What's New @ Animal Designs July 2003
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1. What's New
2. Pet Journals
3. Featured Item
4. Summer and Pets
5. Drawing and Fun Stuff
6. Comments-Questions-Suggestions

1) WHAT'S NEW
In the upcoming month, we are implementing a new shopping cart
software package for our on-line store. You know what that means!!!
Please bear with us as this transition occurs. We will do our best to
make sure that your shopping experience goes smoothly. If you do
experience any difficulty, remember help is just a phone call away.
Our toll free number is 1-866-468-1739 for your ordering
convenience. Visit: http://www.animaldesigns.com "When You Want
Truly Unique"

2) PET JOURNALS
I live in an older established area where people regularly walk
their dogs and dogs regularly walk their people. We even have dogs
that walk themselves. Every morning, one elderly resident and her
aging pet shuffle by my house. Both are stooped over as they inch
along. The woman always carries a coffee cup and walks about six
feet behind her dog. The animal is attached to a leash that drags
behind him on the sidewalk. In all the years I have noticed this
pair of friends walk by, I have never seen the woman pick up the
leash. The pair quietly acknowledges our community leash law that,
in all probability, never states a person has to be attached to the
other end of the leash. It is common to see children being dragged
along behind dogs twice their size, or pets straining so hard at
their leashes they spend most of the walk at a 45-degree angle to the
sidewalk. There are the new mothers
trying to get back in shape that run by with the family dog attached
to the baby stroller. This dedication to good health is a mystery to
me but certainly looks impressive. One man had been out of work for
months and walked by with his beagle, Toby, at least five times a
day. The endless hours of walking the pet and observing his
neighbors paid off for Toby's owner. Bob decided to start his own
pooper-scooper business noting several opportunities right under the
dog's nose, so to speak. Evening is when I see the men of the
neighborhood and their furry companions. Whether trying to work off
the stress of a busy workday or avoiding a chaotic home life, they
are very happy to be out with man's best friend. The men will
congregate on the street corners to play with their dogs and
share "guy time". This surprises me, as the women who walk their
dogs always seem to be on a schedule and rarely stop to chat. With
the recent change in the weather, I have spent the last several days
outside planting flowers. This has afforded an opportunity to meet
and greet many neighbors and their dogs that have been housebound
during the difficult St. Louis winter. There is an endless stream of
spring puppies in need of serious training that flop happily down the
sidewalk. Every spring, I am aware that several of the elderly dogs
did not make it through the cold months. Sometimes I never see their
owners again. The pain of losing their faithful friends remains too
great to ever entertain another pet. Over time, I have come to know
all the dogs of my neighborhood by name. However, I can only
identify their owners as Denver's mother or Sam's dad. The
neighborhood canines are well groomed though I wish I could say the
same for their owners. People will wear virtually anything when
walking their dogs. I have seen an abundance of mismatched clothing
and ridiculous headgear. A person who will spend hours brushing and
grooming their pet will neglect to brush their own hair before taking
Fido out for a walk. Yes, it is true -- a great many pets and their
owners do resemble each other. The woman up the street with the very
large thighs waddles by with her two hefty bulldogs as the trim
jogger runs along side a sleek Greyhound. My elderly neighbor with
the gray beard takes daily walks with his gray bearded Schnauzer,
Max. And the redheaded woman at the end of the block enjoys the
company of two splendid Irish Setters. The majority of the people
who walk by with their furry friends don't
have the first clue as to what type of collar or leash is appropriate
for their breed of dog, nor do they understand how to train their pet
to walk
appropriately on a leash. And many forget to carry doggy bags to
pick up pet droppings left in unwanted places on neighbor's lawns.
I could write an entire column on these issues, however, I am aware
of something much more important -- people simply want to spend time
with their dogs. Young people, old people, young pets, or old pets -
- it is just timeenjoyed -- together. That is the true beauty of
owning a dog.
www.petwarmers.com
We all have stories that we like to tell our friends about our pets,
so send us your favorite "tail", and we will select one each month
to feature in our newsletter.

3) FEATURED ITEM
Make your picnics the talk of the town with a unique animal print
apron & mitt. These colorful aprons with a matching mitt are made of
washable cotton and generously sized. Makes a great gift as well as
being practical in your kitchen and at the BBQ grill.
To order your favorite print visit: http://www.animaldesigns.com/cgi-
sz/webcwrap/szw/st_prod.html?p_prodid=1&p_catid=1&sid=6Op7@V0lsCa@3m2-
35103187543.25

4) SUMMER AND PETS
Now that the weather is warming up and summer is finally here, you're
pulling out the old barbecue, filling the pool and putting on all
that sunscreen. But, don't forget about Fido and Fluffy. In the
summer, more pets are taken to the vets because of heat related pet
emergencies. These emergencies consist of dehydration, heat
exhaustion and sometimes even death. The most common emergency occurs
when a pet is left in a car. I know, you will just leave him for a
minute or two while you run into the store and grab a few items. But
when you were in the store, maybe you ran into an old friend and
talked for a few minutes. You need to know that a car can reach a
temperature of between 120 degrees to 140 degrees in a matter of
minutes, and cracking the window doesn't help. Your pet can actually
receive brain damage or even die. And, if you see an animal in a
parked car during the summer, notify the management of the shopping
mall or grocery store. If the owner doesn't return quickly, call your
local animal control or even the police. You think that if your dog
rides in the back of your truck it's better for him? Think again.
Even if he is secured with a rope, flying debris can hit and injure
him. He could even fall out and get dragged by the vehicle. A dog
should either ride inside the cab with you, in a crate or wearing a
seat belt harness designed just for him, or in a secured crate in the
bed of your truck.
Have you noticed in warmer weather you drink more water? Well, so
does your pet. You should keep on eye on your pets' water bowl and
make sure that it's always filled with fresh clean water. If he is
tied up, make sure that he has plenty of shade and is able to reach
his water bowl. I even like to throw a few ice cubes in my cats'
water bowl. It keeps their water cool and they also like to play with
them. When walking your pet, you should keep him on a leash. I know,
he is very well trained and doesn't leave your side. But, he may try
to drink water that is bad for him. In the summer, more people
fertilize their lawns and gardens. These chemicals can be fatal if
your pet ingests them. Also, if he drinks out of the gutter, it can
contain antifreeze. Antifreeze has a sweet taste that animals like,
but it can actually kill them.
Okay, you are at the store buying sunscreen, and of course you left
Fido and Fluffy at home. Go ahead and pick up an extra bottle. No,
not for you, for Fido and Fluffy. I know it's hard to believe with
all of that hair, but your pet can get sunburned and even get skin
cancer, especially if they have light hair and skin. It's okay to use
the same sunscreen you use yourself on your pet. Rub a little on
their exposed areas like the tips of their ears, the skin around
their lips, and the tip of their nose, and make sure that the
sunscreen has adequate protection against the sun. Did you know that
keeping your pet well groomed. If your pet has long hair and it is
tangled, their fur can actually trap the heat in making them even
hotter. You can always clip your dog in the summer months with the
latest "do's" and make them the envy of the other pets in the
neighborhood. Summertime is also a time of increased physical
activities. If your pet normally exercises with you, be very careful.
If your animal starts panting excessively or seems tired, it's time
to stop.
Heatstroke is very serious and can be fatal. The normal rectal
temperature of a dog or cat is 101F. Signs of heatstroke are:
Panting; Staring;Anxious expression; Refusal to obey commands; Warm,
dry skin ; High fever; Rapid heartbeat; Vomiting; Collapse
If you see any of these signs, you must act fast. Have someone
contact your vet immediately while you try to lower their body
temperature. You should apply towels that are soaked in cool water to
the hairless parts of their bodies. Sometimes your pet will
immediately respond, but their temperature is still not back to
normal. You should get them to a veterinarian immediately for
treatment.
Ok, now you're ready - go ahead and pull out the old barbecue and
have a safe and happy summer with your pets!
adapted from http://AnimalRadioNetwork.com.


5) DRAWING & FUN STUFF
Congratulations to Christine Howell....the winner of the paw print
billfold for June. July's drawing is a flexible brim paw print cap
After entering your name, check out the rest of the fun page at
http://www.animaldesigns.com/trivia.htm
Thanks to Steve C. for submitting this month's photo and caption
of "cows in the field." We would like to honor your Pet next
month, so send us a copy of their photo either by email or snail
mail.
June's question was " Do you take your pets on vacation? " The
results are...and the question is "who's really getting the vacation
here"... can't leave home without them (144), board at kennel (75),
too many for a vacation (36) and in house pet sitter(29).

6) COMMENTS-QUESTIONS-SUGGESTIONS
Homemade Show Sheen Recipe submitted by JoAnne S....1/4 cup hair
conditioner, 1/4 cup baby oil, 2 tablespoons vinegar (to keep flies
away). 1/4 cup water.

All the Best,
Jeanie