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Volume 2, Number 11 October 26, 2004
Publisher: Guerrero Ink
Online: guerreroink2005@yahoo.com or website http://www.arkanimals.com
Copyright © 2004 Diana L. Guerrero. All rights reserved.
Content may not be reproduced without permission.
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Welcome! November News & Tips
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The holidays are upon us! Below you will find some holiday hints. I also invite you to submit your questions to my new column. To do so just visit the BBS link located on the index page of my website www.arkanimals.com.

I normally take a break from November through January to write. The winter is a great time for creative efforts (and reading by the fire) since it is COLD and the mountain roads contain numerous hazards such as unsafe drivers, rockslides, black ice, and more.

Please note that my web email address changes annually to reduce spam. If you are subscribed, just respond to this email I’ll still get it in my normal box--but please note that my new web email has changed and is listed in this issue--it is valid immediately.

Have a great month and enjoy the holiday season!
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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. Tales From The Trips
2. November News
3. Pets! NEW Column & Teleseminars
4. Winter Holiday Hints
5. Guerrero’s Holiday Recipe
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1. Tales From The Trips
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Last month I participated in the WEHO (West Hollywood) Book Fair—it was one of my top three events for 2004—taking first place just above the animal blessing at the Church of Truth. It was fun and fabulous!

First, I met some really dynamic people from the literary world and many of the city leaders at the author reception. The grounds were packed with booths filled with great books and food. Our panel, “The Passion of the Spirit” was VERY eclectic. The members represented a wide range of beliefs and backgrounds. The dynamic dialog kept attracting more and more people until the audience had standing room only.

Immediately after the panel we autographed our books at the Bodhi Tree Bookstore booth. I was kissed by a Muslim…(actually two) and enjoyed visiting with the people who stopped by to chat and purchase books.

On the following weekend, the fabulous artist (and my fabulous chapeau maker) Cristóbal (aka Chris McCormick) conducted his first show in Monrovia. I assisted him and support his efforts. If you have not seen his work you don’t want to miss it! My other new artist pal, Krys was next to us with her fabulous dichroic glass creations. Both were featured on my website and can be accessed via the news section in the Ark Animals area of the site. (The latest breaking news is usually available via the handy link placed on the main index.)

Need the perfect holiday gift? I have some unique recommendations for you! Some are already up on the site, but I plan to send you a special email with direct links to personalized products you can order directly from the comfort of your own home—you’ll support animals and artists through those your purchases.

The seminar by the fabulous medical intuitive Carolyn Myss was fun. She is one of the people I admire and this was the first time I was able to see her live and close up. A very entertaining speaker, I enjoyed her directness and humor. At the event I also got to meet several of the people who assist on my courses for The Learning Annex. (A great team of people!)

My presentation at Educator’s Night at the Barnes & Noble in Temecula, California was also a hoot. The place was packed—standing room only again. Educator Appreciation Week honors teachers and administrators with programs, treats, gifts, and large discounts! My new 2005 programming for schools was well received. The idea is to get kids to set goals so we can bring in unique programs and animal ambassadors for assemblies. The new programs include sessions on pet parenting, writing, animal etiquette, backyard conservation, and animal careers. The kids have to achieve certain tiers (of sales through their book fairs) to qualify for animal guests. You can view my list of topics by clicking on the speaker link on the index page of my website www.arkanimals.com.
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2. November News
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Make sure you check my schedule for the latest updates. I normally stay close to home and write during the winter and am currently reluctant to leave home! You can access my latest schedule from the main index page of www.arkanimals.com or www.allianceofwriters.com. If you are reading this at authorsden.com, just visit www.authorsden.com/dianalguerrero.

So far I’ve been invited to a pet event in Los Angeles in early November and for autographing over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Keep your eyes open--I may be convinced to venture off the mountain!

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3. Pets! NEW Column & Teleseminars
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Thanks to all of you who already submitted questions to my new column on animal etiquette. The first one is already in press and will appear in January. Many common questions to animal behavior are listed on the www.arkanimals.com website in the pet section. You can read up on the most common animal problems and purchase PDF booklets to solve on the most annoying challenges right from the site.

In 2005 I will be conducting teleseminars on specific animal behavior problems and pet problems. The project is in final discussions now. I anticipate being joined by other notable animal experts and having some great sponsors.

Participants will be able to email their questions to us in advance of the teleseminar. What is a teleseminar? It is a live seminar conducted over the phone. After you enroll you are sent the phone number and passcode. At the scheduled time you simply call in and learn right from the comfort of your own home or business! I will be offering the teleseminar on CD so you can still get a copy if you miss any of the sessions. I’ll be happy to repeat sessions if there is a big enough demand.

The actual schedule will be announced shortly with dates and times. If you have a preference, just reply to this newsletter and let me know the days and times YOU could participate or would find the best. In the meantime, here are the topics for January.

January
How to Solve House Training Horrors (Dogs: Housebreaking)
How to Solve Toileting Terrors (Cat: Litterbox Avoidance)

Other topics being considered are (dogs) digging, barking, jumping, escaping (cats) hairballs, scratching, escaping, (birds) feather plucking, and screaming. If you have a specific topic you would like to see scheduled, just drop me a line before the end of the year.
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4. Winter Holiday Hints
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Holiday hazards are challenging and sometimes downright dangerous. The winter season is full of holiday festivities and therefore the holidays are important times to take special precautions for the health and safety of pets.

During gatherings you want to make sure that animals are occupied with their own treats and activities. Baby gates or play pens can keep animals from getting underfoot while still allowing them to still be part of the celebration. Pets need to be part of the family activities, but safely.

Make sure you pets are mannerly and that your guests and family are alert to the need for restraint of food treats. Rich foods and inappropriate feeding can create health complications for household critters. Make sure you have appropriate treats for the pets and monitor the quantity. Alerting guests to the rules helps greatly. Unfortunately, many guests will not appreciate your drooling darling or fur additions on their good clothing. Plan ahead to avoid problems or fine-tune your guest list to pet people. Pets might also have their own party in an adjacent room or yard. Kids love company and may want to help petsit!

Holidays are NOT a good time to add pets to the household. There is simply too much going on and the holiday stress sets everyone up for failure and misery. It is a good idea to give special consideration toward animals that you are thinking of bringing into the home at this time.

If you want to give someone a pet for a holiday, use the clever humane alternative instead. First, gather the pet necessities for the new critter. Wrap each gift separately and conclude the gift opening party with a picture of the ideal pet and/or a pet adoption certificate from an animal agency or similar entity. Your actions will be fun and conscientious—and will build up the excitement and anticipation of the new arrival.

Need some ideas? You can get pet breed and training books (check out my recommendations at my website www.arkanimals.com), pet beds or housing, dishes, brushes, accessories, toys, and certificates for grooming and other services like training and veterinary care. Make the effort a family affair and search for the pet together. Research and planning will keep the pet in the home and make the adaptation easier for the family and the new pet. Your humane actions will also set a good example for kids and others within your influence. Instead of making an impulse buy, your efforts will encourage thought and dedication for the adoption of a new household member.

During the holidays remember that plants (holly, mistletoe, poinsettia etc.,) are poisonous to pets. Holiday hazards include candles, ingestion of inappropriate foods, glass and other ornaments, electrical cords, heated decorative bulbs, hooks, tinsel, and a wide variety of other decorating items.

Keep décor items out of reach of your pet or in places your animals cannot get to them. Don’t forget that chocolate, alcohol, and caffeine can make your animals very ill and that in some cases, can kill them.

Taking a few steps to plan your holidays and the arrival of new pets can protect and save those critters and your sanity!

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5. Guerrero’s Holiday Recipe
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I’m not planning on including recipes every month, but this one is SO good that I couldn’t resist. An artist shared it with me and so I thought I would pass it on…
Ingredients:
Brownie Mix
Giant Candy Bar (Symphony is really yummy)
Glass Dish for Baking
Powdered Sugar or Other Decorative Topping
Optional: 1 Tbsp Vanilla

Follow the directions on the brownie mix box using only two eggs.
Add vanilla if you desire.
Place ˝ the mixture into the baking dish.
Place the entire candy bar on top.
Cover with remaining ˝ of the brownie mixture.
Bake according to box directions.
Let cool and top with creativity!

Warning: This will send you into chocolate euphoria or an all night working binge. I recommend you only make it when you have others to share it with—so you can get it out of the house before you eat it all!
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Have a great month and stay tuned for the next newsletter!

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Please feel free to share this newsletter with anyone who is on the lookout for new books, speakers, and courses related to animals or writing.

Don’t forget to tell your friends about this newsletter and recommend that they sign up. To subscribe to this newsletter enroll at www.arkanimals.com or www.allianceofwriters.com.

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Note: The subscribe option for this newsletter is on all my websites. If you signed up electronically, this information was included in your verification email. If you signed up at an event, you were entered into that private database and can be removed by following the instructions sent to you in the verification email.

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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: guerreroink2005@yahoo.com. If you would like to advertise or sponsor an event, contact me below.
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ARK ANIMAL TRACKS
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Copyright © 2004 by Diana L. Guerrero
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