DIANA L. GUERRERO’S ARK ANIMAL TRACKS
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Volume 1, Number 2 December 11, 2003
Publisher: Guerrero Ink
E-mail: arkabc@arkanimals.com http://www.arkanimals.com
Copyright 2003 Diana L. Guerrero All rights reserved
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Welcome to all you new subscribers and welcome back to all you veteran subscribers!
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HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Let me just send you a quick wish to you and yours for a cheery and warm holiday season!

Although the California Wildfires seriously impacted my community, there is still much to be thankful for-- we are recovering. So be sure to celebrate the good as we move into an exciting new year filled with promise.

Finally, I send my special thanks to all of you who support my work.
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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. Update on What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality

2. Alliance of Writers Introduces the Creative Circle

3. Animals, Animals, Animals
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1. Update on What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality
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BOOKING!
Released in November of 2003, What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality: Inspiring Lessons of Wild and Tame Creatures is doing well. At last count close to 2000 books have been ordered! The book is available throughout the United States and Canada via major book distributors, online booksellers, and bookstores. If you are interested in seeing some of the latest press coverage and interviews just visit the Press Kit area of www.arkanimals.com.

If you are still in need of a holiday gift for animal loving pals—just order from the website. You can get a personalized present shipped out within 24 hours! (If you want it gift wrapped, just add $3 when you pay online.)
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BOOK TOUR
The book tour continues. My weekend touring works well and is still going strong. If you know someone who is looking for a speaker I also will conduct engagements for business groups, service groups, and as a fundraiser for animal related groups. You might want to enroll in one of my animal course scheduled for next year. Although I am still booking events, here are some of the confirmed appearance cities:

January 2004: Las Vegas, San Diego, Oceanside and Chino.

February 2004: San Diego, San Bernardino and Riverside areas.

March 2004: Anaheim and Orange County.

April 2004: San Diego and Ventura and the surrounding areas.
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CONTESTS
The fires seemed to hurt the “button pusher” efforts. Two of the buttons are missing. I am going to be giving out more next year. If you don’t know about the contest—you will want to read about it at the site and attend some events with a friend to participate.

The bookseller sales leaders compete to get their own web page on my site. So far the leader is the bookseller who sold 42 books in one week! The November winner sold 23 books during the month and now is averaging six sales a week. Email me your local bookseller information, or drop in to your local bookseller and encourage them to carry the book and participate. At the very least, booksellers carrying the book get listed as a place to obtain it on my site.
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REVIEWS NEEDED
Have you read the book? If so, do me a favor and post your review up at Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com. If you need the direct links to do that just email me and I can send them to you. This helps to get the word out and helps the book climb in the ranks. BTW: What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality has climbed higher in the rankings by 20,000 at both these bookselling websites.
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2. Alliance of Writers Introduces the Creative Circle
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In January of 2004 the Alliance of Writers will launch into a new creative direction. The first event is a gathering of writers who will meet to “treasure map” for the upcoming year. The invitation only activity is geared to introducing like ability writers to each other so they can form Creative Circles. The potluck will include opportunities to set goals and create fun, visual mapping guides.

Creative Circles are intimate feedback groups who will share their works on a regular basis at selected locations. These non-facilitated groups are member managed. Once formed, they are closed to new participants. When the maximum number drops, the members may elect to open the group to another new writer.

Other new writing events to be introduced in 2004 include: e-membership participation, writing workshops, brown bag symposiums with selected authors, and larger venues. Stay tuned!
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3. Animals, Animals, Animals
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HUMANE HOLIDAYS
The holidays are not the right time to introduce new animals into a household. Here are some Humane Holiday Hints from me to you:

· Wait until after the holidays to adopt or purchase a pet.
· Keep electrical cords and extensions secured or covered to prevent pets from chewing and shock or electrocution.
· Keep fragrant candles out of reach as exuberant pets can knock them down and they can become a fire hazard. Fumes can be harmful to birds.
· Liquid or sachet potpourri and mixes can cause skin or oral irritation and can be toxic. Make sure these are inaccessible to pets.
· Anchor Christmas trees and decorations securely. Curious cats and enthusiastic dogs can knock them over otherwise.
· Tinsel, ribbon, and garlands can be ingested and cause obstruction in pets. Keep them out of reach or wrap your gifts in a “pet friendly” manner.
· Prevent pets from drinking tree stand water especially if you have added preservatives. Stagnant water under the tree can be toxic, too.
· Keep pine needles, poinsettias, lilies, holly, mistletoe and other plants out of reach. They are toxic to pets.
· Hang breakables out of reach. Glass and metal fasteners are hazards that can be stepped on or swallowed.
· Toxic or dangerous food items include: chocolate, coffee, nicotine, onions, fatty foods, alcoholic beverages, and cooked bones. Grapes or raisins can kill your pets or make them ill. Use care during cooking and meals and have emergency numbers close at hand.
· Spend quality pet time during the holidays. Take walks and schedule specific activities so you can relax with your pet.
· Keep pet treats on hand. They are healthier and will help keep your pet out of trouble.
· Donate items to pet related charities on behalf of your pet.

Feel free to share this information with others. Newspapers and humane societies in your area might be thrilled to have you help them help animals—just print up the release and send it, or simply let them know the URL: www.arkanimals.com/dlg/presskit.htm
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ANIMAL FIRE VICTIM BENEFIT
This is a press release I sent out to various media centers. Feel free to pass this on to your local papers and/or animal shelters and related facilities.
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San Bernardino, California. “Chestnuts roasting on the open fire” is a phrase from one of the most popular holiday songs. Memories of close family gatherings and the warm glow of the fireplace may be replaced with recollections of recent fire loss and devastation—and many of the California wildfire victims may not want to hear that popular song this holiday season. It may literally spark a reminder of the intense firestorms during a fragile time.

Diana L. Guerrero, firestorm survivor and author of What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality: Inspiring Lessons of Wild and Tame Creatures (SkyLight Paths, November 2003) said, “Locally there are many people who have lost everything or who were adversely affected by the fires. Animals physically and psychologically influence people. They comfort their owners and motivate people to take action. This year people are really focused on helping the animals and humans who are recovering from trauma.”

Humans and animals who were left homeless or recovering from devastating loss, injury, and trauma are still spinning from the aftermath. For those who are looking for ways to help local fire victims, you can join animal shelters and pet rescue groups in a nationwide effort to get pets home for the holidays and also make this season a “Humane Holiday” for pets around the county.

As part of her personal efforts to help firestorm victims during the holidays, Guerrero collected toys for displaced pets and is raising funds for the rescue agencies, too. Concerned citizens can donate $10 to the agency of their choice. An animal will get a toy and the designated agency will receive a 100% of the funds. Guerrero, an animal behaviorist and author of a handbook to help owners deal with animal’s before during and after disasters, has tips for traumatized pets up at her website. She said, “Helping fire victim animals and reuniting pets with their owners is important, but if people want to get a pet for their family or friends during this holiday season, there are import guidelines to follow to make it a Humane Holiday.”

The author’s holiday tips are:
· New animals require quality attention and a stable environment, which most holiday season celebrations do not permit. Instead of getting an animal during the hectic holidays, wrap up an adoption certificate and the toys, bowls, collars, beds, and related items. You can use a stuffed animal to represent the new pet arrival until you go get it after the holiday rush. Then, you could donate the stuffed animal to a children’s charity.
· An animal is not a toy or gift that can be returned or tossed aside when it loses it's appeal. Too many animals end up abused, dead, or in shelters around the holidays, so think long and hard about the temptation to obtain one during this time.
· For those able to resist temptation search the websites of local agencies and make the search a family project after the holidays. This will teach proper stewardship, compassion, and show an immense amount of love and responsibility while creating anticipation and a greater desire for the cherished pet.

For further information on holiday gifts for fire victim pets (or pet lovers) visit www.arkanimals.com or call Guerrero at (800) 818-7387. Donation checks should be made directly to the agency of your choice and sent c/o Diana L. Guerrero, PO Box 1989-215, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315.
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One of the sad realities of the recent large fires is that many animals lost their homes. Some are not yet reunited with their families. In the spirit of giving, the KONG™ Company and I have paired up to donate toys and money to help impacted humane societies and pet owners. Just visit the main page of www.arkanimals.com and click on the fire victim link. Select the charity of your choice, make a check or money order out to them and send it to the listed address. In addition to the money, a toy will be donated in your name. Spread the word and thanks for helping!
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Thanks for joining me. If you have a topic you would like to see covered in this newsletter, please email your suggestion to: zooit@arkanimals.com. If you would like to advertise, contact me below.
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ARK ANIMAL TRACKS
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Copyright © 2003 by Diana L. Guerrero
PO Box 1989-215
40729 Village Drive Suite 8
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
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