Christmas

I don’t know about you, but I am really starting to feel the holiday crunch. I want to get my holiday shopping done early so I have more time to do the enjoyable things this season, like spending time with family and friends, and eating way too much.

As always, my dogs will be receiving gifts. This year we have added two new dogs to our family, ‘Denver’ and ‘Vinny.’ Denver is older and likes nothing more than a nap on the couch and a couple of treats. Vinny, a puppy, is the exact opposite, he just wants to play!

The holiday gift guide was a huge help, and you may notice that I managed to pick up a few things.

Flash: The old guy

‘Flash’ and I have a long history, we’ve been together since he was born. He is now 12 and very white in the face. He doesn’t know that he is getting old, or at least he tries not to let on. He’s never been big on toys, so this year I am hoping to get him something warm and soft. My mom keeps him well-stocked as far as beds and coats go, so I am a little stumped this year. I have been looking into heated beds (Flash and Denver are both big on sleeping with me, and I think this has more to do with the warmth I emit than the warmth of my personality first thing in the morning). Does anyone have any suggestions for the older dog with everything?

Denver: The softy

‘Denver’ is 10 years old and gets pretty sore. For this reason, she is a big contender for a heated bed, or perhaps a pair of pajamas. What I have already purchased for Denver is a new collar from K-9 Craft. Not only does Denver get a new collar, but this gift makes me feel good. K-9 Craft is run by  Lorrine Peruzzo, who along with her daughter Katie, was featured in our article ‘A dog for Katie.’ The proceeds from K-9 Craft go towards Katie’s service dog, ‘Amber.’

Posh: The playful girl

At six years old, ‘Posh’ has never really stopped loving her toys, but every since Vinny came to live with us, we have witnessed a resurgence of toy use. I guess it’s the playmate effect. I picked out something from the gift guide that both Posh and Vinny will love to play with, the Best Friends Gift Set from Up Country. Both Vinny and Posh can play with the toy and share the treats (well… maybe. Posh is celebrated for her food stealing skills).

Vinny: The puppy

When I dropped Denver off at my parent’s house last Thanksgiving weekend, I was sure to leave her Canine Genius Leo Toy with her. Upon my return I got the scoop that it was Vinny and Posh that got the most use out of it. My mom filled the toy with some kibble and some cheese, Vinny then played with it, extracting the goodies. Vinny would gooble up the cheese as soon as it hit the ground, leaving the kibble for Posh who was following in his wake. Naturally, Vinny should receive his own Canine Genius Leo (though, maybe not in pink) this Christmas.

Viola: The cat

Viola was another one who instantly took to the Canine Genius, even though it is only slightly smaller than she is. I tried buying a different work-to-extract toy for her, but she still prefers Denver’s Genius. I think Viola may be due for a Mini Leo and a bag of temptations.

As for the dog lovers on my list? Well I have to keep that under-wraps, because, unlike the pets in my life, the people in my life can read this (thanks Mom)!

I get that warm-and-fuzzy feeling when I think about Christmas with our newly expanded family. I think about Flash and Denver curling up on the couch and sharing a blanket, I think about Vinny tearing through the wrapping paper and Posh deciding that it looks like fun. I think about Viola diving in and out of boxes and bags. Christmas is about time with your family, and our pets are family.

Will your pets be part of your holiday celebrations? Tell us about it in the comments, or participate in our new poll.

(In my defense (and I know I need one), I only subject Jazz and Ocho to this indignity once a year. Although it only lasts about a minute, you can see from their expressions that it feels like an eternity to them!)