Embrace Pet Community blog

Don't Lick the Dog

Kids and dogs make a great friends, yet, many children are unsure about how to approach or interact with dogs.  Even adults can misread a dog's body language (a wagging tail doesn't always mean a dog is happy).  We've all seen children react poorly when a dog sniffs or licks them, as little ones may think they're getting ready to bite. 

Author Wendy Wahman has a new storybook, Don't Lick the Dog, for children looking to make friends with dogs.  The book will help children to understand that an excitable dog is not something to fear, and also help them to better interpret dog behaviors and body language.  On the other hand, it teaches children to safely approach and interact with the dogs in their world. 

For ages 3-6, $16.95 at the Best Friends Store. 

The lovely dog featured above is Millie.  She, as well as several other Golden Retrievers, are looking for forever homes through G.R.I.N.  Stop and have a look-maybe you'll find a new best friend?

This costume is Bananas...

 I just saw this costume on the rack at Target over the weekend, and thought, "Oh, cute, a banana."  But then, I saw the little hat which makes the dog's head looks so delicious that you could just gobble him up!   

This costume just goes from cute do adorable, just because of that hat!  And wouldn't it be so perfect with the Plush Monkey Infant costume?

Banana Costume at Target.com or in stores.  Available in sizes xs-xl. 

Magnetic Poetry

There's something funny about magnetic poetry kits-they're on your fridge, and then people can't help themselves from playing with them.  My visitors always end up leaving me with some random phrase or haiku, that usually stays up long after they've gone.

So, now people can leave me dog themed magnetic poetry.  ($9.95 at Amazon) The official product description says it includes words like "chase", "chew and "scratch" but the reviewers seem to get a bigger kick out of the more practical words like "barf" and "butt".  Some words that might be useful in my house would be "toot" "grumble" and "wiggle".  And wouldn't it be nice if they gave you blank tiles for your dog's nicknames?

Post a comment about what words you'd need to see in your dog's poetry kit.

Doggie of the Day: Mable is a 3 year old Boxer.

Kitty Litter Cake recipe

A recipe for people that is truly delicious, yet completely disgusting...Kitty Litter Cake.  (No, it's not really kitty litter!) 

You can get the complete instructions and recipe at Fabulous Foods, but here's the basics-you prepare 2 cake mixes, crumble them, and gently mix with crumbled sandwich cookies and pudding. (You can add a few drops of green food coloring to the cookies for effect.)   Add the mixture to a NEW kitty litter box.  Use softened tootsie rolls to create the "poo" and bury them in the mixture and place on top. (One suggestion-to hang one of the tootsie poops from the outside of the box, for a realistic touch!) Top with more crumbled cookies.  Place on newspaper and serve with a NEW scooper. 

It almost seems like a waste of food, because I'm guessing you won't have too many adults try this cake, but reviews say it's tasty and kids love it!

Cute Overload for 2009

This year's holiday shopping will be a piece of cake, thanks to the fantastic new desk calendar from Cute Overload.com.  That's right! 365 days of outlandishly cute  puppies, kittens, otters, hamsters and more.  So utterly cute you'll go "awwww" and then get one for yourself.

Check Amazon.com for ordering details.

Swimming Puppies-almost as good as the real thing

Every kid needs a swimming buddy, but there are some dogs that want nothing to do with doggie paddling. The Rescue Pets Swim to me Puppy will swim or bathe with your kid all day long.  What a fun way to get kids motivated to swim or take their nightly bath!

$29.99 at Amazon.com

previous post: Rescue Pets

U-Name-It Alphabet Art

We always enjoy finding new art ideas for pet lovers, and photographer Lorie A. Wilber offers just that.  Wilber, an animal lover herself, offers custom name alphabet art through her company, U-Name-It.  It's an easy product to pick out.  She'll shoot pictures of each letter in the name you choose, assemble the photographs in a frame, and each photo is signed and dated, with a note about where the photo came from.

What a fun gift idea for pet lovers that want to see "Minnie" or "Rover" hanging in their pet's favorite corner or above the feeding area.  It's just $10 per letter, framing is just another $35.  A portion of the sale from each order will be donated to a pet rescue organization.

WalkyDog

Climbing gas prices are forcing more and more people to use alternative transportation, including cycling.  If you're a pet parent joining the cycling revolution, you need a WalkyDog.

It's simple-you install the bracket on your bike (beneath the seat) and when it's time to go, you simply attach the arm to the bracket, snap it to your dog's collar and start peddling!  The bar will prevent the dog from stepping under your wheels, and works with both collars and harnesses.  Can you imagine how stoked your dog will be once he realizes this bar means he gets to go for a W-A-L-K?

$42.90 at Amazon.

Check out our post on hands free dog walking!

Rescue Pets

Wake Me Up Rescue Pets are lifesavers for moms and dads whose human kids don't want to get up in the morning.  These cuddly plush toys have an alarm clock in their ID tag that even a child can set so that they'll be woken up by cheerful barking.

Maybe now your little one will look forward to bedtime, because they'll watch their rescue pet lie down to go to sleep, and will wake up much more easily, knowing their friend is ready to start the day.

There are several breeds available, including Goldens, Cocker Spaniels, Dalmations and a mixed breed- each comes with their own adoption certificate that your child can register online.

Thanks to the Dolittler blog for helping us find this with their post "Pet-Themed Kids Gifts for the Animal-Obsessed."

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Amelia Makes Art

We're sure that as soon as you see one of these amazing felted pup-portraits from Amelia Makes Art you'll be ready to order your custom piece.

Amelia writes, "I am in love with making these little needle felted dogs and would love to make one for you! Each little pooch is sculpted out of Icelandic and Merino wool. The technique is needle felting and uses a special barbed needle tool to create the form. Each dog is one of a kind and sculpted in fiber like one would sculpt clay. There is no sewing, stuffing or pattern of any kind."

A Felted Likeness of a pet would be a wonderful keepsake gift, perhaps for someone that recently lost a pet, or maybe is just away and misses the real thing.

$125 for your custom piece-just check out the rave reviews at her etsy shop, then stop by the blog to look over more look-a-like pics and be prepared to be wowed.