoplasmosis: Parasitic disease spread by cat feces in soil or litter, or contaminated meat. It can cause problems in pregnant women or those with weak immune systems.

To help prevent all of the above:

Get tick and flea control for pets.

Brush pets regularly and inspect for ticks after every outing.

Don’t let pets drink from standing water outdoors.

Don’t let pets come in contact with other animals’ feces and urine.

Remove food, garbage or nesting materials that attract wildlife.

Get your pet a checkup at least twice a year — or more, if it’s ill.