PET HOLIDAY

By Gail Mayhugh

• I can’t believe the holidays are here already. I know all of us are ready to ring in the new year. So, as you’re starting to bring out your holiday decorations, why not include your pets and pet lovers into the festivities. So here are some fun holiday decorations for your pets and gifts for the pet lovers you know.

I’m sure we all have plenty of photos of our pets from the holidays; it’s time to get them printed and hung up. An easy way is to use paper or binder clips. Attach them to string and use as garland on your tree or mantel. Don’t have a tree, hang the PHOTO GARLAND on the wall with removable hooks. No matter where you put them, they’ll bring back happy and fun times.

MAKE A TREE JUST FOR THEM. Take their favorite treats and new toys and wrap a string around them to hang on the tree. Now, I’m sure you know to keep this out of reach.

WHAT ABOUT A DOG AND CAT WREATH? You can buy the wreaths at a dollar store, then wrap pipe cleaners around the treats and toys and twist onto the wreath. Add a holiday bow or flower and their present is ready to go. This is fun to do for any holiday. Who says they can’t get a gift for Thanksgiving or New Years’.

If you have a covered litter box, make it into a GINGERBREAD HOUSE. Use a large cardboard box to form the house and then decorate it. Or for a quick and easy way, wrap it in holiday paper.

Donate to a charity in their pet’s name or one that is near and dear to their heart. For example, my last pup had cancer and her doctor donated to an animal cancer research organization.

Put together a gift box with treats and toys for their pet. And maybe include a little treat for them; gift cards are always good.

If you have a friend who’d loved to get away overnight but won’t because they don’t want to board their pet, give them a pet sitting gift certificate where you’ll stay over for them.

I know we live in the digital age, but I still like to read through magazines. So, send them a year subscription to a pet magazine. Hmm, I think one to Las Vegas Pet Scene would be nice.

Commission a piece of artwork. Unless you know of a picture they love, give a gift certificate. Or if they can’t seem to get that perfect picture, a photo session with a professional photographer would be great. We had one come to our house many years ago to get a photo with our dog and birds. I have no idea how he did it, but all five of us looked picture perfect.

I like to put together themed gifts. I have a friend who loves to entertain and has a pup. I fashioned an all puppy theme decorative gift box with dish towels, guest bath fingertip towels, paw print soaps, wine charms (she has plenty of glasses), paper plates, napkins, placemats, table cloth, bone and paw baking molds, cookie cutters, and ice cube trays.

Choose from one of our popular models or work with us to create the custom cat tower you’ve always dreamed of.

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Since 2016 we have been venturing underground into the tunnel’s, ravines, homeless encampments and lowincome communities in search of pets in need. We take a very proactive approach to animal welfare. We are not a rescue, nor will we ever be. Our goal is to keep pets with their people. We do this through our Animeals (pet food assistance), Nip n Tuck (spay/neuter) & No Cooties (vaccine) programs. Besides providing the essentials, we also want each pet we help to be safe and happy, so we also supply them with harnesses, leashes, collars, pet beds, toys, treats and in the winter, pet sweaters & pet jackets and in the summer paw booties.

To learn more contact us at 702.683.3531 or visit our website at www.urbanunderdogs.org. We also have six convenient donations drop sites:

3841 W. Charleston Blvd Suite 100 Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.808.7493

933 Auto Show Drive Henderson, NV 89014 702.568.3500

Patrick Becker Family Agency 7810 W. Ann Road Suite 120 Las Vegas, NV 89149 702.473.9800

2111 Weatern Ave Las Vegas, NV 89102 702.251.1997

9550 S. Eastern Ave Suite 190 Las Vegas, NV 89123 702.586.0634

6533 W. Sahara Ave Las Vegas, NV 89146 702.876.7580