Dogs, owners deserve Christmas gifts, too
I want to know how I can get on those lists to receive free samples of dog products. I was emailing with a writer friend a couple of days ago and she said that she had donated three trash bags full of unused, unopened dogs toys and dog products to her local SPCA because her own dog (an Irish Setter) couldn’t use them. Huh? I do what she does. She does what I do. I don’t recall anybody sending me and my dogs free products. Something is very wrong here.
If doggy companies would send me free products, I would be happy to review them. My dogs would be happy to try them out for you. I have SIX dogs. That’s enough dogs for a complete study. (If you want to send free products, I’ll be happy to provide you with their weights, heights and measurements, as well as their taste likes and dislikes. Strike that last part: they will eat nearly anything.)
My dogs have asked me to mention that they would really like to try out some new dog beds. And some new toys. And some snack products. Assorted cookies, bones and rawhides would be fine, as long as everything is divisible by six. And I would like to try out some new grooming products. I’m running low on shampoos and conditioners.
Here is a nice story from a good writer named John Ross (who probably gets free doggy stuff). I really do like Mr. Ross’s books. I’ve read Puppy PreSchool and Dog Talk and thought they were both good books with some very useful ideas in them. I like the products he discusses in the article, too, especially the Hevener dog collectibles. I have several of their pieces and they are gorgeous. I’m a nut about collecting English Setter statues and prints — so if anyone wants to send me some of those, say some Royal Doulton figurines — I’d be happy to take them off your hands.
My dogs like all kinds of Kong toys, too. We also have the Molecuball. I love my dogs. I love English Setters. But they are not over-achieving Border Collies who can figure out a Rubik’s Cube. (I can’t either.) I am going to be honest here and say that not all of my dogs were able to figure out how to work the Molecuball to get the treats out. Maybe that’s too hard on them. I think the truth is that a couple of the older dogs thought it was too much work to go to for treats and simply gave up. They let the ball roll past them and looked at me like, “You want me to get that?” So, what happened was the enthusiastic puppy and younger dogs would roll the ball around, making the treats come out, and the older dogs would follow around and eat the treats up. So, the old dogs are pretty smart afterall. Clearly, however, if you are the puppy or the younger dogs, you are not getting much for your efforts. So, the Molecuball wasn’t a huge hit in our house. It’s lying in the backyard now. But I think it would be great for normal, bright dogs.
Lots of good things on this list.
From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Dogs, owners deserve Christmas gifts, too
By John Ross
FOR THE TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Dear Dog Talk readers: The holiday season is here again. It is time to start thinking about gift ideas for favorite dogs and dog owners. Here are suggestions that have been brought to my attention. Have fun shopping, and enjoy the holidays. Tails up, John Ross
For dog owners, there are collectible dog figurines by Ron Hevener. These come in more than 200 designs — most breeds. Prices range from $25 to $90. Each is hand-painted in the studio at Hevener Farms. Ask to have them shipped directly to your family and friends. www.ronhevener.com
Doggie Must-Haves
Classics-loving dogs will jump with joy to receive an Air Kong from the Kong Co. This line of toys is inspired by the classic tennis ball, but takes it to a whole new level. Air Kongs use durable materials that can be found in any high-quality tennis ball but feature an improved felt covering that cleans easily and won’t wear down a dog’s teeth. They are also available in fun shapes and sizes, such as a bone, a football and even the classic Kong shape. Air Kongs are available at Petsmart, Petco and other leading pet stores.
Clean dogs will love being able to clean their mouths with a KongDental Toy. DentalKong toys, including the Dental Stick, Stuff-a-Ball and Jumping Jack feature patented Dental Ridges that help clean dogs’ teeth as they chew on the toy. The toys also can be used with Kong Stuff’N Pastes — such as the Breath Treat variety that attacks bad breath — to ensure the dog stays interested in chewing the toy.
Dizzy Dogs will love chasing the Crazy Pet Spinmeister. The Spinmeister is a durable, rubber, flying disk that is still soft on a dog’s mouth. Its unique design soars but also is easy to throw and catch. And, since it can be folded and placed in a pocket, the Spinmeister is portable. The toy can be found online at www.crazypetshop.com or your favorite pet store for $11.99.
Athletic Dogs will love playing with the Crazy Pet Tug, Toss, & Tumble, which can be used as a fetch toy, a tug-of-war toy and a simple chew toy that moves unpredictably as a dog plays with it. The unique toy is made of patented red, durable rubber and stands up to most dogs’ play. The Tug, Toss, & Tumble is available in two sizes, small and large, for $4.99 and $6.99 respectively.
Classy Dogs will love the Durapet bowls from OurPet’s. Far surpassing the traditional dog bowl, Durapet bowls are made of chic stainless steel and feature a permanently molded rubber ring to prevent sliding and the messes that come with it. The stainless steel also is better healthwise than a plastic or ceramic bowl, and last longer. They’re even dishwasher safe. Available in a variety of sizes, the Durapet bowls start at $5.49 for a .75 pint dish and go to $17.99 for a 4.5 quart dish. They’re available online and at fine pet stores everywhere.
Intelligent dogs will be intrigued by the Molecuball from OurPet’s. Dry food or treats are easily loaded into the Molecuball, but not easily released. Dogs have to work for the treats by rolling the Molecuball around, stimulating them both mentally and physically. It also can be used to feed dogs one or all of their daily meals, slowing down voracious eaters, which may help digest food better, absorbing more nutrients. The Molecuball comes in two sizes for $5.99 to $9.99. It’s available at PetSmart and online.
For the green dog owner
The excitement of the holidays can sometimes be a little overwhelming for a pet, leading to accidents, even if a dog is trained. It’s a good idea to keep cleaner easily accessible this time of year. But some of the cleaning products used to treat doggie mishaps aren’t good for the environment or even the people using them.
One earth-friendly stain and odor remover is ecoPure Naturals Odor and Spot Remover, a biodegradable solution designed specifically to clean up after pet accidents. It uses the natural power of enzymes to break down stains, spots, and odors.
Since enzymes actually destroy the particles that leave the stain and the odor, rather than covering the smell up, ecoPure Naturals Odor and Spot Remover is also more effective than many traditional cleaners. Once an area is “marked,” dogs are stimulated to mark the area again by the faintest whiff of their own scent. And pooches, with their infamous snouts, can distinguish scents much better than humans and detect much smaller traces of a specific smell. With the scent erased, dogs won’t be stimulated so they’re less likely to have a second accident.
In addition the odor-removing power of enzymes, ecoPure Naturals Odor and Spot remover, is scented naturally to make human noses happy. For more information on the ecoPure Naturals Odor and Spot remover, visit the Web site.
John Ross writes the Dog Talk column for the Tribune-Review. He has been training dogs professionally for 30 years, and his newest book, “Adoptable Dog,” is in bookstores now. He is the author of “Puppy Preschool” and “Dog Talk,” both published by St. Martin’s Press. For more information about Ross and his books, visit his Web site, www.the-real-dog-talk.com. Mail questions to John Ross at P.O. Box 1133, Palm City, FL 34990, or e-mail him at dogtalk1@bellsouth.net.
