At some point in the fight to get people to spay and neuter their pets -- a worthy cause for which I've fought all of my adult life -- it became highly suspect to admit that one finds pleasure in the company of puppies.

One cannot admit to, say, a fondness for the round, plump belly of a healthy puppy (so perfect for kissing) or the sweetness of the breath that comes from puppy muzzles (so perfect for kissing) or the inherent clumsiness of oversize puppy paws (so perfect for ... oh, you get the picture). To do so seems to contradict a belief that most puppies should have never been born.

Is it possible to care about the welfare of dogs and adore being with puppies? For ardent animal activists, a litter of puppies seems a tragedy, a sign of past failures and future calamity.

Puppies mock them, because they make those who fight for pet overpopulation realize that despite all of their efforts, there are still dog owners who should have known to send Mom Dog and Dad Dog in for the surgical snip long before puppies happened -- but didn't. As for the puppies themselves, each has the potential to steal a home from an unwanted dog in a shelter, or to become unwanted himself. All of which makes it hard sometimes to appreciate the pleasure of spending time with puppies.

I am 95 percent in agreement with the belief that all dogs and cats should be spayed or neutered. It's certainly true that the overwhelming majority of pets who are born shouldn't be. They're the result of carelessness, cluelessness or just plain greed. It's not just a problem with mixed breeds, either. Purebreds are born every day who shouldn't be, and in some places the numbers of unwanted purebreds in shelters runs as high as one in four. Yesterday's fad breed becomes today's shelter headache faster than you can say "102 Dalmatians."

And let's not forget that altered animals are healthier and make calmer, safer pets with fewer behavior problems.

But as firmly as I believe that spaying and neutering is the way to go for almost all pets, I also believe there's a place for responsible breeders, for those who cherish the dozens of canine types we have developed over time. These people are not in it for any reason except a love of their breed and a desire to improve and preserve a distinct canine heritage. They breed healthy, emotionally sound dogs who exemplify the best traits of a breed.

I don't want to see a time when all we have is a generic dog, a medium-size, medium-coated dog similar to the wild type you can still find roaming in undeveloped countries. I cherish the differences: the large and the small, the curly-coated and the hairless, the brilliant and the not-so. Reputable breeders produce a small number of animals, and they remain responsible for them forever. These breeders are not the problem.

Not too long ago I spent a week in the company of a friend's five extremely well-bred puppies. I could tell you that I thought of all this then, but I would be lying. I was just glad to see the puppies.

Yes, my friend is the kind of person who should be a breeder: Her dogs are healthy, temperamentally sound, and exquisite examples of their breed. But the truth is, I thought of little of that as I watched and played with the puppies, held them, kissed them, and thought of slipping at least one of them into my backpack when at last I had to head for home. (I didn't.)

Political arguments over animal issues escape me in the company of puppies, although they are always with me otherwise. If there is any better way to spend a few days than with puppies, I do not know it. And the fact that the treat is an extremely rare one seems as it should be.

PETS ON THE WEB

The Siamese is probably the most recognizable of all breeds of cat, a popular animal known for high energy and a gregarious, chatty personality. The Siamese Internet Cat Club Web site (www.meezer.com) celebrates this historic breed. The site is well-designed (love the dancing paws!) and easy to navigate, with plenty of information for anyone looking to find out more about these handsome cats. Electronic postcards, cat stories and pictures round out the offering.

THE SCOOP

Looking for a special treat for your parrot? It's easy to adjust everyday recipes to make them more bird-friendly. French toast, for example, can be sprinkled with hulled seeds just after you drench the bread in egg, and then cooked as usual and offered to your bird without the butter and syrup. You can also make a rice-and-veggie treat by cooking brown rice, and then adding fresh vegetables and chopped hard-boiled eggs. Healthy people food is good for birds, too.

Pasta, cottage cheese, fruits and vegetables will all help to keep your bird healthy, but remember that avian veterinarians now recommend that the basis of a sound diet be one of the pelleted diets now available for your bird. If you have any questions regarding proper nutrition for your pet, talk to your veterinarian.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: Thanks for your wonderful article on poodles. Can you explain why standard poodles are classified as nonworking by the American Kennel Club? There isn't anything they can't learn, and nothing they won't do for the ones they love.

My Ivy was the best upland bird retriever I ever had and was also a good stock dog. One time at a gathering, the cowboys snickered when they saw me coming with a poodle. But after they saw her work, it sure changed their minds.

After all was done, all the little hyperactive stock dogs were sent back to the barn or to the pickups, but Ivy was invited to the campfire where she entertained all with real standard poodle class. -- B.G., via e-mail

A: The American Kennel Club puts miniature and standard poodles into the nonsporting (not nonworking) group, with toy poodles going into the toy group. The nonsporting group is sort of a catch-all, and dates back to the time when there were only two groups -- sporting and nonsporting. Over the years the classifications have changed, and now the AKC puts dogs into one of seven groups -- sporting, hound, terrier, toy, working, nonsporting and herding. The herding group was the last to be created and was broken out of the working group a few years back.

Some poodles do hunt, but probably not enough to convince anyone that the breed belongs in the sporting group. Herding poodles like your Ivy are even more rare. I guess it really doesn't matter what group they're in, as long as people appreciate them for the fine dogs they are.

You're right that poodles are extremely versatile, easy to train and they love to work. I did get one letter from someone in Minnesota, though, who pointed out that the breed is not well-suited to work as a sled dog. Their curly coats just don't offer them the protection they need in frigid conditions.

Q: I recently adopted an 8-year-old cat by the name of Molly. She has joined my two dogs and my three-legged cat named Lilly, and they are adjusting very well.

Molly is a hearty eater, and since I occasionally give Lilly a few tablespoons of milk (nonfat), I did the same with Molly. The problem is: She seems addicted. Every time I go into the kitchen, she comes in and starts demanding some milk (she is a big talker). She'll even turn up her nose at the cat food when she wants milk.

I am reluctant to give Molly more than more than two servings a day of milk (four to five tablespoons total), since I am not sure if it might hurt her health. I'd really appreciate any advice you might have on this. -- G.H., via e-mail

A: No adult cat needs milk to survive, and some cats, like some humans, cannot handle milk without ending up with diarrhea. For those cats who can handle milk and like it, it's a fine treat and good source of protein.

If Molly isn't experiencing any stomach distress, then it's perfectly safe to give her milk as a treat. Feel free to indulge her just as you have been.

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

A sick bird too often means a dead bird. Not because birds are fragile -- on the contrary, most bird species are quite hardy -- but because by the time their illness is noticed, birds are usually very ill indeed and sometimes too far gone to be helped.

In the wild, a bird's best chance to survive is to hide illness. If you look sick in the wild, you'll attract the attention of a predator and will soon be someone's lunch. Even without the threat of predation, pet birds can't help but behave as wild birds do and hide all signs of illness until they're too sick to manage it. That's why some birds who seem fine one day are found dead the next. They were likely ill for a long time, but they managed to hide the symptoms.

The best way to catch an illness before your bird gets too sick to be helped is to have your pet see a veterinarian regularly. Your bird will be better off with a board-certified avian specialist, if there's one available in your area, or with a veterinarian who is comfortable treating birds and who keeps up with the latest available health information on these pets.

An avian veterinarian will go over your bird carefully, and will ask you questions meant to reveal any problems in your bird's health or behavior and in how you care for your pet. The veterinarian may suggest a couple of basic diagnostic tests. The idea is to correct any current problems and change anything that could become a risk in the long term, such as an improper diet.

If you suspect your bird is sick, call your veterinarian. Remember that a bird who appears ill may be in mortal danger, even if he seemed fine just the day before. Never try to treat your bird yourself. You may be misreading the symptoms and making matters worse.

It's sometimes difficult to judge what needs immediate attention and what can wait until tomorrow. Here are some guidelines in determining how best to respond to your bird's illness:

-- Life-threatening emergencies. These need to be dealt with immediately by a veterinarian. They include bites or deep cuts, bleeding that can't be stopped, burns, poisoning, difficulty breathing, collapse, blood in droppings, or straining to defecate or pass an egg. In these situations, you can't get help fast enough. If it's after hours and your regular avian veterinarian cannot be reached, you'll need to visit an emergency clinic. Not all of these treat birds, so take time now to explore your options so you'll know where to go in an emergency.

-- Urgent situations. Problems that should be seen by a veterinarian within a few hours of your noticing them include an eye injury, or a lack of interest in eating, especially if your bird also seems "puffed up." Sudden swellings also demand relatively fast care, as do broken bones and diarrhea. Direct contact with dog or cat saliva, regardless of whether or not the skin was broken, is also an urgent matter -- your bird will likely need to be started on antibiotics right away.

Everything else falls into the category of not-so-urgent, but even then, don't get complacent. If there's a problem, your pet should see your veterinarian the next day. And if any of the more urgent symptoms pop up, get help sooner.

No matter what, bear in mind that a "wait and see" attitude is not appropriate for a sick bird. When in doubt, you should at the very least call your veterinarian. Your bird's life may well depend on your prompt attention.

PETS ON THE WEB

Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue is arguably the finest group of its kind, an organization that helps to coordinate the efforts of dozens of volunteers who find new homes for unwanted purebred dogs. The nonprofit group's Web site (www.spdrdogs.org) mirrors the work of the organization itself, with information on what rescue is, what dogs are available, how to bring one home, and why you should. A nifty feature is the link to a breed-selection calculator that allows you to click off what you like and don't like in a pet and then recommends a list of suitable breeds.

THE SCOOP

Never hit your cat. If you need to correct your pet's behavior, try instead to startle him with noise or some other unpleasant, nonharmful sensation. If your cat is on the counter, for example, a blast from a squirt bottle will help to persuade him to keep his paws on the floor. Noisemakers that prove effective with cats include pennies in an empty soda can, a squeaky dog toy or an air horn. Counter-hoppers may also be trained through the use of a product called a Scat Mat. The plastic mat, which can be placed on a counter, is wired to give off a slight shock (like a carpet shock) when a pet touches it.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: If you are going to write about so-called "unprovoked biting," you should also talk about the serious consequences of approaching unknown dogs and their owners, especially on a bike or skateboard.

I currently drive 50 miles a week to take my three dogs out to play ball in secluded places, only to have adults or children go out of their way to watch, participate or bring a dog. They are surprised when there are problems! I go to closed industrial complexes, and this is for a reason -- we want to be left alone.

Wake up, America! Virtually all dog-biting incidents are the fault of the intruder, not the dog. Will you please mention something about approaching unknown dogs? We will all be safer and happier. -- C.V., via e-mail

Q: Will you set the record straight on aggressive dogs? I have two of them, and I love them that way. I don't want just anyone to walk into my yard, and my dogs should use every measure to keep trespassers out. Aggressive dogs should be obedient to their owners, but otherwise there is nothing wrong with an aggressive dog. -- M.R., via e-mail

A. Your letters are typical of those I received after writing about my zero-tolerance view on canine aggression. I'm sorry, but I can't agree with either of you.

If you know you have an aggressive dog, you should never let the animal off leash in public, no matter how isolated the area you choose. Yes, it's true that people are better off avoiding dogs they do not know, but that does not relieve you of your responsibilities where your pets are concerned.

What if, out in that isolated area, your unleashed, aggressive dogs take off after and attack a jogger, skateboarder or bicyclist? Without a leash, are your dogs controllable? A friend of mine was walking her small dog -- on leash -- down a rural lane near her home when two off-leash dogs who were playing fetch with their owner in a nearby schoolyard ran over and killed the little dog right at her feet. The owner of the animals was screaming at them to come back when they ran for the little dog, but they ignored him completely.

If your dog is aggressive, you must keep him secured with a leash or behind a fence. I do know people who have dogs who like to get into fights at the dog park, and they bring their pets in muzzled. It's a good compromise: The dog gets the exercise he needs, but he isn't a threat to anyone.

As for keeping aggressive dogs for protection, I can't tell you how many times that plan has resulted in a serious or deadly attack on an innocent person. Are there children in your family? Do grandchildren come to visit? Has a neighborhood child or a delivery person ever walked into your yard? What would happen if an emergency medical team had to get to you? Have your dogs ever broken out, or has the gate ever been left open? Each of these scenarios has ended up in newspapers as part of stories on horrific dog attacks.

No one needs an aggressive dog as a pet, and those who end up with such animals unintentionally need to take responsibility to ensure the safety of others. Make sure the animal is secured at all times, and seek the advice of a trainer or behaviorist to help turn around your pet's anti-social behavior.

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

Out of all the animals that we have taken into human society and have changed over generations to better suit our own ends, why is the cat the one we have accepted largely on his own terms?

We have meddled endlessly with other domesticated animals, the dog most notably so, bred in all shapes and sizes and turned into a herder, a hunter, a puller of carts and sleds, or even a tiny ornamental companion. The many breeds of sheep, horses and cows also show our urge over the generations to change animals to better suit our own needs and fashions.

One could argue that the cat was already a useful and attractive animal when his kind chose to associate with ours, and as such, we saw no need to change him. The cat didn't need our meddling to keep our homes and farms free of vermin -- his own interests just happened to dovetail perfectly with our own. And surely the fact that the cat was not only useful but also graceful, beautiful and affectionate made it easy for our kind to welcome him into our lives and homes for the sake of companionship alone.

Of all the attributes that led our kind to take so strongly to their kind, perhaps there's one that touched our hearts the most.

I think we fell in love with the cat's ability to purr.

After thousands of years of sharing our lives with cats, isn't it amazing that we are still not sure exactly how they purr? A vibration, sure. But where? The rattling of skin folds, say some, while others argue that the sound is the movement of air through swollen blood vessels. And why is our cat the only one of his family to manage this lovely sound? Tigers, for example, can rumble and roar, but only the domestic cat can keep the motor running on both inhale and exhale.

I'd be happier if the mysteries were never solved, for they add to the purr's uniqueness and its appeal.

When I think of purring, though, I don't think of history or science. Instead, I remember a day when a little cat saved his own life with the power of his purr.

A friend and I had gone to the shelter to search for an elderly neighbor's lost calico and found ourselves sadly pondering a cage bank full of homeless cats. Few, we knew, would be alive in a couple of days' time. We tried to push the thought out of our heads as we looked in each cage for the missing cat.

And then we heard the purr. It came from a leggy young tabby with a battered look about him. He had snuggled onto the floor of his steel cage as if on a satin pillow, his front legs folded beneath him, his eyes half-lidded with contentment. His purr was as rough and raspy as the low gear on an untuned Harley.

He opened his eyes and revved up his motor as we approached, and in seconds we were both smitten with the half-grown kitten. Once out of the cage, he was as charming as his purr suggested, bumping my friend's chin with his head and settling into her arms as if he belonged there. Just that quickly, the purring tabby earned himself a new home.

The neighbor's missing calico wandered home the next day, thinner than when she left but otherwise unharmed. And the ratty little tabby with the big purr grew into a handsome and loving companion, which he likely would never have had the chance to become were it not for his purr.

The purr is the essence of all that is wonderful about cats. And although I am no scientist, I have my own theory of where such a beautiful sound originates. I have no doubt that it comes straight from the heart.

PETS ON THE WEB

Crufts, the mother of all dog shows, is the latest of England's animal-related sporting events to fall victim to that country's foot-and-mouth livestock epidemic, with officials postponing the historic four-day show for an unspecified time.

Crufts is held each March in Birmingham, England, and a trip there is the dream of anyone who'd like to wear out the soles of a pair of walking shoes while happily gazing upon hundreds of different breeds of dogs, an amazing array of merchants, and at both canine athletes and beauty queens doing what they do best.

The show's Web site (www.crufts.org.uk) promises to provide updates on the rescheduling of the event, but that's not the only reason to click on it. The site also offers plenty in the way of show lore, past winners, merchandise, and general information regarding dogs and this legendary event.

THE SCOOP

Altitude has a lot to do with attitude, at least when it comes to parrots. In the wild, dominant members of the flock choose the highest branches on which to rest, with the lower-ranking birds settling on perches below. Pet parrots who see themselves as dominant to their owners can often be helped just by getting their own height issues readjusted.

The rule is known among behaviorists as "your head, my heart," and requires you to keep your bird's head no higher than your heart. That means canceling shoulder rides in favor of letting your bird perch on your waist-level arm or hand, and it also means removing cage-top play gyms and lowering the height of the cage itself by removing the stand on which most models rest.

When your bird is no longer looking down on you physically, he won't be as likely to look down on you socially. You'll then be in a better position to train him in the basics of well-mannered behavior.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: Our daughter has two cats from the same litter, brother and sister, both neutered and about 18 months old. Both were completely trained using the same litter box while living in New York City. Our daughter moved to a new city and new apartment in October.

Tiger uses the litter box (same litter, same box). But Lily goes around or near the box, but not in it. When they came here to our house (new to them as well) to visit, Lily used the same litter box as Tiger for three days. When they went back to their new home, she started right back to leaving a present outside of the box nearly every day.

At first we thought it was her new surroundings. But after four months, she shows no sign of improving. Our daughter has bought spray, has cleaned the area daily, has moved the box and has changed litter. She's now at her wit's end. -- E.V., via e-mail

A: She needs to add at least one more box, probably in a different part of the apartment.

It sounds to me as if Lily is trying her best, by going near the communal litter box. But some cats don't like to share, and others aren't allowed to share. The dominant cat won't tolerate it. And sometimes a cat won't use a box unless it's perfectly clean and fresh, no clumps at all.

Your daughter can cover all contingencies by adding one or more additional litter boxes. That way, Lily can be assured of a space she needn't share with her brother. Additional boxes also increase the likelihood that the cats will always find a clean one, assuming your daughter is diligent about scooping.

Q: Will you please add to your suggestions on keeping dogs out of litter boxes? The ideas previously submitted sounded great, but they work only if the dog is bigger than the cat. If you have a 4-pound dog and a 12-pound cat, as I do, then making the opening to the litter-box area cat-sized just won't do it. The only thing I've found so far that works is to put the litter box in the bathtub in the spare bathroom. The cat is big enough to get over the edge, but the dog isn't. -- B.G., via e-mail

A: I've had readers confirm over the years that keeping the box in the bathtub will usually keep cat-sized dogs out. So, too, will putting a baby gate across the door to the area where the litter box is. The cat can jump it easily, but the dog can't.

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