“Posh Pups” by Ilene Hochberg (Sterling Publishers, $13) is billed as a chronicle of “dogs who live better than you do” (memory foam dog beds, canine camo jackets, you get the idea), but it also contains a surprising amount of practical advice. Here, from the book, are a few of the reasons to take your doggie to the doctor, in addition to yearly check-ups or anything recommended by your vet:

¢ Immediately after purchase or acquisition.

¢ If your dog is drinking excessively.

¢ If your dog is losing weight or is disinterested in food.

¢ If your dog is scratching excessively.

¢ If you feel any unusual lumps under his skin.

¢ Before any trip.

Other useful info in the book includes lists of pet loss support hot lines, easy directions for knitting a doggie turtleneck and a list of dog magazines on the market including “Whole Dog Journal,” “Dog’s Life,” “New York Dog” and “Poodle Review.”

A file of up-to-date information on your cat or dog may come in handy during an emergency.

Create a place to keep important documents about your pet that you can easily grab in case of natural disaster or if your pet is lost. You might want to keep copies of some of these items in your safe deposit box as well.

Here is a list of things you might put in your folder, which you should stash in an easy-to-grab spot:

¢ A photograph of your pet.

¢ A list of phone numbers of veterinarians you have used.

¢ All rabies and vaccination records.

¢ Pedigree, if you have one.

¢ A list of medications that your pet currently takes and when they were prescribed.

¢ A copy of the disaster plan for your family and pets in case there is an emergency and you have to leave your home.

¢ An optional idea: keep an extra personalized ID tag made of brass or plastic for your pet in case he loses his collar. An extra collar or leash are other good things to have on hand.