HOLIDAY PET SAFETY
Some people just can't wait for festive occasions so they can expand on the theme by decorating the house inside and out. Our daughter puts up her Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. I can't keep up with my business neighbor either. My friend Theresa, of Tresses, is always at least one week ahead of me, not only at Christmas, but throughout the year.

Regardless of your personal decorating timetable, if you have a pet, the annual rituals of preparing the house for the holidays, along with the presents and food might be old hat to you, but they are a curious and exciting opportunity for adventure to our pets. They must marvel at the strange things we do and at the unusual items that appear in the house. I don't want to sound like Ebenezer Scrooge, because Christmas certainly is a time to be enjoyed by one and all, but we need to be aware of seasonal trappings that can be potentially hazardous to our pets.

The centerpiece for Christmas celebrations in many households is the gaily decorated tree. Whether real or artificial, it can offer fascinating opportunities from your pet's point of view. Place it in a wide and stable base that will resist tipping over. If you have some particularly rambunctious cats or kittens, you might want to anchor the tree with fishing line to a nearby curtain rod or ceiling hook for stability.

Avoid using tinsel, which can cause intestinal obstruction and internal cuts if ingested. Place your most treasured items high up on the tree, using unbreakable wooden, metal, plastic or natural decorations such as pine cones on lower limbs. Instead of the fine metal hangers, use loops of ribbon or yarn to fasten ornaments to the branches. Garlands of popcorn or cranberries are best enjoyed by the birds outside.

Pets can be tempted by the extra cords and plugs for the tree lights. Tape down cords, or run them under carpet or large furniture to avoid shock hazards. Keep the lights away from tips of branches and place more into the core of the tree. Pine needles, when eaten, can puncture holes in a pet's intestine and Christmas tree water can contain dangerous fertilizers or if stagnant, can harbor bacteria. You can discourage under-the-tree foraging by placing a tightly wrapped tree skirt around the base, or use decorative little fence to cordon off the area.

Many holiday plants have toxic leaves or berries. The poinsettia has a bad reputation for being dangerous, but in actual fact, its toxicity is overrated and might cause only mild vomiting or nausea if ingested. Other plants that can cause gastrointestinal distress are the leaves and berries of mistletoe and holly, Christmas cactus and many commonly used lilies. Clean up dropped leaves, petals or berries immediately and spray the plants with Bitter Apple.

If you know a present contains food, keep it in another place, away from under the tree and inquisitive noses. Households with children have presents requiring lots of batteries, which roll around enticingly like toys. The corrosives in batteries can cause ulcerations to the mouth, tongue and intestinal tract if chewed or swallowed. Put away toys after the children open their gifts to remove the temptations of small plastic pieces. To keep fire and hot wax dangers at a minimum, use fireplace screens and place candles on high shelves.

For many families, the kitchen becomes a frantic place as goodies for family and friends are produced in quantity. With dogs in particular, all chocolate, but most specifically, dark baker's chocolate, is dangerous. Uncooked yeast dough can rise in the stomach and cause severe abdominal pain. Other foods to watch out for include coffee, macadamia nuts, grapes, raisins or onions.

Alcohol is moderately toxic. One ounce of a 20 to 40-proof beverage can cause alcohol poisoning or coma in a small dog. Place unattended drinks where pets cannot reach them. Tobacco products can be fatal to dogs and cats if eaten.

Two important phone numbers to keep handy in case of emergency are those for your veterinarian and the Animal Poison Control Center. The Animal Poison Control Center, 1- 888-426-4435, is a unique hotline providing 24/7 assistance to vets and animal owners. There is a $50 consultation fee.

If Santa's workshop is in an accessible area in your house, keep close watch on wrapping supplies. Ribbons and bows, tape, twine, pens, price or merchandise tags, rolls of wrapping and tissue paper are all fun for your pet to bat around on the floor or chew. Minimize your pet's exposure by cleaning up the space at the end of each wrapping session.

Even if holiday preparations are a familiar, if infrequent, experience, the level of tension and excitement ratchets up for everyone in the family as the end of the year draws near. Try to maintain some semblance of normalcy for your pet with exercise routines and feeding schedules as close to the regular schedule as possible. A happy pet, and one less likely to get into trouble, is one who has an opportunity to get the springs out and who gets

loving attention from its owner. I

Jan Jaeger is owner of Geronimo's, Ltd., Nantucket's pet supply and gift shop, and is a member of DWAA and CWA (Dog and Cat Writer's Associations of America). Her pets at home are Junior, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, and three cats. At the shop are cats Messrs. Fish and Chips, Flower bunny, Millie guinea pig and two budgies. Send email to jan@geronimos.com.\