TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Barking Up The Giving Tree

ADVERTISEMENT

By KRISTEN LEVINE Tribune correspondent

The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 7, 2008

Of all our loved ones, pets are surely the easiest to please when it comes to holiday gifts. Maybe that's because we buy pets presents to make ourselves feel good.

More than half of America's pets will get a gift for Hanukkah or Christmas, the American Pet Products Association says. I guess we'll feel good as we shell out the $210 million or so the association says we'll spend.

What will some local and well-known pet lovers be wrapping up for their loyal little (or big) friends this year? Their ideas may help you with your own shopping list.

Jeff and Carmella Garcia, Tampa

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback/2008 Sports Illustrated swimsuit model

Pets: Andy, 3-year old dachshund adopted from the Humane Society of Tampa; Austin, 8-year old toy poodle; Logan, 5-year-old chocolate Labrador
Gifts: "We get our dogs treats from The Grateful Dog Bakery in Ohio," Carmella Garcia says. "We love their products because they are all-natural and freshly handmade. This way, our dogs get Christmas cookies, too!"

The trio will also tear into new toys on Christmas morning.

Visit the Grateful Dog Bakery at www.grateful

dogbakery.com.

Beth Lockwood, Largo

Executive director, SPCA Tampa Bay

Pets: Dolly (right), 2-year-old Yorkie; Hank, 10-year-old bloodhound; Anna, 14-year-old West Highland terrier; Ernie, 3-year-old orange tabby; all adopted from the SPCA Tampa Bay (of course)

Gifts: "Dolly loves toys and to fetch, so she'll find lots of toys purchased at the SPCA's new Edward D. Foreman Adoption Center and Pet Boutique. The rest of my four-legged family members will get treats, but they do have to work for them by sitting on command!"

The Pet Boutique is located at the SPCA Tampa Bay, 9099 130th Ave. N. in Largo. All proceeds benefit the SPCA. For details, call (727) 586-3591 or visit www.SPCATampaBay.org

Write to pet-lifestyle expert Kristen Levine at Fetching Communications, P.O. Box 222, Tarpon Springs FL 34688; e-mail kristen@fetchingcommunications.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT