Claudia Presto realizes some people might think she's crazy to have given up a high-paying job in Connecticut to move to a small town in Utah and dedicate her life to unwanted racing dogs. But she doesn't much care what people think.

She's happy, and so are her greyhounds. And that's all that really matters.

Presto is one of hundreds of volunteers nationwide who take retired racers, foster them and find them new homes. Before greyhound rescue became a national movement, the lives of most of the sweet, soft-eyed dogs ended pretty much when their racing careers did. The lucky ones were euthanized humanely; others got a bullet behind the ear, or were sold to biomedical laboratories.

Although some greyhounds still meet such fates, an increasing number end up as pets. Presto alone places 20 to 40 dogs a year through her one-person nonprofit organization, the Greyhound Gang. Every life saved confirms her belief she did the right thing -- and the clean air and handsome view outside her home don't hurt, either.

"I turned 40 in corporate America, and I didn't want to be there anymore," she says, sitting cross-legged in a plastic chair outside her home, her stylishly short-cropped hair still hinting of the jobs she once had. "I finally raised my hand and said, 'Size me down.'"

She was already involved in greyhound rescue before she left her job, and knew she wanted to do more for the dogs she'd come to love. She and an ex-racer named Slim traveled the country in a 16-foot trailer, trying places on for size, until she came to Kanab, a small town in the middle of some of the world's most spectacular scenery: the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion national parks.

"I just fell in love with the place," she said. She settled in and started rescuing, housing her own dogs and her fosters in her small house on a couple of acres beneath the red-rock mountains that ring the town. "I left Connecticut because I wanted freedom. Freedom and land to rescue greyhounds."

That was six years ago. She incorporated as a nonprofit four years ago, although her charity still draws $4,000 to $7,000 a year out of her own pocket. "There are many like me paying for the care of these rescued dogs," she says, with a hint of anger toward the industry that produces the dogs, "and that's money those who breed and race the dogs should be spending."

The greyhounds snooze in the sun while she talks, their calmness contrasting with her energy. There are five dogs now, up to six at any given time -- two permanent, the rest fosters. Presto gets her dogs from a group in Tucson that takes them off the track, or one in Colorado that takes the dogs who never make it that far. She has recently started to specialize in hard-to-place dogs, older dogs, or dogs who need some time to realize their potential as pets. Some of them stay for months or more.

She spends a great deal of time in Las Vegas, more than three hours away, sitting at a table in a pet store to educate people about the dogs and turn up a home or two. Add to that the seven-hour trips to pick up new dogs, and Presto seems to be spending a lot of time on the road.

It's hard work, especially when you consider she still has to make a living, which she's done in the past through part-time consulting work. But there's no turning back.

Not even for the small town of Kanab, which is preparing for Presto's second Greyhound Gathering next May 12-14, a celebration of the dogs that will include a parade, a 10K run and plenty of shopping. The inaugural event drew 150 people and their dogs, and Presto's expecting an even better turnout this year.

Crazy? Maybe so. But seeing how happy the dogs are, and how happy Presto is because of what she does on their behalf, makes a pretty strong argument that she's not so crazy after all.

PETS ON THE WEB

The Greyhound Gang's Web site (www.greyhoundgang.com) offers a lot of solid information about adopting and living with these wonderful dogs. The site also offers links to other "greyt" sites, information on the upcoming Greyhound Gathering, and even a place to buy T-shirts and other gear, with proceeds going to the Greyhound Gang's rescue and placement program. Presto can also be reached at P.O. Box 274, Kanab, UT 84741.

THE SCOOP

If you dislike covering your house with pesticides but dislike pests even more, then this tidbit is for you. Best Friends magazine, a bimonthly publication put out by the nonprofit Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, reports that catnip is a natural deterrent to such pests as roaches, mice, spiders, flies and crickets. The magazine didn't cite a source for the information, and who knows if the strategy works or not. But if you have cats who go nuts for catnip (not all cats do), you could sure have some fun experimenting.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: My mother-in-law has a garden at her lake house that she tends only on the weekends when they stay there. During the week, the deer have a field day munching on the tomatoes, beans and flowers.

Whenever I visit with my two double-coated Siberian huskies, I always groom them before we leave for home to cut down on the hair flying around in the car and because they've been in the water all weekend. One day after doing this, I was about to put four grocery bags full of husky hair in the trash, when my mother-in-law stopped me.

She said that she could spread the husky hair around her garden while she was away and that the dog smell coming from it would keep away the deer. Pretty clever, I thought. -- A.C., Atlanta

A: If it works, it is. To be honest, my friends who garden in the foothills near my home swear there is nothing on earth that will keep a determined deer from dinner. They've tried most everything, including -- and I'm not making this up -- marking the perimeter of the garden with human urine. Some things work for a while, and some don't work at all. But it doesn't hurt to try, does it?

Yours wasn't the only letter in reaction to my comments a few weeks ago on using dog fur for sweaters. One person wondered if the combings from a long-haired cat would work as well, and another asked how one would possibly clean the fur of dirt and fleas.

The problem with the cat would be one of volume. No cat ever born could compete with the shedding of a big dog like a Siberian. If you're patient (or have a lot of cats) you'll eventually end up with enough long, silky hair at least for a scarf. I discovered from another reader that the fur of long-haired bunnies makes a nice yarn, too.

As for cleaning fur of dirt and parasites, have you ever seen what sheep look like (and smell like) after they've been in the field for a while, before they're sheared? Seems as if everything comes out in the wash!

Q: I really need your advice on how to help my dog survive the fireworks over this New Year's holiday. I got some tranquilizers from the veterinarian a few years ago, but hated to see my pet struggle and stagger around. I cut down the dosage last year, but she still was very upset.

Should I go back to the full dosage? Is there only one type or brand of tranquilizer available? -- C.V., via e-mail

A: Talk to your veterinarian about your dog's reaction, and ask about the dosage or alternative medications. A referral to a behaviorist can also help, since such a professional can help you set up a program to desensitize your pet to loud noises.

Pet owners sometimes make matters worse with frightened dogs by trying to reassure them. The proper response to your dog's fear is to "jolly her along" and encourage confident behavior. When you pet and soothe your dog when she shows fear, what you're really doing is rewarding her behavior and making matters worse.

Sometimes the best you can do is provide your pet with a small, safe area indoors where she can't hurt herself, and mask the outside revelry as best you can with the radio.

Talk to your vet about all the options and experiment with what strategy, or combination, will work for your dog.

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

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

The recent news that Americans are getting fatter didn't come as a surprise to many people, and certainly not to veterinarians, who've been watching an ever-larger flow of fatter people bring fatter pets into their hospitals and clinics.

Although there's not always a connection -- for example, I'm a lot fatter than I should be, but my pets are lean -- pets are getting larger for the same reason people are: too much food and not enough exercise.

Obesity in pets causes a lot of the same problems it does in people. An overweight pet is prone to a host of related problems, including diabetes, joint, ligament and tendon problems, breathing and heart problems. Overweight cats can even develop skin problems from not being able to groom themselves properly. Overall, fat pets face lives that are often uncomfortable and shorter, just as fat people do.

The good news is that it's not that difficult to trim down pets. After all, they can't open the refrigerator on their own, nor can they grab the car keys for a fast-food run or phone out for pizza. What pets eat is wholly dependent on what we give them. And although we might shudder at the idea of exercise, our pets are always up for a brisk walk, a game of fetch or some play with a toy on a string. They love to move, especially if we're moving with them.

Is your pet overweight? Healthy pets have some padding over them, but a little is plenty. Rub your hands over your pet's ribs. The skin should move easily back and forth, and you should be able to feel the ribs. Your pet should have a definable "waist" at the bottom of the rib cage, a small tuck-in at the stomach. Take a look from the side: If your pet looks pregnant, he's fat. From above, a bump out from the middle into an apple shape is equally bad news. And it's not just dogs and cats in trouble: Birds can be obese, too, developing a thicker breast and even rolls of fat.

Certain breeds and species seem more susceptible to spread. In dogs, Labradors beef up pretty easily, as do cockers. Less-active cats such as Persians are more prone to gaining weight than the go-go breeds such as the Siamese. And in birds, Amazon parrots are the likeliest candidates to become perch potatoes.

Crash diets aren't good for pets, especially not for fat cats, who can develop a fatal liver problem if forced to reduce too quickly. A pet doesn't get fat overnight, and he shouldn't be forced to change course any more rapidly. What you'll need to do is change your pet's eating and exercise habits gradually.

The best place to start is with a trip to your veterinarian. You'll want to make sure your pet doesn't have any problems that might make any lifestyle changes difficult. Your vet can also suggest a food plan that might help.

Carve some time out of your schedule to walk your dog or play with your cat -- three times a week, at least. Be sure to work in some aerobic exercise, anything that gets a cat or dog running. Birds can benefit from a curled-rope spring perch; they have to work to stay on the thing, decreasing boredom and increasing calorie burn.

Whatever food regimen you and your veterinarian decide on, be determined to stick to it. Get out of the habit of expressing your love for your pets by handing them pet treats. Keep the treat volume to a minimum, and switch to a reduced-calorie treat. (Don't use reduced calories as an excuse to give more.) Even better, substitute mini rice cakes and carrot sticks for the occasional dog treat. Dogs like them just fine, and they're not going to sabotage any weight-loss efforts.

Yes, it'll be hard in the beginning, what with those begging eyes and all. But don't give in. Your pet's life will be happier and longer if he's in the best of health.

PETS ON THE WEB

APBNews has pulled together a pretty good collection of news stories and feature packages related to animals on its Web site (www.apbnews.com/resourcecenter/indepth/animals/index.html). I tripped across it while exploring MSNBC's site (www.msnbc.com). The Animals and Crime page has some pretty depressing stories of man's inhumanity to animals. But it also has some cheerier pieces on dogs who fight crime on our behalf, the lowdown on home-protection dogs, and some basic but useful links to other resources. The site is updated regularly and well worth bookmarking.

THE SCOOP

The Denver Dumb Friends League has found a novel reuse for toilet seat covers. The fluffy, round and colorful bathroom accessories are just the right size for use as a comfortable kitty bed. Pet lovers in the Denver area know to donate their old covers when they get a little too worn to look good. They still have plenty of useful life for the kitties, though, and are easily washed to keep dirt and fleas at bay. It's a great idea that other shelters should consider, or even for trying at home. The next time you're replacing a worn-out cover, see if your shelter wants it, or if your cat does.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: OK, so it's cold in the morning now, and I notice the lady down the street has a sweater and boots on that stupid poodle of hers. I've never put a sweater on a dog in my life, and my Labs swim whenever the river's not frozen. You're the expert, so tell me: Is she nuts? -- L.N., via e-mail

A: Not about dog sweaters and boots, she isn't. Some dogs can really benefit from winter wear.

If poodles were allowed to grow their coat the way they were designed to, they'd end up covered with thick, twisted "cords" -- mats, really -- that would give them the protection they need against the cold. Corded coats are hard to maintain and not very attractive, though, so most folks with poodles keep them neatly trimmed with a visit to the groomer every six to eight weeks.

Fashion dictates a pretty close clip over the body, with shaved areas on the face, paws and base of the tail. The finished effect leaves the poodle pretty vulnerable to the cold. Add to this the fact that most of these dogs are house dogs and are not acclimated to the outside, and you've got a dog who's a prime candidate for accessorizing.

Poodles aren't the only dogs who can use the help. The short-coated dogs of the greyhound family -- greyhounds, whippets and Italian greyhounds -- are notoriously cold-blooded. They've little padding on their lean, aerodynamic bodies and need some help in cold weather to stay comfortable.

Some elderly dogs also have a hard time keeping themselves warm. For these old-timers, a sweater is an act of compassion. The bottom line: Sweaters don't hurt and they could help. While an Alaskan malamute in the prime of his life isn't going to need one, a lot of other dogs wouldn't mind at all.

Oh, and by the way: Poodles aren't stupid. They're generally considered to be in the top five breeds when it comes to smarts. The one on your street has a human being catering to his every need. How stupid is that?

Q: My cat has bad breath. I have tried brushing her teeth and buying breath fresheners for her. I can't afford to take her to the vet. What should I do? -- C.A., via e-mail

A: Sorry, but you'll have to visit your veterinarian. Bad breath isn't natural for dogs and cats, and it's not something you have to learn to live with. A foul mouth can be caused by broken or rotting teeth, infected gums or other diseases. Breath cleaners may help temporarily, but they cannot fix the underlying causes, problems that can be a serious threat to your pet's health.

Proper dental care isn't really about fixing bad breath. Chronic problems with teeth and gums can make eating painful for your pet, and they can shorten his life by showering internal organs with bacteria with every swallow.

Your veterinarian will likely suggest a complete cleaning under anesthesia, along with the treatment or removal of any damaged teeth. Yes, it costs money. But once it's done you can keep your pet's mouth in good shape through brushing, or by feeding special kibbles designed to scrap teeth clean as your pet chews.

Don't ignore your cat's problem. It'll only get worse (and more expensive) the longer you delay.

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

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

Those who are saddened by the belief that their old dogs can't learn new tricks will be cheered by the story of Andy, who is 13 years old and still learning.

Those who are cheered by the belief that they are smarter than their dogs will be saddened by the story of Gina -- never mind how old -- being thoroughly outwitted by the aforementioned 13-year-old dog.

The story I humbly relate is a classic example of how we humans can cause our own problems when it comes to the behavior of our pets -- and how we can change things for the better if we try.

Andy likes to eat. With arthritis dampening his enthusiasm for playing fetch and deafness curtailing his ability to hear the mail carrier coming, eating is about the only hobby he has left. Now, I like to see a healthy eater, for I know that when dogs stop caring about living, they stop caring about eating. But the problem is breakfast. Andy likes to eat early.

For most of Andy's life, this wasn't a problem. I worked in an office, got up early and fed the dogs. But now that I work at home, my hours are far more erratic. Sometimes I'll work long into the night and beyond, leaving me with little interest in setting the alarm for 6 a.m. just so I can fill the dog dishes.

So Andy, clever boy that he is, started waking me up.

At first it was no big deal. He'd bump the bed at 6:15 a.m., and I'd get up. If I resisted, he'd pull the Lassie maneuver, trotting back and forth between the kitchen and the bedroom, nails clicking loudly on the hardwood floors. By that time, the retrievers would be bouncing around, too, and I'd have no choice but to get up and feed them all. And go back to bed.

Then came the day when I realized Andy was waking me at 6 a.m., then a month later, at 5:30. I wasn't happy about it, but it wasn't a big deal. And besides, it was Andy, my special boy who wouldn't be with me forever. How could I deny him such a small indulgence?

I did make an effort here and there, holding out until he upped his level of insistence before I'd give in and get up, or refusing on the odd day to play his game at all. In this way, I was training him even as he was training me.

Anyone who knows anything about the psychology of learning knows that random rewards make the behavior stronger. That's the theory behind slot machines, after all: You get a little reward now and then, and you keep playing, with even more determination than before. I knew all this, and yet ... well, what can I say? I'm just not that smart in the morning.

But maybe Andy isn't as smart as he thinks. Finally, he pushed me too far. A couple weeks ago, on a morning that first hinted at the cold days to come, he woke me at the amazing hour of 4 a.m. Enough was enough.

I put a baby gate across the door to my bedroom, with the dogs on the other side, innocent retrievers included. And I resolved to ignore -- completely and totally -- Andy's 4 a.m. shenanigans, knowing that any sign of weakness would make matters worse. Again, it's like that slot machine: If you think it has gone cold on you -- no small payouts -- you'll eventually walk away.

We're still at that stage where Andy's still trying to insist on his morning payout, but the amount of racket on the other side of the baby gate is slowly diminishing. He's not an idiot; he'll eventually know it's not worth the effort and give up.

And not a moment too soon, because with the clocks having been set back, Andy at 4 a.m. would now become a 3 a.m. wake-up call. And that would have never worked.

Much as I love the old dog, he would have been out of luck. I wouldn't get up at 3 a.m. to meet my maker.

THE SCOOP

Over the years I've been encouraged by pet-supply chains that choose the high road and decide not to sell dogs and cats -- and, not incidentally, generate a lot of goodwill at the same time. Yet I'm disappointed that these chains continue to sell other pets, in somewhat callous disregard of the mortality rates before and after purchase of mass-produced birds, reptiles, pocket pets and fish.

That's why I'm pleased to offer a tip of the hat to PETsMART, which has decided to end sales of green iguanas. In announcing the change, the chain pointed out that the critters can reach 4 or 5 feet in length as adults and can develop a nasty attitude as well. Few people are prepared to deal with these facts when they take home a pet that's only a few inches long. Iguanas are so rarely cared for properly that most never see adulthood, and those that do often end up increasing the burden at shelters and rescue groups. PETsMART is to be congratulated for doing the right thing, again. Now, about the rest of those critters ...

PETS ON THE WEB

Like many writers, I belong to a handful of national writing organizations. My favorite of all of them is the Cat Writers Association (www.catwriters.org). Modeled after the venerable Dog Writers Association of America (www.dwaa.org), the CWA has grown beyond the expectations of its founders, developing a large membership and a fantastic annual conference in just over a decade.

What I like about the CWA, though, is how supportive it is to people who are just getting started. Everyone in the organization remembers what that's like, and they believe in helping. Members even maintain an e-mail list where questions are answered, victories celebrated and losses consoled.

If you love cats and are just getting started in writing about them, this is one group you need to know about. Its Web site says it all, with information on joining, and even a list of members so you can see what fine company you'll be in.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: A teacher at my school has a cockatoo. It perches on a stand all day, says a few words and is very sweet. It is large and has white feathers. Do you have any advice on these birds? I really want to get one, but my mom says they are probably too expensive. Please help. -- B.R., via e-mail

A: Cockatoos have a reputation as "love sponges" -- birds who, in the words of avian behaviorist Chris Davis, would choose to be surgically grafted onto their human companions if they could. That's only half the story, though. In fact, cockatoos come in two basic behavioral types: "love sponges" and "hyperactive children."

Umbrella and Moluccan cockatoos are in the first group. Undeniably sweet and cuddly, these large, flashy birds can become a problem if spoiled excessively, demanding attention 28 hours a day. If ignored, they can develop behavior problems such as unstoppable screaming and feather-picking.

The "hyperactive children" are best represented by the Goffins and bare-eyed cockatoos. Not always so keen on snuggling, these clowns never met a toy (or cage door) they couldn't figure out and take apart. Some of these birds need padlocks on their cages to keep them from escaping -- and not combination locks, either. Goffins and bare-eyed cockatoos learn tricks easily and perform them enthusiastically.

No matter the species, there's never a dull moment when you share your life with a cockatoo. Prices range from $400 for some of the smaller species, such as Goffins, to $2,000 for Moluccans. Rare species, such as some of the black cockatoos, can run as high as $20,000.

Because of the prices and the size, I'd recommend instead that you provide your mom with information on some of the smaller parrots, such as parakeets, lovebirds and cockatiels. You might have a better chance convincing her to make one of these species your first bird. These little guys are packed with personality, they are less expensive to acquire and maintain, and they are easier to live with than their cockatoo relatives.

Q: I took an online quiz to find my perfect dog, and the answer that came back was a border collie. Are they an easy breed to take care of? Do they listen to you when you talk to them? Are they a sweet, gentle breed? Are they protective against people they don't know? - B.D., via e-mail

A: Your suitability for life with a border collie depends on whether or not you keep sheep in your back yard. Many breeds have nearly had their original purpose bred out of them, but the border collie still maintains his hard-working personality. He needs a job to do.

The border collie has been riding a wave of popularity lately, helped by the success of the movie "Babe," and by the breed's high profile as an athletic and agile canine Einstein. That popularity is too bad, because the border collie needs a lot more than most people can offer, and a bored border collie can be a horrible pet.

Those who share their lives with border collies must be constantly working on ways to keep this dog's fantastic mind and body busy. BCs need exercise and training, forever. They never want to stop moving or stop learning, which is why so many of them excel in sports such as obedience and agility. Easy to keep? Hardly. This is not a dog who'll be content with a short walk a couple times a week or long days alone in the yard.

They are intense listeners -- intense at everything they do -- but protectiveness, sweetness and gentleness will vary from dog to dog. I've known BCs who were absolute charmers, and others who cared for nothing but the object of their obsession, such as a tennis ball. As for protective ability, remember that the border collie was developed more for moving sheep than protecting them, a job that fell to flock-guarding breeds such as the Great Pyrenees.

For most people, the border collie isn't the best choice. It's too much dog for urban or suburban environments. The people who make it work are those who work their dogs, primarily in dog sports.

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

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