Since one of my grandfatherly jobs is to check on how my grandchildren, granddogs and grandcats are being parented (a noun which the academics turned into a verb with which I am still uncomfortable), I have over the years learned much about how people feel about pets. I'm particularly proud and pleased at the way my family's furry friends are cared for. May I add that long ago I realized and can understand the several and varied reasons pets are in any home. They are there because they were wanted and are loved. Case closed. [Posted in FML issue 4999]