Adorable adoptables: Here are some of the latest pups and kittens who have just been rescued by Scad (formerly Soi Dog Rescue).

Getting rid of roaches is easy but do remember that sprays and traps can also harm domestic animals

In the pleasantly cool evening, my household members are curled up on shelves, tables and pillows - until Yoyo the brat-cat charges inside from the patio.

Wan-Wan, my poodle pup, immediately rushes over to him and kisses him on the mouth. Yes, the cat has caught some unfortunate creature, and Wan wants to join in. I rush over too, to rescue any bird he's caught or to put him out on the patio if he's caught a rat (otherwise, he'll take it upstairs to my bed).

If he's caught a cockroach, though, he can do anything he wishes. I hate these dirty, smelly, destructive pests.

Wan and Yoyo bat the insect around. When they let it go, it tries to run outside. Then, just as it thinks it's escaped, they knock it back inside.

"Don't make friends with it!" I command. "Kill it!"

It finally disappears outside. Yoyo and Wan settle down, and I return to the computer. Suddenly Yoyo brings in another roach. The dog and cat bat it around for a while, and this one disappears too. I'm ready to relax, but then Yoyo brings in Roach No 3.

This roach infestation is upsetting. It's time for eradication, but what should you do about pests when you have a household of non-pests? Spraying insecticide is unacceptable. What kills pests can kill pets.

It's much safer to use those cakes of roach bait - just re-

member to change them every six months or so. More importantly, place them where prying paws and jaws can't reach them. Those cakes are poisonous, after all.

Then Yoyo brings in Roach No 4, and I suddenly realise I've seen this one before - three times before.

The cat and dog have been playing with the same roach. For the first time in my life, I feel sorry for the unfortunate pest.