Today I put in a few extra hours at my daughter’s school in preparation for Mother’s Day. Yep, on my day off I went in to help someone else’s kids make presents for their moms who also had the day off but aren’t the helping types. I was OK with this until one of the little rugrats (there’s a paste eater in every class, isn’t there?) colored all over his hands with permanent marker while I was working with the other 24 kids in the room.
The teacher panicked, “Why did you use permanent markers?” I reminded her that was all the school provided. We scrubbed the kid’s hands in futility before I turned it into a science lesson about protein binding and skin cell shedding. I thought it was kind of funny myself, until his mom came in, Starbucks cup in hand, and complained to me about it. I made a joke about basic obedience training, and it all went downhill from there.
This is why I went to vet school.
So today, we celebrate being a pet mom, a job just as filled with messes, poop, and challenges, but none of the ability to talk back. You’re a mom (well, maybe there’s one or two guys out there)- you deserve to be recognized too. Sadly, pets can’t make macaroni necklaces, so it’s up to you to get yourself a little something on their behalf. That’s how they would want it.
1. For the Chef
Purple Paw Measuring Spoons from the Animal Rescue site (you can use these to make muffins in their paw print muffin pans!) Get something adorable and give back to rescue. What’s not to love?
2. For the Jewelry Lover
If jewelry if your thing, Ashley and Co’s sterling silver paw pendant proudly proclaims “Not all pet lovers express themselves by wearing Pomeranian socks.” Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
3. For the Handbag Hound
I love purses. I love dogs. I actually love a cute dog carrier as much as the next person, but if I wanted to carry Brody around I’d need to stuff him into a suitcase, so carriers are out in this house. A cute pet purse, like the Red Tango Swirl Cat Baguette Purse from ebags.com, is the next best thing. As a reminder: not all pet purses are created equal. Tread with caution.
4. For the Chocoholic
Bow Wow Bonbons from Rescue Chocolate. It’s chocolate. It benefits rescue. And for those who eat super clean, it’s vegan. And you won’t have to feel bad about keeping it all to yourself, because your dog can’t have any.
5. For the sentimentalist
There is nothing quite so sweet as a beautifully done pet portrait, like this one by the incredibly talented Dog Arteest Aimee Hoover. They are part of our lives for such a short time; getting a custom portrait is an amazing way to have a permanent reminder of their place in your heart.
6. For the flower lover
Mother’s Day and flowers go hand in hand like, well, Mother’s Day and overpriced brunch. Who says you have to limit yourself to some ratty tulips or a soggy bouquet of brown roses? Make it special, like this Flower Puppy Dog from La Jolla Village Florist. That’s not a stuffed dog sitting amidst the flowers there, that is an actual dog constructed of flowers. I love this.
And if you’re into the classics, you just can’t go wrong with a donation in your pet’s name to a favorite rescue.
Happy Mother’s Day!
I think Shorty’s going in with the cats and cavies to buy me a ring I’ve had my eye on. He’s such a good dog!
Oh, good boy, Shorty! Good boy!!
The paw pendant looks like it could double for brass knuckles. A petmom’s day gift and protection all rolled into one. For the tough petmom. Love it! And happy Mother’s Day! My teen son comes home with marker all over him all the time. Moms might as well get used to it now. It doesn’t stop with KG.
LOL. My view is, good! Covered in marker means you were having fun.
I have the paw necklace (and matching earrings/bracelet). They are as awesome in person as they look online! And I’m no chef, but I *need* those measuring spoons. The Animal Rescue site has lots of cool stuff. I get overwhelmed browsing there. Happy Mother’s Day, Dr. V! Same to all of the other pet moms here!
And just noticed that the Animal Rescue site has 25% off the entire store today! Woot! This calls for some shopping.
I really need to go to the Animal Rescue site more. What a great place.
What fun ideas! Oh… and as for the kids and permanent markers… mineral oil works well to break down the ink to clean up most of the mess. Um… No, I’ve never had need to use this myself with my toddler. Why do you ask? *whistles innocently*
Oooooo, thank you for that tip. I will have to keep some around.
At least it was just the hands…a photo went around the net a few years ago where a toddle took a black sharpie to her infant brother’s face.
Love, love, love Aimee’s paintings!
I know exactly the one you’re talking about. I’m laughing just thinking about it!
I adore that flower arrangement! I wish some national flower delivery companies would pick that up and start doing similar designs, as alas, I don’t live in the San Diego area.
Isn’t that adorable? I’ve never seen anything like it.
super great goft Ideas. I love the portrait idea.
Happy (Pet) Mothers Day to everyone 🙂
That one was my personal favorite. ;D
I have a paw print pendant from Ashley & Co, but it is the one that you can get engraved. I had Chase’s name put on it after he passed, and I have worn it every day since. It’s a great site and great jewelry. The packaging it also SUPER cute! Paw print tissue paper and ribbons!
I’m glad to get the positive feedback (pawsitive?) I didn’t know anyone who actually had one. I didn’t even realize they had an engravable one, what a great idea.
I dunno about you guys, but Chewy definitely talks back to me when I discipline her.
Yes but you can look at them blankly. No se habla dog! LOL!
Wow! Aimee is amazing! She really is a master of her craft.
Have you hard about Rachael Rossman? She’s another amazing artist who works in watercolours. I’m getting a portrait my kitty Piper snuggling with my husband. Piper is sadly now with Kevin.
http://www.rachaelrossman.com/
Kevin took Piper away from us way too soon.
Also, those measuring spoons are darling!
I WANT the paw pendant necklace (and I have no idea why, since my pitty puppy is letting big stinky toots as I write this!). And how well I remember the time yeeeears ago when the very wealthy (later sent to the Federal Pen for money laundering) mother of one of my daughter’s dancing classmates threw a fit when told her daughter would have to dye her ballet slippers for the spring recital.
It turned into quite the brou-ha-ha!!
I know exactly where you’re coming from!
YAY! I’m glad someone understands that being a pet mama is a big deal too! Although not sure about the ‘not talking back’ part – I got a lot of ReowReowReow from my kitty yesterday about the service level (I was a bit late getting him his breakfast).