Hello pup parents! The year is quickly ending. If you're traveling over the holidays, please get your boarding requests in now. If you're looking for the perfect present for the nice (or naughty) pooches on your list-or for other dog-lovin' people-we've got a big Holiday Gift Guide here chock full of ideas. We're also wrapping up the year with a report on our day care celebrity, one way to help homeless dogs and some funnies. As always, we strive to give you information that you need and want as a busy pet owner. Please let us know if you have specific questions or info you'd like to see in the newsletter.

We get asked this a lot, so we've devised a quick and easy way for you to find out. Look for the little green magnet! When you come pick up your pup, just look at the main white board in the lobby. If your dog went to the park, there will be a green, round “dog park” magnet on his or her name.

Of course, all of our day care dogs are stars in our eyes, but did you know one of our friends-Chase Karrick-is a real TV and Internet celeb? “I have Chase on every Wednesday, either live in our studio or a photo of him,” says Bryan Karrick, meteorologist for News Channel 8's This Morning and Chase's “Dad.” “We call it `Weather Lab Wednesday,' and the response has been great!”

You can also find Chase on the blog, Chattin' with Chase: http://www.kcci.com/weather-blog/index.html. “We launched, `Chattin' with Chase' this summer as a means for us dog folks to discuss varying means of training, ways to care for our furry friends, and some of the fun we have with them in our lives,” Bryan says.

It's a great blog! In the current entry, Bryan writes about not feeling well-we hope you're feeling better now! At least you looked good on TV this morning!-and how he knows when Chase is sick. Also, be sure to scroll down a ways and check out the Holiday Eats & Treats post from November 18. Bryan found links to holiday foods and plants that can be poisonous to your pets. He covers lots of great topics and includes plenty of pictures of handsome Chase. (And in the same post, check out his Mom's adorable Westie, Hunter.)

Chase turned 4 on October 29 and has been attending day care at Greenbelt for more than two years. His AKC name is-appropriately-The Captain's Kennels Stormy Sky Chaser. In their free time, Bryan and Chase like to stroll along the Clive trails and romp at the Raccoon River Dog PlacePark.

“Chase is very well-behaved and well-mannered,” says Jean Brown, Greenbelt owner. “The other dogs love him-and he loves them-and Chase loves the entire staff. He's just an all-around great dog to have in day care. These past few weeks he has been especially fun, for me, because my new little fur-ball, Leise, and Chase really get into tug-of-war games with a rope.”

Gifts.com: This website offers a roundup of items available from other websites (including some of the goodies cited here). You can find pet beds, pet gates and even a personalized sterling Mickey Mouse charm tag ($19.50). Preppy pups might appreciate a Ralph Lauren Cashmere Hooded Sweater ($86.25), while outdoorsy dogs might like backpacks ($24 to $80) or a Doggie travel kit with collapsible bowls, a water bottle and insulated holder, waste bags, food storage area and more ($29.95). http://www.gifts.com/categories/dogs/ohrai69x70cp?featuredIdea=11022

Chimpfeet.com (“gifts for pets and the people they love”): The treat launcher promises exercise for your pup and fun for both of you ($13.95; $2.75 for an extra supply of Discos flying dog treats). After playing, chill out with some football. Doggie NFL jerseys, including Packers and Vikings varieties, are $28. Dog-inspired gifts for the home include a “poop happens” wall tile ($8), a metal dachshund that holds seven tea light candles ($37.50) and handmade, wood-framed mirrors featuring 17 breeds, from Chihuahuas to St. Bernards ($89, $99). There are lots more, from jewelry and calendars to boxers and caps. http://chimpfeet.com/

Doglovergiftbaskets.com: Get ready for the Iowa presidential caucuses Jan. 3 with a red-white-and-blue Democrat donkey dog collar ($11.95) or t-shirt ($16.95). (Okay, okay: they have Republican elephants, too.) Or, if you prefer, you can program up to six messages on the scrolling LED dog collar, decorated with Swarovski crystals ($99.95). Ring in the New Year with Happy Tail Ale (this one's for your dog), a non-alcoholic brew ($21.95). You'll find lots of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza gifts for pets and people at this website, http://www.doglovergiftbaskets.com/

Doctors Foster and Smith: These two vets offer lots of good pet education info on their website as well as affordable pet products. Their gift guide includes stockings, costumes, toys, treats, plush pet beds, calendars and other goodies ($10 to $100): http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?c=3307&aid=1171 <http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?c=3307&aid=1171>

During the holidays, consider giving thanks for your special friends by donating items to help homeless animals. The Animal Rescue League of Iowa's “Tree of Life” display is taking donations. Locations include the ARL Main shelter lobby, 5452 NE 22nd Street; ARL South, inside Southridge Mall; ARL West, inside Iowa Pet Foods and Seascapes,1500 22nd Street; and at the Animal Care and Control Center, 1615 SE 14th Street, Des Moines.

The wish list includes toys, high-quality food (canned or dry), treats, grooming brushes and combs, cleaning supplies (20-gallon trash bags, paper towels, bleach, laundry detergent, dish soap, etc), towels, blankets and non-fitted sheets.

As a thank you, donors will receive a homemade ornament while supplies last, and a discount coupon for the ARL Animal House. (Items are needed for dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, small caged pets and even horses. For more information, see http://www.arl-iowa.org/aspx/generalcontent.aspx?pid=3&cid=37&nid=76 <http://www.arl-iowa.org/aspx/generalcontent.aspx?pid=3&cid=37&nid=76> ).

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa recently announced that more animals had been adopted from its shelters than ever before, a 12 percent increase over the previous year, while the number of intakes remained essentially steady for the first time in several years. At this time of year, 40 to 80 animals are dropped off at the shelter daily, according to a press release from the organization, which did not include actual adoption numbers.

"We are still a long way from solving the pet overpopulation crisis in central Iowa," Tom Colvin, ARL executive director, said in the release. "But, we can celebrate a move in the right direction. We attribute the increase in adoptions to our efforts to make our wonderful pets more accessible for adoption through our satellite locations around the metro as well as through our website.”

€ Pucks for Pups. You and your furry friends can cheer for the Iowa Stars professional hockey club against the Chicago Wolves at ARL of Iowa night December 15. The first 100 dogs will snag a free Iowa Stars/ARL bandana.

Details: 7:05 p.m., Saturday, December 15 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. $16 per person gets you in the lower bowl of the arena-near the action!-plus a ticket for one dog, free pop, a hot dog and chips. In order to bring a dog to the game, you must buy your tickets in advance through the ARL. To order, call the ARL at 262-9503, ext. 119 or visit www.arl-iowa.org <http://www.arl-iowa.org/> .

€ Can you hear me now? Even if you blast the new Christmas record by The Underdogs, you probably won't be able to hear it. The New Zealand website Stuff reports: Believed to be a world first, “A Very Silent Night,” by The Underdogs, was recorded as an SPCA fundraiser at the highest frequency possible on CD, so only dogs can hear it. Lwindi Ellis, a spokeswoman for DraftFCB who thought of the idea, said: “Humans may be able to hear a few high-pitched noises-but it's not designed for us.” The single, which has been picked up by Universal and was released (December 3), will be accompanied by a music video-styled on Snoop Dogg's “Drop It Like It's Hot” and Scribe's “Not Many”-featuring rapper Dei Hamo, who plays Santa. The video, with 14 dogs and models dressed as elves, is also inaudible to humans with subtitles asking viewers to buy the CD “so they don't end up in the dog house.” Find the full story here: http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4310854a4560.html

€ Vick pays up. The North Country (New York) Gazette reports: Suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick placed nearly $1 million in an escrow fund to pay for the care of 54 pit bulls seized earlier this year from his Bad Newz Kennels property in Surry County. The dogs had been part of his dog fighting operation. Read the full story here: http://www.northcountrygazette.org/news/2007/12/01/vick_dog_care/

The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, and try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years-canine or feline attendance is not required.

That's it for now. On behalf of Owner Jean Brown and the rest of the Greenbelt gang, have a terrific holiday season and a happy, healthy and prosperous 2008. Thank you for sharing your precious pets with us!