Pet-Pet * pet product blog

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!