The Great American Animal Farm

"Din-dins, everyone!" First, imported sardines, then chicken croquettes in white wine sauce, with a few Yummies to follow. That's for Samantha. For Buddy, there are flamed medallion of beef and vitamin-enriched doughnuts. Carol's getting fruit treats.

Oh, for Pa and Ma and you kids, it's spaghetti again. No meatballs. Inflation, remember?

With infinite variation but only slight exaggeration, some such table d'hôte is presented daily in countless American households. Samantha the cat, Buddy the beagle, Carol the canary, and myriad other furred, finned, scaly and feathered creatures are not only members of...