Wags & Whiskers Wednesday (#34)

Happy mid-week!

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is next week?  After that – all the holiday craziness will break loose.  Did you know that Americans will spend about 5 billion dollars on their pets this holiday season?  Sounds crazy, right? But everyone I know buys gifts for their dogs and cats.  I always buy presents for my mom’s pup, and she buys them for mine.  What do you think – do we spend too much on our pets?

Here at the Wags & Whiskers blog, we are hard at work trying to find you the best deals from pet retailers around the country.  If you have your own bakery, pet supply store, specialty boutique, or shop on Etsy and would like to be included in this year’s Wags & Whiskers Paw-liday deals…shoot us an email (blog@wagsandwhiskershouston.com)  Make sure to include your contact information and website – and we will send you all the details.

But before you start stressing about your grocery list for next week (and where the heck is that recipe for your grandma’s pumpkin pie!) – take a look at these cuties.  Guaranteed to brighten your day!

Our Twitter friend Leslie (@walkiesdoggies) and owner of Walkies Doggies (check out their website www.walkiesdoggies.com) sent us this pic of her husky Mara Jade. “She’s a goofball!” Leslie told us…as if we couldn’t tell!

Blog reader Paula emailed us this pic of her family member, Hanna. Hanna is often mistaken for a puppy, despite being over a year old. We hear she is always getting compliments on her beauty when she is out walking…we can see why!

Wanted to throw in one kitty pic! I snapped this myself at a client’s house Make sure to follow me on Instagram if you aren’t already!

Wags & Whiskers Wednesday

Happy “OH-MY-GOSH-it’s-only-11-days-til-Christmas!”

We are excited that so many of you have entered our first PAW-LIDAY giveaway!  The awesome dog lovers over at Ruff Wear sent us a Flat Out Leash to give to one lucky reader…and it’s SUPER easy to enter our contest.  (Literally as easy as sending a tweet or liking us on Facebook.)  You can enter as many times as you’d like until the contest is over on the 20th.  The more buzz we get around our giveaways, the more doggy loot companies will send us to give to you, and the happier you (our amazing loyal readers) will be!  And if you’re happy…we here at Wags & Whiskers are happy.

Take a moment to clear your mind of that long to-do list…and sit back and look at these adorable dog pics.

(We are hoping to do a holiday themed Wags & Whiskers Wednesday next week…so please send us those pics of your pooch in front of the tree or donning a Santa hat.  Email them on over to us – blog@wagsandwhiskershouston.com)

Wags & Whiskers Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!

We are definitely feeling the holiday stress around here.  Obviously, December is a busy month for all of us pet sitters…but this year it seems crazier than usual.  On the up side, I’ve had the opportunity to meet lots of new pups (and their wonderful parents of course!)  So far, we have been blessed with some ridiculously sweet dogs (and cats!)

Don’t forget to check out Fido’s Laundry!  Hipster clothes for dogs…we LOVE them.  They even sent us a coupon code to give to our awesome blog readers.

Apparently, many of you out there are Boston Terrier lovers.  This week, we got quite a few submissions (if you don’t see your pic this week…be sure to check back next Wednesday)…but we had to post these three precious BOSTONS!  If this doesn’t cure your case of holiday panic/stress/insanity, then you are in serious trouble!

Keep those pup pics coming….email blog@wagsandwhiskershouston.com to get your dog up on our blog!

(Also check back over the weekend – our first FREE PAW-LIDAY GIVEAWAY will be up!)

CUTENESS ALERT! Here is Norman!! His mom Wendy sent us this adorable pic. We hope he gets to taste test those adorable edible cards over at Shake A Paw Greeting (http://shakeapawgreetings.ca)

Crystal sent us this pic of her 16 month old Boston, Kingston. First of all - LOVE the name! Second of all - this guy looks like he enjoys his sunbathing!

Ron sent this pic in of his Boston, Oliver. Look at those eyes! Look at those ears! We are in LOVE!!

Wags & Whiskers Wednesday

Woof Woof Wednesday!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving break.  This year I was smart and didn’t overbook myself.  I managed to find the perfect dog to turkey ratio!

Our PAW-LIDAY deals have been a big hit thus far, and I encourage you to check out our newest coupon code from Fido’s Laundry.  This company is exactly why we started PAW-LIDAY deals….maybe you haven’t heard of them, but once you visit their website I guarantee you will be a fan.  They have some of the coolest, most unique dog apparel I have seen.  (I honestly wish they made some of those t-shirts in human sizes!)  Just yesterday, I was on their site (yes, AGAIN!) and saw their Hippie Tattoo Dress.  Are you kidding me?  It is so awesome!  Definitely not the kind of thing you can find at any chain pet store around.

As always, if you would like your pup featured in next week’s Wags & Whiskers Wednesday, email a pic to blog@wagsandwhiskershouston.com.  If you own (or know of!) a company that should be included in our PAW-LIDAY deals, you can email jessica@wagsandwhiskershouston.com.  We still have a few weeks before Christmas, and we want to offer our readers as many deals as possible!

Now…look at this adorable pooches!!!  Guaranteed to turn any bad day into a tail waggin’ smile-fest!!

PAW-LIDAY DEAL – Fido’s Laundry

There are many words I would use to describe the dog apparel I have seen in the past – cute, fun, adorable.  Not until I discovered Fido’s Laundry did I ever think I would be using the word “hip” to describe doggy duds.

Living in Brooklyn for many years, I think I know a thing or two about hipsters.  Yes, they are discussing some band you’ve never heard of.  Yes, they spent an insane amount of time making their hair look like that.  And yes….you secretly want that awesome t-shirt they are sporting.

Rolling Bones Tee - $20 ($17 with your PAW-LIDAY discount!)

Now, you can can score some clothing for your dog that has that same vibe.  Fido’s Laundry has managed to recreate some of the most recognizable band t-shirts while putting a poochie spin on them.  Rolling Stones?  Try Rolling Bones!  Foo Fighters?  No, no no – Poo Fighters!  If comic books are more your thing, check out the Batman Vintage Tee….guaranteed to make all those nerdy-in-a-cool-way friends jealous.

Champagne anyone? Dog Perignon Toy - $11.95 ($10.15 with the PAW-LIDAY discount!)

What I love about Fido’s Laundry is that they have sizes for large dogs.  I find it challenging to find fun outfits for my Buffy (who weighs 55 pounds…not exactly huge!) I was so excited to see that most of these adorable tees come in sizes XXS to XXL.  (P.S. I am definitely using the Pawliday coupon code to get Buffy their Brooklyn Tee Shirt!)

PAW-LIDAY DEAL!  Use coupon code wags at checkout and get 15% off.  That’s 15% off YOUR ENTIRE ORDER!  Fido’s Laundry has been kind enough to extend this amazing deal to everything on their site.  That means you can get t-shirts, bowls, collars, leashes, toys, cashmere leg warmers (yes!  they seriously have those!) all for 15% off! Visit www.fidoslaundry.com and get shopping….but I warn you, you will spend WAY too much time browsing their apparel section and you WILL have to buy something.

Just don’t blame us if your dog starts watching independent films and insists you buy him a copy of On The Road.  (We warned you these were hip!)

Fresh in the City Collar - $22 ($18.70 with your PAW-LIDAY discount!)

PAW-LIDAY DEAL – Dog Tuff Durable Dog Toys & Accessories

Our very first PAW-LIDAY deal comes to you from Dog Tuff.  Let me tell you why I LOVE this site.  First of all…I love family run businesses.  When a company is family owned and operated, you can be guaranteed that you are going to get great products and great service.  These people aren’t just minimum wage employees working to collect a paycheck (not that all retail chain employees are!), but they are in the biz because they love it.  In this case, we know they adore dogs, and dog lovers are just the kind of entrepeneurs we want to support!

Better than that – they guarantee all of their products are 100% safe.  They offer products that they are familiar with, and they research the product before they even think about putting it on their site.  That is not something many companies can brag about.  Plus than can brag about their BIG savings…we are talking in the neighborhood of 60% off!

Glob Zombie Monsters - $12.75 ($10.85 with our PAW-LIDAY deal!)

So I bet you’re thinking that these “big savings” are on brands that you haven’t heard of.  Think again!  How about Nylabone – for $4.75?  How about Kong Extreme toys starting at $4.75??  I bet I have your attention now!

My favorite part of the site, though, is that “Tuff Tested” tab.  (Say that three times fast!)  These guys have made your hunt for the durable toy that much easier and separated toys that are “perfect for the aggressive chewer.”  In other words – your dog won’t rip these to shreds in the first five minutes of play.  You’ll find oldies (but goodies) here, along with some toys I’d never seen on here:  Bevo the Bull, Glob Zombie Monsters, Orbee Tuff Snowball.  Don’t even get me started on their Plush Toy section.  Over 130 plushes?!?  I got lost in that section.

Bevo the Bull - $21.75 ($18.50 with our PAW-LIDAY deal!)

PAW-LIDAY DEAL!  Use coupon code wagsandwhiskers at checkout….and get 15% off all toys, collars, leashes, and pet IDs!  (Sorry, you can’t combined with any of their other awesome discounts or promotions.)  Let me also tell you, they charge $3.99 for shipping.  (I always get annoyed when I add something to my cart and the shipping is ridiculous!  I already have my heart set on that item, but sometimes I just can’t buy it because I simply refuse to pay insane shipping charges!)  The only bad news is this coupon code is only valid through Thanksgiving (11/24/11) so you have to get shopping right away.

Who doesn’t buy their pup Christmas gifts?  Shop http://www.DogTuff.com and get your dog crossed off your holiday list!!

PAW-LIDAY Deals….who wants to save some money?

Happy PAW-LIDAYS!!

Call me presumptuous, but I’m guess that you want to save some money.  ESPECIALLY at this time of year!  Let’s face it – we all buy our dogs and cats Christmas or Hanukkah presents.  Well, maybe not ALL of us, but I’m guessing if you are reading this blog you spoil your pooch just a bit.

So, we here at Wags & Whiskers came up with a great idea!  We call it PAW-LIDAY Deals!  From now until Christmas, we are going to be posting some amazing coupon codes to help save you money on all your pet needs (maybe we should say WANTS instead of NEEDS.)  In addition to saving you some cash, we will also be introducing you to some companies and websites that you might not have heard of.  This will give you the opportunity to find new products that you haven’t seen (at great prices!) while giving exposure to smaller, non-chain, dog-lovin’, all-around-amazing companies.  Win-win….or win-win-win (your dog wins too!)

Of course, what would a PAW-LIDAY promotion be without some FREE GIVEAWAYS as well.  We don’t want to say too much….but trust me, you are going to want to check back to see what we are giving away absolutely FREE!  (We aren’t even going to be annoying and charge you shipping.  We are talking 100% no cash out of your pocket!!)

We encourage you spread the word about these deals – email, Tweet, blog, Facebook, or (GASP!) just tell someone!  We also think you should “Like” us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter…that way you’ll hear about the deals and giveaways as soon as we post them. (Who knows, we might just have a special bonus for those who tag us on Facebook or who tweet about us with the hash tag #pawlidays.)

If you have any questions about any of the deals, feel free to send us an email at blog@wagsandwhiskershouston.com.  If you are a pet business (with fun, unique, safe, and wonderful products) email jessica@wagsandwhiskershouston.com for information on how to get in on the PAW-LIDAY fun!