‘Tis The Season: Pets

November 15th, 2008

The holidays are a special time for pet owners, because there are so many great ways to spend quality time with your pet. Here are a couple of events you should mark on your calendar:

Pet Photos with Santa –

Sunday, December 7th – 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

With a $15 donation to WHS, you will receive a 4×6 printed photo and an electronic version of photo use as you please. The event takes place at Barkley Square Gourmet Dog Bakery & Boutique , 2006 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301

Haute Holidays for the Hounds benefiting the Washington Humane Society-

Sunday, December 14th – 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

With a $15 donation to WHS celebrate your canine best friend and the holidays, by pampering your pooch with gourmet cookies and holiday photos. The event takes place at Bloomingdale’s , 5300 Western Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Every year pets are bought spontaneously as gifts, without taking into account important considerations such as the impact it will have on one’s lifestyle with the additional responsibility, costs, the time that goes into properly training an animal. As in choosing a mate, you shouldn’t choose an animal based on looks, you should consider temperament, maintenance, whether it is active or lethargic, and whether you can provide the required lifestyle and home. Some breeds are hypo-allergenic, which is an important quality, as we are seeing with the Obama’s choice in a dog. If the pet isn’t chosen carefully, the poor animal like many spouses either suffers abuse and mistreatment, or is “divorced” and banished to an animal shelter.

On Thanksgiving, many want to give table scraps to their pets, keep in mind that turkey bones (like chicken bones) are not suitable for your pets.

Make sure your Christmas decorations are “pet proof”. The following should be kept away from your animals:

· Holly

· Poinsettias

· Mistletoe

· Glass Christmas Ornaments

· Christmas Tree Lights

· Electrical Cords

· Tinsel

· Candles

· Needles from the Tree

· Wrapped Packages, as they may get destroyed

If you are going out of town for the holidays, I recommend using Karing by Kristina. They can either take your dog into the home of a caretaker, or the caretaker can stay in your home, or stop in to take your dog for walks. They only hire the best people, so you can relax during the holidays knowing your pet is in the best hands.

If you are looking for some holiday gifts for your dog, Barkley Square Dog Bakery & Boutique has everything you could want. They have the cutest canine couture, jewelry, collars, and leashes. I also found a unique dog bowl for those who love wine!