It's a New Year's tradition around my home, one that has outlived a generation of dogs, but it still works to help ensure the safety of the animals I live with now.

No, not resolutions, although I always make those too, vowing, among other things, to exercise the dogs more, take more time for their training, and do more for the animals who are not as lucky as mine are.

The tradition I'm talking about is far easier to accomplish: I call the dogs over and check their necks.

I always do my "neck checks" around the first of the year. It's easy to remember that way, especially for me, a person who has a hard time remembering much of anything when it comes to appointments: heartworm and flea medications on the first of the month, neck checks the first of the year, annual exams and vaccinations the first of July. Any variation and I'm hopelessly lost.

Call your dog over and play along. I'll walk you through it. It's easy. We're looking for wear and fit, and legibility on the tags.

Consider the collar first. A properly fitted collar is important, but so, too, is the right type. For dogs, a buckled or snap-together collar made of leather or nylon webbing is the best choice, and the proper fit is comfortably close, but not too snug.

Make sure your dog's not wearing a "choke" collar. These are for training and walking only, and pose a severe hazard if left on an unsupervised dog. Choke collars can catch on objects and even the teeth of other dogs in play. In such cases, the dog's natural instinct to pull away can lead to his death as the chain pulls tight. If your dog is wearing such a collar, take it off now and consider yourself lucky as you head to the pet-supply store for a buckle or snap-on replacement.

If you have the right kind of collar on your dog, look at the holes and the fasteners. The collar is weakest at these spots, so if you see signs of excessive wear or strain you'll need to replace the collar soon. I've had only one collar break on me, and it could have been a disaster. Andy flew after a squirrel, and the broken collar allowed him to chase it right into a busy street -- empty at that moment, thank heavens. He treed the squirrel and bounced back happily when I called him. We were lucky, I know, and I've never let a collar get that worn since then.

As for those tags, they need checking, too. A license is fine, but since many lost pets are picked up by people in the neighborhood, it's a good idea to supplement the license with an ID tag that has a couple of phone numbers -- yours and the number of a friend or relative. Check to make sure the information is current and legible, and if not, order a new one. I never put the pet's name or my address on the tags. Instead, my dogs' tags say "REWARD!" with a collection of phone numbers. I want to get the point across that I want my pets back quickly.

Last year, I also added the tags of a pet-retrieval service called 1-800-HELP-4-PETS after they helped a friend get back his lost dogs. The service is available 24 hours a day, and can also authorize veterinary care with your credit card if your pet is injured and you cannot be found. The service is $40 for the first year and $20 per year after that. (More information is available by calling the 1-800 number.)

How did I fare with our neck checks this year? Not too badly. The collars are in fine shape, but Benjamin's missing his ID tag. I'll be ordering one this weekend.

Don't delay in fixing any problems you find with your pet's neck check. Problems with collars and tags are easy to fix, and they are the cheapest insurance you can buy against loss or accidents.

A final note: A microchip is another form of identification well worth considering. The tiny transponder, about the size of a grain of rice, is inserted by a veterinarian over the shoulder blades of dogs and cats and serves as a permanent identification that cannot be slipped off or removed. If you have a microchip implanted in your pet, it's not possible to check for the chip as part of your New Year's neck check. But do make a mental note to ask your veterinarian to scan for it the next time your pet visits. Most veterinarians have hand-held devices that can detect the presence of a chip, and can determine if it has stayed put in a spot where it can be found by shelter-workers, should your pet ever stray.

PETS ON THE WEB

I laughed when I got a note from a reader asking me if I knew where to find fabric with a Welsh corgi design for a gift she was hoping to make. What was so funny? I'm a home economics failure who hasn't progressed much beyond reapplying buttons -- and I knew the answer off the top of my head! The explanation? My friend Reina, quiltmaker extraordinaire, had one day shown me the Hot Diggity Dog Web site (www.hotdiggitydog.com), which sells fabric in more than 120 dog-breed designs, plus designs with cats and a handful of others critters such as llamas, wolves and tigers. The company also sells completed products made of the fabric, including quilts and throw pillows. The Oceanside, Calif., company can also be reached by phone (800-780-3136).

PET TIP

Annual physicals are even more important as a pet ages, and they need to be more extensive than when the animal was younger. Your veterinarian may suggest blood and urine tests, for example, to determine what's normal for your pet, so that subsequent changes in test values are more apparent -- and problems can be caught and treated early. These "well-pet" appointments are also a good time to address your concerns about your pet's aging, and the health and behavioral challenges that result. While the decisions on what, if any, treatments to pursue are yours alone to make, encourage your veterinarian to discuss freely any problems that are discovered and all the available options for care.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: My cousin sent me something that's been apparently going around concerning what to do if your dog eats something sharp, such as glass Christmas tree ornaments. The instructions say to keep cotton balls in the cupboard and half-and-half in the freezer. If your pup gets into anything, thaw the half-and-half, dip the cotton into it and feed it to the dog. This is supposed to collect all shards and allow them to pass safely through. Is this legit? Is it safe? -- G.F., via the Internet.

A: The Veterinarian Information Network's Dr. Roger Gfeller, a board-certified specialist in emergency and critical care, says this trick has been around for years and it does work, to a degree. I showed him the document and asked what he thought.

"The cotton trick is a good one that has been passed down through the ages," he says. "Does it really improve the chances that the foreign material will pass without harm? No one has done the study to know, but it has been shown that the cotton does wrap around sewing needles, fishhooks, etc."

Gfeller, who practices in Fresno, Calif., cautions against putting too much faith in the procedure and adds a further refinement of his own. "I'm not certain I would use the statement, 'Even the teeniest shards of glass will be caught and wrapped in the cotton fibers, and the cotton will protect the intestines from damage by the glass,' as this is a bit too close to a guarantee. I also would not use such a high-fat "dip" as the half-and-half. This is not good for dogs or people. I'd stick to chicken broth or some other lower-fat substance."

For my own pets, I wouldn't be too keen on using a home remedy for something as potentially deadly as glass in the intestine -- I'd want to be working with my veterinarian from the very beginning. And that brings up a good point: Do you know what to do in an emergency? Give your veterinarian a call now and find out if the hospital is available for after-hours help. If not, locate the nearest emergency clinic and keep the number handy. You never know when you'll need it.

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

When Dr. Brian Speer gave up his small-animal practice in 1985 to focus solely on birds, his wife questioned his sanity.

"At the time, only 3 percent of my practice income was based on birds," said the Oakley, Calif., veterinarian. "But I wasn't happy with general practice. Working on birds was challenging. It was fascinating new ground."

Fortunately for Speer and his family -- which now includes three ostriches, two emus, 11 pairs of macaws and a variety of barnyard fowl -- the risk paid off. Speer, one of relatively few full-time avian veterinarians, has a large and loyal clientele, and an influential post as the incoming president of the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV). He has lectured all over the world, written countless articles and has co-authored one definitive book, "The Large Macaws" (Raintree Publications).

Which is not to say that all his clients were happy with his decision. Speer likes to tell the story of the people who taped chicken feathers onto their dog as a joke, hoping he'd back off from his "birds-only" rule. If they'd known how just how long Speer has been drawn to birds, they might not have bothered.

"When I was working for an equine veterinarian, before I went to veterinary school, I would get in trouble because I was supposed to be holding the horse and I was looking at the peacocks," he said. "I ended up being driven to being good at one thing -- and that's feathers."

His own interest aside, Speer says it's bird lovers who really made his decision possible, and have pushed veterinary medicine to do more for avian pets. It's a big change in attitude: The AAV itself is only two decades old, and Speer says that in many ways avian medicine is still only where canine medicine was in the '40s. The organization's growth to 3,000 veterinarian members, of which less than 5 percent practice avian medicine full-time, reflects pet-owner demand to improve the situation.

"People are more appreciative of the animals themselves than they were even 10 years ago," he said, adding that today, birds are more likely to be members of the family, not just decorative elements.

"The consumer is less and less happy with 'I don't know what to do -- try this,' from a veterinarian, and because of that, more and more veterinarians are familiar now with avian medicine," said Speer, who singles out preventive care and behavior as two areas of increased knowledge that will make a big difference in the lives of birds and those who love them in the years to come.

When it comes to birds, the years can indeed be many. Some parrots are capable of achieving life spans that match our own, a prospect that gives Speer no end of pleasure, as does further advances in the care of those birds.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing those birds in the next 10 or 20 years," he said.

As our appreciation and understanding of these wonderful companions grows, so does the likelihood that Speer will get his wish.

PETS ON THE WEB

Elizabeth Cusulas' Dog Carols Web site (www.ddc.com/waggers/carols.html) page remains one of my favorites. Even though when I last checked she had yet to put up her 1998 carols, the selections from the last two years are still, er, howlers. A self-described "dog mama" to four cocker spaniels, Cusulas has rewritten holiday song lyrics to be more dog-focused. How can you miss with songs such as "Hark! The Joyous Doggies Call," "O Puppy Tree" and "The Twelve Days of Puppy"?

If you can't remember how the songs go, sound files are there to help you or provide the instrumental background to your best singing effort. As Cusulas writes on the opening page: Point your muzzles to the sky and sing along!

PET TIP

Don't forget those who help animals in this season of giving. It doesn't take much to help your local shelter, now or at any time of year. Gifts of time, services or new or used goods are always welcome and can make a real difference in the lives of animals who aren't as lucky and loved as yours are. Call your shelter and find out what's on its "wish list." Even a gift of litter or pet food can help, as can the donation of old towels and newspapers.

Your local shelter can even make your holiday gift-giving easier: What true animal lover wouldn't warm to a gift membership or donation to help animals?

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: My teen-age children and I have a medium-sized, mixed-breed female dog. I am not exactly sure what breeds she is because she was a dog my children's father had and couldn't keep. She is basically a good dog.

I have had a dog as a pet most of my life, but not a female who was not spayed. I am not sure how to tell if she comes in heat. What I should do? She is outside when nobody is home, but our yard is completely fenced in. Any help you can give me would greatly appreciated. -- C.A., via the Internet

A: My friend Penny Worel, who has as much animal-savvy as anyone I've ever known, helps me out with my sometimes overwhelming daily dose of e-mail. Her answer cannot be improved on, and I share it with her permission:

"Run, don't walk to the nearest vet and have her spayed. She will be happier and healthier, and you will be saving yourself a million headaches. Females usually come into heat every six months. The heat lasts approximately 21 days. It begins with a swelling of the vulva, and then she will begin to have a bloody discharge. Females will try every means possible to find a mate at this time. In addition, males from a 10-mile radius will converge on your house, and no fence ever built will keep out the more aggressive suitors.

"The only safe method of keeping her from being bred is to put her in a crate inside your house. She can only go outside on a leash, and you should be prepared for a few bold suitors to follow wherever you go."

Penny puts it more kindly than I would. Here's the bottom line: Having an unspayed dog is a royal pain in the fanny. You can also add the annoyance factor to the possibility of bringing unwanted puppies into the world and the increased risk of cancer to your dog for every day you delay. Well, what are you waiting for?

If cost is an issue, call the folks at your local humane society. If they don't have their own program, they can direct you to some reduced-cost alternatives in your community.

Q: I read your article on the use of cat collars, and I do agree to some extent. I would just like to state the ultimate responsibility for our pet's safety is in our own hands.

I believe if a cat-owner truly cares for the safety of her animal, it will be not let outside. If so, it is under constant supervision. By doing so, one will not "lose" her lifelong pet, and it will decrease the amount of strays being turned into local humane societies.

Some may say my thinking is like putting my animals in so-called "prison," but when our pets are given the love and attention they need, this is hardly the case. -- C.L., via the Internet

A: Yes, cats can have wonderful lives indoors, when their owners take care to ensure they have environmental stimulation from toys, cat trees, safe plants and sunshine, as well as lots of interactive play and attention.

The idea of indoor-only cats will never catch on entirely, though. Some people don't like dealing with litter boxes (and prefer not to think about in whose garden their cats are digging) and some insist that a short, "free" life is better than a long one indoors. Behavior problems such as scratching and inappropriate elimination are also more common (just more obvious, really) with indoor cats.

The topic will always be a hot one, just as surely as outdoor cats will always be at risk. Anything that reduces that risk is worth it, which is why collars and tags are so important. Thanks for writing.

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

Baby, 80 pounds of yellow-eyed dog with a decidedly wolfish look to him, eyed me with the barely concealed contempt that people whose livelihoods depend on tourists would love to affect but don't dare. At least not in the "hospitality city" of Savannah, Ga., where tourists who love old houses and lurid murder tales are a cash cow that shows no sign of running dry.

But Baby didn't care about that, nor did the fluffy white cat whose name I never learned, both of them lounging in the November sun outside a landmark seafood restaurant hard by the Wilmington River. I crouched low, and the cat finally came forward and allowed me the pleasure of scratching behind her ears. She purred prettily, and I ran my hand along her silken back, scratching at the base of her tail.

Baby yawned and looked away. He would have none of it, and he had no inclination of moving from in front of the restaurant's screened front door. It was 3 in the afternoon, and I was the only one there -- this being the most off of off-seasons -- and he clearly felt it best if I get back in my car and move on.

"Babeeeeee," crooned a male voice from inside. "Babeeeeeee."

That dog's whole face shifted, his jaw opening in gap-mouthed pleasure at the sound of the voice, his eyes alight with pleasure. He stood then and bowed to me -- it might have been a stretch, but I am firm in my belief otherwise -- and walked graciously forward. I smiled back at the big dog and slipped through the door of Desposito's.

The food was wonderful, but that's hardly the point of the story and this isn't a restaurant review. What I was thinking about, inside the simple cinderblock structure, was how much my life is enriched by animals, all animals, and how I learn something new from them every day I live.

On this trip, through Georgia and the Florida panhandle, the lessons were many. I came to appreciate the beauty of wild birds in a way I never have before, on a trip to Wakulla Springs near Tallahassee. I saw more birds than I can remember, each more beautiful than the other. I was struck more than any by one called the anhinga, a long-necked water bird that dries its ebony wings by holding them up and out in the sun.

I also learned about forgiveness, from a little white dog who'd spent the first year of his life as a football and a punching bag before my friend Peg took him from his abuser. On my last visit, Spitzel, who believes firmly in presenting an intimidating front to strangers to prevent further abuse, tried to remodel my ankles with his teeth. This year, he learned to trust me, and became what he is to the rest of the family -- a loving, sweet-natured dog. And yet, every time a hand is raised to pet him, even from the people he loves, he freezes in momentary terror from a memory he can never erase.

Every day is a trial for this little survivor, but he is a dog, and he cannot help but love and forgive.

Cats, dogs, birds and even alligators -- no day of my trip was without animals, and every day was better for it in some way. And yet, the final lesson was perhaps the sweetest of all: How wonderful it is to come home to your own animals.

After more than two weeks apart, the reunion scene when I picked up my dogs was dramatic. The shrieking. The jumping. The paw-pats, kisses and happy panting.

And that was just me. The dogs were even more enthusiastic.

Home may be where the heart is, but in my life, it's where the animals are. But maybe, just maybe they're one and the same, wherever you go.

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PETS ON THE WEB

You don't run across many Web sites that are nonprofit organizations, but that's exactly the case with Golden Retrievers in Cyberspace (www.golden-retriever.com/golden.html), a fabulous site dedicated to saving unwanted goldens and educating prospective owners about this even-tempered and popular breed.

GRiC provides details on rescued goldens available for adoption, and follows up on their progress with their new family. It's also a gold mine of information on finding a golden puppy or dog, and avoiding substandard and often abusive breeders who perpetuate health and temperament problems in the breed.

The pictures are the best. Young and old, the dogs in their new homes shine with joy. A must-see site for anyone who loves this breed.

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PET TIP

To your cat, it's a fresh new scratching post, complete with dangly toys; to your dog, it's a temptation to forget about housetraining. Much as we may love them, Christmas trees are really not that good a match with pets. The ornaments are appealing and possibly deadly if ingested. Electrocution from chewed cords is a risk, too. Even if nothing worse happens than the tree gets pulled over, that's a mess anyone would rather do without.

The best solution? Set up your tree so you are able to keep your pets from it when you're not there to supervise. A baby gate will keep dogs away; a closed door is even better, for both dogs and cats. If nothing else, use a sturdy base, unplug the lights when you leave, and skip the tinsel and angel hair. Cats love these, but any stringy substance can cause trouble if eaten.

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QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: I purchased your book "Dogs for Dummies" over the Thanksgiving weekend, and it's really been helpful to my wife and me. We adopted a 5-month-old terrier mix puppy (Gracie) last Tuesday and have been having a lot of fun getting to know her.

I am still confused as to how to handle one aspect of housetraining a puppy.

We've kept to a pretty steady schedule of letting her outside (a) upon getting up in the morning, (b) 15 to 25 minutes after her first meal, (c) midday, (d) after her evening meal, and (e) before going to bed (and, of course, if we ever see her pacing/sniffing near the door, which she has started to do). It's going really well, with only a couple of accidents in the past three days (and I caught her in the act!).

Gracie stays in her crate at night, as well as whenever my wife and I are away. She has been alone in her crate by day for as long as six hours. My wife and I both work, so our plan is for one of us to come home at noon and let her out.

But what I am not clear on is this: How do we make the transition from keeping her in the crate all day when we're away, to giving her the run of a room (or the house) when we're away? At some point, fairly soon I would think, we have to be able to keep her in the house, outside the crate. Is there a tried-and-true method for easing into that? -- P.N., via the Internet

A: Congratulations on your new baby! She sounds wonderful.

The transition is to gradually -- let me stress that word -- give her the run of the house when you're sure she understands what's expected of her in terms of housetraining (even if execution isn't perfect yet owing to small puppy bladders).

I'd start with putting her crate in an area like a laundry room or kitchen, with the crate door open, toys to play with and chew on (like a peanut-butter-filled Kong) and a baby gate across the door to limit wandering.

Don't make a big deal about leaving. Before you go, ask her to sit, make eye contact and give her a command -- I use "guard the house" with my dogs -- to cue her you're leaving. Then do, without fuss. When you return, be cool. A low-key "good dog" is all that you should give and then check the answering machine, read the mail and so on before addressing her again. She needs to learn that comings-and-goings are a normal part of life.

If you make comings-and-goings as dramatic as Ashley's return to Melanie in "Gone With the Wind," you're setting yourself up for trouble. Excitement and anticipation can lead to some destructiveness problems in the period just before she expects you home.

That said, some puppy chewing is of course normal, which is why you need to leave her the toys. (Grown dogs need them, too, to eat up some of their nervous energy.)

She sounds as if she's doing well, and you'll be able to give her the run of the house eventually. But don't rush it, and if you end up with a mess or a chewing problem, back up to step one and start over.

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