Monday, December 08, 2008
Perfect gifts for the perfect pets (or their people)
Nona Nelson, The Happy Wag
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I admit it. I have stockings for my pets.
I know it's silly, and I know they don't have a clue about human holiday traditions. But each year I hang their stockings anyway. And as our menagerie of pets has grown, I add more to the mantle.
This year there will be five for Santa ... er, me to fill.
But what to give the pets that have everything? Here are a few ideas I have for holiday gifts for the pets and pet lovers on my list:
The FURminator: If you want to give a practical gift to a pet owner, I would highly recommend the FURminator de-shedding tool.
The FURminator gently pulls out the undercoat while leaving the top coat intact. This is particularly good for kitties, since fewer loose hairs means fewer hairballs.
FURminators come in various sizes for canines and felines. We use the same medium-sized tool for our greyhounds Dexter and Coral and for Thai, our short-haired kitty (no one besides my daughter ever touches her cat, and our terrier pup doesn't have an undercoat).
The FURminator is expensive, retailing for $34.99 to $54.99 depending on size, but you can buy the tool packaged with a free bottle of shampoo and other accessories for the holidays. For us, it's an investment that we hope will extend the life of our rather costly vacuum cleaner.
FURminators are not for every dog, though. According to the company's Web site, furminator.com, this tool should not be used on poodles, shitzus, Malteses, bichons, Portuguese water dogs or Irish water spaniels.
Homemade treats: Nothing says loving like something from the oven. With all the recalls of commercial pet food lately, I feel better giving my pooches treats I make myself with fresh ingredients that I know are safe. Recipes can be found online and in pet food cookbooks (another great gift idea for the pet-loving gourmet on your shopping list).
My three dogs love peanut butter and cheese, so when I whip up a batch of peanut butter or Parmesan biscuits (see the recipes on page 3), they come running, tails a-wagging. This time of year I like to use holiday cookie cutters for their snacks. I know the dogs don't care what shape the treats are, but it makes them look more festive in the doggie cookie jar.
And a batch of homemade treats in a pet-themed cookie jar could make a great gift, too.
Helping homeless pets: Donations to local animal shelters and rescue groups in the name of your favorite pet lover is a gift that also helps the community.
The League of Animal Protection in Fincastle offers sponsorships of its "resident" cats and dogs, which can be made in someone's honor. The sponsorship donation is $30 per month and goes toward the care and feeding of a particular pet while he or she lives at the shelter. Sponsorships are recognized through the LAP newsletter, and an acknowledgment card is mailed to the donor and the honoree.
If you really have to have something to wrap and tuck under the tree, the Roanoke Valley SPCA has 2009 desk calendars for sale (see the December section for a photo of my two smiling greyhounds). You can purchase a copy at the RVSPCA office on Baldwin Avenue or at the city market on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until Dec. 20.
And while you are shopping for wrapping paper, keep in mind that PetSmart is selling sheets of kitty- and doggie-themed wrapping paper and Luv-a-Pet holiday ornaments, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to PetSmart Charities.
What not to give: While it may seem like an adorable gift, it is probably not a good idea to give someone a puppy, kitten or any live animal as a surprise gift during the chaos of the holidays.
If someone on your list is considering a pet, think about buying a gift certificate good toward the adoption fee at the RVSPCA or with a breed rescue group. Wrap the gift certificate with a food dish and a toy for the big holiday reveal. The receiver can then pick out the best pet for his or her home and lifestyle when the time is right.
Got a great holiday gift idea for pets or pet parents? How about a holiday photo of your pet? Share it all on The Happy Wag blog at www.blogs.roanoke.com/rtblogs/thehappywag.
