The M&E Gift Guide!

* This year the list of my favorite items is really clear in my mind! For the items that are available on Amazon, I have included affiliate links that give this blog a very small commission. Any proceeds go towards the upkeep of this blog. Comment below if you have any questions about any of the items. Miles and I wear/use them all constantly and I am excited to hear what you think!

1. Precious Metal Prints

This company makes silver and gold pendants of dog nose prints, and a key ring option as well. The cool thing is that you don’t have to plot, plan, or wait to get this custom gift ready; you can simply give the recipient the ready-to-go gift box. The gift box contains the instructions and materials needed to make the impression of the dog’s nose. Once the recipient makes the impression, they send the bundle back to the artist. After the gift is handcrafted in Tennessee, it is delivered to the recipient, and they get a surprise present all over again! Below is Miles’ nose print. What is it about our dog’s noses that gets us so emotional? I gasped when I first saw Miles’ nose immortalized in gold. Gone are the days when pet keepsakes were only tied to sad events, or tricky gifts to organize for other people. I appreciate the way Precious Metal Prints has made gift-giving simple, and celebrating our bonds with our companions easy, here and now.

Above: Precious Metal Prints Dog Nose Necklace, available in Silver or Gold (also available as a key ring)

2. Hurtta Dog Coats

Miles has tried a lot of dog coats over the years. Because of his agility prowess, he has been gifted coats from many different companies. Last year we were introduced to Hurtta dog coats, and I have abandoned all others! The attention to detail and fit are unparalleled. My top 3 Hurtta coats are show below. For reference: Almost all Welsh Terriers wear a size 14.

Above: Hurtta Monsoon Dog Coat – For medium cold weather (including: rain, wind, and snow).

Above: Hurtta Expedition Parka Dog Coat – For cold weather (including: rain, wind, below freezing, snow).

Above: Hurtta Extreme Warmer Dog Coat – For very cold weather (including: rain, wind, below freezing, snow and heavy snow).

3. Petzl Bindi Headlamp

Need a gift for the dog person who has it all? Or do you need a gift for pretty much ANY “guy” in your life? Well, here it is. This is the most useful piece gear for ANYONE. Last year, I went out on a limb and bought one of these for my dad and for myself, and both of us have been using ours daily since! The Petzl Bindi Headlamp has a unique headband that is low-profile and really comfortable, unlike any other headlamp. This little thing offers better lighting than a flashlight! It took a little while for me to connect the dots that this could replace my flashlight, but I can’t believe I didn’t have such a useful piece of gear before – so I am here to tell you to put your flashlight aside, and have this hanging by your front door! When you are walking your dog at night or in the rain, drivers can see your beam from a distance, and you will never guess again if your dog is on-task sniffing or if they are getting interested in wildlife or about to eat bad stuff (I won’t go into detail but dogs eat very dangerous stuff in the county and city areas alike!). The Petzl Bindi Headlamp is wonderfully rechargeable and each charge lasts a long time.

Above: Petzl Bindi Headlamp

4. Shag Donut Dog Bed

At home Miles has access to a cushy couch, a huge Costco dog bed, and our big shared human bed. Competing at local agility trials, Miles used to only have access to a flat crate bed in his crate and some blankets. Because we have been traveling so much in the last year and a half, last year I began looking for something that had the portability of a crate bed but that would provide all of the comfort of no-holds-barred BIG home comfort. After several failed attempts, I found THE ONE. This little bed has become Miles’ favorite place to relax at home – he actually choses it over his bigger options during the day! This bed has been on the road with us and through my washing machine and drier more times than I can count, and it still looks like the day I put in on the kitchen floor. This is an ideal present for any dog, or person with a dog or cat who needs some extra snuggly time. I think it is better than a orthopedic bed. After big hikes, Miles sleeps in it and snoozes away happily, recharging his batteries with no problems whatsoever. There are lots of knock-offs, but the durability and softness of this bed make getting the original (which isn’t expensive anyway) worth it.

Above: Best Friends by Sheri Dog Bed, 23×23 Shag

5. Wildebeest Treat Pouch

I have been on the lookout for the right dog treat pouch forever. All dog treat pouches are either embarrassing to wear and look like fanny packs, or they quickly get tossed aside because it is just easier to use my pockets (sorry, many years of clothing!). When my friend Katherine @robinventures recommended this pouch to me, I asked the company for one to try, no strings attached, because I didn’t want to buy yet another crummy treat pouch. Well, Katherine was right. I LOVE it! It is low-profile, holds lots of treats, not fanny-pack like, stylish, and completely machine-washable. Wildebeest is a small business that makes their gear in California and they offer a fantastic guarantee on their gear.

Above: Wildebeest Treat Pouch

Happy Holidays Everyone!