Each holiday season I look to the web to amuse and entertain me with all the best doggie gifts around. This year is no exception.

The first site I found had, by far, the most fantastic high-tech stuff for doggies ever compiled. And as a “techno queen” myself, I fell in love with all that www.PetGadgets.com had to offer. Billed as, “the only website dedicated to high-tech and unique products for animals of all shapes and sizes” it not only features products for dogs, but also cats, reptiles and birds.

More than 150 million people are expected to spend $2.6 billion on holiday pet gifts, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, a trade organization. Popular presents, according to PetGadgets.com this year include:

eGlobal Pet Finder – a lightweight tracking device that snaps onto your dog’s collar. GPS technology automatically locates and reports your dog’s location to your cell phone, Blackberry, or computer.

eThirst Alert Water Bowl – lights up when needs refilling, insuring that your pet always has fresh water available.

ePet Chime Wireless Doorbell – this dog paw-shaped unit allows pets to notify you when they want to enter or exit the house.

eGoDogGo – automatically launches tennis balls up to 30 feet. No more sore arms from constant throwing!

eDoggie Dentist Electric Toothbrush – rotating bristles remove plaque and tarter build-up for a bright white smile.

ePet Voice Mail – portable machine that lets you record a 10-second message to your pet and set the frequency of playback. Hearing your voice comforts your pet when he’s home alone.

ePooch Potty – instant backyard for city dwelling dogs. Comes in a variety of sizes and weekly sod is delivered to you.

eKongtime Doggie Day Care – unit dispenses Kong toys throughout the day, helping relieve boredom and preventing anxiety-related problems.

How About A

DVD For Fido?

Another gift idea found at www.animalshealing.com is one of my favorite DVDs, Bodywork for Dogs.

My dogs and I love this DVD. I pop it in the player, we lie down in front of the TV and I begin to massage my dog back to her calm self after a day of barking and chasing squirrels in the back yard. Plus, she sleeps better at night and we’ve had the best bonding experience you could imagine.

There are other fascinating, educational (and delicious!) holistic health and lifestyle products, for animals and people, on this site. I love this company’s motto, “… and as always, promote, explore and inspire the mutual healing between animals, people and the environment.” Way to go!

For you and your dog’s sanity, go to www.Alldaydog.com for the latest in pet sitting DVDs. Sometimes dogs get bored being left home all day long and now you can get A Dog’s Life DVD that the company claims, “makes your pet happier – minimizing the separation anxiety that dogs face when left home alone. These DVDs contain footage of the one thing that interests dogs more than anything else … dogs.”

And if your dog doesn’t want to watch barking dogs all day long, which might over stimulate the calmest pooch, there is an alternative ocean wave sounds DVD which will calm the savage beast in your pet. 

Pamper The Master

For all you breed specific dog lovers who are crossover golf lovers you must visit www.DogGiftShop.com for a complete line of dog breed golf club head covers. These dog gifts feature a variety of breeds to choose from and fit most club heads up to 360cc (whatever that means, I’m no golfer).

And my ultimate favorite as a book lover is, www.MyPersonalPetBook.com. According to its website, it’s made from photos that you take of your pet. You choose one of their adventure stories, take the 12 - 15 pictures of your pet, (for that story), and send the photo files to them via mail or via upload on the website. They carefully integrate your pet into the scenes throughout the book. For more information email them at question@mypersonalpetbook.com.

 

Lisa Peterson, a long-time breeder of Norwegian Elkhounds, is the Director of Club Communications at the American Kennel Club. Contact her at ask@lisa-peterson.com  or Dogma Publishing, P.O. Box 307, Newtown, CT 06470