The problem with placing adult cats, says a friend of mine who has found homes for dozens of them, is that everyone who wants a cat usually has one already. And many of the people who are in the market for a cat would rather start with a kitten.

That's a shame on both counts. First, because most cats enjoy the company of others of their own kind, especially if left alone inside all day while the family is at work or school. As for kittens, well, what's not to love? But an adult cat can often ease into a household more quickly, and without the sometimes over-the-top behavior of an energetic youngster.

The first step to placing an adult cat may be convincing prospective owners that two cats truly are better than one, and better yet if the second is a loving adult. Is it a hard sell? It can be, as any shelter manager can attest: Adult cats have low adoption rates when compared to kittens (and even to adult dogs). But if you've ended up with an extra adult cat -- a stray perhaps, or a cat left behind by the death of a friend or relative -- you don't have to write off the animal as a lost cause. If you're patient and persistent, you'll likely find a home. Here are some tips to follow:

-- Do everything you can to make the animal more adoptable. The pet has a better chance for adoption if her vaccinations are current, she uses her litter box reliably, and she's altered.

-- Don't lie about the pet's problems or why she's being placed. Although finding a new home for a pet with problems takes longer, you can usually still do so. But the person who gets such a pet without warning is likely to bring her back, take her to a shelter or give her away -- maybe to a horrible situation.

-- Spread the news. Make up fliers, and take out an ad in your newspaper and on the Internet. Post the fliers everywhere you can: bulletin boards at work, pet-supply stores and your veterinarian's office. Give some to your friends and family to post where they work, too. Talk up the cat (at least briefly) with everyone you know. Even people who don't like cats (or don't want one) may know someone who is looking for a pet. The more exposure you can get, the better. If a thousand people hear or read about the animal, you probably will get no interest from 999, but you need only one person to provide a good home for the cat. And that's the one you need to reach.

-- Ask lots of questions and verify that the answers are true. Don't forget to ask prospective adopters whether they've had pets before and what happened to them. Make sure you're dealing with people who realize that owning a pet is a long-term commitment. The person who has had a lot of pets who disappeared, died young or were given away is probably not your best choice. My favorite question: Who's your veterinarian? Someone who cannot at least name a vet or a veterinary hospital may have pets who don't go there very often.

Above all, don't give up! It may take weeks to find the right home for a pet, but it's always worth the time it may take to get it right. The goal here is not to "get rid of" an animal, but to find a loving, caring and, most of all, permanent home for a pet who needs one. They're out there, and if you keep looking, you'll likely find the home that's just right for the cat you're trying to help.

Q&A

Closed doors keep cat from going 'home'

Q: We've long had our eye on a bigger house in our neighborhood, so when we saw what we wanted come on the market, we bought it and moved. But our cat, Malone, doesn't seem that impressed with the new house. The old house is just a few couple of blocks away, and he insists on going "home." The people now in our old house are cat lovers, and they have been pretty good about bringing him back or calling us to some get him.

The last couple of weeks, though, they haven't been calling, and Malone doesn't come home unless we go and get him. I know he shares food with their cat, and I think he is adopting the new family permanently. But this is our cat, since he was a little ball of fur, and we don't want him to live with another family. Do you have any suggestions to make Malone accept the new house as home? -- H.M., via e-mail

A: Because cats bond to places as well as to people, some cat lovers find that their free-roaming pets keep showing up at their old home after a move, especially if the new home, like yours, isn't very far from the old one.

My best suggestion for you is to convert your cat to an indoor pet, because crossing streets to go to the old house considerably ups his risk factor for getting hit. You could also look into securing your yard with cat fencing, such as from Purr-fect Fence (www.purrfectfence.com, 888-280-4066), Cat Fence-in (www.catfencein.com, 888-738-9099) or Affordable Cat Fence (www.catfence.com, 888-840-CATS).

If permanent confinement is not something you'd consider, bring your cat inside for a couple of weeks. When he seems settled, take him out for short periods into your yard with you, and bring him back inside with you. You should be able to get a feel for when he's starting to recognize the new digs as his home, and then increase his freedom accordingly.

Ask the new people at your old home to discourage Malone from hanging out -- no feeding, no petting. They can discourage Malone by using a squirt bottle on him if they see him in their yard.

If he immediately goes back to his old digs, though, it's a sign you haven't kept him in the house long enough. Confine him for another two weeks, at least, before giving him another taste of the outdoors.

HED: Sweaters benefit some dogs

Q: Tell the truth: Do dogs really need sweaters? I don't see any wild dogs or wolves wearing them. -- P.S., via e-mail

A: We've bred dogs a long way from their wild ancestors, and some of the breeds we've produced really could use some help with the cold. Small dogs, especially those kept trimmed for cleanliness, would benefit from sweaters in the winter, as would greyhounds, whippets and other breeds of similar build. On the other hand, your average Alaskan malamute or Samoyed isn't going to need any help at all to stay warm.

Old dogs, too, could use a little help staying warm when they head outside for their daily constitutionals.

You don't have to spend a lot of money to make your pet more comfortable. Nearly every pet retailer has machine-washable sweaters that should last for years.

The benefit of pet clothing isn't solely for the pet. I have a friend who puts raincoats on her gorgeous collies before their walks. A collie's a dog with a coat thick enough to brave all elements, and in this case the garments are for the owner's benefit: When she gets home with the dogs, they're pretty much dry, sparing her hours of wet-dog smell.

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

Pets on the Web

Fine art auction Goes to the dogs

Every year I hear from Doyle New York, drumming up publicity and business for the company's annual auction of fine art with a canine theme, held in conjunction with the Westminster Kennel Club dog show.

Most years I look at the offerings, sighing heavily both in appreciation and resignation -- I adore looking but, like most of us, I'm not one of those folks who can write a check for tens of thousands of dollars for a 19th-century portrait of some long-dead English duke's spaniels. This year, though, I noticed quite a few offerings in lower price ranges, such as figurines and jewelry with estimated value of $100 or so. Now you're talking!

The folks at Doyle have put the entire collection online, in hopes of attracting those who can buy (www.doylenewyork.com; look for Dogs in Art). The auction starts at 1 p.m. EST on Feb. 15 in Manhattan.

PET Rx

Know normal weight to keep your cat healthy

The hardest thing about weighing your cat is weighing yourself, but you must. Step on the scale with your cat, note the weight, and then step back on alone. Subtract your weight from the total to get your cat's weight.

A normal cat weighs about eight to 10 pounds, but the range is wide, depending on gender and breed. Really big cats, such as the Maine Coon, can be well over 11 pounds and be perfectly normal.

Your cat is normal for his body type if a comfortable pad of fat lies over his ribs, but you can still feel the ribs if you press your hands gently in. Your cat should not be "ribby," nor should he be too fat and have a visible, swinging belly hanging down. You may think it's cute, but it's not healthy.

After you determine your cat's ideal weight, write it down, and re-weigh your pet every month or so, sooner if he appears to have gained or lost weight. A difference of a half-pound up or down is normal over the course of a few months, anything more rapid or more weight lost than that half-pound is reason for concern.

Talk to your veterinarian if your cat is too fat, too thin, or especially if his weight changes rapidly.

(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.)

THE SCOOP

Hit the road with a canine companion

Are you looking for a canine running partner? So many breeds and mixes would thrive on a 30-minute daily run that it's actually easier to list those that aren't as suitable.

Among those groups of breeds that aren't well-suited to major mileage at a fast clip: toy dogs (Yorkies, Chihuahuas, pugs) and short-legged ones (basset hounds and corgis). Heavy, giant breeds, too, aren't built for serious running, so you can probably rule out the St. Bernard and Newfoundland. Dogs with short muzzles -- such as the boxer -- don't breathe as efficiently when exercising.

If you're more of a plodder or walk/jogger than a serious runner, though, any dog in good shape may well work out fine.

For more serious runners, plenty of canine choices remain. Anything from medium-sized dogs, such as Shelties and cattle dogs, to large and leggy, such as greyhounds, would do just splendidly. The larger hunting breeds and hounds are especially well-suited to running. Sled-dog breeds can certainly put in the mileage, but their thick coats might be a problem in a warm climate. And don't overlook the breed that was born to the road: The Dalmatian, a dog that was developed to run alongside a horse-drawn carriage.

If safety is an issue, you might want to consider a breed that would by looks alone give a would-be attacker pause. In this category, place the Doberman, Rhodesian ridgeback and the German shepherd.

Mixes of any of these more athletic breeds would be a good match, too.

If you choose a purebred puppy, be sure to find a reputable breeder who can provide certification that the parents are free of hip or elbow dysplasia, crippling congenital defects that will doom your dog's future as a runner.

Don't push a pup into running. Work on his leash training as he's growing, but give his bones a chance to get fully developed before putting any roadwork on him. Better yet, look for an adult dog who, with a little training, can get immediately on the road with you. -- G.S.

PET TIP

Ask for papers with pedigreed pet

If you purchase a purebred puppy or kitten, make sure you get all the registration paperwork at the time you take your new family member home. People ask me all the time for advice on getting registration papers after a breeder has disappeared or has decided not to part with the papers unless an additional fee is paid.

Mind you, any breeder who'd do either is likely not someone you should have been buying a pet from in the first place. But that won't help you much when you've already fallen in love, will it?

If you don't get the paperwork, reputable breed registries such as the American Kennel Club or Cat Fanciers' Association will try to help. But in many cases they can't do much, since pet lovers rarely have enough information on the breeder or the animal's parents to get the matter cleared up.

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

The Westminster Kennel Club dog show has to be one of the worst ideas ever.

Start with Manhattan in February, a bitter-cold month not beyond the season for shut-it-all-down blizzards. Take a couple of thousand dogs, many of whom have never seen the likes of the traffic and noise they'll face on the streets of Midtown. Take those streets, where the dogs will turn the snow yellow for blocks around Penn Station, leaving the crowds of daily commuters stepping carefully and less than amused. Add stressed-out dog handlers under maximum pressure to get the dogs there, set them up in hotel rooms and have them perfectly groomed for competition.

Finally, add tens of thousands of people coming to see the dogs during the two-day show, packing the staging areas of Madison Square Garden so tightly that sometimes it's nearly impossible to move from one aisle of dogs to the next.

Dogs panting. Spectators sweating. Handlers stressing. I've been there, several times, and I can assure you: It's miserable. But it's Westminster, the one and only. Which means if you have a top show dog, you're going to move heaven and earth to be there -- and most of them will be on Feb. 14 and 15.

This year will be Westminster's 129th -- the event is second only to the Kentucky Derby as the country's oldest sporting event -- but only the 16th for David Frei as broadcast commentator, who more recently picked up additional duties as the club's director of communications. When I teased him about the character based on him in the movie "Best in Show" being the only one who didn't seem a little bit ... well ... crazy, he laughed graciously.

"The question I get most is, 'Is it really like "Best in Show,"'" he said, admitting that the parody wasn't that far from the mark. "It's a target-rich environment, but we can all laugh, and the movie did to a lot to bring our sport to the public."

The sport may need help getting attention, but Westminster doesn't. Entries for the show close in minutes, with the top five dogs in each breed getting an invitation and other champions left to try to get their entry in before the 2,500-dog limit is reached, typically in under an hour.

"We never get all the top dogs, but we're close," said Frei. "You'll always get a few retired, having puppies. This year, 97 out of the top 103 will be there."

This year's show will have more golden retrievers than any other dog, with 53 entered. It'll also see the Westminster debut of three breeds new to full registration status with the American Kennel Club -- the Neapolitan mastiff, the black Russian terrier, and the Glen of Imaal terrier.

"It does take a special effort to be a part of it," said Frei, acknowledging the difficulties of holding a dog show during a Manhattan winter. "People are here because they want to be here. A lot of the top dogs spend the rest of the year ducking each other, showing in different parts of the country. But all the great dogs are here, all at the same time."

Westminster may be a very bad idea for a dog show, but for the dog who wins ... well, there's just nothing like it.

SIDEBAR

Some dogs to watch

Westminster's all-championship show draws the best dogs from around the country -- and a few from around the world. Going into the competition, a few dogs are thought to have a better shot winning the top prize, including:

-- Champion North Well Chako JP Platina King (Coleman). The toy poodle was bred in Japan, but he had made his mark in the United States, where he's the top-ranked dog of all breeds heading into Westminster.

-- Ch. Yakee If Only (Jeffrey). The Pekingese is also an English show champion; his dad was best in show at Cruft's, the top English show. Jeffrey is the No. 2 dog in the nation.

-- Ch. Heathers Knock on Wood (Knotty). The bloodhound scored big by winning the AKC-Eukanuba National Invitational in January over many of the same dogs he'll compete against in New York. Is he on a roll?

-- Ch. Kaleef's Genuine Risk (Genny). The German Shepherd is known both for her effortless, almost floating stride and for her handler, James Moses, who knows how to win with German Shepherds at this level of competition. He has done it before.

-- Ch. Clussex Three D Grinchy Glee (Stumpy). The Sussex spaniel's trademark is a tail that never stops wagging. If his owners and handler had tails, they'd wag them, too, with all the winning he has done. Stumpy competed for best in show last year as winner of the sporting group.

The toughest competition at the breed level will be among boxers, says Westminster's David Frei. Three of the top-ranked dogs in the country will meet in the boxer ring, but just one of them will move on to try to win the working group. The toy breeds have the toughest group competition, with Coleman likely to square off against Jeffrey -- but don't rule out the Pomeranian or the pug.

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show will be televised at 8 p.m. (7 p.m. Central Time) on Feb. 14 and 15 on the USA Network. The event is broadcast live on the East Coast and delayed for other time zones.

Q&A

Litter-box cake should get a laugh

Q: A while back I put aside your recipe for cake made to look like a cat's litter box, but now I can't find it. Would you please repeat it? I want to take it to a potluck for our dog-training club. -- L.Y., via e-mail

A: It's amusing to me how often people ask for this recipe, considering that I rarely cook at all. Directions for Litter Box Cake come from the files of the Veterinary Information Network (www.vin.com), an online service for veterinary professionals. More than a few veterinarians have used the recipe for open houses in their clinics or hospitals. The most important part of following the recipe? Be sure to use a brand-new litter box and scoop.

I hope the members of your dog-training club have strong stomachs and a good sense of humor, because this cake really does look like the real thing.

LITTER BOX CAKE

1 pkg. spice cake mix

1 pkg. white cake mix

1 pkg. white sandwich cookies

Green food coloring

12 small Tootsie Rolls

1 box vanilla pudding mix (not instant)

1 brand-new, freshly washed litter box

1 brand-new, freshly washed litter box scoop

Prepare the cake mixes and bake according to their directions. Prepare the pudding mix and chill until ready to assemble. Use a blender on a low setting to crumble the white sandwich cookies in small batches; they tend to stick, so scrape often. Set aside all but about 1/4 cup. To the 1/4 cup of cookie crumbs, add a few drops of green food coloring and mix by using a fork.

After the cakes cool to room temperature, crumble them into a large bowl. Toss with half the remaining cookie crumbs and the chilled pudding. Gently combine. Line a new, freshly cleaned litter box with plastic wrap. Put the mixture into the box. Put three unwrapped Tootsie Rolls in a microwave-safe dish and heat until they're soft and pliable. Shape the ends so that they're no longer blunt, curving them slightly. Repeat with three more Tootsie Rolls and bury them in the mixture.

Sprinkle the other half of the cookie crumbs over the top of the mixture. Scatter the green cookie crumbs lightly over the top so they look like the chlorophyll in some cat-box fillers. Heat the remaining Tootsie Rolls, three at a time, in the microwave until they're almost melted. Taper the ends as before, then plop them on top of the cake and sprinkle with cookie crumbs. Serve with a brand-new, freshly washed cat-box scoop.

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

PET BUY

Dyson vacuum earns its cult following

Last year when I was at the Cruft's dog show in England, the biggest dog show in the world, I made a point to talk with the folks at the Dyson vacuum cleaner display.

I had to wait in line to do so.

The reason is easy to understand: The English company makes vacuums with so much power that they can pull pet hair out of carpets that have already been gone over by other brands. Two years ago I bought the first model made available in the United States, the DC-07, and recently was sent the newest, the DC-14 "Animal," to try out.

The Dyson's cult status is such that the pet lovers I mentioned my "test drive" to were visibly envious.

The funky purple DC-14 "Animal" has some advantages over my DC-07, most notably the addition of a small beater head that fits on a wand with enough reach for an entire staircase. The attachment allows the user to get pet hair off upholstery and carpeted stairways almost as efficiently as the upright draws fur from floors.

I didn't see a notable improvement over the astonishing suction power of the earlier model, but since the DC-07 is the best vacuum I've ever owned, maybe it's hard to improve on it much.

One of the things I like most about the Dyson (in addition to the powerful suction) is how easy it is to empty the clear plastic cylinder where the dirt ends up. Just snap the cylinder free, walk out to the trash can and pull the trigger to release muck.

Dyson might consider adding power drive and a retractable cord in future models, but that shouldn't stop anyone from considering this vacuum now.

The Dyson "Animal" is not cheap compared to most vacuums -- $549 is about the best price I found online. But it's a bargain when compared to high-end models that top a grand or more.

PET Rx

Choose veterinarian before you need one

While it's always better to establish a working relationship with a veterinarian before your pet gets sick, it's essential to do so when you're sharing your home with birds, reptiles or other less-common pets.

That's because not all companion animal veterinarians are comfortable with treating pets other than dogs and cats, and not all veterinarians keep up with the latest information on reptiles and birds. Taking your bird or reptile in for a well-pet checkup with a veterinarian who specializes in these pets can help you prevent problems, by spotting illness early or by helping you to fix incorrect care that will hurt your pet down the line.

(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.)

BREED TYPE

Glamorous Persian is most popular purebred cat

With a glamorous image worthy of the Hollywood studios in their heyday, it's no surprise that the Persian is the most popular breed of cat. Persians come in a dazzling array of colors and markings, including solid colors, tabby, calico and just about anything else you can imagine.

Persian cats are as treasured for their personalities as their distinctive looks. Affectionate yet undemanding, a Persian is more likely to get your attention by adopting an especially fetching pose than by plonking herself down on the newspaper you're trying to read.

All that beauty doesn't come without a price, and grooming a Persian cat is not an optional activity. Persian coats will become tangled and matted if not combed on a daily basis, and they usually require periodic professional grooming as well. A matted Persian is not just unsightly; mats are painful and can lead to abrasions and skin infections if not removed promptly. The Persian is not for you if you aren't willing to make sure his coat stays in good shape.

Pros: The arresting beauty of these kings and queens of catdom is behind their enduring popularity. Persian cats are also wonderful companions: serene, quiet and affectionate, and never noisy or pesty.

Cons: The coat requires considerable attention and often professional grooming. And these cats shed -- a lot. Their popularity also means there are many unethical breeders. Genetic problems include dental and sinus abnormalities related to the distinctive Persian facial structure, and polycystic kidney disease (PKD), which can be fatal. Ultrasound screening of breeding cats can prevent this disease, so obtain your Persian kitten only from a breeder who guarantees against PKD in writing. -- Christie Keith, www.pethobbyist.com

(For more information about the Persian cat, visit the Cat Breed Center at www.cathobbyist.com/CatBreeds.)

PETS ON THE WEB

A place for sharing pictures of pets

Fotolog (www.fotolog.net) was last year's sensation, the place for people to post pictures of everything and anything, including lots of pets. But Fotolog has stumbled, with a site that's barely functioning and a business plan that seems to be based on begging subscribers for more money.

The hot new place to put your pet photos is Flickr (www.flickr.com), with its clean design and reliable programming. Flickr makes it easy to organize images and share them with friends and family, as well as to join in communities of people who may soon be your friends based on your common interests. There are communities organized around subjects as narrow as picture of dogs' noses.

Many of the pet-loving denizens of Fotolog have migrated to Flickr, taking their pet pictures with them. "Cat" and "Dog" are two of the most-popular categories on the Web site (searchable by "tag"), with plenty of other pets pictured, too. A basic account for posting images is free.

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

When I first started writing about the importance of taking care of a pet's teeth, the response I most often heard was one of astonishment. "I'm supposed to brush my pet's teeth?" pet lovers would say. "You're kidding, right?"

These days, pet lovers respond not with surprise, but with guilt. "I know I should brush my pet's teeth, but I don't because my cat won't put up with it," they say. Or they don't have time, or they forget.

And so ignorance becomes guilt. Now that's progress! And the next step: good dental health from the very beginning.

Why is this important? Beyond the bad breath caused by rotting teeth and gums -- "dog breath" is a symptom of disease, not a normal part of owning a dog -- the infections caused by dental problems can shorten your pet's life by damaging internal organs. Bad teeth can also leave your pet in constant pain.

Veterinarians now recommend training kittens and puppies to accept having their teeth brushed, a job that's not really that hard, even with older dogs and cats. Approach the task with a positive attitude, take it slow and easy, and then follow with something the pet likes -- a play session or a food treat. There are also products in gel form available that can be applied to teeth to keep them clean of plaque.

For kittens and puppies, the focus is on training and prevention, but adult pets will likely need veterinary attention before a preventive-care program can help. Your veterinarian should check your pet's mouth, teeth and gums as part of the regular examination, and make recommendations based on what he or she finds there. For many pets, the next step will be a complete dentistry under anesthesia. The procedure takes 45 minutes to an hour, and involves not only cleaning and polishing the teeth, but also checking for and treating broken or rotting teeth, cavities, abscesses and periodontal disease.

Today's anesthetics are dramatically safer than those of even a few years ago, making the dangers and pain of untreated dental problems the bigger risk to health, even with older pets.

After the problems are treated, at-home care can keep things in good shape. Here are some tips:

-- Brush or wipe regularly. Use a toothpaste designed for dogs and cats a couple of times a week at least, although daily is better. Don't use toothpaste made for people, because animals don't know how to rinse and spit. Pet toothpastes contain enzymes that help dissolve plaque and can be swallowed. They also have a flavor pets appreciate.

Use a toothbrush made for pets, or a children's toothbrush. You can also use plain gauze wrapped around a finger or a fingertip brush. Some vets suggest that gauze may work better with cats, especially if dipped in tuna or clam juice first.

-- Offer teeth-cleaning toys and consider teeth-cleaning food. Some pet-food companies now offer kibble with a mild abrasive texture to help keep teeth clean, or with ingredients that help keep plaque from forming. Ask your vet about these if tartar buildup is a chronic problem for your pet.

Soft chew toys and a chew rope can help keep teeth clean, too. Avoid chews that are hard or are prone to breaking into sharp pieces. These can break teeth or slice gums.

Once your pet's teeth are in good shape, you'll immediately notice an end to bad breath. The true benefits of dental care go far beyond a better-smelling mouth, however, making what seems on surface to be an aesthetic issue one that is in fact a cornerstone of a preventive-care program.

SIDEBAR

February is Pet Dental Health Month. During the month, your veterinarian may provide special information on your pet's dental care or have special offers on services. Check with your veterinarian for more.

Information on dental care and products for pets can be found on several Web sites, including:

-- Pets Need Dental Care, Too (www.petdental.com)

-- C.E.T. Home Dental care (www.cetdental.com)

-- OraVet (www.oravet.com)

-- Veterinary Oral Health Council (www.vohc.org)

-- Veterinary Partner Dental Care Series, by Dr. Jan Bellows (www.veterinarypartner.com)

Q&A

Divorce story draws howls of protest

Q: What's the deal with portraying mere animals as equal to children in your recent column on divorce and pets? "Joint custody" is terminology that is supposed to be used when referring to children, not pets. In case you hadn't noticed, cats, dogs, hamsters, ferrets, gerbils and hermit crabs are not children. Just because their delusional owners think they are children doesn't make it so.

Attorney Bernard Clair is quoted as saying, "People need to ask, 'What would be the best situation for the pet?'" Excuse me? Pets are not children, for crying out loud! They can't be traumatized by divorce. Do you think a cat cares who its owner is? Of course not. Just so long as someone is opening the can of pet food, that's all that matters to these small-brained animals. -- D.R., via e-mail

Q: In your column, you included lawyer Bernard Clair's quote that states animals are "sentient beings." What was he smoking when he came up with that comment? Animals have the "right to enjoy their time on this planet." Does this man not know anything about Darwin's theory of evolution?

Evolution doesn't give any animals any kind of rights. Only people are entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness because only we can think.

Animals aren't sentient beings. They are instinct-driven beasts, unwitting slaves to evolution. They certainly aren't children, which is how your column was trying to portray them, with the talk of "joint custody." -- M.W., via e-mail

A: "Small-brained animals"? "Instinct-driven beasts"? I'm curious: Has either one of you ever shared your life with a pet? I can't imagine that anyone who's loved a pet would suggest animals have no bond with their owners or have no emotional life whatsoever.

I got a surprising amount of e-mail in regard to the recent column on pets and divorce, some of it quite nasty. What the problem is with the word "sentient," I don't know. Animals clearly are sentient, inasmuch as they are conscious and have emotions, even if their emotions are not as complex as our own.

While neither I nor (I'm guessing) Mr. Clair believes animals to be "equal" to children, I don't think it's unreasonable to consider an animal's needs when deciding who gets the pet when a marriage dissolves. After a divorce, one party may be in no position to keep a pet, because of a housing situation, hours worked or other factors, while the other person may have a lifestyle more suitable to keeping a pet. If the divorcing couple fairly considers an animal's needs and makes the "custody" arrangements appropriately, then I say they deserve to be respected for their kindness to their pets and to each other.

To me, it comes down to responsibility. When we take an animal into our home, we should be making a commitment to care for that animal for life. When a household situation changes, it's part of our responsibility to determine what's best for the animals in our care.

I don't believe animals to be the same as children, but I do believe they deserve more consideration than an inanimate piece of property. In my mind, the issue here is not about the standing of animals in the eyes of the law, but rather about following through on one's responsibilities to the animals one brings into the family as members of the family.

Our pets count on us to do what's right for them. If the silverware ends up in the Dumpster as a result of a nasty divorce, there's no real harm to the silverware, which cannot feel fear, pain or grief.

If an animal ends up thrown away, it's a different story entirely.

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

ON THE WEB

Funny cat book started as Web site

"Bad Cat: 244 Not-So-Pretty Kitties and Cats Gone Bad" by Jim Edgar (Workman Publishing, $10) was the surprise hit of the holiday season, a New York Times best-selling book for several weeks running. The book draws from the enormously popular Web site MyCatHatesYou.com, which is home to hundreds of really silly pictures of cats with bad attitudes.

The site started as an inside joke in 2001 among some folks at Microsoft and soon became a favorite among cat lovers of all persuasions. Be warned: The humor and language on the site is often off-color.

In the book or on the Web site, the pictures are bound to make you laugh, sometimes against your better intentions. Cats are caught in every pose imaginable, some looking extremely cross at being bothered by the camera. The expressions alone suggest that cats know a lot more about us than they let on and are putting up with us only grudgingly.

PET Rx

'Scooting' probably not worm-related

No art (Believe me: You don't want art)

Does your dog scoot along on his fanny? You need to talk to your veterinarian about your pet's anal glands.

Anal glands are a topic no dog lover likes to think about, but the subject often cannot be ignored. Positioned on either side of the anus, the glands secrete a material that smells vile. Normal defecation may keep the glands emptied, but in some dogs, impactions and infections become a real problem.

The glands should be emptied regularly, a task that's simple if unappealing. Your veterinarian can show you how to empty the glands, or you can have the groomer do it for you when your dog's in for a regular grooming.

Infections of the anal glands are not uncommon, and they need to be treated by your veterinarian. In some cases, chronic infections need to be dealt with by having the glands removed.

Veterinary Partner has a demonstration of how to empty anal glands on its Web site. Go to veterinarypartner.com and search on the words "anal sacs."

(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 PLATES

Crazy cocker family picks perfect plate

DOGSCAB: I've been saving your column because I had just ordered special plates for our three cars. The picture I'm sending you is of our minivan. We have four cocker spaniels -- Sassy, Sadie, Buddy and Bailey -- and I have three crates in the van. Sassy and Sadie ride in a crate together; Buddy and Bailey have their own crate. Our veterinarian and friends call us the Crazy Cocker Family, and our daughter thinks we are way out of control when it comes to our babies. -- J.H., via e-mail

(Send pictures and stories of your pet plates to petconnection@gmail.com. )

PET BOOKS

Pet-moving guide offers good information

Usually I don't write about books that aren't as well-written and well-organized as they are well-researched, but with Carrie Straub's "The Pet-Moving Handbook" (First Books, $10), I have to make an exception. That's because although the book is a mess organizationally and tends to repeat itself in places, it's the only book I remember seeing that's dedicated exclusively to this important topic.

Straub offers a lot of practical information on moving pets of all kinds, from the more-popular dogs and cats to caged pets and even exotics. Along the way, she offers sound advice on the logistics and expense of moving a pet, as well as tips on how to help pets cope with the process.

Trying to read this slender book straight through will give you a headache. An index would have been most helpful, but the table of contents is complete enough to help you find the information you need. To be fair, some of the advice she keeps repeating bears repeating: Make sure all pets are securely contained in crates or on leash while being moved, and that they have current ID in case they get lost.

Darlene Arden is pet expert who always turns out solidly researched, well-written books, and her latest is no exception. "Unbelievably Good Deals and Great Adventures That You Can't Get Unless You're a Dog" (McGraw-Hill, $15) delivers on what has to be one of the longest titles I've ever seen on a pet book, packing in hundreds of interesting tidbits between the covers.

Arden is an admitted shopaholic. ("I've often told friends that if they're looking for me at a dog show, just follow the smell of melting plastic," she says.) Her expertise is obvious in this book, which focuses in large part on pet-supply retailers and their entertaining, if sometimes quirky, merchandise.

Her travel section is also comprehensive. Most interesting: the section on dog-specific museums and memorials around the world, such the dog-collar museum in England, and Stephen Huneck's Dog Chapel in Vermont.

BY THE NUMBERS

Is one dog enough?

According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, 40.6 percent of all households in the United States owned at least one dog in 2002, a figure largely unchanged from the two previous surveys in 2000 and 1998. The total number of dogs owned per household has increased, however, to an average of 1.6. In 2002:

Number of dogs owned Total dog owners

One 65 percent

Two 23 percent

Three or more 12 percent

PET TIP

Socialization a must for growing puppies

Puppies need to be protected from disease until their shots are complete, but that doesn't mean they can't be socialized. Dog-training experts say puppies should be exposed to as many new situations, people and objects as possible to ensure that they will grow up to be confident, stable dogs.

Stay clear of any area where unknown dogs have access, such as public sidewalks and parks. Instead, expose your puppy to areas that are as disease-free as possible, including your home and the homes of friends with dogs whose vaccination status is known. Your puppy needs to be gently and safely introduced to as many surfaces, sights, sounds and smells as possible, and should be given the opportunity to be lovingly petted by as many different kinds and ages of people as you can find.

Once your veterinarian gives the go-ahead, pull out the stops and take your puppy everywhere you can. The more socialization the better in these important early months of life.

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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