What's New @ Animal Designs December 2002
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


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
We wish you the happiest of Holiday Greetings and a heartfelt thanks
for your interest and support throughout the year. May all your
celebrations with family, friends and pets be safe and secure. For
the ultimate in shopping convenience this season, be sure and visit
us at: www.animaldesigns.com, the gift place for pet and animal
lovers.

2) PET JOURNALS
T'was the night before Christmas... Well, it was actually about 3
o'clock Christmas Eve day. The sign out front said "Closed early for
the holiday" and everyone had already left to finish last minute
errands and get home before the storm. I, too, would be gone after my
final round of the kennels, distributing treats to the eager animals
who were safe, warm, clean and dry but nevertheless homeless and
unwanted. I had a lot to do before Christmas morning and places I had
to be, and for a split second I thought of pretending I didn't hear.
But doggie doorbells erupted in riotous barking and my lone car, in
the otherwise empty parking lot, betrayed my presence and kept me
from sneaking out the back. So I responded to the rather insistent
pounding on the front door. A young woman stood there with a very
pregnant cat wrapped in her red scarf. She was a tender hearted
student on her way home for Christmas who just couldn't leave this
obviously stray cat with no place to go, alone, and about to give
birth -- especially now that it was spitting snow. With a sigh in my
heart but a smile on my face for this humane act, I took the cat in
and let the good Samaritan go on her way, complete with wool muffler.
The cat and I eyed one another. She was a matted Maine coon mix with
big green knowing eyes that gave this very soon to-be-mom my number
in an instant -- that red "S" on my forehead which is highly visible
to animals stands for "sucker" not "superwoman". An irresistible purr
started at the bottom of her eight toed, double pawed white feet,
kneading in time to the rumbles in her throat. "Well, I can't leave
you here to have your babies all alone, so you're coming home with
me," I informed her, as I bundled her into a crate and we headed out
into what was becoming a full fledged nor'easter. She never quit
purring, even when the car stopped dead on the long deserted country
road and refused to start again. "This can't be happening. Not my
trusty old Volvo, not on Christmas Eve, not with a cat who was about
to pop!" I muttered. Well, this was long before the days of cell
phones, and I had two choices -- wait or walk. After 15 minutes went
by with no cars and the blizzard intensifying, I wrapped the cat in a
scarf again, my own this time, pulled up the hood to my parka, took
the crate firmly in gloved hand, and we headed out on foot to the
house lights I could dimly see in the distance. It might have been
the cold air searing my lungs, or the blinding snow obscuring my
vision, or being suddenly stranded on Christmas Eve, but I couldn't
help thinking of another couple seeking refuge this same night nearly
two thousand years before. With both wry humor at this situation and
respect for the first, I named this expectant lady "Mary" too.
Despite the lights, there was no answer at the first house, or the
second. As I kept trudging to the third, that bone thin cat gained
weight with every step I took. Ah! Someone was home. The look on her
face was priceless as she struggled to understand my story as the
storm howled around us. She wasn't quite sure she wanted to let some
stranger with a pregnant cat into her beautifully decorated living
room. I shook the snow from my hood and tipped it back so she could
see that I looked harmless enough, and she exclaimed in
recognition, "Oh, I know you. You're the humane society lady on
television!" With that, I went from potential nutcase to needy
humanitarian and she let me in to use the phone. She dismissed the
melting snow on her clean floor, and warmed and fed us royally as we
waited for our ride and repair. We didn't get home until nearly 10pm -
- the final presents not wrapped or delivered, the last minute
groceries not bought, and the parties unattended. I was exhausted and
beyond frazzled, but I got Mary situated in the big kitty condo and
introduced my own nine cats and three big black German Shepherds to
this latest foster edition. I finished my chores and finally soaked
the long difficult day away in a bubble bath. I dozed off, and woke
after midnight when the water had cooled and the house was totally
dark and silent. "Ut oh, the storm knocked out the power." I dried
off, lit a candle, found the oil lamp and stoked the woodstove. Then
I checked on Mary in the flickering light. She was still purring,
even louder now, accompanied by tiny meows. The three Magi (my dogs),
who came to celebrate these holiday births, watched in quiet
fascination with gently wagging tails. I laughed, helped her clean
her kitties, and called them by name. "Now Dasher, now Dancer, now
Prancer and Vixen, on Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen..." I
know I'm mixing the metaphors of Christmas, however that seems to be
what happens at the end of the Twentieth Century. But Mary and her
tiny babies were alive and well that night because people cared, and
went out of their way to help even on a busy holiday and in a raging
storm. A concerned college student hurrying home took the time to
pick up a poor stray cat and take her to the humane society. An
overextended shelter director was generous enough to welcome a
pregnant cat into her own home. A kind, gracious lady trusted enough
to let a stranger and cat in her house for safety and warmth. A
caring and dependable friend came to the rescue even in treacherous
weather. Kindness and caring, compassion and generosity, trust and
love. That is the real meaning of Christmas, and I think both Mary
and Santa would agree.
www.petwarmers.com

3) FEATURED ITEM
With the winter chill around the corner, our featured item this month
is our practical and popular draft stoppers. Place this attractive as
well as functional draft stopper at your door. It measures 36" X 7",
is made of cotton outer shell, stuffed with polyfill and is machine
washable. Also makes a great decorative accent to your home decor.
http://www.animaldesigns.com/cgi-sz/webcwrap/szw/st_prod.html?
p_prodid=13&p_catid=22&sid=6Op7@...

4)ASK THE VET
Dear Dr. Shawn:"I've heard that milk thistle is good for pets with
liver disease. I have a 2 year old female doberman, and as you know
this breed is prone to liver disease. Should I give her milk thistle
to prevent problems?"
As you've stated, milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is one of several
herbs that can help pets with liver disease. Its silymarin content
has been shown effective in treating liver disease, and most milk
thistle compounds are usually standardized to 70-80% silymarin. Milk
thistle is one of the few herbs that have no real equivalent in the
world of conventional medicine. There simply are no drugs that can be
used to assist in liver healing and repair when disease sets in. The
active ingredients in milk thistle appear to be four substances known
collectively as
silymarin, of which the most potent is named silibinin. Milk thistle
extracts can protect the liver against many poisonous substances.
Silymarin appears to function by displacing toxins trying to bind to
the liver as well as by causing the liver to regenerate more quickly.
It also scavenges free radicals and stabilize liver cellmembranes.
Silymarin protects the liver as an antioxidant (it is more potent
than vitamin E,) by increasing glutathione levels, and by inhibiting
the formation of damaging leukotriene chemicals. Silymarin also
stimulates the production of new liver cells, replacing the damaged
cells. Due to its liver support, milk thistle is often used anytime
the pet
becomes ill or toxic to support the liver. It can also be used
anytime drugs are given to the pet that could be
toxic to the liver, especially chemotherapy medicines for treating
cancer, heartworm treatment medications, and long-term use of other
medications (such as antibiotics and corticosteroids.) However, there
does not seem to be any advantage to using milk thistle on a regular
basis as a preventive (nor do I know of any studies showing
that any herb can protect a pet from becoming ill.) I recommended not
to using milk thistle as a daily preventive supplement in normal
healthy pets but rather reserve its use for conditions where the
liver is under stress. I combine milk thistle with other supplements
for maximum effectiveness in pets with liver disease and have had
good results with this protocol."
Shawn Messonnier DVM, is the author of The Arthritis Solution for
Dogs,
The Allergy Solution for Dogs, and the award-winning The Natural
Health
Bible for Dogs & Cats.

5) DRAWING & FUN STUFF
Congratulations to Ruth G...winner of our eyeglass case for
November. December's drawing is our popular polar fleece scarf in a
black and white paw print. After entering your name, vote for your
choice of this month's fabric and answer the fun question. Thanks to
Patricia B. for submitting this month's photo of Casper. "Casper is
a Siberian Husky who is spoiled rotten by her dad. Dad has to sit
near him while he eats his supper as Casper keeps one eye on dad and
the other on the food. If dad doesn't act as his cheerleader, then
Casper stops eating.
When he wants to be particularly contrary and make my parents worry
because "he is not eating" although he could lose a few pounds, dad
reverts to feeding him with a spoon. Who has trained whom?"
http://www.animaldesigns.com/trivia.htm
We would like to honor your Pet next month, so send us a copy of
their photos either by email or snail mail.

6) COMMENTS-QUESTIONS-SUGGESTIONS
Archie Squares - Thanks to Karen D...for submitting these homemade
dog treats.
*************************************************
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup powdered dry milk
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. brown sugar or honey
6 tbs. meat or bacon drippings, cold right from refrigerator, not
melted or soft!
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/2 cup Ice water
Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly oil a cookie sheet. Combine flour, dry
milk, garlic powder and sugar. Cut in meat drippings until mixture
resembles corn meal. Mix in egg. Add enough water so that mixture
forms a ball. Using your fingers, pat out dough onto cookie sheet to
1/2" thick. Cut dough into squares appropriate for your dog size.
Prick each cookie with fork. Bake 25-30 minutes. Remove from tray and
cool on rack. Store in airtight container.


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

Happy Holidays,
Jeanie