Dear Hokie:

I really care about animals. So I like to give holiday gifts that encourage other people to think about animals and how they can help them. Any suggestions?

-- Signed, Ivanna Treat


Dear Ivanna:

In addition to the great disaster preparedness items available at the UAN store, check out the books on our humane reading list. These books are enjoyable to read and also provide suggestions on how we can make choices that improve the lives of animals.

-- Love and kisses, Hokie

What I like to do for the holidays is sponsor an animal from a local shelter in the name of the gift recipient. A lot of shelters will send them a certificate with the animal's name and picture.

That is a great idea, Lynn! Attaching a human, er, I mean canine or feline face to the shelter animals can really emphasize the plight of the homeless animals in our society, too.

Check out this other great idea I received in an e-mail from Lesly is Texas:


Darling Hokie,

The most humane gift I can think of would be to have a family member's, friend's or neighbor's companion animal neutered. Although expensive, perhaps the giver could pay it out on a credit card or locate a low-cost program. Here in Deep East Texas, way too many dogs and cats are abandoned along the roadside only to be euthanized when trapped. How much better to never have been one of an unwanted litter?

Lesly J