European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 8, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                H o me front Many Yappy returns Susie right Marks a birthday with the Type of party that is More common than Many folks think. Humans nuts about pets for Good reason by Jeanne Malmgren St. Petersburg times y Friend de gave a birthday party for his 4-year-old last week. On the Way Home from work he stopped at a bakery for her cake a yellow confection with her favorite frosting a whipped Cream. The neighbors came Over for the party. They re fond of ., As she s called because they often baby sit when de s away. After Happy birthday was Sung and the gifts were opened a miniature fishing Rod and other toy sit was time for cake. The guest of Honor could t be coaxed to blow out her candles but she did Lap delicately at the frosting. Cot a lot of it on her whiskers for a cat  Was quite Well behaved at her party. She did t shred any. Wrapping paper climb the drapes or unroll the toilet paper. Would t matter if she had though because de is bonkers about his feline. He pretty much gives her the run of his apartment a and his life. The Maine Coon cat with the Fluffy Black Tail even sleeps in his bed. De s just a typical doting american pet Parent according to a recent Survey by the Home care Council in Atlanta. More than 300 pet owners across the country were interviewed in a random Telephone and mail poll by researchers at the Council which is the consumer education division of enforcer products makers of pet care supplies. The questioners mainly wanted to know How and when the customers used Flea and tick products but while they had their respondents on the phone they asked some other questions about their relationship with thei pets. In general. The answers provide clues to just How big a role animals play in their owners lives. In Public they May not talk much about their pets a but in private they love them to pieces. \ Quot this was an Eye opener for us to a see just How much pets mean to their owners and the things people will do for them Quot said Jan Lewin of Lewin communications an Atlanta Public relations executive who devised Many of the questions for the Survey. There Are somewhere Between 150million and 200 million pet owners in the United states. Close to 60 percent of All households have an animal in this was an Eye opener for us to see just How much pets mean to their owners and the things people will do for them. A Jan Lewin Survey writer residence or should we say in charge. It s nothing Short of a National orthodoxy. A i he Survey shows without a doubt just How devoted americans Are to our pets. Eighty one percent of those responding admitted their pet is like a child to them. Another Friend of mine Debbie has a maltese dog. His full name is Nicholas Pierre Isenhour and Debbie admits he s spoiled Rotten. On Nick s birthday and at Christmas much of the merry making revolves around him. He opens his own gifts toys Chew treats sweaters or other Doggie garments and then enjoys a special dinner of Chicken and a couple bites of cheesecake. A a a a a one of Nick s favorite things is of go to the drive in movie with his owner. He rides in the front seat on his own Goose Down Pillow. They usually stay for both features except the time they had to leave Early because he got sick after eating a Corn dog what is it that makes humans pamper furry friends so shamelessly Well we get something in return unquestioning adoration and lots of licks on the hand. But it goes deeper than that. By. Having a pet around the House noticeably reduces stress said 86 percent of respondents. Eighty four percent went so far As to say their pet keeps them mentally healthy a which could be bad news for psychiatrists. Some owners it seems grow so close to their animal companions that they come to prefer them Over those Pesky a trainable humans they have to Deal with every Day. Almost one Quarter of respondents admitted they Trust their pet More than a human. Amazingly 22 percent said they feel closer to their pet than to their spouse. Those Jet before spouse people Are probably among the 44 percent who allow their pet to sleep in their bed Wilh them every night. Another 10 percent break Down and Quot often Quot let fido up on the bed a Asir it whenever he whines. Pet owners also like to fix special meals for their pets 34 percent walk them once or twice a Day 42 percent and Wash and Groom them themselves 68 percent. So ftps Howard new service on the family a my husband and i Are distressed because our teen Ager seems to be rejecting her religious beliefs. Any suggestions it a a Small child is told what to think during his formative years. He is subjected to All the attitudes biases and beliefs of his parents which is right and proper. They Are fulfilling their god Given responsibility to guide and train him. However there must come a moment when All of these concepts and ideas Are examined by the individual and Eithe adopted or rejected. If that personal a evaluation never comes then the adolescent fails to Span the Gap Between a what in be been told Quot and Quot what i  this is one of the most important Bridges leading from childhood to adulthood. James Dobson it is common for teens to question the veracity of the religious instruction they have received. For a period of years beginning during adolescence and continuing into the 20s, this intensive self examination is conducted. This process is especially distressing to parents who must sit on the sidelines and watch everything they have taught being scrutinized and questioned. It will be less painful however if both generations realize that the soul searching is a Normal necessary part of growing up. _ at what age should a child be Given More Freedom of Choice regarding religious beliefs and practices a after the Middle adolescent years 13 to 16some children resent being told exactly what to believe and they should be Given More autonomy in what they believe if the a Early exposure has been properly conducted they will have an inner mainstay to steady them. That is the key to the spiritual attitudes they will carry into adulthood. Despite this need to take a softer approach to spiritual training As the child moves through adolescence it is still appropriate for parents to enforce a Standard of behaviour in their Homes. Therefore i would require my 17-year-old to attend Church with the family. It q a my 10-year-old daughter hates her hair a certain Way that looks Good on her just because her friends done to Wear their hair that Way. Am i wrong to Rake her Wear her hair the Way i want it a yes particularly if your daughter feels unnecessarily different and foolish around her friends. Social pressure on the nonconformist is severe and you should not place your daughter in this uncomfortable position. Closeness Between generations comes from the child a knowledge that his Parent understands and appreciates his feelings. Your inflexibility on this Point reveals a Lack of empathy and May bring later resentment. Or. Jams c. Dobson is president of focus on the family an organization dedicated to preserving the Home. Correspondence should be sent to him a focus on the family  to 444, Colorado Springs Cota. 80903. Saturday october 8, 1994 the stars and stripes 17