For most of my adult life, the animals and I made do with a series of compact cars and small station wagons. But when I adopted my second big, bouncy and usually damp retriever a half-dozen years ago, I decided a four-door compact wasn't quite cutting it. Falling in with soccer moms and my fellow dog nuts, I bought a brand-new minivan.

It was the first full-out dog-mobile I'd ever owned, so I decided to get license plates to show my allegiance to the family of folks who make all their major purchasing decisions with their pets in mind. I brought up the Web site of my state's Department of Motor Vehicles and typed in my choice for a vanity plate.

"PET MOM." Taken.

"LUVS PETS." Taken.

"I (heart) PETS." Taken.

And so it went through my first dozen choices. Taken. Taken. Taken. I hit on a combination that wasn't taken and signed up for it, only to have the folks at DMV reject my selection because of an interpretation I wasn't dirty-minded enough to imagine.

Finally, after a few weeks of trying, I came up with a vanity plate that was neither taken nor could be interpreted as obscene. Unfortunately, it also turned out to be so vague that to this day no one has ever recognized it as being pet-related. If it weren't so much trouble, I'd have turned it back in years ago and resigned to making do with a "Dog Is My Co-Pilot" sticker on one side of my bumper and an SPCA "neuter your pet" tag on the other.

If I can't have the pet-themed license plates of my dreams, I'm glad to know that someone else does. And if the recent call I put out for favorite pet-related license plates is any indication, I now know I won't get my choice of plates simply by moving to another state: Plenty of people elsewhere want everyone on the roadways to know they adore their pets.

"I wanted to trumpet my pride about the four adored cats in our household," said Sheryl Rapée-Adams of Vermont about the "CATMOM" plates that compete for attention with other animal-related bumper stickers. "I wanted to convey that regardless of their common title -- pet owner, guardian, whatever -- humans act as pet parents."

Others sent in images of plates that show similar activist intentions, such as Christine Casey's "GETMFIXD."

"I moved from California to North Carolina," said Casey, a professor at North Carolina State University. "As I got more involved with my local animal rescue group, I became aware of the fact that North Carolina's shelters have a euthanasia rate that is twice the national average. Hence my license plate."

Back in California, Evelyn Owens is spreading the same message, with "SPAY NOW" plates on her classic Mercedes.

Others take a different tack with their plates, as can be seen in the parking lot outside any dog or cat show. People who love a particular breed aren't shy about saying so, which is why you may catch a glimpse of "NEWF ME," "SHEL T" or even spot a "LABMOBL." Broadening the idea out a bit were the folks who submitted "I(heart)BIGK9S" and "DGYWGN."

One of my all-time favorites remains the vanity plate chosen by a friend of mind who loves Labradors. Her license plate? "LAB5150." Don't get it? My friend is married to a California Highway Patrolman and explains that "5150" is police code for a person who's acting crazy; hence, her plate translates to "Lab crazy."

Bark back: Got a great vanity plate on your vehicle? Send a digital image (jpeg, please), an explanation of what it means and why you chose it to petconnection@gmail.com. We'll continue to feature interesting pet-themed vanity plates now and then.

Q&A

Cheap pet tags can stain fur

Q: Our veterinarian buys the cheapest rabies tags that can be found, I'm sure. They stain our dog's coat and are hard to read after just a few months. Any suggestions? -- C.L., via e-mail

A: Leave them off. If you have an ID tag and a municipal license on your pet, you've covered both lost-pet retrieval and rabies awareness needs (since a rabies vaccine is required to get the license).

Make sure the ID tag is of good quality, though. Pet-recovery expert Liz Blackman, president of the lost-pet tracking service 1-800-Help4Pets (www.help4pets.com), says the key to choosing a tag is how easy it is to read the information it holds.

"I discourage the cute tags in favor of visibility and durability," she said. "You want people to be able to read it without taking off the collar or handling the pet much." She added that in her experience, plastic tags are more durable than metal ones when it comes to staying legible longer.

But whatever you do, make sure you keep legible ID tags on your pets' collars. I find that tags need to be replaced every other year, so I keep extras on hand so I don't have to wait to replace a lost, worn or broken one.

"If you need something cute, get a cute collar -- but make sure you get a good tag," says Blackman. "A $100 collar won't save your pet's life, but a $3 tag will."

Q: I went to a crafts fair recently, and there was a woman there who was selling scarves, some of which where made out of dog hair. She said she get the combings from a friend who breeds Samoyeds. Is this legit? Seems kind of gross to me. -- S.G., via e-mail

A: If you do a Web search, you'll easily find spinners who can take the combings from your own dog and turn them into beautiful yarn you can use for knitting. It works better with the undercoat of longhaired dogs (like the Samoyed), but spinners can mix almost any dog fur with the fur of other animals to make yarn. And with that yarn, anything from scarves to sweaters to afghans (the kind you can fold and put over the back of the couch, not the breed) is possible.

As for the "gross" factor: What would make dog-hair yarn any more distasteful than yarn from a sheep or goat? It's all nice and clean when it's ready to use. And with dog fur, the yarn is made from combings that would just be thrown away after grooming.

Q: A friend sent me a link to an article on the Web that says clumping cat litters can be deadly, but my veterinarian says they're fine. Who is right? -- F.Y., via e-mail

A: The idea that clumping litter is deadly traces back to an article in a long-defunct holistic cat magazine and is kept alive by the power of the Internet. The article -- I've read it -- guessed that the litter was the cause of the death of the author's kittens. The evidence was purely speculative and anecdotal, and has not been supported by subsequent scientific research.

While there's no evidence that clumping litters are bad for adult cats, some veterinarians adopt a better-safe-than-sorry policy regarding young kittens. That's because a playful, curious kitten might be tempted to eat the material, which might indeed cause an intestinal problem. The cautious solution is to use a non-clumping litter for the first couple of months, then switch if you wish to.

Final note on this: If you have a dog who eats the contents of litter boxes, either use a non-clumping variety or be sure the box is in a place the dog can't get to it.

(Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com.)

ON THE WEB

African grays can be able talkers, but shy

African gray parrots are among the best when it comes to talking potential, along with yellow-headed Amazons, but their personalities could not be more different, according to my "Birds for Dummies" co-author, avian specialist Dr. Brian Speer.

Speer says when he hears a parrot showing off in his waiting room, he has a pretty good idea that it's an Amazon. An African gray may have just as large a vocabulary, but these parrots are less likely to show off before an audience of strangers.

Safe in their own homes, though, the grays are adept at picking up words, phrases and household sounds -- even those you don't want mimicked. (A friend of mine has a gray who parrots the popping sound of a wine cork being pulled, leaving guests to wonder how often the bird has heard that sound.)

The "It's a Grey's World" Web site (www.itsagreysworld.com/home.html) offers a lot of information on these clever, beautiful parrots. Among other things, the site suggests that that the music of Raffi is something the parrots enjoy hearing. Considering that African grays are thought to have intelligence equivalent to a human toddler, perhaps a taste for children's music isn't such a surprise.

PET Rx

Iguana escape act can be startling

(Caption: Iguanas have the ability to lose their tails to escape a predator.)

The ability to lose a tail can be a lifesaver for iguanas.

If caught by a predator, an iguana can escape by dropping the tail, leaving it still wriggling in the mouth of an animal who thought lunch was in the bag. The trick isn't used just with predators: More than a few people who are new to having an iguana as a pet have ended up screaming the first time they find themselves holding a thrashing tail instead of an iguana.

Smaller iguanas are more likely than larger ones to regrow their tails, usually within a few weeks. If the tail is in place but injured, or is only partially broken off, a visit to a veterinarian with experience in reptiles is in order to determine the best course of treatment.

(Pet Rx is provided by the Veterinary Information Network (VIN.com), an online service for veterinary professionals. More information can be found at www.veterinarypartner.com.)

PETS BY THE BOOK

Getting a jump on next year's garden

Fall and winter are when gardeners plan for spring. For those gardeners who love both plants and dogs, Cheryl S. Smith's book "Dog Friendly Gardens, Garden Friendly Dogs" is as must-read a publication as the seed catalogs that start showing up when cold weather arrives.

"Dog Friendly Gardens" (Dogwise, $20) pulls together a great deal of commonsense information that gardeners and dog trainers know, and puts it all in one place for those of us struggling to deal with yellow spots and broken plants.

The biggest problem with dogs and gardens turns out to be unrealistic expectations. As Smith explains, a lot of people put in landscaping as if they didn't have a dog, with no understand of normal canine behavior, and how it can vary from breed type to breed type. It's unrealistic to expect a terrier not to dig, for example, since these breeds were developed to dig after vermin. The solution: a digging pit for canine recreation -- and no unsupervised access to beds of prized flowers.

Breeds developed to protect property, says Smith, have a tendency to patrol the perimeter of a yard, wiping out any plantings along the base of the fence. The solution: Leave a pathway clear of plantings along the fence line, so the dog can do his job without doing any damage.

And what about those yellow spots? Smith, a longtime dog trainer, notes that it's just as easy to train a dog to use an out-of-the-way corner of the yard as it is to house-train the animal in the first place. Aside from that, the best way to prevent dead lawn is to flush the area with water within a few hours of the time a dog marks the spot. The water will dilute the urine so that it will not cause damage to the lawn.

"Dog Friendly Gardens" is full of such insights. It's the only book I've ever read that puts so much good dog and garden advice in one place and organizes it so well. Whether you're landscaping a brand-new home or thinking of trying something new in an old back yard, you'll want to pick up a copy of this invaluable reference before you even consider turning a shovelful of dirt.

THE SCOOP

Removing temptation is solution to stealing

Sometimes it's easier to manage a problem behavior rather than trying to train your way around it. Some behaviors, such as food-stealing, are so rewarding that every time a pet succeeds the habit is reinforced.

The answer: Remove the temptation. For example, consider the pet who steals from a kitchen wastebasket. Instead of constantly tempting your pet with an open-topped wastebasket, take steps to make the pickings less easy by getting a can with a lid.

Any home retailer will have several lidded cans to choose from, including those with lids that pop open when you step on the pedal at floor-level. For pets who are more determined about getting into the can, you may need to go with a lid that fits more securely, or use a trash container made of metal, not plastic.

Another alternative: Put the basket behind a cupboard door.

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

Here's a riddle for you: How is it that more families have dogs than have cats, but cats outnumber dogs as pets?

The answer: Many families have more than one cat.

According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, 40.6 percent of U.S. households in 2002 reported having at least one dog, while cats ruled in 35.3 percent of households. (Some families of course, have both.) But cats were by far the most popular pet, according to the same trade group, which reported 2002 figures of 77.7 million pet cats to 65 million pet dogs.

Problem is, in a lot of those multi-feline families, relations between cats are a bit strained. And when cats aren't happy, nobody's happy. The noise of cats grumbling threats at each other or engaging in frequent rumbles can get on one's nerves and even mean trips to the veterinarian. And the litter-box problems that can be a part of such turf wars can turn an entire house into a toilet.

Living with more than one cat doesn't have to be so contentious. The trick to domestic harmony for cohabiting felines is to introduce -- or reintroduce -- them slowly and carefully.

If you don't have a cat yet and know you'll eventually want two, it's easiest to adopt two kittens at the same time. Kittens don't have the sense of territory that grown cats have and will settle down together into a new home nicely. Second-best: Adopt two adult cats at the same time, so neither has a head start on the other when it comes to claiming territory.

But even a solitary adult cat can learn to enjoy living with a companion. Since the worst territorial spats are between cats who aren't spayed or neutered, your chances for peaceful co-existence are many times greater if the cats are both altered before any introductions are planned.

Prepare a room for your new cat, with food and water bowls, and a litter box and scratching post that needn't be shared. This room will be your new pet's home turf while the two cats get used to each other's existence.

Take your new cat to your veterinarian first, to be checked for parasites such as ear mites and contagious diseases such as feline leukemia. When you're sure your new pet is healthy, the introductions can begin.

Bring the cat home in a carrier and set him in the room you've prepared. Let your resident cat discover the caged animal, and don't be discouraged by initial hisses. When the new cat is alone in the room, close the door and let him out of the carrier. If he doesn't want to leave the carrier at first, let him be. Just leave the carrier door open and the cat alone.

Maintain each cat separately for a week or so -- with lots of love and play for both -- and then on a day when you're around to observe, leave the door to the new cat's room open. Above all: Don't force them together. Territory negotiations between cats can be drawn-out and delicate, and you must let them work it out on their own, ignoring the hisses and glares.

Eventually you can encourage them both to play with you, using a cat "fishing pole" or a toy on a string. And slowly feed them in ever-closer proximity.

If you already have two cats who don't get along, treat them as if they've both just arrived. Give them their each their own quarters and let them slowly work out their territorial disputes. But do remember: Some cats will never get along. For these, separate quarters such as one upstairs, one downstairs, may need to become a permanent arrangement.

SIDEBAR

Litter-box rules

One of the most common points of conflict in multi-cat households is over the litter box. Some cats don't like to share, and that may force other cats to avoid the litter box altogether.

The rule of thumb behaviorists use: one box per cat, plus one.

Place the litter boxes in different parts of the house, and arrange each so a cat can feel secure but also keep an eye on his surroundings. No one likes to be ambushed while on the john! And don't forget the first rule of litter-box management: Keep 'em clean.

If it sounds like a lot of trouble, consider this: The one sure loser in any litter-box war is the person who cleans up the messes.

Q&A

Preventive care can keep teeth healthy

Q: My 5-year-old Pomeranian has had three teeth cleanings so far, as insisted on by her vet. I am afraid of having my dog put under anesthesia, but the vet says leaving her teeth alone can cause long-term problems. She eats dry food, which is supposed to help with plaque buildup. It doesn't seem to help. I can't believe how fast her teeth gunk up. Why is this such a problem with her? -- H.O., via e-mail

A: As a general rule, the smaller the dog, the faster the plaque buildup. For most dogs and cats, regular dental cleanings (as often as twice a year in some cases) are as important to pets' long-term health as they are to ours. Keeping teeth in good health prevents bad breath, preserves teeth into old age, and protects the pet's organs from the constant shower of bacteria caused by rotting teeth and gums. Over the course of a lifetime, good dental health will add significantly to your pet's quality of life and perhaps even extend her lifespan.

Many pet owners shy away from dental work for their pets for the very reason you do: They're worried about losing their companion to anesthesia. In recent years, however, the use of safer anesthetic agents has become nearly universal, making dental work advisable even for older dogs and cats. In short: The long-term risk of ignoring your pet's teeth is now greater than the short-term risk of anesthesia.

You can extend the time between cleanings, however, by taking on some of responsibility for keeping your pet's teeth clean.

Start your pet's dental health regimen with a trip to your veterinarian, who should check your pet's mouth, teeth and gums. Then he or she can make recommendations based on what is found. For many pets, that'll mean a complete dental cleaning under anesthesia, possibly some periodontal work, and even the removal of broken or rotting teeth.

After the problems are treated, at-home care can keep things in good shape. Here are the basics for both dogs and cats:

-- Brush or wipe the teeth regularly. Use a toothpaste designed for pets a couple of times a week at least, although daily is better.

A children's soft toothbrush works well, as does one made especially for pets. You can also use a brush that fits over your fingertip, or plain gauze wrapped around your finger.

-- Feed pets dry food and offer teeth-cleaning toys. Dry food does help, but it must be used in combination with regular brushing and with toys that help wipe the teeth. Soft chewies or a rope toy are best. Avoid chews that are rock-hard or are prone to breaking into sharp pieces, as these can break teeth or slice gums.

Q: We have just adopted our fifth retired racing greyhound. We discovered these marvelous dogs more than 20 years ago and will never be without one. (We have lost dogs to health problems and old age, and with the recent addition we have two.)

People just can't imagine how quiet, calm and gentle these dogs are. Even the males, who can be quite large, seem to take up no space at all. I want to ask you to encourage others to look into retired racers. They'll be happy they did! -- V.R., via e-mail

A: I love making the case for greyhounds. They're everything you say they are, and they always seem to be aware of how lucky they are to be in a loving home.

In adopting one, you need to work with a reputable rescue organization that'll match the dog with your household. One of the biggest problems: Some greyhounds -- but not all -- don't mix safely with cats.

A good place to start researching is the Greyhound Project Web site (www.adopt-a-greyhound.org). You'll find lots of information pro and con, as well as links to regional rescue groups.

(Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com.)

THE SCOOP

Two million happy endings for adoption program

When you're the dominant player in your industry, you don't really have to make that much effort to be nice. Which is why PetsMart deserves a big helping of respect for not selling dogs and cats in its stores, and instead making prime retail space available for community-based pet-rescue groups. The company says more than 2,700 non-profit groups use the in-store adoption spaces in 700 PetsMart locations, and in mid-October the chain-wide program marked its 2 millionth pet adoption.

The lucky animal was a 3-year-old beagle mix named Louie, who was adopted by the Armstrong family at the O'Fallon, Ill., store.

Now, if only PetsMart would take the lead once more and stop selling other pets in its stores. By making relatively inexpensive small pets such as rats, rabbits and budgies available, PetsMart is encouraging impulse purchases, especially by parents giving in to the wheedling of their children.

There are rescue and shelter groups finding new homes for almost every kind of pet imaginable. I urge PetsMart to take its notable accomplishments in helping homeless pets once step further by replacing all live-animals sales with in-store adoption outreach.

ON THE WEB

Candidates all agree: Pets are wonderful

The Presidential Pet Museum's Web site (www.presidentialpetmuseum.com) is the place to go for a fairly comprehensive list of all presidential animals, from the hounds and horses of George Washington to the dog and cats of George W. Bush. The animals kept by presidential families started out being more purposeful than companionable, with horses and milk cows commonplace.

By the turn of the last century, though, animals were welcomed just for keeping the president and his family company. Theodore Roosevelt brought in the new era with eight dogs and cats and a pack of presidential guinea pigs. But it fell to another Roosevelt, Franklin Delano, to bring the presidential pet into the political spotlight. His dog, Fala, is still arguably the best-known and most-loved White House pet in history. You'll find Fala's picture and much more on the Presidential Pet Museum's site, which is both attractive and easy to navigate.

PET TIP

Rabbits would really rather use a litter box

Recently, I was talking rabbits with a person who'd had them as a child. Hers were a series of outdoor pets who spent their lives on the wire flooring of an elevated hutch not 3 feet square.

Think about it: Spending your entire life on wire, barely able to move, much less to run the way rabbits are born to. Instead of considering how miserable a life this must have been for her childhood pets, she wondered how I could stand having my rabbit as an indoor pet.

"My memory of the rabbits, mostly, is that they smelled bad," she said.

I haven't noticed it. But then, my house rabbit Turbo has a large two-story cage with carpet on the top floor and solid flooring below. He has the run of the house when I'm home to monitor him, and he loves not only to run but also to leap into the air with joy, kicking his legs out sideways in a move that rabbit lovers call "a binky."

He doesn't stink, and he doesn't leave messes around the house. The reason? He has a litter box.

Rabbit litter boxes are a little different from those set up for cats. You don't scoop, but rather toss the entire contents regularly, clean the box and refill. (Unlike the waste of carnivores like cats, rabbit waste is a super-charged addition to any compost pile.)

You also need to be careful about your litter -- no clumping, clay or corn-based fillers. Since rabbits may munch box contents, you need to use one of the brands made of paper. Using a deep box (Turbo's is a dishpan), put a couple of inches of paper-pellet litter in the bottom, then cover with 3 to 4 inches of hay.

Best yet: no smell. The pellets absorb the urine, and the box allows the rabbit to keep himself and his surroundings clean.

PET Rx

True grit: Your bird doesn't need it

Avian veterinarians no longer recommend offering grit to most pet birds. The substance, made of finely ground rock, is now thought to have a negative impact on bird health, removing vitamins from the digestive system and causing potentially life-threatening blockages.

That said, there are some exceptions to the rule. Canaries and other finches should be allowed a couple of grains every couple of months. Parrots (including budgies and cockatiels) should not be offered grit at all.

Outdated advice on bird care is everywhere. To make sure you have the latest information, find a veterinarian who's a board-certified avian specialist, or who takes the extra time to stay current on avian care. You can find such a veterinarian through the Association of Avian Veterinarians (www.aav.org).

(Pet Rx is provided by the Veterinary Information Network (VIN.com), an online service for veterinary professionals. More information can be found at www.veterinarypartner.com.)

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

Urban living for dog lovers can be a challenge, especially when it comes to finding housing. "No dogs" is the rule at many otherwise promising properties, and those buildings that allow dogs often do so grudgingly, forcing pets to use service elevators or back entrances, and to avoid any common areas.

But there's a new trend in high-rise living: projects that not only allow dogs but also welcome them with animal-friendly features. In Washington, New York and Florida, high-rise condominiums are going up with dog parks and grooming rooms built in.

"The two hottest cultural trends in America: pets and real estate," said real-estate expert Bradley Inman, publisher of the Oakland, Calif.-based Inman News. "It is no surprise that they are being married in new and creative ways. Developers are quick to pick up on new trends to differentiate their products and find ways of feeding new niches."

Consultant John Rymer of Atlanta-based Rymer Strategies has observed the same trend. "We recently did a focus group in Tampa for a project and found that pet-friendly activities were at the top of potential home-buyers' list," he said. "The condo project has yet to break ground, but the developer has made it a priority to include pet-friendly amenities."

In Seattle, a rooftop dog park was added to plans for the Cristalla project after focus groups expressed an interest in a safe place for canine exercise. "I would absolutely classify Seattle as a dog-friendly city," said Steve Washburn, the self-described dog lover who's a principal with Cristalla LLC. "I was excited when we were able to develop such a place."

Some dog lovers were just as excited to hear about it. Tom Taylor and Heather Hayes of Seattle, who have bought into the under-construction Cristalla, felt downtown living was a better match with their lifestyle, except that they were unwilling to compromise when it came to their dogs Madison and Jackson.

"Our dogs are so important to us that we consider them in just about everything we do," said Hayes of the couple's two wirehaired fox terriers. "We never would have moved to a place that would not have welcomed our pets. When we heard about the Cristalla's rooftop dog park, it made moving downtown a real possibility in our minds. The fact that the developer considered the dogs was a big part of it for us."

While its multiple dog parks and restaurants that cater to dog lovers mark Seattle as one of the more dog-friendly cities, the trend toward putting dog-friendly amenities in housing is gaining ground elsewhere as well. In New York City, for example, Manhattan Skyline Management's project on the Upper East Side will also include a dog park, on the fifth floor above the retail levels.

And while the Seattle and New York buildings are both pointed at the luxury market, the DUO condominium project in Hallandale Beach, Fla., is aiming for a more middle-class group of dog lovers. The draw at DUO is a "groom room" equipped with bathing, blow-drying and grooming stations for keeping dogs tidy. The room will be available for residents to groom their own dogs, or they can make arrangements for a groomer to make a house call.

"It's not the first time we've developed a property that allows pets, but it's the first that incorporates pet amenities," said David Reich of Triad Housing, developer of DUO. "We have people who are moving from houses and don't want to give up their dogs. We hear, 'Finally, I found a place that welcomes me!'"

Back in Seattle, Heather Hayes is used to the surprised reaction from people who assume she and her husband will be dumping their dogs as part of their move to high-rise urban living.

"A lot of people ask what we will do with the dogs when we move," she said. "You would never move into a place where your kids aren't welcome or have room to play. Our dogs are part of our family. A place that isn't pet-friendly isn't even a consideration for Tom and me."

Q&A

Pet songs are silly, but they sure are fun

Q: Thank you for your column on pet songs crooned by loving owners. Tonight during dinner I sang your song about your dog Andy to my husband, and we both teared up in recognition of this special tribute to your longtime canine companion.

Our dog Maybe certainly needed a song, and it did not take long for us to come up with one for the abandoned puppy who has become my husband's constant companion for seven years now. As soon as we started experimenting with the tune, Maybe became very excited, and we all had a dance around the kitchen, singing and barking. Thanks for a sweet idea and a fun evening. -- S.D., via e-mail

A: One of the most wonderful things about sharing our lives with animal companions is that around them we can indulge our silly side without worrying about anyone laughing at us.

I have always had "theme songs" for my pets. My darling Sheltie Andy, gone almost two years now, had the mottled gray and black coat common in breeds such as the Australian shepherd. His stunning markings attracted attention where ever we went, and it also inspired his "theme song," sung to the tune of "You Are My Sunshine":

"You are my Andy, my only Andy/You make me happy, because you're gray ..."

Like most of the animals in my home, he came to recognize "his" song and seemed to smile when I sang it. Now it makes me smile to remember it. Thank you for reminding me.

Q: I take issue with your view of dogs who display aggression. As a second-time Akita owner, I have known members of this breed to be highly intelligent and often assertive when protecting their owners.

On one occasion, my 2-year-old male Akita snapped at my former mother-in-law after she startled him. Given the fact that my mother-in-law was no stranger to him, I was alarmed by this behavior, immediately consulted with our veterinarian and subsequently worked with an animal behaviorist.

After weeks of advanced obedience training (consisting mostly of socialization techniques), the dog mellowed into a sweet family member and remained so for the rest of his life.

This is why I take issue with your staunch and unyielding view on aggressive dogs. With love, socialization and consistency, most dogs can be trained to be safe companions. Your article indicated little hope for aggressive dogs. I trust you don't share similar views on the child who, on occasion, "acts out." -- B.M., via e-mail

A: I trust you aren't serious in equating a child who throws an occasional tantrum in grocery store with a dog who has tried to bite or has succeeded in biting a human being.

Every time I share my "staunch and unyielding view" on aggressive dogs, I get letters from people who make excuses for their animals. Your reasoning is very common: The dog's breed is "naturally protective" and some degree of aggression toward people is normal for the breed.

What's essential for all dogs, regardless of breeding, is that we don't make excuses for aggression toward humans. You did the right thing by recognizing the problem and getting help immediately, which is exactly what I advise other people in your situation to do. In some cases, aggressive animals can indeed be rehabilitated.

I don't suggest, however, that all or even most dogs who are aggressive toward people can be cured. For those animals who cannot be made safe, I advocate euthanasia. No dog's life is worth putting a child through the hell of an attack and the reconstructive surgeries that often follow. And statistics show that in the most serious of attacks, a child is indeed the most common of victims.

(Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com.)

ON THE WEB

Cat-friendly ideas for home design

Tops on my all-time list of favorite cat books are "The Cats' House" and "Cats Into Everything" by Bob Walker and Frances Mooney (Andrews McMeel). The books illustrate the creative and colorful way the artistic couple have converted a fairly ordinary Southern California tract house into a feline paradise, with overhead cat walks, floor-to-ceiling scratching pillars and kitty shortcuts sliced through walls.

Tours of the property are few and far between -- a recent fund-raising open house was the first in five years -- but the couple's books and Web site (www.thecatshouse.com) give a good look into the extraordinary environment of a handful of very lucky cats.

You really do have to see the pictures to believe the place. The bright colors alone are not for the timid. One of my favorite pictures has always been one of cat hair drifting down from above onto the breakfast table -- a good illustration of how much the cats are adored.

Whether you're thinking of making a couple of cat-friendly modifications to your living space or are just interested in seeing what the creative mind can do when inspired by cats, you should visit the house -- in print, on the Web or (if you're lucky) in person.

THE SCOOP

Target reaches out to help bull terriers

The Minneapolis-based Target retailing chain uses a white bull terrier in its advertising, modifying the dog's look with bright red circles drawn around one of the animal's eyes. The company mascot, dubbed Bullseye, gave the Bull Terrier Club of America the idea of asking Target for help. The BTCA applied for a charitable grant to assist in its work rescuing bull terriers in need of a new home -- and picked up a $20,000 check from the company.

The American Kennel Club noted in announcing the grant that many times a turn in the spotlight can be bad news for a breed, leading to a surge in popularity followed by a bump in the number of dogs needing homes after the novelty wears off.

The list of breeds affected by publicity is long and includes Dalmatians, following the Disney movies based on the book "101 Dalmatians," Chihuahuas, following a Taco Bell advertising campaign, and an even earlier burst in popularity thrust on bull terriers following the Spuds McKenzie Budweiser commercials.

It's good news to see a company helping those dogs whom publicity has put at increased risk, and I can't help but hope others will follow Target's example.

BY THE BOOK

The perfect gift for the literate dog lover

Some books teach you something you didn't know about yourself, while others remind you of something you knew but didn't like to admit. Still others boldly celebrate things that you knew but didn't think others would understand.

"Dog Is My Co-Pilot: Great Writers on the World's Oldest Friendship" (Crown, $25) manages to do all three and more. This makes it a wonderful gift for the well-read dog lover.

The book is a solid compilation of short pieces with dogs at the heart of each. Chosen by the editors of The Bark magazine, the pieces cover a wide range of writing styles and points of view, but each piece is thought-provoking and sometimes breathtaking in its execution. This is not surprising, given that The Bark's editors have managed to get the work of some of the most renowned authors between the covers, including Alice Walker, Erica Jong, Donald McCaig, Pam Houston, Mark Derr and many more.

"The Color of Joy," the piece by the late Caroline Knapp, had a great deal of resonance for me personally, as I have often been made to feel just a little bit crazy for the love I have for my dogs.

"Dog love, popular wisdom suggests, should be limited love," writes Knapp, in an excerpt from her best-selling book "Pack of Two." "Let on the depth of your true feelings about a dog -- how attached you are, how vital the relationship feels -- and risk being accused of any number of neuroses ..."

Not all the stories are about people besotted with their canine companions, of course. Some are even written by people who don't like dogs -- but with children who felt strongly otherwise. Other stories address what the relationship between humans and dogs means, and how it has changed, for better and for worse.

Work of this quality, not incidentally, is the hallmark of The Bark, a magazine that serves no one but dogs and those who love them, as opposed to most pet-themed magazines, which exist primarily for their advertisers. The magazine is $15 per year for five issues. Order on the Web (www.thebark.com), by phone (toll-free 1-877-227-5639), or by mail (2810 Eighth St., Berkeley, CA 94710).

PET Rx

Calming cats after veterinary visit

A trip to the veterinarian can send a cat into a full-blown snit that can last hours after the return home. The smells of a veterinary setting can even set off other feline family members, who may become aggressive toward the returnee.

Let your cat pick the speed at which he settles back into the household after a trip to the veterinarian. When you get home, put the carrier down in a quiet place, open the carrier door and leave him alone. Your cat may stay in the carrier for a while, may head for the nearest bed to hide under, or may step out and be just fine.

To help "de-vet" the scent of the returnee so other family cats will settle down, try running a towel over the cat who stayed behind and then swiping it over the returning cat.

(Pet Rx is provided by the Veterinary Information Network (VIN.com), an online service for veterinary professionals. More information can be found at www.veterinarypartner.com.)

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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