Hit refresh to be sure not to miss any new guests or features.

Holiday Critters

Lady and Spike from Amsterdam, The Netherlands
These two characters are responsible for this page happening. Had to get them out there ~ how could anyone not get in the spirit after a look at those jolly faces?
OOOOps ... Lady and Spike's papa sent the pic ... so going on the natural ass-umption ... Ahem, hmmmm, uhhh, well ... Jan opened the "surprise" and told me he'd found the pic on the 'net. Oh well, no matter ~ they're still a hoot, whoever they are.

The real Lady and Spike

Bobo from Canada, dig those candy cane stripes

Bonnie's girls ~ Chelsey, Chloe and Meshia
http://cairnsandfriends.homestead.com/

Susie, who is technically Flamingo Times publisher JW Bubba's sister, lives in North Carolina.
Read the Times online:
http://www.topica.com/lists/flamingotimes/read

"Do I look like Rudolph to you? It's the nose, right?"
Part Sheltie, part loon, Verdell is a member of Helen's extended family of rescues who lives with two-legged daughter Jenny. He was named after the Brussels Griffon Jill playing the part of Verdell in "As Good as it Gets" ~ why has yet to be explained. Verdell will soon be featured in Buttments, the Three-quel. Sneak preview also spotlights cousin Maggie. Both are miracle pups, no one dreamed either would make it through the night when they arrived at The Hill, Helen's home sanctuary. Mags, now a massive mastiff, chose not to be coerced into Christmas costume. Possibly she's holding out for the bunny ears ... that is, IF, feline Frazier will share. His pic's around here somewhere, might as well get a jump on Easter ~ send your cuties. Mail details close to end of page.

More merry critter butt shots ~ http://www.therealmartha.com/buttments2/index.htm

Timmy (sitting) and Phoebe
If they look familiar, they were on last year's "regular" holiday page
http://www.therealmartha.com/Holidaze02/index.htm

This year's Timmy and Phoebe with friend Rufus

Woody the Westie from the UK
www.woodythewestie.co.uk
Woody has a neat little jingle about Santa Paws on his home page (and links to more Christmas) ~ you may recognize him from Smilin' Critters page.
http://www.therealmartha.com/Smile/index.htm

http://www.artwizzerd.com/

Giz, newest member of the gang above, next to Boo Boo in Santa hat
How Giz zig-zagged to Jag: http://www.therealmartha.com/Sammie/index.htm

Another Boo Boo, a.k.a. Mom's Little Snuggle Bunny

Boo Boo arrived in plenty of time to feel at home before holiday chaos* began. Santa's little helper's motto: Every puppy needs a boy!

*I feel very strongly about not using animals as presents, as in just another toy. Their "batteries" are still going strong long after others wear out. Unfortunately kid interest tends to fade pretty fast too.

Moll Honey runs her whole gang of Websters

with a petite, yet mighty, set of paws!

Scoopy the Bearded Reindeer

Are we having fun yet?

Get the scoop on Scoop!
http://www.therealmartha.com/ScoopPoster/index.htm
Crazy dog in snow
http://www.therealmartha.com/ScoopDemento/index.htm

A fave from last year

Fleas Navidad
No doubt this will offend someone ... do me a favor please, keep your problem to yourself.

Buster daDude, official Santa's helper

Above is my shot, below is the pro ~ had a great turnout at the shelter last year.

Think about sponsoring a spay or neuter through a shelter or rescue group. Great feel-good gift to yourself, in someone's name for the person who has everything or someone who knows it needs to be done but funds are tight. You could even organize a group fund-raiser at work, school, church, through Scouting or other assembly clubs. Just the pitch for the idea is a great opportunity to enlighten.

If you sew or crochet, look into http://www.therealmartha.com/CraftyPix/index.htm and http://www.therealmartha.com/holipix/index.htm (in particular the stuffed bone ornament). Handmade donations such as afghans and quilts tend to fetch big bucks at auction.

Find more donation and volunteerism suggestions: http://www.therealmartha.com/adopt/index.htm

More fun:  http://www.therealmartha.com/HappyHowlidaze/index.htm http://www.therealmartha.com/Holidaze02/index.htm

Find dog pattern (great kid project) and variation pics on Crafty Pix link above, as well as easy quilts and afghans.

Currently we're testing prototypes for tug/chew/toss/slime-resistant toys that have, so far, survived Scoopy (world-class-destructo-type). I expect the end results to be good fund-raisers - also a great gift idea! Pics and the rest of the story: http://www.therealmartha.com/DogToys/index.htm.

Reserve firsts off the assembly line (that's Bub and me): MarthaJones1@aol.com
Please use I want the toy(s) as subject line. The material is fairly expensive, prices will probably start at $15. plus shipping.

Two years later* ...
Chewapaloozas and UKOs (unidentifiable knotted objects) are a hit! http://www.therealmartha.com/Chewapalooza/index.htm
http://www.therealmartha.com/UKOsDogToys/

*Also added two more chewaholic testers to the family.

Keeping in woof with the season ... during a morning roll in the grass, a bad pinecone bit Scoopy. Jumped up, grabbed it and took off like a bat outta you know where, tossing and catching it as he went. Wore himself to a frazzle. Pure comedy, acted like it was a live thing, and the first time he'd ever seen one. Finally let me pick it up and followed me inside. Then he ignored it of course ... until ... the shredder kicked in. What a mess but I'd swear no dog could have had more fun. Action pics: http://www.therealmartha.com/ScoopDemento/index.htm

We now refer to pinecones as dognip. I have no idea what would happen if pieces were swallowed - if you try one, keep a close eye on it.

From a concerned reader: I found the [above] while searching for information about dogs eating a pinecone. I am almost certain that my daughter's young Boxer ate the better portion of one this afternoon. I know this can be potentially deadly. A friend's dog had a bad experience with a pinecone intestinal blockage that required surgery. We are keeping a close watch for any signs of trouble.

Need real cats and kittens pics, don't want to be accused of prejudice.

This guy's going to have to do until a real dog wearing a yarmulke shows up. Possibly a cat size is available??? And then there's Kwanzaa ... what else is missing?

Go almost to the end of the page for a doggie holiday helper illustration ~ you will experience

Cats and dogs feel stress just like humans do. They are sensitive to things going on around them including your tone of voice, your emotions, and your tension level. They may do things out of the ordinary things such as vomit, act wild, hide, bark, whine, not eat, or shed more hair. Pay attention - if behavior seems different than usual, watch them closely to determine the cause. If you think it's stress-related, try to find some quiet time to spend with them. Also, try to be more patient and forgiving during the holidays. Being angry with them will only make the situation worse.

Guests can be a problem for animals unaccustomed to a house full of people. Time alone with familiar toys and blankets can prevent your pet from getting nervous around visitors. Unfamiliar faces can turn normally docile animals into aggressive ones. More critter holiday info below.

How to wrap presents with doggies in the house

1. Gather presents, boxes, paper, etc. in middle of living room floor.
2. Get tape back from puppy.
3. Remove scissors from older dog's mouth.
4. Open box.
5. Take puppy out of box.
6. Remove tape from older dog's mouth.
7. Take scissors away from puppy.
8. Put present in box.
9. Remove present from puppy's mouth.
10. Put back in box after removing puppy from box.
11. Take scissors from older dog and sit on them.
12. Remove puppy from box and put on lid.
13. Take tape away from older dog.
14. Unroll paper.
15. Take puppy OFF box.
16. Cut paper being careful not to cut puppy's foot or nose that is getting in the way "helping."
17. Let puppy tear remaining paper.
18. Take puppy off box.
19. Wrap paper around box.
20. Remove puppy from box and take wrapping paper from its mouth.
21. Tell older dog to fetch the tape so he will stop stealing it.
22. Take scissors away from puppy.
23. Take tape older dog is holding.
24. Quickly tape one spot before taking scissors from older dog and sitting on them, again.
25. Fend off puppy trying to steal tape and tape another spot.
26. Take bow from older dog.
27. Go get roll of wrapping paper puppy ran off with.
28. Take scissors from older dog who took them when you got up.
29. Give pen to older dog to hold so he stops licking your face.
30. Remove puppy from present and hurriedly slap tape on to hold the paper on.
31. Take now soggy bow from puppy and tape on since the sticky stuff no longer sticks.
32. Take pen from older dog, address tag and affix while puppy tries to eat pen.
33. Grab present before puppy opens it and put it away.
34. Clean up mess puppy and older dog made playing tug-of-war with wrapping paper remnants.
35. Put away wrapping supplies and tell dogs what good helpers they are.

The above - originally titled "Wrapping Presents Assisted by Belgians" - arrived author unknown. I'm happy now to properly credit Christi Green, Aldabra Belgians and helpers Jordan and Tilly, the Belgians.

No chocolate, please

Although Fido and Fluffy may be attracted to the smell and taste of chocolate, in sufficient quantities, chocolate can make them very sick and can be fatal.

Be sure to store chocolate well away from pets. Open counters or ledges are not good places - some dogs may 'counter-surf' and cats easily reach counters (what's worse, they can knock chocolate off the countertop and straight into the path of enthusiastic dogs).

Tinsel's pretty, but ... it can pose a danger if swallowed, causing intestinal blockage.

Mmm Mmm! Extension cords! Tie them out of reach. Some hardware stores sell a plastic tubing for inserting cords to keep your gnawing critter from shock. 

Above adapted from Bully-Free Living E-zine http://www.bullyfreekids.com

A really cool way to feed a people crowd all at once ~ critters go bonkers for 'em too: http://www.therealmartha.com/OmeletsTrick/index.htm

http://www.funnypostcard.com/christmas/3pugs.html
Itty bitty babies

http://www.funnypostcard.com/christmas/maddiereindeer.html
Hysterical, must see

http://www.funnypop.com/christmas/presleigh.html
Awwwwwww

http://www.chazhound.com/pictures/showgallery.php?cat=505&password=
Gallery of Christmas dogs

http://www.send4fun.com/funpages/view.cfm/781
"Marking up my Winter Wonderland" ~ naughty, naughty ~ absolutely hilarious

http://www.my-tgif.com/12daysofcatmas.htm
The Twelve Days of Catmas ~ very cute, and geeeeze ... at least I found a cat link ~ thanks Joanne

http://www.therealmartha.com/ChristmasPups/index.htm
Say no to animals as presents and more holiday thoughts, even a few nice ideas for gifts

http://www.therealmartha.com/PianoDog/index.htm
Christmas Angel

Casey and I were puppies together, I'm told I raided his bowl at least once. That would explain a lot. I'm tying on his bows, which of course is not a brilliant move unless the animal will not be left unsupervised.

Hmmmmm, no bows for Jennifer ... must have been going for the sophisticated look.

http://www.therealmartha.com/CritterIndex/index.htm
Lots of good info, some serious issues, relate-to support for volunteers and fun stuff too

Didn't want to rerun all the goodies from past pages, plenty of critter pics, graphics, info and fun left on the oldies.

WAR Christmas
http://www.therealmartha.com/WARChristmas/index.htm

Holidaze
http://www.therealmartha.com/Holidaze02/index.htm http://www.therealmartha.com/moreholidaze/index.htm

Quickie holiday recipes
http://members.aol.com/MsAtte2ude/FD2.index.html

More quickies, including Snowman Poop gift recipe ~ really
http://members.aol.com/MsAtte2ude/FD5.index.html

Lib's Turkey Day page, with a fast forward to Christmas gift ideas, some especially for the critter or person who has everything
http://members.aol.com/Libbyk9/LibT-Daymessage.index.html

Use back button to return from aol pages, some genius killed that publisher so I can't add links, or make any other changes for that matter, so ... please excuse any typos, broken links or out-of-date info.

Send your pics. Holiday stories are welcome too.
MarthaJones1@aol.com or LibbyK9@aol.com

Please use Holiday Critters as subject line. Due to junk volume and virus threats, unknowns must be deleted.

Thanks Nancy by way of Sue for the perfect almost-finished touch ~ I am never really and truly done with any page.
http://kysilke.homestead.com/index.html ~ Nancy's home on the 'net and "How many dogs does it take to change a light bulb?" with pics gathered from humane organizations ~ http://kysilke.homestead.com/dogpersonalities.html

Check back soon, never know who might show up next!

Scroll down a little more for that holiday helper ...

Another option

Warning! Naughties below!

Not necessarily Christmas material ~ close enough though (~.*)

   Walkin' in a Doggie Wonderland

Dogs tags ring, are you listening?
  In the lane, snow is glistening.
  It's yellow, not white - I've been there tonight,
Marking up my winter wonderland.

  Smell that tree? That's my fragrance.
  It's a sign for wand'ring vagrants;
  "Avoid where I pee, it's MY property!
   Marked up as my winter wonderland."

  In the meadow Dad will build a snowman,
  Following the classical design.
  Then I'll lift my leg and let it go man,
So all the world will know it's mine-mine-mine!

  Straight from me to the fence post,
  Flows my natural incense boast;
  "Stay off of my turf, this small piece of earth,
   I mark it as my winter wonderland."

And now ... a slightly expanded version, presented in a musical animated 'toon

http://www.send4fun.com/funpages/view.cfm/781
"Marking up my Winter Wonderland" ~ absolutely hilarious

http://www.therealmartha.com/editingetc/index.htm ~ Necessary, naughty or nice ... every message has a price! MsAtte2ude@aol.com or MarthaJones1@aol.com