What would happen to your pets if something happened to you? For your pet's sake, it's a question you ought to be asking now.

Katherine L. Babson Jr. is in the business of helping people think about a lot of things they'd probably rather not. She is now well-versed in planning for pets, but even from the start, animals have been a part of the estate-planning attorney's career. When she was a new associate, one of her earliest tasks involved handling a deceased client's dog.

"One of our clients, a professor in Massachusetts, had left her dog to a friend in Missouri, but had made no provisions for how that was to be done," she said. Her firm filled in the gap, and Babson was dispatched to collect the dog, make flight arrangements and put the Westie on the plane.

At least the dog's owner had given some thought to her pet. Too often that's not the case, says Babson, now an adviser to a Boston-based financial services firm. But even those who do make some arrangements often handle the situation in ways that aren't legal or don't work well, such as leaving money to a pet (you can't), or making an inheritance conditional on the death of a pet (which too often speeds up the process, sometimes by years).

"I have always told clients they need to think about and plan for their pets," she said, noting the she believes more people are. The reasons? More disposable income, she says, and our increasing belief in pets as "family."

So what works? Babson believes every pet owner should have some form of "durable power of attorney" ready, designating someone to make immediate decisions for your pet should you die or become incapacitated by illness or accident. The second part of the equation is a long-term placement in the case of your death.

A small but growing number of states allow pet trusts, where the pet is given to a person and funds for the animal's care are held by a trustee. Similar arrangements can be worked out in other states, says Babson, who recommends the residual of any such fund be left to charity to remove any financial temptation from the arrangement.

Some veterinary schools offer lifetime care for a pet left to them in exchange for a one-time payment of $25,000. That makes the San Francisco SPCA's Sido Service seem like a bargain. It's free to members, and it guarantees placement of a healthy pet in a new home as well as regular medical care in the society's animal hospital.

If you don't have $25,000 or don't live in the San Francisco area, your pet's life needn't be endangered if something happens to you. Your best bet is to talk about this subject beforehand with friends and family, make arrangements in advance and keep them current. Never assume your family will take your pet. Make sure you have found a willing adopter and that the details you've arranged are known. Also, talk to your attorney about how to structure any money you leave for care.

Nobody likes to think about these issues, as Babson admits. But if you don't look out for your pet, chances are no one will.

PETS ON THE WEB

What do you think of the $2.5 million donation to Texas A&M to fund an effort to clone a wealthy couple's collie? Do you think it's the first dangerous step down a slippery slope toward human cloning, or do you wish you could afford it for your own pet? Whatever your view, you'll want to check out the Web site of what has been dubbed the "Missyplicity Project" (www.missyplicity.com). You'll find a picture of Missy as soon as you get to this well-designed site, which also discusses the goals and ethics of the project.

The project team has thought long and hard about the benefits (almost too hard), which they say potentially may include the ability to clone service dogs and other animals helpful to humankind, as well as help to preserve endangered species. The site also offers a place for comments, which are answered by the project coordinator.

Another opportunity for comment is in the Veterinary Information Network's weekly poll (www.vin.com/poll/pub.html). The poll changes every Sunday, and the "Missyplicity Project" will be the topic the week of Sept. 14.

PET TIP

Guinea pigs are rare among mammals in that they cannot manufacturer their own vitamin C; they rely on outside sources to provide it. This is why although the animals are fairly closely related, a guinea pig will not thrive on rabbit pellets. High-quality commercial pellets manufactured expressly for guinea pigs are formulated to provide them with the extra vitamin C they need.

Even with proper storage in a cool, dry place, however, commercial diets lose vitamin C content rapidly. Keep no more than a month's supply on hand and be sure the food is fresh when you buy it. To ensure that enough ascorbic acid is in the diet, add it to your pig's water: 100 soluble milligrams to a cup of drinking water, made fresh daily.

Fresh kale and cabbage are also high in vitamin C, and small amounts of them make great additions to the diet. To make sure your pet's diet remains well-balanced, though, fresh pellets should always make up the bulk of its rations.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: We got our puppy in May of '98 from the pound, and she is a mix. She is such a joy for our family. We want her to have one litter of puppies and then get her spayed. Is that a good idea or not? How can I tell when she comes in heat, and when is a good time to breed her? Also, how long are dogs pregnant for? Please let me know! -- D.F, via the Internet

A: With no shortage of surplus pets in this country and a situation where even "valuable" purebreds die for the lack of a home, considering such a casual breeding is irresponsible at best. What will you do with the puppies? Keep them all? Drop them at the shelter? Finding homes for a mixed-breed litter is difficult. Are you prepared to deal with the reality that some or even all of the babies you will watch come into the world will be die as unwanted?

Have you considered the expenses and the difficulties of raising a litter properly? Under normal circumstances, raising a litter is a lot of work. Sometimes it can be heartbreaking. A friend of mine recently went through a breeder's nightmare. In a litter of 12 puppies, four were stillborn, and all but two died one-by-one in their first week of life. They could not be saved, and she was absolutely overwhelmed and saddened by the experience. I just saw the two remaining puppies (cleverly named Sur and Viver) and marveled at the effort it took just to keep two puppies clean and socialized.

The health benefits of spaying your dog are also well worth considering. If your pet has not come into her first heat, you can protect her from mammary cancer by spaying her now. Even after her first heat, spaying eliminates the possibility of other reproductive system cancers. The behavior benefits of altering are more pronounced in males, but spaying your female will spare you the drippy mess of her twice-yearly heat as well as the company of persistent suitors.

You'll be able to tell when your dog is coming into season mostly because of an increase in her licking herself in an attempt to keep clean. As the heat progresses, you'll see bleeding (and will likely want to put special britches on her to catch the drips). She'll reject suitors -- sometimes violently -- until she's ready to breed (usually five or six days after bleeding is noticed), and then will flip her tail over if touched near her rump, indicating interest. Pregnancy in dogs runs an average of 63 to 65 days.

Talk to your veterinarian about your plans, or, even better, about scheduling a spay for your dog. If you want another dog, revisit the shelter. Otherwise, please don't add to the problems of overpopulation by breeding your pet.

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 Write2Gina(at)aol.com.

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

Anyone who has ever pulled out a credit card at the emergency clinic for something that wasn't an emergency comes away wishing for a better knowledge of what constitutes an urgent situation -- and what doesn't. But as big an "ouch" as a nonemergency can be to the budget, it's a lot better than the opposite situation: an emergency that goes untreated until it's too late for your pet.

But how can you tell? The signs of a healthy pet are pretty apparent to an observant pet owner: bright, clear eyes with no sign of discharge; clean ears, free of buildup or smell; a mouth not overpowered by its odor, with pink gums free of infection; a nose that appears moist, with no discharge; a shiny coat, with unblemished skin below that snaps back easily when pulled away from the shoulders. A healthy attitude, a healthy appetite and normal thirst are part of the package, too, without signs of intestinal upset. No lameness, no swelling. No heavy panting.

Anything to the contrary is reason for concern. But is it an emergency?

The first way to start finding out is with a thermometer. Pet thermometers are available at pet-supply stores or you can use one designed for humans. Just be sure to put the latter in a special place so there are no mix-ups.

To take your pet's temperature, put a little water-based lubricant on the tip of the thermometer and insert it in the animal's fanny. After a minute or so, remove and check the temperature. Normal is between 100 and 102.5 for dogs and cats; anything below 99 or above 103 is worth checking with a veterinarian, day or night.

Some other trouble indicators include seizure, fainting or collapse, as well as any suspected poisoning, including antifreeze, rodent or snail bait, or human medication. Snake or spider bites, too, demand immediate attention. Cats in particular can be fatally sensitive to insecticides (such as flea-control medications that are safe for dogs), petroleum-based products or medications such as Tylenol.

Sometimes situations that might not seem urgent really are, even such as mild eye injuries or allergic reactions -- swelling around the face or hives. A single incident of vomiting or diarrhea is probably nothing, but anything more than two or three times within an hour or so could indicate a serious problem. Other signs of possible serious conditions are breathing problems, chronic coughing, or difficulties urinating or defecating, especially in cats.

Animals can sometimes seem fine after accidents, such as being hit by a car, exposed to extreme heat or cold, or being cut or bitten. Beware! Your pet may have internal problems that may be lethal if not attended to quickly.

There are also situations that may not be life-threatening but are certainly painful enough to warrant immediate veterinary attention. Some of the signs of an animal in pain include panting, labored breathing, lethargy or restlessness, loss of appetite, aggression, hiding or crying out. While it may be possible to wait until your regular veterinarian is available, put yourself in your pet's place. Don't let your pet suffer!

Make best use of this column by saving it in your phone book and writing the phone number of your regular veterinarian and the phone number and directions to the nearest emergency clinic on it, so all the information is ready when you need it. And always remember: When in doubt, call a veterinarian.

It's better to make a trip you needn't have than to miss the one you should have made.

PETS ON THE WEB

Many people have discovered that greyhounds are wonderful pets. Thousands of people have adopted one of these "40 mph couch potatoes" in recent years, but activists claim outreach programs are little more than public relations for an industry with lots of explaining to do. Some greyhound groups work within the system, adopting out dogs on the condition that they not publicly criticize the racing industry. Others encourage adoptions but refuse to be muzzled, calling for an end to racing.

One of the strongest voices for greyhounds is the Greyhound Protection League, and they make their case powerfully on their well-designed Web site (www.greyhounds.org). It's not always easy reading, but it's good to know someone's looking out for these animals. The site documents abuse and common practices that would give most pet lovers pause. Also included are links to groups that facilitate adoptions of these gentle dogs.

PET TIP

Many cats love to nibble plants, some for the fiber, some because their tummies are upset, and some, well, they just like it. A kitty garden is easy to grow and gives your pet something to chew on besides your houseplants. You can find seeds in garden centers and some pet-supply stores.

What to plant? Catnip and valerian are two plants cats really adore, so much that you have to sow them in a cat-proof area or they'll never get beyond the seedling stage. After the plants are large enough to stand it, trim some for rubbing on cat trees and posts, stuffing in toys or offering plain to your pet.

Grasses such as alfalfa, rye and wheat are more attractive as tender seedlings; always keep a batch growing for your cat's grazing pleasure. Finally, parsley and thyme can be grown both indoors and out, and many cats like them.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: I am looking for information on border collies and behavioral problems. My puppy is hyper. She chews on furniture and baseboards and digs in the yard. She's driving us crazy!

Will this dog ever be normal? I know they are supposed to be smart, but are they trainable? -- M.S., Sacramento, Calif.

A: Border collies are about the most trainable dogs ever born, but they need an owner who will keep both their fantastic mind and agile body engaged. Call it the "Babe" effect, if you will, but public exposure in recent years hasn't done this handsome breed a lot of good. Too many people see good looks and intelligence and don't think about what it's like to live with a dog who has both a strong work ethic and enough brains to do your taxes.

The good news is you don't have to buy a small herd of sheep to keep your border collie happy, although they likely won't complain if you do. These dogs excel in all manner of dog sports, including obedience, agility, fly ball and Frisbee. Even if you don't go in for organized sports, frequent, hard exercise and lots of mental challenges will keep this breed happy. They learn tricks easily.

A puppy class is a great start, but don't hesitate to work individually with a good trainer or behaviorist on your pet's problems. Your trainer can probably tell you about dog sports clubs in your area, as well.

Q: My family was thinking about getting a small dog, and my mom said she wanted a dog like Verdell from "As Good as It Gets." Do you know what kind of dog he/she was? Also, could you tell me how much a puppy would cost? -- L.G., via the Internet

A: The scene-stealing fuzz face -- hey, why didn't the dog get an Oscar? -- in "As Good as It Gets" is a Brussels Griffon. According to the American Kennel Club, this sturdy toy breed was originally developed in Northern Europe from German ratters and Belgian street dogs. Their primary purpose was to keep stables free of rodents. Later, the pug was introduced, which is why the breed today comes in either smooth (shorthaired) or rough (wirehaired) varieties. Those who love them say the Brussels is very intelligent and a tad stubborn.

Costs for any purebred puppy vary widely. Show-quality youngsters generally fetch more than pet-quality, although the latter may have nothing "wrong" except a misplaced marking or similar trait faulted in the show ring. Toy breed puppies are often more expensive than larger dogs because little dogs have small litters. Brussels Griffons were never that common, and their brush with fame will make them even harder to find now.

As always, your best bet will be dealing with a reputable, experienced hobby breeder. (Check out a dog show.) Whenever any breed gets media exposure, whether it's the border collie, Dalmatian or St. Bernard, opportunistic folks hustle into the breeding game, to the detriment of the dogs and the people who buy them. Buyer beware.

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 Write2Gina(at)aol.com.

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

Can a dozen years have possibly passed since the day when I first held Andy, an hours-old pup with beautiful markings and the beginnings, even then, of an attitude?

I remember him now as the prankster, a strong, handsome youngster who stalked the rainbirds in our yard and chewed holes in hampers to gain access to dirty socks and underwear. Toni and Lance, the dogs he drove crazy with his puppy pestering, have been gone for years. And now, Andy himself has little patience for the bounciness of the two young retrievers. He'd rather be left alone.

I console myself with the knowledge that he is in good health and make sure he gets the little extras his status demands -- extra car rides, special one-on-one couch time and games played with the retrievers put away, so Andy will win and not get jostled. He is still handsome: His eyes may be a little milky, but his coat is as lush and shiny as ever.

Those eyes scan my face more frequently than ever now, for Andy is hard-of-hearing and appears to be teaching himself to lip-read. I tested him the other day, mouthing the word "cookies." He ran to the place where they are kept. Clearly, his mind is as sharp as ever. I found myself saddened when he stopped greeting me at the door -- he doesn't hear me pull up these days -- but I've gotten used to it. I find him where he's sleeping and wake him, gently. He seems annoyed at being surprised, but his face soon changes to joy at seeing me. He smiles, and I smile back. I rumple his silken ears, and he yawns.

I am careful to see that he gets the care he needs: good veterinary care, good nutrition and light exercise. He sees his veterinarian regularly for a thorough exam, blood and urine tests, and dental cleaning.

The trick, I know, is to prevent the problems you can and catch early the ones you can't. He has had a lump removed here and there, but that's about it. I try to keep him lean and exercised to help his arthritis, and that, along with some vitamins and other medications, keeps him fairly limber.

I sometimes find myself preparing for the day he will leave me, imagining what my life would be like without his thoughtful presence. Other times, I refuse to consider the possibility he will not be with me forever. I don't care if I know better. I don't want to lose him, ever.

It leads you to look for answers where none exist�.

My co-author and friend, Dr. Paul Pion, is as good a veterinarian as you could possibly find, a cardiologist by specialty. I talk to him when I want information about high-tech and cutting-edge veterinary medicine, but he is just as capable of sharing good stuff on a more basic level. He would tell you that warm fuzzies are not his strong suit, but I, for one, would disagree.

"Paul," I said to him the other day, "you're so good, tell me how to keep Andy from getting old."

"Kisses," he said. "Lots of kisses."

If he's right, my little sheepdog will be with me for a long time yet. I doubt, though, it could ever be long enough to get used to the idea of being without him.

PETS ON THE WEB

Holy moly, you've hit the canine mother lode when you point your browser to the rec.pet.dogs FAQ Homepage (www.k9web.com/dog-faqs). Internet pioneer Cindy Tittle Moore has spent the last six years gathering and maintaining a top-notch collection of materials, including articles on breeds, activities, behavior and training, allergies and pup gear.

The site also includes the definitive list of canine-related list-serves, e-mail "clubs" devoted to a specific breed or topic. Moore's site is a serious labor of love and a true service to dogs and those who love them. Completely noncommercial, well-organized and easy to search, this site is simply the best out there. If you can't find the information you're looking for here, you may not be able to find it at all.

PET TIP

Any pirate will tell you the proper place for a parrot is on the shoulder, but that view is challenged by behaviorists. The problem, they say, is that such a lofty perch gives parrots both the wrong idea about their status and the ability to inflict real damage should they decide to bite.

In the parrot's point of view, being higher equals being better, and a bird with such a superior attitude is more likely to try to stay on top -- both figuratively and literally -- by biting. Some biting problems can be solved simply by lowering the perch to give family members a height advantage and by never letting the bird higher than midchest when out of the cage. And that means no shoulder perching. Behaviorists point out the shoulder is an extremely risky place to park a parrot because a bite here could lay open a cheek or damage an eye.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: We live where it stays hot most of the year. When we bag up the litter lumps to put in the trash, it smells up the garage and the cans. We have two cats and change the box daily.

We are thinking about spreading the used litter in the vacant lot next to our house. There are no houses closer to us than about a block away. I don't want to do it if it isn't safe, but I would like to give our garbage man a break. -- D.V., Miami

A: Spreading soiled litter on the lot next door isn't a good idea, from either a health or smell perspective. The feces of cats may contain diseases and parasites that can be transmitted to humans and other pets who come in contact with it. You don't have to get up close to be bothered, either: If you've ever walked past a flower bed favored by the neighborhood cats, you'll know it by the stench. I'm afraid your lot will be just as pungent in short order if you go through with your plan.

You didn't mention what kind of litter you're using. If you're changing out a box of nonclumping litter every day, you can really cut down the bulk by switching to the clumping variety -- a few soiled lumps is all you'll be dealing with then. Invest in some Ziploc bags to put the cat waste in. Sealed up, they should make your garbage a lot more pleasant to deal with.

Q: I have recently gotten a puppy, and I am having problems with the way she deals with the cat. She loves to chase the cat and often will jump on the cat and sometimes pin her to the ground.

The cat doesn't seem to mind all that much and is usually able to get away all by herself. Sometimes, however, no matter how much I scold the puppy for attacking the cat, she (the puppy) will not stop. They seem to be friends at times (i.e., often they will exchange kisses), but this aggressive behavior worries me.

Does the dog want to harm the cat or just play with her? I really want them to get along, but I don't know what to do. -- T.P., via the Internet

A: I wouldn't call your puppy "aggressive." Seems to me the behavior is more playful than predatory. However, you have to understand that dogs have a natural instinct to chase anything that runs. Your cat, no matter how good-natured, shouldn't have to put up with being the object of a chase. She could get hurt.

I'd make two recommendations. First, I'd attach a leash to the puppy's collar so you can catch her when she's chasing. Instead of punishing her, call her to you, ask for a positive behavior like "sit" and praise her for doing it right. Second, I'd set up a room where your cat can get away from the puppy. Put a baby gate across the door of a bedroom. Your cat will be able to clear it easily, but your puppy won't be able to follow.

Your two pets seem to be on the road to being pals. I'd get your puppy into a class soon, though, so you can learn how to raise her into a dog who will get along with everyone.

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 Write2Gina(at)aol.com.

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