The woman in the Target store stared at me as slyly as she could, trying to figure out what it was I found so upsetting about an aisle of brightly colored plastic dishes.

In truth, I wasn't at all conscious of the merchandise. My tears were wholly related to five words I'd heard at the veterinary hospital not half an hour earlier, as my beloved old Sheltie yawned with boredom on the cool steel table, our veterinarian's face a study in concentration above the dog.

"I hear a heart murmur," the man had said.

As I struggled to focus on the shockingly red tumblers on the shelves before me, I became aware that my private worries were a little more public than I'd wanted. I managed a smile for the woman who'd been watching me.

"Allergies," I snuffled, wiping away the last tear and blowing my nose with what I hoped was a convincing honk. The woman sidled away as quickly as one can and still appear polite.

I gave up all thoughts of shopping and headed back to the hospital, where I'd left Andy with the veterinary cardiologist we'd been lucky enough to find on duty. "Let's let her check him out thoroughly, as long as she's here," our veterinarian had said, and I agreed quickly. I wanted to know exactly what was wrong and how bad it was.

Still, I'd used the trip to the store as an excuse to leave while they X-rayed Andy. I could feel the rising tide of tears as I fought to keep from imagining the worst possible ending, and I wanted to deal with it alone.

The appointment shouldn't have gone this way, I'd told our vet lightheartedly before I'd left, the humor a veneer over the panic I felt. I'd scheduled a "well-dog checkup," I told him firmly, and, by God, I intended to leave with just such a dog. I'd brought Andy in so our veterinarian could admire his dense, glistening coat and his beautiful teeth. I expected him to notice that my oldest dog was still alert, well-mannered and playful. "I can't believe Andy is 14!" I wanted him to say. "I rarely see a dog his age in such good health."

Instead, not one but two veterinarians had pressed their stethoscopes to Andy's chest, discussing the newfound leak in his loyal old heart -- where it was, how bad it was, what it meant.

As I sat in the reception area with Andy, waiting for the X-ray, I knew -- absolutely knew -- that it would show an enlarged heart with fluid around it. How much time was left for my sweet pup? A few months? A few weeks? I twisted Andy's long silver hair in the fingers of one hand, digging my nails painfully into the palm of the other. "No more crying. No more crying. No more crying," I told myself silently. I knew he'd had a good long run. If his time was near, so be it.

The specialist said my name twice before I finally looked up. She held the X-ray so the late-afternoon sun lighted the image. Pointing out Andy's heart, she swept her pen over a clear area around it -- no enlargement, no fluid, no tumors.

"These heart murmurs, they turn up in older dogs," she said. "His is mild, and it's nothing to worry about. We'll keep an eye on it, OK?"

I smiled and nodded, and she smiled back. "You weren't worried, were you?" she asked.

"Maybe a little," I admitted.

"I rarely see a dog his age in such good health," she said as she slipped through the door to the back.

PETS ON THE WEB

The Latham Foundation (www.latham.org) promotes humane education, including projects that involve animal-assisted therapy and celebrate the human-animal bond. Though their sponsorship, some wonderful videos have been produced that are well worth viewing by anyone who cares about animals and children. Recent work of the foundation focuses on breaking the well-documented link between abuse of animals by children and violent behavior later in life.

An especially interesting part of the site: Humane education posters from the late '40s, the result of a contest sponsored by the foundation. Clearly, this was a group ahead of its time. (The Latham Foundation can also be reached by writing to 1826 Clement Ave., Alameda, CA 95401; or by calling (510) 521-0920.)

THE SCOOP

Cats are highly territorial, which sometimes causes problems in multi-cat households. Every cat needs some space of his own to be happy, and one of the best ways to provide each of your pets with room to roam is to think "up."

Cats naturally adore looking down at others, and by giving your pets plenty of room up above to move about, you're giving each cat some room of his own. Tall furniture with flat tops -- such as bookcases or entertainment centers -- are ideal, as long as you leave room enough for your cats to play among the decorations. Even better: Invest in tall cat trees, especially those with platforms at the top and cubbyholes for hiding. Your cats will love them.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: We have four cats, and recently one or more of them has stopped using the litter box. Do you have any suggestions for how we can figure out which one? We need to get to the bottom of this messy problem. -- C.S., via e-mail

A: Even in the most harmonious of households a cat can stop using the litter box. Remember that it's not always about misbehavior: Sometimes a cat is sick. But which cat? In a multi-cat household, it can be very difficult to track down the culprit.

You can try to isolate the cat with problems by mixing blue or green food coloring with canned food and offering it to one cat at a time. You'll be able to tell which feces came from the "marked" cat because the food coloring will pass right through and stay on the mess.

Urine is a little harder to figure out, but your veterinarian should be able to help, or refer you to a veterinary behaviorist who can. You'll be prescribed fluorescent dye to give to your pet and a black light for revealing the dye in the urine.

Once you've determined which cat is the source of the problem, you'll need to work with your veterinarian to be sure the problem isn't health-related. Litter-box problems can be challenging to resolve, especially in a household with more than one cat. But you won't have any chance of getting past those problems until you're certain you're working with a healthy cat.

Q: We lost our cockatiel, Pansy, a year or so after her 12th birthday. We weren't sure we wanted another bird. But we finally decided that we did, and now we have a peach-faced lovebird. We read in your book that birds don't need grit, but we always gave it to Pansy. And it's still being sold (and recommended) at the pet store where we got our new bird. What's the story? -- T.E., via e-mail

A: In the last decade or so, our knowledge of what it takes to keep pet birds healthy has changed dramatically, and some sources haven't kept up with the latest information. Grit (which is finely ground rock) was thought to help birds grind their food, but it's no longer recommended for most birds by avian experts such as my "Birds for Dummies" co-author, Dr. Brian L. Speer, a board-certified avian specialist and past president of the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV).

Indeed, grit is now thought to have a negative impact on bird health, removing vitamins A, B and K from the digestive system. And grit occasionally leads to a potentially life-threatening problem, when the amount of the stuff in the bird blocks the digestive system.

Still, some birds can make use of a small amount of grit. Canaries and other finches should be allowed a couple of grains every couple of months. Other birds, from budgies, cockatiels and lovebirds on up, don't need grit at all and shouldn't be offered it.

I find that misinformation is more commonplace for birds than for any other pet. And it's everywhere -- from bird clubs to pet shops to the Internet and even some general-practice veterinarians. The best advice I have for anyone who wants the latest and best bird-care information is: Find a veterinarian who's a board-certified avian specialist, or find one who takes the extra time to stay current on avian care. You can find such a veterinarian through the AAV either online at www.aav.org, or by calling (561) 393-8901.

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

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