12 Days of Christmas Gift-Giving Guide
Every year we compile a list of 12 different companies or products for the first 12 days of December, that also donate to animal charities. We’ve been doing this list for over 5 years now and every year we introduce a variety of new companies that offer so many great products that also help our furry friends. I love researching and finding these companies that also share the same values we have here, at Doggie Dreamz.
Every year we compile a list of 12 different companies or products for the first 12 days of December, that also donate to animal charities. We’ve been doing this list for over 5 years now and every year we introduce a variety of new companies that offer so many great products that also help our furry friends. I love researching and finding these companies that also share the same values we have here, at Doggie Dreamz.
Day 1: To kick off our list, we chose Grounds and Hounds. We love this coffee company and they have some kick-ass apparel too. What’s even better than their dog-themed coffee; is that they donate a portion of their profits to animal welfare charities. And now through the end of 2021, 100% of the profits from Rescue Roast will go to The Sato Project and will be used to fund the transfer of homeless pups from Puerto Rico to families looking to give them a happy home.
Day 2: Glad Dog is an online marketplace that recycles unwanted children's stuffed toys and makes them into pet toys. They sanitize them, remove hard eyes and noses and they offer the toys at a discounted price. For some of the toys, they even remove the stuffing if your dog likes to tear it open. They then donate 100% of their profits to fund initiatives to help pet overpopulation, provide food and medical care for dogs.
Day 3: Bird Dog coffee offers a variety of coffee blends all featuring your favorite hunting dog. And they have a Boykin Spaniel Rescue Roast which they donate 10% of the proceeds go to the Boykin Spaniel Rescue. The Boykin Spaniel Rescue raises funds to help every Boykin Spaniel with the medical and emotional assistance they need and help in finding their forever homes.
Day 4: Furever Home Friends makes adorable books about shelter dogs and matching stuffed animals for any child who loves dogs. They also donate 10% of our profits to no-kill animal shelters in Chicago. Currently, their main beneficiary is ALIVE Rescue.
Day 5: Puppies make me happy; The perfect name for a company that is all about clothing the stylish dog mom. And they donate a portion of their sales to a new animal rescue every quarter.
Day 6: Shop Dog Threads; is another clothing company that makes adorable matching outfits for you and your dog! 2% of all sales are donated to non-profit animal rescues to assist in their life-saving efforts. They choose a new rescue organization every quarter and this quarter they are donating to Pet Haven MN.
Day 7: Petit Vour, which is an ethical beauty and fashion company. Through the end of December 2021, they are donating 15% of every curated box to Austin Dog Rescue when you use code DONATE15.
Day 8: Wicks for Wags, makes candles, and donates a portion of the proceeds to animal shelters and rescue groups around the United States to help and protect animals in need.
Day 9: Fit 4 a Pit, designs apparel for dogs with a stocky upper body, which is characteristic of the pitbull breed and harder to find at other retailers. They also donate at least 15% of their profits each month to pit bull-friendly rescues, advocacy groups, and other non-profits. They also donate all of their sample products, overstock, and irregular items.
Day 10: Rescued Dog Wines are a great company that makes award-winning wines that use certified green sustainable grapes. The best part is that 50% of their profits go to animal rescue organizations. As their website says "their business is producing fine wine and their passion is to help animals find forever homes."
Day 11: Heartbarks make beautiful custom cutting boards. And with every purchase, they directly donate funds to a rescue in need. Currently, the animal rescue they are donating to is Lucky Dog in Arlington Virginia. Lucky Dog Rescue routinely rescues dogs who are facing imminent euthanasia due to overcrowded high-kill shelters. They transport these dogs to adoptive and foster homes across the US.
Day 12: Perkie Prints; We adore this company. They have excellent customer service and the quality of their products is top-notch. They take cute photos of your pet and transform them into art! And they donate a portion of every purchase to animal charities. They currently are donating to D.A.S.H, a local no-kill, volunteer-run organization that rescues and rehomes animals in need. Perkie Prints helps sponsor animals rescued by D.A.S.H. to raise awareness, support adoption and spread the word about a pet in need of a home.
We hope you have enjoyed our gift-giving guide, and that your 2021 holiday season is filled with love and belly rubs!!
Snuffle Mat Basics
There are many benefits to using a snuffle mat to feed your dog. In this article we explore these and explain how they can help your dog.
In our last blog post I listed all the dog products on Amazon that I recommend, which included a Snuffle Mat. After that post I received so many questions about what a snuffle mat was. So I decided to do a whole article dedicated to the wonders of this amazing tool.
A snuffle mat is a tool to feed your dog that activates their sense of smell, encourages their natural foraging instincts and stimulates their mind. It is essentially just a rubber mat with strips of material, but the benefits are huge for your dog.
Your dog’s sense of smell is one of their greatest super powers! And as dog owners we often times don’t encourage them to use their sense of smell enough. A snuffle mat is one way we can help do that. This means your dog will have to work to get their food. They have to use their nose to find every last bit of kibble. Nosework in dogs has been shown to improve a dog’s self-reliance and increase their positive judgment. (Science Direct)
Dogs have a natural drive to hunt or forge for their food. In making your dog work for their food through either training or enrichment tools like a snuffle mat, helps your dog feel as though they have earned their meal. Pairing a snuffle mat with training cues is a great way to engage their forging behavior and also helps teach your dog impulse control as well.
To introduce your dog to their new snuffle mat first sprinkle some treats on the top of the mat so your dog will get use to this new toy. Once they have successfully eaten all their treats from the top of the mat, place a higher value treat like cheese or chicken onto the mat and ruffle the mat to ensure the treats are deeper down. Then once your dog has gotten use to this new tool you can start to place their kibble onto the mat for each meal.
Let me know if you or anyone you know currently use a snuffle mat and what your thoughts are on how it effects your dogs behavior? I hope you found this article informative and helpful.
Emergency Preparedness for You and Your Pet
June is National Pet Preparedness Month and here are some of the ways to make sure your dog is taken care of as well.
Did you know June is National Pet Preparedness Month! And living in California: where the ground shakes, and the hills burst into flames—it's the perfect time to get serious (but not too serious) about making sure you and your furry friend are ready to skedaddle at a moment's notice. So, here are my top tips to make sure you're not caught off guard.
#1 Pet Safety Stickers: Slap a sticker on your window to let first responders know there are pets inside. If you’re stuck at work while disaster strikes, you’ll want the heroes to save Fluffy and Fido. You can score a free sticker from the ASPCA at https://secure.aspca.org/take-action/order-your-pet-safety-pack. It’s like a “Save the Cheerleader, Save the World” situation, but with pets.
#2 Trusty Neighbor or Pet Sitter: Give a spare key to someone you trust and your pets know. This way, if you’re stuck in traffic or having an existential crisis far from home, your pets can still be rescued. It’s like having a backup plan for your backup plan.
#3 Safety Kit for Your Pet: When you’re putting together your emergency kit, don’t forget the doggo or kitty. Keep everything in a waterproof container because, you know, disasters don’t care about your organizational skills. Here’s what to include:
Extra pet food (and swap it out every two months unless your pet is on an intermittent fasting kick).
Portable water and food bowls (because pets aren’t great at drinking from cupped hands).
Extra leashes, collars, or harnesses (because losing a leash is like losing a sock—it just happens).
Water bottles (again, swap them out every two months).
A copy of your pet’s veterinary records (in case they need to prove their age for pet discounts).
Portable pet carrier for smaller pets (or a miniature chariot, whatever suits your style).
Blankets (because who doesn’t love a cozy blanket?).
Disposable garbage bags (for cleaning up after your pet, or for impromptu fashion shows).
Disposable litter trays (for cats who refuse to go au naturel).
#4 Pet First Aid Kit: Adding a pet first aid kit to your emergency stash is a smart move. Include:
hydrogen peroxide (for those curious noses that get into trouble),
gauze,
non-stick bandages
cotton balls
Benadryl gel caps (for allergic reactions)
antibiotic ointment spray (for minor wounds)
milk of magnesia (for toxic ingestion)
tweezers, scissors
a soft muzzle (because even the sweetest pet can panic)
a small towel (perfect for wrapping, drying, or making your pet look like a superhero).
#5 Update Microchips and ID Collars: Make sure your pet’s microchip info and ID collar are up to date. If you get separated, you’ll have a better chance of being reunited. Also, keep recent pictures of your pets handy, because, believe it or not, “I’m missing a black-and-white cat” describes about half the cats out there.
So there you have it! These tips should help you and your pet be ready for anything Mother Nature throws your way. Let’s hope you never have to use them, but it’s always better to be prepared. And remember, in the face of disaster, keep calm, stay safe, and don’t forget the treats.
2019: A Year in Review
Last year was such a crazy, fun, exciting year for Doggie Dreamz. We welcomed some new clients, as well as welcoming new dog walkers to our team and several of our clients added a second doggie to the family. Overall 2019 was a good year for us as a business, however the year ended in sadness for me personally.
Last year was such a crazy, fun, exciting year for Doggie Dreamz. We welcomed some new clients, as well as welcoming new dog walkers to our team and several of our clients added a second doggie to the family. Overall 2019 was a good year for us as a business, however the year ended in sadness for me personally.
In December my mother passed away. This was, as you could imagine, extremely difficult to deal with the death of my mom as well as trying to serve my clients as best I could. I am incredible grateful for all of my wonderful clients who were graciously understanding and sympathetic to my situation. I would not have been able to get through this difficult time without all of them and their kindness. From the bottom of my heart I am eternally grateful for all of you.
Even though 2019 ended on a sad note I am optimistic for what 2020 will bring. Thank you for allowing me to continue to do what I love every day, and allowing me to care for your precious animals. I love each and every one of them and looking forward to caring for them in 2020.
Lovingly,
Mia
12 Days of Christmas Gift Giving Guide 2019
Every year we provide a list of our favorite companies to purchase from this holiday season that provide great gifts for your loved ones and also donate to local and nationwide animal rescues. Below is the list of our picks for this year’s Gift Giving Guide. Hope you enjoy!
Every year we provide a list of our favorite companies to purchase from this holiday season that provide great gifts for your loved ones and also donate to local and nationwide animal rescues. Below is the list of our picks for this year’s Gift Giving Guide. Hope you enjoy!
Day 1: Grounds and Hounds
Grounds and Hounds is the perfect gift for any coffee lover on your list. 20% of all profits go to rescue organizations around the country.
https://groundsandhoundscoffee.com/collections/coffee-homepage/products/nice-list-holiday-120z
Day 2: LandFill Dogs
Landfill Dogs is a great addition to any coffee table. $25 from each purchase of this book goes to the Wake County Animal Center.
Book https://www.landfilldogs.com/book/
Day 3: Belly Rubs for Bubbins
This book helps spread the message that adopting and fostering a shelter dog saves lives. Also 51% of profits goes to Animal Rescues.
https://www.bellyrubbinsforbubbins.com
Day 4: My Pet Candle
You can personalize these candles with a picture of your pet and proceeds from every purchase help provide care packages that include vaccines, food, beds and toys for shelter animals through GreaterGood.org’s programs.
Day 5: Blue Collar
These leashes and collars are part of Blue Collar’s BOGO program (Buy One, Give One). They will donate the equivalent of whatever you order to a rescue dog.
https://projectbluecollar.com/shop/
Day 6: Hooray for the Underdog
These fun greeting cards and stationery with exceptional images and inspiring profiles of rescue dogs (and cats) who were abandoned and then given a second chance at life.
https://www.hoorayfortheunderdog.com
Day 7: Harlow and Bean
100% of the proceeds from every purchase you make is donated to animal rescues and shelters across the United States.
Day 8: Urban Barn
Vegan Faux Fur Blanket for every order of this blanket a portion of the profit goes to animals in need.
https://www.urbanbarn.com/en/blanket-the-country/blanket-the-country-2019-html-module.html
Day 9: Rescued Wine Candles
They donate 10% of our annual profits to animal rescue organizations nation wide
https://rescuedwinecandles.com
Day 10: Fetching Apparel
40% of our profits go to animal rescue and spay/neuter organizations.
https://www.fetching-apparel.com
Day 11: All Worthy
This is a very cool company, you order something and then you get to pick the charity that you would like them to donate to. They donate 75% of our profits to other nonprofits working to improve the lives of those who are different. Sidewalk Angels, The Smush Foundation, The Odd Cat Sanctuary.
Day 12: Dog Threads
This company makes matching outfits for you and your dog! With every purchase we donate a portion of the sale to non-profit animal rescues across the US to assist in their life saving efforts.