We Woof You A Merry Christmas

Laura Henderson's photo Christmas card shoot requires professional lighting, multiple poses in the living room couch and tries a bunch of dried chicken-strip.

A close-up shot in the head of Fozzy, Ms. Henderson retriever flat coat and border collie mix, is available in the 100 letters he wrote to his friends and family this month.

"People who know us know how Fozzy is the center of our lives," says Ms. Henderson, a fund of 39 years, funds for nonprofit organizations in San Jose, California Fozzy included his own greetings the pets of recipients, even cats, Ms. Henderson says. "I use my left hand so it looks like he did," he says.

Dogs and cats are joined in the annual ritual of sending greetings of the season. card manufacturers are deploying designs that allow people to send letters of their pets to celebrate almost every occasion humans.

"Pets have become important spokespeople for us within our families," says Rochelle Lulow, editorial creative director of American Greetings Corp. He gets to see and hear what everyone is doing and have their own thoughts and , -. We would like to think that's what these smart cards "

A new card this year says American Greetings' Christmas Meowy - It only takes a moment to meow, 'I love you', but I'll have nine lives to show how much! Another says: "You're the one who fills my empty bowl, which always has time to throw my ball and scratches behind the ears", illustrated with a picture of a bone attached tape.

"They are saying what they want to hear," says Ms. Lulow. "We like to think about what they are thinking and what they would like to tell us."

Cards are also available for shipping to domestic animals, such as Hallmark Cards Inc., which says: "For a large cat." Inside is the sentiment: "This Christmas, I hope all your dreams come true"

Get-and dogs cards to send to each other are big sellers in Godfrey's "Welcome to the store in dogdom Mohnton, Pa." We have a playground here, so dogs really meet other dogs, " Store owner Barb Emmett. "If a dog is injured or ill you want to send letters to each other."

Thank you cards are also popular. "The dogs sent to your hairdresser, trainer, veterinarian and caregiver, especially during the holidays," says Ms. Emmett. "I have a selection of Mother's Day and Father's Day cards from the dog, but I want it to be bigger next year."

Label specialists Tiny Prints stationery online usually take calls on how to properly address wedding invitations. But lately, the company is getting calls from pet owners seeking advice on appropriate ways to include animals in their holiday cards.

"It is recommended to put the name of dog or cat in parentheses to be playful," says Anna Fieler, president Tiny Prints' marketing vice. But if the dog has been a member of the family for a long time, many people do not feel the need to qualify and only list the name of the pet.

Dealing cards to pet a receiver can relieve potential minefield of blended families with multiple surnames, Ms. Fieler says a recommended client. "Pets do not have surnames, so you can deflect any type of stress.

Tiny Prints begun to take specific pet greetings after realizing the adaptation of the human card customers for their dogs and cats. Now, the Sunnyvale, California-based company sells pet birth announcements and party invitations. Valentine's Day cards from pets are in the works for next year.

Dog Speak Cards, based in Wilmington, North Carolina, sold their holiday cards in November, says Connie Hillmann, owner and assistant general manager, who is his dog, Kirby. The 'Tips for holiday dogs' card includes advice like "act like you enjoy kissing families" and "avoid drooling during Christmas dinner."

50% of dog Speak cards are written in the voice of a dog, including misspellings like "birfdaaa Happee. Mrs. Hillman said that the company's sales have doubled in each of the five years he has been in the business.

Creation of personal pet costume often includes ambitious. Sandy Groth Dorchester, Wisconsin, spent three weeks sewing elf and Santa Claus outfit for her three cats, but refused to wear dresses with boots attached. Now, with Christmas fast approaching, 55 years old, Ms. Groth is cut up elf and Santa hats instead. "I'm at my wits end," he says.

Ms. Groth horse will wear the same suit as last year. "No reindeer antlers cares," she says.

Bark Pet Photography in Los Angeles seeks to provide a minimum dogs look for their photo sessions' Howliday. "We avoid the dog in a basket with elf ears," says co-owner and photographer Kim Rodgers. "We prefer to focus on personality in place."

Hallmark also encourages pet costumes to include photos of them in the designs shown on their website, where consumers create their own cards. Dressing up pets sometimes brings benefits beyond the humor. "Costumes for pets can help integrate interfaith families - maybe a dog or cat has a menorah in the head," says Olivia Cytrynowicz, editorial director of Hallmark greeting custom.

pet Hallmark cards, including greetings like "Happy Mew Year" and "Happy more Yips," try to avoid too serious or sentimental messages, she says. However, the company sells a signature 'Love', followed by a paw print cat.

Some can not resist bragging a little in a Christmas letter. Bean, Golden Retriever 15 months old, Jim and Michelle Drager, who are owners of a strategic planning firm in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, sent his own Christmas letter to the other seven members of the litter who are now living with their respective owners.

Highlights of the year Bean: jump in the snow, learning to swim and hunt pheasants. "Still I have a fetish carpet and chew every corner," Bean confessed. "He keeps humans from the purchase of a new one."

The letter includes an update on the family. "Michael and Megan (my fellow humans) are doing great!" Bean added to your canine clan hopes "Santa Paws brings you everything you wish for this year." He also asked them to stay in touch.