16 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc, Wednesday, December 21,1994 f \ Pet Gare VVVdJ Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic by Dr. Kilpatrick, Dr. Korver, Dr Keir arid Dr. Cook J Holiday Hazards Santa has arrived at the local mall, sounds of Christmas carols fill the air and all the Christmas decorations have been retrieved from that hiding place under the stairs. Christmas is a very festive time of year, but there arc certain traditions that could be hazardous or fatal to your pet. The Christmas tree appeals to children and cats alike. This giant scratching post provides a great perch from which to view the family and their company. Make sure that the tree is well secured and not likely to fall over if your feline decided to climb it. Decorations and tinsel on the tree are especially dangerous. Glass ornaments not only make a mess when broken, they can also cause serious internal damage if they arc eaten. Cats love to leap at the tinsel tinsel on the tree and the chew on it once they have knocked it down. Tinsel Tinsel can sometimes cause a blockage in the intestines that may require major major surgery to repair. If your cat is a playful puss, stick with heavier garlands garlands and forget the tinsel. Be especially especially careful also with light cords. Puppies love to chew anything and everything that isn't nailed down and electric shocks can cause serious injuries injuries to you pet. When you arc entertaining and perhaps over indulging, please don't share these caloric-laden goodies with your pet. Dogs and cats do best on their regular diet, with no added treats. Rich or fatty meats or sauces may cause vomiting and diarrhea. Chocolate in even very small amounts can be toxic for a small dog. Watch your drinks - there may be a small figure behind the chair, just wailing for a chance to taste the rum- nog! Other winter hazards can be potentially potentially fatal - antifreeze is a poison hazard. This sweet liquid is appealing to animals and even a small amount may be fatal. Icy snowy roads present dangers to pets since drivers have greater difficulty stopping. Please keep your pet in your yard or under control on the street. When you put' the pup outside for toilet duty, remember remember to stand and wait for him because because car tips and feet can become frostbitten quite quickly. The subject for another article is giving a pet for Christmas. There arc bumper tickets that say "A pet is for life, not just for Christmas." We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season with their families, families, including their "four-legged friends. FINANCING YOUR SMALL BUSINESS What Your Banker Needs to Know (first in a series of three articles) By Dennis Beere Manager, Bowmanvillc Branch Toronto Dominion Bank When the lime comes to get financial backing from an outside source, keep in mind that your banker will need and want all the information that you yourself need to start or operate a business successfully... in short, a business plan. This is what your business plan should include for your banker to make a reasoned - and reasonable - decision: 1. What you make (your product or service). 2. How much money you need. 3. Why you need the money. 4. What kind of loan you need. - Is it a long-term loan for capital investment, such as buying new equipment or business premises or an operating loan for day-to-day business needs. - If you need an operating loan or line of credit, be sure to provide cash-fiow projections (that is, information on cash receipts and disbursements to show where and when the cash will be coming in). - If you can, try to reserve your own cash for operating needs and look for outside money when you need support for capital investments. 5. How long will you need the money. 6. What collateral you have to offer. - If you arc in business already, be sure to provide information on your business assets, such as equipment, business premises, stock on hand, or customer orders. - If you arc looking to get started, be prepared to provide proof of personal assets, such as your house (if you own one), cash savings, life insurance policies, stocks, bonds, etc, 7. How will you pay back the loan. - For a term loan used to purchase fixed assets (for example, equipment or your building) you should think in terms of regular payments (monthly or quarterly) over a predetermined period of time, normally to coincide with the life expectancy of the asset. - An operating loan or your operating line of credit should fluctuate as your cash flow requires. A line of credit is an agreement between you and your bank in which the bank agrees to make available to you funds up to a maximum amount. You may borrow as much of this "line" as and when required. 8. Your financial history. - Supply financial statements which include a balance sheet and income statement showing your financial history over the past three years. - Supply a personal financial statement to show your assets, liabilities and earnings. - Remember that your accountant can prepare these statements for you but only under your direction. It's vour plan, not your accountant's, that both you and your banker need to use. 9. How your business is (or will be) managed. - If you arc already in business, give some background information on your own experience as well as on others in the business. Highlight your track record. - If you are just getting started, give some background information on your own experience and on those you expect to be involved. Include details on the investment each of you will make and what you will do (or give) to cam your share. For more information on a .TO Business Planner, a comprehensive financial planning guide, call TO's Green Infolinc at 1-800-387-2092. The Toronto-Dominion Bank 39 Temperance Street Bowmanvillc, Ontario L1C 3K9 Tel: (905) 623-2514 Your Bank. Your Way. @ TOLL FREE CALLING! Yf COSTLY LONG DISTANCE CHARGES Expand your local calling area to include: Metropolitan Toronto and Ajax-Pickering, Brooklin, Claremont, Markham, South Pickering and Whitby • Day or Night • 365 Days a Year • Unlimited Talk Time From only $29.99 per month (Aw 905^76-4004 TELEHOP BOWMANVILLE 509 St. Clair Ave. W„ P.O, Box 73508 Toronto, Ont. M6C 1C0 *^) CRTC Approved © Red Cross Asks You to Give the Best Gift of All The Red Cross is asking people to add the Gift of Life to their giftgiving giftgiving list this holiday season. Giving Giving blood is a generous way of sharing sharing the holiday spirit. December is often a difficult time for the Red Cross to collect blood. People arc away or busy with holiday festivities and may have less opportunity to donate. donate. But the need for help never takes a holiday. Each weekday 5,000 people people must give blood for the Red Cross to meet the requirements of patients patients at Canadian hospitals. It's especially especially important for patients who, on an on-going basis, need to receive transfusions of platelets - a blood component that prevents life- threatening bleeding. Because platelets platelets have a brief storage life, the Red Cross must continuously collect a sufficient amount of blood. Healthy individuals age 17 to 70 arc encouraged to bring a friend, share the holiday spirit and give the best gift of all - the gift of life. The holiday season can be made brighter for accident and bum victims, cancer and leukemia patients, transplant recipients, recipients, people with blood disorders and all those undergoing major surgery. surgery. Donors are reminded to bring photo photo or signature identification. For clinic information call (416) 974- 9900 or a local branch of the Red Cross. Merry Christmas Enjoy the# beauty and wonder of it all. HUTTON TRANSPORT Management and Staff Waverley Road South 623-2521 Bowmanville © Music Assembly Performs at Trinity Church Leendert Kooij, director of the band and choir of the Ontario Christian Music Assembly, leads the audience in song during a performance performance in Trinity United Church. The Ontario Christian Music Assembly Assembly presented their annual concert at Bowmanville's Trinity United Church auditorium December 14th. The concert included a 100-voice choir accompanied by the instrumental group. Thanks so much for allowing us to help add a little color to your holiday celebrations. Cockerham's Florists 33 King <5t W. Bowmanville Telephone 623-8833 ® May the holiday season bring you as much joy as you have brought us! from Management and Staff Tim's Party Centre 102 King St. W. 623-9838 Bowmanvillc Tim's Rent-All Limited 102 King St. W. 623-4321 Bowmanvillc © After-Christmas ess®» / • ess irowMsst:swsa t i < ■ m SB ' e mi V L, : 1 : ' Î x L /. : : 50 % OFF Boxed Christmas Cards Wrapping Paper Christmas Decorations OPEN 12 Noon 'til 4 p.m. Dec. 26th McGregor Drugs Your Local I.D.A. Drug Store 5 King St. W. 623-5792 Bowmanville