I had a very interesting conversation today about value judgments and control. I was telling my friend about the time a bunch of us tried to control the breeding of dogs and cats in New Jersey. We bought billboards that said, "Sometimes there is too much of a good thing." It showed thousands of puppies and kittens. We also called a meeting to discuss how to approach Trenton (that is where the laws are passed in NJ). Our plan was to ban the breeding of dogs or cats by unlicensed people, to charge $100 license fees per litter to breeders and to ban the import or export of pups or kits out of state. We thought this would really help with the over-population and get the pets in shelters and homes because they would be the most available. This entire plan was meant to help those animals already here.

Well, our mistake was that we invited the breeders to our meeting. We wanted their input. Oh boy! They flipped out and said that they would fight us all the way. So much for their love of dogs and cats. They didn't want to have to pay the license fee or pay taxes when they sold purebred animals. The government has no idea how much breeders take in from the sale of each litter.

When I finished my story, my friend said that keeping our meeting a secret and trying to get it through Trenton on the q.t. was wrong. That was not how a democracy works. She said that she understood my feelings, but what if the subject had not been animals? What if any number of other ideas was secretly forced on the public? I had to finally agree that she was right. My passion for having empty pet shelters cannot infringe on other peoples' rights to have puppies or kittens and to sell them. Yes, we could win over the legislators, but it would have to be honest and out in the open so everyone could have input. Just because I think I am right, does not make it so. This goes for many, many issues in our world.

So I just keep on hoping that education will awaken people to the shelters full of lovely animals who need homes and that even purebred dogs and cats have rescue clubs you can get a young animal from.

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My friend, Mary, made the most delicious doggie snacks the other day, and to our surprise my cat loved them the most. The cookies, made into squares, are made with liver, oatmeal, egg, corn oil, and garlic. They are the texture and look of brownies. I am not sure of the cooking time or temperature, but I would try 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

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A man I know wanted to report that his neighbor had mistreated a dog. The thing is, you must come forward and be a witness. How else can the SPCA or the court help? I understand how uncomfortable and maybe dangerous that can be, so try to take a photo. Call the police and say that you want to be anonymous, at least at first. The best thing is to get as many other neighbors to call on the same problem. Most creeps do not want any extra charges against them or their children. If you do think they will take revenge, keep your pets close and do what you have to do to protect yourself. If you need to call the SPCA in Ulster County, it is 331-5377.