I have been feeding a young, black and white cat for awhile now. I thought he or she was feral, but no. The cat comes and loves to be petted now. If you lost one in the Cragsmoor area, please call me at 647-6412. Or if you would like to adopt this cat, call.

I read a touching story in CatNip magazine put out by Tufts University Veterinary School. It is called, "Tale of Turnpike Cats," by Nancy Peterson. The story tells of a woman who stopped on a Pennsylvania Turnpike rest stop and saw a colony of feral cats. An old man was feeding them, but could not afford shots or altering. Since the cat rescue groups, who claimed to help, did not, Ms. Raffaele had to slowly take care of it by herself. This wonderful person also organized two seminars to teach local groups about dealing with feral cats and their care. I needed help for my sister up in Rochester (western NY) and we could find no group who would help her. Granted, they are overwhelmed with cats, but Alley Cat Allies and others should not create a false idea that they actually come out and help people. If they only help in say, Washington, D. C. or Seattle, they should tell that in their literature and websites.

* * * Think, think, think before you buy a pet. How much time do you have? How much money do you have? What size will the animal be? If the children ignore the pet will you take over the care? Do you stay away from home more than seven hours a day? Do you like to travel a lot? Do you want the job of caretaker for 15 to 30 years, depending on the animal? In the case of a parrot, how about an 80 year commitment? We all think animals are pretty, exotic and fun at first, but you and I are supposed to be the ones with the bigger brains — so think.

* * * I was so sorry to hear that a dog at the house at Yankee Place and Maple Avenue died in the house fire. Our hearts go out to the people.

* * * Most of the folks I know have more than one cat and sometimes more than one dog. The thing is, a dog needs company far more than a cat does. The life of an only dog can be very lonely at times. Dogs are especially sociable animals by the fact that they live in packs. The reason they teamed up with humans so early probably has a lot to do with that fact. One person and one dog can become a close pack, but if the person goes to work all day, the only dog is living in an unnatural situation. Some dogs become bored and destructive because of the loneliness. I think it would be nice to always get another dog or at least a cat who likes your dog and vice versa. The best way to have a cat attached to a dog is to get a kitten. You have to be sure your dog likes cats to begin with and do not leave them alone together until you are sure of this. I know how people love pit bulls, but I had a friend who left her pit bull and a cat alone one evening and the pit bull killed the cat while they were out. It was a sudden thing, as with most pit bull attacks. Life had been fine for years, but for some reason, whamo.

So if you don't want to go the dog-cat route, get another younger dog for your dog and opposite sexes might be best. Of course everyone needs to be spayed and neutered first. You might want the dogs near the same size, unless they grow up together as puppies.

Speaking of companion animals, rabbits do not like a buddy. They do much better alone, but my two guinea pig brothers seemed to like each other very much. Birds also like a friend, but if you have the bird in the living room with TV and people around it is enough company. Never get a bird and leave him away from people; they may need company more than dogs do.