Pet-Pet * pet product blog

Things have been getting really busy around our house lately and will only get busier and more hectic with the holidays approaching. Unfortunately, this stressful state of affairs has caused Murphy’s treat jar to run dry on more than one occasion. After one too many late-night runs to the 24-hour mini-mart in my pajamas and slippers, I found myself wringing my hands and thinking, “There’s got to be a better way!”

Thanks to Dog Toys .Com, there is: Monthly Delivery Service! It’s the perfect option for busy puppy parents. You can choose from a huge selection of rawhide chews, bones, and nibbles or a great variety of biscuits and treats. They also offer monthly delivery of Greenies, everyone’s favorite dental chew, and an assortment of Whole Life pet treats, made with all natural human-grade ingredients. We can’t forget the kitties; the Whole Life line also includes cat treats, in tantalizing cod and salmon flavors.

Murphy’s picks for monthly delivery include Woofy Pop, popcorn for dogs that you pop fresh in the microwave, and Flossies, sumptuous beef chews with a spiral shape that help scrub those choppers.

Monthly Delivery Service is also a great gift idea, sort of like those jam/fruit/wine of the month clubs for people. Special discounts apply to monthly delivery items, and you can change or cancel the order at any time.

Ahhh, one less thing for me to have to remember… and a never-ending bounty of scrumptious yum-yums for my special pooch.

Charlotte picked up fleas from her groom-mobile. Just like our old Sassy did so many years ago. We’re not sure if it spread to Tasha; she’s had her own itches for a while, due to her allergies causing skin irritation. It’s so sad!

We’ll be trying this: Frontline (R) Plus for Dogs.

So, now, I am not sure how well what we bought, originally, works. It was a quick whim emergency. And I don’t know about every product out there. So, I’m asking you all to suggest good products.

Also, we need to start grooming her ourselves. I think I’d like to take that job on, while someone holds her. We really are not sure how to handle her. Charlotte does not like any procedure done to her.

Any advice, including products, grooming tips, or personal knowledge on how long the *itchies* last? There is a tough road ahead.

I’ll follow this post up with some more entries; knowledgeable ones. Good luck to us!

The way I look at it is this—from now until Christmas, I chow. Meaning, this is the merry time of year that I throw all of my will power out the window. I eat all of those delicious, yummy, naughty things, and I refuse to feel bad about it.

I mean, really… How can we say “no thanks” to the free chocolate samples at the mall? How can we deny ourselves the pleasure of drinking calorie-filled Holiday martinis? And let’s face it; although eggnog should put us in a fat-induced coma, we have to have it. After all, it’s a tradition… just like getting tipsy at your friend’s Festivus party, and confessing to your old college roommate how it was really you who spilled nacho sauce all over her favorite sweater, not the cat and… oh, wait, maybe that’s just a personal holiday tradition…

Anyway, the point I am trying to make is that until Christmas is officially over, I eat and eat until my belly is content. Then, after the Holidays, I exercise and practically fast like there is no butter-cookie tomorrow. Now, I know that I am not the only one who does this, right? And, I know that I am not the only one who is sort of jealous of their dog’s complete indifference to possibility of gaining weight, right? I know. I have issues.

The Barking Dog Bakery is the perfect place to buy little, scrumptious nummies to spoil your precious pooch any time of the year! For this Holiday, try the adorable Chilly Mitten cookies. Not only are they colorful, but they are made with peanut butter, so your dog is sure to gobble them up. And, if you are of the Jewish persuasion, treat your little bubbellah to a delicious Happy Houndaka cookie! Your pup will beg for them eight nights in a row!

All of the Barking Dog Bakery’s cookies are made with all-natural, dog-friendly ingredients, like carob, peanuts, tomatoes, and carrots. So, these cookies are wonderful treats to give your dog all year round.

I am going to try one of their Barking Dog samplers for starters, which I know Scout will love. She will be jonesin’ for more, while I chomp down on my carrot sticks… Le sigh.

The holiday shopping season has arrived, and as I take my place among frazzled doggie mamas everywhere, searching for the perfect gifts for our perfect pooches, I cannot ignore one very important lesson my mother taught me:

“Always check the clearance racks FIRST.”

I consider this to be my own personal Shopping Rule #1, and it applies to nearly every shopping situation, except maybe groceries. Living on a budget may not be the most glamorous thing in the world, but if you’ve never walked out of a store swinging a bag full of $120 worth of stuff that you paid 55 bucks for, you’ve never really lived, my friend. The high is indescribable.

That said, where else could my online holiday shopping for the Murphy dog begin, but in the clearance sections? This is one instance when shopping the big-name stores has an advantage. They usually have great clearance stuff.

My first stop was the Drs. Foster and Smith Clearance page, where I found a great deal on gorgeous Color Block Ceramic Dishware. The retro colors and heavy-duty design are a steal at prices 40-60 % off.

Next up was PetSmart and an adorable selection of 3-D Diamond Studded collars for $4.99. PetSmart Clearance also offers super-cute Halloween collars for 99 cents! At that price, snatch up a few and stash ‘em away for next year.

However, the “Pinnacle of Pet Clearance” award goes to…Target Online! Their pet clearance page is magnificent marked-down mayhem. For those pretty little girls in your life, the pink jeweled collar with lead set is a no-brainer must-buy at $3.24.

Wanna put something big under the tree for your pooch this year? The stylish Michael Graves Design Doghouse is a terrific splurge for $59.99, and you’ll save 40 bucks off the regular price.

Another great thing about the clearance sections? New stuff is added all the time, so check back often and pretty soon you’ll be flying high with the thrill of the hunt … the bargain hunt!

The holiday shopping season is upon us, complete with snow, yes, both already! If your furry little puff of love needs a little added warmth on top of her coat, then you should be browsing for coats—dog coats!

Yes, you need to look around and get the right one. Buy an attractive one that is worthy of your darling, but keep in mind his or her own style and personality. You may even think about … what her “color” is! (Charlotte looks smashing in red, just like her mama!)

Browsing pet boutiques leaves me wondering if all doggie items in these fashionable, accessory-dog days, are expensive. The pups sure are worth a treat and the fashions are fab, but sometimes (in the cash-sucking holiday season), some people need a little deal. And some dogs would rather more money be spent on “stuffied aminals” and treats than uncomfortable sweaters that might turn them grouchy.

At least in one stylish department—winter bundle-ups—Amazon can save the (holi)day. I found many coats for under $14! I especially dig the Houndstooth Jacket. It sure is nice, appears slimming and has a full fleecy coverage, but is it too “fabulista” for my Charlotte? (Well, I may not care!) Equally, the East Side Collection’s Faux Suede Dog Coat is quality and versatile.

They’re not red, though. For a higher cost at independent boutiques (good to support): I love the “Lil’ Lumberjack” from Pink Polka Dog, and there’s a holiday special worth 10% off! I’m also interested in the “Jack Plaid Coat” from Paw Palace Online. These might be more rugged, but in male dog way, not the princess-who-likes-to-dig-in-the-backyard way. Boy, “she” is picky—and complex!

There are other needs than the aesthetic requests we have. If your precious pup has a raincoat on her necessities list, Amazon has the very chic 5th Avenue City Slicker. And if you’d like a more stylish winter sweater, they offer the Hooded Nordic Dog Sweater. They have most items in all sizes from x-small (from 8″ +) to x-large (up to 24″).

Whatever it is your puppy needs,
the Internet has it all wrapped up and ready to ship!