Cat and Dog Chess Set

If you or a pet lover you know enjoys chess, here is a fun twist on the game--Dog and Cat Chess Sets. Get your children away from the electronics! Our kids were learning chess in elementary school--great way to spend some quality time with parents, grandparents and friends. Choose from 4 different sets: two with both dogs and cats and one each for just dog-lovers and cat-lovers.

Dog Lovers vs Cat Lovers: Cat & Dog Chess Set

Dog Kingdom vs Cat Kingdom: Royal Cats & Dogs Chess Set

Featuring a variety of breeds in each set of pieces: Dog Chess Set

Each set of pieces features different species of cat each with its own personality: Cat Chess Set

Comes complete with a 16" oak veneer chess board. At Chimpfeet.

Dog Pumpking Carving Patterns

Be a little different this Halloween! Over at SpookMaster animal pumpkin carving patterns are available for download, including the one above.

Via Pet Connection

Good Earth for Your Cat

Many of us have indoor cats, so they never get a chance to experience the feel of the earth beneath their paws, walk through the grass and, in some cases, smell the outdoors. To bring them back to their roots, but keep them safe, here is a good idea from one of our favorite blogs, The Nature in Us

We took a litter box and filled it with dirt and dug up some of the grasses she liked and a few other things to fill in plus some sticks and mulch and leaves to make her an indoor place where she could still lie on the ground. She has loved it.

If you've got a feral kitty or one that really likes the feel of the earth beneath their feet, you might take the time to give them a piece of their own dirt. It doesn't take long to make one and if you give it a sunny spot the plants will continue to grow if you add a bit of water. Every time I take water over to the box, Squeek stands beside it to watch. I guess she's wanting to be sure I do a thorough job. She likes to see that grass growing because she loves to nibble on it.

© 2006-2007 Donna L. Watkins - This material was reprinted with permission. Visit the author's website, TheNatureInUs.com, for more articles and free email subscription. Link URL: http://www.thenatureinus.com

National Geographic Kids Comic Book Creator for Pets

Here is a fun idea! Create your own personalized comic strip starring your pet. You don't have to be a computer whiz or an artist with this software. National Geographic Kids Comic Book Creator - Silly Pets is a PC graphics program where you or your kids can mix pictures of your pets with National Geographic photos and Sony sound effects. Software set includes over 700 pieces of National Geographic-approved art, over 100 templates, and tons of Sony sound effects. You pick your own pet photos, choose a template, and drag and drop backgrounds, clip art, word balloons, caption boxes and more onto each page, add your own words, and then publish!

Show your pet in action, or make up a silly story! Make your pets the heroes of their own comic book adventures. Dress them up with silly clip art, put them in funny situations, or show real-life pictures of them in action! Add pet jokes, amazing animal tales, and pet care tips for comics that are fun.

Files can be printed to any printer, emailed as a PDF or JPEG, or posted to your personal web page, website, or blog. Comic Book Creator is compatible with most standard digital image formats, including JPEG, BMP, TIFF, GIF, and PNG. Great gift idea for kids and adults alike.

Available at Amazon. Product website.

Doggie Driver

For all you golfers out there--practice your swing while you are exercising the pooch. The Doggie Driver is a golf club that launches tennis balls for your dog. Capable of launching the ball up to 100 yards. Extra tennis balls also available.

Via Nerd Approved. At Chimp Feet where they are offering 10% off on Pet Lover gifts. Just click on the image below.

Halloween Doorknob Catnip Toys

Captivate your cat this Halloween season with these fun doorknob toys. The dangling Catnip Pumpkin and Ghost come in a 2 pack for hours of pouncing and swatting. Complete with aromatic catnip, dangly limbs, and mini bell. 5" - 6".

At Drs Foster & Smith.

Sweet Lounge Rounded Cat Scratcher

Sweet Lounge Rounded Cat Scratcher would look great in any cat lover's home. A durable scratching surface of heavy weight inner-corrugate creates a beautiful play and napping spot for your kitty.

Dimensions: 34L x 11 W x 10.5 H. At Muttropolis.

Modular Cat Playground--The Stairway to Cat Heaven

A popular modular playground for your kitty. Lots of areas to climb and explore! Machine washable condos and hammocks for naps and hiding away. Beams can be easily wiped down and are replaceable if damaged by scratching, as are the hammocks. This playground is lightweight and can be moved around inside your home as needed.
At Amazon or directly from Cats Play.

Flop-ability Dog Toys

Flop-ability Dog Toys are designed to "whack your dogs head", which the doggies purportedly "consider a good thing". The 4-pack includes Big Mean Kitty ™, Cat Burglar, Postal Plaything and Homer the Referee!

No doubt Homer the Referree will come in handy during upcoming football season in retaliation for those awful calls.

Fat Cat, Inc. Doggy Hoots Floppability Dog Toys available at Amazon.

Wooden Dog Toy Bin

If your home is like ours, there are doggie toys scattered everywhere. Clean things up a bit with this attractive Wooden Toy Bin. A nice fit in any room in your house. Accented with a cute bone cutout on each side, which also provides necessary ventilation. The front and back are scooped so your dog can nose his or her way into their box of goodies. Bin is made of cinnamon-stained sturdy pine and arrives fully assembled. Great gift idea for any dog-lover.

Dimensions: 18" x 18" x 18". At Orvis.

Easy Brush

I don't know about you, but our dogs are not too keen on having their teeth brushed. If you did not brush your dogs teeth as a puppy, you may be in the same boat. Let them brush their own teeth with Easy Brush. Comes with toothpaste that you apply and then let them chew away plaque and tartar to their heart's content. Dishwasher safe. All chew toys should be given to pets under supervision.

Available in Small, Medium and Large at Amazon, Entirely Pets and Drs Foster and Smith. Click for summer special: Red Tag Summer Sale at Drs. Foster & Smith! Save up to 50% off! Sale valid through 9.4.07

Pampered Cat Spa

Today is "home alone" day. Pamper your kitties with their very own Hagen Living World Cat Spa and they won't even notice you are gone!

Features:

• Accu-Pressure Pads: A unique sensory experience. Cats love to feel the pressure points beneath their paws and may actually sleep on them.
• Body-Stroke Groomers: For self-grooming and massage. Stimulate face and back glands while providing an easy-access, intense massage.
• Gum Stimulator: An irresistible challenge to cats--blocks access to catnip. Gnawing of the gum stimulator massages and cleans teeth and gums. Rubbing cheek and chin areas stimulates glands.
• Ripple Massager: Solid sculpted ripples perform unlike any brush. Deep penetration of fur provides intense rubbing pleasure to head, neck, and face area.

At PETCO and Amazon.

Sea Dogg Bouyant Swim Collar

Our Goldens are "water dogs" so are very good swimmers. Even the best swimmer can be swept out in a rip current or tossed under a wave. We really like the Sea Dogg Bouyant Swim Collar. The collar is not bulky like a life jacket and is appropriate for playing and swimming in the water close to shore or the pool. Peace of mind--priceless!

Adjustable collar fits neck sizes 11" to 20". At Sea Dogg. Via Dog Bliss.

Daphne's Pet Headcovers for Golfers

Super Cool Pets' home state has the (dubious?) distinction of sporting more golf courses than anywhere in the world. If you are a golfer and a pet lover, these Pet Headcovers will put some bite into your game. They come in a variety of animal shapes for all types of clubs from putters to oversized drivers, including many breeds of dogs, cats, birds, forest, sea, garden and other categories. Headcovers are fully lined and elasticized to protect your clubs and are guaranteed for life.

Great gift idea for the golfer of your choice. Good stocking stuffer idea. Find out how many days until Christmas at the Christmas countdown clock!

Check out more Daphne's Animal Headcovers