What's New @ Animal Designs August 2003
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


1. What's New
2. Pet Journals
3. Featured Item
4. Declawing Facts
5. Drawing and Fun Stuff
6. Comments-Questions-Suggestions

1) WHAT'S NEW
Hope you are enjoying your summer. Just a quick update on our new on-
line store. We are pleased to announce that the new shopping cart
is in place and ready to take your orders. If you do have any
questions or problems, remember help is just a phone call away. Our
toll free number is 1-866-468-1739. Visit:
http://www.animaldesigns.com "When You Want Truly Unique"

2) PET JOURNALS
Does anyone remember the song, Norwegian Wood? Well, if you do,
sing or hum along with these substitute words. "I once had a bird or
should I say he once had me?" I will relate my story and let you
decide who had who. For years we had a male cardinal and his mate
visit our bird feeder.
When they came over to feed, I would talk to them and call him Mr. C
and her Mrs. C. I don't know how long it took but he became so tame
that he
actually came to our wooden fence or a nearby tree when I called
him. Our friends would marvel at how he would come when he was
summoned.
I'd just go out in the yard and yell "Mr. C" and he would come flying
from somewhere to about six feet from where I was. I had to prove it
a lot
because people just wouldn't believe it. He'd come flying from
across the street or the neighbor's yard. When Mr. C was on the
ground feeding and I'd put my dog out, he would just hop under a
nearby shrub. He was a brave little thing and he would fight all the
sparrows for his sunflower seeds. I had always been told cardinals
were very timid but not him! He would sit on our wooden fence or
outside on the crabapple tree near our kitchen window and chirp until
I would come out to feed him. He would also chase the other birds
from the bird feeder. He felt that was his special domain -- and it
was! Sometimes I would imitate his chirps back to him and actually
I had gotten rather good at it. He would chirp three chirps then I
would do
three. When he'd do four chirps, I would do four. This always
continued for several minutes when we'd use this unusual type of
communication
between us. Such a lover was our Mr. C. He used to feed his wife
sometimes and that was always great to watch. The interaction
between the two was very sweet. The pair had their nest built in
our pine tree and we would see both parents coming and going feeding
their offspring. Once in a while, we would see a baby cardinal come
sit on the ground. It was cute to watch Baby C. on the ground
wiggling his body with excitement waiting for his
parents to feed him birdseed. Then, in about a week, he or she was
gone. Oh, but Mr. C was a delight. Not only would he come when he
was
called, but he would sit in the tree and watch for our sliding door
to open. Then he would come and either sing or chirp depending if he
was hungry or not. One time he even flew from tree to tree following
me in the yard. What a character! Mrs. C, on the other hand, was
very timid and would only come after she was sure it was safe. They
both had been around for years (and I wish I kept track of how long)
to the point that they started to gray around the beak feathers.
Then one day, something very strange took place. I saw Mr. C. with
another male cardinal. They would fly from here to there. Where the
first one would go, the second would follow. It was odd because I
never had seen another male cardinal in the yard, except the babies.
I saw Mr. C. once more two days later, and then Junior took over and
I never saw Mr. C or his mate again. I think they went to the
Rainbow Bridge and officially gave Junior the yard. Now Junior and
his wife are the resident cardinals. They feed at least twice a day
at our bird feeder, and once in a Blue Moon (or should I say Red
Cardinal Moon?) we are privileged to see some of their offspring
being fed by mom and dad. I still think about Mr. C and I miss him.
I think he was one of a kind. But my original question remains, did
I have him or did he have me?
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
Looking for that special touch to complete your bathroom? This fine
porcelain bath accessory set has a soapdish and pump, toothbrush
holder and cup. Using only the highest quality transfers to hand
decorate each piece, these white bath accessories will compliment any
bathroom decor. To complete the set is an adorable bud vase and a
round jewelry box with lid. To order your favorite design, visit :
http://www.animaldesigns.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?
Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=animaldesigns&Category_Code=12

4) Declawing Facts
Declawing is actually "de-toeing" or "de-fingering": Claw, bone,
tendons and ligaments are amputated to the first knuckle of each toe.
It compromises the feet of an animal who uses those feet to cover up
the most potent urine in the world. A study of 163 cats that
underwent onychectomy (declawing), published in the Jul/Aug 1994
Journal of Veterinary Surgery, showed that 50% suffered from
immediate postoperative complications such as pain, hemorrhage, and
lameness; and long-term complications, including prolonged lameness,
were found in nearly 20% of the 121 cats who were followed up on in
the study. In a study published in the January, 2001 JAVMA, 33% of
39 cats that underwent onychectomy developed "at least" one behavior
problem immediately after surgery, with the most common problems
being litter box problems and biting. In a recent study published
October, 2001, JAVMA by Dr. Gary J. Patronek, VMD, PhD., declawed
cats were at an increased risk of relinquishment.ä [emphasis
added] A
recent national survey of shelters from the Caddo Parrish Forgotten
Felines and Friends indicates that approximately 70% of cats turned
in to shelters for behavioral problems are declawed. It is clear that
declawing a cat by no means guarantees it a home for life; it
frequently results in abandonment at a shelter, on the streets, or
destroyed. From the Summer 2002 issue of PETA Animal Times: A survey
by a Delaware animal shelter showed that more than 75% of the cats
turned in for avoiding their litter boxes had been declawed.ä
[emphasis added] In my own three-year experience, 95% of calls about
declawed cats related to litter box problems, while only 46% of
clawed cats had such problems and most of those were older cats with
physical ailments. Of my calls, only declawed cats have cost their
owners security deposits, leather sofas and floorboards. And as
mostly declawed cats that have been prescribed pain killers, anti-
depressants, tranquilizers and steroids. Two-thirds of my calls are
about litter box problems. In 90% of those cases, the cat is
declawed, sick or old. In 7 years, only 3 people have called about a
scratching-the-sofa problem . . .yet countless of healthy declawed
cats have peed on sofas. Complaints (drugs, time, expenses, damage,
losses, etc.) concerning declawed cats were much worse than clawed
cats.
adapted from http://AnimalRadioNetwork.com.


5) DRAWING & FUN STUFF
Congratulations to Cindy G....the winner of the paw print flexible
brim cap. August's drawing is a paw print eyeglass case. After
entering your name, check out the rest of the fun page at
http://www.animaldesigns.com/trivia.htm
Thanks to Becky G. for submitting this month's photo of her adorable
Jack Russell terrier Ashley. We would like to honor your Pet next
month, so send us a copy of their photo either by email or snail
mail.
July's question was "Does Your Pet Exercise" It seems we have alot
of couch potatoes out there (112 ) followed closely by marathon
runners(103), gold medal swimmers (78) and aerobic dancers (51).

6) COMMENTS-QUESTIONS-SUGGESTIONS
We are looking for your feedback about your experiences with our new
on-line storefront. Just drop us a note and let us know what you
think. Your comments are always appreciated.


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 Thank you for
taking the time to tell your friends and family about Animal
Designs. It is the ultimate compliment and we greatly appreciate it.

All the Best,
Jeanie
Animal Designs
www.animaldesigns.com
1.866.468.1739