Do you find yourself wondering about the perfect gift for that dog owner on your list? Then read on to view my top ten for some good ideas this holiday season.
10. Books are a great gift for a new dog owner. The book can be about a specific breed or about dogs in general. When my sister brought home her Pomeranian, she was a new dog owner. We gave her a book specifically about Pomeranians, which she enjoyed reading. These books can provide valuable information on how to properly take care of and raise the dog.
9. Calendars or day planners of a specific breed are a great gift. These calendars should be available in most malls year-round, but most popular prior to Thanksgiving. If you decide to wait long enough, most of these items will probably be discounted prior to the Christmas rush. These decorative calendars or planners are the type of gift that can be displayed proudly at home or in the office.
8. Your owner’s dog may enjoy receiving doggie toys. These plush and soft items can provide a lot of fun and interaction between a dog and its owner. My sister’s dog loved to play with the Ren and Stimpy stuffed toys and was his favorite. My dad would throw Ren down our hallway and Puppet would run to retrieve it. Then it would happen again and again. It was so much fun to watch and participate.
7. If you have owners who like to dress their dogs, you may want to consider doggie fashion. Many pet stores carry cute outfits for dogs. The outfits range from costumes, holiday wear, sweaters, ribbons and other decorative items. You will just need to be aware of the size of the dog when choosing an outfit.
6. Doggie treats for that hungry dog can be quite different from the traditional rawhides and boxed biscuits. These days you can shop for items such as brownies, cakes, fortune cookies and even birthday cakes.
5. Another great gift can be an assortment of dog items like mugs, notepads, coasters, playing cards and even pens. One time I was able to find a lovely fashionable wristlet at an arts and crafts show, retailing for $8.00. The wristlet had the image of a Pomeranian with some tiny crystals to accent the accessory.
4. If you are looking for a truly personalized gift, there are places that can take a picture of the dog and place them on mugs, mousepads and even T-shirts. This may be an option if you aren’t able to find the exact look of the dog that you are looking for. Right now, I am in the process of ordering an ornament for my sister that will be personalized with the picture of her dog. If you have taken any pictures of the owner and pet, a nice gift would be to get a frame to display the picture. It would provide a personal touch and know that you took the time to choose a perfect picture.
3. Most owners want to make sure their dog is properly groomed, so you may want to consider paying for a pet grooming session. The cost of grooming a pet can be expensive, especially if it happens often. Many pet stores have grooming services available. You can imagine giving the gift of pampering with such services including brushing, bath, haircut, blow dry and nail trim.
2. One of my favorites is finding dog figurines. The items are almost lifelike, ranging from large sizes to miniatures. It may take a little time searching to find the exact breed and look. Some of the figurines may be a different color. When I searched for a Pomeranian figurine, I found an orange colored one. The figure was pretty close to my sister’s dog, but was not the buff color I wanted. I was able to speak to the sales person in the store and was told that special orders could be taken. I have visited other merchants where some will create the likeness of your dog by providing a picture. Of course, the cost would have been much greater than purchasing a ready-to-buy figurine.
1. Finally, my number one gift is offering a night or two of dog watching and/or walking services for free. For those of you who may be looking to provide a unique gift to the dog owner, this may be the best bet. You would be offering personalized service. If you like spending time with the dog, this would be a great option for you to consider. This could be accomplished by putting together a card and creating a certificate that entitles the bearer to a free night (or whatever timeframe you wish) of watching and/or walking services for their dog. With everyone leading very busy lives and not having a lot of time, this may be a godsend for the owner(s) to take a break.
Regardless of which gift idea you choose, as long as the owner appreciates it, your work is done.
