PEOPLE Pets | Sit. Stay. Play!

These may seem like the words of a jaded pets writer, but, paintbrush-wielding animals? Dime a dozen around here — we've seen chimps, elephants and even alligators dabble in the art world. So what makes Sammy the painting dog so special?

The 6-year-old foxhound shepherd mix not only commands up to $1,700 for one of his abstract works, but he is also a trained service dog who can open doors and withstand rainstorms to help people in need.

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It’s been made into a Walt Disney movie and live action film starring Glenn Close, but you’ve never seen the 101 Dalmatians story told quite like this. Embarking on a nationwide tour that kicks off on Oct. 13 in Minneapolis, The 101 Dalmatians Musical is a rousing Broadway-style show featuring 15 real dalmatians who were rescued from shelters and rescue groups across the country.

Staying true to the 1956 novel by Dodie Smith, the musical tells the story — from the dogs’ perspectives — of fictional character Cruella de Vil’s nefarious quest to make a coat from the splendid spotted fur of dalmatians.

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Who says dogs can't paint? Don't tell that to Tillamook "Tillie" Cheddar, a 10 year-old Jack Russell terrier (and PEOPLEPets.com member!) who's like the canine version of Georgia O'Keefe, except that Tillie's artistic style is more Jackson Pollock!

In the far west Chelsea section of Manhattan, a neighborhood studded with high-end contemporary art galleries -- the Gagosian, Barbara Gladstone, and Sikemma Jenkins, just to name a few -- one gallery dares to dedicate an entire exhibit just to dogs.

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Ever fantasize about having your dog fetch you a drink from the fridge? Well, as dog trainer Zak George from the new Animal Planet show SuperFetch will tell you, no dog is "unteachable."

"Some dogs can learn more than others," says George, who has trained thousands of canines to perform tricks in his career. "We try to cater each trick to each dog's ability level. So if you've got a dog that is really hyper and likes to jump, they might be a good dog to teach how to ride a bike. If you've got a dog that likes to play with socks, maybe we can teach them how to do the laundry."

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Southern California has always been at the forefront of trends. So it's hardly surprising that the nation’s first surf school for dogs recently opened in La Jolla, Calif. For pet owners willing to shell out $82.50 for a half-hour lesson, the "Surf Pup Program" — run by twin sisters Izzy and Coco Tihanyi, who also own the women's school Surf Diva — provides a primo place for Fido to learn how to hang twenty.

"I think what people don't understand is how much work this takes," says Alyssa Neubarth, a senior instructor at Surf Diva, who also works as an animal trainer at Sea World. "People have this misconception that all you need to do is put the dog on a surfboard and stick them in the waves. Not all dogs are able to do this. But if they have an affinity for the water, they generally pick it fairly quickly."

If you’ve been pondering hitting the waves with your pooch, Neubarth offers five tips for teaching a canine to cowabunga (Note: Bring along some Cheez Whiz!):

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On a pristine San Diego beach on Saturday, spectators watched breathlessly as Buddy, an experienced surfer, caught the wave that would win him the championship title. As he rode the swell, he made it very clear other surfers needed to keep their distance: He barked—loudly—the entire time.

Buddy, of course, is a dog. The Jack Russell terrier—along with his owner, Bruce Hooker—was hanging ten at the 4th Annual Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog Competition, a fund-raiser to benefit the Modest Needs Foundation, which aims to prevent poverty before it begins.

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Have you ever wondered what your cat is saying when he meows? Or what your dog is trying to tell you when he howls? Tim Link, the author of the new book Wagging Tales: Every Animal Has a Tale—Conversations with Our Animal Friends, may be able to tell you.

A onetime telecommunications executive, Link says he discovered an ability to meditate and pick up "energy" from animals while at a workshop in 2004 with renowned animal communicator Judi Byers. Now he works with his "gift" full time, helping owners solve problems with their pets, from unused litter boxes to unseen medical conditions. PEOPLE Pets recently made its own connection with Link, and got the scoop on how he helps owners and their pets build stronger relationships.

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