The day was still young on Christmas when the first round of dog-dumping began on Internet advertising sites:

"Purebred shih tzu, 7 weeks. Gift, can't keep. $600."

"Allergies force us to part with our beautiful beagle puppy. Paid $300, first $250 takes."

"Yellow Labrador, 9 weeks old. My husband paid $250 for this puppy, and we can't have her in a rental. Make offer. She needs to go before my kids get too attached."

Christmas is a bad time of year for those who work in shelters and who volunteer to do grassroots pet-rescue work. Before Christmas, old dogs get dumped by people who don't want to pay holiday boarding for a pet they figure will die soon anyway, or who are planning to replace the oldster with a new puppy.

And afterward, and for months to come, the Christmas puppy -- the gift that seemed like such a good idea, the one that cannot be returned, exchanged or put on a shelf -- gets sold, is given away or simply gets dumped.

In the Seattle area, a pioneering network of volunteers stands ready to help. Entering its 19th year of operation, Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue (www.spdrdogs.org) will handle more than 3,000 unwanted dogs this year, including many of those abandoned oldsters and second-thought Christmas puppies. A drop in the bucket when it comes to the millions dying in the nation's shelters every year, perhaps, but a miracle to the dogs who don't stand a chance at a new home otherwise.

"We want dogs to stick in their new homes, not bounce back into the system," says Kirsten Gleb, president of the all-volunteer organization. "We're very careful about how we place dogs, making sure the adopter really understands what they're getting into with a certain breed."

SPDR is the second-oldest all-breed dog rescue organization in the country. The first started in St. Louis in 1984, and both were founded by Dixie Tenny Lehmann. The idea of breed rescue is twofold: It's an opportunity for those who love and understand a particular breed to assist the dogs they love, and it's a way to help shelters free up for room for other dogs after rescuers take purebreds into the foster system. In 2003, two-thirds of the dogs placed through SPDR came through shelters first.

"People ask, 'Why purebreds?'" says Gleb. "It's just our niche. Up to 25 percent of dogs in shelters are purebreds. If we get them out, that's help for mixed breeds, too. We're just part of that puzzle, not good or bad, and we're all working for the same goal -- good homes for dogs who need them."

The organization serves as an umbrella group for individual breed representatives who have a fair degree of autonomy when it comes to placing dogs. (SPDR has only one non-negotiable rule: It will not place a dog who has bitten.) In addition to more than 100 breed reps, the group has up to 500 additional volunteers in the Puget Sound area, who do everything from fostering dogs to keeping statistics, from stuffing envelopes to staffing information booths at community events.

"My job is to make the breed reps' job easier," says Gleb, who works as a firefighter for Boeing and who started her volunteer work doing foster care for SPDR. "We know that they know what they're doing, that they know their breed and can educate."

And that's the key: education. For while helping unwanted dogs find new homes makes a difference to this season's Christmas puppies, educating people about breed traits and responsible pet care is the only thing that will help the Christmas puppies in the years to come.

SIDEBAR

Most unwanted

In 2003, the top 10 breeds of dogs handled by SPDR included purebreds that are common in many big-city shelters. The Rottweiler had been the No. 2 most-abandoned breed in 2002 and 2001, but isn't shown in 2003 statistics because the group didn't have a volunteer representative handling the breed.

(1) Pit bull

(2) Labrador retriever

(3) German shepherd

(4) Siberian husky

(5) Cocker spaniel

(6) Dachshund

(7) Australian shepherd

(8) Lhasa apso

(9) Golden retriever

(10) Boxer

Q&A

Risks of spaying outweighed by benefits

Q: Isn't it dangerous to spay a dog? How about the anesthesia? How long is the recovery? I have to know exactly what will happen to my dog before I agree to the operation. The thought of putting her under scares me to death, and I'm thinking of just dealing with the heats instead. Can you advise? -- M.S., via e-mail

A: "Spaying" is the everyday term for the surgical sterilization of a female dog or cat. The clinical term is "ovariohysterectomy."

Spaying must be done by a veterinarian, and it requires general anesthesia. The procedure has traditionally been performed starting at the age of 5 or 6 months. But in recent years, the early spaying or neutering of puppies and kittens as young as 8 weeks has been widely approved by veterinary and humane groups.

Spaying involves the removal of the female's entire reproductive system. The uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries are taken out through an incision in the abdomen. Your veterinarian may require you to return to have your dog's stitches removed in about 10 days' time, or he may use stitches that are absorbed into the body. Recovery is fast, taking just a few days, during which you should limit your dog's activities -- no jumping or boisterous play.

Although technically not minor surgery, spaying is among the most common veterinary procedures and carries very little risk for your dog. Your veterinarian should discuss your role before and after surgery to ensure that any complications that may develop are dealt with promptly.

Please don't neglect this essential part of responsible pet-keeping. Spaying your pet will prevent the potential for life-threatening infections and cancer, and will of course prevent your pet from contributing to the tragic surplus of animals dying in the shelters.

Q: I'm 8 years old. My parents gave me a hamster cage for Christmas. I get to pick my own pet, and I want to make sure I get a good one. This is my first pet. Mom said you can help. Do you have hamsters? -- J.K., via e-mail

A: Congratulations! Your first pet is a reason to celebrate. I know you'll take good care of your new friend. Have your parents take you to a reputable pet shop, where it's obvious the animals are clean and well-cared-for.

A healthy hamster will have a lush, glossy coat, bright eyes and a clear nose. Any sign of messiness around the eyes or ears or under the tail is a sign the animal may not be well.

Having a pet is a big responsibility. Keep the cage clean, and make sure your pet always has fresh food and water. Be careful to secure your pet's cage carefully, for hamsters are talented escape artists.

I don't have hamsters, but I do have a pair of domestic rats, Ava and Zoe. Small pets can be a lot of fun if you take good care of them.

Q: I know the holidays are over, but I'm still not straight about poinsettias. Many Web sites say they're poisonous, but you say they're not. What gives? -- Q.R., via e-mail

A: The Internet is a wonderful place to do research, if you remember to read with a critical eye and make sure the information you read is adequately sourced. There's a lot of incorrect information that just keeps getting repeated.

If you don't want to believe me about poinsettias, believe my source, the Animal Poison Control Center (www.aspca.org/apcc). It says: "Poinsettias are considered to be very low in toxicity. However, they could cause mild vomiting or nausea if ingested by your pet."

In other words, your pet shouldn't be eating them, but it won't kill him if he does.

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

ON THE WEB

One-stop shopping for great dog books

Want to find the cutting-edge books on dog care and training? Check out Dogwise (www.dogwise.com). Mass-market suppliers of books and pet products generally rely on large or well-connected publishers for a rather limited range of titles that may not reflect the latest thinking in training, dog sports or care and nutrition.

The folks at Dogwise have made it their business to figure out what's new and what's likely to change the way we think about dogs. In addition to carrying the books of people who've been steadily changing the way dogs are trained, Dogwise is careful to stock titles that won't sell enough to interest a mass retailer, such as a care manual on a rare breed. The Web site is also the place to look for books on working through a specific training problem, such as aggression, shyness, multi-dog conflicts within a household or poor leash manners.

An especially nice feature is the recommended reading lists, where trainers and other dog enthusiasts share their picks of the best in dog books, including lists that focus on books for those with new puppies.

Pet Rx

Feline asthma can be helped

Caption: A cat's breathing should be effortless.

Labored breathing is always a cause for alarm, and any cat who's in respiratory distress needs to be seen by a veterinarian right away. For some cats, the diagnosis may be feline asthma, a condition similar to the human disease that is treated in a similar way.

Asthma is a constriction of the airways, accompanied by the increased production of lung-clogging secretions. In cats, labored, open-mouth breathing and a dry hacking cough -- sometimes mistaken for a hairball hack -- can be signs of asthma.

Any cat with these symptoms needs to be evaluated by a veterinarian and to have a treatment plan drawn up and followed. Treatment for feline asthma involves managing the environment to eliminate or lessen allergic triggers, such as dust from certain litters, in combination with medications to relax the airways and reduce inflammation.

Don't take your cat's breathing problems for granted, since feline asthma can be life-threatening if left untreated. Medications and environmental management can help a cat live with the disease, but it cannot be cured.

(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.)

PET BOOK

Freshwater fish smile for the camera

If one had to chose a single word to describe "Focus on Freshwater Aquarium Fish" (Firefly, $30), that word would simply be "gorgeous."

That's because of the photography of Geoff Rogers, who presents more 150 fish in incredible detail, floating vividly against glossy white pages and often seeming to look right into the eyes of the reader. The text, by Nick Fletcher, offers both beginners and experienced fish-keepers information on each of the fish, some interesting tidbits about their habits, and how common and how hard to keep they are.

For example, his write-up of the vividly colored and elegantly finned Betta: "Devoted parent but merciless to other males, the Betta (also sold as Siamese fighting fish) lives its short life on the edge. ... Do not taunt him with rival males in nearby tanks; otherwise, he will conduct his aggression dramas through the glass and burn out like the fiery living candle he is."

Truly, there's a visual delight on every page, from the gorgeous catfishes to the cichlids from all over the globe. Even the humble goldfish gets the lush photographic treatment, and some respect in the text, as well.

"Gaze into a tank of fancy goldfish and be amazed at their diversity of form and coloration," writes Fletcher. Or, to make it even easier, just look at the 30 pages of goldfish the likes of which you've never seen handed out in plastic bags at your yearly church carnival.

And about that common goldfish? "This fish has set many hobbyists on the road to keeping more exotic, tropical species," he writes.

This book could do the same. After looking at the stunning variety of fish available for keeping in freshwater aquariums, I felt the urge to start pricing fish-keeping equipment. -- G.S.

BY THE NUMBERS

Who knows you best?

In anticipation of the Jan. 14-16 American Kennel Club/Eukanuba National Championships for top show dogs as well as agility and obedience teams, the AKC polled dog lovers to reveal the relationship we have with our dogs.

The survey also revealed we are more likely to watch a dog show on TV than we were 10 years ago (88.8 percent in agreement); for program times on the National Championships, see the Animal Planet Web site (http://animal.discovery.com)

Who knows more of your secrets?

Your dog 62.4 percent

Your significant other 22.5 percent

Your best friend 13.2 percent

Your child 1.9 percent

PET TIP

Cats can adapt to life on leash

Many indoor cats can be trained to enjoy an outdoor outing on a harness and leash. Choose a harness designed for cats, not for dogs, in a figure-eight design. As with collars, harnesses come in many colors, with lightweight leashes to match.

Don't expect your cat to heel like a dog, however. Walking a cat consists of encouraging your pet to explore, with you following. Never leave your cat tethered and unattended, which leaves him vulnerable to attack or to a terrifying time of hanging suspended from his harness should he try to get over a fence.

While no indoor cat needs to be walked on leash, some of them come to enjoy it enough to make leash-training worth the effort to try. Be sure to walk your cat in an area that's free of such dangers as off-leash dogs, since a terrified cat on a leash is no fun to handle.

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

Old ideas can be hard to eradicate, even when better ones come along. That's certainly true when it comes to house-training, with many people still following horrid old methods such as shoving a puppy's nose in the mess and swatting him with a rolled-up newspaper.

If you have a new puppy and that's the method you're using, please put down that rolled-up newspaper and learn about crate-training. Every year more people turn to this method, with good reason: It's easier on pup and people alike.

"I find the crate to be very effective when used in house-training for a couple of reasons," says Liz Palika, the author of more than 45 pet-care books who has spent 28 years teaching dog obedience in the San Diego area. Her most recent book is "The KISS Guide to Raising a Puppy" (Dorling Kindersley, $20).

"First, when the dog is confined, he can't sneak off to another room or behind the sofa to relieve himself. Second, when in the crate, he learns and develops bowel and bladder control, because few dogs are willing to soil their bed."

Crate-training limits a puppy's options to three: He's either empty and playing in the house, or he's in the crate and "holding it" because he doesn't want to sit in his own waste, or he's at the place you've chosen for him to relieve himself.

Puppies need to relieve themselves after they wake up, after they eat or drink, or after a period of play. Set up a schedule to accommodate his needs -- young puppies, especially small breeds or mixes, can't go very long without eating, drinking, sleeping or relieving themselves -- as you work to mold behavior. A good rule of thumb: Puppies can hold it as long as their age in months. A 2-month-old pup can "hold it" in a crate for about two hours, for example.

"When the puppy walks into the crate, I praise him," says Palika. "But -- and this is the big thing -- I do not make a huge fuss over his walking in. I praise him and he gets his toy or treat, but otherwise I'm calm and matter-of-fact about it.

"I've found if people are too over the top, the dog may feel that the crate is dangerous or scary, or that it's all a trick."

Let the puppy sleep next to your bed in the crate -- sleeping near you speeds the bonding process -- and lead him to the chosen outside spot as soon as he's awake in the morning. When he goes, praise him thoroughly. Then take him inside for breakfast. Feed him and offer him water, and then take him out for another chance to go. If he goes, more praise and back inside for play. If you're not sure he's completely empty, put him in the crate.

Ignore the whines and whimpers. If left alone, the puppy will soon be fast asleep and will stay that way until it's time for the next round of out, eat/drink, out, play, crate.

Remember, the goal is for your puppy to roam free in your house, not to stay in a crate for life. "A crate is not a storage container for a dog," says Palika.

Eventually, your pet will be spending more of his time loose in the house under your supervision, and he will start asking to visit his outdoor spot. Don't forget to confirm his early attempts at proper behavior by rewarding him with praise and treats.

If you spot an in-house accident, don't punish your pet. Rubbing his nose in the mess is pointless and mean. If you catch your dog in the act, a stern "no" will suffice, followed by an immediate trip to the yard, and praise when he finishes up where he's supposed to. Clean up the inside mess thoroughly, and treat the area with an enzymatic solution to neutralize the smell.

With proper crate-training, the number of such incidents will be relatively few, and you'll end up with a dog who is not only reliable in the house, but also confident in his own ability to stay alone when you are gone.

The lessons pay off for life, too: A dog who is used to being comfortably confined will be less stressed by being caged at the veterinarian hospital if sick and also will have more options for housing in time of emergency.

Q&A

Make sure houseplants are safe for your cats

Q: Our cats like to shred houseplants, so obviously we want to make sure we have safe plants around. Can you offer any suggestions? -- D.P., via e-mail

A: If your cats love to nibble on houseplants, you're smart to make sure poisonous plants are not on the menu. Many common houseplants can make your cats ill, and a few can be deadly. Among the most dangerous are dieffenbachia, lily of the valley and philodendron. Various ivies and yews can be troublesome, too, and the bulbs of plants popular for "forcing" into early indoor bloom -- such as amaryllis, daffodils and tulips -- can cause problems for the cat who likes to dig and chew.

The Animal Poison Control Center (www.aspca.org/apcc) maintains a list of problem plants, and you should also be able to find such lists in most basic cat-care books. Check your household inventory against the "bad plant" list and replace any dangerous plants with safer ones.

You don't have to give up all your plants to your cats, however. Instead, keep some plants for nibbling and put other safe plants off-limits to maintain a lush indoor environment you and your cats can both enjoy.

Indulge your pets by keeping planters of sprouting grasses growing in an accessible place for nibbling. Special blends of seeds for cats are available in pet stores and specialty shops, or you can purchase rye grass seeds at the nursery. Catnip, too, is something that's always better when fresh, as is valerian. While not all cats react to the pleasures of these plants, those who do will appreciate your keeping it in-house and using fresh cuttings to recharge cat posts and toys.

When your cats have their own plants, you can work on keeping them away from yours. Plants on the ground or on low tables are the easiest targets, so make your houseplants less accessible to the bored and wandering cat. Put plants up high, or better yet: Hang them.

For the plants you can't move out of harm's way, make them less appealing by coating them with something your cats find disagreeable. Cat-discouragers include Bitter Apple, a nasty-tasting substance available at any pet-supply store, or Tabasco sauce from any grocery store. Whenever you find what your cat doesn't like, keep reapplying it to reinforce the point.

Pot your plants in heavy, wide-bottomed containers, and cover the soil of the problem plants with rough decorative rock to end digging. Foil, waxed paper and double-sided tape are also effective digging deterrents. But I don't like to recommend them as much because you're going to get tired of looking at these materials. Attractive, rough-edged rocks can stay in place forever.

Q: I have such a hard time getting my dog to take his pill twice a day. What do you think about baking the pills into homemade treats? -- K.M., via e-mail

A: Bad idea. Instead of baking dog-treats, which might decrease or eliminate the potency of the medicine or make delivering a proper dose difficult, why not learn to pill your dog?

Ask your dog to sit, then take the pill, open his mouth, and push it quickly to the back with your fingertip. Then hold his mouth firmly closed, raise his muzzle skyward, and blow gently in his nose while rubbing the front of his throat. The reaction will be a quick gulp. Follow with lots of praise and a yummy treat.

If you don't feel confident enough to manage the technique, stick to the age-old trick of hiding pills in fresh food. Some dogs go nuts over liver sausage, or try hiding the pill in a little bit of peanut butter, hot dog or cheese. You can also ask your veterinarian for a referral to a compounding pharmacy, which can put the medication in flavored paste or liquid form your pet might like.

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

ON THE WEB

Rabbit resources reproduce rapidly

(screen grab if necessary)

As rabbits become more popular as indoor, box-trained pets, the number of places on the Internet that offer good care and behavior advice multiply like ... well, rabbits.

The House Rabbit Network (www.rabbitnetwork.org) offers a well-organized collection of solid information, along with pictures of rabbits looking for new homes and such lighthearted offerings as pictures and trivia. The latter is especially interesting, with answers to such questions as "Do rabbits cry?" (no) and "Are rabbits nocturnal?" (no again -- they're crepuscular, which means they're most active at dawn and dusk).

The site suggests that rabbits do best with another rabbit for company (after both have been fixed, of course), but also notes that rabbits can bond with other animals as well, including gentle dogs, cats and guinea pigs.

THE SCOOP

Newsletter scores with food issue

How do you choose a high-quality food for your dog? Dog-food companies have long targeted human emotions to sell their products, pushing pretty images that often aren't backed up by the ingredients inside the bag.

In recent years the Whole Dog Journal has made sorting dog-food truth from hype part of its mission. Every year the newsletter's February issue lists brands that the editors believe are the best on the market. The criteria include having a high percentage of distinct animal proteins (no general "meat byproducts" allowed), and whole grains and vegetables. Approved foods also do not have artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.

In other words, a dog food had better have more than a picture of fresh meat and vegetables on its label and a healthy-sounding name to make it into this select list.

With its emphasis on holistic care and positive training, the Whole Dog Journal is always an interesting read, but its dry food issue is a must-read that's worth the entire year's subscription cost. Subscriptions are $20 for 13 issues from www.whole-dog-journal.com or 1-800-829-9165.

PET BUY

Air cleaner delivers a breath of fresh air

Air quality can decline in the winter for pets and people both, with fur flying in homes closed up tightly to stay warm. As someone who suffers from both allergies and asthma, I'm always looking for anything that can help me breathe easier in a houseful of pets.

Allergists suggest removing all pets from households with allergy sufferers, but that's not an option for most of us pet lovers, nor is keeping pets strictly outside, the allergists' second choice. A pet-free sleeping area is a sensible compromise, but one that I'm rarely able to enforce, what with my weakness for pleading eyes and sad whines from bedroom-banned canines.

Still, with a half-dozen indoor pets, I need help and have long sought an edge with a series of air cleaners.

Recently, IQ Air (www.iqair.com, 1-877-715-4247), a company that makes top-quality air-cleaning systems for both industrial and home use, sent me one of its home units for a two-month trial. At around $750, the Health Pro is not going to win any prizes for low price, but the unit's efficiency at providing clean air was obvious from a few minutes after I turned it on.

And it soon passed an even bigger test with ease.

A few days after the unit arrived, a massive wildfire in the mountains above my home blanketed hundreds of miles with smoke and drifting ash, making breathing so difficult I had to stay inside. While I couldn't venture outside my door until the smoke and ash dissipated, the Health Pro kept the air so clean inside that I didn't have to resort to my rescue inhaler.

The HEPA filter in the Health Pro is of the type used in manufacturing microchips, and it kept the house cleaner and better-smelling throughout the trial. Truth is, I was sorry to see the trial model go to its permanent home at the Happy Tails cat sanctuary in Sacramento, where it'll help make breathing easier for felines waiting for adoption and for their caretaking volunteers. -- G.S.

PET Rx

Ferret lumps need veterinary attention

Lumps and bumps are common on ferrets as they age, but their presence should never be taken for granted. A ferret with a skin mass of any kind needs to see a veterinarian promptly to have the mass evaluated and possibly removed.

The veterinarian will start examining the mass by manipulating it to see its shape and how it's connected to surrounding tissue. The next step is for a needle to be inserted into the lump and some fluid removed for evaluation. This procedure is not very painful and is usually done with the animal awake.

Because lumps in ferrets are often cancerous, the veterinarian will probably recommend that any mass that looks suspicious be removed while the animal is under anesthesia. The mass will then be sent to a pathologist for further identification to help identify proper follow-up 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.)

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

How we love our fresh starts and New Year's resolutions!

We're going to lose weight, of course, save more money, and better ourselves in countless other ways. All noble causes, but have you thought about spending some time in 2005 making a difference for animals?

Every animal lover should.

Although the need can seem overwhelming, especially when it comes to animal cruelty or homeless pets, the fact is that every little bit helps. After all, if every one of us animal lovers did one small thing a couple of times a year, the total effort would be grand indeed.

Here are a few suggestions for helping animals in the months to come:

-- Take better care of your own animals. Studies show that, just like many of us, a lot of animals desperately need to lose weight and exercise more. Remember: Food is not love, and lay off the treats. You and your pet will both do better with a walk or some otherwise active playtime together.

Don't neglect other aspects of preventive health care. Use your pet's annual exam to go over those areas that need improving. In addition to weight loss and exercise, your veterinarian should evaluate your pet's vaccination schedule, dental health and parasite-control strategies. In addition to helping your pet live a longer, healthier life, preventive health care can save you money in the long run. Make that veterinary appointment today!

Part of taking care of your own pet better is making sure your animals are "good citizens" to your neighbors. Don't let your cats roam or your dogs bark constantly. In addition to being inconsiderate, people who allow their animals to be a nuisance give ammunition to communities looking to pass laws against pets.

-- Help others take better care of their pets. If you have a friend, neighbor or relative who is having difficulty caring for a pet because of advanced age or illness, offer to help out. Pets are extremely important to those who are cut off from social activities. Helping people keep their pets is a kindness to both pet and pet owner.

What can you do? Pick up food or litter, or offer to take the pet to the veterinarian when needed. Many times people who rely on others for assistance are reluctant to ask for more help on account of a pet. So ask if you can help. After all, if you're already going to the pet-supply store or veterinarian, is it really that much trouble to pick up some extra supplies or stay for an additional appointment?

-- Make a call for animals. Animal cruelty should not be tolerated, not only for the animals but also because of the proven link between animal cruelty and crimes against people. Too often, though, animal cruelty is shrugged off by the judicial system as a lesser crime.

Don't accept a "boys will be boys" attitude when it comes to animal cruelty. Call, e-mail and write to prosecutors and judges in animal cruelty cases. Demand that children get the help they need to break the cycle of cruelty and that adult offenders are punished to the fullest extent of the law. Public opinion counts in these cases!

-- Pay to spay. Don't place an animal in a new home unless you've made sure the pet won't reproduce. You may think you're doing a good deed in a finding home for a pet you cannot keep, or for a litter of kittens born in your garage to a semi-wild mother cat. But if you don't pay to spay, you really aren't helping.

Instead of placing a pet for free, spay or neuter the animal and then charge an adoption fee to cover the cost of the procedure. You'll save the adopter time and will ensure that the pet you place won't add to the overpopulation problem.

-- Help a shelter or rescue group. Volunteers are always needed to help with the animals in the shelter or to foster pets who need a home environment. But if you don't want to contribute on a regular basis, then see if you can help on a short-term project.

Many groups have fund-raisers throughout the year. They need volunteers to help with ticket sales, setup, concessions and cleanup. You can also help by finding out what your local shelter or rescue groups need in the way of services or supplies and then calling to ask for donations.

Shelters are in constant need not only of pet food, litter, old newspapers and towels, but also office and janitorial supplies and building materials. Get a wish list from your shelter and get to work!

It would be nice for us all to be thinner and richer at the end of 2005. But even if that doesn't happen, you can be happy knowing that you've made a difference for animals. These suggestions are just the beginning.

Q&A

Is a tortie cat the same as a calico?

Q: What is the difference between a calico and a tortie, or are they the same? Do the terms calico and tortie refer to a breed or a color? -- C.F., via e-mail

A: Calico and tortoiseshell (or tortie) refer to a pattern of markings, not to a breed. The link between them is orange fur. The two marking patterns are genetically similar, but they differ in the way the orange color is displayed. On calico cats, the orange, black and white colors are distinct patches; on tortoiseshells, the colors are swirled together.

The overwhelming majority of calico and tortoiseshell cats are female. Male calicos are what's known as "Klinefelter" males, possessed of not only the XY chromosomes of a normal boy cat but also an extra X. Since you need two X chromosomes to get a calico, you need the XXY combination to get a male calico. It doesn't happen very often -- about 1 in 3,000 calicoes is male.

Typically, male orange cats are tabbies (the common striped pattern), while orange in females can be expressed in any of three patterns -- calico, tortoiseshell or tabby.

To make things a little more interesting, there are also "dilute" colors. Instead of the pure orange and jet black of a classic calico, the orange on a "dilute" calico is more of a cream color, and the black is gray.

The Cat Fanciers' Association has a basic explanation of feline color genetics on its Web site at www.fanciers.com/other-faqs/color-genetics.html.

Q: We have a new golden retriever puppy, and I bought her with plans to make her a running partner. How soon can she accompany me on my daily runs? -- D.K., via e-mail

A: According to Dr. Robert Richardson, a Sacramento, Calif., veterinarian who's well-known for his expertise in orthopedics, you need to wait a while before putting the miles on that pup.

Richardson says an 8-month-old dog can safely manage only a one- to two-mile run at a relatively slow pace -- and that's if the animal is perfectly sound.

A puppy who's 8 months old is just past the usual growth spurts, says Richardson, who cautions that before that age a puppy's cartilage is very soft and easily damaged.

If you push your developing pup, or get a dog with joint problems to run at all, you could be risking serious problems down the road. Consult your veterinarian for a more precise assessment of your dog's suitability as a running partner.

Q: I'm moving with my cat from a house in a quiet neighborhood to one that's less than 100 yards from a major commercial roadway with lots of traffic. I saw your column on keeping cats indoors, and I've decided to try to keep Jordan in after we move. What's the best way to accomplish this? -- B.R., via e-mail

A: Moving is the perfect time to start keeping a cat inside. That's because you haven't suddenly cut off your cat from established territory -- which no cat accepts without complaining -- but instead have offered him a whole new indoor area to claim as his own. The territory he never sees he will not miss.

Start Jordan out in a single room with all the essentials and let him recover from the stress of the move. When he seems comfortable, allow him access to the rest of your new home. Be sure to give him plenty of attention, interactive play time and lots of toys. He should settle in just fine.

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

ON THE WEB

More help for fans of green iguanas

The Web site of the Green Iguana Society (www.greenigsociety.org) is a helpful resource for anyone who has or is interested in getting one of these reptilian pets. The site pushes education and responsibility, with a strong emphasis on adoption of unwanted iguanas before purchase of baby ones.

Aware that much of the interest in iguanas comes from children, the Green Ig folks have developed an entire section aimed at helping young iguana keepers take better care of their pets. And if a parent is fielding demands from a reptile-crazy youngster but hasn't said "yes" yet, the Web site offers suggestions on reptile pets that are more suitable for children than iguanas.

PET PLATES

Iowa Aussie is '1DERDOG'

There's no end to the creativity that pet-loving readers show with their vanity license plates. You keep sending them, we'll keep sharing them:

1DERDOG -- Sealy the Australian shepherd participates in all kinds of dog events. The Honda CR-V gets loaded about once a month to go on some type of cross-country excursion to a conformation, agility, herding or obedience event. During the week, Sealy usually spends one to three hours attending classes offered by one of the three local canine clubs. He has passed his Canine Good Citizen test, has three points toward his championship and is working hard on obedience. He usually assists my wife while she is feeding the ducks, goats and sheep she is raising to practice his herding activities. "1DERDOG" is really an understatement. I simply wonder what she will get him into next. He lives for all the attention, and works for my wife's praise. -- J.L., Lisbon, Iowa

K9UNUT -- When I decided I wanted a special license plate, I originally wanted K9UNIT, but it was already taken. I decided on K9UNUT which is actually more appropriate because I'm nuts about dogs. At that time I had a poodle, Buddy, and a golden retriever, Brandy. Brandy has since gone to doggie heaven. The dogs rode with me every morning and again in the afternoon to the park for their daily exercise. -- K.C., Elk Grove, Calif.

Share your pet plate! Send a jpeg image and the story of how you chose your pet plate to petconnection@gmail.com. Please include your city and state.

THE SCOOP

Make time for a New Year's neck check

Just as we've accepted that the batteries in smoke detectors need to be changed twice a year when the clocks move forward or back, I've suggested in recent years establishing a tradition for pets: the New Year's "neck check."

The neck check is easy and takes less than a minute. What you're checking for is wear and fit on your pet's collar and legibility on ID tags.

A properly fitted collar is important, but so is the right type. For dogs, a buckled or snap-together collar made of leather or nylon webbing is the best choice. The proper fit should be comfortably close but not too snug. Make sure your dog's not wearing a "choke" collar for everyday wear. These pose a potentially deadly hazard if left on an unsupervised dog.

Cat collars aren't widely accepted because some people fear the collars will get caught on branches and trap the cat. Other people argue that their cat stays indoors and so never needs a collar. If you're sure your cat will never, ever get out, then fine: No collar is necessary. But if your pet has ever slipped out (or might), you ought to reconsider a collar and tag. As for cats being caught by their collars, this is resolved by the simple piece of elastic in most cat collars that enables the pet to slip free of the collar in a pinch.

If you have the right kind of collar on your pet, look at the holes and the fasteners. The collar is weakest at these spots, so if you see signs of excessive wear or strain, you'll need to replace the collar soon.

As for those ID tags, they need checking, too. A license is great, but since many lost pets are picked up by people in the neighborhood, it's a good idea to supplement the license with an ID tag that has a couple of phone numbers -- yours and the number of a friend or relative. Check to make sure the information is current and legible.

Don't delay in fixing any problems you find. Proper collars and up-to-date ID tags are the cheapest insurance you can buy against losing your pet for good.

BY THE NUMBERS

Pedigreed popularity

The Cat Fanciers' Association recognizes 37 breeds of cat for competing in its championship classes at cat shows. They range from the popular and commonly recognized Persian to such lesser-known lovelies as the American wirehair and Somali. The top breeds of pedigreed cats, according to CFA registration figures for 2003:

1. Persian

2. Maine Coon

3. Exotic

4. Siamese

5. Abyssinian

6. Birman

7. Oriental

8. American shorthair

9. Tonkinese

10. Burmese

Source: Cat Fanciers Association (www.cfa.org)

PET Rx

Sharp puppy teeth go at four months

If you have a puppy in your home now, you will be delighted to know that those sharp little baby teeth will be replaced by adult teeth by the age of 4 months -- going from 28 deciduous teeth to 42 permanent ones. But problems can occur with the changeover.

Sometimes baby teeth are retained after the adult ones come in, a situation that can cause many problems, including the misalignment of permanent teeth, incorrect development of the jaw and infections. Check your puppy's mouth daily while adult teeth are erupting to ensure that the baby teeth aren't being retained -- a double row of teeth, especially in the front, tells you that they are.

Have your veterinarian check any suspicious developments. Baby teeth that refuse to fall out on their own may need to be removed by your veterinarian.

(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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