It may seem odd, but there's a parallel between abductions and dog attacks.

Most children who are victimized aren't randomly selected; they're attacked by a person or dog known to them. Just as an abductor is more likely to be someone known to the child -- an estranged parent, say -- a dog involved in a serious attack is more likely to be an animal the child knows, kept by the family, a friend or a relative.

Most of the risk can be minimized by making sure the family dog is just that: a member of the family, an indoor dog given ample opportunities for training and socializing. While this won't remove all the risk (see the accompanying story for signs of trouble), a dog who feels comfortable and secure can be what you hope for most -- your child's best friend.

If you've taken steps to make your family dog as safe as possible, the next step in bite prevention is to teach your child what to do if he or she encounters a potentially hostile dog while out and about. This is especially important because our instincts, when faced with a threatening loose dog, could not be more deadly. We want to scream and run, which may trigger predatory behavior in a dog.

The Humane Society of the United States suggests teaching your children how to behave around strange dogs and how to react if attacked. With the start of school at hand, and with many children walking on streets that may have loose dogs, be sure your children know the following:

-- Never approach a loose dog, even if he seems friendly. Dogs confined in yards -- especially those on chains -- should also be avoided. If the dog is with its owner, children should always ask permission before petting him and then begin by offering the back of the hand for a sniff. Pat him on the neck or chest. The dog may interpret a pat from above as a dominant gesture. Teach your children to avoid fast or jerky movements.

-- "Be a tree" when a dog approaches, standing straight with feet together, fists under the neck and elbows into the chest. Teach your children to make no eye contact: Some dogs view this as a challenge. Running is a normal response to danger, but it's the worst possible response to a dog because it triggers the animal's instinct to chase and bite. Many dogs just sniff and leave. Teach your children to stay still until the animal walks away, and then back away slowly out of the area.

-- "Feed" the dog a jacket or backpack if attacked, or use a bike to block the dog. These strategies may keep an attacking dog's teeth from connecting with flesh.

-- Act like a log if knocked down -- face down, legs together, curled into a ball, with fists covering the back of the neck and forearms over the ears. This position protects vital areas and can keep an attack from turning fatal.

Role-play these lessons with your child until they are ingrained. Dealing with the dangers in your own yard and teaching your children how to cope may spare your child a bite -- and even save a life.

SIDEBAR

Safety starts at home

Is your dog a time bomb? Answer these questions and be brutally honest:

-- Has your dog ever "stared you down"? If your dog gives you a hard, fixed stare, you need to recognize it for the challenge it is.

-- Does your dog adopt a dominant posture with you or other people? A dog who's trying to be boss will be up on his toes, with his legs stiff, ears forward and hackles raised. His tail will be held up or out, and may even be wagging a little. Don't confuse the latter for friendliness. There's big difference between the wide, relaxed wag of a friendly dog and the stiff, tight one of an aggressive animal.

-- Do you avoid doing certain things around your dog because they elicit growling or a show of teeth? Some people live their lives in fear of their dog, avoiding the animal when he's eating, sleeping, playing with a toy ... the list can be endless.

-- Do you consider your dog safe, except around a particular group of people, such as children? When he growls at the veterinarian, do you tell yourself the behavior is reasonable because the animal thinks the doctor is "mean"?

-- Has your dog ever bitten anyone? Whatever the reason, no matter the excuse, a dog who has bitten once is more likely to bite again than the dog who has never bitten at all.

A "yes" to any of these questions means you do have a problem, and you need to find help. Talk to your veterinarian about a referral to a trainer or behaviorist with experience in canine aggression.

While some dogs with aggression problems cannot be reformed, others can, with a combination of medication and retraining, and a big dose of dog-savvy on the part of the owner.

If your dog cannot be trusted, even after professional help, don't try to pass the problem along to someone else just because it's too hard to do what needs to be done. Take responsibility and euthanize your dog. You may be sparing a child a lifetime of fear and disfigurement, or you may even be saving someone's life.

READERS WRITE

Give up our pit? We'd move first

Thank you for speaking out against banning pit bulls. As you noted, the blame for most dog attacks can be attached to ignorant, negligent and sometimes criminal dog owners and breeders. I also believe that pit bull bans are instigated by sensationalistic reporting and enacted by self-serving, mean-spirited politicians.

Five years ago, we adopted a 1-year-old pit bull from the shelter, and she's been with us ever since. She loves every person she meets, and she's never as much as curled her lip at anyone. If our city ever enacted an ordinance like Denver's, we'd move rather than give her up. -- D.D., via e-mail

Giving up our dog

I wake each morning knowing that my time with my beloved Cyrus is coming to an end. I have been fighting since February 2005 because landlords do not want us because we have a "pit bull." Now we have to take a place for ourselves that does not allow our dog. It breaks my heart knowing he will no longer be with me.

He has always been there for me, and now I have to desert him. It makes me angry and sad. Cyrus is a loving member of our family. If our financial status were better, we could buy a place so we could keep him. Please keep spreading the word, and maybe it will save others the heartache of leaving a friend. -- K.O., via e-mail

In support of bans

The majority of serious dog attacks on humans are done by pit bulls. A few are done by other breeds, but they are seldom the unprovoked attacks that can maim and kill like pit bulls can. My brother is in law enforcement. He can show records of dog attacks going back many years. Most are by pit bulls.

To allow pit bulls within the city limits is absurd. These animals do the most damage the most often. Get rid of the pit bulls and save a life. Many gang types keep a dog as a weapon. Dog of choice: pit bull. Ban pit bulls. -- C.S., via e-mail

Gina responds: After my column against banning pit bulls ran, I was swamped with responses. Most were in agreement, but then, most (but not all) of those who defended pit bulls had them or liked the breed.

Other readers insisted that pit bulls -- a generic term for a handful of breeds, in fact -- were genetically different from other dogs and so should be exterminated down to the last loving pet.

Isn't it odd that the pit bull has been around for decades with no more problems than any other large breed until the criminal element got ahold of it? Does anyone remember when the Doberman was the "killer breed"? What make anyone think that people who want a dangerous dog wouldn't shift to another kind of dog once pit bulls are gone?

Now, to be sure, there are problems with pit bulls, and I'm not denying it. Pit bulls are more likely to be dog-aggressive, thanks to their development as a fighting breed. That's why the group Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pitbulls, aka BAD RAP (www.badrap.org), and others strongly advise against off-leash play with other dogs for pit bulls, and argue they do not belong in dog parks.

As far as aggression against humans, there's no doubt every attack is one attack too many. But my point is that strong and sensible legislation against all dangerous dogs -- not just pit bulls -- will provide municipalities with tools for dealing with menacing dogs no matter the breed.

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

PET BUY

Many dogs love little pools

There's no doubt that many manufacturers realize how much crossover there is between the children's market and the pets' market. I wouldn't be at all surprised to find out that more "baby" gates are sold to dog owners than to parents. And other products, from playpens to toddler toys, do double duty, selling well in both markets.

As summer winds down, you might be able to pick up one of these double-duty items at a deep discount and put it away for your pet's enjoyment next summer. That item? The kiddie pool.

For dogs who love water, a wallow in the pool is a great way to cool down after summer activity. Even dogs who wouldn't dream of getting completely drenched might be convinced of the pleasures of getting their tummies wet.

I keep two pools full for the dogs, draining and hosing them clean every other day before refilling them. While I'm sure the retrievers would rather have a built-in pool, the kiddie pools seem to keep them happy and cool enough all summer long.

PET Rx

Pets can get sunburned, too

While a pet's fur coat provides protection from the sun's harmful rays, some pets are still at risk for sunburn. Among them: hairless breeds like the Chinese crested, animals with thin, light-color coats, and pets whose coats have thinned with age. Animals who are recovering from surgery are also at risk on the areas that were shaved.

Prevention is always better than treatment. Keep high-risk pets out of direct sunlight. If your pet must be in the sun, apply sunblock. Recommended products include Johnson & Johnson's Waterbabies, Bullfrog waterproof and EltaBlock waterproof. The benefit of waterproof products is that they're also dog-saliva-proof.

You can also try putting a child's T-shirt on the animal to protect him from harmful rays. Pets with a small problem area, such as a light spot on a nose, may be a candidate for having the area permanently tattooed with dark ink.

If your pet gets sunburned, liberal amounts of an aloe vera preparation can be applied. Do not apply any other medication without first discussing it with your veterinarian.

Sun protection is important not just for sunburn -- the same kinds of dogs who are vulnerable to sunburn are often at risk for skin cancer, too.

(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

Training your cat can be fun for you both

Some people point to the dog's ability to learn obedience commands and tricks as proof that dogs are smarter than cats. Others point to the same thing as proof that cats are smarter than dogs -- cats don't have to work for a living.

Cats and dogs are different in how they relate to us. Dogs have an ingrained need to be part of a family structure and to have a job to do within that family. Dogs are that way in large part because wolves are that way -- survival depends on the family, or pack.

The cat came from a different place, descended from solitary hunters who didn't need teamwork to survive.

If you want to put a good spin on it as a cat lover, you could say that dogs need to be with us, while cats choose to.

Because of this distinction, you absolutely cannot get a cat to do something he doesn't want to. Something must be in it for him. When training a cat, that something is usually food.

For example, you can start teaching the "sit" command to a hungry cat using a table, a quiet room and some treats. Get your cat to stand up by touching her in front of her tail. Then hold the treat a little over her head, saying her name and the command "sit." Slowly move the treat between your cat's ears, but not high enough for her to pick her front paws off the ground and grab the tidbit. Instead, she'll sit. After she does, praise her and give her the treat. Work in short sessions and be patient. Your cat will eventually get the idea!

Build on your successes. From "sit" can come "sit up." Many cats also love active tricks, such as jumping through hoops.

"Clicker" training -- marking a correct behavior with a noise and following with a treat -- works great when training cats. Clicker-training guru Karen Pryor offers a collection of instructions, streaming video, books, and other tools and tips for clicker-training cats on her Web site at www.clickertraining.com/training/cats.

PETS ON THE WEB

Resources for the hard-shelled

Felice Rood is a dynamo, a one-woman army fighting for the good of turtles and tortoises everywhere. Felice's World of Turtles Web site (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/felicerood) lets more people in on the commonsense care tips and lively sense of humor she shares in person with members of the Sacramento Turtle and Tortoise Club.

Best bets: excerpts from the club's newsletters, especially Rood's stories of her pets. The care sheets for various species are lifesavers, and you can order either or both of Rood's turtle and tortoise care videos on the site. World of Turtles would be helped out a great deal, though, by providing links to other sites devoted to these charming beings, such as the extremely comprehensive site of the New York Turtle and Tortoise Society (www.nytts.org), the California Turtle and Tortoise Club (www.tortoise.org), or the reptile resources on Melissa Kaplan's Herp Care Collection (www.anapsid.org).

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

Obedience training for dogs, necessary as it is for the development of a well-mannered companion, has one built-in problem, in the mind of dog trainer and author Liz Palika.

"General obedience has a tendency to be too serious," she says. "Even when you're trying to be positive with your dog, there's a tendency to be too serious."

Peg that to the boot-camp mentality a lot of pet owners can't shake when it comes to obedience training, despite the introduction of more positive motivation methods in most training classes. In the minds of many dog lovers still, you take your dog to class to "break" him of annoying behaviors, to bark commands at him, to correct him for being "bad."

Your dog may be learning, but neither of you is having any fun. That's why Palika likes trick-training.

"When you get people to laugh, you have it made," she says. "It's so much fun for the dog, too. They're getting your attention, and you're laughing. Dogs know what laughter is, and they pick up your attitude."

Palika has been a dog trainer for more than 20 years and the author of pet-care books for a decade. She started her career as a dog handler in the military and now teaches dog-training classes out of the tidy compound in a former pasture north of San Diego. Obedience training may be her bread and butter, but she loves to get her students to teach their dogs tricks, too.

Sometimes it's not just for fun: Some of the trick-trained dogs from her classes end up showing off their skills at pet-therapy visits, and a couple have landed paid gigs in advertising.

But it's that changing of attitude that Palika likes about trick-training most of all. You're having fun with your dog, but he's still learning, she says, and this can be a great confidence-builder for a shy dog.

So where to start? Palika says to consider the temperament and physical abilities of your dog. Some tricks are best for active dogs, while others are well-suited to couch potatoes. Some physical limitations apply as well: Dogs with long backs, such as dachshunds, shouldn't be taught to beg because sitting up can put strain on their backs. "Safety is always an issue," she says.

Above all, be modest in your expectations. "Don't try to do the more elaborate tricks first," says Palika. "Your dog will get discouraged, and you'll get discouraged. Start with the basics and work your way up."

The basics start with some of those behaviors commonly taught in obedience classes: "sit," "down" and "stay," along with the request for attention, "watch me." From these basics, it's easy to train the more simple of tricks, including "shake hands" and "roll over," ideal for the more sedentary dogs. For active dogs, weaving through an owner's legs while walking is an easy one to teach. With the addition of some relatively inexpensive equipment, such as hoops, tunnels and jumps, you can come up with routines that everyone will enjoy, including your dog.

Best of all, when your dog does succeed, the relationship between you will improve. "Once you're successful at a couple of tricks, it's addictive," says Palika.

SIDEBAR

Trick-training resources

Are you ready to have fun with your dog? Trick-training doesn't take much more than a dog, some treats, some time and an upbeat attitude. Several books are available to help get you started. Among them:

Liz Palika's "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Dog Tricks" (Alpha Books, $15) not only shows you how to teach your dog tricks, but also helps you to understand why trick-training is so useful and rewarding for you both. The guide explains how to decide which tricks are best for any individual dog, and how to lay the groundwork for ever more advanced behaviors. Clear step-by-step instructions and lots of pictures help immensely.

If you want to learn a few new tricks yourself, pick up Deborah Jones' "Clicker Fun: Dog Tricks and Games Using Positive Reinforcement" (Howlin Moon Press, $20). "Clicker" training uses a small noisemaker to "mark" a good behavior and then follows that noise with a treat. The technique is called "operant conditioning" and got its start as a practical tool by trainers of marine mammals. The use of a clicker has really gained ground in dog training in recent years, and it's well-suited for training tricks. -- G.S.

Q&A

'Dusty' cockatoo perfectly normal

Q: We bought a cockatoo and cage recently from some people who were moving. Diva is very affectionate and playful, but she constantly sheds white powder that gets all over our clothes. It doesn't seem like it would be healthy to breathe, either. Is there something we can add to the diet, or spray on her, to stop this? -- D.B., via e-mail

A: Some species of pet birds -- the cockatoo is perhaps the best example -- give off a great deal of feather dust, a natural, powdery grooming material that originates from the powderdown feathers over the flank and hip areas. As you've discovered, this powder can make quite the mess. I once spent a few minutes snuggling with an adorable Moluccan cockatoo at my veterinarian's office and ended up with my dark T-shirt almost completely covered in white powder.

I'm sorry to say that the powder is perfectly normal and necessary for your bird, and living with it is part of the deal of sharing your life with a cockatoo. A room-sized air cleaner will help remove the floating powder and will make breathing better for all of you, Diva included. The only other advice I can give you is the same advice given by a friend with a large white dog who sheds constantly: Never wear black.

Keep a kitty garden

Q: You've said it's a good idea to provide indoor cats with plants to chew on. What kind of plants are best for cats to eat? -- P.C., via e-mail

A: It's easy to keep greens on hand for your cat's nibbling pleasure. It doesn't take much of a green thumb, and indoor kitties in particular will be ever so grateful for your thoughtfulness.

Grasses are always a favorite. Since cats seem to like the most tender shoots best, sow a fresh crop every couple of weeks in a wide, shallow planter. Alfalfa, rye and wheat seeds are ideal. You can find seeds from catalogs or nurseries. Choose organic seeds to make sure they haven't been treated with something your cat doesn't need to eat. If you search pet-supply stores, catalogs and Web sites, you can find pre-packaged kitty greens, complete with seeds, soil and planter. All you need do is add water.

Parsley and thyme are also popular with some cats. Any decent nursery will have seeds or young plants ready to be transplanted into a pot. Experiment and see what your cat like best!

Spaying young kittens

Q: Our sweet old cat died last year. After a few catless months for the first time in our marriage, we decided it was time for a kitten. We were a little shocked to find out the shelter spays the kittens before they go to new homes. Is that really safe? -- L.E., via e-mail

A: Puppies and kittens can be safely neutered as young as 8 weeks. And studies have consistently shown no long-term problems with health or behavior for surgeries that are done earlier than the 4- to 6-month ideal previously considered to be standard procedure.

If your shelter's policy is to insist on early spay-neuter, I wouldn't let that deter you from adopting a kitten there. On the contrary, such policies show that the organization is actively fighting pet overpopulation by trying to stop the "kittens-out, kittens-in" cycle that happens when last year's babies become this year's parents.

If you end up with a kitten from another source, follow your veterinarian's advice on when to alter your pet. Although early spay-neuter is safe, not all veterinarians are comfortable with performing the operation that early.

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

PET Rx

Encouraging cats to drink more

Do you think of nutrition as being just about what your cat eats? Don't forget that what your cat drinks is just as important to her well-being. Water -- clean, fresh and ever-present -- is essential to nearly every process of your cat's body, which is 70 percent water.

The tiniest cells of living beings cannot survive without water. Nutrients are carried and wastes removed by water. A cat may be able to survive without eating for weeks if need be (please don't test this fact, though), but without water, death comes in days.

Problem is, cats can be difficult to keep hydrated. Always make sure you supply your cat with water, and encourage her to drink by keeping the dish clean and the water fresh. Some cats prefer running water, and some owners oblige by opening taps for their pets.

Some manufacturers sell pet fountains that constantly recycle water to make it seem fresh to a finicky feline. If your pet-products supplier doesn't carry these products, check out the ads in the back of any cat magazine. Feline fountains pop up pretty regularly there.

(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

Indulge your catnip junkie

Not all cats like catnip. The ability to appreciate the herb is genetic, with slightly more cats in the fan club than not. These hard-wired preferences aren't immediately apparent, though, since kittens under the age of 3 months don't react to catnip at all.

Among those cats who do like catnip, you'll find two basic kinds of reactions: Your cat may seem to become a lazy drunk or a wired-up crazy. Credit a substance called "nepetalactone," which is found in the leaves and stems and causes the mood-altering behavior.

Is catnip safe? While some cat experts recommend that you grow your own catnip or buy only organically raised products, the consensus is that you can treat your cat as often as you (and your cat) wish. Catnip is considered to be nonaddictive and harmless.

PET TIP

Big dogs present big challenges

Is a large dog right for you, or will a smaller one do?

Large dogs are the perfect choice for active people: joggers, hikers and cross-country skiers. Large dogs can pull a wagon, walk for miles, chase a ball for hours. They are usually not so sensitive to the ear-pulls and tail-grabs of children, and a solid pat on the ribs will not send them flying across the room.

Of course, there are trade-offs. The bigger a dog gets, the more food eaten and the more waste produced. Big dogs are harder to handle, especially when young. They're more likely to knock over your toddler or your grandmother, more capable of destroying your home, and more likely to inflict a serious injury should they decide to bite. A pushy small dog is annoying; a pushy large one is dangerous. Large dogs are harder to travel with and more expensive to arrange vacation care for. If you don't own your own home, you may find securing housing that accepts a large dog nearly impossible.

Larger breeds generally need more exercise and are more likely to find other ways to shed nervous energy -- like digging, barking or chewing -- if they don't get enough to keep them happy. Even the largest dogs are not impossible to keep in apartments, townhouses and homes with small yards, but you have to work doubly hard to meet their exercise needs under those circumstances.

In some breeds, the size difference between males and females is dramatic -- as much as 3 to 6 inches and up to 40 pounds or more. If you're attracted to the looks of large breeds such as the Rottweiler or Bernese mountain dog but want don't want such a large pet, consider a female.

PETS ON THE WEB

Site for fans of eight-legged pets

Looking for a pet that's a little different and sure to scare most of the people you know? Consider a tarantula! The American Tarantula Society (www.atshq.org) has put together a site that celebrates these large arachnids (that's spiders to the rest of us) with useful care information as well as articles that are more in-depth and academic in tone. The pieces include information on how to know when a tarantula is sick and what to do to help.

Most interesting is the gift shop, where you can buy T-shirts, books and even live spiders. Yes, for a small cost you can have a baby tarantula show up in your mailbox. (The stuff of some people's nightmares is a dream come true to others, I suppose.) The ATS site also has pictures, and a nifty bulletin board frequented by serious hobbyists and beginners alike. Arachnophobics, beware! -- G.S.

Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies," "Cats for Dummies" and "Birds for Dummies." She is also affiliated with the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or send e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com. You can also read her frequently updated Web log or view her column archives at www.spadafori.com.

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

We all know of the dogs who work actively to serve us -- those who help in law enforcement, those who find victims after a disaster, or those who assist people with disabilities. These animals perform an invaluable service, without a doubt.

A less active and perhaps less lauded form of service is done by other dogs, often trained and handled by dedicated volunteers. These dogs do their duty by sitting quietly, by listening, by offering undivided attention and unconditional love to people who need it most -- those isolated by illness or struggling with tragedy.

They are therapy dogs, and no one who has ever watched one work can doubt the difference they make.

"I got started because I had long wanted to do something for people in nursing homes," says Kathy Diamond Davis, the author of "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others" (Dogwise, $20) and a therapy dog handler of almost 20 years experience.

"I had met a neighbor couple when I was out training my dog, and he was doing doctor-ordered walking," she says. "His wife came to my door one day and told me he had passed away, and she wanted me to know that the last thing he had spoken of before he died was my little dog, Angel. I felt God tapping me on the shoulder, and got moving to our first therapy dog visit."

Over the years Davis has trained and volunteered with five therapy dogs and has had many other such experiences. The dogs, she says, touch people on a level that opens them up and can then give others the chance to help them more.

"The benefits therapy dogs provide are emotional," she says. "When the dog gets someone to get up out of bed, get out of their room, get dressed and participate in social life in the facility, the benefits can truly cascade from there."

Of course, you can't wake up one morning, snap a leash on your dog and head for the nearest hospital or convalescent facility. Therapy dog groups have worked hard for years to establish the value of canine support, and they're careful to maintain that trust and good will. While Davis believes many dogs can do some sort of therapy work, she says it's important that the established standards be met and maintained.

"Therapy dog handlers require control skills with their dogs as well as extensive social skills," she says. "For a typical, well-suited team, weekly classes for five or six months combined with daily practice of the class homework in as many safe settings as possible is a great start."

After that, says Davis, the team needs to be tested and certified to be as sure as possible that the dog and handler are ready to serve.

"The dog must be steady around other dogs, all kinds of people, noises, sights, smells -- anything can and does happen on a therapy dog visit," she says. "Because we all love our own dogs and can't be totally objective, I believe the suitability of the handler and dog team for therapy dog work needs to be determined by testing."

The long-term commitment of time, energy and emotion tends to wash out all but the most committed volunteers. But for those who stick with it, the benefits are immense.

"The work is challenging to your mental and physical skills and therefore constantly motivates you to improve. It's top-quality time with your dog that also connects you with your community," says Davis. "I am endlessly fascinated by living and working with dogs. And I care about humans. That made therapy dog work natural for me."

SIDEBAR

Can your dog help?

Some long-established nonprofit organizations offer resources on therapy dogs:

-- Delta Society (deltasociety.org, (425) 226-7357). Based in Bellevue, Wash., the Delta Society works to unite people with disabilities and patients in health-care facilities with professionally trained service animals.

-- Therapy Dogs International (www.tdi-dog.org, (973) 252-9800). Based in Flanders, N.J., TDI works to regulate, test and register therapy dogs and their volunteer handlers.

-- Canine Companions for Independence (www.caninecompanions.org, (707) 577-1700). Perhaps better known for training dogs to work with people who use wheelchairs or with the hearing-impaired, the Santa Rosa, Calif.-based CCI also trains therapy dogs for placement in health-care facilities and schools.

The full interview with Kathy Diamond Davis, author of "Therapy Dogs," is available on the Pet Connection Web log at http://spadafori.typepad.com/woof/2005/08/therapy_dogs.html. -- G.S.

Q&A

Vegetarian diet not for felines

Q: I found an abandoned kitten in a parking lot, and I've decided to keep her. After a couple of iffy weeks, the vet says she's in good health. But I have a problem with my vet's recommendations on how to feed this kitten.

I'm a vegan. I don't eat meat or buy products made from animals because I can't support the suffering that the animals go through.

My vet says I can't avoid meat when feeding the kitten, and she's very adamant on this point. I've read on the Internet that I can add some supplements to a meatless diet, and the kitten will be OK. What do you think? -- C.N., via e-mail

A: I agree with your veterinarian. Your cat needs protein from meat.

There's some wiggle room with canine nutritional demands, and many people are able to maintain their dogs on meatless diets. But cats are "obligate carnivores," meaning they need meat. If you look at animal-rights discussion sites on the Internet, you'll find this is a well-debated topic, with many vegan activists admitting that it isn't right to deny a true carnivore access to meat.

I respect the decisions you've made for own life, but if you're going to care for a true carnivore like a cat, you're going to need follow your veterinarian's advice on this matter. If you want a pet that eats no meat by design, adopt an herbivore, such as a rabbit.

Ice a cool treat

Q: Is it OK to let our dog eat ice? She begs for it out of our glasses on these hot days. -- S.T., via e-mail

A: I get this question every summer, and the news is good for dogs: Indulge them.

Ice is a cool treat on a hot day, and some dogs really like it. For a change of pace, make your dog some "pupsicles" by freezing broth in ice-cube trays (I prefer the low-salt, low-fat variety). The treat is best offered outside, for obvious reasons.

Ice is a great way to keep your dog's water cool on a hot day, too. Create ice blocks by freezing water in margarine tubs, and float the frozen chunks in your dog's water dish.

No white on this cat

Q: Will you make a correction? Your answer to the question about the calico and tortoiseshell was incorrect. A calico is an orange, black and white cat. The tortoiseshell is only black and orange with no white.

Also while we're on the subject of coat patterns, a striped cat is not a "tiger" -- it is a "tabby." So many idiots call these cats a "tiger cat." -- A.B., via e-mail

A: I wouldn't go so far as to call them "idiots," but I get your point and am happy to pass along the clarification.

Along the same lines, I do confess to biting my tongue when people are telling me about their "golden" Labs. There are golden retrievers and there are yellow Labradors, but no such thing as a "golden" Labrador. Labradors come in three colors: black, yellow and chocolate. I guess when you're familiar with the proper terms, it's annoying to hear the wrong ones.

In the end, though, it only matters that the animal is loved and well-cared for.

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

PET Rx

Flies are more than a nuisance

As the summer winds down, the flies get ugly. Fly strike -- typically bites on the tips of the ears -- can drive a dog crazy and can cause problems that include the loss of the ear tips.

In the most critical cases, typically involving outdoor pets that don't get much attention (such as hutch-bound rabbits), flies can lay eggs in wounds or around tender areas, and the resulting maggot infestation can be so severe that an animal can die.

Aggressive measures are needed to fight the problems caused by flies. Keep animals and their housing areas clean, remove waste and uneaten food promptly, and check daily for signs of fly bites or maggot infestations. Keep fresh fly traps on hand, and spray for flies using products safe for use around animals. Longhaired animals are at higher risk because their fur may retain urine or feces, which attracts flies. These animals may need to have their fur kept clipped short for sanitary reasons.

When an animal shows signs of fly strike, get help from your veterinarian right away. Both oral and topical antibiotics may be needed, along with topical products designed for the animals to keep flies off. Whatever you do, don't ignore the problem: Fly strike makes animals miserable, even in its mildest forms.

(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.)

READER PARTICIPATION

Share your tales of pets, traveling

Traveling with pets has never been more popular. With choices from "ruffing it" at campgrounds to getting pampered at luxury resort hotels, pets and the people who love them are increasingly finding the light left on and the welcome mat left out.

Did you take your pet on your summer vacation? We want to hear about it, and see your vacation pictures. Did you head for the mountains or the beach? Did your pet influence your travel plans? Did you run into any problems? What are your best tips for safe and easy traveling? What's your best pet-travel experience?

Send your stories and images (jpegs only, please) to petconnection@gmail.com, and we'll share them in upcoming Pet Connections.

BREED TYPE

Handsome pointer no couch potato

The low-profile German shorthaired pointer was thrust into the limelight last February when the dazzling Carlee (Ch. Kan-Point's VJK Autumn Roses) went best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show.

The prestigious win sparked so much interest in this smart, friendly sporting dog that the president of the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America put a cautionary notice on the club's Web site (www.gspca.org) warning prospective owners that these dogs need a tremendous amount of exercise, training and attention.

In addition to their boundless energy, German shorthaired pointers also have lively and inquisitive minds, and can get into a lot of trouble if not given sufficient acceptable outlets for their intelligence and enthusiasm, such as work in obedience, agility or hunting.

Because of their people-loving nature, they may not be happy if relegated to a back yard or a kennel run. This isn't to say lots of time spent outdoors won't suit them very well; it will. They are ideal for owners who love hiking or other outdoor activity, and they'll happily retrieve both on land or in water.

But much as they love the outdoors, German shorthaired pointers need company and activity while they're out there, or they're going to take up digging as a hobby. Or barking. Or both. After all, these dogs are known for their versatility.

Weighing in between 40 and 75 pounds, with a short, easy-to-care-for coat that comes in different shades and patterns of brown, German shorthaired pointers are typically healthy and long-lived, and they require little more than the basics in the way of grooming: regular nail trimming, a quick daily brushing to remove dead hair, and the occasional bath.

The breed is generally good with children, and these dogs make excellent family pets as long as their needs for companionship, mental stimulation and exercise are met. -- Christie Keith, pethobbyist.com

BY THE NUMBERS

Spending on reptiles

Image: lizard (no credit)

Optional caption: The annual reported spending on a lizard averages $151.

Although some reptilian or amphibian pets can be expensive to acquire and set up, they're generally not that expensive to maintain. Costs per year as reported in 2004, by variety of pet:

Turtle/Tortoise $106

Snake $163

Lizard $151

Iguana $255

Frog/Toad $45

Source: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association

PETS ON THE WEB

Insider's view of emergency medicine

The author of the Pet Peeves Web log (http://spaces.msn.com/members/petpeeves6003) is an Ohio veterinarian who works in an emergency clinic. A self-described "E.R. geek" (right down to the vanity plates on her car), she describes the hard work, disappointments and triumphs of a job in which, when you meet an animal, there's usually a life on the line.

There's a lot of good information here, such as warnings against giving acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol) to animals, especially cats. Typically, such warnings come after a patient dies. But mixed in among the sad losses are such feel-good postings as the pictures of the animals who make it, sometimes against all odds, and come back to the clinic with their grateful owners for a visit.

The Web log has a loyal following and no wonder: The stories are so compelling you just can't stop checking for the latest.

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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