There’s a reason “Prince,” “Princess,” “King,” “Duke” and “Lady” were among the 10 most popular dog names in 2008, according to the American Kennel Club. Pets often get treated like royalty and their owners, faithful subjects, are willing to go to whatever lengths to make them comfortable in their kingdoms.

It’s key to provide a safe and comfortable home for pets, but it’s important that owners also don’t do so at their own expense, forgoing their own needs and desire to relax on that expensive chair that the dog has now taken over, for example.

Establishing a happy medium that lends to a peaceful, stress-free and pet-friendly house doesn’t have to be nerve-wracking, says Nancy Peterson, of the Humane Society of the United States’ companion animal division.

Here are a few tips that new pet owners and homeowners alike should keep in mind.

Personal Space

Everyone – including dogs, cats, birds and rabbits – requires a little bit of alone time now and then. Owners will be just as thankful as their pets if they carve out a bit of space for their animals in their home, especially if they are living in an apartment or a house with a limited amount of roaming space.

Place pets’ food and water dishes in a nook or under a counter top, if possible, where people might be less likely to knock it over. You might want to also consider setting up an area for a dog in a playroom, complete with his or her toys in a toy chest or a built-in shelf.

As for cats, Peterson recommends giving them some space to roam – and to start thinking upward.

“Especially if you have multiple cats in the household, you could think about adding floor to ceiling cat trees, or building them shelves on the wall that they could climb on,” she advises. “The climbing stations could then be enhanced with some carpet remnants to give them some traction on the steps.”

Purchasing “window seats” or fixing bay windows or large window ledges to accommodate pets can please both cats and dogs who are eager for a little extra entertainment, Peterson says. Checking on what’s happening outside can be like “pet TV” and could keep them entertained, soothed, and more likely to stay out of any mischief.

Keeping It Clean

The majority of tips for keeping a pet in a house derive from common sense – paws are likely to get dirty, and yes, will leave a mark on a white couch and/or rug. But there are other subtle factors that could make owners’ lives a bit smoother, and cleaner, in the long run.

Peterson reflects that if she were to design or buy a house and had a dog, she would try to install an elevated bathtub in the garage. Its presence could minimize messy bathroom and kitchen bathing sessions, not to mention chasing a reluctant, soapy dog down the hallway.

People should also consider laminated floors since they are easy to clean, she says. As dogs and cats get older, though, people’s needs begin to change, as well – slippery floors might prove difficult for pets, especially those with furry paws to walk on. And cats will soon require more and more litter boxes, which should be placed around the house.

Resisting Their Every Whim

By providing pets with ample amount of resting space, toys and personal areas, owners should have theoretically done all they could in keeping their pets from meddling with the furniture – right? Not always.

Owners should still keep in mind that pets are likely to be attracted to certain facets of furniture and household items, which are easy to avoid.

For instance, Peterson says, owners could try window shades that fall vertically instead of horizontally.

“Animals frequently paw at them and try to look out the window, and can knock them over or get them crossed,” she explained. “If [blinds] are vertical, they can kind of just peek out through.”

Couches that are bound with any kind of woven material might be especially enticing to cats, who are looking for their next scratching post.

Dangling lamp cords and tassels could also be attractive – and potentially dangerous – for pets, which can get strangled by them.

People should also generally be cautious of placing toxic plants within their pets’ reach, and of exposing them to wires, if they think their pets might be prone to chewing on them.

Tell us what you think about “Tips for Making Your House Pet-Friendly” below. Send us your story ideas by e-mailing us at news@zootoo.com.

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CHEYENNE — The Cheyenne Animal Shelter has taken in 20 cats that were removed recently from the home of an animal hoarder south of Powell.

Because of that, the shelter is waiving adoption fees on all of its felines through Sept. 15.

The Humane Society of the United States and Powell volunteers helped rescue more than 170 cats last Thursday from the home of Miki Nesbit and Mimi and Clifton Taylor.

The cats were taken to a temporary shelter at the Park County Fairgrounds for examination and care until they could be transferred elsewhere.

It has been a nightmare for many years, Nesbit told the Billings Gazette. Were living in flies year-round. They were in hoards, even in the refrigerator.

According to reports in the Gazette, workers said the animals had significant medical issues, including upper respiratory infections, ear mites, tumors and emaciation.

Rick Collord, director at the local shelter, said the Humane Society promised the cats would be healthy and ready for adoption. But that isnt the case. He consulted a local veterinarian, and the cats were started on antibiotics Tuesday.

We expect within a week at least half of them should be ready for adoption, Collord said.

He said a few of the cats are social but many are shy.

But you can expect that, Collord said. Look at what theyve been through.

As of Tuesday morning, the shelter was home to 131 cats, 60 dogs and two other animals. Collord said ideally they wouldnt house more than 150 animals.

We have a cat crisis right now, and were trying to help these animals out, he said. Obviously the alternative is not so great, and we want to do what we can.

Thus, the shelter is waiving the adoption fees. Initial vaccinations, neutering costs and microchipping are all included, though the shelter always accepts donations.

Collord said the cats from Powell wont be able to be adopted out right away, but any adoption helps reduce capacity.

I hated not to be able to take more cats, but I hated not to help in some way, he said. We took what we could.

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When Valerie Ruddy was confronted with the task of redesigning the first floor of a home to suit an unruly pet, she had to find materials were scratch-proof as well as water-resistant.

The Verona interior decorator had to think about window treatments such as drapes – and what would happen if a cat began to climb them. Then there was cost to consider.

It wasnt a usual project for Ruddy; popular materials such as leather were just not an option.

Instead, she decided to use velvet and a mix of fabrics typically used in hospitals and nursing homes that could easily deter water.

You just never know when you go out to see a client, what youre up against, Ruddy said.

Ruddys job is all about the details – whether she is finding the perfect carpet for a family and their pet or the right accessories for a new bedroom.

Just two years after starting her own interior decorating business, Ruddy has achieved international recognition for her eye for design.

Ruddy, who owns Decorating Den Interiors in Verona, is this years winner in the 26th annual International Dream Room Contest, an international design competition.

Ruddy won first place with her living room design for a newly married couple, selected from more than 250 entries.

She received Decorator of the Year, the contests top award.

Though her work is now more widely known, the road to such success wasnt so easy for Ruddy, as she had to learn to juggle family life and work in order to see her dream come true.

Ive never worked harder in my life, Ruddy said. Its been a lot of work. Its been a lot of fun. I wouldnt trade it for anything.

Her advice to others: If at all possible, do what you love.

Ruddy, 41, said her natural instinct was always to design; she began by doing it for people she knew.

Ive been designing for myself and for family and friends for years, she said. Ive loved interior design since Ive been a kid and Ive always gravitated toward it. For years, I never thought of it as a career. I thought of it as a hobby.

Recalling her adolescence, she described recreating her bedroom on a daily basis: My mother would joke, I never know what your room is going to look like.

Owning a business seemed ideal, but Ruddy said she was always intimidated by the business aspect of it. That kept me back for a number of years, she said.

With an undergraduate degree in visual arts behind her, she went back to college about 10 years ago to study design part time while working full time in insurance underwriting and raising children. She started an associates degree program in 1998, but then stopped when her first child was born. She went back to school in 2004 after her second child was born, but decided her studies would have to be put on hold.

It was too much of a struggle to do everything and I ended up very sick and had to quit, she said.

Two years ago, she opened her own franchise of Decorating Den Interiors, a 40-year-old company based in Maryland with branches all over the US and Canada.

Ruddy and her husband Tom, a full-time librarian, work together to run the business; she concentrates on the decorating aspect, while he helps her with advertising, carrying boxes, moving things or just whatever needs to be done.

Ruddy advises clients on everything they need to refurbish spaces in their home or office, from window treatments to cabinets, room color to lighting.

Her business manages all phases of the project from the initial consultation to ordering, delivery, installation and placement of accessories.

She first had to qualify to open a franchise – about a four to five month process. Decorating Den Interiors helped her develop a marketing and business plan for her business, she said.

Ruddy and her husband then turned their basement into an office and studio.

We basically had to empty (the basement) and start it from scratch, her husband, Tom, said.

They installed shelves and boards to hang fabric samples, magazines and at least 30 catalogs for inspiration (more are in her van, she noted). Her books are filled with samples of furniture, area rugs, wallpaper and blinds, among other accessories. She uses between 150 and 200 vendors.

Central to her job are the bins she keeps filled with samples, magazine pages that caught her or a customers eye, and color swatches. Each client is assigned a bin, which Ruddy uses for reference throughout the course of a project. She works on an average of eight to 10 projects at a time, though she said the number can vary depending on the complexity of a particular project.

In the center of her office, just steps from her washer and dryer is her desk with a computer, phone and file folders.

Their basement flooded twice this year, requiring them to empty the office and install new drains.

That was probably the most stressful part of the year, her husband said.

Ruddy said dealing with backorders and delays and finding time for family during busy times are the hardest aspects of the job.

You got to be energetic. There can be long hours and it can by physically challenging, she said.

However, setting her own hours gives her a chance to spend more time with her children, Max, 10 and Emma, 7.

I can put them to bed and go back to work, Ruddy said. Ill take that personal time and then go back. For the most part it works out.

Its definitely worked out – she loves it, her husband added. Even though she is working more than she has ever worked before now, the flexibility has been great.

When the opportunity came for her to exhibit her work for magazine editors, she took it. Each year Decorating Den Interiors holds a design contest for about 500 of its franchises, Ruddy said.

We select projects that we feel are outstanding and have them professionally photographed. Then we must create presentation boards according to the competition rules and send in written details about each project, such as any problems or issues with the space that we had to overcome and why we made the design choices that we did to satisfy the clients needs, Ruddy explained.

Ruddy took her samples to New York City, where about 30 editors from home and garden publications, as well as other design professionals came and voted on her entries.

She placed third in the dining room category and first in the living room category. From the first place winners, judges chose her as overall winner of 2010 Decorator of the Year.

She received her award in New Orleans in May.

The acclaim stunned Ruddy, who entered the contest for the first time.

I couldnt believe it! Ruddy said. I thought my rooms were strong and solid. To take the top prize was just really amazing.

E-mail: gray@northjersey.com

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Table scraps make good rewards for dogs
This is a myth too. As hard as it is not to give in to those sad, soulful puppy dog eyes, there are many reasons NOT to feed your dog table scraps. Dogs that eat a lot of table scraps tend to be overweight. If youre eating a steak and want to give your dog a treat, what part of the steak does he usually get? The fat. Eating pure fat is bad for your dogs weight. Overweight dogs have less energy and are at greater risk for developing health problems such as cardiovascular diseases. And digestive disorders are another common problem among dogs that eat a lot of table scraps, causing unpleasant symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.

The healthiest diet for your dog is a consistent natural diet that has been formulated specifically for their unique nutritional needs. I recommend a natural brand, one made with simple, wholesome, real-food ingredients and thats perfectly balanced to support a dogs health, from puppies to seniors. Be sure to talk to your vet about how much food to give your dog, and then feed the same amount (be sure to measure it out) at the same time each day.

Cats always land on their feet
Cats are champs at landing feet first over short distances, thanks to a highly flexible backbone. But they do sometimes land on their heads — beyond one or two stories their feet cant break the fall. Cats with access to an elevated, open window may also focus so intently on a bird that they lose their balance and fall — what we call high-rise syndrome. Offering your cat a safe, secure perch with a view is the best way to keep them safe.

A warm nose means your dog is sick
The temperature of a dogs nose changes easily and isnt a good sign of illness. It can be hot and dry after lying in the sun or cool and wet from dipping into the water bowl. Keep an eye out for these better signs of illness – lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, coughing, or a fever higher than 102.5°F. Be sure to contact your vet right away if your dog shows any of these signs.

Its ok for your dog to give you a kiss
Do you buy into the myth that dogs mouths are cleaner than humans? Think again. Dogs chops are teeming with germs like salmonella. These germs get into a dogs mouth from eating spoiled food (or when he uses his tongue as toilet paper). Then a kiss moves these germs from pooch to person. . . and thats not good. So put the kibosh on the kissing, wash your hands if your dog gives you a lickful of love, and get into a routine of brushing your pets teeth too.

The pet supplies shown today can be found at:

www.holisticselect.com

www.wellnesspetfood.com

www.petsuppliesplus.com

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During the rest of the year, visitors can be found coming to the area for its laid back lifestyle, outdoor recreation, wildlife and their habitat.

Today, the gold of Lumpkin County is to be found in the gorgeous settings of forested foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, which are within a short drive from Chattanooga and Atlanta.

“The gold” is found in the sunlight which shines on the Chestatee River which winds its way south from DeSoto Falls. This river, along with the nearby Etowah, is perfect for rafting, kayaking and canoeing.

Amicalola Falls, the highest waterfall in the eastern US is also nearby. The region at the heart of the North Georgia wine country is the gateway to the Appalachian mountain range.

We didn’t visit the Kangaroo Conservation Center, but it is on our list for a next time visit.

Southern hospitality seems to be the “gold standard’’ around Dahlonega-Lumpkin County. It certainly is in the inns, bed and breakfasts, restaurants and shops of downtown Dahlonega.

The innkeepers, the restaurant owners and the shop staff have a smile on their faces and are willing to extend a welcome to all visitors.

So hunting for precious and semi-precious stones in the gold mines of Dahlonega is not the only way to strike it rich on a visit here.

Yes, visitors can discover gold daily on a panning adventure in several different area destinations. At Consolidated Gold Mines, you can even descend into the mine. My granddaughter, Mary and I enjoyed several hours of mining and learning at this mine. Mary panned for gold and precious gemstones along with bus loads of visiting kids from a North Atlanta summer camp. It was so easy that a five-year-old could accomplish the task and then be thrilled with her new bounty.

All the equipment you need to pan is provided (including kiddies’ buckets) and you can purchase individual experiences or an entire package. The gold mines are open every day (except major holidays); summer hours are 10 am to 5 pm

But for Mary and me, our real find was exploring the town of Dahlonega and staying at a bed-and-breakfast inn. The choice of the Lily Creek Lodge, approximately five miles from downtown, along Auraria Road couldn’t have been more perfect.

Lily Creek Lodge’s Alpine chalet exterior belies the eclectic interior, which is filled with antiques, collectibles and artwork from around the world. Innkeepers, Sharon Bacek and her late husband, Don had been world travelers.

“It was our desire to travel to all seven continents, said Mrs. Bacek, “and we accomplished that goal. The couple, who had previously lived in Atlanta purchased the inn, built in 1985, 14 years ago after Mr. Bacek retired.

“While many people don’t live with these possessions, she continued, some of which they may only see in museums, we enjoyed being surrounded with our collection.

That collection includes a glass breakfast room chandelier which originally hung in a hotel in Kansas City, a hand-carved ebony cabinet which once resided in the governor’s mansion in Ohio and a framed child’s christening gown from the Maori tribe in New Zealand.

Mary’s favorite find was a concrete Tic Tack Toe game in the outdoor pavilion near the swimming pool with sported its own rushing waterfall. Her next favorite was the rope hammock strung between two trees nearby.

The charming and hospitable innkeeper (sometimes accompanied by her cat Biscuit) greets each guest and makes sure they are not only welcome but truly comfortable.

Some return guests wished to watch the World Cup Soccer finals on television before getting on the road home. Mrs. Bacek tuned her television to the event and they settled in the library of her home.

And while the inn features guest rooms with a geographical or period themes (and furnishings to coordinate), the beds and baths offer new, comfortable linens, down comforters and pillows.

Some of the inn’s more than a dozen guest rooms have had additional updating. Right outside our second-floor window was an enormous blueberry bush, which Mrs. Bacek was picking in her spare time.

Breakfast in the formal French dining room couldn’t have been more informal or tasty. Guests at the time we visited included family members of some people who lived near me in Northwest Florida. Another couple hailed from Columbus, Ga. All found the inn because they wanted someplace both comfortable and unique in a mountain setting.

Breakfast, though billed as “continental” on the brochure, meaning “petite, was the exact opposite. Mrs. Bacek had requested guest choices the previous night and produced beautifully presented and delicious fare adhering to each guest’s dietary requirements.

Mary ordered French toast (which she had never before eaten) and scrambled eggs. She got both, plus a fresh fruit compote, toast and bacon. Mrs. Bacek, a member of the local Convention and Visitors Bureau suggested places for us to visit, geared to a young child. She also made dining suggestions.

We found Connie’s Ice Cream Parlor Sandwich Shop on the square in downtown on her recommendation along with that of Rachel Shannon, a summer employee at Consolidated Gold Mines.

In fact, just about everyone who we inquired of said “Go to Connie’s.” We did, in fact, twice in one day.

The first visit was for great ice cream – at very reasonable prices – and then for lunch, also good and reasonable. Connie’s seemed to stay busy all day, with locals and tourists. The homemade cakes and desserts were really tempting. A healthy salad with grilled chicken was priced at $6.29. The service was efficient and friendly. This old-fashioned parlor and sandwich shop should be a must on any visit.

There are several attractive restaurants and cafes surrounding the square. The famous The Smith House, just off the square, is closed on Mondays.

The Crimson Moon Café is said to feature eclectic entertainment and artistic cuisine. “Where the Creative Spirit Shines, is the mantra of the restaurant which is located in the circa 1858 Parker-Nix Storehouse. The café supports and promotes creativity and community.

There are shops galore on and off the Dahlonega town square, including the Dahlonega General Store, with its old-fashioned candy and toys. You can even get a five-cent cup of coffee here.

But if, as you wind your way back to Atlanta or Chattanooga, you feel the need for a shopping fix, you can stop in Dawsonville (less than ten miles on Highway 400 South) and stock up at the North Georgia Premium Outlets, which offers great bargains within its many stores.

For Your Information:

Lily Creek Lodge: www.lilycreeklodge.com, e-mail: lilycreeklodge@windstream.net, or 706 844-2694.

Consolidated Gold Mines: www.consolidatedgoldmine.com, 706 864-8473.

Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce: www.dahlonega.org

Connie’s: On the Square in Dahlonega. 706 864-1382.

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Gold Rush Days in Dahlonega

Voted one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society, this year’s two-day celebration of Gold Rush Days will take place Oct. 16 and 17. Plans include a parade, children’s activities, fashion show, gold panning contest, wheelbarrow race and lots of live entertainment and local cuisine.

Chestatee Wildlife Preserve

This Dahlonega attraction has announced the “rarer than rare” animal birth. The baby “Zedonk” is a cross between its zebra father and donkey mother. With a “golden-hued” coat and unique zebra-striped “leggings, the foal has the wild instincts of a zebra, sitting up alert for predators rather than lying on her side like a donkey.

Visitors to the preserve will get a glimpse of this seldom seen animal as well as more than 100 other rescued creatures not normally found in Georgia from Bengal tigers, black leopards, servals, African lions, lemurs and monkeys.

Fall Foliage

While taking in the ”golden leaves” near the Chattahoochee National Forest, visitors can now also take in the “golden-colored” chardonnay which is being produced by north Georgia’s booming wine country. You can tour five different wineries and several tasting rooms and learn about the growth of the wine from the ground to grape to glass.

Hillbilly Corn Maze

Something else “golden in north Georgia is an eight-acre labyrinth of golden stalks highlighting the Hillbilly Corn Maze.

A series of twists, turns and dead-ends are carved into the six-foot-tall corn stalks for an experience that is fun for the whole family. Most participants spend about one hour trying to maneuver their way out of the mind-boggling puzzle.

Additional activities include; pumpkin picking, old-fashioned hayrides, pony rides, and concessions. For more information, www.HillbillyCornMaze.com.

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She leaned against a tree and watched the firefighters surrounding her house. From her vantage point, she could see the smoke and fire damage that gutted much of her Chester Township home Tuesday afternoon.

Bones did not yet know how many of her cats had survived the fire. She is an animal lover and operates the Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary from her property at 11320 Pine Acres Lane.

Most of the more than 145 rescued cats live in other buildings on her property, but she has between 12 and 20 felines that split time between her house and the barn. It is these cats that she is worried about.

Chester Fire Chief John Wargelin tried to comfort her.

Most animals, given a means of egress, will find a way out, he said to her.

No one was in the home when the fire began a few minutes after 2 pm Bones was by the barn and a sanctuary volunteer, who only identified himself as Jim, said he was by a shed that shelters some cats near the rear of the house.

Jim saw smoke coming from the north of the house and shouted for Bones. She entered the home, trying to rescue some of her cats, while Jim called 911.

I couldnt see because the smoke was so heavy, Bones said. I saw two cats, so I took them. But the smoke was so thick that I couldnt keep going.

Bones and Jim retreated to a safe distance from the house as firefighters arrived.

Firefighters and tankers from Chester, Chardon, Hambden, Kirtland, Mayfield Heights, Munson, Newbury, Russell and Willoughby Hills fire departments responded to the blaze.

Firefighters entered the house and sprayed the flames to prevent the already advanced fire from spreading.

Wargelin said it took about 30 minutes to bring the fire under control and another 20 or so minutes to squelch the remaining, isolated smolders.

Wargelin said the fire was complicated by three additional obstacles. One, the township does not have city water, so they had to depend on tankers for some of their water supply. Second, the house has a very long driveway, which makes getting to the fire more difficult. Finally, it was a hot day, and firefighters became fatigued more quickly because of the conditions.

Wargelin said at least one cat died in the fire and said he was unsure if the rest had been recovered.

Many of them are not accounted for, Wargelin said of the cats. Were finding a lot of them running around outside. We found some of them back by the building when we first arrived and pulled them away. We havent got an exact count.

Firefighters recovered Bones miniature greyhound, Darlin.

The Geauga Humane Society was called to help find housing for the cats.

Investigators are trying to identify what caused the fire and where it began.

Wargelin guessed the fire caused at least $100,000 worth of damage to Bones home. He suspects the house is structurally sound despite extensive heat and smoke damage.

Two-thirds of the house is intact except for heat and smoke damage, the chief said.

Many people who volunteer at Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary were frustrated that they could not get closer to Bones house.

Authorities had cordoned the area while firefighters were fighting and then investigating the blaze. Volunteer Doreen Lazarus said a police officer threatened to arrest her and other volunteers if they did not back away from the premises. At the time, the volunteers were standing on the street at the mouth of the driveway, she said.

I havent been threatened with arrest since I marched against Vietnam, said Lazarus, who lives in Chester Township.

Wargelin explained that firefighters did not want a crowd around the house for safety reasons. Also, it allowed investigators to focus on their job.

We didnt have complete control of the area and werent comfortable letting the general public closer, Wargelin said.

Bones is temporarily staying with a neighbor so she can be close to her home and animals.

Staff Writer Max Reinhart contributed to this article.

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Let us begin with the sprayed and teased utter freak show that is The Real Housewives Of [Various Places], the New Jersey iteration of which wraps up its season tonight. (Fortunately, the DC version remains in full swing.)

Compare it to the sunburnt and unkempt utter freak show that is Big Brother, which is currently slogging through another season in which an unappealing crowd of witless dolts is narrowed down until only one witless dolt remains to claim his or her large cash prize.

One of these time-gobbling summer franchises features rich people who can go anywhere (including, hello, The White House); one features mostly semi-employed actor wannabes who are locked in a fake house for months with no contact with the outside world and cant even have a magazine. One has a stilted competition format full of fake rituals and nominations and competitions; one is supposedly just following rich people around while they live their glamorous lives with their uncomfortable husbands and uncomfortably roped-in children. One relies on a group of strangers; one relies on a group of people who theoretically know each other.

And yet, in every important way, theyre exactly the same show.*

Why? Because wealth and confinement function exactly the same way on these two shows, acting as a sort of lifestyle sensory deprivation chamber that seems to lead to the pettiest and most enduring grudges on television.

If youve never watched anything Real Housewives-related (and really, good for you), let me sum up most of the plotlines in the shows history: Someone Wants An Apology. Somebody did something to somebody else, and the somebody else just cant believe it, and they spend all of their time telling everyone to whom they speak that the lack of an apology is consuming their every thought to the point where they can barely sit through a mani-pedi without twitching. Usually there is a fashion show involved. (And yes, some of it is staged. At the same time, I am entirely convinced most of those who go to war absolutely do hate each other.)

Meanwhile, Big Brother features a ridiculous amount of crying and emotional superreacting, which has recently included a couple who decided they were soulmates after about four days of making out, and then a guy who lay on a hammock (I think it was a hammock; I cannot bear to fact-check whether it was actually the chaise) crying to himself, all the while telling himself that it was, after all, only Big Brother a point somewhat undermined by his position lying in the hammock/chaise, crying.

At some point this summer, it all became clear: the rest of us are saved from becoming these people in part by the fact that we have to get up every day and do stuff.

I, personally, dont have a lot of time to nurse grudges against my friends, because of rent-paying and grocery-shopping obligations. I mean, I doubt I would anyway, but who would have the energy? Who would babysit my friends kids if they went to war with me? Who would drive me to the airport if I went to war with them? Getting over grudges is utilitarian. Being somewhat judicious in your choice of things to get incredibly upset about is the only way youre going to have enough time left over to make dinner.

The only people who have the room to carry their grievances in their pockets all the time are the people whose pockets are otherwise empty, figuratively speaking.

And so, in order to produce this level of foolishness this reliably, you pretty much have to start with people whose need to prioritize has been suspended. They either have to have no options or too many options nothing to do because they arent allowed, or nothing to do because they dont have to. Whether theyre idled by money or idled by being locked on a soundstage, being idled makes the right people (or maybe the wrong people) behave very, very similarly. It stills their minds too much, it isolates them, it stops them from interrupting their own little drama parades the way they should.

This is why you get drama on Survivor, but less of it. On that show, you actually do have to make a fire and get food and so forth. Yes, theres fighting, but its not the only thing people do all day, and occasionally, people get over things. Its the same thing on The Amazing Race youre buying plane tickets, youre trying to find where Norsensoogenwaagen STREET is, as opposed to Norsensoogenwaagen ROAD (yes, I made those up), and with relatively rare exceptions, your distractions keep you at least a little bit occupied.

See also: Top Chef and Project Runway there are certainly interpersonal stories, but theyre not so ceaseless. Give people even a couple of things they actually have to do, and they wont spend all their time lying on hammocks and crying or running around country clubs crying.

So as you pay your bills and cook your dinner and take your cat to the vet, take a moment and thank your life for containing at least a few small challenges you have to meet on a given day. Your unrelenting routine may be one of your weapons against becoming kind of a horrible person.

*Importance is relative.

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Jane D., Medford

If youre one who believes that misery loves company, Jane, you can take heart in the fact that you are not alone in your stinky misery.

Colleen Macuk, program manager at Jackson County Animal Control, said she often receives compalints from neighbors upset wayward cats destructive behavior, which includes digging up gardens, killing birds or leaving unwanted deposits behind. But there are few laws or regulations covering cat behavior and cat owner responsibility. Because of that, Animal Control officers personnel cant go out and impound cats like they do with dogs, Macuk said.

While its tough to control a neighborhood tom, there are chemical agents that act as deterrents to him using your garden as a litter box, said Sally Mackler, executive director of the local animal welfare organization, Spay/Neuter Your Pet. Additionally, cat-proof fences can be purchased and installed, she said. For more information, visit the SNYP Web site at spayneuter.org or call 541-858-3325.

A much more longterm solution of controlling cats is to get them spayed or neutered, said Mackler. SNYP will be offering low-cost spay/neuter clinics in an effort to reduce pet overpopulation during October. Tom-and-Mom discount certificates will be available for purchase for $25 for female/moms and male/toms at the Medford, Ashland and White City granges.

We also did a brief search on the Web and came up with a large number of ideas. A promising one (but time consuming): chicken wire buried just under the mulch or dirt. Other options include predator urine sprinkled about, motion-sensor sprinklers, planting lavender, rue or pennyoil (both herbs). Then theres the old standby: Get a dog.

Send questions to Since You Asked, Mail Tribune Newsroom, PO Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to youasked@mailtribune.com. Were sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them.

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The Asheville Humane Society at 72 Lees Creek Road will close 5 pm Tuesday. Staff will work through Labor Day weekend to have everything ready for the Sept. 7 opening at its new location, 14 Forever Friend Lane, off Brevard Road. The cats and dogs will likely be the last to make the move to the new shelter.

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In the Hammock: Rachel thinks that everyone will cheer when she gets evicted. Brendon thinks that Lane, Enzo, and Hayden are good people, but he is blinded by the poo-nanny and she has him wrapped around her finger. Rachel says that when she is behind closed doors all she does is talk sh*, like in the bath with me, but when she is with the guys, she is all oh lets play pool.

Brendon says that in the comps…. goes on about it being geared towards smaller frames. Rachel says what are they going to do for drama when she leaves? Rely on Ragan for it?  He isnt even a fabulous gay guy, he is a (sorry, lost it) and then says that he makes up stories about bat people. Brendon wants a comp with swimming or going to the bottom of the pool. He says that Matt is not that strong, he just got lucky with two comps that are similar. She goes on about his footie pajamas and how he is personal in putting them up for no reason. She says he is not cool for being in a band and having tats and his wife is his groupie. One of his songs is about his dead cat with the fur in a frame. He plays the House of Blues?

Britney said to her that they had good luck up to now. She says f*, they worked their a*es off. Rachel says that going first was really bad in that comp because you didnt get to see how it worked, and he says that second was just as bad. He is frustrated when they didnt stop the time when it hit and didnt fall, but it hadnt happened yet. He says that with you being gone it will be hard for him because he is over the people in the house, the fake a* people, except he likes Hayden, Enzo and Lane. He says that he cant bs backstab and be fake. He says that saying it is nothing personal doesnt make me want to be nice to you. He is only five foot four and probably has a little d*k.

Nobody is going to care when he is out of here. He doesnt want to give him his vote now, he wants someone who played a clean game. He says that Britney stabbed in the back as much as anyone in the game, she is just prettier. Not Ragan, not Kathy.  It will be Enzo or Hayden who will get his vote. Rachel says that he is going to have to win a POV or HOH every week, because every single person will try to put her up, and it wiill be the same for you.

Rachel says that her boobs are messed up and she wonders if people see that, one is rounder than the other. She asks him if he can tell and he says he doesnt know she doesnt let him touch them. He reaches out and she slaps him playfully.

In the kitchen Enzo and Lane are talking about workouts at the table. Enzo says that they have a pool tournament today. He says that he lost to Brendon, cmon, like Italy losing to New Zealand. He is off his game because they are chirping in his ear. It is good now that he thinks he can win because now he will smash him. Enzo tells Lane that he says that he told Matt that he was intimidating and physical. Even when they f* you up, they compliment you. He says that they are going one two, so it will go away. Ragan wants a drama free day and Lane says drama makes the day go faster. They see them in the hammock and say, Oh they are up early and scheming. Enzo thinks that last nights laugh was because she ripped him up in he DR and was laughing about it when she passed him. He says like they havent been ripped up in the DR.

Ragan says that he is self aware that he wasnt in the frame to talk to her last night. He says that with her she will come back with excuses and he needs to be at a point when he talks to her that he wont get mad at her bs. He isnt trying to be mean, but actually trying to be nice.

Enzo says that anytime you go in there you are bait to talk to because they have no one else to talk to. Lane asks if he makes a face in the dark and he says yeah, but he watches his noise.

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