Jeff barks shop...

The idea is simple, but it was tricky to execute - cats and dogs engaged in an ongoing struggle unbeknown to humankind.

It's like those old Bond movies where SPECTRE and MI5 locked horns, only this time it's a battle in the animal kingdom. It's all happening under our noses and out of our sight. And ground zero is, naturally, my home, where I play a scientist trying to cure people's allergies to dogs.

I thought the script was a hoot. I loved the premise and had worked with director, Larry Guterman, before. So the decision was easy for me. I also knew the special effects would be hot stuff, integrating computer magic with animatronics, puppeteering, and a lot of real animals - something like 28 dogs and 33 cats - though I wasn't so sure about them. I've worked with animals throughout my career and have had some "experiences".

But working with Lou, the four-legged star of this movie, was amazing. As the nutty professor, I'd often improvise with him - pick him up, examine him, poke my fingers in his mouth. At one point, I even reached over and licked his nose. This dog was entirely amenable - just a big smile on his face. Maybe it was because he knew I was playing second fiddle to him... Make that fifth fiddle.

Still, I could have taken that pooch home.These days, I haven't any animals. I've had both cats and dogs, though. My first pet was Ginger, our family dog, a chocolate French poodle. So I guess that makes me a dog person by default. But please, don't tell the cats as I wouldn't want to offend them. In fact, maybe it's better to say I'm a people person. Just to be safe.