Someone asked me that a couple of holiday seasons ago, “What does your dog get for Christmas?” I probably looked at them like they were crazy. About like I look at little dogs in Halloween costumes. Cute. Funny. Creative. But weird.
Don’t get me wrong. Halloween is a week away, and I think costumes on kids and critters are adorable, but I’m not going to go whole hog dressing my dogs, who really don’t appreciate having to wear clothing.
My mom’s dog wears a harness, a sweater in winter, so I could totally see Honey in a cute costume and her not minding. I get it. I do.
But Christmas gifts for dogs? Do you give them to your dogs?
There have been a couple of Christmases, I admit, when Flash and Patches have had stockings with pig ears in them. Mmmm. Those have been very happy times. But no happier than other times they’ve had pig ears “just because”.
Admit it – giving your dog a Christmas gift is about you, not about the dog.
I’m open to being proven wrong. In fact, I can see how it would be important to give gifts to other people’s dogs at Christmas. Say, an elderly neighbor whose dog is her whole world. Even then, it’s not about the dog, but about your neighbor and her heart, showing her how much you love her by gifting her dog.
I can totally see giving treats, sweaters, dog food as gifts to families in need who don’t want to give up their beloved pet but can’t afford to give them what they want and need. Or bundling treats for homeless people who might have a dog. That would rock.
Giving dog toys, a dog bed, chews, to a child who has just gotten his very first dog? Good!
Looking around online to see what other people do, someone said they send a donation every year to homeless dogs. I like that.
I’m thinking, this year, that maybe I’ll donate time in a shelter or two in lieu of gifts for my dogs. Kinda like the times I’ve donated to Heifer International in lieu of gifts for family members who already have everything they need.
Speaking of volunteering, I haven’t heard back from Low Riders yet, which means I probably need to contact them again. Oh, and if you pop over to their site, they’re taking donations to help two gorgeous special needs dachshunds who are currently being fostered. One is deaf and blind, the other just blind. Just sayin’.
I guess this lay off has me thinking more beyond myself. We’re going through the house and paring down, simplifying. So I’m wondering how and why one family needs so much CRAP. And wondering how to help others instead of just us. Having this new platform – dogs – gives me a little focus. One I didn’t have before. Thanks you, Jones Natural Chews, for giving me the opportunity to help where I wouldn’t have, to see needs which weren’t on my radar.
One last thing – I’ll be at BarkWorld this weekend! Will any of you dog bloggers be attending? I’ll be photographing every blessed dog I can, checking out products, talking to as many people as possible. Just be prepared that I’ll be erupting with knowledge and information upon my return. 😉
Until I write again …
Flea
P.S. Petey update! Petey, yesterday afternoon, followed Jim and the chickens into the chicken coop, instead of going into his sheltered cage next to the house. He spent the night in the coop and the Girls didn’t peck him to death. His daddy, Jim, is very protective of his boy. So yay! One less thing to stress about while I’m out of town.
