If you're going to have a healthy pet, you'll need the help of a veterinarian. And while some people believe these health-care professionals are virtually interchangeable, distinguished only by convenience and price, you're doing your pet a disservice if you don't put a little effort into choosing the right one.

To work effectively with your veterinarian, you need to develop a relationship over time, so he or she can build a history and become familiar with you and your pet. Group practices are fine, but working primarily with one veterinarian, either alone or in a group, is best.

Your veterinarian should be technically proficient, current on the latest treatments and willing to seek out more information on your pet's behalf. A good veterinarian should be articulate, able to explain what's going on with your pet in a way that you can understand, and willing to answer your questions so that you can make a responsible decision on your pet's behalf.

Above all, you must be able to trust your veterinarian. After all, knowing what goes on in a veterinarian's office after you leave your pet behind is impossible. An animal can never comment on treatment, and an animal lover must rely on trust to be sure a pet has been dealt with fairly.

Before you choose a vet, ask friends, co-workers and neighbors for recommendations. Over the years, animal lovers can tell which veterinarians are knowledgeable, compassionate and hardworking. These veterinarians are always talked up by satisfied clients.

Other factors may help you narrow down your list of possibilities:

-- Is the clinic or hospital well-versed in the kind of pets you have? If you have birds, for example, you need to be sure you're dealing with a practice that handles enough feathered pets to be comfortable with them and knowledgeable about them. Certifications should weigh in your decision as well, such as the ones granted by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in canine, feline or avian care. Such additional certifications demonstrate an eagerness to seek higher levels of knowledge.

-- Is the clinic or hospital conveniently located, with hours you can live with? If you have a 9-to-5 job, a veterinarian with a 9-to-5 clinic won't do your pet much good. Many veterinarian offices are open late on at least one weeknight and for at least a half-day on Saturday, or they are willing to make other arrangements.

-- Does the veterinarian show a willingness to consult with veterinary college staff or independent or in-house specialists, or does she subscribe to an online veterinary service? An interest in discussing tough cases with colleagues is the sign of a veterinarian who's putting in effort on your pet's behalf. Online veterinary services also assist veterinarians in getting to the bottom of a tough case, as well as offering continuing education and searchable databases of professional journals.

-- What kind of emergency care is available, if any? Although emergency veterinary clinics are prepared for any catastrophe, they are not familiar with your pet. If your veterinarian's practice does not offer 24-hour care, does it work with one that does?

-- Do you feel a rapport with this person? Are you comfortable asking questions? Discussing fees? The final call on whether a particular veterinarian is right for you comes down to intangibles. If you don't feel comfortable, you're less likely to deal with your veterinarian, and the lack of productive communication hurts your pet in the long run.

-- Will your pet be comfortable? You need a practice that runs efficiently enough that your pet isn't stuck for very long in a waiting room. If you have cats, you might want to consider a feline-only practice, or one that has separate waiting rooms for cats and dogs.

If you're not happy with your veterinarian or you don't trust your vet's work on your pet's behalf, you'll be considerably less likely to go in for anything less than an emergency. And that's a bad way to manage your pet's health. Preventive care is easier on both your pet and your bank account, as is working with a veterinarian in whom you have confidence.

PETS ON THE WEB

A good place to start searching is with the Veterinary Information Network's free veterinary-referral service, VetQuest (www.vetquest.com). More than 25,000 veterinary practices are in the VetQuest database, and the service even shows you a street map to help you find the hospital or clinic you choose. Bird lovers should also visit the Association of Avian Veterinarians home page (www.aav.org), which also offers a free referral service. Finally, find out more about the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners at www.abvp.com.

PET TIP

If you're thinking of going anywhere over the holidays, don't delay in making boarding or pet-sitting arrangements for your pet. In some cases, it may already be too late; boarding kennels and pet-sitters get their first year-end holiday reservations long before the Fourth of July.

It doesn't hurt to have a backup plan, either. One of my favorite stories involves a family who decided to take their basset hound with them on the plane from California to Minnesota for Christmas. Problem was, although the temperature in California was fine for shipping animals that Christmas morning, the temperature in Minnesota was below federal regulations -- the dog had to stay behind. The family had made no arrangements for that, of course. So they put their heads together, called a friend to collect the dog and caught the plane for Minnesota.

The friend now in charge of the dog actually left behind his family's Christmas celebration to head for the airport, but there was "no room at the inn" for the dog at any local kennels. He was a good sport about keeping the dog and everything worked out fine, but it could have been a real disaster. When it comes to the holidays and pets, you can never plan too carefully.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: I'm a firm believer in leashes, but it never ceases to amaze me how inconsiderate and rude people can be about keeping their dogs on leash.

Many times this last summer I have gone to the park with my dog for a day of walking and fun, only to have another dog come running up with its hair raised or barking.

On one particular occasion, a big mixed-breed dog came running toward us with its hair raised, dragging a leash behind it. As it stood there growling, I took my long leash and slapped the ground beside the dog, scaring it off.

At that particular moment the owner came around the trees. This young woman proceeded to use language a sailor wouldn't even dare. I said that if she couldn't verbally control her dog, there's a new invention called a leash. To which she replied, "He's got one on." I pointed out to her that I had watched her dog earlier harass a couple of kids and another dog owner and that she was just asking for trouble, hence another round of foul language erupted from her mouth.

I don't recall seeing any pet articles about having consideration for the law and letting other people enjoy the day with their dogs. Not only are these roaming dogs annoying, but they can be dangerous -- as well as a potential car accident. If people truly loved their pets, they would make an effort to give them the proper training and keep them in control at all times.

I would not wish harm on any animal, but it is hard for me to feel anything for the dog owner who is crying over his dog that has just been run over. With proper control of the pet, this could have been avoided. That poor animal is now dead thanks to a master who should have loved him as much as the dog did the family.

Can you please write about the importance of leashes and having consideration for others? With obedience training and a leash, anyone can control a dog, even if it gets loose. -- K.Q., Spokane, Wash.

A: You've done just as good a job as I could have, and I thank you for writing. Aggressive, annoying, out-of-control dogs are a danger not only to the people and animals in their immediate vicinity but also to the future of all dogs. Who can blame people who don't like or are afraid of dogs from pushing for pets to be banned from public spaces in such circumstances? As always, it's a case of a few ruining it for all.

Oh, and while we're on the topic of being responsible: When you're picking up that leash to head out, pack some plastic bags, too. A considerate dog-owner keeps his dog under control and never leaves any calling cards behind.

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

Heather, the youngest of my three dogs, is "show quality." I am coming to realize this means not so much that she is free of faults that would disqualify her in the dog-show ring, but rather that she lives with someone foolish enough to think dragging her to dog shows a couple of weekends a month is a fabulous idea.

Dog shows are a curious business. Although I have been to hundreds of them (along with cat, bird and even rabbit shows), and have many friends who compete, Heather is the first of my dogs I've ever shown. Her breeding is impeccable, her personality sparkling -- and her tail carried a little high for her breed. On such small distinctions show careers are made -- or not.

Still, it's a minor fault, that tail, so the weekends now find me at fairgrounds throughout the region with hundreds of other people, their dogs and their dreams.

What a bunch of crazies dog-show people are! We drive for hours to spend five minutes in the ring. We sometimes collect ribbons (which we don't care about) and points toward a championship (which we do care about). We know all the hotels that take dogs, and how best to pack our minivans with crates, grooming tables and all the other tools of the game. We drink weak (or burned) coffee and eat stale doughnuts, both overpriced and usually sold by sweet-faced 4H-ers, and we celebrate or console ourselves by pulling out our credit cards at the vendors who tempt us at every show.

This fall, young Heather has picked up two points toward her championship (she needs 15). Meanwhile, I have picked up more canine-related merchandise than I ever realized I "needed" -- dog beds, new leashes, figurines, treats, toys, and even one thing for me: a folding chair, because there's never any place to sit at these places.

For the good of my bank account, I am grateful that Heather, a flat-coated retriever, is of a breed rare enough that most of the breed-specific gear -- "I love my Boxer" T-shirts, beagle wind chimes and so on -- isn't available. That alone has saved me a hundred dollars, at least. Which is, coincidentally, enough to afford another show weekend.

Mind you, I am a little fish in these waters. People who have done this longer and far more seriously than I spend thousands of dollars competing for those points and for even higher honors for the already established champions, such as a Best of Breed or Best in Show win. Some of their motor homes crowd the parking lot, while others belong to the really big guns of the sport, the professional handlers. We're all in this game together, the unknowns like me showing the dog who spends her nights on my bed and the professionals who handle for others, traveling the country every weekend with dogs who see as much of the road as a long-haul trucker.

There's skill, intrigue, politics and even cheating at dog shows, to be sure, but there are also wonderful people united by love and respect for dogs and a sincere desire to preserve and improve the dozens of dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club or other show-governing body.

I'm not really sure why I like showing. The winning is nice, I suppose, but we haven't won enough to really know. For me, I think it's about being with dogs, and the people who love them, and nowhere will you find more of both than at a dog show.

PETS ON THE WEB

Dogs aren't the only animals with organized fanciers, of course. For proof, check out the American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association's Web site (www.afrma.org). The group supports the breeding and showing of rats and mice, and works to educate the public on the proper care of these charming little pets.

You'll find articles as well as links to mice and rat sites around the world. If you thought pet rats and mice only came in white, with short hair and a long tail, you're in for a big surprise. Check out the link to the article on varieties: Curly coated and tailless types exist, along with colors such as blue, champagne, chocolate and lilac, and markings patterns described by such lovely terms as Berkshire, Dalmatian and Irish.

PET TIP

Reader Elizabeth, who likes to keep her two golden retrievers fashionably attired in neck bandannas, checks in with a money-saving tip: Use cloth napkins instead. She points out that large cloth napkins come in all kinds of colors and patterns, are washable, and cost up to $10 less than the bandannas you'll find in a pet-supply store.

For really big dogs, she adds, sew two napkins together for a better fit. "Right now Chase and Reef have matching fall napkins on, a fall-tone cotton big plaid with leaves woven into the weave. Target, two for $2.99!" she writes. "I have to admit, my 'kids' really look good in their cool neckwear."

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: I recently lost my cat to cancer and have been considering getting either a Siamese or Maine coon. I have explored information on the Web about each one, but naturally all the Siamese (cat) people think their cats are best, and the Maine coon people think their cats are best. I need some objective information about each breed.

My main concern is temperament. Which one is more "doglike," or affectionate and social? What are the downsides to each breed? -- M.L., via the Internet

A: The Siamese and Maine coon are two of the most popular breeds of pedigreed cats, but they couldn't be more different. In fact, they each represent two of the major "types" of pedigreed cats, the so-called "Orientals" known for their long, slender bodies and chatty, busybody attitudes, and the non-Orientals known for a more substantial body type and a less in-your-face temperament. They are also at different ends of the coat spectrum, with the Siamese sporting short, dense smooth fur and the Maine Coon a thick, long coat developed to keep New England winters at bay.

"Best," as you've found out, is highly subjective and impossible to answer. Which breed will make a better companion for you depends on what you want in your pet. The Siamese is active, agile and interested in everything that goes on around him, while the Maine coon is a more passive observer of life. Both breeds are affectionate, but neither is tops in the lap-cat category: The Siamese is too active, and the Maine coon prefers (as its fanciers say) to be near you, not on you. Both are affectionate and social.

When the term "doglike" is used in reference to pedigreed cats, though, the breed most associated with it is neither of the breeds you mention. It's the Abyssinian, thought to be one of the smartest and most trainable breeds.

Like the Siamese, the Aby is sleek, active and chatty. The Aby and Siamese have another thing in common -- both come in longhaired varieties. The Somali is the longhaired version of the Aby, and the Balinese and Javanese are longhaired versions of the Siamese. So if you're looking for Siameselike temperament with longer fur (although not nearly as much as the Maine coon's lovely coat), you might look into these breeds.

I'd recommend visiting some cat shows and making some follow-up phone calls to breeders. To ensure good health and temperament, stick with reputable breeders who screen for congenital problems and socialize kittens in their homes. Also check out the best cat site on the Internet: Cat Fanciers, at www.fanciers.com.

Q: How can I keep my dog from chewing on my expensive shoes? -- S.L., Roseville, Calif.

A: Keep them in the closet with the door closed. Animals have no sense of cost. Your best shoes are the same as your most worn sneakers to your pet. Shoes are always a favorite because they smell like you and are often made of leather or other material with a nice "mouth feel."

If you let your dog chew on the shoes you don't care about, you can't get angry when he chews on those you do. Keep all shoes out of reach, make sure your pet has plenty of chew toys, and praise him for using them.

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

Sally Blanchard is a woman with a mission and not a great deal of tolerance for those who don't see things as she does.

A behaviorist and editor of her own magazine, The Pet Bird Report, she happily admits some people don't agree with her in-your-face style -- especially the owners of pet shops she has had shut down. But she says she's not as bad as some would paint her.

"In my 25 years of working with parrots, I've made a lot of friends and a lot of enemies," she said. "A lot of people say I'm anti-bird shop, that I'm anti-breeder. I'm not. I'm pro-bird is what I am."

"I'm in favor of anybody who cares to do the very best thing for their parrot," she says. "I know I'm not the only one putting good information out there, but I'm probably the most obnoxious one doing it."

Blanchard, a woman with a piercing voice and a easy laugh, was as full of herself as a scarlet macaw in full feather recently at a three-day conference in Oakland, Calif. She organized it herself, drawing top speakers and several hundred participants from around the world, including breeders and pet-shop owners.

The Pet Bird Report conference offered seminars on raising birds to be good pets (think socialization) and training buyers to be good owners (think education). Positive methods of building trust and solving behavioral problems were emphasized, along with good nutrition and a solid partnership with an avian veterinarian.

More than 4 million parrots are kept as pets in the United States, said panelist Mike Reynolds, director of the World Parrot Trust, and about a quarter are cared for inadequately. Frustration over behavior such as noise-making or feather-picking push many people over the edge, prompting them to give up their birds or stick them in an out-of-the-way place, like a garage. Either is a bad option for an intelligent, social animal.

"People say to me, 'I love my parrot' or 'I love parrots,'" said Blanchard. "I also hear them say 'I love my new watch,' 'I love this car,' 'I love my new blouse.' The question I always have is 'define love.' I don't think 'loving birds' is what it's all about. It's about respecting birds. Seeing them as entities that have intelligence and needs.

"The people who understand this, the people who really care about the needs of these birds are also the people who reap the rewards. They're the people who develop the kind of relationship with birds that really has meaning."

Judging from the dedicated parrot lovers who attended Blanchard's conference, the numbers of such owners are going to grow. And that can't help but make a difference in the lives of those birds who need help.

Blanchard herself shows no sign of losing sight of that goal. "Someone will tell me they found something I said someplace, sometime that made a difference, and that makes it all worthwhile."

PETS ON THE WEB

The Pet Bird Report Web site (www.petbirdreport.com) offers some good content along with information on how to subscribe to the magazine -- which I highly recommend -- and upcoming events. It's a good place to keep up on the latest for your feathered companion. You can also reach the Pet Bird Report at 2236 Mariner Square Drive, No. 35, Alameda, Calif. 94501-1071, or call (510) 523-5303. Six issues per year are included with a $24 annual membership to Blanchard's Pet Bird Information Council.

PET TIP

Richard Torregrossa has a pair of hits on his hands with "Fun Facts About Dogs" and "Fun Facts About Cats," a pair of books from the same people who produced "Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul." The books ($9.95 each, Health Communications Inc.) offer a blend of interesting and useful tidbits, from myths to behavior to health. Where else are you going to find out that 80 percent of dog owners buy their pet a Christmas gift, or that Shakespeare and President Dwight Eisenhower both hated cats?

Q: I have two dogs, both 16-plus years old. My female, a terrier/poodle mix is blind, has allergies and is in poor health. My male, a toy poodle, has cataracts and his vision is very bad, too. They have been together for about seven years, inseparable. He acts as her seeing-eye pal when they go outside. I have pretty much made the decision to put Wendy to sleep. She appears to be miserable, has no pep, and I feel as if I would be doing her a favor.

I don't know if I should put both of them down at the same time. I know that when the male's owner died a few years ago, he grieved for a long time.

I really don't know what to do. It is a difficult decision; these are like my kids. -- K.R., via the Internet

A: No matter the circumstances, the decision to euthanize is never easy. Your love and compassion comes through in your letter, and I know you will do what is best for your pets.

Is your male relatively healthy (considering his age) aside from his vision loss? If his appetite is good and he seems to feel OK, I wouldn't worry too much about his vision. I've known quite a few blind dogs, and they do surprising well, as you've already seen with Wendy. After all, dogs don't need to read the newspaper, pay bills or watch TV. Once blind dogs learn the lay of the land in their homes, they can function quite well in such protected circumstances.

Health is one consideration, but it's not the only one. Your male will most certainly miss his mate keenly. While I have always found animals (and people!) to be more resilient than we imagine they can be, grief is still a very real consideration here.

I don't think you can make a wrong decision here if you keep your pets' needs foremost (as you already are). It may be best to let them go together, but you are the only one who can make that decision.

You may find it helpful to talk to others who understand. Many schools and colleges of veterinary medicine offer pet-loss support lines staffed by veterinary students who can listen and help. These programs are free except for the cost of the call. The oldest of these programs -- and the pattern for the others -- is the hot line at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Their center is staffed 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Pacific time, Monday through Friday; call (530) 752-4200.

Q: I saw an article in the newspaper about domesticated skunks as pets. Do they make good pets? -- G.M., Kansas City, Mo.

A: Skunks are at best a challenging pet, says veterinarian Linda Randall, a board-certified companion animal specialist whose Medina, Ohio, Cloverleaf Animal Hospital deals with exotic pets.

"They aren't difficult to keep in terms of environment, housing and feeding," she says. "But they're very destructive. They will chew, get into everything, tug, pull and swallow anything they can. They're very dexterous with their hands."

They also smell, she notes, even after they've had their scent glands surgically removed. "You have to get them used to bathing," said Randall. "Fortunately, they seem to like the water well enough if you get them as babies -- no more than six weeks -- and start them with baths, nail clipping and so on.

Randall adds that the animals also shed rather remarkably and can be nippy. The latter can be a serious problem, since there's no rabies vaccination available for these pets. "We vaccinate with a product approved for ferrets, but we make the owners sign off on the risk," she said.

That risk increases when the animals reach sexual maturity, which is why Randall strongly encourages spaying and neutering no later than 12 weeks. But even that won't remove the potential threat of biting, she says. "They will bond to certain people, but not to others. And if they bite you, you're at the health department, and you'll probably have to put them to sleep."

If you still want to go forward -- and if they're legal to keep where you live -- you're looking at a pet with a lifespan of seven to nine years. Females run about 5 to 6 pounds, and males, 7 to 8 pounds (although Randall has one patient that tops the scale at 13). Recommended housing is a wire cage with room for a litter box. "Most will use a litter box," says Randall. "They're very clean."

No one really knows for sure what the best diet is for them, she said, because there hasn't been a lot of study. Randall recommends ferret food or a high-quality kitten food.

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