I stopped by Gaby's Cafe on Canal Street in Ellenville for some lunch. What a friendly and cute place it is. The other good news is that you can get such good food whether you are a vegetarian or a meat eater. There is such a variety to choose from and it was so delicious!

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We had quite a chaotic time here at home last week. First, I opened the back door one night to feed my stray cat who also has a name. When I did, Amy Marie, who doesn't know him yet, pushed passed me and rushed out to what she thought was a black and white cat.

"No!" I screamed. But it was too late. The black and white creature was your worst nightmare — that's right — a skunk. Amy got it in the face and ran under the deck and it looked like the skunk ran under there too. All I know is, when Amy came in, it was the usual ghastly smell and it has taken a week for my voice to return to normal.

The other problems are falling over pets. Jimbo, who is deaf, always lies down just where you need to go. We have to take huge maneuvers over him as he is a very big dog. I figure it's good stretching though. Amy, who is black and small, stands right behind you so that when you turn you can easily fall head-first over her. The cats manage to walk in front so that you either fall trying to avoid them or step on a tail. Forget about slippery throw rugs; our most loveable pals are something to really watch out for. I am complaining now, but we certainly will miss them when they are not underfoot.

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Last week under the Adopt-A-Pet there was a dog named Frenchie at Sullivan County SPCA. Did you read why she was in the shelter? My God! The kid was going to college so they gave up a nine-year-old dog! What on earth could be so hard as to care for an elderly, nice dog? How could you look her in the face and then leave? I am so upset over this. If I were the college kid, I would have refused to go if they would not keep my dog. When I went off to college, my mother and I had three dogs. Do you think it even crossed her mind to give them up? No way. They were part of our family. I really have a hard time with people like this. A puppy or kitten can adjust to a shelter, but not a pampered pet over three years old. An abused or lost dog might be very comforted in a shelter, but not a pet who has lived with one family for many years. Listen, if you can't keep a pet for its lifetime, DON'T GET ONE! Do not give into the child begging you. Explain that when he or she is grown, they can have their own pets. If you have a friendly neighbor who has pets maybe they will let the children play with them. Otherwise, try not to expose your children, too much, to something they cannot have. But please, do not get a pet if you are not totally committed. Rarely an illness or death will cause someone to have to give up a pet. In all other circumstances there is a solution. If you have a friend or relative who is absolutely willing to care for the pet under any circumstances that would work and you are truly fortunate.

If you are in the military, of course you should not have a pet, other than fish, unless you are sure you will only be moved within the United States or have family who will keep the pets until you return.

There is no reason why a pet cannot move to any part of the U.S., Canada, or Mexico. You could even take a pet to the Virgin Islands if you are going to live there. Come on. The shelters have enough animals to find homes for without you giving them some dog who is virtually impossible to find a home for because you don't want to be bothered.

I have several senior friends whose pets have passed, and now travel. They would love to have a dog or cat, but because they are responsible, kind people, they are not giving into that urge. They realize that medical issues are more likely to arise and that they would not want to leave a pet for long periods of time, so they do the right thing and do not have a pet at this time. People! Yes, a shelter is better than dumping and that is why the shelter personnel keep quiet, but I don't have to. You, who gave up Frenchie, if you are reading this column, should be ashamed — which I doubt.