Ani-mail Post@ Animal Designs December 2004
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

1. What's New
2. Pet Journals
3. Featured Item
4. Holidays Ring In Stressful Time For Pets
5. Drawing and Fun Stuff
6. Comments-Questions-Suggestions
7. How to Unsubscribe

1) WHAT'S NEW
Best wishes to you and your families, both human and furry, for a
happy holiday season. Is the time running out to get that purr-fect
gift for a pet lover? Why not give them a choice with an Animal
Designs gift certificate. It couldn't be easier, just click here:
http://www.animaldesigns.com/giftcertificates.htm and choose the
dollar amount and add it to your order. You can shop with confidence
knowing that your recipient will select a truly unique gift.

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
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
Our very own handmade cozy flannel slippers are soft and cuddly.
These washable slip-ons conform naturally to your feet. They are made
of cotton flannel outside with soft polar fleece inside, are
generously padded and have a non-skid sole. Just the slippers to keep
your feet warm and cozy this winter. If you don't see the pattern you
want, please email us with your request. Order your pair today at:
http://www.animaldesigns.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?
Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=animaldesigns&Category_Code=21

4) HOLIDAYS RING IN STRESSFUL TIME FOR PETS
The house is decorated in holiday cheer, with gifts under the tree
and bright lights flashing. Family members from out-of-state will
arrive later in the month and stay through New Year's Eve, when
everyone gathers outside to watch the local fireworks show. Schedules
are turned upside down in preparation. Perhaps it's the year to
travel for the holidays instead, leaving the dog or cat behind with
a friend or in a kennel. Such excitement can overwhelm not only
people, but their pets as well. The animals' territories have been
altered, and unfamiliar visitors may be perceived as invaders.
The "tell-tail" signs of distress among dogs may include excessive
barking, whining, chewing and house soiling. Cats will display
destructive behaviors such as urine marking, adding to the chaos
already associated with the holidays. The key scenarios leading to
canine stress include: separation anxiety, or
physical separation from owners; new people or things, including
festive decorations; fear and phobias of loud noises such as
fireworks; and temporary changes such as car or air travel, boarding
or unfamiliar furniture and surroundings. Stress-inducing conditions
for cats include: other animals, such as the pets of houseguests;
new people in the home; a change in environment, such as the big
Christmas tree in the living room; and being transported or boarded.
The holidays come wrapped in these situations every year -- but a
solution is available for pet owners. A pheromone therapy developed
by veterinarians can ease the season's tension for the 68 million
dogs and 73 million cats in the Unites States. D.A.P.(tm) (Dog
Appeasing Pheromone) and Feliway¨ for cats are synthetic
pheromones
that naturally control and manage pet behavior associated with
anxiety, fear, stress or phobias. The canine pheromones are released
into the dog's environment through a diffuser that plugs into an
electrical outlet, delivering the therapy 24 hours a day for
approximately 30 days. The treatment is designed for dogs
specifically and will not affect humans. In spring 2004, a pump
spray version of the therapy is scheduled to hit store shelves. The
cat pheromones also are released through a diffuser, and are
available in a pump spray as well. The spray is perfect for traveling
with, crating or boarding a cat. "The problems associated with
animals and the holidays can be anticipated in advance, because you
know what changes will be taking place in your home and schedule,"
said Audra Boyd, product manager for Phoenix-based Farnam Pet
Products. "The best way to treat the unavoidable is to start using
the diffusers a few weeks prior to the celebrations, and ease your
pet through the season. The spray offered for cats makes traveling
that much easier too." How Do Pheromones Work? D.A.P. calms dogs by
emitting a synthetic pheromone that mimics the pheromone of a
lactating female dog. By replicating the signal of comfort, D.A.P.
helps alleviate fear and stress related behaviors. Feliway
replicates the friendly facial pheromones cats use to mark their
territory when they rub their cheeks against people and objects. The
presence of the pheromones calms cats in stressful environments and
reduces their impulse to urine mark their territory and scratch the
furniture. Pet owners can ask their vet about D.A.P. and Feliway or
go to a specialty pet store or online retailer and look for Comfort
Zone(tm) with D.A.P.(tm) and Comfort Zone(tm) with Feliway¨.
Information also is available at www.farnampet.com.
Adapted from the Animal Radio Network http://AnimalRadio.com.

5) DRAWING & FUN STUFF
Congratulations to Cathy D..the winner of the pawprint Drawstring
Bag. December's drawing is a pawprint Car Visor CD holder. After
entering your name, check out the rest of the fun page at
http://www.animaldesigns.com/trivia.htm Thanks to for this month's
pet photo of . We want to honor your pet next month, so send us a
copy of their photo either by email or snail mail. November's
question was: Do you and your pet look alike? Most of us thought
there were some similar features with Maybe just a little (62%), Yes,
uncanny resemblance (26%), with No, I hope not (14%).

6) COMMENTS-QUESTIONS-SUGGESTIONS
"I am purchasing placemats as a holiday gift and having them shipped
to a friend. Can you enclose a card with the gift?" Yes, we will
gladly design a personalized card for any special occasion and
include it with the shipment to that person. Just let us know what
message you want on the card.

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.

Happy Holidays,
Jeanie