Acular

PUPPY LOVE

Stockings in this story couldn't be simpler. Cut identical stocking shapes from two pieces of crafts foam Clip them together with clothespins. Using a 1/8-inch hole punch (available at crafts stores), put holes through both pieces around all edges but top. Whipstitch plastic cording through the front and back pieces using a plastic needle. Turn the stocking into the pet of your choice by hot-gluing layers of colorful crafts foam to the stocking.

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PRETTY KITTY

For a feline friend, make a slightly smaller version of the blue stocking used for the dog's stocking. Then hot-glue pointy ears, tail, and facial features made of crafts foam to the stocking. For whiskers, thread a short length of plastic cording on a plastic needle and knot one end. Push the cording from the inside of the stocking to the front, so the knot remains hidden inside. Add a jingle bell to the collar. To really please your pet, stuff the stocking with catnip treats or toys. Order a special catnip package (right). Cats flip over the stuff, whether it's fresh or dried.

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SPOTTY PUP

This dog is decidedly dalmatian. Make the collar from a 1-inch-wide strip of crafts foam cut long enough to fit snugly around the stocking. Add several 1/8-inch holes. Cut a circle about the size of a half-dollar from foam for the name tag. Thread a twist tie through a hole in the tag and twist onto the collar, Write your dog's name on the tag, Wrap the collar around the stocking and hot-glue it in place.

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COUNTRY CANINE

Layers of yellow and orange crafts foam give this pooch a golden retriever look. Make the kerchief by cutting the shape once from crafts foam. Turn it over and trace the design onto another sheet of the same color crafts foam. Cut out the shape. Put one piece in front of the stocking and the other behind it, and hot-glue the top corners together. Cut a small circle "knot" from crafts foam and hot-glue it in place.

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CATNIP FOR CHRISTMAS

Your feline friends will absolutely love this special gift of Catnip for Christmas. We include plants for the winter windowsill and seeds to sow next spring--all to ensure a continuous flow of kitty treats. Created exclusively for the readers of Better Homes and Gardens[R] magazine by Papa Geno's Herb Farm, each gift pack contains three Nepeta cataria plants (catnip for cats) plus a packet of Renee's Garden catnip seeds. Each plant is shipped in a 2 1/2 x 3 1/2-inch plastic pot and is about 4 to b inches tall at time of shipment. Each collection costs $37.95, which includes shipping, handling, and sales tax. Order early; quantities are limited. Sorry, we are unable to ship to Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, or Puerto Rico.

TO ORDER with your MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or Discover card, call 800/881-4066. To order by mail, send a check or money order to: Better Homes and Gardens Reader Shopping Service, Dept. 0212, Box 9128, Des Moines, IA 50306-9128. Or, visit our Internet site at www.bhgcatalog.com

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TASTY TREATS

Just add water and margarine to the flavored mix, cut out the shapes, and bake these homemade treats for pets. Store the finished treats in the reusable tins. A copper cutter (fish shape for cats, bone for dogs) is included. From Sassafras, each kit costs $22.95 which includes shipping, handling, and tax. Call toll free 800/881-4066 or visit www.bhczcatalog.com.

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LEASH IT!

Give the rugged, nature-loving dog in your home a stylish yet durable collar and lead. This machine-washable leash has nylon webbing and a brass clasp, and the collar has a sturdy side-release buckle. Available in various sizes and designs from A Tail We Could Wag. Call 208/726-1763 or visit www.tailwags.com for the location of a retailer near you.

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COPYRIGHT 2002 Meredith Corporation