Do you pause when a black cat crosses your path? I sometimes do, and then I laugh at myself for being influenced by such a silly old myth, even for a second. But that's the funny thing about cats -– more than any other domestic animal, they are the subject of countless myths, legends and old wives' tales.

While some stories about cats are harmless, others are too dangerous not to debunk. Here are a handful of stubborn old myths about cats -- and the facts to counter them:

-- Black cats are bad luck. Black may be an unlucky color all right, but it can be for the cats themselves too. Humane society officials have warned for years that black cats are often the targets of those who practice rituals that include the torture and killing of animals. (Many shelters refuse to allow black cats to be adopted around Halloween, for this very reason.) Black may be an unfortunate color for another reason: visibility. Thousands of cats are killed by cars every year, and the difference between a hit or a near miss may be the driver's ability to see the cat darting across the road. At night, patches of light-colored fur are a distinct advantage.

-- Cats need to drink milk. Is cow's milk the perfect food for cats? Not at all! On the contrary, some cats (like some people) can't tolerate milk well. For these animals, a saucer of milk means gastric upset and diarrhea.

In the wild, kittens never drink milk after they're weaned, and domestic cats have no reason to either. On the other hand, if your cat likes and can tolerate milk, feel free to offer it as an occasional treat. Milk's a good source of protein and other nutrients for those cats who don't find it upsetting.

-- Cats purr when they're happy. Expert cat observers know that purring isn't just a sound of contentment. Cats also purr if they're injured, while giving birth -- even when dying. British zoologist Desmond Morris has observed that purring is "a sign of friendship -- either when (the cat) is contented with a friend or when it is in need of friendship, as with a cat in trouble."

As an aside: Big cats roar; little cats purr. On balance, I think little cats got the better end of that deal. Or at least we, as their companions, did.

-- Cats are a danger to babies. So many cats find themselves looking for new homes when a baby is expected that you could put it the other way: that babies are a danger to cats. But the fact is that you don't need to find a new home for your pet if you become pregnant. Cats do not maliciously smother or suck the breath out of babies, as the myths hold. That doesn't mean some considerations aren't in order, however. Pregnant women have to take special precautions when cleaning the litter box –- or have someone else do it -- because of the risk of disease. And even animal advocates remind new parents that common sense dictates no animal be left unattended with a small child -– for the protection of both.

-- A well-fed cat won't hunt. The ability to hunt is hardwired into all cats, but the level of desire varies by each cat's genetics and early experiences, not by the rumbling in his belly. The play of kittens –- pouncing and leaping on anything that moves –- is really hunting behavior. Observers of feline behavior believe that if the mother is an eager hunter, the kittens may be, too.

Although the desire to hunt may be undeniable, whether your cat kills his prey may have more to do with hunger than anything else, argues Morris. He says that the cat's much-observed tendency to play with its prey is really a matter of the animal's not being hungry enough to eat but still being instinctively driven to hunt.

PETS ON THE WEB

Those who love big dogs will get a kick out of the Web site of Morgan the Great Dane (www.morgandane.com), which celebrates the triumphs not only of Morgan, but also other Great Danes who compete in the sport of agility against legions of Border collies, shelties and other smaller dogs. The site is a labor of love for Morgan's owner and trainer, Keri Caraher, a Colorado-based Web designer and avid agility competitor. Be sure to check out the pictures and videos of Morgan and other Danes in action. For $25, you can also buy a T-shirt with the nifty "Air Morgan" logo on it -– until Nike gets wind of it, I'd guess.

THE SCOOP

Annual vaccinations are becoming a thing of the past for most dogs and cats as an increasing number of veterinarians are choosing to follow new recommendations that space booster shots years apart. The reason? New thinking holds that the immunity levels remain high for years longer than previously believed, and that the vaccinations themselves come with health risks.

Such cutting-edge thinking is reflected in the protocols of the University of California, Davis, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, which does not offer some vaccines at all and limits others to every-three-year events, after pets have gone through a series of shots as youngsters. The complete recommendations are available at www.vmth.ucdavis.edu/vmth/clientinfo/info/vaccinproto.html.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: I'm 63 years old, a widow, and I'm facing some surgery in the next few weeks. The surgery is routine, I've been assured, but you never know, do you? I worry about what will happen to my pets if something happens to me. Do you have some advice about what I should be doing to protect them? I have a 12-year-old cat and a 4-year-old dog, both in good health. –- W.O., via e-mail

A: Nobody likes to think about the "what-ifs," and you've done a very good thing for your pets in doing so. When someone is disabled or dies, the welfare of that person's pets is often not even a major concern of the people left to deal with the situation. The result: A lot of animals are promptly dumped on shelters or rescue groups.

Every pet lover, regardless of age or health, should have a plan for the care of pets in case of death or disability. Remember, even if you're young and healthy, something could happen to change that in a heartbeat. (Humane groups were part of the post-9/11 response effort, locating, caring for and in many cases finding new homes for the pets of those people who would never come home again.)

In most cases you'll be relying on friends and family to look after your pets if something happens to you. You can't leave money to a pet; instead, you'll be leaving your pet to someone else, and providing that person with enough money (if you can) to cover expenses for the rest of the animal's life.

In addition, every pet owner should also have some form of "durable power of attorney" ready, designating someone to make immediate decisions for your pet should illness or accident incapacitate you.

Your best bet is to talk about this subject with an attorney as well as with friends and family, to make arrangements in advance and keep them current. Never assume that a member of your family will take your pet as his or her own. Make sure you have found a willing adopter and that the details you've arranged are known to all. Also, talk to your attorney about how to structure any money you leave for care.

When I had surgery a couple of years ago, I made arrangements for my friends to take my pets if something happened, and had an attorney formalize the arrangements. In turn, I'm also the "what-if" person for the pets of at least a half-dozen other people, to either keep the pets as my own, find them new homes or (if age and illness dictates) oversee the saddest decision of all -– to euthanize the pet.

Q: What can we do to keep our cat and strays from getting on our cars? This has become a big problem lately with paw prints appearing almost daily. We want to keep our cat but we also want to keep our cars from getting damaged. -- K.R, via e-mail

A: While you can keep your own cat from walking on your cars by keeping him inside, you won't be able to do much about the neighborhood cats. Since you can't control the cats, control their access to the cars: Protect your vehicles by garaging them or by using car covers.

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

It's a hot day at the dog park, and I'm sharing the shade with the other "doggy parents," chatting while we watch our pets play.

In the middle of the park, the dogs have dug out a crater the size of a small hot tub. The sprinklers fill the pit every morning, and by afternoon, it's still at least half full of stinky, slimy, muddy water. It's disgusting, and most of the dogs have the common sense to avoid it.

Except the retrievers.

While not all of them see it as a swimming hole, most see no reason to avoid the muck, jumping in and out as they play. One retriever is even worse than the other water dogs. She throws herself into the muddy bog, rolling and wallowing until every inch of her glossy black coat is dripping brown with foul-smelling mud. She finally stands up, nose-to-tail-tip filthy and obviously delighted with herself.

"Oh my God!" says the woman next to me, her tone of disgust unmistakable. "Whose dog is that?"

"Um, that would be mine," I mumble.

Rule No. 1 for anyone who has or is thinking of adopting a retriever: Be willing to carry towels in your car at all times.

I love retrievers, and in this I'm not alone. The Labrador retriever is the top breed in the land; 165,970 of them were registered with the American Kennel Club in 2001. The golden retriever is the AKC's second most popular breed, with 62,497 recorded in the same year. All told, the five retriever breeds (the Chesapeake Bay, flat-coated and curly-coated are the others) make up more than one-fifth of all AKC registrations.

Retrievers are popular for good reason. They're great family dogs, even-tempered, friendly and tolerant. They're generally easy to train and eager to please. They have coats that clean up quickly, and they don't shed as much as many other breeds. (Even my water-crazed Heather dries up and shakes off most of the muddy muck she gets into in just a few minutes.)

But anyone associated with a shelter or rescue group can tell you that despite their popularity, retrievers are not for everyone. They get dumped by the hundreds, often by people who didn't research the downside to owning one of these dogs or who proved unwilling to put in the effort it takes to keep one.

People, for example, who think muddy paws (or muddy dogs) are intolerable. Or those who aren't prepared to put time into training and exercising these large and exuberant animals. While some breeds and mixes can better tolerate the life of a "backyard dog" (although I never recommend this lonely life for any dog), retrievers are especially ill suited to such isolation. Developed to work one-on-one with a hunter, the personable retriever does best as a full-fledged member of a family. Kept in a back yard, a retriever will get bored and anxious, and may become a digger, escape artist or nonstop barker.

Is a retriever right for you? Even if you're well-suited to these breeds, it pays to carefully consider any canine adoption. Like all purebreds, retrievers have congenital health problems that can make your dog miserable and cost you a bundle, if indeed they can be treated. If you're buying a puppy, be sure to find a reputable breeder who has had the parents certified free of these problems, most commonly hip dysplasia.

If you're considering an adult dog, you'll be able to assess health and temperament with the aid of the shelter or rescue group. A lot of great dogs turn up in shelters and rescue groups, many with some training and such preventive-care measures as vaccinations and neutering already done. Another reason to go for an adult: Retrievers are notoriously slow to mature, and can maintain troublesome puppy behaviors well into the second or third year of their lives. If you want a mellow retriever, get an older dog.

I love retrievers, especially my own two. But I brought them into my life knowing they'd need a lot from me to keep their minds and bodies in good shape. And even though I occasionally wince at the water-related messes they get into, I'd never trade Benjamin or even Heather at her filthiest for any other dogs in the world.

PETS ON THE WEB

You can find out about the American Kennel Club's retriever breeds by clicking on the Web sites of the various national clubs from the AKC's breed page, www.akc.org/breeds. The Labrador Resources site (www.labrador-resources.com) offers some of the most important questions you should ask when determining if the breed (or indeed, any retriever breed) is right for you. And finally, be sure to check out Golden Retrievers in Cyberspace (www.golden-retriever.com), a site devoted to finding new homes for goldens who need them.

THE SCOOP

Although most people associate rabies with dogs, cases of feline rabies are not uncommon -- and are very much a cause for concern. In many areas, rabies vaccinations are required by law for cats as well as dogs.

Rabies is caused by a viral infection of the nervous system. Although the risk of contracting rabies from your cat -- or any cat -- is extremely small, the disease is so deadly that, if your cat were to contract it, he would need to be humanely killed, and you might need to have a series of inoculations for your own protection.

This disease is nothing to mess with, which is why it's important to get your cat vaccinated, regardless of what the law requires, for the protection of your cat and the rest of your family.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: Are meat-based "real" foods healthier for dogs than high-quality dry kibble? I feed my dog both but worry about the cost and storage of these "real" products. -- E.M., via e-mail

A: A small but vocal minority of pet lovers feed their dogs a diet of raw meat and bones, along with vegetables and dietary supplements. Proponents argue that dogs weren't designed to eat the grains that are a major component of kibble, and blame everything from allergies to cancer on commercial pet foods.

Many veterinarians oppose raw diets (as do manufacturers of traditional dog foods, of course). Detractors, including some prominent veterinarians with advanced degrees in nutrition, believe raw diets don't offer nutritional balance, and can be dangerous because of salmonella and other risks that come with handling and feeding raw meat. Proponents respond that the majority of veterinarians have little training in nutrition, and are influenced by courses in school and post-degree training provided by pet-food companies. They point to plenty of healthy pets, including some who had health problems disappear after a switch to a raw diet.

You'll find good arguments either way you go, that's for sure.

One argument against raw-food diets is price and inconvenience. Commercially prepared raw diets are convenient but can be expensive. Preparing everything from scratch brings down the price considerably -- if you invest in a freezer so you can buy in bulk -- but does take a lot more planning and work than buying and opening a bag of kibble.

One of the leaders of the raw food movement is Australian veterinarian Dr. Ian Billinghurst, author of the books "Give Your Dog a Bone" and "The BARF Diet." (Both are available from Dogwise, www.dogwise.com or 800-776-2665.) You'll also find plenty of Web sites and e-mail lists also dedicated to these diets, collectively referred to as "BARF," which stands for Bones and Raw Flesh or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food.

If you're interested in a raw-food diet for your pet, do your homework first. Read books and Web sites, and join a BARF-related e-mail list. And if you decide these diets are not worth the effort you'll have to invest, don't feel guilty: The majority of people who feed high-quality kibble have dogs who look and feel fine -- as do the majority of dogs fed a well-planned raw diet.

Q: Is it really safe to use old newspapers in my bird's cage? What about the ink? -- B.D., via e-mail

A: Old newspapers are so commonly used to line the bottom of birdcages that many manufacturers size their products so that the trays fit the sheets exactly. My "Birds For Dummies" co-author, avian veterinarian Dr. Brian Speer, says he knows of no evidence that the ink causes any health problems for birds. He suggests sticking to black-and-white pages, though, and skipping the glossy color inserts.

If you really want to go ink-free, check with your local newspaper. Some offer the ends of the newsprint rolls that go on the presses, usually at a bargain price.

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

Whenever I write about an incident of animal cruelty, I always get a few nasty letters that come awfully close to ... well, not defending what happened, but certainly minimizing the significance of such crimes.

These people nearly always preface their remarks by claiming to like animals. But then they take me to task for not thinking about people, as if caring about animals leaves no room in your heart to feel horror over a crime against a fellow human being.

Typical was a letter I got a couple of years back after writing about Leo, the little dog who was killed when he was snatched from his owner's lap and thrown onto the freeway by a man enraged over a fender-bender. "You wouldn't care if he'd thrown a baby into traffic," wrote a reader who was angry at all the attention the case had generated. "You animal freaks are all alike. It's just a dog, for heaven's sake!"

What the letter writer missed was that the death of Leo was as much a crime against his owner as against a fluffy little dog. The man who killed Leo wanted to hurt his owner, and chose her dog as the means to his end. Anyone familiar with domestic violence will nod in recognition at the connection: It's common for abusers to threaten the lives of pets -- or even kill them, sometimes in front of family members -- to keep a mate terrified and under control.

And that's not the only link between cruelty to animals and crimes against humans.

The prisons are full of violent criminals who became hardened to cruelty by seeing it perpetrated on animals, and then by practicing on animals themselves before moving on to people. Further, some of history's most infamous mass murderers -- Ted Bundy, Albert DeSalvo and Jeffrey Dahmer among them -- honed their "skills" on animals first.

Once it puts down roots, cruelty only grows stronger, becoming bolder as it chooses its victims. A cat, then a child. A dog, then an elderly woman.

I was thinking about the link between animal cruelty and crimes against people in relation to recent events that happened within a couple of days of each other -- the barbecuing of a live kitten by a group of men in Missouri, and the kidnapping and murder of a young girl in Southern California.

There will surely be those who'll fault me for caring about the death of a little gray tabby when a beautiful girl's life has been cut horribly and tragically short. But the fact of the matter is that I care about the kitten not just because I care about animals, but also because I know there's a connection between someone who can torture a kitten and someone who can kill a little girl.

The facts speak for themselves.

It's important to us all to take animal cruelty seriously and prosecute it vigorously, and not minimize it because the victim is "just" an animal. The man responsible for the kitten's death has been charged with a felony, and this is as it should be. For when we fight cruelty against animals, we not only help animals but also spare the human victims that almost always come later.

And that might one day make a difference to the parents of another beautiful little girl.

PETS ON THE WEB

Christmas comes early for pet lovers, with the launch of the online edition of the Merck Veterinary Manual (www.merckvetmanual.com). The print version of this essential reference has been a mainstay in nearly every veterinary hospital since it was first published in 1955. The introduction of an online version immediately makes the site one of the most significant animal-health resources for every pet lover.

Every search of the Merck manual turns up interesting information: Did you know, for example, that based on 1995 U.S. figures, dry foods constituted 58 percent of $3.5 billion spent on dog food, compared with 24.8 percent for canned and 2.6 percent for semi-moist? (The remainder consists of smaller categories, such as frozen.) Of the $2.17 billion spent on cat food, 43.1 percent was classified as dry, as compared with 51.7 percent canned and 2.4 percent semi-moist.

THE SCOOP

Almost any healthy food you fix for yourself can also be shared with your bird, such as pasta, rice, casseroles, meats and cereal. Try to keep fatty and sugary foods out of the mix, along with dairy products. (Because they're not mammals, birds don't have the ability to digest regular or large amounts of dairy products.)

Another cross-species surprise: You can occasionally add dog kibble or monkey food (the latter is often available at bird-supply shops) to your pet bird's meals.

Sharing your meal with your pet bird helps your relationship, too. So knock yourself out fixing fabulous meals you both can enjoy. Just keep your portions separate: Your bird shouldn't eat food that has been in your mouth and vice versa.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: I was reading your article on training collars and I do agree with you, for the most part. I own a 6-month-old Border collie/Newfoundland pup named Skip, who takes me for a walk, because he weighs 45 pounds already!

My local pet-store worker, a breeder of champion German shepherds, showed me how to use the training collar. Within 10 minutes, Skip was barely pulling. And when he did decide to pull, a quick reprimand usually stopped it.

I am also taking Skip to obedience training, in the hopes that I won't need to use the training collar soon. Lately, I've tried to attach the leash to his leather collar, using a technique I'm learning in obedience class. I do still put the training collar on him as a backup, should he start pulling too much. -- G.M., via e-mail

A: Your letter makes my point exactly. When used properly, the "choke" collar is a useful piece of training equipment. But it's not meant to be used for life, and it's difficult to use properly.

Before I wrote my column on collars, I spent a few days paying close attention to people walking their dogs. I observed that the overwhelming majority of people who used a "choke" collar were doing so incorrectly -- they either had it on wrong, kept it constantly tight, or both. The collar should be put on so the free-running part goes over the dog's neck, not under it, and it is meant to be tightened for a very brief second and then released.

Because these collars are so difficult to use properly, I've given up on them as a useful tool for most people to train their dogs. Instead, I like to recommend head halters, such as the Gentle Leader, which are easier on both people and dogs. Although I don't like the looks of a head halter -- it looks too much like a muzzle for my taste -- they work very well for many pet lovers and aren't as difficult to use.

Q: We keep our two young dogs (both over 65 pounds and around 2 years old) in the garage when we are not home. It stays pretty cool in there because it is well-insulated, but I feel bad leaving them in there all day long. They're in the house whenever we are, but they are destructive when left alone inside. They've done too much damage to our yard to be left alone out there. We take them on long walks every night and to the dog park on the weekend. Is it OK to leave them in the garage during the day? I feel like I'm not being a good dog-mommy. -- M.J., via e-mail

A: You can stop feeling guilty. If they're cool, safe and provided with water and some good toys, your dogs are fine in the garage while you're gone -- especially since they're getting lots of exercise and companionship when you're home. It's the perfect compromise for dogs who can't be trusted to have the run of the place when you're not around.

You may be preventing a behavior problem by keeping them in your garage. The sound-dampening qualities of an insulated garage minimize noises and other distractions that keep your pets from napping away their day. That will reduce their stress and keep them from barking out of protective instincts or boredom. The garage will also muffle any noise they do make. And I'm sure your neighbors appreciate your dogs being quiet while you're gone!

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