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 …read more

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 …read more

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 …read more

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) …read more

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 …read more

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!

Give them their own radiator
Or let nature do the work
Keep their paws warm and dry
A soft glowing light for dogs…
…and don’t forget the cats…
…and birds and lizards
Try some interspecies snorgling
Learn about keeping follicly challenged rats warm…
…and the hedgies
Make warm cat treats…
…and dog treats
And don’t forget the rodents
Floor heating for snakes
A luxury bed
Make sure they can get into the bed
…read more