pets

Christmas Special - For Pets

Here at The Amazing Blog we all are big pet lovers. Our lives would be half empty if we didn’t have our little furry friends with us. Dogs, cats, rabbits; they’re all part of the family and naturally, when December comes, we put all the effort we can into finding them the best present ever. With our suggestions, your best friend will be totally spoiled this year.

I think we can all agree that Christmas is a snuggly time of year, but why should that just apply to us humans? Help your pooch to get cosy with a new blanket from The Stylish Dog Company.

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They have a huge selection and we’ve never seen anything more stylish and comfy for our pets. Their collection of Fur Dog Blankets are available in a range of colours, from the lightest cream to a darker chocolate, offering an option to match your decor. Whether you own the smallest Chihuahua in the world or a mastiff, The Stylish Dog Company created 4 sizes of blankets to suit every dog. We didn’t mention cats but we are 100% sure they’ll love it too. All the blankets are available here for £49.

If accessorising is more your thing, this year you can do something special for your dog and for hundreds of other puppies by customising a unique identification tag from Hashtagdogtag. They support Pup Aid, which helps to fight against puppy farming.

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With an impressive array of tag styles to choose from, including various shapes, hashtags, materials like  brass, aluminium or copper and sizes from small to large, you're sure to find something to suit your pup. Find out how to create a bespoke treat for your pet here, from £14.50.

We all know that dogs aren't just for Christmas, and Ruby and Duke offer the perfect year round present for your canine pal in their monthly boxes. After all, why should we be the only ones to enjoy the fun of subscription boxes?

On Ruby and Duke's website you can activate the best plan for you. If you’re not sure, start with a 1 month subscription and once you realise your dog loves it, you can go for a 3 month subscription or even 1 year (that's next Christmas sorted too!). Every box is packed to offer the right amount of fun, with products always safe and created for your dog welfare. Usually a box includes 4-6 food items and toys approved by professional…dogs. The price is very affordable, from £20 for a month, £18.50 per month for 3 months and £17 for the whole year. Sign up and order your box of canine goodies here.

This year, it seems as though we're going to have more of a 'Wet Christmas' than a 'White Christmas', and Long Paws offers the perfect gift for those fussy pets who would rather not get their fur wet - MacPaws. Special raincoats that can be easily folded and kept in a small bag, they're practical and look super cute too.

Pack it up before a long walk, just in case, and once dirty, just pop it in the washing machine. Available in 6 sizes, their colours are so pretty, we’d love to have some human sizes as well! Keep your dog warm and dry, and pick up your own MacPaws here for £7.99.

It's all weel and good buying your dog lots of material treats, but understanding their needs is also crucial to having a happy pooch. Thankfully, Tony Cruse, dog lover and dog trainer, wrote a little manual to help us out. With ‘101 Doggy Dilemmas’ he teaches how easily we can misunderstand our dog’s signals. 

From the reason they destroy the garden, to why they like to chase the postman, this book is a valuable support not only if you’ve just decided to get a puppy, but also to improve the behaviour of a long time family dog. It is available in kindle edition and paperback for £2.99 or £7.99 here.

With these sweet gift ideas, Christmas is sure to be a wonderful time for all of the family, even our lovely canine companions.

Cats & Dogs Festive Finds

Day 2 of our festive finds week and we think it’s important to show our four-legged friends how much we appreciate their company all year round. Here at The Amazing Blog we are huge animal lovers and when it comes to Christmas we cannot help but spoil our pets with some Christmas presents too. So here are some of our favourite pet gifts this year we are sure you will love as much as we do. top pooch lead

Top Pooch is the place to go for stylish and patterned collars for your dog. We love their wide range of vintage inspired fabric collars made with bright and bold patterns that are perfect for any fashion conscious pooch. One of our favourites is a unisex option, the Classic Houndstooth Collar, it is simple yet stylish. Not only can you have a gorgeous patterned collar, you can also buy a matching lead, and the best part: Collar accessories. We love the doggy Bow Ties as they simply slide onto the collar to complete your dog’s sophisticated look. There is a large range of patterns on offer, including a London and Royal themed collection. You can also get hold of matching bows and bandanas. These wonderful collars and accessories can be purchased from the Top Pooch website. Collars retail from £11, and accessories from £5.

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Just like children, all dogs want to open up a toy on Christmas day, and we have found the perfect toy for dogs who love… technology, and you would be surprised at how appealing an iPhone style toy can be to your canine friends. Now your dog can be as tech-savvy as you, with the Anything Dogz iBone Phone Toy.  This plush dog toy looks just like a smart phone complete with dog apps carefully embroidered onto the fabric. The material used to make the toy is very durable so it is long lasting and there are also no small parts for your dog to swallow. We think that this toy is just right for dogs on the move a lot and very excitable as it is small enough to take out and about with you. If you want to treat your pet to the latest addition to dog gadgetry, you can get the iBone Phone Toy from Anything Dogz for £11.50.

puppy kit hair or the dogWhile we all know that a dog is for life and not just for Christmas, some of our very lucky readers may be getting a new puppy in time for Christmas. What better way to welcome them to your family than with the Hair of The Dog Puppy Starter Kit Hampers. The kits come in two varieties depending on the sex of your puppy to make sure you get treats perfectly suited to the puppy’s gender. The hamper gifts come in a beautiful vintage looking suitcase either in pink or blue. Inside the hampers are a beautiful selection of handpicked products that are perfect to get you started and treat your new puppy too. Every hamper includes some Lily’s Biscuits or Treats, a chew toy, a red and ruby edible greetings card or a teething toy, a training clicker and a towel or grooming product. We think this hamper makes the perfect gift for any new addition to the family as it is full of all the essentials your puppy will need. The Puppy Starter Kits are priced at £36.50 for a girl and £34.30 for a boy and can be purchased from the Hair Of The Dog website, where there is also a version especially for kittens.

Pampered pets cat hammockMost cats often need something to get their claws into, and instead of your furniture being ripped to shreds, there is an alternative. This Christmas we think your kitty would love to be treated to The Pampered Pet Great and Small Hammock Playground. Not only does it feature scratching posts, but it is a three tiered kingdom for your cat to rule. The Playground features play balls hanging from the upper tier that are sure to keep cats of any age amused. There is also a hammock where your cat can snooze the afternoon away. The Hammock Playground is made of soft fabric to ensure your fury friend is always comfy, but underneath lies hardwearing sisal to prevent damage from claws. It’s a far more exciting present for your cat than those ordinary scratching posts that all the cats in the neighbourhood have…It will keep your pet entertained for hours. You can get the Great and Small Hammock Playground from The Pampered Pet for just £44.99.

viva le chat knitted catnip mice

Cats old or young are very playful, and if they aren’t clawing at their scratching post (or your curtains if you’re not so lucky) then they are keeping themselves busy with cat toys. We have found these gorgeous Viva Le Chat Catnip Mice from Hair of the Dog. These lovely little mice are hand knitted in the USA and stuffed with Cosmic Catnip. It is a very potent form of catnip that your kitty will go mad for too. The wool is knitted very tightly to make sure that even with the roughest play the catnip will stay secure inside the mouse. As the mice are hand-made they come in a whole variety of colours and patterns. The Viva Le Chat Catnip Mice can be bought from the Hair of the Dog website for £8.50, and we will definitely adding this to our pets stocking this year.

mungo and maud cat bowlIf your pets like the finer things in life, maybe it is time to update their bowl to something a bit classier that the average plastic bowl. We love this beautiful ceramic Cat Bowl Meow from Mungo & Maud. They have a chic and classic design with gorgeous fish bone illustrations, and your cat will be sure to love dining from it. There is also another version of the design featuring a fish bowl illustration. As the bowl is ceramic, it will be heavier and less likely to move as your cat eats so there is less mess to clean up. Even better, the bowl is dishwasher safe so just pop it in every now and then like you do with your own dishes and it’ll be spotless and ready to use again in no time. You can treat your cat to one of the Mungo & Maud bowls from their website where they retail at £28. myteddybear1Hashtagdogtag is a unique brand bought together by two artists with a love for animals and especially their dogs. The concept is about showing off a dog’s personality through their own hash tag. The ladies behind these wonderful creations artistically make one off pieces with details to emphasise what your pup loves. The tags are worn on collars and give a bit of animal individuality, they are bound to cause some jealously in the park. This Christmas you can treat your dog to one of these customised tags which use the finest quality materials. There are many sizes, styles and combinations to choose from so you can really summarise your dog’s character. We think these tags are very sweet and definitely worth a purchase. They add a little style to your dogs attire whilst also storing necessary information on it. They are found here and vary in price depending on how much your dogs deserves!

Oggi christmas setOggi’s Oven has designed the perfect treat for your pups this Christmas. The Christmas Gift Pack allows you to enjoy your pups present just as much as they will. You get to do some fun baking whilst your dog sits watching desperately with puppy eyes before eventually devouring them, there’s enjoyment for everyone. One thing we really like about this brand is their products are completely additive and preservative free, making it a pleasant and healthy alternative to some of that fattening and unhealthy processed rubbish you can find in supermarkets. Oggi launched with 2 objectives, to help tackle animal obesity and to encourage children to get involved in caring for the family pet. The brand values and the concept behind the products are very admirable and appealing. There’s lots of fun to be had with these kits and a great way to get everyone together in this festive season. Now your pets don’t need to be eating your roast and pudding leftovers on Christmas day, they are part of the family after all. It really is the perfect gift idea this Christmas for everyone to enjoy together.  You can browse the stockists of the products here

 Tomorrow we have some exciting Christmas beauty gifts to share with you  for Festive Finds day three so make sure you have a read!

Dog’s Trust and 'Phillipa Fairy Cake', a book by Sarahjane Funnel

book jacket PFC front cover-1 lower It is not often that we write about children’s books and things here on The Amazing Blog, but when we find something truly exceptional, we make sure that we feature it. We were very lucky to be invited to the launch of Sarahjane Funnel’s new book: Phillipa Fairy Cake and The Secret Pet’s Tea Party in conjunction with the Dog’s Trust, and took the opportunity to attend.

The book is about a little girl named Phillipa and her cat Little Miss Whiskers. They, along with two of her friends and their pet rescue dogs, planned for a tea party in the garden. Shortly after they sat down for tea the adventure began and they meet characters such as a Mrs Boodle Doodle. It is an adorable adventure and the perfect story for small children, with brilliantly coloured pages full of fun illustrations. Definitely an essential read for any parent who has pets and perfect for a child’s developing mind. Sarahjane herself has a rescue dog ‘Pip’ from the Dog’s Trust are who are acknowledged in the book.

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 The author Sarahjane Funnel (with Dog’s Trust rescue Boasson) and Edwina, our Exec Ed of TheAmazingBlog

As serious dog lovers here at The Amazing Blog, we took some time to learn a little more about the Dog’s Trust. Each year, they care for about 16,000 dogs at their 18 re-homing centres. They also run neutering campaigns across the UK and have educational programs to teach children about the trust and dogs. In addition, they sponsor many other dog charities and organisations. If you can’t re-home or adopt a dog, but would like to give a donation or you can become a member of the Dog’s Trust  please click  here.  When we spoke to the Dog’s Trust, they sent us some information on two of their lovely dogs that are desperately in need of a loving home.

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Kobi 5 yr old male Malamute Cross

 Kobi is looking for a patient adult only home with no visiting children where he will have time to settle. He loves a fuss on his terms and enjoys woodland walks where he can lose himself in the undergrowth. He also enjoys a run in the field and playing with his toys. He would much prefer to be the only pet in the home so he can have all the attention to himself. Once settled he will make a very loyal friend. Zander2

Zander is a 4 yr old male Boxer

Zander lacks confidence and will need patience and time to find his feet and build a relationship with his new family. He is a handsome boy who was very underweight when he arrived, so food is very important to him. He enjoys his walks and loves a game of ball! He does get on with other dogs when out and about but would prefer to be the only dog in the home. He could potentially live with older teenagers.  If you are interested in either of these dogs, please contact the Dog’s Trust rehoming centre 01227 792505 or visit them at: The Dogs Trust, Radfall Road, Chestfield, Nr Whitstable, Kent, CT5 3ER.

In the meantime, to purchase Sarahjane Funnel’s book, Phillipa Fairy Cake and the Secret Pet’s Tea Party,  at £7.99  you can head over to Waterstones or Amazon.

Gear Up Your Dog For The Summer with Houndworthy Accessories

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Have you ever had trouble finding travel friendly accessories for your dog? A big bed isn’t easy to take on a day or weekend trip, and plastic drinking bowls do not fit nicely into most handbags. That is why we here at The Amazing Blog were so thrilled when we heard about Houndworthy. It is a UK based online retailer that has us and our pets in mind. The most luxurious, unique and handmade pet accessories from around the world are being sold on their website. Over 150 unique and wonderful products are currently available, so there is much to choose from. They are very conscious of the brands they choose, and what the products are made out of because they know how much we care about our furry companions.

Even if you are just taking your dog out for a long day at the park or to an outside café for lunch this summer, having the right travel pet accessories will make the day much more enjoyable. Cloud 7 is a German-owned label that has created some of the most unique and essential products found at Houndworthy. One product in particular we love is the Ultimate Tote Travel Bed (£80). At first glance it is a nice canvas tote bag with a fuzzy interior, but it actually converts into a perfect dog-sized bed! It is made from 100% Organic Cotton Canvas on the exterior and 100% un-dyed sheep's wool for the lining. This travel bed is absolutely perfect for many situations including patio or café sitting as well as lobby waiting. This could work perfectly well for a day or weekend away too. It is an absolute essential for summer travel with your loved pet. Houndworthy is also the only UK retailer to stock Billy Wolf dog apparel and accessories; an American made label. One particular stand out product from Billy Wolf is the 100% Cotton Canvas water bowl (£33). It can be taken absolutely anywhere, because the bowl neatly folds up and tucks into a purse-sized pouch. Perfect for the pooch on the go!

Houndworthy is a wonderful online destination shop for pet owners who want classic, luxurious pet accessories. With products retailing from £10-£125, they really have something for anyone, and any dog. Check out their website to find the travel bed, water bowl, and many other wonderful pet accessories!

London Pet Show

Who can resist puppy dog eyes and furry tailed cats? Come and see dancing dogs, rabbit jumping races, and a weekend full of exotic animals at the London Pet Show on this weekend 11th and 12th May at Earls Court Two. It's no secret that at we at The Amazing Blog are all dog lovers, so what better way to spend our weekend than with an array of cute and energetic dogs? Screen Shot 2013-03-19 at 2.42.57 PM

This year the UK’s largest pet showcase is right around the corner for us at Earl's Court in London. The showcase will feature animals from dogs and cats to royal pythons and micro pigs - although I'll be sure to stay far away from the snakes. The show will be broken up into four different sections: Discover Dogs, Discover Cats, Discover Animals, and Discover Small Furries. Featuring elaborate demonstrations and luxurious animals, each section is sure to provide a one of a kind experience.

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The section that I'll be spending the most time at will be the Discover Dog zone - of course! And with over 50 dog breeds and a programmed event every hour it'll be quite difficult to pull me away . These dogs will be dancing around on stage, playing a fast-paced game of flyball, and showing off their skills in the agility obstacle course.

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The kids will love the new “Pony Paddock” area where they can braid their mane and learn about the different types of ponies the showcase offers. Riders can also learn how to use the equipment and tools involved in caring for their pony as well as mounting, dismounting and maintaining balance on The Pony Club’s special mechanical horse. So spend time with family, friends, fellow pet lovers and some exotic animals this weekend at The London Pet Show. Tickets are on sale online for £14 for adults and £9.50 for children over five years old. Family and senior tickets are also available.