I admit it, I love the idea of buying things for my pets for the holidays but I don’t actually do it!

By the time I’ve bought for family and friends my poor head is drained and as cute as it would be to have the cats and dogs “unwrap” something with us on Christmas morning, it just doesn’t happen (I don’t think they mind too much anyway — isn’t that what the wrapping paper is for?).

This year I decided to put together a fun guide full of ideas for pets and their people. From treats and toys to books and calendars, you’ll be sure to find something for everyone — two-legged and four-legged! — without a whole lot of effort!

[image: flickr]

This is heartbreaking: Chai the dog was playing with a ball produced by the company Four Paws. The ball is pimpled and has a hole and a small bell inside.

While Chai was playing with the ball his tongue got stuck in the hole, and since there wasn’t a second hole to prevent it a vacuum was created that ended up causing irreparable damage to Chai’s tongue.

Chai’s family have a weblog (warning: some mildly graphic pictures) chronicling the ordeal and how Chai’s tongue ended up having to be removed. Chai has to relearn how to eat and drink.

They’re calling for an international boycott of all Four Paws products until the ball is recalled.

[image: product image]

Does your dog have a favorite toy? Maybe one that’s had to be replaced on the sly several times?

Chip and Honey each have their own little doggy dolls that they like to cuddle with or go fetch, but they’ve never had much interest in regular dog toys. I’d like for them to want bones and rawhides or Kongs but they don’t (but at least they’re not chewing on anything else!).

Dopey the hamster must have a bored owner - he got his very own motorized Lego elevator in his cage!

It’s hard not to go “aww!” each time he falls when reaching for his house, but he he seems to really get into it and finally makes it! (That being said, criticisms and comments can be left at the Youtube page - I didn’t make it!)

You can get soda, food, and even movies through vending machines now, why not pet supplies?

Check out these pet supply vending machines made by Hey Buddy! They can be loaded up with balls, toys, Frisbees, flea collars, pick-up bags, leashes, vitamin-water, and treats.

They’re franchised out now, and you can see where a few have already been placed.

Have you seen any of these around?

[image: product photo, hey buddy!]

I’m on auto-pilot from here on out to get ready for a vacation! We’ve got a friend taking the dogs (couldn’t bear the thought of them being boarded, and this friend loves them so it works out!), the cats will have a neighbor checking in on them to make sure they’re not killing each other and check their food supplies (we leave them extra bowls and dishes of water and food, and extra litter boxes when we go), and the same neighbor is taking Simon the betta fish too.

We also got the cats some extra toys to keep them busy while we’re gone - a Turbo Scratcher (see video above) and a bunch of little catnip toys to bat around. We’ve left them for long periods of time before (always with someone looking in on them) and they always cop an attitude when we get home - pretending to ignore us as if their feelings are hurt and we’ve done them wrong. They get over it as soon as we whip out the catnip, though!

I’ll admit it: I’ve dressed my dogs. Not fru-fru dresses or shirts and ties, but little knitted sweaters or wearable fleece blankets I’ve whipped together from scraps. They’re both short hairs and while we don’t get snow it does get cold here, so they seem to appreciate the extra warmth. If they go out front or walk with me to pick the kids up from school, though, they go bare!

Over the years I’ve kept a folder of bookmarks with patterns and ideas. Making such small things are a good shot of instant gratification and (I like to tell myself) the dogs are staying warm. The picture above was taken about a week after we acquired Honey. She didn’t mind the sweater too much but I didn’t make it long enough over her back. I used the pattern at redlipstick.net which I’ve used several times before and since (not just for my dogs!) and have found to be the easiest to follow.

Dog Patterns:
~ Custom dog sweater generator
~ Pattern books
~ Custom fit dog sweater
~ Pup sweater
~ Fleece dog sweater
~ Chihuahua sweater
~ Button-up dog sweater
~ Puppy blanket
~ Tug toy
~ Jingle bell dog collar

Cat Patterns:
~ Feline dim sum (catnip toy)
~ Poppy cat sweater
~ Bumble cat toy
~ Cushy kitten blanket
~ Cat muumuu (I would never dare!)
~ Catnip mice
~ Cozy cat crescent
~ Long-sleeve turtleneck cat sweater
~ Felted kitty bed
~ Fortune cat doll

Misc:
~ Bunny Santa hat
~ Pampered pet pillow
~ Simplicity sewing patterns
~ Baby goat sweater

(Make sure you check out Hankering For Yarn for more fantastic knitting ideas!)

I came across this new design for dog crates not too long ago and wasn’t sure how I felt about it. They’ve grown on me a big but wouldn’t be practical for us with our two dogs. We use the crates that double as carriers and fit nicely side-by-side, so something like this would take up too much room.

I can appreciate what the creator was going for, though! The eCrate is only available in a few Brooklyn, New York pet shops (the website says nycpet.com carries them but I couldn’t find them).

Also check out the TRiTO dog toy:

For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Home & Dining channel has put together some lists to help you show your support. And of course, we can’t leave the pets out!

~ Pink Pet Accessories:

• Pink hoody
• Pink Flowers fancy pet collar
• Pink camouflage dog jacket
• Pink Aluminum Pet Tag
• Pink dog bandanna
• Hooded tweed dog jacket
• Chocolate and Pink collars
• Chocolate and Pink bed
• Pink metallic collar and leash
• Pink pretty dog polo shirt

~ Pink Pet Homes:

• Super Pet CritterTrail
• Pink chalkboard aquarium stand
  (and pink aquarium rocks and gemstones)
• Pink dollhouse style aquarium stand
• Pink bird cage
• Pink and white dog house
• Pink Palace Hamster Cage
• Pink cage litter
• Pink cat cave
• Pink betta kit
• Pink pet tent

~ Pink Pet Transportation:

• Pink pet stroller
• Pink pet carrier
• Pink bike pet carrier
• Pink pet coupe
• Pet carrier with pink paw
• Pink pet sling
• Pink plush carrier
• Pink and white pet pouch
• Paw Princess pet carrier
• Pink kennel cab

~ Pink Pet Food & Treat Accessories:

• Pink Paw Food Bowl
• Pink braided dish mat
• Pink bone dog bowl
• Pink polka dot cat dish
• Pink dog travel food kit
• Limited Edition Pink Drinkwell Pet Fountain and Reservoir
• Pink cat treat cannister
• Pink traveling feedbag
• Pink cat dish
• Pink bone bowls

~ Misc Pink Pets:

• Pink cat baby slippers
• Pink waste bag dispenser
• Pink pet beds
• Unlock pink animals in The Sims 2
• Pink elephant dog toy
• Pink flower bed
• Pink pet costumes
• Pink fuzzy foldable bed
• Pink siamese cat lamp
• Pink overnight bag

…..

Also check out:
~ Chocolate Bytes: Pet Chocolate for Breast Cancer Awareness
~ Declutter It: 10 Ideas for your Pink Party
~ Baking Delights: Baking for Breast Cancer Awareness
~ Keeping the Castle: The Pink Room
~ Offbeat Homes: Ten Breast Self-Exam Reminders
~ Simply Thrifty: In Honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month: 10 Pink Money Saving Gadgets

The Home & Dining channel decided our theme this month should be ways to keep warm during the autumn months. Of course, we can’t forget our pets!

1. Give them their own radiator
2. Or let nature do the work
3. Keep their paws warm and dry
4. A soft glowing light for dogs…
5. …and don’t forget the cats…
6. …and birds and lizards
7. Try some interspecies snorgling
8. Learn about keeping follicly challenged rats warm…
9. …and the hedgies
10. Make warm cat treats…
11. …and dog treats
12. And don’t forget the rodents
13. Floor heating for snakes
14. A luxury bed
15. Make sure they can get into the bed
16. Help them feel like they’re still at the beach
17. Canine windbreakers
18. And a slightly larger version
19. Learn about hamster hibernation
20. A little bonnet
21. Their very own heating pads
22. Block drafts
23. Body heat
24. A warm hat for Halloween
25. Keep them close
26. Fleecy cat blanket
27. Zap their bed
28. Chic ferret sweaters…
29. …and hoodies
30. Give the birds a nest
31. Give the cats a nest
32. Make them their own clothing
33. Keep the small pets warm with healthy bedding
34. A traveling blanket
35. Don’t forget the rats
36. A warm buddy
37. A warm soother
38. Keep the water flowing
39. Cozy hammocks
40. Pet tent with blanket
41. Give them a house
42. Give them a better house than yours
43. A feather parrot sweater
44. Heated beds
45. Give them a workout
46. Microwave their toys
47. Buy them a chalet
48. Don’t forget the caged pets
49. Keep them dry
50. Warm holiday headwear

More ‘50 Things’ around the Home & Dining Channel:
~ 50 Ways Chocolate Can Keep You Warm This Autumn
~ 50 Organizing Products to Add a Touch of Fall Color to Your Home
~ Hot Desserts, 50 Ways to Heat Up Your Autumn Evenings
~ 50 Awesome Crockpot Recipes to Keep You Warm (and Full!)
~ 50 Soul Warming Ways to Inspire the Next Generation of Offbeat Architects
~ 50 Things You Can Do to Stay Warm this Autumn
~ 50 reasons why a Japanese winter is hot
~ 50 Warm-Up Cooking Gadgets
~ 50 Vegetable Recipes to Keep Warm This Season
~ 50 Drinks That Warm The Soul