Doggy Deals: Amazon.com Pet Purchases

For a few weeks Harry and I have lusted after Fab.com's toy selection.  Always the bargain hunters, we found some of the same items for cheaper on Amazon.  These toys made for great belated birthday gifts and like the best toys, they're both educational and fun.  Did I use educational in dog toy reference?  I did.

Dinosaurs roamed the Earth a long time before Harry got here.  So in order to teach Harry about the Earth's trials and tribulations, Nylabone stepped in with a T-rex dental chew.  Harry quickly named him Tony and I find them embracing on the carpet at nighttime, likely exchanging stories of extinction and commiserating over the lack of forearm functionality. 

For $6.02 and free shipping eligibility, this archaic chew toy teaches Harry that dinosaurs are tough, but they can be destroyed over time.  Plus, I was excited to get a Nylabone in a different shape than boring old bone - which ends up being shaped into a shank by Harry's methodical chewing.

Although Harry is pretty excited over all of his new toys, his IQ Treat Ball is likely his most absorbing possession.  Featuring a screw off top and an adjustable panel, the IQ Treat Ball will dispense treats if it's bobbled about strategically.  Harry didn't care for it at first, but when I showed him there was food in it, and kicked it around until some treats fell out, he became obsessed.

Now he can be heard noisily batting the plastic ball across the hardwood floors until it gets stuck under the couch.  My favorite part about it is that you can adjust the 'skill level' depending on how smart your dog is, or maybe for how long you're going to leave him playing with the toy.  The panel can open up to a wider opening so that treats flow out more freely, or you can shrink it so more work is required to get a treat.  After seeing Harry play with it, I feel like I should have gotten him a bigger size.  He actually can fit his mouth around the ball and will carry it around and slam it to attempt to get more food out.  Since getting this toy, it's been our vessel for feeding Harry breakfast while we're at work.

Our final birthday indulgence, was probably the most ridiculous.  It's called "Hide a Squirrel" and it's 40% off at Amazon.  This is something that I can't let Harry play with by himself unless we want dead unstuffed squirrels laying around the house.  But when we do play together, Harry is mystified. 

The game starts by introducing Harry to his three squirrel friends...or enemies (I'm not really sure how he feels about them).  They each have a squeaker inside, so obviously they each say hello to Harry before jumping into their tree trunk - a stuffed trunk with holes on the sides and top.  The squirrels squeak while they get in their trunk and once inside, the trunk is handed over to Harry who has to pull each squirrel out.

We played several times in a row and it didn't get old.  Harry got faster and faster getting the squirrels out and sat like the perfect gentleman while I told the squirrel story and set him up for trunk navigation.  The product offers up "problem solving skills" as a benefit, but I think they should also add patience and squirrel education, since Harry learns all about their native habitat when he shoves his face into their home.

Harry is definitely satisfied with his new toys and I think the variety has created more opportunities for interactive play rather than just chewing.  All three of these toys were purchased for a total of $26 on Amazon, which also qualified me for free super saver shipping.  It's a doggy deal!

Doggy-Deals: Fab.com's Pet Thursdays

Did you know that 81% of pet owners consider their fur-babies members of the family?  And 58% call themselves Mommy & Daddy?  And that 77% buy their fur-babies birthday gifts?  Well according to a Kelton research study posted in USA Today I am guilty on all accounts.  When my co-workers talk about their human babies getting sick, I relate by telling them about Harry's latest crazy colored poo.  Maybe I'm a whack-a-doo, but I see no harm in treating my Harry dog like a child.  I'm not pushing him around in a stroller like the lady down the block does with her pint size Shitzu, but I am being a good Mom. 

That said, I find it extremely hard to not buy every single thing that comes in my inbox on Fab.com's "Pet Thursdays".  I guess it's because I'm just such a good Mom, heh.  Often times I use their advertisements as inspiration to make something similar for Harry, but there are some things that even I can't craft or come up with.  For example...

Yes, there is wine for dogs.  I've seen beer for dogs, and ice cream for dogs, but this is the first wine I've come across.  Direct from Yappy Hour Vineyards, (doesn't that make you giggle?) Char-dog-nay is an alcoholic free wine that you pour over your pooch's dry food for a fancy treat.  Other varieties include Grrrrr-lot, Pinot Tailio, and Bark-deaux.  The ingredients aren't real wine based - because as all dog owners should know grapes are fatal to pups.  Instead they're composed of chicken bouillon, garlic powder, and water.  I really just want a bottle of this to display in my wine rack and get laughs.  I'm already picturing my waitress-days' wine presentation to Harry over his bowl.

Every harness, leash, and leader I come across claims to be "pull-free".  I doubt such a miraculous tool really exists, but the Bungee Puppy Leash above claims to relieve you from dislocated shoulders by adding an elasticity between you and beast that still makes him feel tugged back while providing shock absorption for your non-elastic arms.  The leashes come in sizes small, medium, and large based on your dog's weight.  The heavier your dog, the more bungee strength necessary.  As an alternative to choke collars and those freedom leashes that let your dog zoom off with the click of a button, I think this might do the trick with Harry.  Alas, I bought that abdominal electric shocking tool when it came out, so perhaps I can be sold on any idea.

Extemely cute, but not terribly affordable, The Life of Ryley offers fashionable accessories for both humans and their dogs.  I'm a sucker for their cross stitch variety, but the Rugby Collar above on sale at fab.com for $26 hurts the wallet a little less than the original prices of $34 on their website.  Because I like to change Harry's collars out seasonally, I doubt I'll end up investing much into Ryley's wardrobe, but I'm loving the preppy style.  The above gives you a little bang for your buck considering it's enhanced with leather.  And now I kind of really want it...

Harry shredded one of our IKEA pillows a few weeks ago, spreading feathers and what I'm assuming he thought was magical joy all over our living room.  It was shocking considering how much Harry loves fluffy things.  His couch position usually is on top of two to three pillows, snuggled up into a comforter.  And when we travel, Harry is best in the car when laying on a pile of folded towels.  The above dog pillow retails to dog-lovers and dogs alike, and it actually matches our living room quite nicely.  The retailer, BumperPet, sells handmade accessories for fur and non-fur friends out of their online store, but is featured on fab.com on sale.  This pillow goes for $27, normally $32.  Not a crazy discount but it's something.  BumperPet also makes custom pillows by breed.  Sadly, Harry only fits into the "DOG" category since he's a muttly mutt.

FYI, I'm posting all these awesome pet products because I like them, not because I'm getting paid to...although that would be a SWEET bonus.  If you know anybody who wants to give me money for blogging about their dog products, send me a line.  In the meantime, Harry and I will lust after the aforementioned.  Have a great weekend!