AGREEMENT FOR DEFERRAL OF 2000 ANNUAL CASH BONUS
Ralston Purina Company ("Company") and _____________ ("Participant")
agree that, effective November 1, 2000, $ ________ awarded to Participant
under the 2000 Annual Cash Bonus Award Program shall be deferred, as
requested by Participant, into the option or options available under the
Deferred Compensation Plan for Key Employees ("Plan"), the Prospectus for
which is attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated by reference herein.
Pursuant to Participant's request, the following amounts have been deferred
for Participant in the manner set forth below:
(1) RALSTON PURINA EQUITY OPTION
--------------------------------
(a) $ _____ in a deferred Stock Equivalent account in
Participant's name under the Ralston Purina Equity Option
as set forth in the Prospectus.
(b) $ _____ in a deferred Stock Equivalent account in
Participant's name representing Company Matching Deferral
(25% of amount listed in 1(a) above) as set forth in the
Prospectus.
(2) SHORT-TERM PRIME RATE OPTION $ _______ in a deferred Cash
-------------------------------
account in Participant's name under the Prime Rate Option as set
forth in the Prospectus; provided, however, that, notwithstanding any
provision to the contrary contained in the Plan, amounts attributable to
deferrals into the Prime Rate Option shall be paid to Participant
in January 2001.
(3) PRIME RATE OPTION $ ______ in a deferred Cash account in
-----------------
Participant's name under the Prime Rate Option as
set forth in the Prospectus.
(4) MEASUREMENT FUND OPTION(S) - in a Vanguard Measurement Fund Option in
----------------------------
Participant's name as set forth in the Prospectus in the amount
indicated below:
Wellington Fund $ LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund $
500 Index Fund $ LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund $
Windsor II Fund $ LifeStrategy Growth Fund $
Small-Cap Index Fund $ International Growth Fund $
LifeStrategy Income Fund $
Participant's deferral hereunder is pursuant to the Plan and is subject in
all respects to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and of the Plan. No
other communications or representations, written or oral, made prior or
subsequent to this Agreement shall be deemed to amend or modify the terms of
this deferral except by an agreement in writing executed by the parties
subsequent to the date of this Agreement, expressly consenting to such amendment
or modification. Participant hereby waives any rights, and releases Company
from any claim, based on any such prior communications or representations, if
any.
ACCEPTED: RALSTON PURINA COMPANY
______________________________ By:______________________________
Participant C. S. Sommer
Vice President and
Director, Administration
_______________________________
Date
