Agreement for Deferral of 2000 Annual Cash Bonus between Ralston Purina Company and Participant

Summary

Ralston Purina Company and the Participant agree to defer the Participant's 2000 annual cash bonus into various investment options under the company's Deferred Compensation Plan for Key Employees. The agreement specifies how the deferred amounts will be allocated among stock equivalents, cash accounts, and measurement funds, with certain amounts paid out in January 2001. The deferral is governed by the terms of the Plan and this agreement, and any changes must be made in writing. The Participant waives any claims based on prior communications not included in this agreement.

EX-10.XXV 7 0007.txt 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