Kathleen
PARKER
, I
S[NTINEL COLUMNIST
i
supreme
.on
day
Let us now praise famous
those oft-berated dead
men of European descent
had the wisdom, foresight
inllectual constitution to
Supreme Court as part
of government that
us to survive in spite of
As Usual throughout these
days of legal nice-
:ial minutiae, I'm
deadlines to write in
critical deci-
slated for this week. In-
by now the president-
, be known.
won -- or
a recount is now in
-- we should be grate-
that the final word comes
Supreme Court.
I'm riot qualified to argue the
points or even to question,
have, whether this
contest correctly was a
ral con-
do know is that taking
national question
national court
the best result we could
weeks of par-
bickering, questionable le-
and even dubi-
results, from the
Supreme Court on
local election canvass-
an appeal to the su-
e of the world for the
of our intentions, to
)ur Declaration of
this is the best
can: do. In secular matters,
isno higher authority than
U.$. Supreme Court: The
are presumptively the
legal minds in the country;
hired them for these purpos-
e; their word is final. They, in
docule.
In such a divisively partisan
-- and regarding a
of this magnitude --
might be relieved that they
may disagree in-
' with the outcome, we
feel confident that we've ar-
atgenuine finality.
And though we might regret
involved the courts
we're now beyond any
hpplication of hindsight.
let'S, once and for all, put to
r spin that it's all
fault. As Al Gore's cam-
in tile near-sniveling whine
class tattletale ("He start-
it"), Bush filed the first law-
Yes, he did, but what else
do when the Gore cam-
initially requested that
in cer-
preferential counties? Basi-
Bush-had three choices:
a recount in all
though, intuitively,
don't ask for recounts;
(3) go to court.
ncumbent on the chal-
the declared winner,
o a fair recount, which
to do. So began
of legal challenges
laaded us in the nation's
where Americans
every reason to feel com-
The legitimacy that seemed
to elude us in this election
be ensured by the justices'
ruling. Whoever wins
himself against all
but let's hope there
none. The final dispensation
this election should make
feel more unified
ever given our shared equi-
€ in that investment our nation's
made more than 200
has proven un-
that the machinery
that it
and dispositive-
, coups or civ-
disagree-
have spawned in
Americans ought
and celebrate that
with a renewed com-
:writer her at Orlando
, Orlando, Fla.
or contact her by email at
SECTION E / WEDNESDAY
DECEMBER 13, 2000
INSIDE SECTION E
Workstation
Gifts take
a bow
wow[
Dear Santa: Please tell my owner I
don't need another flea collar.
By TIFFINI THEISEN
OF TH E SENTINEL STAFF
Nothing would make Rover happier this holiday
season than to gnaw on some drool-coated bone in a
cool patch of dirt in the yard. But that seems so ...
Grinch-like. It's Christmas, doggone it, and that
means spreading cheer to all creatures great and
small. It means festooning the doors with wreaths, the
hearth with stockings and the cat with an adorable an-
gel costume.
Forty-six percent of pet owners will spend more
on presents for their animals this year than they
will on other relatives, a recent survey found.
Here are some of the most exotic pet-gift ideas
we came across.
Fantasy Pet Dress-Up
They'll be embarrassed and perhaps
even ticked off, but Fluffy and Fido will
get over it -- and you'll have fodder for
the cutest Christmas-card pictures
around with these silk-screened felt
costumes. Besides the angel and holi-
day-light outfits pictured, you can also
get a frog, bumblebee, Christmas tree,
giraffe and other designs for weeks of
dress-up fun. ($12.99-$15.99 by Truax
International. Purchase online at pet-
foodexpress.com)
Holiday Elf Suit
Don't let your ferret go bare this Christmas -- outfit the
weaselly little dude in this reversible suit complete with
whimsical hat. When you return from the emergency
room, you and Slinky can poe for a holiday portrait
you'll treasure for years to come. The outfit will also
be a hit at parties. Its jacket fastens with Velcro, and
the hat has an adjustable band. As the designer
notes, the elf suit is made "to fit your active ferret's life-
style." ($8.99-$I 1.99 by Marshall Pet Products. Visit Pet-
land or www.marshallpet.com or call 1-800-292-3424.)
TRUAX INTERNATIONAL
MARSHALL PET PRODUCTS
SHOUN A. HILL/
ORLANDO SENTINEL
ROLF C. HAGEN
Wrought Iron Feather Bed
You've got the 300-thread-count sateen sheets
and Pottery Barn sleigh bed -- now it's Max's turn.
This majestic throne provides the special dog in your
life with an elegant escape from the rigors of digging,
licking and scratching. The ensemble shown includes
an iron bed base (available in antique gold, rust, red,
antique white or black), a feather bed, duvet cover
and three bolster pillows. Bedding designs also in-
clude jacquard and animal print. Each piece is sold
separately. (Ensemble: $593-$923, by In The Compa-
ny of Dogs. Visit inthecompanyofdogs.com or call 1-
800-924-5050.)
Cat Spa
While you're out buying a bathtub whirlpool for your
mother and a massage gift certificate for your honey, how
do you think Kitty feels, left home alone to shred the sofa?
Neglected, that's how. So treat Kitty with the Cat Spa, which
snared an honorable mention in the American Pet Product
Manufacturers Association's Best New Pet Products contest
this year. Cat Spa comes with more accouterments than a
Swiss Army knife. There are so many brushes, bristles, ripples
and pressure pads to massage, soothe, tickle and invigorate
your cat, he'll likely forget you even exist. ($19.99 by Rolf C.
Hagen. Visit Petland or Petsmart, or call 1-800-225-2700.)
IN THE COMPANY OF DOGS
EE.T. DIRECT
Hid'n Litter
The days of stashing the litter box in the
closet are over. Celebrate your cat's bodily
functions this holiday season with the
Hid'n Litter Christmas cat box, an elegant
addition to any d&or. 'Friends and family
who visit this December won't even know
that there's something very different than
holiday presents tucked under this tree,'
the manufacturer boasts. (Just don't deco-
rate the tree with metallic tinsel, which can
sicken cats.) Great for apartments too small
for a cat box and Christmas tree. (Style
shown, $79.99. Others, $50-$190 from
P.E.T. Direct, 1-800-884-1917.)
FAT CAT
Kitty Revenge toys
• Cheaper than a session
with the feline psychologist,
these stuffed toys let cats
work out lingering anger
from that cheap-pet-food in-
cident. Besides Vet the Victim
(left), your cat can disembow-
el Revenge Rover, Nasty
Neighbor Kid or Trout Tease.
All have catnip tucked inside.
($5.99 each, by Fat Cat. Avail-
able at Pet Supermarket and
Petsmart or at fatcatinc.com).
Swarovski Crystal Dog Necklace
For the pooch that is a paw above
common nylon collars. In the pav6
bone pendant or the herringbone
design in either gold or platinum
finish, your darling will be the bark
of the park. The dainty necklaces
come in five sizes, the smallest an 8
(don't tell vain Fifi -- she'll be fur-
ious) and the largest a 16 (pre-
sumably for the pack of Rottweiler
owners who will be snapping this
up). ($85, by In The Company of
Dogs. Visit inthecom
.corn or call 1-800-924-S050.)
IN THE COMPANY OF DOGS
