Holiday Gift Ideas
Looking for a last minute gift? These are some of my favorites for 2010.
Flannel PJs and sheets
I grinned from ear to ear when I saw the adorable flannel print, "Dog Days"! The print has dogs of all shapes, sizes, and colors, and comes in pajamas for women, girls, & even dolls, and bed sheets. Available at www.thecompanystore.com.
Books about Dogs There are a lot of titles about dogs this year. The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption by Jim Gorant follows the journey of Vick's Pit Bulls from their resuc through their rehabilitation. It brings to light thier remarkable capacity for forgiveness and the importance of treating abused dogs as victims in need of help and healing. Dog Walks Man by John Zeaman is a contemplative and humorous exploration of one of the simplest pleasures: walking with a dog. And from Patrick McDonnell, the artist who gives us the comic strip Mutts, a sweet book titled The Gift of Nothing. This is a simply drawn book with a great life lesson for all of us from a dog.
Innovative Toys The Bonbal is 2 toys in one: it's a dumbell shaped chew toy made from 100% natural rubber that collapses into a ball. www.otomik.com My now 12-year old Lab may be blind in one eye, but she still loves to fetch a ball. The VisionSmart ball comes in colors that are highly visible to dogs, even those with fading eyesight. www.visionsmartproducts.com
The Neater Feeder
Messy eater at your house? This raised feeding station comes apart so that you can dump out any water that spills into the compartment below, and it also catches the food that doesn't quite make into Fido's mouth. It's available online and at local pet stores.
A Cozy Blanket
A Blanket for you, a blanket for your dog. A personalized quilt made from up-cycled wool -- eco-friendly, cozy, and so cute! www.etsy.com/shop/Northernlodge And for your dog, a blanket in a fabric that repels dirt & moisture, and even looks good in your house with its designer print. www.fetchdog.com |
Holiday Dangers for Dogs
Dogs love the excitement of the holidays as much as people do -- family & friends visiting the house, shiny gift wrapping, decorations dangling from the tree, and the smell of goodies wafting from the kitchen. But many of our holiday favorites are dangerous & sometimes fatal for our canine friends. Save yourself a trip to the emergency vet by noting some of the biggest dangers:
- chocolate - toxicity can occur within 24 hours and the darker the chocolate, the more harmful
- onions - contain thiosulphate, which damages red blood cells and can cause anemia in dogs
- grapes & raisins - can cause kidney failure in dogs, even in small amounts
- bread dough - the expanding yeast can rupture the somach & intestines
- booze (including beer) - can be toxic even in small amounts
- garbage - spoiled food, poultry bones, wrapping paper, tinsel can all wreak havoc on a dog's stomach
- holiday plants - poinsettia, holly, and mistletoe are especially toxic
|
|
Presents 4 Pets campaign
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! On behalf of all of the animals at the Finger lakes SPCA of Central New York, I thank all of you for the items and money that you donated to the Presents 4 Pet campaign. The back of my car was filled to the top!
 | | Presents 4 Pets donations |
And thank you also to these participating businesses, which collected the donations: Blue Danube on Jordan St. in Skaneateles,
Muldoon Dry Cleaner in Skaneateles & Auburn, Downtown Books in Auburn. |
|
Dog License reminder
Local governments are taking over Dog Licensing responsibilites, effective January 2011. If your dog is currently licensed (as is required by NYS Agruculture & Market's Law), your next renewal notice wil come from your town's clerk's office and you will receive a new dog tag. If your dog is not licensed, contact your town's clerk's office to correct this. It will help you to avoid a fine of no less than $25. |
