When it comes to rules and laws, I'm not much of a risk taker. I'm not a speeder or a tax cheat, and when young, I never was tempted to get a fake ID.

But I am a chronic law breaker when it comes to exercising my dogs, and oh, do I wish I didn't have to be. In this, I'm not alone: A massive underground of determined dog lovers trades information on places to run our dogs off-leash with the least chance of being ticketed.

Believe me, we'd rather be legit -- so give us legal opportunities for off-leash recreation. Not just tiny fenced areas so overused the grass won't grow, but places where we can walk with our dogs and have them swim and fetch. The exercise is good for both us and our dogs, and it makes our dogs healthier and better behaved.

Although my community is slow to embrace the concept of open off-leash recreation areas, others in the region are not. Sometimes I will drive more than an hour for the privilege of visiting areas like the fabulous Point Isabel off-leash recreation area in Richmond, Calif.

Point Isabel is popular with responsible pet lovers who play by the rules and govern by peer pressure. Leave a pet mess behind? Prepare to be yelled at. Dog untrained? Prepare to be lectured. People who use areas like Point Isabel aren't about to lose them because of clueless dog owners and their ill-mannered pets.

I'd choose a dedicated off-leash open area to run my dogs in anytime. But I can't always drive out of town, so I also drive to local places where my retrievers can swim. I go at odd hours, my dogs are friendly, trained and well-socialized, and yes, I clean up after them.

Why should we dog lovers have to skulk around like this? In terms of sheer numbers, we are a larger population than tennis, soccer or softball players, all groups whose needs are recognized and addressed by those who plan public recreation facilities. Our dogs are our chosen form of recreation, and we deserve open space as much as any other group.

Exercise is one of the most important -- and least-recognized -- components of dog care, especially for large dogs. Destructive and anti-social behaviors find their roots in boredom and unspent nervous energy. How many dogs would be spared a trip to the shelter if only they had a place to be socialized and exercised on a regular basis?

Medical issues matter, too, with veterinarians reporting obesity as rampant in pets as it is in humans -- and with many of the same sad results when it comes to health and quality of life.

Off-leash recreation areas work, and they're just as good for dog haters as dog lovers. If the recreational needs of dog lovers are covered, it's perfectly fair to crack down on them elsewhere. Steep fines for off-leash dogs are justified in areas of high human use, just as long as there are alternatives elsewhere for off-leash play.

I don't like being a criminal, and I wouldn't be if my legitimate needs as a dog lover were recognized. If you feel the same way, let your elected officials know about it. Every community is capable of putting aside some open space for off-leash recreation. Don't feel like writing a letter? Clip this column and send it to the decision makers in your community. Your dogs will thank you, and so will mine.

SIDEBAR

Off-leash recreation that works

The Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Park has been open to off-leash recreation since 1987. The Point Isabel Dog Owners (PIDO) group works to keep the 21-acre site functioning smoothly for the people and dogs who use it -- an estimated 800,000 visits every year, with relatively few problems.

Point Isabel also has a retail store that offers pet supplies and dog-washing (Mudpuppy's). For people, there's a dining facility with snacks and light food and drinks (the Sit-and-Stay Cafe).

For more information, visit the PIDO Web site (www.pido.org).

Q&A

Vet closest to 'miracle'

Q: I have a fairly new dog that started having seizures for the last year. He is about 2 years old. I absolutely adore this dog, and I'm afraid that I will lose him. I'm treating him with the usual medication and an enzyme vitamin. Have you heard of any miracle cures? I would appreciate any advice you may have. -- D.P., via e-mail

A: Seizures are among the most frightening things anyone can witness in a pet or other loved one, and the feelings of helplessness and fear that go with them can likewise be devastating. As tempting as it is to reach out for "miracle cures," however, your best bet when it comes to helping your dog is to find a competent and caring veterinarian to help diagnose what's causing the seizures and what medications will best treat the disease.

In chasing "miracles cures" on the Internet, you are wasting time while putting your pet's health in jeopardy. Not to mention, many of those who offer what seem to be miracles are truly interested only in the miracle of your money magically appearing in their bank accounts.

If you do not think your veterinarian is helping with the problem, then by all means ask for a second opinion or get a referral to a specialist. But before you do, ask yourself if you're truly giving your veterinarian permission to use what he or she needs to accurately treat the illness. Are there diagnostic tests you've turned down, or re-check visits you've passed up? When it comes to chronic conditions, diagnostics and re-checks can be vitally important.

You and your veterinarian need to be partners in your pet's care. Make sure your veterinarian is someone you like and respect, so you will be more inclined to work together on your pet's behalf.

As we used to say when I was running the Pet Care Forum on America Online: Get off the 'Net and call your vet. Modern medicine is miraculous in many ways, but only if you're working with a good veterinarian who can help you.

Dog won't listen

Q: I feel like "wait until your father gets home" with our dog. She won't mind me at all, but she hangs on my husband's every word. I feed her, and I took her to obedience class. Why won't she mind me? -- G.W., via e-mail

A: It could be your tone of voice. A deep voice gets respect. That's true with people, and that's true with dogs.

"Most men have deeper voices than do most women," says dog trainer and award-winning author Liz Palika, who notes that canine mothers use a deep growl when correcting bad behavior in their young puppies.

Most women start out with higher-pitched voices than most men have, and when women get frustrated or angry, their pitch goes even higher. "In verbal canine language, a high-pitched voice means either play or hurt," says Palika. "Neither of these conveys authority."

Palika says women can learn to speak so their dogs will respect them. "A deep sound, such as 'acckk' or 'err-err' -- think of Tim Allen in 'Home Improvement' saying 'power tools' and 'err-err' -- is all that's needed," she says. "The sound gets the dog's attention and then other training tools and techniques do the teaching."

If you're still not getting anywhere, ask a good dog trainer to help you. Despite the fact that men seem to have an edge when it comes to getting a dog's respect, most dog trainers these days are women! Male or female, a good dog trainer will help you project the right body language and tone to get your dog's attention and respect.

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

PET TIP

Keep hounds from howling

Howling is fun. It's like group singing or picking up the microphone at a canine karaoke machine. It's a way for dogs scattered across a few miles and separated by fences to get in touch with their inner wolf and be part of something bigger ... a pack!

It used to be thought that sirens hurt the sensitive ears of dogs and that howling was a protest of pain. But now it's thought to be an instinctive group behavior. The right noise -- a siren, or even the right notes on a viola -- will get a dog lifting his nose to the sky, and once the woo-wooing/wow-wowing starts, other dogs just can't help but join in.

Some breeds are more prone to howling than others. The wolfish Northern breeds seem to take to it naturally, as do hounds such as beagles and bassets, with their distinctive baying.

Of course, no matter how much fun your dog is having, the howl-fests aren't winning you any fans with your neighbors, so when the woo-wooing starts, hush your puppy.

PET BUY

Glowing is good for your dog, too

If you walk or run after dark, you're probably aware that it's a good idea to wear some sort of reflective garb so drivers can see you and avoid you. But do you realize your dog needs protection, too?

If you're wearing reflective gear and your pet is not, a driver might see you but not notice your canine companion. That's why it's a good idea to have safety gear on your dog, too.

Many pet-supply stores and catalogs offer reflective collars, leashes and vests. If you can't find anything suitable, RuffWear is one of several companies offering safety vests for dogs. Its Lighted Lab Coat with "glow-in-the-park" features has a suggested retail price of $60 (www.ruffwear.com or 888-783-3932).

PET TIP

Cats eye a marvel of adaptation

If cats wore sunglasses or didn't evolve into creatures who have the nighttime munchies, they probably would have round pupils like ours.

But they're nocturnal hunters who can see well in very dim light. Just as we adjust our headlights from normal headlights to brights, cats' eyes adjust to different lighting conditions. In the daytime, cats have precise control over the amount of light reaching their eyes. This enables them to gaze out the window and zero in on that squirrel in the tree or a bird on the feeder.

Having eyes that reduce the pupils to slits rather than tiny circles gives cats greater and more accurate control in different types of lighting; this ability is particularly important in bright sunlight.

Vertical slits also have another advantage over horizontal slits. Because a cat's eyelids close at right angles to the vertical pupil, a cat can reduce the amount of light even further by bringing her eyelids closer and closer together. This combination of the vertical slits of the pupils and the horizontal slits of the eyelids enables the cat to make the most delicate adjustments to accommodate different lighting. And these actions, in combination, protect the eyes better than sunglasses.

It's a perfect setup for a nighttime hunter who loves to bask in the daytime sun.

This adaptation sets the domestic cat apart from her majestic relative, the lion. Because the lion hunts by day, her pupils do not have the same sensitivity to light as the domestic cat. The lion's eyes contract -- as ours do -- to tiny circles, not vertical slits.

PETS BY THE NUMBERS

Leaping lizards

Reptiles and amphibians are generally quiet pets, and that's one of the top reasons people cite for keeping them. Here are a few of the top reasons (multiple answers allowed):

Fun to watch 75 percent

Companionship 60 percent

Quiet 56 percent

Conversation piece 56 percent

Educational 44 percent

Source: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association

PET BOOKS

Great reads in tales of pets

Allan Zullo and Mara Bovsun have made a career out of collecting interesting news stories and assembling them into equally interesting little books. The pair have three such offerings on pet themes: "Amazing But True Bird Tales," "Mews Items: Strange But True Cat Tales" and "Dogmania: Amazing But True Canine Tales" (each is $10 from Andrews McMeel Publishing).

I picked up the trio of pet books recently and found they're perfect for when you just want a little something light to read -- in my case, they're ideal for picking up for a few minutes just before I fall asleep. Each item is interesting enough to make you glad you opened one of the books, but not so long as to keep you from getting other things done, like napping. They're great little gift books for any pet lover, too.

Award-winning writer Gina Spadafori has two new books out, which were co-authored with "Good Morning, America" veterinary correspondent Dr. Marty Becker: "Do Cats Always Land on Their Feet?" and "Why Do Dogs Drink From the Toilet?" 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.petconnection.com.

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

No purchase is more important when you get a parrot than the cage.

The cage is where your parrot will spend time when you're not home, when the family is sleeping, or when you can't pay attention to your pet.

The first rule of caging: Buy the biggest cage you can afford. Forget the generic categorizations you'll find in pet stores. Those descriptions represent the minimum size to consider -- a better bet is at least one size bigger. For a cockatiel, get a cage for a small parrot. The bigger, the better, always, as long as the bar spacing isn't so big that your pet could escape.

Dimensions are important, too. Tall and narrow cages may look nice, but they force birds to fly more like a helicopter than in the style that comes naturally for them. Parrots like to fly horizontally as well as climb up and down in their cages, so a cage should be wide enough to accommodate both activities.

Metal is generally the best material for a cage. Wood is too hard to clean and usually won't stand up to the abuse parrots can give out, and some manufacturers are experimenting with acrylics. But while these components can make attractive housing for your pet, they may not offer enough social interaction to keep a bird happy.

With so many cages available, how can you be sure you're buying one of high quality? Here are a few points to consider.

-- Design. You want a cage to be attractive, but even more important, it should be workable for you and your bird. Look for features such as a birdproof latch; dishes that are easy to move, remove and clean; and a droppings tray that takes standard-sized newspapers. Make sure you can easily reach in and make contact with your bird, wherever your pet may be within the cage.

Mess-catchers can be helpful, too. They look like an inverted metal skirt around the base of the cage. The best position for the slide-out droppings tray at the bottom of the cage is under a grid so your bird can't get to it. High-impact, durable plastic or metal is a good choice for a droppings tray. No matter what the material, the tray ought to slide out smoothly and be easy to clean.

-- Sturdiness. You're going to have your bird and the cage for a very long time, so you need to make sure the construction is solid. Check seams, welds and places where wires and corners meet. Is everything smooth and sturdy, with nothing for a bird to chip off and chew? Beware chipping or flaking paint, or welds that can be broken off and swallowed.

Used cages can be a real value, if well-made to begin with. Look for wear and rust. And before introducing your bird to any cage that another bird has used, scrub thoroughly, disinfect with a bleach/water solution, rinse completely, and allow to air-dry.

-- Convenience. A cage stand is great, especially with cages designed for smaller parrots. You and your bird are likely to appreciate having the cage off the ground -- in your case, for ease of access; for your bird's, visual perspective. Some stands come with shelves, which are handy for storing newspapers, food and other supplies. Casters are a blessing, too, because you can easily move the cage and stand out from the wall to clean behind it.

Take your time and shop carefully. Many parrot species live for decades, so you'll want the best cage you can manage since you and your bird will be enjoying it for a very long time indeed.

SIDEBAR

Don't forget gear to go

No matter what cage you end up with, you'll also need a carrier for safe transport of your pet parrot. Choose one made of high-impact plastic with vents on the side and a grid door on the front or top. These are marketed for cats and small dogs, but they're just as helpful for transporting birds.

Sturdy carriers are important for reasons beyond trips to the veterinarian. In times of disaster, a carrier allows you to evacuate with your pet safely and keep him contained until conditions improve.

Q&A

Dalmatian gets a 'hyper' rap

Q: I've always liked the looks of Dalmatians, but the ones I meet seem so hyper! Are they good family pets? -- W.D., via e-mail

A: For an active family with time to train and exercise an active breed, a well-bred Dalmatian can be an excellent companion. If the breed's a bad fit for your family -- or if you get a dog from a source that doesn't breed for good health and temperament -- you're in for trouble.

Remember that every breed is perfect for someone, and no breed is perfect for everyone. Even a well-bred Dalmatian is going to be too high-energy for many homes. These dogs were developed to run with carriages for hours, so it's no surprise they're going to be very unhappy without exercise. (On the plus side: They're great companions for runners.) Unhappy high-energy dogs dig, bark, chew and generally drive their owners crazy.

Dalmatians also have a high potential for deafness and other health problems if the pup comes from a source looking to capitalize on the breed's popularity, which rises every time the Dalmatian gets another burst of movie-related publicity. The Dalmatian is indeed a breed to investigate thoroughly before adopting -- but honestly, aren't they all?

For more information, visit the Web site of the Dalmatian Club of America (www.thedca.org).

Hush, birdy

Q: My sister-in-law has an extremely loud pet bird. I don't know what kind he is, but he has a bright yellow-orange body with green wings. She is going to move in with us while she finishes grad school. Ours is a quiet home, and I'm dreading this horrid bird being in the house.

Any ideas? Don't say get rid of the bird. My wife won't do it, and she says it's only for a year. She and her sister are very close, and she's determined to help her. I'm the odd man out. -- P.R., via e-mail.

A: From your description, I'm guessing your sister-in-law has a sun conure. They're beautiful, affectionate and playful, but it's true that they're among the noisiest of all parrot species commonly kept as pets. If they weren't so overwhelmingly beautiful, chances are they wouldn't be popular at all -- that's how loud they can be.

To a certain extent, you're just going to have to live with the din and tell yourself it's just a year. Covering the cage or turning out the lights at night will keep the bird quiet while you're trying to sleep. Your sister-in-law should also be careful that she doesn't reward the noise with either positive (picking up the bird or giving it a treat) or negative (punishing the bird) reinforcement.

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

THE SCOOP

Sleeping dogs likely dreaming

When your dog is whining and running in his sleep, is he dreaming? Chances are good that he is.

Dogs definitely remember things, so it makes sense to believe they have the ability to dream, just as people do. After all, dreaming is a normal part of organizing and reorganizing memories.

Like humans, dogs have two kinds of sleep. The deeper kind is characterized by rapid eye movements, so it's known as REM sleep. We know humans dream during REM sleep. We also know the whining, heavy breathing, twitching and leg movements we've all seen in our dogs occurs during canine REM sleep. So it's not far-fetched to believe dogs are dreaming, too.

We may never know for sure exactly what they're dreaming of, but any guess that involves food is a good one.

PETS ON THE WEB

Crazy cat images flood the Internet

It's amazing how popular the seemingly endless variations of cat-picture Web sites are. There's Stuffonmycat.com, where people post images of ... well, stuff on their cats, everything from magazines to empty beer cans to fruit salad. Why? Why not?

Once you get bored with that, you can cruise over to Catsinsinks.com, where you can click on countless pictures matching the theme. The site notes that basins are OK, too, just as long as a cat is in it.

My favorite of these sites is Kittenwars.com, a sort of "hot or not" competition for the feline set. Visit the site, and you'll see two cats. Pick the one you think's the cutest, and you'll immediately be told how many people agreed with you and be offered another pair from which to choose. Top winners of all time are listed as well.

None of these sites will do much for your productivity, but they're entertaining and surprisingly addictive ways to kill a little time.

PET Rx

Fat cat? Ask your vet for guidance

Too much food and too little exercise is doing to our pets exactly what it's doing to us -- making them fat. And with cats, just as with as humans, obesity all too often leads to diabetes, joint diseases, heart problems, increased risk of cancer, and other serious health and behavioral issues.

Weight loss is important, but a crash diet for a cat can be deadly. If overweight cats lose weight too quickly, they can develop a serious liver disorder that can be challenging to treat and is occasionally fatal. It's called hepatic lipidosis, or fatty liver disease.

Hepatic lipidosis isn't just a problem with dieting cats, either. It's also a problem with sick cats who cannot or will not eat. And it can rear its fatty head when people switch cat foods and think, "If the cat gets hungry enough, she'll eat." A cat can and will starve herself into this potentially fatal condition.

To be safe, cats should lose weight gradually, no more than 1 percent of their body weight per week. The goal is to drop the excess over a period of five or six months.

The best approach to weight loss in cats is a combination of moderate calorie restriction -- ask your veterinarian for dietary guidance -- and increased exercise. Try throwing a mouse-shaped toy or playing with a fishing pole-type toy -- anything to get your cat up and moving.

PETS BY THE NUMBERS

Dog-care gear popular

Keeping a dog well-groomed is as much about health as appearance. Fortunately, most dog lovers purchase the basic equipment for the care and grooming needs of their pets. What they own (multiple answers allowed):

Brush 92 percent

Nail clipper 69 percent

Comb 44 percent

Toothbrush 28 percent

Electric clippers 19 percent

Source: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association

PET TIP

Figuring out a cat's age

Here's a rough way to figure a cat's age in human terms: Count the first year of a cat's life as being comparable to the time a human reaches the early stages of adulthood -- the age of 15 or so. The second year of a cat's life picks up some of that maturity and takes a cat to the first stages of full adulthood in humans -- a 2-year-old cat is roughly equivalent to a person in his mid-20s.

From there, a "5 equals 1" rule works pretty well. A cat of 3 is still young, comparable to a person of 29. A 6-year-old cat, similar to a 41-year-old person, is middle-aged. And a 12-year-old cat, similar to a 65-year-old person, has earned the right to slow down a little. A cat who lives to be 20 is the feline equivalent of nearly 100 in terms of human lifespan.

Award-winning writer Gina Spadafori has two new books out, which were co-authored with "Good Morning, America" veterinary correspondent Dr. Marty Becker: "Do Cats Always Land on Their Feet?" and "Why Do Dogs Drink From the Toilet?" 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.petconnection.com.

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

Are we being unreasonable when we expect perfection -- or should that be "purr-fection"? -- from our cats?

We ask our cats to relieve themselves where we want them to instead of anywhere in their territory, as they would prefer. We ask them to scratch in one place instead of marking every surface, as would be natural for them. We ask them to ignore their ability to jump gracefully onto tables and countertops and to adjust their naturally nocturnal schedule to our daytime ones.

Most cats make the compromises because we simply won't.

But what about the cat who doesn't? By understanding your cat's needs and redirecting his normal behavior, you can have a well-mannered feline companion.

The first step in resolving any behavioral problem is working with your veterinarian to make sure it's not a health problem. All the training techniques in the world won't fix a medical problem. You'll need your veterinarian's help for that.

Cats are so good at hiding illness, it's no surprise how often we misinterpret the signs they do give us. A cat with untreated diabetes, for example, must drink and urinate frequently, so much that he may not be interested in using the litter box. Another common problem: urinary-tract infections. Your cat may find urinating painful and come to associate the pain with his litter box. Are you really surprised he's going to stop using it? And what about biting? The cat who suddenly starts biting may be in pain, lashing out in self-defense. Whatever the problem, it must be treated for you to have a chance at correcting the behavior.

Remember, too, that even healthy cats can become unhinged by stress and may react by altering their behavior in an attempt to cope. Some cats mark territory when their home is "invaded" by a new pet or person. In a cat's mind, this behavior makes sense: Making the world smell like himself is comforting to him (though not to you). You need to relax your cat's stress in other ways, by limiting his territory to a single room, for example, or by putting him on some calming medication, which your veterinarian can provide.

If it's not stress or illness, you need to look at your own role in any behavior problem. Are you asking something of your cat that's not possible for him to give? Your cat may not want to use the litter box if it's rarely cleaned, for example, and asking him to leave the couch alone is not fair if he has nothing else in the house to scratch. You need to provide him with some alternatives before you can hope for good behavior.

Do you provide your cat with enough exercise and entertainment? You need to offer your indoor cat more than just a few hours of your presence a day and a catnip mouse. More toys! More play!

You must also consider that maybe your cat never knew the house rules to begin with. If all you've ever done in the way of training is to scream at or hit your cat, you're probably not teaching him anything except that you're someone to avoid. Physical correction has no place in changing a cat's behavior; cats just don't understand it. And using such correction just stresses them out, leading to even more problems.

Keep a journal of problems to help you spot and understand trends and to remove some of the emotion involved in living with a problem pet. Realizing that your cat's behavior isn't spiteful or capricious can make the problem easier for you to live with while you work on turning the situation around.

Before you give up on your pet, ask your veterinarian about a referral to a behaviorist. A consultation with an expert can provide you with a plan for fixing the problem -- and at a much more reasonable cost than replacing carpeting or a sofa.

Q&A

Don't swat biting cat

Q: We got a beautiful part-Siamese kitty when she was 8 weeks old. She has been a joy to the two of us, both seniors who had resolved not to have any more cats. We do have a problem, though: This beautiful little kitten bites. We have yelled "no," scolded her and batted her nose when she has bitten us. She loves to spar, and she really plays hard and rough. Any suggestions? -- H.S., via e-mail

A: Punishing your kitten for biting is the complete opposite of what you should be doing, and it may make matters worse. When you fight back, you escalate the situation, turning a rough-playing kitten into a fighting one.

Instead, watch your kitten's body language carefully, and stop playing and petting the instant she starts to get aroused toward rough play. The tip of her tail is a key indicator: When it starts to twitch and flip, break off the activity and walk away. If you miss the signs and end up with teeth and claws around your hand or arm, just freeze. Don't scream, hit or otherwise punish her. Chances are your kitten will simply let go. Then leave her be for a while.

Do not encourage rough play, and do not engage in sparring. Again, when she gets wound up, end the play or petting session and walk away. Never, ever use your fingers to play with your kitten -- use toys such as kitty wands or fishing poles. She needs to learn that fingers are not for biting.

Focus your attention in petting her on the area along the chin and at the base of the tail, and avoid more hair-trigger areas such as the tummy. If you're careful to end the petting and play just when she starts getting worked up, you'll be able to teach her to be gentle with you. With the help of training and as she matures, you will one day have a cat whose teeth you won't have to fear.

Daily grooming

Q: I have to disagree with your suggestion about brushing and combing in head-to-tail direction. I was taught to start at the back feet and work up and forward. It makes sense -- many dogs form dense areas of dead hair in the "breeches" area under the tail. If the brushing goes from head to tail, one can end up coming up against all that hair in the breeches area and in the flank area. By loosening up and removing those clogged areas, it is much easier to work toward the front as one is gradually inching forward. The dense fur is combed into a nice "free" area.

Many people don't realize that once that huge grooming is done, it takes only five minutes a day, going over the whole pet, to prevent big problems. When people say how busy they are, I tell them that they used to tend their kids' hair every day and wouldn't think not to! -- A.B., via e-mail

A: I guess I like to start with the easier areas and work up to the harder ones. Others may prefer to tackle the densest areas of fur and mats first. In truth, it doesn't matter much, as long as the grooming gets done.

I love your point that no parent would let a child's hair go uncombed. The fact is when we take on responsibility for children or pets, we have to follow through and provide the best care for them that we can. In this respect, pets truly are like children, relying on us for everything.

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

THE SCOOP

How fast can cats multiply?

After getting yet another fund-raising pitch from a humane organization citing the "fact" that a single female cat can be responsible for producing 420,000 more cats in seven years, I asked The Wall Street Journal's "Numbers Guy," Carl Bialik, to do the math.

It turns out that although feline overpopulation is a real problem, cats simply cannot multiply as exponentially as many humane groups say. After talking to veterinarians about feline reproduction and mathematicians about probabilities, Bialik came up with a range from 100 to 5,000 for the offspring of a single cat -- either way, a far cry from 420,000. If cats truly reproduced that quickly, notes Bialik in his piece on the Journal's Web site, then in the 18 years since that figure first popped up in a newspaper, there'd be 50 trillion cats today. (Best estimates: 90 million pet cats and 70 million ferals.)

The oft-cited number is wrong, but feline overpopulation is still a huge problem, of course. In response to a post on the PetConnection.com Web log, feral cat rescuer Susan Darling Green of upstate New York noted that the reason cats don't reach the "theoretical" highs is because so many die of disease and accidents. "The (420,000) number (is) absurd," she wrote. "But the reason the numbers are wrong is tragic."

In other words: Spay and neuter, please.

PETS BY THE BOOK

Is your dog teaching you?

Most books on pets seem to be about solving problems with your pet -- behavior and health issues, primarily. But can your pet help you solve some of your problems?

That's the premise for the warm little book "DogSense: 99 Relationship Tips From Your Canine Companion" (HCI, $17). In a tender, tongue-in-cheek way, writer Carla Genender and photographer Amy Hill point out the things that dogs can teach us, if we'd just pay a little more attention -- things such as how to enjoy being together doing nothing at all, and "don't complain about the food even if it seems the same thing day in and day out."

Each picture offers a little bit of canine wisdom and an essay expanding on the theme. All in all, it's a nice little book with some important messages to offer.

DOGMOBILES

'Cute utes' a bargain for dog lovers

When I started test-driving SUVs, minivans, wagons and "crossover vehicles" to review their suitability as dogmobiles, I had not been shopping for a car in almost a decade. Honestly, I had no idea how much things had changed, and how many great options there are for those looking for a reliable, reasonably priced vehicle to transport dogs safely.

My favorites of the vehicles I've been driving are the little SUVs known as "cute utes," four-door, four-wheel-drive hatchbacks with zippy handling, high ground clearance, good gas mileage, and room for dogs and their gear.

These vehicles are generally good value, too, including the two I test-drove recently: the Suzuki Grand Vitara and the 2006 Honda CR-V, the latter now replaced with a redesigned version for 2007.

The Suzuki doesn't give off quite the air of confidence that the popular Honda does, but perhaps because of that it tries much harder -- it's packed with all the options for a lot less than others in the class. With its V6, it was perkier than all get-out. No flip-up glass in the rear -- one of my favorite dog-friendly features -- but lots of gadgetry at a price below the competition.

Now about that "lame duck" Honda CR-V. Why write about a model that's being replaced? Because it's one of the best and most popular dogmobiles around, and dealers will be ready to bargain on the remaining new ones in stock as the redesigned 2007 rolls in. (I'll be testing the new 2007 in the weeks to come.) The tried-and-true "old" CR-V is fun to drive, has lots of versatile cargo room and the flip-up rear glass that I really like.

With the Suzuki priced competitively and the 2006 CR-V in full "let's make a deal" mode, it's a good time to look at either of these great dogmobiles.

PETS BY THE NUMBERS

The cat walked in

The old idea that a cat picks you (not the other way around) gains validity in a 2004 poll by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. About one-third of cat owners report that their pet was once a stray. Top choices of where people get their cats (multiple answers allowed):

Friend/relative 43 percent

Stray 34 percent

Animal shelter 15 percent

Kitten of own cat 15 percent

Ad/private party 8 percent

Breeder 3 percent

PETS ON THE WEB

Fun, facts for ferret fans

The American Ferret Association (www.ferret.org) started as a small club in suburban Maryland dedicated to promoting one of the most popular and least understood pets. It has grown into a national association, expanding its goals to include fighting to eliminate laws that ban the animals.

The AFA's Web site has changed tremendously since I last looked in on it, and now offers all the care and behavioral information you'd expect plus a lot more. The shopping section offers a cookbook ($15) for providing more interesting meals for these lively pets, plus a great-looking poster ($15) of ferret colors and patterns, and another ($19) of ferret anatomy. In the links section, the site makes it easy to find a ferret-friendly veterinarian, and the list of ferret rescue and shelter organizations promotes adoption. It's a great makeover of a useful site.

Award-winning writer Gina Spadafori has two new books out, which were co-authored with "Good Morning, America" veterinary correspondent Dr. Marty Becker: "Do Cats Always Land on Their Feet?" and "Why Do Dogs Drink From the Toilet?" 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.petconnection.com.

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