No matter how much you may enjoy company, there's something wonderful about having your house for your own family again. That's true even when the guests are animals. Much as I enjoy having a "guest dog" (or two, or three), I really enjoy seeing their owners take them home.

Of course, sometimes you can't predict when the homecoming will happen, such as when you find a stray. I'm always finding strays, and the recent holiday weekend was no exception. The dog was standing in the center of a busy intersection with little concern for the cars honking at him. I stopped and whistled. He came right over. I opened the door. He jumped right in. This is the story of my life.

No tag, no collar, no microchip. And no way to place an ad until the weekend was over. The dog was sweet and good-natured, with perfect manners. Surely someone was missing him horribly.

She was. The call came early on the day my ad appeared, from a loving owner clearly relieved to have her dog back. But why should the dog have had to be separated from his family for three days? If he'd just had ID, he could have been home in an hour.

"No ID" is one of my pet peeves -- and one of the most senseless ways to put your dog at risk. Here are some others to consider and to avoid:

-- Letting him off the leash. The sight of joggers with unleashed dogs along busy byways fills me with a sense of dread, for I've heard from too many people who've lost dogs this way. It only takes a second for your dog to be hit by a car. And you can never, ever get that second or your dog back. Leash 'em up!

-- Giving him inappropriate toys and chews. Most everyone knows that some chews, like cooked poultry bones, must be off-limits to every dog, but one of the potentially most dangerous chews is something few people ever recognize as a threat: a tennis ball.

There's no harm in throwing a tennis ball to your dog. The problem is in LEAVING a tennis ball with your dog, especially if he's a strong chewer. That's because many dogs like to hold the ball in their mouth and compress them. Occasionally such a ball will pop into the dog's throat, where it can be almost impossible to dislodge. With no way to breathe, a dog can die this way in short order.

Instead of letting your pet chew on tennis balls, choose toys made for heavy-duty gnawing, such as Kongs and Nylabones.

-- Leaving him in a car on a warm day. Even balmy weather can be deadly to a dog in a car. On an 80-degree day, the temperature in a car, even if the windows are open a crack, can easily reach 120 degrees within minutes. That can kill a dog in minutes.

It's never a good idea to leave a dog in a car. If the heat doesn't get him, there's always a chance a thief might.

-- Using poisons carelessly. Slug and snail bait kill a lot of pets every year, and each death was preventable. Do NOT put out such poisons in areas where your pet or other animals can get to them. Use all household chemicals properly and carefully, and clean up any spills promptly.

-- Leaving on a "choke collar." The moving ring on a choke collar can catch on many things, such as a gap in a chain-link fence or even the tooth of another dog. Once the collar is caught, the dog will pull away, a move that only makes the situation worse. Should you be lucky enough to be there to help, you may end up badly scratched and bitten -- and still have a dead dog. Never leave a choke collar on a dog as his regular collar; use buckle or quick-connects only, please.

If you put an ID on your pet and avoid the rest of these mistakes, you've cut the risk of losing your dog by a considerable degree.

PETS ON THE WEB

More people than ever before are dedicated to keeping others informed about animals, judging from the rapid growth of two trade groups: the decades-old Dog Writers Association of America and its upstart counterpart, the Cat Writers' Association.

Both groups offer support to hundreds of people engaged in some form of communication regarding animals, from writing to photography to Web-page design, and both offer an annual competition to reward the best efforts in dozens of categories.

For the first time, however, the two groups, which share a high percentage of common members, are joining forces to offer a writers' conference, Nov. 20-22 in Kansas City, Mo. Details are available on the CWA's spiffy new Web site (www.catwriters.org), and should be on the DWAA's site soon (www.dwaa.org).

Information on the contests and membership are also available on the sites, along with some links to Web sites of the groups' respective members. (Information on the conference is also available by "snail mail." Send a self-addressed, business-sized envelope to CWA President Amy D. Shojai, P.O. Box 1904, Sherman, Texas 75091-1904.)

PET TIP

While most people nowadays have more sense and compassion than to say "it's just a pet" to someone who has just lost one, the time after an animal's death is still a difficult time for many people.

Fortunately, in recent years services have been established to help, and the majority of them are free except for the cost of a phone call. Many veterinary schools offer pet-loss support hot lines staffed by student volunteers. The programs are good for the people on both ends of the phone line. They give people who need it another animal-lover to talk to, and they offer veterinarians-to-be the chance to learn how best to deal with distraught clients.

Contact your closest school or college of veterinary medicine, or ask your veterinarian about these marvelous programs.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: Our dog Molly is always eating. She eats her food and then the cat's food. We put the cat's food up high on a desk outside, hoping to keep Molly from eating it. No luck; she gets up on the desk. Can dogs have an eating disorder? She's not skinny, nor is she active. What can I do to help her? -- F.H., via the Internet.

A: She does have an eating disorder. It's called obesity. Fortunately, you can help her with it. Have your veterinarian check her out to make sure she's otherwise healthy, and to suggest changes in diet and exercise that will help her. "Light" foods offer more bulk with fewer calories and can help animals feel "full," and may be a better option than cutting back rations.

Cat food isn't good for dogs, and you're on the right track in your efforts to keep her out of it. Try feeding the cat on the other side of a baby gate, or a cat door if Molly is too big to fit through one. The baby-gate/cat-door strategy is also a good one to use for dogs who like to cruise litter boxes for "snacks," by the way, a common and thoroughly disgusting habit many dogs enjoy wholeheartedly.

Q: We haven't had a cat for years, but we were recently adopted by a one we think belonged to someone in the neighborhood, but she likes us better. We had her spayed and vaccinated, and the vet pushed a rabies shot. Is that necessary? -- H.M., via the Internet

A: Congratulations on being adopted. Cats seem to know where they're needed most, and it's obvious your heart was ready for feline companionship again. Kudos, too, for seeing to your pet's health needs, and ensuring you won't have more pets than you can handle by getting her spayed.

As for your question: Yes, it's necessary. Your veterinarian isn't trying to push anything except proper preventive care for you and your new pet. Vaccination is so important for your cat that in many areas it's required by law.

The risk of contracting rabies from your cat, or any pet, is small, but it does exist. Because outdoor cats constantly cross paths with wild animals, the most common carriers of rabies, they're at higher risk for being bitten and subsequently passing along the disease to you.

And that's why vaccination is so important. Although it can be treated if caught early, rabies is a fatal disease once established in the body, and a handful of people die of it every year. Rabies is one disease where animals are vaccinated as much for the protection of humans as for the animal itself.

The risk to you and your new pet is too great to take on just to save the cost of a simple vaccine.

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

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