The turdoggie hybrid we rolled out on billboards just in time for Thanksgiving proved so popular that we decided to return to the laboratory and craft a new creation for Christmas—the puplet:

Dog: © iStockphoto.com/Angelika Schwarz • Pig: © iStockphoto.com/Clint Scholz

Pigs are a lot more like dogs than you might think. Piglets and puppies both love to play and have their ears scratched, and they can easily master skills like sit, fetch, and jump. When in their natural surroundings—not on factory farms—pigs are social, playful, protective animals who bond with each other, make nests, relax in the sun, and cool off in the mud. Pigs are known to dream and recognize their own names, and they are thought to be more intelligent than 3-year-old human children. And just like kids—and dogs—pigs don't want to be eaten.

To celebrate a compassionate Christmas, keep the ham off the table and whip up a pig-friendly feast with the holiday recipes available on our "Living" page.

Making up songs about my cat, Wellington, set to holiday jingles is one of the season's great joys. ("Wellie, the Pink-Nosed Kitty" is a big hit at parties.) The best thing that we can do for our animal companions this holiday season, though, is to keep them safe. Here are some tips:

Cats are wonderful, but they don't make great gifts. And please always remember to spay and neuter.

• Keep tinsel, ribbons, and ornament hooks away from prying paws. If you see ribbon or tinsel hanging from your animal's mouth, call the veterinarian, pronto. Never pull it out—it can cut their intestines.
• Make sure that guests and kids don't share unapproved holiday treats with animals. Chocolate and some nuts are toxic to dogs, and even seemingly harmless foods such as onions, raisins, and grapes can cause severe reactions in dogs and cats.
• Plants such as holly, mistletoe, and lilies are pretty to look at, but they can make animals sick or even kill them if eaten. Keep plants well out of animals' reach—or better yet, choose other types of plants.
• The comings and goings of guests provide opportunities for animals to slip out of the house. Have your animals microchipped (at your veterinarian's office or an animal shelter), and make sure that they wear collars and I.D. tags while guests are in the house, just in case.
• Save the phone numbers of your veterinarian and the nearest emergency vet in your cell phone so that you're always prepared for unexpected mishaps.
• Holidays can be hectic, but be sure not to overlook your animal companions' needs for regular walks and playtime.
• Share the holiday spirit of giving with your animals by getting them a dog or cat gift set—they also make great stocking stuffers for the other animals in your life.

Happy holidays to you and your furry friends!

If you can't bear the thought of wrapping up another video game or pair of gloves, why not give your loved ones the gift of alleviating animal suffering? We've rolled out our PETA Presents website just in time for the holidays, and the site features gifts from $5 to $500 that protect animals every time your loved ones pull off a big red bow.

You are guaranteed not to hear, "You shouldn't have," when you wrap up a toy for a lonely chained dog, a spay/neuter surgery, or a day off for a working animal.

We'll send your recipient a beautiful e-card thanking him or her for helping animals. Or, if you prefer to have something to put under the tree, you can print a picture and description of the gift and create an attractive certificate suitable for framing.

Long after the gift cards have been spent, the candy has been eaten, and the golf clubs are gathering dust in the closet, your gift will still be helping animals. Visit PETAPresents.org to start giving today.

Petfinder reports that 63 percent of people buy holiday gifts for their dogs. Then there are the birthday presents, valentines … the list goes on and on. While the rope toys and Nylabones give dogs mental stimulation and exercise, our pups get much more of both from the time that they spend with us. Here are five gifts that your dog will love every day of the year:

• Real walks, not "drag-alongs": Pay attention to when the dog wants to stop and sniff rather than worrying about how fast you are burning calories. Outings to the dog park, where they can safely run off leash, are always appreciated too.
• The opportunity to bark: People talk all day long, yet dogs are often shushed if they bark even once.
• Frequent and prompt bathroom breaks: Don't get up in the morning and brush your teeth and comb your hair while your dog is waiting to go outside.
• Veterinary checkups: Schedule an annual visit, including a dental exam to check for any painful dental problems. A fresh, clean bowl of water daily helps keep mouths healthy too.
• Time: Don't be a blur, dashing in, changing clothes, and dashing back out again, leaving your dog to stare at the wall. Get the ball out and throw it, brush his or her coat, or just hang out and have some quality time together.

Written by Ingrid E. Newkirk

Are you one of those people who dread going home for the holidays because of the inevitable arguments over what who you choose not to eat, wear, or chain up in the backyard? Russell Simmons—hip-hop mogul and author of the upcoming self-help book Super Rich—has some sage advice about making peace with less ethically evolved friends and relatives.

PETA V.P. Dan Mathews recently interviewed Russell for the PETA Files:

"People are uncomfortable with anyone who's different for any reason, whether they're vegan or gay or black or whatever," he said. "They feel threatened, and there's nothing we can do about it but try to lead by example and not make people feel they're on a different side. I tell this to my assistant Simone, the supervegan: 'Stop whipping bitches' asses. You have to love the people you want to change.' Obviously anyone who loves animals has some compassion in their heart, but it's easy to get frustrated and block out compassion for the people we want to change. They'll change easier if they don't feel hated."

But even Zen master Russell can lose his cool when it comes to fur. Dan asked him what he says when he encounters people who wear fur: "I say, 'You know how they chop those motherfuckers up for that coat?!'" 

Written by Alisa Mullins

Holidays are supposed to be joyous times, but for animals, they are often the worst of times no matter what religion is celebrating the holiday. For example, during the Muslim holy days of Eid al-Adha, which took place last week, millions of animals, including camels, lambs, goats, and cows, had their throats cut in memory of Abraham's sacrifice of a sheep.

emilie raguso/CC by 2.0

Camels typically have one of their front legs tied up and their rear legs roped together so they can hardly stand, and their mouths are often tied shut. Surrounded by a throng of onlookers, the terrified camels are held down with ropes while someone plunges a knife into their throat. Braying and thrashing in pain, the camels slowly bleed to death. Thankfully, some Muslims are questioning this practice.

If the way that animals are killed during Eid al-Adha disturbs us, what about the millions of turkeys who are slammed into shackles, dangled upside-down by their fragile legs, and killed when their throats are cut open while the birds are still conscious—just so that they can end up on someone's Thanksgiving table? Perhaps it's time to reevaluate all holiday "traditions" that cause animals to suffer and die. I suggest pondering it this Thursday over a plate of delicious, cruelty-free Tofurky.

Written by Lindsay Pollard-Post

Think it's too early to start spreading holiday cheer? Well, I think you might soon change your mind, because we're about to unveil quite possibly the cutest photos you've ever seen. The photos all appear on PETA's holiday cards, and three winners will each get a pack of cards as this week's "Win It" Wednesday prize. Brace yourself for cute overload:

I can't wait to mail one of these cards to every person on my list, but I'll have to purchase mine. Lucky you—all you have to do to score these cards is describe how you'll be spreading some holiday cheer for animals. It's never too early for that, is it? Each and every act of kindness matters, so please share some insight about your motivation.

Here's what I'll be doing (never mind that I can't win the cards): In honor of Sheba—a neighbor's elderly dog whom I helped out of cold, lonely isolation in a muddy backyard pen—I'll be urging my local television stations to run PETA's "Cold Dog" ad starring Michael Strahan.

The three entrants whose inspiring ideas make us cheer the loudest will each win a pack of the holiday cards. The contest ends November 23, and the winners will be chosen on November 24. Be sure to read our privacy policy and terms and conditions, as you're agreeing to both by commenting. Good luck!

Written by Karin Bennett

Want to get active for animals, but not exactly the bikini in an ice storm type? You could take a cue from two fabulous Florida citizens and organize a "holiday compassion" display.

Carla and Bryan Wilson set up this beautiful educational exhibit in Florida's largest public library.

The display includes an awww-inspiring photo of a mother turkey and her chicks along with interesting facts about these intelligent, affectionate animals. It features eye-catching boards about why meat is bad for animals, bad for your health, and bad for the environment. And what holiday display would be complete without tasty tips for cruelty-free holiday meals?

The best part? It's easy for you to replicate. For materials to set up your own cruelty-free information center, contact PETA's activist liaisons.

Written by Heather Drennan

This beautiful, beautiful e-card starring Christina Applegate got leaked last week, and it’s been all over the blogosphere already. The Samantha Who? star posed nude to help remind people to stay away from fur and fur-trim during the holiday season. Check it out—it"s gorgeous.

Blogs covering this story

In Touch
Entertainmentwise
Seriously?OMG!WTF?
Agency Spy
Celebitchy