You can enrich life by taking in stray cat

In Brenda Smith's recent Personal View (Oct. 1), she disagreeswith the idea that pets are good for us, especially for older folks.Her story went on to explain what a nuisance pets - she mainlyreferred to cats - are. She said that sometimes, instead of makingher feel better, the pets made her feel worse. She also comparedpets to children, saying the pets were harder to raise.

She's entitled to her opinion, but I couldn't disagree more.

Several years ago, we started taking in stray cats, and itturned out to be the most delightful experience we've ever had. Itstarted in November of '79 and by December of '84, we had a total offour strays who turned out to be wonderful pets. Unfortunately, ourlast one, Marmalade, got leukemia and passed away, but not beforemaking a big impression on us with his warmth and charm. We all tookMarmalade's passing very hard, as we knew when we got him that he wasolder and had had a hard life alone in a world that could be crueland uncaring for stray animals.

Brenda Smith said letting cats outside is a big mistake and Iagree wholeheartedly with her. We used to let ours out, but aftertheir almost getting killed by cars and getting into mischief in theneighbors' yards, we decided to keep them permanently inside. To oursurprise they adjusted very well and managed to keep themselvesamused and content. Cats are easy. All they need is a good meal ortwo, a corner for their litter box, and to be treated in a kind, fairfashion. Most of them are independent and handle themselvesappropriately.

Therapeutically, both cats and dogs have proven themselves to bemore helpful than one can imagine. Many excellent studies have beendone regarding pets, and it's been proven that in hospitals wheresick children are, or in nursing homes where older people are, oreven in prison, where prisoners are, pets brought in temporarily hada calm, soothing therapeutic effect on these people. It's thisgiving and taking from the person to the pet that is the mostimportant and effective element, causing that healing therapeuticpower.

Our cats have only brought us immense pleasure and we have nev er regretted taking them in.

Which brings to mind another important subject - that being ofthe oncoming winter and the stray. With the holidays fastapproaching and the days getting colder and colder, I think we shouldall be aware of the strays. Their lives are not easy. Think oftheir plight - out in the cold, alone, abused, hungry and afraid -danger is on their every side.

Since the time when we took in our first stray I have had myeyes opened to their every need. The need to help these poor littlevictims is great. I hope that Chicagoans and suburbanites will dotheir best to help them now that winter is fast approaching. If youshould see a little stray that needs help, you might take it intemporarily or, better still, call your nearest animal shelter foradvice.

Should you decide to open your heart and keep the stray,believe me, it will be a wonderful experience you will never regret.And if you would not keep the stray you would still be doing the mosthumane thing anyone could do to call the proper authorities to seekhelp for them.

Ramona Friedlander, who lives in Bensenville, is a secretary fora child-care agency in Chicago.