It took me the better part of two weeks to sort through everything, look though all the suggestions, and run a few items by Brody, but I finally came up with what I think is a fun selection of my favorite cat and dog items for 2009! (The Flash gallery is a new addition here, so be sure to click the little “i” in the corner in order to see the accompanying text.)
[flagallery gid=2 name=”Gallery”]
There were so many great items out there that I couldn’t fit them all into the gallery, so I’m listing a couple of honorable mentions below:
Best Safety Item: Champion Seat Belt System. OK, I’m not actually aware of a huge comparison test between systems, so I went with the one a reader highly recommended. Any restraint is better than none- though I have found the majority of options out there are meant for smaller dogs. I like that this system is designed for larger dogs as well, and is easily adaptable to various points throughout the car: latch anchors, cargo holders, etcetera.
Best Shameless Self Promotion: The Pawcurious Calendar. I’m so excited that people are getting the Brody calendars- please let me know how you like them. If there are any other items in the Zazzle store you would like to have available with the logo, let me know too- I’ll be getting more graphic designs and adding items as time goes on. As always, 100% of proceeds from sales will go to rescue organizations.
The Best Please Feel Free To Send Me a Sample Item: Ellie Rocks NYC Jewelry. It’s for people but with a dog theme. The dog jowl ring haunts my dreams. đ I will never own a ring with a dog face that costs more than my wedding set, but a girl can dream, right? *Off to buy lottery ticket*
If you have a favorite item you want to endorse, feel free to tell the world about it in the comments!
Elizabeth says
Awesome list ! I love my furminator, you cannot pry it frm my hands..
Here are some reviews of the Dogs seatbelts..
http://www.chicagocanine.com/reviews.htm
http://mike.holyroller.org/reviews/review-seatbelts
http://www.agilepooch.com/dogstuff/dogbelts/dogbelts.html
Tassia says
We’ve had a Furminator for a few years now, love it, wouldn’t use anything else. Our cats have beautiful coats thanks to good food and regular Furmination.
I think I’ll have to check out this Hide-a-Squirrel thing.
Zeus says
Please consider adding a small dog car seat to your suggestions for the holiday! We here at Doggie Driving have been working away at helping small dogs ride safe in the car.
Happy Holidays!
Melissa and Zeus
Doggie Driving
Ashley says
Great list! I’m definitely going to look into getting the Hide-A-Squirrel because Pru is absolutely obsessed with squirrels.
One of Pru’s favorite toys is a recycled denim squeaker ball that my friend makes on her Etsy site. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35530526 They are extremely durable and have yet to show any sign of wear and it has been a year since Pru got hers. It’s definitely a toy that’s an A+ in my book.
Annette Frey says
Thank you for including Biscuits by Lambchop Dr. V!
Kim says
I can give first-hand knowledge of the sqirrels and the biscuits! The first is Ally’s favorite toy (or at least in the top 5). The biscuits are my dogs’ obsession! I’ve never seen them so determined to get every last crumb and learned the new word (“biscuit”, to distinguish from “treat”) in less than a day.
Annette Frey says
I love that Kim!
Starlet had the Squirrels as a baby and loved them too. : ) Smarty-paws got it right away. Now if I could teach her to put them back …..
Chile says
I have to recommend Lili Chin of http://www.doggiedrawings.net because she did an amazing illustration of Blade (which you’ve seen). 50% of her proceeds go to a rescue group (either Boston Buddies unless you suggest something else). It’s a treasured gift for sure!
Lisa W says
Oh my gosh, I just looked at her site! I’ll be asking for at least one of her drawings for sure! Thanks for the recommendation, Chile.
Chile says
She amazing. đ Mine hangs in my living room: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lilita/3934947643/
mrs.brent says
I personally love http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com !!
Everything on this site is wonderful, and proceeds go to shelter animals. I bought my winter boots here đ
Lisa W says
I second that!
Linda Chavez says
Thank you for including i Love Dogs’ diamond dog collar the Amour de la Mer in your Holiday Gift Guide! (http://bit.ly/5YPFkf) We’re so glad you like it, and any pooch that’s been very good this past year will absolutely love being pampered with this special collar. That tail will be thumping the minute you put it on.
We love dogs and we LOVE your website! Keep up the great work.
~from the dog lovers at i Love Dogs, Inc.
Jeannette Shaw says
Sure do love all the great gift ideas, thankyou.
hidden exposures says
i will second the champion seat belt two paws up…used to use another brand and find this one is much easier to get on, is stronger, and works great.
Lisa W says
Thanks for the Champion seat belt recommendation. I was wondering which was the best kind of these to get, so I’m thinking this is what Sophie and Oscar will get for Christmas (along with the squirrels, natch).
For the dog-lovers, I would also suggest “Up” on DVD/BluRay (yeah I know, some of it is really sad but how could you not love Dug?) and the book “A Big Little Life” by Dean Koontz. I should be his publicist for this book — it moved me SO much and it was so joyful, which made up for the “oh-crap-it’s-a-memoir-so-I-know-part-of-it’s gonna-be-really-bad-so-I’ll-have-to-read-it-while-I’m-alone-cause-I’m-gonna-cry-my-eyes-out” part of it….
AboutVetMed says
Paws up for Earth Dog I love their key chain fobs – excellent quality. And they donate 10% of all proceeds to a spay/neuter program. AND they also foster rescue dogs. Cool. They also have 16 of their own dogs – how cute are they? Here’s the page of links about their dogs and rescue dogs.
(PS -I am not affiliated with them, just love the key fobs and their web site/mission)