Giving your pet a Gift
Gifts for pet lovers can be some of the most enjoyable presents to shop for. Creative and witty gifting ideas abound that will delight the pet owner on your list. One helpful guideline when choosing gifts for pet lovers is: leave the day-to-day items for the owner to purchase on his own. That is, even though your friend might need a year’s supply of cat litter, it’s not a very inspired present. Instead, use the opportunity to choose something luxurious, frivolous or downright decadent for your friend or his pet.
Options range from the inexpensive, such as a subscription to an animal magazine, to the lavish, such as commissioning an oil-painted portrait or booking a session with a photographer. In between, there’s lots of room for imagination.
One inexpensive option is a pet-themed video. There are plenty of movies for adults and kids that feature animals. A Border Collie owner may enjoy an old classic, like “Babe.” Another unusual option is a video FOR the pet. Cat and dog movies have been designed as a distraction when the pet is home alone, or can’t go outside for one reason or another. Cat movies feature prey that felines like to watch: goldfish swimming, birds chirping, rodents scurrying. Dog movies feature packs of dogs roaming free, splashing in water, and unabashedly sniffing each other’s private parts. In the CD department, there are even guided meditations for dogs to listen to.
Pet clothes can be useful, or a fun gag gift. For cats, you’ll find everything from functional sweaters to silly bow ties and wigs. Whether the cat’s owner will go along with the more humiliating attire is another matter altogether.
Dogs, on the other hand, love playing dress-up and, unlike cats, don’t seem to mind being made the laughing stock. Anything that increases attention in a dog’s direction is generally appreciated. Halloween costumes can be a real hoot. Some costumes adorn the dog’s whole body, and others are a sight gag when seen from the front, such as a Hippie Dog Costume where the dog’s front legs seem to be human legs in a pair of blue jeans, with a fake hand flashing a peace sign. There’s a taco costume for Chihuahuas. A hot dog costume for Dachshunds consists of a toasted bun worn on either side of the dog’s body, and a squiggle of faux ketchup or mustard down the back.
In fact, if you have a friend who owns a Dachshund, you’ll never be short of gift possibilities. Wiener dogs are featured disproportionately on all kinds of objects -- everything from soaps to throw pillows, desk organizers, table settings, coffee mugs, Christmas ornaments, earrings, lamps, salt-and-pepper shakers, door stops, and even cookie cutters.
Functional dog wear can be fun to shop for. There are dog coats, booties and raincoats for taking long walks in the rain and snow. For more pampered breeds, there are leopard-patterned coats and bejeweled leashes. It’s all a question of style. Many dog breeds are available as plush toys, from miniature to life-sized. People who have to travel for business might appreciate a portable version of their beloved Yorkshire Terrier or Shih Tzu that can be taken on the road to keep from feeling homesick.
Likewise, there are all manner of magnets with various dog breeds featured. Handsome and clever jewelry abounds -- bracelets, necklaces, earrings – which feature representations of favorite animals. There are t-shirts, hats and scarves with horses, cats, dogs and animal lover slogans.
For horse lovers, there are horse icons to be found on just about everything, from expensive lamps to license plates.
There are training videos for horse lovers, but this can get into touchy territory. Horse owners have very definite ideas about training their animals. As for dog-training videos – well, your friend might think you’re offering commentary on their canine companion’s manners. Perhaps those are best for the pet guardians to purchase themselves.
Instead, how about a gift with some New Age flair? You could give your friend a session with a pet psychic, who will channel the pet’s former lives (even human ones!) and relay your pet’s inner thoughts. Or how about an astrological reading? Know when the stars are aligned for you friend’s canine to be declared Best In Show.
And of course, there are always pet toys. Cat toys are available in a broad selection, with inventive variations on the toy mouse, in a variety of knitted and sewn natural materials, filled with organic catnip. Dog owners will appreciate chew toys and treats, items that constantly need replacing. But be sensitive to your friend’s philosophy regarding natural products. If the owner is careful about what goes into the pet’s mouth, don’t bring a treat that’s full of artificial colors and flavorings. Also, be careful about bringing dog toys that are stuffed with toxic material. You’ll quickly wear out your welcome if your host’s dog chokes on the gift you brought.
Imaginative feeding bowls and treat jars are another category for inventive gifting. Look for one-of-a-kind artisan-made options online or at street fairs. Some can even be personalized with the pet’s name.
The options for gifts for pet lovers are endless. When you can’t think of a present for the person who has everything, gift their companion animal.
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