Holiday Gift Guide


By Kristina Buen, Sarah Dahnke, Renee Krejci, and Laura Oppenheimer


We know the holiday season can be stressful for many people, especially shopping for gifts. But shouldn’t you be at ease during the most wonderful time of the year? We think so. Relax and have fun shopping for family, friends, and pets with our handy holiday gift guide. We’ve even divided it up into easy-to-use sections. Whether you choose to give goodies, give beauty, give green, give books, or give back to the community, Tails has you covered.

Happy hunting!


Giving Goodies




Menorah Doggie Bag

($13) | RollOverRedRover.com


Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made you out of the best natural ingredients. This Hanukkah-themed doggie bag contains a large menorah-shaped dog biscuit and 25 to 30 smaller biscuits in the shape of dreidels, stars, and yarmulke-wearing dogs. The biscuits are made out of all-natural ingredients—whole-wheat flour, oatmeal, peanut butter, wheat germ, nonfat dry milk, and eggs. Good luck making them last for all eight nights.



Funky Retro Woody Dog

($20) | RetroPup.com


If your dog sports a bandana, listens to indie rock, and hates anything with a brand name on it, she’ll love playing with the Retro Woody Dog. Made with faux wood-grain fabric with one-of-a-kind vintage material ears, this squeaky dog-toy entertains big and small canines alike. And when she gets tired of the dog, Retro Pup makes an ironic stick toy—a stuffed chew toy made with the same wood-grain material.




Paw Print Ornament

($15) | GrabAHeart.com


Let your dogs or cats take part in holiday festivities by helping them create their own Christmas tree ornaments. This handy kit from Grab–a-Heart includes molding clay, paint, glitter glue, rhinestones, ribbon, and a 2007 date plaque, which is everything you need to make your own special memento. Press your favorite furry friend’s paw into the clay to create a unique holiday keepsake you’ll cherish for years to come.



Photostamps

($19 a sheet) | Photo.Stamps.com


Tell the world how you feel about your best pal every time you mail a letter, with a stamp featuring your very own pet. Simply snap a digital photo, upload it to the Photostamp website, and voila! In less than a week, you’ll get a sheet of personalized stamps. It’s an endearing way to send a holiday greeting card this winter, or any time of the year. For the person on your list who already has everything, send him a gift certificate so he can order his own personalized set.



My Puppy toothbrush holder

($7) | MyFlipperUSA.com


Keep your toothbrush clean with this cheery, adorable puppy toothbrush holder from Flipper USA. Stick the holder’s suction cups on your wall and the playful pup will be one of the first things you see when you wake up, and one of the last before you go to sleep. The holders come in a variety of puppy types, including Boxer, Poodle, Labrador, and Terrier, or you can walk on the wild side and pick out a dinosaur, panda, or tiger.



Wagatha’s Organic Dog Treats

($8-$9) | Wagathas.com


These 100 percent certified organic, kosher, all-natural dog treats are sure to please even the most discerning palates. The delectable doggie treats feature human-grade ingredients like olive oil, honey, and whole eggs to keep your pup safe and healthy, and come in a fun canister featuring company mascot Wagatha on the front—the perfect holiday treat for any pup.



Aniseedog Canine Catnip

($22) | Aniseedog.com


Who says cats get to have all the fun? This “dognip” chew toy is filled with aniseed (licorice), hemp, and pimpinella flower; the combination of these all-natural ingredients will drive your pooch crazy—but in a good way. As a bonus, the anise acts as a digestive aid while the licorice flavor helps sweeten your dog’s breath.



Music My Pet

($15) | MusicMyPet.com


Any music aficionado can tell you about the relaxing qualities of music. But what about the affect of aural enjoyment on our four-legged friends? Tom Nazziola, performer for Disney’s Baby Einstein series, has created this CD of soothing classical sounds, featuring compositions by Beethoven, Brahms, Mendelssohn, and more. Each song has been specially designed to promote relaxation—in both humans and pets alike.



Mouse in the House

($70) | CatDancer.com


Mouse in the House is the world’s first automated, programmable cat toy designed to entertain kitties when their guardians aren’t home. The simple-to-operate, electronic item has a programmable function that allows you to set it to turn on, even when you aren’t there. Even better, smart kitties can learn how to turn it on themselves with the push of a paw. Now leaving your cat alone for a few hours won’t be a cause for concern, as she’ll be enthralled by the mini-automated mouse that circles through this nifty contraption.


Giving Beauty




Top Dog Flight Jacket

($45) | TopDogGear.com


Your pooch will feel like a top dog when he’s seen strutting around the neighborhood in this stylish flight jacket. It has a Velcro and buckle closure and a durable water-resistant lining for the all-terrain maverick mutt. The jacket is available in a variety of colors and sizes and can even be embroidered.



Isabella Cane Horatio Street Velvet Dog Collar and Leash Set

($30) | IsabellaCane.com


Wrap your dog in luxury with this sophisticated designer collar in the color of the holiday season. It doesn’t matter if your pooch is a Pekingese or a Pit Bull—Isabella Cane collars come in multiple sizes to fit any doggie diva. She’ll feel so fabulous that the sidewalk will be her runway.



Zoomies Blankets

($45-$80) | ZoomiesNYC.com


Your pet will love snuggling up in these polar-fleece blankets during the blistery cold winter or any time of year. These reversible blankets have the Zoomies logo on one side and come in six color combinations. They are available in small or large sizes.



Puppoose

($80) | FeelTheFlo.com


Spend quality time with your pooch hands-free. This ergonomically designed dog purse is perfect for the on-the-go pet lover. Its straps adjust to fit any small dog (up to 20 lbs) and his person. Each purse is made of soft machine-washable crocheted fabric and is available in four stylish colors.



Gidget Gear by Tiki Signature Boyfriend Pajama

($44 for pet sizes and $88 people sizes)

Gidget-Gear.com


Forget wearing your boyfriend’s boring old pajamas. These matching “boyfriend” pajama sets, made for you and your dog, will make you both look sexy and chic with their sheer pink color and soft 100 percent cotton fabric. These pajamas are perfect for sleeping in or lounging around in after a hard day’s work. Sets are available in a variety of sizes for people and dogs.



His/Her Royal Highness Charm Crown and Collar Set

($19-$23 including charms, crown, and matching collar)

HRHPets.com


This isn’t your run-of-the-mill dog collar. These fashion-forward accessories will make your pooch stand out. The crown (much like a pair of Crocs) holds the interchangeable charms of your choice and attaches to a matching His/Her Royal Highness collar or to most buckle collars.



Baby Faces Pets 3-D Photo Charm Necklace

($129-$249) | BabyFacesPets.com


Keep your loved ones close to your heart by turning your favorite pet photo into a unique piece of jewelry. Baby Faces Pets will digitally lift the face of your favorite pet photo, create a mold from that image, and cast a charm in yellow gold, white gold, or silver. A matching 18-inch chain is included with every charm. Click here to win this unique gift!


Giving Green




Cane Deer

($13.50) | WestPawDesign.com


This festive toy is made from ItelliTex—a special fabric that’s 85 percent recycled from plastic soda bottles. It’s also filled with non-toxic recycled fill and a squeaky toy that our canine testers found addicting. With it’s red nose and goofy antlers, it will amuse both you and your pooch this holiday season.



Recycled Endangered Species Chocolate Wrapper Purses

($55) | ChocolateBar.com


What’s better than being fashionable and eco-friendly? Supporting habitat and humanity at the same time. Endangered Species Chocolate—known for its delicious treats—has teamed with eco-friendly accessory-maker Ecoist to create water-resistant, handcrafted purses made of approximately 150 obsolete chocolate wrappers. Shoulder bags are available in three different patterns as well as a logo-pattern coin purse and a variety of animal print bracelets. To top it off, Ecoist will plant a tree for every product you buy, and Endangered Species Chocolate will donate 10 percent of net profits to Chimp Haven and Ocean Conservancy.



Dog Poo Shampoo Bar

($11) | OurGreenHouse.com


Your pooch can have an herbal bathtime experience, too, thanks to the all-natural Dog Poo Shampoo Bar. The handcrafted soap is made of a special blend of cedar and citronella to repel insects and fleas and is infused with three oils: olive, coconut, and castor. With a smell that pleases humans as much as it cleans pooches (in an all-natural way), the Dog Poo Shampoo Bar is a great present for any dog lover. It can be cut into wedges for easier use.



The Santa Claws Collection

($20) | HappyTailsSpa.com


Few things are worse than your cat’s smelly fish breath. But thanks to Happytails’ new Santa Claws collection, a stinky kitty will be a thing of the past. The handy, prepackaged kit contains gentle oatmeal shampoo plus everything you need for a water-free cleaning: Pretty Kitty Instant Clean spray, a powerful cleanser that will help remove bad smells; Fur Breeze Aromatic Spa Mist, a delicious citrus and vanilla-infused product that helps neutralize musty smells; and a breath-freshening spray, so your kitty will be kissable throughout the holiday season and beyond.


Giving Books




Street Dogs

By Traer Scott

(Merrell)


The perfect coffee table book for the animal rescue enthusiast in your life, Street Dogs aims to open eyes about the overwhelming stray dog problem in Puerto Rico. Photographer/author Traer Scott compiled this book during a three-week stay on the island, where she witnessed first-hand some of the outrageous abuse and abandonment that occurs on the streets while also documenting the individual dogs who have been rescued and given a second chance by welfare organizations around the world. A portion of the proceeds from the book will be donated to the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA).



50 Games to Play with Your Dog

By Suellen Dainty

50 Games to Play with Your Cat

By Jackie Strachan

(TFH Publications, Inc.)


In need of a stocking stuffer for the dog- or cat-lover in your life? These handy little books provide tips on how to keep your active pets happy and occupied. Is your kitty bored with his string? Try making a crinkle hat or a cat pinball game to keep him entertained. Does your dog like to dig? Give him permission with a special buried treasure game. These books contain games that will delight cats and dogs of all ages and sizes.



The Good Treats Cookbook for Dogs

By Barbara Burg

(Quarry Books)


While you’re busy baking sweet holiday treats for the rest of the family, why not bake something special for the pups in your life, too? This canine cookbook teaches you how to make everything from banana peanut butter biscuits to mini meatloaf to full-sized celebration cakes (complete with frosting).



Good Dog. Stay.

By Anna Quindlen

(Random House)


Best-selling author and Newsweek columnist Quinlen introduces readers to her black Lab Beau in this beautifully written (and photographed) stocking stuffer. With grace and wit, Quinlen reminds us that our canine friends serve as both best friend and teacher.



The Best of Mutts

By Patrick McDonnell

(Andrews McMeel Universal)


Fans of cartoonist Patrick McDonnell will thank you for this hardcover gift, featuring 10 years worth of the author’s beloved comic strip, Mutts. His simple, yet whimsical drawings have been working their way into the hearts of many, as they depict the unlikely companionship of Earl the dog and Mooch the cat who demonstrate love and friendship, in addition to animal advocacy and responsible pet guardianship.


Giving Back




Dog Fighting Bites Orbee-Tuff toy

($10) | MoochieAndCo.com


You and your dog can both sink your teeth into bringing down dogfighting rings. Purchasing this durable, bouncy, glow-in-the-dark, mint-flavored toy made by Moochie & Co. supports the humane agencies working to locate and prosecute those involved with dogfighting rings. Proceeds go to the ASPCA’s legislative program lobbying for increased punishment for animal abuse and dogfighting nationwide.



Wrapped in Kindness Canine Treat Tote

($20) | WrappedInKindness.com


Wrapped in Kindness’ mini-totes are the perfect accessory for any friend who loves her dog and giving back at the same time. The canvas totes are available in five different colors and come with 2.5 cups of quality dog treats. Wrapped in Kindness donates all of its net profits to pets in need of life-saving veterinary care, so even when the dog treats are gone, the tote is a gift that keeps on giving.



Official Tails Gear T-Shirt

($17) | Shop.TailsInc.org


Strut your stuff while showing your support for animals. Sizes are available from small to extra large in men’s T-shirts or women’s fitted shirts. Both are made of top-quality 100 percent cotton and display the Tails logo promoting pet rescue and adoption. A portion of all proceeds will go to the Tails to the Rescue Fund, which supports shelters, rescues, and animal groups in need.



A Cheerful Pet PUMA Dog Collection

($5.25-$21) | ACheerfulPet.com


The Pennsylvania United Medical Association (PUMA), runs an orphanage in Kathmandu, Nepal, a home to many children orphaned by political unrest. A Cheerful Pet designed the PUMA Dog Collection to provide funds for the orphanage. The collection includes a throw, coat, and toy for your dog and a dog design tote for you. All items in the collection are made from 100 percent boiled wool with all-natural dyes. Buy individual items, or better yet, buy the whole collection. Your purchase will help give these children the love and care they need and deserve.



Beaded Leather Collar

($37-$70) | TheKenyanCollection.com


These beautiful beaded collars are handmade in Kenya by Masai women working out of their homes. The women’s work for the Kenyan Collection allows them to earn a fair wage, a triumph in a country where 50 percent of the population lives in poverty. Each artisan averages one unique collar per day. The beads are hand-sewn in the leather with an overlay on the back and a solid, hand-cast brass buckle.



Love Me, Love My Dog Spinning Steel Ring

($15) | Shop.TheAnimalRescueSite.com


“With this ring, I thee fed.” With every purchase of this durable stainless-steel ring, the Animal Rescue Site will fund 14 bowls of food for animals living in shelters and sanctuaries. The outer band is engraved with “Love Me, Love My Dog” and a subtle purple paw print spins on an inner band, allowing the dog lover to show her support from all angles.



Bowser Beer Six Pack

($20) | 3BusyDogs.com


Now you don’t have to worry about your dog sneaking sips of your brew; with Bowser Beer, he can be a party animal with his own nonalcoholic, no hops, low-calorie beer. Bowser Beer is made from filtered water, pure malt barley, and beef extract and will keep any pooch begging for more. Combine it with 3 Busy Dogs’ Spoiled Rotten crunchy peanut-butter pretzel nuggets for the ultimate game-day snack. 3 Busy Dogs, maker of Bowser Beer, supports the paws4people foundation, an organization utilizing canine companionship for students, seniors, and the disabled.

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