For Jan Haag, it started with one half-starved, half-grown and completely wild cat she thought was male when she took the terrified animal, still in a live-capture trap, to a veterinarian to be neutered.

Haag, a Sacramento, Calif., college professor and friend of mine for many years, is a member of a volunteer "kitty committee" that works to manage a feral cat problem on her campus. The group has managed to keep the feral cat population down by taming kittens for placement in new homes, and by trapping, neutering and releasing the untamable adults to keep other cats from colonizing and breeding.

She'd trapped many feral cats and had taken them to be neutered, but this time she was in for a surprise. "The vet said not only was 'he' a 'she,' but also that the cat was pregnant. With two babies," she said.

"How much trouble can two little kittens be?" Haag remembers asking herself, in words that her friends and family reminded her of many times in the weeks that followed.

Not long after, the cat gave birth in Haag's back bedroom -- and refused to mother the newborns. It was near the end of the spring semester, Haag's busiest time, but she did what needed to be done, taking over where the mother cat left off in raising the kittens.

At that point, she joined hundreds of dedicated volunteers who do the same thing every year, bottle-feeding orphaned or abandoned kittens. The bottle-raisers range from young people who'll likely raise a couple kittens once at most to seasoned old hands who've each saved dozens if not hundreds of kittens over decades of volunteering. Many of the staff at veterinary clinics and hospitals also donate their time to bottle-raise orphans, and so do countless veterinary students.

With so many more kittens than homes available every year, it's natural to ask if the effort is worth it. Haag wondered that herself when told by the veterinarian that the feral cat could be spayed, ending the pregnancy long before the kittens could have survived on their own.

"I thought about it," said Haag. "But in the end I decided the kittens would live, and I'd take responsibility for them."

After the mother abandoned the kittens, Haag hooked up with a mentor who showed her how to feed the pair and keep them clean and warm. "One of her tips was to fill an old tube sock with white rice and zap it in the microwave -- but not for too long, of course. I'd then cover the warm sock with fleece and they'd snuggle up to it."

The bigger problem was one of logistics: The tiny kittens needed to be fed every two to three hours around the clock, and Haag had classes to teach. "I put the kittens in a carrier and took them to school. The students -- even some of the big, tough young men -- would line up to help with feedings."

Despite all the challenges, the kittens -- known collectively as the "Twinkies" for their size and yellow-orange color -- not only survived but thrived. They took greedily to bottle-feeding and put on weight easily. In no time at all, they'd moved from a small carrier to a towel-lined kiddie pool. Soon, they were ready to be placed. They went to a home together, and are healthy, well-socialized and playful youngsters today.

With another kitten season coming to an end, lots of bottle-feeders like Haag are finally catching up on all the lost sleep, putting the supplies away and trying not to think about next year.

There will always be more kittens, but chances are there will also be plenty of dedicated volunteers to turn the fortunes of these babies around and give them a chance at the loving, permanent home all pets deserve.

"It was a pretty intense few weeks," said Haag, who placed the kittens with a friend and sees them every week. "Bottle-raising kittens is not for everyone, but I'm glad I did it."

Glossy-sleek, healthy and playful in their new homes, there's no doubt the Twinkies and all the other bottle-raised babies are glad for the time and love of volunteers, too.

HOW TO HELP

For any cat lover with time to help, saving orphaned kittens can be an extremely satisfying accomplishment.

Contact any local shelter or rescue group to volunteer. They'll set you up with supplies and show you how to care for the kittens they'll give you to foster. Feline specialist Dr. Susan Little also has a thorough orphan kitten how-to on her Web site at www.catvet.homestead.com.

Kitten season starts up again in the spring.

THE SCOOP

Book a fascinating study of misunderstood animal

Of all the animals we have domesticated, perhaps none has as strange a relationship with us as the rabbit.

Like cats, rabbits are kept as indoor, litter box-using pets. Like sheep, rabbits are raised for meat. Like mink, rabbits are killed for fur. In animal testing, they are more used as "guinea pigs" than guinea pigs are.

We have adored the rabbit as a beloved character in countless children's books from Peter Rabbit onward, and we have even used the rabbit as metaphor, as in Michael Moore's "Roger & Me," when he drew parallels between the "pets or meat" offer of a Flint, Mich., rabbit-seller and the treatment of workers by General Motors.

With rabbits such a pervasive part of our culture for so long, it would seem likely that there'd be a good amount of scholarly thought about the complicated relationship between our species and theirs. After all, I can think of a couple of dozen such books about dogs or cats in just the last few years. But when it comes to rabbits, we seem to give them hardly any thought at all.

Into this void comes "Stories Rabbits Tell: A Natural and Cultural History of a Misunderstood Creature" (Lantern Books, $22). Authors Susan E. Davis and Margo DeMello, associated with the pioneering House Rabbit Society (www.rabbit.org), take a thoughtful and thought-provoking look at this common and yet nearly unknown animal. In my 20 years of writing about pets, I can remember few books that challenged and ultimately changed my perception the way this one did.

The authors bring their backgrounds in academia and journalism into play in taking a surprisingly dispassionate view of all the things we've done to rabbits, including massive hunts where even young children participated in the "fun" of driving wild rabbits into pens and clubbing them. The rabbit wars of Australia, where the animals were introduced and quickly bred out of control, are a grisly if fascinating study in what happens when humankind decides to mess with a well-balanced ecosystem.

Every section is like this, exploring territory that seems familiar yet afterward must be looked at in an entirely new way. In the end, one is left with a better understanding of the rabbit -- and a great deal of respect for its mostly involuntary contributions to the march of human progress.

For anyone who has thought of a pet rabbit as something to be largely ignored in an outdoor hutch until the children grow tired of it, "The Stories Rabbits Tell" will reveal the often unappreciated companionship potential of this often-neglected animal. For those who already understand and enjoy life with an indoor pet rabbit, the book is one that cannot be missed for the breadth, depth and affection its authors bring to the subject.

Q&A

Off-leash dogs dangerous on trails for horses

Q: Please spread the word about a dog-related problem we're having. We have horses, and we mostly use them to trail ride. The trails are posted in many places with signs that require dogs to be on leashes.

Every time we ride, we encounter dogs that are not on a leash. When we politely ask the owner to put their dogs on a leash, we often receive very rude replies. Our horses are not afraid of dogs, but some horses are. And any horse may be startled by a running, growling or barking dog.

Recently a runner came up behind us with her dog. One of the horses with us was startled and took off running. It took some time for the rider to control the panicked horse, and by the time the horse was under enough control so the rider could dismount, the rider was very upset. The horse could have easily thrown the rider and hurt or killed her. A scared horse could also kick and possibly hurt or kill a dog or dog-walker.

This is a serious situation that deserves attention. Signs on riding trails that say to keep your dog on a leash are there for the safety of all. -- P.L., via e-mail

A: As a person who has ridden horses off and on for years, I'm constantly amazed at how careless people can be around these large and powerful animals. Even well-trained horses can spook, with disastrous results.

Many if not most trail riders are gracious about sharing space with leashed, well-mannered dogs. They shouldn't have to share trails with irresponsible and inconsiderate dog owners (or runners, mountain-bikers, etc.) who put everyone in a dangerous situation.

For anyone who is allowed to use riding trails without being on horseback, please be alert for horses, let the riders know where you are, and stay out of the way while horses are near. And if the trails are posted off-limits, stay off. The rules truly are for everyone's safety.

Q: My 9-year-old Labrador has suddenly taken to helping himself to the fresh deposits in the cat-litter boxes. No changes in our household preceded this new behavior. Cats being the fickle creatures they are, I am afraid to alter their litter boxes for fear they will develop anti-social behaviors of their own. Can you help? -- C.R., via e-mail

A: The first rule to tackling a behavior problem is to make sure it's not a medical problem. While a lot of dogs love cruising litter boxes -- it's one of the most common problems I get asked about -- it is a little unusual for your dog to start this habit at this fairly advanced age. So please: Get your dog checked out by your veterinarian to see if any deficiencies show up in the blood work.

If all comes back clear, the best way to stop this disgusting behavior is to put up a barrier your dog can't get through but the cats can. Some people cut a cat-sized hole into the door of the room where the litter box is, while others ended the snacking with a baby-gate across the room opening. These solutions do require some effort, but they should keep the cats happy and the dog out of the litter box.

ON THE WEB

Pet toys get political

Pet toys in the image of political figures weren't selling all that well at Pet Food Express, a 22-store chain based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Then the head of the company's Web site (petfoodexpress.com) had an idea after adopting a puppy from an Oakland animal-rescue group.

"Like most pups, Lola is a ball of fire," said Bill Thompson. "To save my fingers, toes, socks, shoes, wallpaper and everything else, I brought chew toys home for her from work. The 'W' chew toy caught her interest immediately. I said aloud, 'Lola is voting with her teeth,' and a lightbulb clicked in my head."

Thompson put a "Vote With Your Teeth" promotion up on the Pet Food Express Web site, with not only President George W. Bush toys but also those representing Sen. Hillary Clinton and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The dog toys have squeakers, while the feline models are stuffed with catnip.

Sales have been strong ever since, but Thompson isn't willing to theorize about how those sales might translate in November. After all, there's no doll for Sen. John Kerry to even things out. "Most people take it in the spirit of fun that is its intention," says Thompson.

PET RX

Keep dogs cool on warm fall days

Autumn weather can be deceptive, with cool evenings and falling leaves making people forget the potential danger of a warm fall day to our dogs.

Staying in cars on warm days or exercising in the afternoon can put a dog into heat-related danger within minutes. This is true of all dogs, but especially true of obese, out-of-condition or older dogs, or dogs with short muzzles such as pugs and bulldogs.

A dog in trouble will be panting frantically, with a glazed look in his eyes. This is a dog who needs to be transported to a veterinarian immediately! While arranging transport, take the dog into some shade, put a fan on him, and swab his underside with cool water and alcohol. Do not use ice-cold water or ice because these can actually overcool blood vessels near the surface and trap heat inside the animal.

The best way to protect your pet from overheating is to make sure adequate shade and plenty of water are always available. Do not leave dogs in cars, even with the windows rolled down, and exercise during the coolest parts of the day.

October adoptions focus of group's promotion

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a New York City group with some national outreach programs, marks every October as Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. The group notes that less than 20 percent of all dogs were adopted from shelters and that behavior problems are what keep many shelter dogs from finding permanent homes.

In recent years shelters have worked to address these challenges, from hiring trainers to make shelter dogs more adoptable to implementing behavior hot lines to keep at-risk dogs from being taken to shelters.

Although it can take time to find the right dog, shelters continue to be a wonderful place to find a perfect pet. Not only that, but by adopting from a shelter you'll also be doing your part in the fight against pet overpopulation.

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 petconnection@gmail.com. You can also read her frequently updated Web log or view her column archives at www.spadafori.com.

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

SEQUIM, Wash. -- Indoor facilities for dog-training classes are common in places where winters can be as long and nasty as their days are short. So it's no surprise to see a spacious room at the heart of Terry Ryan's training center in this Pacific Northwest town.

But then you notice the details that make you wonder if Legacy Canine Behavior & Training is more than just one of countless local businesses dedicated to helping people instill good manners in their pets. There's the collection of videotapes in Japanese, for one thing, or the clocks on the wall that note both the time both in Sequim and in Tokyo.

And then there's the fact that you're almost as likely here to meet a student trainer from Japan as a local dog lover. Finally, there's Ryan herself, soft-spoken, articulate and passionate about changes taking place more than 4,000 miles away.

"When I started going to Japan in 1990, the only dog training available was residential," she said. "Three-month old Fluffy would be boarded with a trainer for three to six months, and at the end of that time you'd pay a lot of yen and take home a dog who was completely different."

Not only were training classes unheard of, but also the training in those boarding centers was strictly of the boot-camp variety, according to Ryan. "Test and punishment," she said, grimacing. But there were dog lovers who saw a need for change, and they sought out Ryan's help.

The timing, she said, was perfect. Japan's booming economy left people flush with income and interested in what they saw as Western status symbols, including purebred dogs. Suddenly, breeds such as the Siberian husky were all the rage, despite their unsuitability for living in tiny urban apartments. The dogs may have been acquired for questionable reasons, but the new dog owners loved their pets and needed help training them.

"The next year after my first trip to Japan, I took two trips. The following year it was three trips, then four. Now, I spend three months of the year there," she says.

In her almost 30 years of training dogs in the United States, Ryan saw -- and helped to lead -- a complete turnabout in how we handle our pets. Today there's hardly a pet trainer left in North America who exclusively uses force-based methods, or who hasn't at least integrated some reward-based techniques into the canine curriculum. A popular speaker, author and innovative trainer of other trainers, Ryan is a firm believer in what Japanese dog lovers are now looking for as well: a cooperative, positive approach to a well-mannered dog.

Despite the enthusiasm she found for her gentle, in-home training techniques, she had to adjust her teaching style to the culture. "In Japan, tradition is very important. There's a feeling of 'This is the way it's done because this is the way it has always been done,'" she said. "Some of the concepts didn't even translate into Japanese."

With Ryan's help, there's now a version of the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen certification program in place in Japan, rewarding those dogs and owners who prove they can be trusted to be model citizens in public. Dogs who pass the test -- about 20 percent of those tested pass, says Ryan -- are given special privileges, such as being allowed to stay in participating hotels. The test is tougher than the American version, says Ryan, and the dogs must be recertified every two years until the age of 10, when they're given the status for life.

With an eye toward easing up on a demanding schedule and thinking about being a little more retiring, Ryan's focus in Japan is shifting to the path she has been on in the United States for some time. She is becoming more involved in training Japanese dog trainers so the interest in gentler methods of dog training will continue to expand there.

"I don't want to keep going to Japan over and over," she says. "And Japanese instructors are twice as fast because of the language and less expensive because of the travel costs."

Which means there'll be less of Ryan in Japan, and more touches of Japan in her aptly named Legacy training center in Washington.

THE SCOOP

Fall's a great time for traveling with pets

Fall is my favorite time of year to travel. The weather's cooler, the crowds smaller and the colors spectacular in many parts of the country. While I don't mind wandering alone, I much prefer to take my dogs along.

In this, I'm not alone. In response to the surge in pet-related travel, the hospitality industry has rolled out the red carpet in recent years, not only letting pets in, but in some cases pampering them in ways unimaginable not that long ago.

While some people do travel with cats, birds and other pets, when people travel with animal companions they're usually taking their dogs along. Most dogs love travel by car, and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of new places every bit as much as we do. Not to mention: They just love being with us!

Basic gear for dogs means carriers, leashes, ID tags, bowls, clean-up bags and food. (Water doesn't need to be packed from home.) Basic gear for dog lovers includes a travel guide listing pet-friendly lodging along the way.

For years now I've kept "Traveling With Your Pet -- The AAA PetBook" ($17 in AAA offices or retail book sellers) in my van. I've gone coast to coast with multiple dogs and done a great deal of regional travel, and this basic guide has never let me down. Because on long trips I don't always know how many hours I'll feel like driving, I use the guide to look down the road and check on my cell phone for same-day lodging.

While I can't say I always found the plushest of accommodations -- a trucker motel in the middle of Texas comes to mind as one I'd prefer not to visit again -- I can say I always found something basically acceptable and never once had to sleep in my van because my dogs weren't welcome.

The AAA pet guide has a new edition coming out in April, and they're looking for a pet travel picture to put on the cover. The winner will receive $100 cash and pet travel accessories. For more information visit the group's Web site at www.aaa.com/PetBook. -- G.S.

Q&A

Prepare a 'user's manual' for your pet, just in case

Q: Would you share an experience that might help others? I am only 55 years old, and early this year I suffered a major stroke that put me in the hospital and then a nursing home for two months.

While I'd had the foresight to set things up for myself in case of illness, the only preparation I had set up for my 10-year-old mutt, Peabody, was for someone to take care of him if I died. I was lucky that a co-worker took him in while I was sick. All things considered, he survived our separation well.

However, I wish I'd left a file of information about him to make the time less traumatic. Things such as: what kind of dog food he likes, the name of his veterinarian, which of the many blankets and rugs in the house is his "main bed," where his leash hangs, where his toys are kept, and the words I use when I take him outside to relieve himself.

I could even have left a request for someone to take him to the dog park a couple of times a week, so he would still have that routine and his special doggy friends. -- A.S., via e-mail

A: Your suggestion is excellent. Everyone should prepare a simple "user's manual" -- a file folder for each pet just in case someone needs to step in and care for the animal.

Like you, I've left specific instructions for what is to happen to each of my pets if I die, but I haven't given a thought to what would happen if I became temporarily incapacitated. I mean to change that, thanks to your note.

The Bar Association of the City of New York has some great guidelines on providing for pets in case of death or disability on its Web site (www.abcny.org/rep_brochure.html; click on "Providing for Your Pet."). In New York City, the information took on a special urgency after the terrorist attacks left countless pets without caregivers. In many cases, no one even knew animals were trapped in the homes of the victims.

That's an extreme example, to be sure, but one that should remind us all that it's important to let people know we have pets, and to make sure those pets are provided for if we can no longer care for them.

I'm happy to know you and Peabody have been reunited and are both doing well. -- G.S.

ON THE WEB

Disaster relief groups need help

With the hurricanes in Florida still fresh on our minds, it's important to prepare for our own disasters and to support those who look after animals in times of crisis.

Even if you don't care about animals, you need to know that helping animals also helps people. Many times people will not evacuate if they cannot take their animals with them. Helping animals makes crisis situations better for both animals and people.

Groups such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS.org), United Animal Nations' Emergency Animal Rescue Service (uan.org/ears), American Humane (www.americanhumane.org) and Noah's Wish (www.noahs-wish.org) all have information on their sites about how to prepare for your pets in case of a disaster and what to do afterward. It's essential that all pet lovers know this potentially life-saving information.

All such non-profit groups providing disaster relief could use a donation now to help rebuild their disaster teams after the hurricanes that recently hit Florida. Most take donations directly on their Web sites. -- G.S.

PET TAILS

Vanity plates go to the dogs (and cats)

Go to any dog or cat show and you'll see vanity license plates that proudly reveal the love the vehicle's owner has for animals. It's a little harder to spot animal-themed plates while driving around in the general population, but I've managed to see quite a few, including "DOG MA," "CAT MOM" and, on the veterinary side, "K9(heart)DOC" (for a veterinary cardiologist) and "AVN VET" (for a bird veterinarian).

I always assumed the vanity plate started in car-crazy California, but Popular Mechanics magazine traces the phenomenon back to Connecticut in 1937. No matter where they started, vanity plates are popular everywhere, often earning money for some worthy causes with the extra fees spent on them.

Do you have a pet-related vanity plate on your vehicle? Send a jpeg image of it to petconnection@gmail.com, along with an explanation of what it means and how you came to choose it. We'll be doing a feature on these plates in a future issue. -- G.S.

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 petconnection@gmail.com. You can also read her frequently updated Web log or view her column archives at www.spadafori.com.

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

Growing number of veterinary specialists means top care for more pets

The other day I noticed one of my dogs had developed that most common of summer ailments, a gooey skin infection commonly known as a hot spot. I shaved the area to get a good look at it, then cleaned and flushed the mess. I knew it was infected enough to require antibiotics, so I called my veterinarian.

"He's on vacation, this week and next," said the cheery receptionist. "Would you like to be seen by someone else?"

Ideally I'd have waited for our veterinarian to come back, but Ben's hot spot was no great stretch to diagnose and treat, and he needed help now; so off we went.

The veterinarian who came in to the exam room was young enough to be the son of our regular doctor. I swear had we not been there for something so minor, I would have asked at the reception desk for a grown-up. But my attitude started to change as I watched the young doctor work with Ben, and I started to feel much better when I asked what he would do if faced with something he hadn't seen before or didn't feel confident in treating.

"You never stop learning," he said. "I would ask for help."

This one, I thought to myself, is going to be a good veterinarian. That's because our regular veterinarian has exactly the same attitude after more than two decades. When he doesn't know, he finds out. And when he thinks a specialist could do better, he refers.

With veterinary medicine growing more complicated by the day, it's nearly impossible for one person to know it all. That, along with the demand for human-quality medicine for animals considered to be family, is good news for the growing number of veterinary specialists. The expertise they bring, in turn, is good news for our animals.

"A veterinarian will come up with a case, something they're having a hard time diagnosing. Or maybe they don't have the facilities for treating something unusual," says Dr. Joe King, who manages the Veterinary Referral Center of North Texas, a Dallas-based veterinary specialty group.

"Sometimes they'll refer the treatment of something they'll see seven-eight cases of a year, but the specialist here will see seven-eight such cases a day."

King says the idea for the Referral Center grew in the mid-90s, when a few of the area's veterinary specialists -- in ophthalmology, dermatology, radiology, internal medicine and surgery -- wanted to work together in a single location.

The center is unusual in that it's not a specialty group practice, but rather five distinct businesses under the same roof. But its founding is indicative of a larger demand for specialized care that has seen specialty practices develop in most urban centers. Before the growth in demand, veterinary specialists were found primarily in schools, colleges of veterinary medicine or in a couple of long-established mega-hospitals such as New York City's world-renowned Animal Medical Center.

King says veterinarians have generally been accepting of specialty care. "They all know their limitations. An ophthalmologist knows more about the eye than a general practitioner. The specialist is an extension of a general practice."

That higher level of care is increasingly what pet lovers demand for their pets, no matter the cost. "A lot of times it's not an economic decision," says Dr. Susan O'Neal, an internal medicine specialist at the Referral Center. "For 90 percent of my clients, the decision is all about quality of life for their pets."

For me, it's 100 percent about quality of life for my pets. Which is why I have on occasion taken my pets to specialists, and why I'm very comfortable with a "primary care" veterinarian who's willing to admit what he doesn't know and will help me find the resources I need to make the right decisions for my animals.

Although Ben's infection certainly didn't require the expertise of a specialist, it did give me the chance to meet the young veterinarian who'll now be the backup to our longtime favorite. I'm glad to find another veterinarian who already knows that it's not what you know that makes you good at your job, but knowing what you don't know, and how to find the answers. With veterinary specialists at the standby, my pets have never been in better hands.

SPECIALISTS WORK HARD FOR EXTRA CREDENTIALS

Veterinary specialists fall into two general categories: Those who specialize in a kind of medicine, such as surgery, and those who specialize in a particular species or related group of species, such as birds.

Among those in the first category are certified specialists in behavior, cardiology, dentistry, dermatology, emergency and critical care, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology and surgery. You can also find veterinarians who specialize in alternative care, such as acupuncture.

Species-specific certified specialists include those certified in avian, feline and combination feline and canine care.

Most specialties require additional years of study and the passing of extremely difficult tests, or boards, hence the origin of the terms "boarded" or "board-certified" in describing a specialist.

Information on all traditional veterinary specialists can be found on the American Veterinary Medical Associations Web site (www.avma.org) by clicking on the link to "Veterinary Specialty Organizations." For alternative veterinary specialists, visit the site of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (www.ahvma.org).

THE SCOOP

Must-have reference to pet medications

Dr. Debra Eldredge is a veterinarian, dog trainer and writer, with plenty of experience in both caring for animals and in explaining proper care to their owners. Her "Pills for Pets: The A-Z Guide to Drugs and Medications for Your Animal Companion" ($15, Citadel Press) is a no-nonsense, easy-to-use guide to both prescription and over-the-counter medications commonly used in the treatment of dogs, cats, birds, rabbits and more.

The first part of the book covers basic care for all pets, from choosing a veterinarian to recognizing emergencies to understanding the categories of medications. Eldredge's advice on birds, rabbits, pocket pets and exotics is very lean indeed, but she does far better with the more common dogs and cats. Still, there's just not enough room to do such a broad topic as overall pet care justice in so few pages, and pet lovers would be far better served in the veterinary area with a reference specifically on veterinary care for a single species.

The bulk of the book alphabetically breaks down drugs used in veterinary medicine, and here is where "Pills for Pets" shines as a reference. Identified both by their generic and brand names, medications are described by the work they do. Routine doses for various pets are given, along with risk factors and side effects.

Eldredge's writing easily conveys what can at times be complex information with no sense of dumbing down the text or talking down to her readers.

"Pills for Pets" should not be the only reference on a pet lover's shelf, but it certainly deserves to be one of a handful of basic books in a reference library that will help keep any pet in good shape, while saving time and money for pet lovers.

Q: I would like your input to pass on to a friend who recently told me she was planning to get a puppy for her almost 3-year-old son. Her son, who is adorable and sweet, is quite rambunctious with her cat, not to mention that the puppy would be regularly left home alone for up to 10 hours each day.

I tried to encourage her to adopt an adult dog from our local SPCA, one that is already house-trained and good with kids. -- P.W.

Your instincts are right on the money: Very few working parents with rambunctious 3-year-olds are in any position to take on the added responsibility of raising a puppy. Too many people think there's nothing cuter than a baby animal for their young child, but the shelters are full of the results of such bad decision-making.

While your idea of her finding a sensible older dog is a good one if she insists on getting another pet now, I'd prefer to see her wait until her son is older. Too often, very young children are rough on pets, not understanding that their "rambunctious" behavior hurts their pets. When they get to be 7, 8 or older, they are more capable of handling pets respectfully and carefully -- and of helping with the animals' care.

Also, please tell your friend that at the age her son is now, all the responsibility for pet care will be hers. By waiting a few years, she will be able to count on her son to help, although the final responsibility for pet care always remains with the parent.

Q: Cataracts have consumed my 10-year-old dog. Although it affects her, she stills sees well enough to get around at home. What is your experience with dogs having cataract surgery? I am concerned about anesthesia at her age, and I wonder if it will improve her quality of life. -- R.O.

A: Anesthesia for older pets is much safer than it used to be, as long as you take your veterinarian's advice on presurgical screening such as blood work and a chest radiograph. These tests will help your veterinarian to spot (and possibly correct) any health issues before surgery.

As for the quality of life your dog will have with improved vision ... it's difficult to say. I have known more than a few blind dogs, and I know that they do very well without vision. After all, dogs don't need to drive or read the mail. As long as their owners look out for them, keep them on leash, don't move the furniture, etc., most blind dogs adapt quickly and are as happy as they've ever been.

On the other hand, I've known people who have opted for surgery for their pets and been extremely happy with the outcome. Talk to a specialist about pros, cons and expectations. With all the information in hand, you will be able to make the decision that's right for your dog.

Q: I have a great, loving dog. She's a German shepherd/golden retriever mix, 9-years-old, who sheds a lot. It's becoming a problem because she's an indoor dog. Any advice? -- H.N.

A: Pre-emptive grooming! You have a combination of two high-shedding breeds, so it's no surprise your dog drops coat like a Christmas tree drops needles after New Year. A vigorous going-over with a shedding blade -- a grooming tool that's a loop of steel with teeth, attached to a handle -- once or twice a day will strip out most of the ready-to-be-shed coat before it can fall in your house. Follow with a softer brush to catch the remainder and sweep up the mess before you and your dog go back inside.

ON THE WEB

Help in picking a purebred

Michele Welton is the author of one of my favorite breed-selection books, "Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide" ($16, Owl Books), now in a revised second edition. I like the book because it's brutally honest about what's not flattering about the breeds, helping anyone who's considering a purebred dog to get beyond the pretty face.

Welton has a Web site, too, Your Purebred Puppy: Advice You Can Trust (www.yourpurebredpuppy.com), with information on 188 breeds, as well as sections on how to choose a reputable breeder (a must if you're shopping for a purebred) and on why a mixed-breed dog may in fact be as good a choice (if not better).

Most of her Web pages try to steer you into purchasing her latest electronic books, but even with the tiresome sales pitches the site offers plenty of free information that will be of great help if you're in the market for a dog.

PET TAILS

The green, green grass of home

My husband and I are big NASCAR fans, so when the series came to Infineon we knew we had to be there. There was no way were we going to leave behind Muffin, our 4-pound Maltese, though.

We decided to rent an RV, tow our car behind it and camp out at the track. Once there, we discovered a problem: Muffin wouldn't do her business in the dead grass where we were camping. She'd used nice green grass her whole life, and she wasn't about to change that now.

After a while we decided we'd have to take her to find some live grass. So we got in the car and headed to nearby Sonoma, Calif., where we found a patch of green grass that was to her liking. Problem solved for now, but we didn't want to be heading into town all weekend long so Muffin could go potty.

Then it hit us: We could buy a roll of sod! We went to the home-improvement center and spent a couple of bucks on fresh green sod. Once back at the RV, we unrolled it on the dead grass just outside the door.

Finally, Muffin had a potty zone she found acceptable. It looked pretty strange, a long rectangle of green against the yellow-brown field, but it worked just fine.

When we rolled for home, we left the sod behind on the ground. It had served its purpose, and it wasn't litter -- it was biodegradable! -- S.K., Sacramento, Calif.

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PETS BY THE NUMBERS

FISH FANS

In a 2002 survey by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Assoc., fish-keepers came up with plenty of reasons why they loved their finned friends. (Multiple answers were allowed.)

Reason Percentage

Fun to watch 87

Appearance 78

Stress relief 72

Quiet 53

Conversation piece 47

Easy to maintain 45

Hobby 45

Inexpensive 41

Good for children 34

Educational 26

Good for my health 22

Enjoy designing tank systems 12

Other 10

Breed for money 5

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 petconnection@gmail.com. You can also read her frequently updated Web log or view her column archives at www.spadafori.com.

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