| Something Special for Your Furry Friends, Choosing the Right Howliday Gift |
| Written by Steve Dale | |||
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The economy may still be in the doghouse, but the spirit of giving to our four-legged family members hasn’t diminished. Here are new products to consider:
Kong Company’s Wubba Friends are surprisingly fun. Each little bunny, bear or fox has what appear to be tentacles for arms and legs, and that’s the secret. Mark Hines of Kong calls it the ‘wap factor.’ Their appeal is that dogs love to ‘wap’ themselves in the face with the toys, $8 to $14, available at pet stores. ©Tribune Media Services, Steve Dale
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Poor Harvie the Rabbit, Knute the Moose and Sheldon the Squirrel look reminiscent of road kill; these super tough flat as a pancake over-sized plush squeaky toys are particularly appealing to canines. In fact, Sheldon the Squirrels (named for legendary Chicago veterinarian Dr. Sheldon Rubin, who is retiring) is the hottest dog toy of the season, $19 To $30; 
If you think your indoor cat is so desperate for activity, she’s about to climb the walls – encourage her with the City Kitty Climber. Cats dig their claws into the wooden 6-feet high scratcher wound with sisal and climb as if they’re climbing a tree. The City Kitty Climber is easily mounted on to doors, $79, also from 
These days, it’s all about being green – regular plastic bags, which people typically use to pick up dog waste, can sit in a landfill for decades before beginning to break down. That’s not the case with biodegradable Poop bags, which might even begin to return to the earth before the contents inside do the same; $19.99 for 200 bags from 
Organic Loopie dog toys, called Flat Katz, are made of 100 percent organic cotton and soybean fabric with pet friendly natural dyes, Kari the Bunny, Spax the Cat, Zigfried the Squirrel and Alfonzo the Monster, $8.50 to $18.50; 
When you leave the house for holiday cheer – your dog misses you. So, leave your best friend a message, by recording our voice into the Rubber Talk to Me Treatball. As your pup rolls the toy for treats or kibble to tumble out, your message is played back (over and over), $19 to $25 at pet stores. 
Aquatica Gallery’s Magic Globe Aquariums offers new "Water-Vacuum" technology (which helps to keep water aerated). Each five to six gallon glass bowl has it’s own waterfall pouring out its into a ceramic frog, turtle, dragon, etc. Aquariums illuminate with a colorful LED system which shines during the day, and glows at night, $120; 
Dogs wapping themselves in the face don’t seem so smart. No doubt these dogs would benefit using brain games from the Company of Animals. For example, the Dog Spinny is like the Wheel of Fortune for Dogs. Dogs (or cats can play too). Spin a plastic wheel with a paw or their snout, when the wheel stops in just the right place – the fortune (a cookie) is revealed. Similarly, the Dog Brick is puzzle for Mensa pets. The pet moves the bones (puzzle pieces) for their own chess game, moving the pieces just the right way; there are treats for the winner. These games, named for their inventor Nina Ottonsson, are $32.99 to $42.95 from 
Brain exercise are fine, but so is a good old-fashioned game of fetch. The Winga is a disc that sails 200-feet in the air, further than most people can throw a Frisbee disc or a ball because instead of using a human arm to throw, you swing a launcher to set the disc into motion, It’s available at local pet stores, $19.99. 
Spoil your dog, spare the floor. This isn’t so much a gift to a dog or cat as it is their people – the Neater Feeder might look like ordinary food/water bowls at first glance, but protective walls and a reservoir prevent splattered food and spilled water from those sloppy eaters. Elevated off the floor, pets like it, $34.99 to $57.99, 
At first glance, the Wander Collar appears like any other dog collar. But don’t be fooled, you see there’s one very important feature; a bottle opener is attached. So, when you’re watching the big game, no need to get up for an opener – just borrow your best friend. That’s what friends are for, right? At 