"Don't treat pets like children," an animal authority declared.

How can we not, I pondered?

They come when called, just want to make us happy, and love unconditionally. That beats lots of human relations that come to mind.

Yet, humans are working tirelessly destroying nature's animal habitats, blissfully ignoring the fact that development drives animals out of their homes.

Meanwhile, nature is doing what nature does - practicing survival.

As a little girl, listening to a preacher expound on the Bible's Book of Revelations, saying our world would be destroyed in the end, my childlike mind could not wrap around that eventuality.

Scrutinizing the circumference of a world globe later, I thought, "No way." Now, it seems there is a way.

No boogieman is going to jump out and cut down our trees, pave our fields, build huge warehouses on fertile farmland and make most every thing we use a "throw away" item. Little or no more fix-and-patch things exist for future use.

"Toss it out, buy a new one and away we go!" More garbage for the dump-more natural resources challenged.

Where are we going with wall-to-wall construction putting maximum demand on natural resources critical to life survival? Folks, we're fast reaching growth overload. Animals are showing us that many of them already have.

Consider the bear that swam across miles of Puget Sound waters from Maury Island, or the sighting of coyotes near our homes, and raccoons, possums and squirrels seen on city streets. Just yesterday two deer were seen on a freeway exit.

It may be no coincidence that one of the nicest little dogs, "Pappy," a 6-year old Pomeranian owned by Parks Director Patrice Thorell, was killed recently by some kind of animal, either domestic or wildlife.

What seems relevant is it happened in her own backyard bordering Des Moines Beach Park. Pappy was a lively personality and lifelong companion to Rudy, a likewise lovable dog.

Next time could it be yours?

Are we providing wildlife habitat at the same time we are providing more building permits? Do we provide for wildlife preservation as well as wetlands?

Des Moines Mayor Bob Sheckler said, " I don't recall seeing any such defined animal regulations in my 12 years on council.

Master Animal Control Officer Jan Magnuson said, "It would be wonderful to provide laws to protect wildlife habitat in our city that also keep our pets and people safer."

So here's an idea; How about creating the first local wildlife habitat within the Port of Seattle buyout area across from the post office, on 216th Street?

That property is in active planning for development of a business park through a cooperative effort by Des Moines and Port officials.

How fantastic would that be not only to protect wetlands but to specifically give animals a place to live and protect them as well? Animals and nature's wooded areas belong together.

Magnuson declared, "Wild animals are beautiful and it would be wonderful to provide for wildlife habitat within our city that also keeps the public and pets safer."

What a great place to start.

Experience teaches us many people have great ideas; few have both the ability and opportunity to make them happen.

Mayor Sheckler said he is very willing to discuss this with his council colleagues.

Meantime, Magnuson stressed, please stop feeding wild animals. Yes, those baby raccoons are cuties. However, did you know raccoons have more babies when domestically fed? Have you noticed a population increase?

Every other day Magnuson has a nuisance wildlife problem call, and finds nearly 100 percent of the problem is directly tied to people feeding them.

A raccoon had its leg caught in a tree-limb and just below it was an open can of cat food. Please folks, quit feeding wild animals!

Meantime if you want to support initiating protective regulations for wildlife habitats, contact Mayor Sheckler. Also fence and leash your pets for safety. It's the right thing to do and Patrice's Pomeranian, Pappy, may help other pets to live.

Just possibly man will not totally destroy his own world after all. How sweet is that!

Today's thought: "One kind word can warm three winter nights."