Geronimo, our First Place Dogs Winner

 Nog, our Second Place Dogs Winner

Runners Up (Dogs):
 Hank
 Mia Puggle
 Izzy
 Piper
 Charlie, Buster & Bobby Brown

 Marmalade, our First Place Cats Winner

 Stripes & Haku, our Second Place Cats Winners

Runners Up (Cats):
 Max
 Tux
 Lorna

Congrats again! We’ll be notifying the winners by email tomorrow (Wednesday, Jan. 4) so keep an eye on your Inbox if you’re one of them!

Our photo contest for JANUARY is “New Year, New Pets” — Send in a photo of your pet(s) when they were puppies & kittens! Head over to our Photo Contest page to learn more. Can’t wait to see the cute photos!

Here’s to 2012!

Thursday 12/15: Free UPS Ground shipping on all orders from midnight-midnight PST! Use promo code: FREESHIP
(Shipping will be charged when order is placed, but will be refunded in full when processed.)

Friday 12/16: 10% off your entire order! Use promo code: HOLIDAY2011 

Saturday 12/17 & Sunday 12/18: All orders for gift baskets over $35 will receive a FREE holiday toy & treat (a $10 value)!
Use promo code: FREEBIE

Gift Certificates: Did you know we carry gift certificates in any amount from $10 to $250? We can send them USPS or email them – you choose! Makes a great last-minute gift!

Surprise Gift Program: Why send just one holiday gift when you can send that special pet or pet lover gifts all year long!  Check out our Surprise Pet (or pet lover) Gift Program! We have three different programs to suit all budgets – The Perfectly Pampered Pet Package sends 4 surprise gifts a year; The Spoiled Rotten Pet Package sends 6 surprise gifts a year; and The Utterly Overindulged Spoiled Pet Package sends 12 surprise gifts a year (that’s one surprise gift every month)! Makes a great gift for that special someone who seems to “have it all”! Our Surprise Gift Program is sure to bring smiles, wags & purrs all year long!

Happy Shopping!

(Make sure you make a note of our promo codes for the specials- they have to be entered at checkout to be valid! Monday 12/12 does not have a promo code.)

Thursday 12/8: 10% off your entire order! Use promo code: HOLIDAY2011

Friday 12/9: Free shipping all day on all orders from midnight-midnight! Use promo code: FREESHIP (Shipping will be charged when order is placed, but will be refunded in full when processed.)

Saturday 12/10 & Sunday 12/11: All orders for gift baskets over $35 will receive a FREE holiday toy & treat (a $10 value)! Use promo code: FREEBIE

Monday 12/12: 25% off the pet-themed wine glasses below. This is a great day to order an Epic wine-themed gift basket and add-in a (discounted) wine glass!
        

Tuesday 12/13: Order any Pet & Owner Combo Gift Basket over $35 and we’ll include a FREE pet-themed photo frame! Use promo code: FREEFRAME

Wednesday 12/14: Order either of the two gift baskets below and we’ll include a FREE wine glass & wine cork (a $29 value)! Use promo code: WINELOVER
   

Happy Shopping!!

Friday 12/2:
50% off our Stocking & Stuffer Gift Set for Cats

Saturday 12/3 & Sunday 12/4:
Order our Ho, Ho, Ho Christmas Dog Treats Basket and get a Red or Green Plush Dog Bone

Monday 12/5:
50% off our Blue Hanukkah Bone-Shaped Tin with Buddy Biscuits

Tuesday 12/6:
50% off our Deluxe-Size Kitty Hanukkah Gift Basket

Wednesday 12/7:
Get two free toys with any gift basket purchase of $40 or more. Toys chosen will compliment gift basket ordered. Use promo code: DEC7

Happy Shopping! Be sure to check back next Thursday when the specials will be updated for the next week! You can also sign up for our newsletter and have the specials emailed to you each Thursday!

Click here to see all our great Thanksgiving gifts!

Kennel cough is a viral and bacterial infection that causes inflammation of a dog’s windpipe and voicebox. It’s a form of bronchitis, and is much like a chest cold in humans. Though it usually clears up on its own, it’s highly contagious to other dogs. Kennel cough is transmitted through direct contact with another infected dog, through contaminated objects, and most usually from breathing in the germs. The time from when a dog catches kennel cough to when they start to show symptoms can range from 3 to 7 days.

Kennel cough is best avoided by avoiding risk of exposure. There are also vaccines available for many of the viruses that contribute to kennel cough- parainfluenza, bordetella, and adenovirus-2. Ask your vet if they recommend these vaccines, and how often. Keep in mind, though, that these vaccines aren’t useful if your dog has already caught kennel cough.

Kennel cough is treated in a variety of ways. Speak to your vet regarding what they think is the best form of action. Dogs with kennel cough should be isolated from other dogs immediately. A humidifier can offer some relief to your dog; you can also let your dog into the bathroom with you while you shower- the steam from the shower will help with the chest congestion. Do not expose your dog to cigarette smoke or other irritating fumes. A cough suppresant or antimicrobial may be proscribed to offer your dog some relief – ask your vet if they think this would help. If your dog pulls against their collar when being walked, replace the collar with a harness until the kennel cough is gone.

Kennel cough usually goes away about 3 weeks after symptoms first show up. Young puppies or elderly dogs may take up to 6 weeks to recover completely. In some cases, dogs may remain infectious for long periods even after their symptoms have cleared up.

Your dog should be feeling better within one week of treatment. If your dog has nasal discharge, is breathing rapidly, refuses to eat or seems lethargic, contact your vet right away. Serious cases of kennel cough can lead to pneumonia if left untreated.

We had TWO first place winners this month!

The “Punkin Posse”: The Tzu kids, 5 little Shih Tzus are getting ready for Halloween. We do tricks for treats!

“The Monster Mash… Yappy Howloween!!”

Our second place winner is

“It moved! I saw it move!!”

Our November/December Photo Contest is “Howliday Pets.” Send in a photo of your pet(s) celebrating any of this year’s many holidays and you could be the next photo contest winner! One photo/entry per person. Entries must be received by December 28th. To enter, email your entry to CustomerService@DogLoverGiftBaskets.com with “Photo Contest” as the subject line.

• Halloween candy is not for pets! Chocolate (especially dark chocolate) is poisonous to lots of pets, and candy wrappers can be harmful if swallowed. While raisins are a healthy alternative when choosing Halloween candy, raisins (and grapes) can also be very dangerous for pets, especially dogs. (If you’d like to include your pet in the “treat” part of Halloween, we have lots of yummy options here!) If you do suspect your pet has swallowed something toxic, call your veterinarian, or you can call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888)426-4435.
• Jack-o-lanterns are a Halloween trademark and can be very festive. Jack-o-lanterns lit with candles, however, can be a danger if they’re around pets. Pets can easily knock one over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned.If an unlit Jack-o-lantern just isn’t the same, we recommend using a flameless flickering candle– all the spookiness of a candle-lit Jack-o-lantern without the danger!
• Costumes on pets can be very cute, but make sure your pet is comfortable. A pet who hates wearing a costume may become overly stressed. If your pet does enjoy wearing a costume (and we know there are some that do!), make sure the costume allows your pet to move freely, doesn’t restrict breathing, hearing, sight, or their ability to bark or meow. Consider trying the costume on a few days before Halloween – if your pet seems uncomfortable or annoyed or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting your pet go in their “birthday suit” for the festivities.
• All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. Too many strangers can be scary or stressful for your pet.
• It’s never a good idea to leave your pet outside on Halloween. All the extra activity can frighten a pet, and we’ve all heard stories about pets being teased, injured, stolen or worse on Halloween.
• Make sure your pet doesn’t escape through the open door when handing out candy to trick-or-treaters.
• Lastly, ID tags! Always make sure your pet has proper identification. If your pet does escape and become lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can be a lifesaver, increasing the chances your pet comes home safely.

Wishing all our readers (the pets and the people who love them) a fun, spooky and safe Halloween! Don’t forget to take some festive Halloween photos and send one in to our holiday photo contest!

1. “As early as possible in your cat’s life, get him used to different people and environments.
2. Use a cat harness and leash to go out into the world, and give your cat treats and playtime in each new environment. (Learn more about harness training your cat here.)
3. Take practice trips to the vet once or twice a week — your cat won’t be examined, but you’ll give him treats and let him get used to the place.
4. Make the cat carrier a positive place — leave it open all the time, filled with comfy bedding. Feed your cat in it and stick treats inside it often.
5. Get your cat used to being handled the way the vet will handle her. While you’re at home and for just a few seconds to start, get your cat used to being scruffed, having her hindquarters handled and lying on her back, so those won’t feel scary during a vet visit. “