2014 Howliday Gift Guide

Nervously, I stand outside of the mall. I know what’s coming. Endless hours of wandering around like a lost sheep in search of the mystical “perfect present.”

I used to enjoy being a part of the bustling crowds. Everyone seemed to be inexplicably happy and friendly. Sadly, those days are long gone. The fights begin as soon as you hit the parking lot looking for that coveted space. And the mall has become an arena of WWF proportions.

This is when I began to realize that the gifts that I had been so lovingly purchasing were pretty much…the same. Every year, I get my dad a tie. Mom almost always gets an ornament or mug of some kind.

Last year, I officially broke the mold. I decided to start thinking outside of the pre-wrapped box and focus on something that my whole family loves: animals! My gifts were a hit and a portion of the profits from each gift went to helping animals in need.

Here are some gift ideas for the animal lovers in your life:

1. Cuddle Clones – This unique website offers custom designed plush versions of your family pet. Simply go to their website,www.cuddleclones.com to upload a few photos of your fur baby. Then, let the customization begin! You can even select which pose your plush will be created in (sitting, lying down, etc.). Do you have a special needs pet? No problem! They have created plush of pets with one eye, no tail and even a tripod dog! You can view their work along with customer reviews in the Testimonials section of their website. Not into stuffed animals? Cuddle Clones also offers custom made figurines, gift cards, collars, clothing and granite memorials for those who have recently lost a pet. There is definitely something for everyone.

2. Sponsor a Barn Buddy – Long Meadow Rescue Ranch sprawls across 165-acres of woodland near Union, Missouri. Owned by the Missouri Humane Society, the ranch is “haven for hundreds of abused and neglected horses, cows, goats, pigs, ducks and other farm animals. The ranch is one of the most comprehensive horse and farm animal care and rehabilitation centers in the country. In addition to animal care, ranch staff provide hands-on humane education experiences for both children and adults” according to their website: www.longmeadowrescueranch.org. 

Every year, the ranch offers the Barn Buddy Sponsor program. You can select which animal that you would like to sponsor and at which level. At the $50 level, you will receive a mini-plush of your chosen sponsor animal, a color photo, biography sheet and a magnet. Additionally, you will be able to visit your sponsored pet at the ranch whenever you wish! I purchased the gift sponsor option for my mother. She loves llamas and was thrilled to receive her Miss Molly the llama plush and packet. Did I mention that your sponsorship is also tax deductible? This gift is a win-win for the gifter and the giftee.

3. Rescue Me Magazine Subscription – I recently discovered this magazine while on a Wal*Mart run. This is one impulse buy that I did not regret. Inside, I found a wealth of information about different rescue organizations all across the country. There were also tons of inspirational stories with highlights on senior and special needs pets. What I really love about this magazine is that they feature all types of animals and pets. I was even introduced to a rescue group that specialize in reptile rescue! Even the advertisements are tailored to animal lovers. No car ads here! I discovered tons of great products for my pets to try. The best part? When you subscribe, Rescue Me will donate a portion of your subscription fee to the rescue group of your choice. Check them out online at: www.rescuemecentral.com.

4. Pet Trading Cards –Toki Poki is a website that is dedicated to connecting fellow pet lovers in a very unique way. Creating an account is free and easy. Once you join, you will create a pet profile for each of your fur babies. Upload your favorite pet photos and then…turn them into trading cards! There are tons of cool themes to choose from including super heroes, holiday and more. When you order a pack (roughly 50 cards), you will also receive a complimentary pack that includes all of the pets in that theme pack. Toki Poki also prides itself on donating to multiple charities. My husband and I created a Halloween trading card of our tripod dog, Penny. For each Halloween pack ordered by October 31^st, Toki Poki donated 2,100 Halloween packs to children’s hospitals throughout the nation! Not only did Penny’s card make us smile, but knowing that we brightened up the lives of sick children made us even happier. Head on over towww.tokipoki.com to learn more.

5. Greater Good Store – This is truly a one stop shop. My only complaint….I spend too much money! From animal themed clothes to one-of-a-kind jewelry, you will find exactly what you are looking for. With every purchase, you will also receive a card that tells you exactly how your money has helped animals in need. I was delighted to see that my order helped provide 20 bowls of food for shelter animals. If you subscribe to their e-mail list, you will receive a coupon code that can be redeemed in the store. To start shopping, head over to: https://theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com.

So, put down that package of socks and leave the gift cards at the kiosk. This year, give a gift that will not only delight your loved one, but will also make a difference in the life of an animal in need.

Happy shopping!

Picture Perfect

Snow covers the ground. Leaves fall as I walk through our back yard. The smell of turkey fills the air. It is official: The holidays are upon us.

Proud pet parents know exactly what this means. It is time for photos with Santa! My husband and I look forward to taking (most of) our pack to see jolly old St. Nick. We lovingly display our collection of Christmas photos on our entertainment center every year.

For some, this experience is anything but merry. Inexperienced or negligent pet owners can create chaos that has a ripple effect. I have complied a list of tips that will ensure you and your furry friend will stay on the nice list.

1. ALWAYS have your pet on a leash! No exceptions! Some people foolishly think that their dog will be fine as long as he/she is held. Keep in mind that your pet will be overwhelmed by new sights, sounds and smells. They may act in ways that completely surprise you. The typical reaction is, “They never act this way at home.” Of course not. Home is familiar to them. The local Petsmart, Petco, etc. is not home. And your dog may not be the problem. Perhaps another dog becomes too friendly or aggressive. If your dog is on a leash, you will have more control over the situation and will be able to escort your baby away from the problematic pooch instead of having to chase him/her through the store.

2. Bring along some of your pet’s favorite treats. I remember a Halloween photo event that we went to. The pet store people were squeaking toys and making noises trying to get our babies to look at the camera. That is when we noticed the display of Beggin’ Strips. I politely told a worker to grab one of the bags and give it a shake. That did the trick! Their heads snapped up and the photo was amazing. Not all animals like the same things. Mine are very picky where toys are concerned and could not care less about rubber toys (which is what the store clerk kept waving around). You know what your pet likes best. Use it to your advantage.

3. Dress for success. We always dress our dogs in “ugly” Christmas sweaters. They only cost $3 per sweater at the bargain spot at Target. We also have some fancy dresses for our little ladies that were a Target special as well. While every fur baby is beautiful on its’ own, dressing them up can give them confidence. Penny, our tripod, and Theo, our oldest, LOVE to get dressed up. They hold their heads a little higher and seem to have smiles on their faces. Be sure that your pet’s face and ears are free and not obstructed by any garments. While you may think that photos of your pet bundled up to their eyeballs is adorable, he/she may be miserable. Remember, this is supposed to be enjoyable for you and your pet.

4. Allow your pet to sniff Santa. While we all know and love the man in red, your pet has no idea who the bearded, big-belly guy is. Treat Santa as you would any stranger that asks to pet your dog. Slowly approach Santa in his seated position. He should extend his hand low to the ground, not directly in front of your pet’s face.

Give your fur baby some time to sniff. Do not shove him/her onto Santa’s lap. Also, keep your pet’s personality in mind. If you have a dog that does not like men or beards, forcing him/her to meet Santa is not fair. You would be placing him/her in a situation that you know would make him/her uncomfortable. If this is true of your pet, ask if you can sit next to Santa and have your pet sit on your lap or on the floor on the opposite side. Be sure to let Santa know that he can look, but not touch. This will save you from potential drama.

5. Be patient. We all want that perfect picture and it rarely happens on the first take. Do not become angry with your pet. Remember that pets can sense tension. If you become agitated, so will they. Then they will start to fidget and things will go downhill quickly. And being patient also extends to the other patron’s pets. The holidays tend to make everyone feel rushed, but be sure to take time to stop and smell the gingerbread. Give peace to get peace.

6. Know when to go.  My husband and I always try to arrive about 20 minutes before the photo event is to begin.  This way we are assured a parking space and can get a good spot in line.  However, you should also know when it is time to pack up and leave.

We had a horrible experience at one of the annual Halloween events.  While we were in the middle of the line, we barely moved after almost 30 minutes!  None of the staff knew how to work the simple point and shoot digital camera.  Pet parents were told that they could step to the side to pick up their photo only to be told to come back because their photo had not turned out.

Ours had to be re-taken three times!  And our fur babies were getting antsy.  They had had enough of being dressed up and were so done with the ever-growing crowd.  If the third attempt had not worked, we were prepared to leave.  It would have been asking too much of our babies to expect them to pose, yet again as they had become tired from all of the waiting.  You may be disappointed that you did not receive the photo you had hoped for, but you will save yourself and your pet from extreme stress.

Remember to be polite and friendly to those in attendance.  You may even make new friends while waiting in line.  Happy howlidays!

Lost Loved Ones

One of my co-workers recently acquired a dog. *Kathleen pulled into the parking lot of a local store and when she stepped out of the car, an adorable dog came shooting across the pavement. Knowing that this was probably someone’s pet, she quickly approached the dog.

Much to Kathleen’s surprise, the dog sat down at her feet. I received a frantic call from her that evening. She had so many questions about what she should do next. I have gotten a reputation for being a resource for all things pet related since I used to foster dogs and am now the proud owner of 5 rescue dogs and 2 rescue cats.

Here are my top tips on what you should do if you find a lost dog or cat:

1. Do NOT chase the animal! If the dog or cat runs and you attempt to chase it, he/she will become even more frightened and will run that much harder. My husband and I learned this while attempting to corral a neighbor’s loose dog. Instead, try calling to the animal with “Here, boy/girl!” or the famous “Here, kitty, kitty!” If this does not work, head to your local police department and provide them with a detailed description of the animal that you saw and the name of the street where you last saw him/her. All officers on duty will then be able to keep an eye out for the lost fur baby.

2. Take the animal to your nearest vet. Explain that you believe the animal is lost and that you would like a technician to scan for a microchip. A microchip is a tiny chip that is injected underneath the surface of the animal’s skin, typically while they are being spayed/neutered. There is a unique number that is associated with each chip. When the animal is adopted, the new owners pay to have the chip registration switched to their name. Once the animal is scanned, the pet’s name, owner’s address and phone number should appear when the number is entered on a microchip site such as Google.com, Avid.com or HomeAgain.com. You or the technician can call the pet’s owner and let them know that their fur baby is safe and sound. If the owners have not yet switched ownership of the chip, the information of the shelter in which the animal was adopted from should come up instead. Shelters usually keep excellent records of all of the animals within their care and should be able to locate the contact information for the pet’s owner.

3. Keep the animal separated from your own pets. If the animal does not have a microchip and you decide to take him/her home with you, be sure to keep him/her separated from your pets. Since you do not know the history of the dog/cat, you will not know if it is friendly with other animals or has any health issues that could possibly be transferred to your babies. Additionally, your pets may become territorial and attempt to pick a fight with the stranger.

4. Create a lost animal flier. The heading should read: LOST DOG/CAT in all caps and in a large, bold font. This will capture the attention of passersby. Be sure to include a good quality photo of the animal. Take a full frontal photograph of the animal’s face. No half face shots where only one eye and ear are showing. By not including the whole face, the animal becomes vague. The side profile could belong to any brown dog. That could be the ear of any tabby cat. You may also be missing out on distinguishing features, such as eye color difference, a defining spot of color, a facial abnormality such as an overbite, etc. My dog, Penny, has a severe overbite and a deformed front paw. If you just saw a side profile photo of her, you would be missing out on the very things that define who Penny is. Include the full address of where you picked up the animal. Finally, leave a phone number where you can be reached. Distribute the fliers to all of the veterinarians in the area as well as any pet stores and boutiques. Some grocery stores and shopping centers will also permit you to post the flier in a special section of the store, usually by the entrances/exits where the most traffic is present. Do not forget to include your local police and fire departments.

5. Take to social media. Many an animal has been reunited with their owner thanks to social media. In our region, Spencer Kennel sends out a Mimi Alert when they are notified of a missing pet. The alert contains a photo and contact information about the animal and is e-mailed and sent as a text to all Spencer Kennel customers. They also post the alert on their Facebook page. You can create your own Mimi Alert by posting a condensed version of your flier onto Facebook, twitter, tumblr, etc. Do not forget about bloggers! The more people that know about the lost pet, the better.

6. Reach out to rescue groups. If you live in an apartment that does not allow pets or have a spouse or child that is allergic, you should not try to house the animal until its owner is found. Instead, contact your local animal rescue groups to see if they can provide assistance. They may have room at their no-kill shelter or be able to find a foster home where the animal can stay. This will assure that the dog/cat will be properly cared for and will not be euthanized if its owner has not been located within a certain amount of time.

After two months, Kathleen finally located the owner of the missing dog. While she was sorry to see her new furry friend go, she was overjoyed that she was able to reunite the little pooch with his family. Paw it forward!

 

 

 

*name changed

Dona Nobis Pacem

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