What's New @ Animal Designs November 2002
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1. What's New
2. Pet Journals
3. Featured Item
4. Ask the Vet
5. Drawing and Fun Stuff
6. Comments-Questions-Suggestions

1) WHAT'S NEW
Tired of that drab bathroom? Add a bit of pizazz with our new tank
and lid cover set. It includes a washable padded toilet seat cover
and tank top with an adjustable drawstring to fit most styles.
Matching shower curtains and hand towel sets are available in several
animal patterns. If you need a particular size, just email us your
dimensions. See the variety of choices at
http://www.animaldesigns.com/cgi-sz/webcwrap/szw/st_main.html

2) PET JOURNALS
Boy, does it smell good around here! Hi! My name is Teddy and it is
Thanksgiving time in our house. The humans are happy and smiling, and
so am I! I am a rescued dog. Actually, I thought I was just a
Keeshond. Us long-haired dogs hardly ever get 'dopted, cause folks
think we shed too much. I got taken to the Pound Place when my old
owner lost his home. I try not to think about those old times -- they
were not the "good ole days" that humans talk about. I had to be in a
cage at the Pound Place with all these other rude, noisy dogs. They
barked or snarled when the humans came. As it was, I was not a little
puppy like some of the others -- I was all grown up so I didn't think
anyone would look at me at all. We were all so scared. I didn't think
I'd ever be 'dopted. A lady came and looked at me and my card and
called me by my name. I felt shy but I came up to her and she told me
how pretty I was. I came and licked her hand. Another man was
checking out the other dogs and she left to talk to him. Oh, well, I
thought, and I went back and sat down. I was SO sad! The lady came
back with the man and their two human pups and my nice volunteer
lady, Carol. They took me out and we went to a green field. I ran and
jumped and frolicked with the human pups. I laid on my back with my
legs in the air to show the humans they could scratch my tummy
whenever they wanted. Miss Carol said, "Here's your dog!" Everyone
smiled -- even me! The lady had wet eyes. She does that a lot I found
out. We got in a moving cage, called a car, and we stopped and got
food and bowls and a bed and toys and a blanket and a walking string
and a collar and a yard chain and a brush and all kinds of cool stuff
and it was all for me! No one else's! I also had to go to the vet
place and I was afraid I would have to go back to the Pound
Place, 'cause they searched and poked and looked in every opening I
had. Would I have whatever they were looking for? Anyway, it was OK.
I got some shots and a bath and a shiny tag. There were more smiles
and away we went to my new home. I was nervous at first, 'cause the
lady did not ever have a dog before and she did not like it when I
did doggy things. I growled at her oldest pup 'cause he was afraid of
me (not anymore 'cause I lick his toes and he giggles). I marked the
dining room to let everyone know it was one of my favorite places,
but she didn't understand that it was so everyone could smell me as
well as all that great food. I heard the word "jealous" a lot when
that black Kat sat on lady's lap. Blackie (not her real name - she'd
get mad at me if I said it was Oreo) swatted at me once, so I steer
clear of her. However, I knew lady loved me when she stuck up for me
with that ole black cat and didn't allow her to hurt me. Speaking of
Kats, they are very spoiled. They get to do their business in a box
in the house and the man has to scoop it all out every day. They
don't have to go out in the rain and snow and cold. They try to sneak
and eat my food, when they have their own perfectly great food -- I
know 'cause I've eaten, er, uh, smelled it. Anyway, this is
Thanksgiving and I am thankful for many things -- my romps in the
yard with the human pups, where there is grass or snow to nibble on,
toys and daily playtime with my family, my own place and bed to
protect me from thunderstorms, my own Halloween costume (except they
make me wear it and take pictures -- how embarrassing!) I have my own
Christmas stocking and I've watched Santa fill it, too! I try to show
how grateful I am by doing stuff like cleaning the meat pans (lady
just smiles and pats me) and helping my people get their exercise and
meet new people. My owners talk of church and soup kitchens and go to
those places. I wish for all canines around the world a warm house,
tasty food, a cozy bed, a loving pat, a snuggle, good smells, and
happy playtime. Now about those meat pans...
www.petwarmers.com

3) FEATURED ITEM
New colorful apron with matching mitt makes a great gift as well as
being practical in your kitchen for all your upcoming Holiday
cooking. Made of washable cotton and generously sized. If you are
looking for a different animal print, just contact me as custom
orders are our specialty. http://www.animaldesigns.com/cgi-
sz/webcwrap/szw/st_main.html

4)ASK THE VET
Dear Dr. Shawn:"I have a 15 year old cat. During her recent
veterinary visit, her doctor suggested she
have her teeth cleaned. I really don't want to put her through that
and am scared that at her age she would
die under anesthesia. I just want to keep her comfortable for
whatever time she has left. Do I really need to
have her teeth cleaned at her age?"
A:"Yours is a question I deal with regularly. Let me share a few
thoughts with you that I think will put your
mind at ease. While you should be congratulated for doing such a
great job to have your cat reach the ripe
old age of 15, she still may have several good years left. I treat
many cats that are 17-18 years of age, and
a few even make it to 20 or slightly beyond! So whatever you decide,
hopefully you will still have several
more happy years with her. Dental disease is the most common
infectious disease in dogs and cats, and it
is easily treated. Yes, a proper dental cleaning does require
anesthesia. If your doctor takes a holistic
approach to your cat, and takes special care with her, I don't think
she would have any problems. In my
practice I do a good exam and laboratory testing (blood, urine, etc.)
to see if the pet has underlying
problems that could increase the risk of anesthesia. Many of my
patients have underlying problems such as
heart or kidney disease. We still clean the teeth under anesthesia,
we just alter our normal procedure for
these special-needs pets. You mention you want to make your cat
comfortable for whatever time she has
left with you. Believe me, living with the pain of a periodontal
infection for several more years is not going to
be comfortable with her. I think all pets regardless of age benefit
from a dental cleaning. I've had a number
of people tell me how youthful their pets acted following a dental
cleaning. That's really not a surprise,
when you consider that a pet with a chronic, painfully infected mouth
is not going to feel good. Here's what I
suggest:if your doctor can use extra care with your cat, altering
anesthesia as needed for any special
problems that may show up in a preoperative blood profile, I would
expect your cat to do well. Following the
cleaning, you might suggest short term use of antioxidants or
coenzyme Q-10 to decrease inflammation of
the gums. Also, get her on a good natural diet, and minimize the use
of vaccines. Good luck with her, and
I hope she is around to give you pleasure for several more years!"
Dr. Shawn Messonnier is the author of the award-winning The Natural
Health Bible for Dogs & Cats. Please address
questions to him at naturalvet@...

5) DRAWING & FUN STUFF
Congratulations to Judy T...winner of our mini-bag for October.
November's drawing is an eyeglass case featuring our logo. After
entering your name, vote for your choice of this month's fabric and
answer the fun question. Thanks to Maureen M. for submitting the
photo of her best friend SOBEAR. He is a 3-year old Bichon Frise. We
would like to honor your Pet next month, so send us a copy of their
photos either by email or snail mail.
http://www.animaldesigns.com/trivia.htm

6) COMMENTS-QUESTIONS-SUGGESTIONS
Martha T. writes: "Is there a way to see a larger fabric sample for
your products other than what is on the web page." Yes, a few of
the products have a link where you can view larger fabric samples and
I am working on getting the others added. However, if you have a
particular animal print that you want to see, please email me with
your request.

As always, we appreciate your comments, questions and suggestions and
we've provided this link for sharing this newsletter with your
friends. http://www.recommend-it.com/l.z.e?s=620320

All the best,
Jeanie