You can lose yourself in the fur of a cat. Warm under your fingers, glossy-sleek to your eyes, a cat's fur can relax you, make you smile and ease the strain of a hard day. In so many lovely combinations of color and pattern, of texture and length, the coats of our cats are an inspiration to those who appreciate the gifts of nature: a supple pelt covering a body that is itself a perfect picture of symmetry, power and grace.

For a cat, a coat may seem a source of pride, but it's really much more. A healthy coat of fur can protect her from the elements and hide her from both predator and prey. Instinctively, she knows the importance of each hair and spends a great deal of her time in a ritual as old as cats themselves, pulling dead hair free along with the dust from her rambles, restoring order and shine with her marvelously adapted tongue, as rough as sandpaper and handier than any comb.

Considering how much time your cat spends grooming, do you really even need to be involved in the process? Yes! Taking care of your cat's coat -- as well as her claws -- keeps her healthier, makes her easier to live with, and strengthens the bond between you.

Although many long-haired cats must have some help with their grooming, any cat can benefit from human intervention. Even if your cat isn't a high-maintenance type with silky, long hair, helping with grooming offers some benefits to you, as well:

-- Shedding. The fur you catch on comb or brush doesn't end up on your sofa cushions, sweater, or the cream cheese on your bagel in the morning.

-- Smell. Most cats are fairly fastidious, but some cats, especially unneutered males, can be a little offensive from time to time. Longhairs can get urine and feces in their fur, which can be uncomfortable -- and unhealthy -- for you both.

-- Hairballs. This is more of a problem in long-haired cats than short, but no one likes listening to a gagging cat, and stepping on a coughed-up mass in bare feet is even less appealing. Regular grooming by you keeps the volume of fur swallowed by your cat to the utmost minimum, and that means fewer hairballs on your rugs.

-- Bonding. Although your cat may not like you getting involved in grooming at first, if you're persistent, especially with the praise, your cat eventually comes to enjoy the time you spend together at this important task.

-- Destructiveness. Keeping your cat's claws trimmed reduces the need to scratch, because one of the reasons cats claw is to remove the worn outer casings of the nails.

-- Money. Good grooming saves you money in more than one way. By reducing your cat's need to scratch by keeping claws in good shape, you save money on replacing or repairing things. Grooming is also part of a preventive-care regimen: Paying attention to your pet's body not only helps avoid some health problems, but it also helps you detect signs of illness early, which is better for both your wallet and your pet.

-- Allergies. Studies have shown that good grooming, including regular baths, can help allergy sufferers cope with their pets. Some cats have allergies, too, such as to flea bites, and your attention to grooming makes your cat's life more comfortable.

Convinced? Next week I'll offer tips on combing, brushing, nail-trimming and even bathing -- yes, bathing! -- your cat.

CYBERLINKS: Border collies are the undisputed geniuses of the canine world, dogs so smart they could practically do your taxes. Many longtime border collie fanciers think the intelligent, active breed is too high-powered for most families, though, and in the last few years they've fought popularization, fearing an eventual "dumbing down" of the breed will result. The U.S. Border Collie Club's site (http://www.bordercollie.org) is packed with information on this honest working dog. The best part: a collection of excerpts from books by Donald McCaig, one of the best writers on dogs and country living around.

Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies" and "Cats for Dummies," and is the editorial director of the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or e-mail to Giori(at)aol.com.

4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111; (816) 932-6600

Open your wallet: It's time for a pet-friendly pop quiz.

Driver's license, credit cards, pictures, money, an appointment card from your dentist, a dry-cleaning receipt, a frequent buyer card or two -- do you know what's missing?

Mary Randolph does.

You should have something in your wallet detailing who's to care for your pets if you suddenly cannot, says the attorney and author of "Dog Law" (Nolo Press; $14.95), a modestly priced book now in its third revision and still one of the best additions to any pet-lover's library.

"It's like a Medic Alert card," she says of the importance of having information on your pets in your wallet at all times. "It should say: 'Attention: I have these animals at home. Please call this person to take care of them.'"

Randolph points out that if you were in an accident or became suddenly and seriously ill, no one may even realize you have pets. "Your pets may be alone for who knows how long," she says. "Maybe your neighbors don't know where you are, maybe your family lives far away. And if you should die and you haven't lined up care, your pets may end up in the shelter after they're found."

Which brings up the point of whose name should be in your wallet. How do you set up care for your pets, especially after you're gone?

"What I tell people is not to worry so much about the legal part but instead concentrate on the practical part," says Randolph. "Think of the person, not the animal. Prepare that person to care for your pet, let them know who your veterinarian is, what your animals eat, what kind of medicines they take. Write it all down beforehand and go over it. You do not want this to be a surprise."

Many people think they can leave money to their pets, but Randolph says the law really offers very little protection for animals after their owners die. "Animals can't own property," she says, explaining that in the eyes of the law animals are little more than property themselves. "A few states allow honorary trusts for pets, and allow you to appoint a trustee who will be in charge of the money.

"The problem with that is that it might give the person a false sense of security, even though a dog can't go to court to enforce the trust."

Trust of another variety is the key. "Pick the person, leave them the animals and enough money to provide for care, and then trust them to take care of your animals."

And what if you haven't anyone who can take on this important job for you? Check with local humane society, says Randolph.

"Shelters are trying to address this real need." The San Francisco SPCA, she says, has a policy that no member's pet will lack for a home after an owner dies. A couple of veterinary schools -- the one at Purdue among them -- offer lifelong care, although the suggested $25,000 donation puts the program out of reach for many.

Randolph finds the changes encouraging, and believes they're indicative of a more pet-friendly legal environment. "There used to be only one or two states that allowed trusts, and now there are more. It shows some concern: Someone had to lobby for these bills to go through.

"As the population ages, this is a more common concern for people," she adds.

Providing for pets in case of illness, accident or death is just one small part of this important book, which also covers animal-control regulations, landlord-tenant law, wrongful death of a pet, cruelty statutes, veterinary malpractice, and problems with other people's dogs, such as noise and aggression. Although it focuses on dogs, much of the information applies to other animals as well.

CYBERLINKS: The Nolo Press Web site (http://www.nolo.com) offers a taste of what's in "Dog Law," with articles written by Mary Randolph that cover many aspects of the law as it applies to animals. If you're thinking of getting a puppy, "When a Dog Is a Lemon" is a must-read, covering your legal recourse if you end up with a sick dog and offering solid advice on how to avoid problems in the first place.

Gina Spadafori, the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies," is affiliated with the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or e-mail to Giori(at)aol.com.

4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111; (816) 932-6600

When you consider that four of the nation's top five breeds in recent years have been big dogs, it's no surprise that there are a lot of dog owners out there with sore arms and shoulders from trying to control their great beasties.

And no surprise, either, that more and more of these dogs -- Labs and Rottweilers, German shepherds and golden retrievers, more than 350,000 registered with the American Kennel Club every year -- have been spotted with strange-looking contraptions around their necks or muzzles, as these same owners try to shift the balance of power to their side.

While most owners will still opt for the more familiar buckled or snap-together collar or slip collar -- the latter more commonly known as a "choke" collar -- an increasing number are choosing pinch collars or head halters.

Of the two, the pinch collar, also called a prong collar, is probably the more controversial, based mostly on its appearance. The collar is made of metal links, with blunt prongs evenly spaced along its length. With a pull of the leash, the collar tightens, pressing the prongs into the dog's skin and getting his attention in a hurry.

There's no doubt the collar is effective when used correctly, especially on dogs such as Rotties, or others with well-muscled necks. But because of its appearance, the pinch collar often draws nasty looks and comments on its apparent cruelty.

This is unfortunate. For despite its looks, the pinch collar can be less cruel than the more popular slip collar in the hands of people who don't know how to use the latter. That's because a properly fitted pinch collar cannot be tightened beyond the point of pushing the prongs against the skin, unlike the slip collar, which has no limits -- the harder you or the dog pulls, the tighter it gets.

While trainers know the correct way to use the slip collar is to snap quickly and release, a trip to any public park will prove that most dog owners never grasp this concept. Their leashes are kept taut behind pulling dogs, and the collars are tight, so much so that their dogs are constantly gasping for air.

In time, both owner and dog come to believe this is the normal way of walking, and with the most powerful dogs, the slip collar loses almost all its effectiveness as a tool for training and control.

The pinch collar is easier to put on properly, will not tighten beyond a predetermined point and allows control of even the strongest dog. All of which makes it a good choice for some dogs and some owners, as well as a more humane choice than an incorrectly used slip collar. (Although both are inappropriate, and unsafe, as an everyday collar or a collar for puppies. Use a buckled or snap-together collar instead.)

The other choice for large dogs -- a head halter -- also has its image problems, because it looks to many people like a muzzle. When someone sees a 90-pound German shepherd wearing what looks like a muzzle, all the discussion in the world isn't likely to convince that person the dog's not a vicious killer. This is certainly not good public relations for any breed.

But, again, appearance can be deceiving. Head halters are touted as the humane alternative to pinch or choke collars, and rightfully so. They work on the principle of "where the head goes, the body follows" and may make handling a large dog possible for small adults or even children.

Is a pinch collar or head halter -- or for that matter, the more commonplace slip or buckle collar -- right for your out-of-control dog? The best way to find out is to talk to a trainer or behaviorist, who can not only help you make the right choice but also show you the right way to use what you buy and train your dog to make outings the pleasant experience they should be.

CYBERLINKS: When veterinarian James Alfred Wight died in 1995, he left a legacy cherished by animal-lovers everywhere -- his books and stories, written under his pen name, James Herriott. Heather Mazzaccaro's page, http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/3907, is a loving tribute, a must-see for any Herriott fan. Any even greater tribute to Wight may be Mazzaccaro herself -- inspired by his stories, she's studying to be a veterinarian.

Gina Spadafori, the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies," is affiliated with the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or e-mail to Giori(at)aol.com.

4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111; (816) 932-6600