Ani-mail Post@ Animal Designs July 2006
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

1. What's New
2. Pet Journals
3. Featured Item
4. The DNA Dog Diet
5. Drawing and Fun Stuff
6. Comments-Questions-Suggestions
7. How to Unsubscribe

1) WHAT'S NEW
Come and join us for our anniversary celebration on the internet with
an exclusive offer just for our newsletter readers. Your order this
month will be entered to win a $50.00 gift certificate! A random
drawing will be held at the end of the month to select the winner.
Yes, spend it as you like at Animal Designs. Thanks to all our valued
customers who have made this celebration possible. Be sure to visit
us today at www.animaldesigns.com

2) PET JOURNALS
The sun was shining and the weather was warm. This was a vacation
day, a rare occasion just to goof off. I never imagined I would
become a zoo exhibit. My computer sits near the sliding glass
doors. I had finished reading my email and was sitting with one of
my cats on my lap, soaking up the warmth of the early morning sun.
Another was sitting in the light on the desk. A third basking on the
floor. Suddenly, intent alertness in every muscle, each cats' eyes
focused on a shrub outside. You could feel the predatory instincts
in their eagerness. I turned my chair to face the shrub. The first
cat stayed in my lap, content to be held, but with his tail whipping
wildly. The cat on the floor did the "lion crawl" to the edge of the
glass, as close as he could get to the "prey". The cat on the desk
literally "oozed" down to the floor joining the other at the door.
Then, I saw the object of their scrutiny -- a fat, gray squirrel.
She sat at attention, on a broken branch, with jet eyes locked on the
cats. Both front paws curled up to her chest, her tail sending
semaphore signals to some unseen comrade. I expected she would
scamper away at the first overt movement. But no -- the squirrel was
enjoying her day at the ZOO! There were predators within striking
distance but she seemed to understand she was safe. You could see
she was getting an adrenaline rush. She looked from at one cat to
another and then at me, turning her head this way and that to get a
better view. She even indulged in refreshments, taking a seed pod
from the shrub, looking, for all the world, like she was eating
popcorn. The gray lady was of course, alert to everything around
her. A neighbor getting into his car and diving away. Another
throwing trash in the dumpsters. A hawk circling (she was safe, out
of its view under the canopy of the shrub). But always her attention
returned to the "caged animals". After several minutes, I could tell
she was getting bored. Those mighty predators were just sitting
there. They were not providing new or exciting behaviors (Yawn).
Until, suddenly a yellow fuzzy monster -- my Golden Retriever service
dog, Vega -- came strolling up to the glass. OH MY! This was so
exciting. The squirrel's tail started to flick a million miles an
hour. One front paw came down to the branch, just in case she had to
make a run for it! She was ready! Prepared to cut in the after-
burners to get away! But she was fascinated. She could not break
eye contact. My dog had realized that there must be something
interesting outside. He trusts the cats to always know where the fun
is. But he never looked up. He looked out into the lot, down to the
patio but never up, he didn't see the squirrel, lost interest and
wandered away. With the behemoth gone, the squirrel soon lost
interest as well. She had eaten all her seeds and was starting to
look around for something else to do or to eat. Soon she meandered
out of the shrub, crossed the parking lot and went her way with a
final few flips of her tail, as if in farewell. I wonder if she felt
brave and adventurous hanging around all those sharp teeth and claws
for such a long time. With the squirrel gone, the cats soon drifted
off to sleep in the nice warm sun and I returned to my reading. The
animals in the zoo went back to their daily routines. Perhaps, the
gray visitor may return another day to peer with fascination, and a
courageous spirit, at the animals in the "zoo".
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 billfold is great for those outdoor activities, biking, walking
or a day at the beach. This softsided cotton fabric billfold is
available in your favorite pet or animal print and features two (2)
card pockets, (one for coins) compartment for paper money, nylon
lining, velcro closure and it's washable. It measures 3" X 5" in
size when folded. Great to carry your money and credit cards when you
want something small and flexible. Want a different pet or animal
print, please contact us with your request. Order yours today at:
http://www.animaldesigns.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?
Screen=PROD&Store_Code=animaldesigns&Product_Code=bil001&Category_Code
=15

4) THE DNA DOG DIET
Chow time takes on a new health significance for your dog ­ thanks to
an emerging science called nutrigenomics. Nutritionists and
geneticists are working together to keep your dog healthy, one
molecular morsel at a time. This interplay between genes and
nutrients found in certain foods may transform the overall health in
dogs ­ and people. "Genes represent the blueprint for who we are ­ both
people and dogs ­ but they are not a jail sentence," says Ruth DeBusk,
PhD, RD, a geneticist and registered dietician in Tallahassee,
Florida. She co-authored, It's Not Just Your Genes with Yael Joffe,
RD and spearheads an international coalition determined to educated
experts ­ and consumers ­ about the benefits of nutrigenomics on
overall health and longevity. The buzz about nutrigenomics has
sparked debate ­ and hope ­ in the veterinary community. That's because
much of the canine research has been conducted by scientists at major
commercial dog food companies and the results have yet to be
published in peer-review medical journals. This manipulation at the
cellular level may prevent or eliminate osteoarthritis, epilepsy,
cancers, and a host of other canine health conditions. Research is
also underway for new gene diets for cats, too. "We're only beginning
to learn how certain foods can manipulate the genes for which we ­ and
dogs ­ are born with," says Robert Pickard, PhD, director of the
British Nutrition Foundation. He points out that dogs and humans
have similar number of genes ­ about 23,000 ­ and most canine genes
appear to have human equivalents and vice versa. "We know
the 'addresses' of genes," says Dr. Pickard. "Now, we need to learn
their 'occupations' and what influence certain foods have on
modifying these genes." Scientists identified a specific omega-3
fatty acid called EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) that can "turn off" a
degenerative enzyme that causes cartilage degradation. They recently
shared their findings at an international nutritional conference in
London and a genetics conference at Tufts University in North
Grafton, Massachusetts. Curious about nutrigenomics? To learn more
about this new science, please visit the Web site:
www.petnutrigenomics.com.
Adapted from the Animal Radio Network http://AnimalRadio.com.

5) DRAWING & FUN STUFF
Congratulations to Katie H. the winner of the pawprint towel &
hotpad. July's drawing is a paw print tote bag. After entering
your name, check out the rest of the fun page at
http://www.animaldesigns.com/trivia.htm Thanks to Timmy D...for the
photo of his cute rabbit Max. We want to honor your pet next month,
so send us a copy of their photo either by email or snail mail.
June's question was: Have you entered your pet in a show or
exhibition? Most of the responses said they don't have the time
(72%) , won 1st place(14%), would love to but don't know how (9%) and
others such as photo contests (5%).

6) COMMENTS-QUESTIONS-SUGGESTIONS
Hello, wanted to let you know I received the two cow print cosmetic
bags I purchased from you. Wow!! they are so cute. Keep up the great
work, I look forward to buying from you again in the future. Thanks!
Tammy C.

As always, we appreciate your comments, questions and suggestions and
we've provided this link for sharing this newsletter with your
friends. http://www.animaldesigns.com/tell-a-friend.htm 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