Greetings, fellow cats and cat lovers. We've been so busy with preparations for the holidays--sending cards to some of our cat friends and getting together our presents for our kitty friends at the local animal shelter--that we're quite tired out. Mama says she is, too, so we're going to do her a favor and keep our column short this week.

Sinéad: First, we'd like to share some good news. Mama's getting an article published in a big, important magazine called Animal Wellness. It's a story about her first cat teacher, our great grammie Iris, and it's going to be in the March 2004 issue. We think everyone should go out and buy a copy so you can see her wonderful story.

Siouxsie: And we'd like to extend a wish for a happy and safe holiday season, whatever holiday you celebrate. Whether it's Christmas, Hanukkah, Yule, Kwanzaa, or any other holiday, may you enjoy peace and safety and comfort.

Sinéad: We'd also like to send out a purr of gratitude to our kitty friends who've sent us cards and gifts and wonderful things. We feel so loved when we get special mail just for us!

Siouxsie: A purr of gratitude also for all the people who work for the health and safety of all animals: Veterinarians and alternative healers, animal control officers, shelter staff and volunteers, wildlife rehabilitators, disaster workers who help domestic animals in crisis, animal behaviorists, animal communicators, rescue workers, humane law enforcement officers, and good Samaritans who take it upon themselves to help animals in need.

Sinéad: We send a purr of hope and love to the homeless, neglected and abused animals of the world. We purr for your safety and health, we purr that someone will rescue you, and we purr that you may find a loving and happy place to spend your lives.

Siouxsie: We send a purr for peace all over the world. War is bad for animals, too, and in times of violence and chaos, animals suffer as much as people do.

Sinéad: We send a purr of compassion to the people in desperate straits who have to give up their beloved animals because they have no way to take care of them.

Siouxsie: We send a purr for wisdom to the people who make their mark on the world. We purr that they will remember that everything they do has long-term consequences, and that they will make decisions for the ultimate well-being of all life in this world.

Sinéad: We send a sad but hopeful purr to all the animals whose species are in danger of disappearing as their habitat is destroyed. We purr that people will remember that every living creature on this planet has a purpose here, and that every single one of them is needed to keep our world in balance.

Siouxsie: We send purrs of love to our mama, our person-grammie, and all the people we know and love (even if we hide from them when they come over to visit us).

Sinéad: We send purrs of thanks to all the people and cats--and dogs, too!--who have written letters to us, and we purr that we have been able to help them to live together happily.

Siouxsie: We send purrs of support and solidarity to all the animals living on this earth who have chosen to be teachers in one way or another.

Sinéad: And most of all, we wish all of you the happiest of holidays, and may your new year be filled with purrs and barks and animal love!

Got a question? Need some advice? E-mail Sinéad and Siouxsie at advice@paws-and-effect.com. None of the advice in this column is meant to be a substitute for regular veterinary care.