Q: It's that time of year again. Will you warn people to be careful when setting out their holiday decorations, especially holly, mistletoe and poinsettias? Save a pet's life! -- L.R., via e-mail

A: The holidays can offer up some hazards to pets, but poinsettias are not among them -- although the idea that they are seems almost impossible to eradicate.

But it's true: The popular holiday plant with the red leaves is safe around pets. According to the Animal Poison Control Center (www.aspca.org/apcc), the poinsettia can cause little more than a bad tummyache, even if ingested in fairly large amounts. That doesn't mean you should put poinsettia foliage into the food processor and then add it to your pet's dish. But it does mean that you can quit worrying that the plant your aunt gave you for the holidays is going to do in your dog.

Mistletoe and holly are another matter, though, as is the bulb of the amaryllis plant. These should probably not be part of your home's holiday decorating -- or at least put them where your pet can't get to them.

Maybe it's not a bad idea to invest in all the lovely fake greenery that's available these days. I remember when fake trees and other synthetic holiday greenery looked awful. These days, it all looks a lot nicer and can be used for years. Plus, fake greens are not as attractive to pets who want to chew. (I love my little fake tree with its energy-saving LED lights pre-strung!)

Next week we'll have our annual write-up of holiday hazards, with a complete list of everything worth worrying about (at least as far as your pet's concerned) from now until New Year's.

Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com.