Ani-mail Post@ Animal Designs September 2004

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1. What's New
2. Pet Journals
3. Featured Item
4. Good Treat Habits Help Dogs Stay Lean, Healthy and Happy
5. Drawing and Fun Stuff
6. Comments-Questions-Suggestions
7. How to Unsubscribe

1) WHAT'S NEW
Feeling uncertain? Then look for the seal. For your on-line
shopping piece of mind, we've partnered with Geo Trust Digital
Certificates ensuring the highest level of security available for
our site. For more information about this service, just click on
the seal at: http://www.animaldesigns.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv

2) PET JOURNALS
Fur, fins or feathers... I've lived with, and loved them all. It
started out with a clam I found in a fish market when I was 4 years
old. I kept it in a little jar of water. The only trouble was that
it's hard to tell when a clam goes to that "big clambake" in the
sky. My parents sensed that something was not quite right with
Clam-entine, when our home started smelling a bit like the Fulton
Fish Market. It progressed through the years... birds, reptiles, a
wonderful dog, cats. I've learned that all of these critters have
their own unique personalities, if only you take the time to watch
and listen. About two years ago I decided to add to my family with
the addition of a tank of beautiful "show guppies" -- lovely
creatures that are each as unique as snowflakes. I came out of the
petshop with high hopes, a large bowl, and eight beautiful guppy
specimens -- 4 boys and 4 girls. I set up the new home, while
contemplating hours of relaxation just watching these beautiful
living gem stones glide through the water. My dream started fading
by the second day. One went belly up, then two, and so on. Back to
the pet shop I flew. Conditioners, antibiotics, special gourmet
guppy food -- I tried it all, but to no avail. Finally, I was down
to one pathetic female. I did everything but hold her hand! LIVE!
Please little girl! Nope, she was doing the dead man's float early
the next morning. I was in the process of cleaning out the tank
when I noticed an air bubble dashing around. Upon closed
inspection, I saw the tiniest little eye looking at me! OH MY
GOODNESS! Before mama exited this planet, she presented me with a
baby! I was so thrilled I rushed back to the pet shop and bought
live plants, extra decorations and baby fish food. I was going to
give this little survivor every chance to reach guppy adulthood. At
about two months, I realized that I had a little girl. I named her
Moby, after a distant relative on her side of the animal kingdom.
Not only was my little girl flourishing, she recognized me! When I
approached her tank she did this crazy little guppy dance. She >
even
learned signals to give me, showing she wanted food. We were
relating. Moby remained a lone guppy for about a year. And then I
thought,
"Dare I introduce a boyfriend?" Back to the petshop for the
prettiest male guppy I could find. And in he went. Moby freaked!
She hid in the foliage and she stopped dancing. I thought perhaps
things would change after she realized that the little fellow only
wanted to be her friend (well, maybe he wanted a little more.)
Two weeks after introducing Ishmeal into the tank, he disappeared.
GONE! The question is still unanswered: Is Moby guilty of
Guppicide? It has been about three months now. Things are back to
normal. Moby is once again dancing whenever I approach her home. I
guess I'll leave well enough alone and be content to live with this
solitary finny funny fish.
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
Give your bathroom a new look with this custom made cotton fabric
shower curtain , standard size (72" X 72") with sturdy metal
grommets. Easy care and washable. If you don't see the pattern you
like, please email us with your request. Be sure and check out our
ceramic bath accessories to complete your bathroom decor.
http://www.animaldesigns.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?
Screen=PROD&Store_Code
=animaldesigns&Product_Code=sct001&Category_Code=19

4) GOOD TREAT HABITS HELP DOGS STAY LEAN, HEALTHY AND HAPPY
The most important thing one can do to help dogs live longer,
healthier lives is to keep them lean! Giving and getting treats is
fun and rewarding for humans and dogs. It is an interaction that
brings joy and strengthens relationships. Sometimes treats can add
many unneeded, unwanted calories that pet owners neglect counting.
Veterinarians, trainers, groomers, and other pet care professionals
have a powerful influence that can help shape the choices people
make about types and frequency of treats, which can be part of a
healthy weight control program. Recent research clearly shows that
overweight dogs die younger, and get cancer, arthritis and other
debilitating diseases at younger ages. Treats are often a part of
the problem. Some treats, especially the large biscuits and green
treats, are high in calories. Consider that a medium-sized biscuit
may contain 50 kilocalories, a large
biscuit or green treat 110 kilocalories. Since many people give
their dogs more than one treat a day, biscuits may be a major reason
a recent
government (National Research Council 2003) report estimated that
25% of all dogs and cats in the U.S. are obese! Instead of high
calorie, high carbohydrate biscuits with little nutritional value,
other treats should be considered including small pieces of carrot,
a blueberry, or a tasty low calorie treat (weighing less than one
gram per treat). The size of the treat is not important to a dog
(though taste certainly is!) - it's the interaction and play with
their humans that is significant. Keeping a dog lean is important
for its health. Getting treats is an important part of a dogs day,
and provides pleasure to humans as well. When pet owners develop
healthy eating habits for their dogs, they can also increase the
odds that their dogs will be lean and live longer, healthier, happy
lives.
Adapted from the Animal Radio Network http://AnimalRadio.com.

5) DRAWING & FUN STUFF
Congratulations to Miles G....the winner of the pawprint billfold.
and to Denise F.... winner of the $30 gift certificate. September's
drawing is a pawprint CarVisor CD Holder. After entering your name,
check out the rest of the fun page at
http://www.animaldesigns.com/trivia.htm This month's pet photo is
a three year old goat named Brownie, our newest addition to the
family here at Animal Designs. We would like to honor your pet next
month, so send us a copy of their photo either by email or snail
mail. August's question was: Have you taught your pet any tricks?
The percentage responses were Yes, a real pet star (54%), No
diagnosed ADD (31%), Learned on their own (14%), and other (1%).

6) COMMENTS-QUESTIONS-SUGGESTIONS
A recent comment from a valued customer, Linda H. "The tropical
bird shower curtain you made looks fantastic in our bathroom. Thank
you for working with me on the color selection and fabric choices.
Also, I am very pleased with the quality of the shower curtain."

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