Image Up Advertising & Design

COMMUNITy NEWS | FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | DECEMBER 2014 9 By Teri DiMarino-Davidson Wow! I have to start this column by giving you all a big "Thank You!" Your response to this simple little pet column has been very encouraging. I hope I can continue to supply you with some fun and informative reading material focusing on our pets. Thank you all again for your questions and input. Keep them coming. Last month I spoke about the upcoming holidays, focusing on Thanksgiving. While I addressed keeping our pets safe from excessive food and probing children, I really need to revisit that subject again. December holidays push many people to the brink, and their pets feel the stress too. Different kinds of decorations fill the house, parties with large numbers of people are routine, and there's food all over the place. We think our pets enjoy the holidays and, in many ways, they do. (Seven out of 10 people buy holiday gifts for their pets, and half of those people actually wrap them!) The holidays, or any party time, comes with its own unique stresses and it is these stresses that can make our pets almost as crazy as we tend to make ourselves. Stress for a pet can be defined as anything that is out of the ordinary. While some stresses and changes can be good, busy times around the house during this time of year can be filled with confusion for our furry babies. Make sure they can find a quiet place away from the hustle and bustle and be sure they don't overindulge on goodies. I am sure most of you are aware of the pet hazards that lurk in some of our decorations. Tinsel can be especially damaging if ingested and glass ornaments, obviously, come with their own set of cautions. When I decorate my tree I make sure to use plastic ornaments on the lower branches so when my kitties start playing ball, they only get the non-breakable ones. Chocolate is a favorite holiday treat for us, but it can be extremely harmful to our pets. Some plants, like poinsettia, mistletoe and holly, are considered toxic to pets and can cause severe digestive upsets and disorientation. Pine needles can also play havoc with Fluffy's insides. We also use a lot of extension cords this time of year, so be careful where you place them, as some pets have been known to chew these cords. Many of us keep lit candles which can attract curious pets. There are lovely battery operated candles available that are safe to use around our little friends. And, of course baskets of potpourri smell nice but you don't want your kitty munching on it. PumPkin-PEAnut ButtEr DoG trEAts: Many of us like to bake this time of year so here is a wonderful recipe for your dog. Preheat oven to 350°F INGREDIENTS: • 2½ cups whole wheat flour • 2 eggs • ½ cup canned pumpkin • 2 tablespoons peanut butter • ½ teaspoon salt • ½ teaspoon cinnamon Whisk together all ingredients. Add a bit of water as needed to make the dough workable, but keep in mind that the dough should be a bit dry and stiff. Roll the dough ½-inch-thick. Cut into desired size pieces or use a cookie cutter for fun shapes. Bake in preheated oven until hard and crunchy: about 40 minutes. Hope you enjoyed these holiday tips. Please send any questions or suggestions you may have to me at DearTeriPets@ aol.com. I will be addressing your questions in upcoming columns. Have a very Happy Holiday, a prosperous New Year and keep your four footed friends safe and happy. Keeping pets safe during the holidays

• Cover