Cats and dogs should have completed their spring shedding by now, but many pets shed year-round, to varying degrees.

For some reason this year I've been swamped with news releases for shedding-related products. I throw out the releases that promise to prevent shedding, because even if that's possible, it couldn't be good for the pet. I look at the releases for tools that are supposed to be the "best" at removing dead hair and undercoats, even though our dog, Pablo, sheds very little, if at all.

I pay attention to clean-up products, because all cats and dogs produce dander, which is skin flakes that are regularly shed from the animal. Pet dander is something that many people are allergic to.

I tried out the Scotch Fur Fighter Hair Remover, which promises to "remove embedded hair and dander" from furniture, car seats, clothes and bedding. "It even picks up hair the vacuum leaves behind," says the release from 3M.

Our living room couches are pet-friendly, kid-friendly leather, so I used the Fur Fighter on office chairs, comforters and the upholstered car seats. First I used a lint roller. Then I used the Fur Fighter, and I couldn't believe how much "stuff" was picked up on what the company calls "Microtap grippers" which I could only describe as being somewhat similar to Velcro.

Then I got creative and used the product in a way that the news release did not mention. I ran the Fur Fighter over the string fringes on the ends of area rugs. Those strings can clog or even break vacuum cleaners. The Fur Fighter picked up all kind of debris including human hair and small amounts of cottony cocker hair, proving that Pablo is not completely shed-free.

The product is a bit pricey, especially when compared with lint rollers or reusable rubber scrub brushes. The starter kit is $9.99 which includes a tool with an "ergonomic handle for a comfortable grip and even pressure" and five 7 1/2-inch by 4-inch Microtap sheets, which I used up very quickly. An eight-sheet refill pack is $4.99.

The product can be purchased in many stores or online, and the 3M Web site has a coupon to save $4 on your first purchase.

Pablo tested the Spring Roll Dog Toy sent to us by WETNoZ, a company that sells "luxury pet accessories" online.

The spring roll is billed as a retrieving toy, and Pablo will retrieve just about anything, so he loved it. The small size is 4 1/2 inches long. It's made from lime green rubber and is shaped like an hour glass -- skinnier in the middle -- the better to fit in Pablo's mouth. When a person throws it, the spring roll bounces and jumps erratically, which some dogs get a kick out of. The small size is $4.95 and the larger size is $11.95. And then the prices on the WETNoZ site go up dramatically.

The Web site, www.wetnoz.com, includes stainless steel pet accessories such as the Fat Cat Luxury Cat Dish for $43.95. The Lil'Pup Dog Bowl, which holds two cups, is $69. 95. While these could be viewed as accessories for the pet owner who has everything, stainless steel "is easy to clean and can last a life time," the site notes.

Some of my favorite dog toys are Orbee-Tuff made by Planet Dog. They're durable and cute, to boot. They're designed for strong-jawed dogs who tend to shred and destroy lesser toys.

Now the company has a new line called Old Soul, designed for older and wiser dogs who don't destroy their toys. Old Soul toys are recyclable, nontoxic and made in the U.S.A.

Though Pablo is a young dog, he loves the Old Soul Orbee Bone, priced from $6.95 to $13.95, depending on size, and the Old Soul Slobber-Wick Buddy. Pablo's' buddy is shaped like a gingerbread boy, while others are bone-shaped. Prices are $5.95 to $9.95.

Planet Dog products are available online at www.planetdog.com or in local stores, which are listed on the Web site.

Pablo loves to play "fetch!" and, like many spaniels and retrievers, he loves to carry things in his mouth. With so many great pet toys to choose from, Pablo's favorite carry-around toy is a sock, preferably one that has been worn for several hours by someone he loves.