Doggy Do ... or Doggy Don't

We wouldn’t exactly classify dogs’ mouths as clean, considering their penchant for garbage-rummaging (not to mention their uncouth way of greeting fellow canines). Plus, several recent reports have said that dogs carry bacteria like salmonella, Lyme disease, and even MRSA, the antibiotic-resistant staph infection that made headlines earlier this year. But don’t ban all canine kisses just yet. You’re more likely to catch a cold from another person than you are to pick up harmful germs from a dog, says Holli Senior, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Health. That’s because the bacteria in Fido’s mouth prefers to live on dogs, and probably won’t last long enough on your hubby’s cheek to do any harm. If you’re still not convinced, suggest that he rinse his hands and face after his bonding session—or tell him that more kisses he gets from his four-legged friend, the fewer he may get from you.