Ani-mail Post@ Animal Designs May 2004
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1. What's New
2. Pet Journals
3. Featured Item
4. Take Your Dog to Work Day
5. Drawing and Fun Stuff
6. Comments-Questions-Suggestions

1) WHAT'S NEW
Here's your chance to have the popular and genuine toile look.
Enhance your table decor and impress your dinner guests with our new
tablecloth, placemats, table runner and accessories. Choose from
three available "Country Life" colors at a price you can afford.
Order yours today at
http://www.animaldesigns.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?
Screen=PROD&Store_Code=animaldesigns&Product_Code=ttd001&Category_Code
=9

2) PET JOURNALS
We just sat down for supper when the doorbell rang. A stranger
explained that he was referred to our family by our friend, the
Sheriff. He was being transferred by his company and had nowhere to
leave Charlie. He asked if we would keep him. The entire family had
gathered at the door to see what this was all about and we followed
him out to his truck. He opened a cage and extracted a fat raccoon
who scrambled onto his shoulders. From that lofty perch we were
surveyed through a black furry mask by two dark shiny eyes. "This,"
the man said, "is Charlie." And this was no wild raccoon! I went
inside to phone the Sheriff, and returned in time to see our youngest
son, Chris, lugging Charlie toward the backyard. His brothers were
carrying the cage. Since no one's arm had been chewed off and each
boy was trying to hold him, I could see the family was falling in
love with this fat bandit. I
figured we had another "critter" added to our household. The guy
thanked us and left. We put Charlie's cage behind the garage,
clipped on his long chain and looked for his bedding materials.
That's when we discovered that he didn't have anything -- just his
big striped ringtail to sleep in. We got dishes and gave him dog
food and water, put cut grass in for a bed and a rain cover over the
cage. We finished our cold supper and Chris and his dad left for a
boy scout meeting. Later, an excited group of scouts came over to
see our raccoon. The next day, I called my father who lived
nearby. He came to check on our newest orphan and give advice. The
major skill raccoons use for protection is tree climbing and Charlie
was too terrified to try. Our oldest son reluctantly volunteered to
try to teach him. With Charlie wrapped around his shoulders, he
climbed up a ladder into the tree. Those
black paws had a choke hold over the top of Steven's head. Above all
the screeching and chattering I heard Steven's voice. "I'll bet I'm
the only
kid in the world that's up a tree trying to teach a raccoon to
climb. I quit!" Down they came. Jerry and Chris took over the job
and got Charlie to
climb trees by rewarding him if he climbed up to them. Charlie had
no idea how to eat like a raccoon. Mealtime found me and Charlie
rolling pieces of
chicken and stuff in his water pan to entice him to feel his food.
He finally caught on and dunked a frog before he ate it. Charlie
learned lots of raccoon skills and had grown a thick coat of fur, so
my father made arrangements to release him at his club located out on
a big lakeshore. The staff agreed to keep an eye on him. We took
off his collar, painted a red mark on his back and said a sad goodbye
to Charlie. Things were going well until the night a large bank
arranged a fish fry for their employees. The program was in
progress, the bank guard was chatting with the bus
driver, and the workers were preparing the food in the kitchen when
Charlie wandered out of the woods and smelled fish. He sensed the
aroma was coming from the clubhouse so he pushed open the screen door
and strolled straight down the aisle and right onto the stage.
Screams erupted from the ladies as they tried to get away from
Charlie. Still following fish aroma, Charlie scampered into the
kitchen where he located the grand prize -- a plate of fish. By the
time the cook saw Charlie, that bandit had climbed onto the food
table. Shouting and swatting at Charlie, he tried to remove him but
it was a futile effort. The noise and bedlam brought the bank guard
with drawn gun, as the kitchen crew shouted, "Don't shoot Charlie!"
Our favorite raccoon was spread-eagled over a plate of fish, growling
and chewing away. With the help of the kitchen crew, the cook lured
Charlie out into the
tool shed with the ruined plate of fish. The guard finally calmed
the ladies and the kitchen crew got things reorganized and they were
able to complete their unusual evening. Charlie made the headlines
of the bank's newsletter, with pictures, as the only successful
robber in the history of the bank.
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/Merchant2/merchant.mv?
Screen=PROD&Store_Code=animaldesigns&Product_Code=ap001&Category_Code=
1

4) TAKE YOUR DOG TO WORK DAY
On Friday, June 25th, businesses across the country are going to the
dogs by participating in the 6th Annual Take Your Dog To Work Day
hosted by Pet Sitters International, an educational organization for
professional pet sitters. Planet Dog, a manufacturer and retailer of
high-quality and innovative products for dogs, is partnering with Pet
Sitters International to support this national holiday. Take Your
Dog To Work Day was created by Pet Sitters International to celebrate
the great companions dogs make and to encourage adoptions from local
shelters, humane societies and rescue groups. According to the
American Pet Products Manufacturers Association's 2003/2004 National
Pet Owners Survey, there are approximately 65 million dog companions
nationwide. In the average workplace, that translates to 62% of
employees who own dogs. Each year, more and more of them are bringing
their canine co-workers along for a day on the job. "What a
difference a day makes," states Patti Moran, president of Pet Sitters
International. "People bringing their dogs to work one day to
celebrate Take Your Dog To Work Day can make a huge difference in the
adoption rates at shelters in North America. Dog-less co-workers
will see the human-animal bond enjoyed by their colleagues who are
dog parents and then adopt pets from local shelters," adds Moran.
Pet Sitters International provides "pet briefcases" to companies and
individuals who want to take part in Take Your Dog To Work Day.
Planet Dog will be providing their stylish and popular dog collars
for the pet briefcases. Thanks to their donation, dogs nationwide
are sure to adhere to office dress codes. For Planet Dog, every day
is "Take Your Dog To Work Day." Planet Dog celebrates dog
companionship daily with employees barely outnumbering dogs in their
office 21 to 17. "Dogs are a part of our lives and we recognize how
important they are to our employees," states Alex Fisher, Chief
Creative Officer and co-founder of Planet Dog. "They are true family
members and we fully support the meaningful relationships enjoyed by
all of the Planet Dog Family," adds Fisher. According to the
American Animal Hospital Association's 2002 Survey of People and Pet
Relationships, 76% of 1.242 owners surveyed believe that their pets
ease their stress levels and 43% have taken their dogs to work.
Studies also show having a dog at work can create a more relaxed and
productive work environment. Companies like Planet Dog that allow
dogs at
work have found that creativity, interpersonal skills and positive
work relationships have increased while stress levels and absenteeism
have decreased.
Adapted from the Animal Radio Network http://AnimalRadio.com.
Be sure to read June's newsletter for Tips for a "Pawsitive" Office
Experience.

5) DRAWING & FUN STUFF
Congratulations to Terri P......the winner of the paw print
drawstring bag. May's drawing is a paw print visor. After entering
your name, check out the rest of the fun page at
http://www.animaldesigns.com/trivia.htm
Thanks to Sallie D. for this month's photo of her recently born
calf. We would like to honor your pet next month, so send us a copy
of their photo either by email or snail mail.
April's question was: Would you take your pet to work if you
could? The overwhelming response to this question was that Most of
us would not get any work done (177); followed by everyday (82); they
are my work (63); with 30 responses for occasionally.

6) COMMENTS-QUESTIONS-SUGGESTIONS
Just a reminder not to miss our five year anniversary celebration
during the month of June. There will be games, prizes and a free
gift with any purchase.

As always, we appreciate your comments, questions and suggestions
and we've provided this link for sharing this newsletter with your
friends. http://www.tellafriends.com/p?id=2247 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