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From the Editor
Holiday Greetings,
everyone!
A quick reminder: be sure to
stop by
FloridaPets.net
frequently because we are always adding new
features and content. Ours is not a
stagnant Web site and we are working hard to provide
you with the latest info, in a concise and accurate
manner.
For example, our Web site translation feature,
Babel Fish, allows our Spanish readers, and
those of other
nationalities, the chance to enjoy FloridaPets.net in
their own language. This was added after several
reader requests.
We choose a new pet to feature each month, I
write a new article every month and we feature a new
product every month. Events are always being added
to the calendar and our wonderful Petfinder.com
feature showcases a different animal available for
adoption every time you come to our site. And of
course, we are always adding new pet-friendly
vacation accomodations, dog parks and much more.
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If you're like us,
you're
getting ready for Christmas.
Around here, new dog collars are definitely on Santa
Paw's
list. My father made us a beautiful fireplace mantle this
past summer, so this will be our first Christmas to hang
everyone's stockings "by the chimney with care."
One of our favorite pre-holiday activities is to
making sugar cookies. I must have 100 cookie cutters
and we go crazy decorating the tasty morsels! But
they aren't good for our dogs and cats, so we prepare
treats especially for them too. We've compliled our
favorites for you into a nice little eBook, which you can
order for instant download. See the section below
about
the "Holiday Treats for Pets" eBook for ordering
information.
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In this month's issue,
we feature a real dreamy
pet-friendly vacation location, a unique activity to
engage in with your pet, a ho-ho-ho happy photo from
one of our readers, travel tips and more.
We hope you enjoy the NewsPetter.
Please
pass the word about FloridaPets.net and write us with
any suggestions or requests. Until next month, thanks
for "tailing" along with us and remember, "They're part
of the family, so take them along!"
May everyone have a happy, healthy, holiday
season.
Patricia Collier
Editor
Special Note: If you cannot see the
photographs in this NewsPetter, you are missing out on
a lot of neat stuff! Some of our readers just can't get
email in the HTML format that allows them to view
pictures and other artwork, so we've come up with this
solution.
You can now read the entire issue online by clicking here
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Pet-Friendly Fun Stuff |
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South Lake Animal League Arts & Crafts
Show at
Pet-Friendly Lakeridge
Winery & Vineyards
By
Patricia Collier
An outdoor arts and crafts show in mid-December,
while
much of the rest of the country
is shoveling snow. The event benefits the local humane
society and the location, a beautiful winery,
says, "Bring your pet and visit us anytime!" Could it get
much better?
Thanksgiving's over and Christmas is right around the
corner. It's time for a break, so pack up the kids and
the pets and head out to the 15th Annual South
Lake Animal League Arts & Crafts Show, to be held
from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, December 13 and
from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, December 14. Playing
host to the whole affair is Lakeridge Winery & Vineyard,
Florida's largest premium winery.
Festivities will include live music on an outdoor
stage, free guided winery tours, wine tastings, and of
course, lots of neat crafts, perfect for Christmas gifts.
On
Saturday morning, South Lake Animal League will have
a
variety of animals available for adoption. At 1:30 p.m.
there will be a pet parade, in which all pets are
welcomed to participate. A $2.00 donation
collected at the gate will benefit the Animal
League.
Tours and wine tasting are offered on a regular basis,
seven days a week. The winery's regular hours are
Monday - Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and
Sunday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Brenda Johnson, administrative assistant at
Lakeridge,
said the facility is pet-friendly all the time, as long as
the animals are kept under control and on a leash. Pets
are even OK in the gift shop.
"We get a lot of people traveling with their pets,"
Johnson said, "and they can't just leave them in the
car."
Johnson said the employees at Lakeridge go out
and "goo-goo" with the animals and noted they've seen
all kinds and all sizes of dogs accompanying their
humans.
FloridaPets.net reminds
anyone interested in attending the festival or visiting
the winery at other times to pack "doodie" bags and
always clean up after their companion animal.
Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards is located on Hwy.
27, three miles south of the Florida Turnpike exit 285
and six miles north of Clermont ( 30 minutes from
Orlando.) For more information about the festival or the
winery, check out Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards at the
Web site listed here or call 1-800-768-9463.
For more information about Lakeridge Winery, click here... »
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Featured Pet-Friendly Vacation Spot |
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Somewhere 'Out There' is
White Gate
Court
Resort
By
Patricia Collier
Privacy. Tropical weather and scented flowers.
Warm breezes. Paradise. Accompanied by your pet. Oh,
yes, you're in heaven, for sure!
Actually, you're still earthbound,
half way between Miami and Key West. You're found
White Gate Court Resort and you can't believe
how blue the water is...
"It's a great adventure here," said Susan Cargnelli,
President and Creator of WGC, Inc.
However, Cargnelli is not talking about a safari or sky
diving kind
of adventure. She's talking about manatees playing not
far from your cottage, huge egrets coming to call and
share fishing tips, snorkeling and kayaking in the clear
Matecumbe
Bay,
relaxing with other pet-loving visitors and their
furry companions...and lots peace and quiet...would
you like
some
of
that?
Accomodations include suites, studio rooms and villas,
designed to house from 2-5 people. All units have
fully-equipped kitchens and are pet-friendly. They are
decorated simply, yet with a touch of old Florida charm
and surrounded by lush tropical gardens.
Pet guests must be up to date on vaccinations and
owners
are responsible for their behavior. There is a $5.00 per
night, per pet fee for those under 20 pounds; a $10.00
per night, per pet fee applies to those over 20 pounds.
"I trust people who love animals," Cargnelli said, " it
gives us common ground."
Cargnelli's nine-year-old Golden Retriever, Barney,
will
welcome
you with open paws. He knows what it takes to make it
in the hospitality industry.
"Restoring this property has been a lot of hard
work...soothed by my beloved pets:
dogs, cats, and birds of all kind," Cargnelli said. "In
great part they are
the reason of our success."
"People love this place, it's shinning with life,
energy
and beauty. I have made a lot of friends, just by
sharing love for animals," she said.
As owner of FloridaPets.net, I get to interview
lots of owners of pet-friendly vacation facilities. I hear
over
and over how animals
bring the nicest people with them on vacation.
So that means White Gate Court Resort is waiting
for you, FloridaPets.net NewsPetter readers!
Learn more about White Gate Court here... »
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From Our Readers |
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Deck the Halls with Bow Wows of
Holly
Dakota, the beautiful white German Shephard
pictured here, is three years old.
"We got Dakota from a Florida state trooper, and she's
been a great dog and companion. She is smart and so
loving. Dakota knows when it's time for us to come
home
from work and waits by the door or starts watching out
the window for us to drive in. She smiles and grins from
ear-to-ear and shows off her pearly whites.
"Dakota is particularly happy in this photo because she
knows she's been a good girl this past year and that
Santa
will be bringing her lots of toys and goodies on his
sleigh."
Editor's Note: Dakota's human companions are
Florida residents
Barbara and Scott
Robinson.
View more photos here -- FloridaPets.net Readers' Pet Photo Album »
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Quick Tips and Facts |
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"Over the swamps and through the scrub
oaks,
to
grandmother's house we go!"
With many folks and their pets traveling around
Florida, from now through the New Year, we thought
up-to-date information
about pet-friendly car rental companies might be
helpful.
Note: The information below was verified
12-02-03, but you'll want to double check before
making
reservations. Policies may depend on location.
Plus, if we've learned anything in this business,
it's how quickly policy can change -- about everything.
Alamo Rent-a-Car
1-800-462-5266
www.alamo.com
Pet Policy: Animals must travel in carriers; no size
restriction; no extra pet fee.
Avis Rent-a-Car
1-800-230-4898
www.avis.com
Pet Policy: No size restriction; no extra pet fee.
Budget Rent-a-Car
1-800-527-0700
www.budget.com
Pet Policy: No size restriction; no extra pet fee.
Dollar Car Rentals
1-800-800-3665
www.dollar.com
Pet Policy: No size restriction; no extra pet fee.
Enterprise Rent-a-Car
1-800-736-8227
www.enterprise.com
Pet Policy: Animals must travel in carriers; no size
restriction; no extra pet fee.
Hertz Car Rentals
1-800-654-4173
www.hertz.com
Pet Policy: No size restriction; no extra pet fee.
National Car Rentals
1-800-227-7368
www.nationalcar.com
Pet Policy: No size restriction; no extra pet fee.
Thrifty Car Rental
1-800-847-4389
www.thrifty.com
Pet Policy: No size restriction; no extra pet fee.
NOTE: All companies listed above said pet owners
would be responsible for any damages incurred to
vehicles by animals and would be charged
accordingly. We recommend taking along either a
comfortable travel carrier or a big blanket for your
travel buddy.
Have a handy tip about traveling with pets? Send it to
WebMistress and we'll share it here with other
readers of the NewsPetter.
Click here for FloridaPets.net Pet-Friendly Vacation Accomodations Directory »
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Casting Call |
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Here at FloridaPets.net, we want to give you a chance
to tell everyone about your pets and show off their
photos. We know everyone will enjoy them, so don't be
shy.
Send your stories and/or photos to
WebMistress. Depending on which you are
submitting, put "Story" or "Photo" or "Story and Photo"
in the subject line of your email.
NOTE: Please do NOT send stories as attachments.
Either type the story in a text editor, then copy and
paste the story into your emails, or type the story
directly into the body of your emails. You may send
photos as attachments. Thank you for your
submissions!
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NEW: Our "Holiday Pet Treats" Recipe eBook |
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Your Pet Deserves Treats for the Holidays
Too!
For years, we've been making yummy treats for our
dogs and cats. We thought FloridaPets.net readers
might enjoy them too, so we wrote an eBook which
includes our top 20 favorites. Some are for puppies and
kittens while others are for grown-up dogs and cats. All
are easy and fun to make.
With recipes like "Naughty or Nice Dog Biscuits", "Feline
Navidads" and "Mistletoe Mash", you'll be the best
Santa Paws in town!
These eBooks normally sell for $6.97, but the
cost for NewsPetter subscribers is only $4.97.
This is
your personal invitation to buy FloridaPets.net
Present Holiday Treats
for Pets at the special price. Once you've paid for
the eBook, we'll send you an email with the link where
you can download your book. We'll have you baking up
some delicious treats for your animals almost
immediately!
Order Your Copy of FloridaPets.net "Holiday Pet Treats" Recipe eBook here »
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Our Special Sponsors |
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Syn-flex -- A Non-Drug Answer for Cat
and Dog Arthritis
"Our 10-year-old dog now acts like he's half his
age!"
As owners of FloridaPets.net, we never
recommend
anything to our readers we don't use ourselves. This
past summer, our senior dog, J.R., started showing
signs of arthritis, such as dragging his rear legs and
experiencing difficulty getting up.
We started J.R. on a small dose of Syn-flex every
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We are thrilled with Syn-flex and think you will be
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Syn-flex normally sells for up to $30.00 a bottle
and, from what we've seen, around $25.00, including
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that allows us to offer it to FloridaPets.net readers for
$19.95, plus a small charge for shipping. If you'd like to
try Syn-flex for your dog or cat, you can order securely
at FloridaPets.net.
Your total satisfaction is important to us and so, if
you purchase Syn-flex from us and do not see an
improvement in your companion animal's condition after
using Syn-flex faithfully for a month, contact us and
we
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* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Meet "Windrusher"
Florida authors, writing about animals.
What a
perfect match for readers of FloridaPets.net and the
NewsPetter.
Meet Victor DiGenti, Ponte Vedra, Florida author.
And meet Windrusher -- a street smart cat on an epic
quest and the adventure of a lifetime.
Windrusher is a dazzling adventure-fantasy that
does for cats what Watership Down did for rabbits.
DiGenti's thrill-packed debut novel takes readers on a
wild ride through the fascinating and mystical world of
cats.
"I literally couldn't put it down-it is so
beautifully
written. What a wonderful read, I can't wait for
Windrusher's next adventure."
-- Betty White, actress and animal rights advocate
At only $15.95, you'll want to buy a copy for
yourself and maybe a few more as Christmas gifts for
cat-loving friends. To order, go to Windrusher.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
We appreciate our sponsors and encourage you to
do business with them. Remember, Christmas is less
than three weeks away!
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