Previously on LDHD: "With the help of Dr. Charlie -- the shrink not the tree surgeon -- Mauve Maple feels less uprooted by the holidays, and once again becomes a semi-normal member of the Green Community at Lincoln Park." (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"But there are others who still can't shake their holiday angst! Can the canny spider alienist save them all?" (Photo by Steph J.)

"They're after me, the crazed men with their sharp axes. They will come for me at dawn, and drag me from whatever scant sanctuary I've found. With my last breath, I will try to think kind thoughts about cranberry sauce...and then Tom Turkey will be no more!" (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"The fact is, you have nothing to worry about, Tom. You're not wearing a costume -- you're an actual turkey buzzard, and nobody wants you anywhere near their cranberry sauce. By the way, your real name isn't Tom Turkey...it's Theophanes BuzZARD!" (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"Are you sure about that? Great Bald Eagle! What a relief! You know, I think this problem started when I was a chick. The turkeys were always the cocks of the walk, so to speak. Anyway, I now realize I'm suffering from buzzard denial. Is it OK if I just perch over here on the couch for a minute?" (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"Alas, we'll have to talk later, dear boy. There's a certain fly I simply must invite into my parlor about now." (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"Hey, Dr. Charlie, can I be a buzzard, too? Otherwise, I'm really going to be sweating those dark days between now and Christmas." (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"For those of you carnivores suffering nothing more extreme than too much Turkey Tryptophan: Happy Thanksgiving from LuLu's Desperate House Dogs!" (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

Previously on LDHD: "Some Thanksgiving this will be! I've built my nest in a neurotic tree!" (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

Meanwhile, Mauve Maple rattles off her woes to Dr. Charlie, the amiable arachnid alienist. (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"Not only have I lost all my beautiful purple leaves, but Edie Evergreen, my worst enemy from high school, has been chosen to the be the Village Christmas Tree." (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"But your leaves will return in the spring, Ms. Maple, and in order for Edie Evergreen to become the Village Christmas Tree -- she will have to be cut down!" (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"Well, yes. I guess the Princess-Summerfall-Winterspring act has become almost habitual. But nobody has yet to festoon me with lights or deck my boughs with balls!" (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"You do realize that in order to become the Village Christmas Tree, Edie will have to be cut down first?" (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"Cut down? You mean...come the New Year and Edie's kindling?" (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"At last -- a positive note of holiday cheer! Ms. Maple, may I salute you with a raised hind leg?" (Photo by J.M. Hilton)