Plus 003:

The Holiday Experience

See

It’s A Wonderful… Dog?

Jimmy Stewart, the heart behind It’s a Wonderful Life, reads his poem “Beau” on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

See more

Hear

Pawdcast: Bad Boy Bru!

2024 Puppy Influencer of the Year, Bad Boy Bru, tells Dr. Kevin if he’s naughty or nice, plus the art of hole digging.

Hear more

Smell

Smelly Stocking Stuffers

This holiday, make scent a “treat” and try this holiday nose adventure.

Smell more

Taste

Winter Wag Ginger Snaps

Crunchy, cozy, and safe for both dogs and cats… and, um, humans! 

Taste more

Touch

A Holiday Paw Ritual

Between brisk winter walks and zoomies in the living room, paws deserve some holiday pampering!

Touch more

6th Sense

Sagittarius pet-o-scope

Happy birthday, Sagittarius! You are enthusiastic, curious, big-hearted, and a little mischievous!

Sense more

Ask Tux...

Our Chief Feline Officer Says…

Our favorite feline philosopher has holiday A’s to your pets’ Q’s, like how to help decorate…

Ask more

Welcome to the most
wonderful episode of the year!

You’ve entered our December Palms & Paws PLUS: The Holiday Experience!

What is it about this time of year that makes us hum with playful child-like anticipation?

Tis the season of twinkling lights, cozy paws, jingling collars, and tails that wag a little faster. Every tail tells a story, and joy seems to shimmer in the air like snowflakes (or maybe cookie crumbs for those of you in warmer climates)!

Here at Palms & Paws, we celebrate you, our beautiful, big-hearted community. Each month, we grow together – becoming better pet parents, better humans, and, in turn, creating happier pets.

Now, that’s truly peace on earth.

Together, we’re making the world a kinder, cozier, more joy-filled place, one wag, purr, and laugh at a time.

So pour some cocoa, fluff a blanket, and grab all of your furry best friends. Let’s unwrap the wonder, savor the silliness, celebrate the magic of connection, and feel the profound awe when we are present to the fact that every day with our pet family is a gift.

Ready to feel the magic? And, away we go….!

Receive your gift! And, just for being a member of Palms & Paws PLUS, be sure to grab your gift made possible from our friends, MODERNBEAST.

Be sure to scroll down to discover it!

See

It's A Wonderful... Dog?

It's A Wonderful Dog

Ready for something truly Wonderful?

We open this season’s episode with one of the most tender love letters ever spoken to a dog. It’s a reminder that love, once shared, never fades. It glows quietly, like candlelight in winter windows.

Jimmy Stewart, the heart behind It’s a Wonderful Life, reads his poem “Beau” on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

Watch together. Let the nostalgia warm your toes (and paws). Feel the gratitude in the room.

Leave a comment below and let us know if you made it through this entire video without misting up – be honest!

 

📸  And as always, we’re celebrating YOU!

Thank you for your paw-parazzi-worthy selfies. You and your pets are what make this community sparkle this holiday season. Keep them coming for our New Year’s edition!

Look at these fabulous members of our community!

Click on each image to view full size

Submit your pet selfie to be featured next month!

Submit Your Pet Selfie

 

But, wait, there’s more…

We’ve heard that members of your pet families really enjoyed “The Squirrel & The Nut” so we thought it would be so much fun to bring you more of, well, … the same. Just this time, with birds, too. Enjoy! 

Hear

The PAWDCAST:

Sounds of the Season &
Bad Boy Bru

Palms & Paws+ PAWDCAST - Ep. 003 (running time: 18 mins)

Tune in and listen together with your pet family. The sound of love is the best carol there is.

This month’s Pawdcast with Dr. Kevin and Greta Rose jingles straight into the heart of the holidays. Together, they unwrap what makes this time of year truly meaningful… not the bows or boxes (although many of you dogs and cats out there really really really love bows and boxes!), but the moments we share.

You’ll laugh, learn surprising holiday tips, and feel the love.

Bad Boy BruSpecial guest Bad Boy Bru, 2024 Puppy Influencer of the Year (yep, it’s a thing – check him out at @badboy_bru) and long time (in dog years) member of the Palms & Paws family sits with Dr. Kevin for an exclusive interview you won’t wanna miss.

Hear Bru’s wise insights on the art of hole digging and whether the size of a stick really does matter.

Have a sound bite to share?
Submit it here & we may feature it next month!

Submit Your Pet Sound Bite

Remember, 5% of YOUR membership every single month helps dogs and cats in need, starting with the Santa Monica Animal Shelter Foundation! Hear how your support is making a difference already this holiday.

 

"Jingle Paws"

A Holiday Tux Jingle

Verse 1
Jingle paws, jingle paws, tip-tap down the hall,
Midnight zooms and present snoops, I’ve investigated all.
Whisker checks, ribbon tests, bows improved by me,
If something moves, I must approve! That’s feline destiny.

And… now it’s YOUR turn:
Verse 2
Jingle paws, jingle paws, peace on earth tonight,
Curl up close, the hearth will glow, our hearts both full of light.
If laughter’s near and love is clear, then joy is mine to keep
I’ll stay right here through winter’s cheer, curled softly at your feet.

Smell

Smelly Stocking Stuffers

To your pets, the holidays are a festival of smells: pine needles, baking cookies, cozy sweaters, maybe a whiff of wrapping paper mischief.

Dogs can detect scents up to 100,000 times better than humans, and cats use over 200 million scent receptors to map their world.

For them, “home” smells like you — your skin, your blanket, your love.

This holiday, make scent a “treat” and try this holiday nose adventure:

For dogs: tuck a tiny sachet of dried lavender, vanilla bean, or chamomile into a stocking, then offer a glorious one minute of sniffing beside you. Tuck the sachet safely away and bring it out to enjoy the gift that keeps on giving!

For cats: a pinch of silvervine or catnip on a favorite mat, and watch them purr into pure bliss.

A little goes a long way. Our friends smell the world in high-definition.

Why it helps: slow, curious sniffing creates calm, builds confidence, and anchors you together in the present. Home becomes a feeling you can breathe in.


A gift for you.
A gift for them.

 

Each month, we’ll add even more & more value to your PLUS membership!

If you are looking for stocking stuffers, our friends, MODERNBEAST, have graciously extended this gift to all PLUS  members (YOU)! We love them because our missions are aligned and they give 100% of profits to 501c3 animal charities.

Here’s your gift card. Enjoy, and thank you for being a member of this community!

 

MODERNBEAST x Palms & Paws PLUS Collaboration
Dog noseDog nose

Taste

Winter Wag Ginger Snaps

Palms & Paws Winter Wag Ginger Snaps

A holiday treat your entire family can share without guilt (or tummy trouble).

Click here to download your Palms & Paws + recipe and fill your home with holiday magic!

Winter Wag Ginger Snaps (for Cats & Dogs)
 Ingredients:

 2 cups organic oat flour
 1 tsp ground organic ginger
 1 Tablespoon organic molasses
 ¼ cup unsweetened organic applesauce
 1 cage-free organic egg (or flax egg for protein sensitive pets)

Consult your veterinarian if your pet has food sensitivities or allergies.

Instructions:

  1. Ask your human to preheat oven to 325°F.
  2. Mix all ingredients into a soft dough.
  3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, or lightly grease it with a thin swipe of coconut oil.
  4. Roll into small balls, flatten slightly.
  5. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
  6. Cool completely before serving.

Crunchy, cozy, and safe for both dogs and cats… and, um, humans!

Serve with gratitude to your entire family, along with an extra cuddle. Your home will fill with the gentle smells of holiday magic.

Did you know: It’s best to avoid giving cinnamon to dogs or cats. Cinnamon is not toxic to dogs in small amounts, but large quantities or inhaling the powder can cause health issues. It is not recommended for cats, as it can cause digestive issues.

Touch

A Holiday Paw Ritual

Between brisk winter walks and zoomies in the living room, paws deserve some holiday pampering!

The Holiday Paw Ritual:
Warm your hands.
Lift one paw gently (paws are sensitive, so slow is kind).
Massage the pads with small circular motions using a pea-sized amount of pet-safe balm.
This eases dryness and supports healthy tissue — especially helpful during cold months.

Why it works: Rhythmic touch releases oxytocin — the love hormone — in both humans and pets. Science meets holiday tradition.

This ritual is preventative. If your dog or cat has any existing paw irritations, or shows signs of not wanting his or her paws touched, please consult with your veterinarian as to the best way to treat the poor paws.

Tip from Dr. Kevin: Because paws get licked constantly, we want anything we may place on them to be non-toxic and safe to ingest! Look for gentle all-natural balms with a beeswax or shea butter base, and avoid ones with essential oils, camphor which can be toxic or irritating.

🐾 Learn more fun paw facts: “Paw Check! Why Your Pet’s Paws Are Pure Magic” on our blog.

6th Sense

Mystic Musings

Holiday Folklore of Cats & Dogs

The holidays have always belonged to animals – long before jingling bells and glowing trees.

In Iceland, families believed in the Yule Cat, a giant magical feline who rewarded those who honored the season with generosity (and warm new clothes!) and reminded everyone that caring for one another was the true meaning of the holiday.

In medieval Europe, it was said that barn animals gained the gift of speech at midnight on Christmas Eve. Farmers would quietly tiptoe into the stables, hoping to hear whispered wisdom or gratitude.

In old Norse tales, Freyr’s glowing boar carried light through the darkest nights, inspiring stories of reindeer who guide with courage and intuition – traits our pets embody every day.

In Scottish folklore, dogs were believed to chase away winter spirits, guarding the home with loyalty and joy.

So it is no wonder our modern holidays still revolve around the steady heartbeats at our feet.

To love an animal is to glimpse the divine.

And in winter’s quiet glow, their wisdom shines brightest.

And the question of the season?

 

What exactly was the Grinch’s dog, Max?

A loyal mutt with cosmic patience – the original emotional support dog.

When the Grinch’s heart shrank, Max’s devotion grew.

A reminder that sometimes the smallest heart in the room is the biggest guide back home.

Submit your pet selfie, and we’ll send you a fun (funny) holiday photo with our own hand-drawn version of the Grinch’s best friend.

Want a funny holiday pic of your pet?
Submit your pet selfie & we’ll send it to you!

Submit Your Pet SelfieYour Palms & Paws PLUS pet here

Happy Birthday!

Here’s Your Monthly Pet-o-Scope
Sagittarius (Nov 22–Dec 21)

Traits: enthusiastic, curious, big-hearted, adventurous, a little mischievous, honest and direct (you are extremely good at communicating what you mean), and you have a great sense of humor. Are we on the nose for Sagittarius dogs & cats out there reading this right now?

Click here to download your very own Palms & Paws + Pet-o-scope. Collect one each month to create a full deck of magic. Opposable thumbs helpful to cut along the edges
(and to color in).

 

Sagittarius Pet-o-Scope by Palms & Paws

Ask Tux

Mic Drops from our Chief Feline Officer

Tux, Chief Feline Officer, Palms & Paws

Ready for A’s to your pets’ Q’s? Remember to submit your questions for Tux to answer below!

Q: Is it okay to unwrap my human’s presents early? (Gus the Dog)
Tux: Only if you’re testing ribbon integrity. Quality control is serious work.

Q: Can I nap in the wrapping paper pile? (Mittens the Cat)
Tux: Not can, must. It’s written in the Feline Holiday Constitution, Section 3: “If it crinkles, it’s mine.”

Q: Why does my human keep singing loudly? (Otis the Dog)
Tux: It’s called “caroling.” Best response: look deeply into their eyes and tilt your head. They’ll call it a duet.

Holiday Bonus Q: Can I help decorate? (Pepper the Kitten)
Tux: Absolutely. Supervise the wrapping paper, test gravity on ornaments. Humans are oblivious to the splendor of the cardboard box. Show them the way.

Ask Tux Your Q

5% Paw it Forward

Your subscriptions are making a difference! Because every act of love, no matter how small, ripples outward.

And speaking of giving…
You can now give the gift of PLUS!

Palms & Paws PLUS is the perfect present for someone who loves cats and dogs as much as you do! And just in time for the holidays. Meow + Woof!

You listened. You laughed. You celebrated together. You remembered that love — pure, simple, and unconditional — is the heartbeat of this community.

Every subscription helps us give back. Every story shared multiplies the joy.

From our hearts to yours — thank you for being part of this growing family where people and pets flourish together.

With gratitude and love,
Charlie & Tux
and the entire Palms & Paws Pawsse

Please share this with someone who loves pets as much as you do!

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(Hint: rhymes with “pawptimism”)

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