Recently a blog reader voiced concerns and annoyance with folks who identify as parents of furry children rather than simply pet owners. We’ll discuss that a little bit since the comment disarmed me and compelled me to think a bit more deeply about relationships with animals. This post is inspired by a particularly lovely pittie mix rescue in my life. Eve belongs to our youngest, and she is a delight. Dog Quotes to Pin Now + Smart Pet Gifts honors four legged friends which Angie Weiland-Crosby terms ‘love’s purest shadow.’ Perhaps you will spy a helpful tool or comforting find for your favorite pet, and please do pin these quotes!

If you prefer your daily dose of holiday related decorations and inspiration to furry friend inspo, mosey on over HERE!
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Dog Quotes to Pin Now + Smart Pet Gifts
Not sure if you noticed that sherpa and boucle everything is super hot for furniture right now. It’s also destined to show up in various iterations in 2022…maybe as a response to the longing for more softness within the home as we navigate the pandemic.

Here’s more sherpa and fuzzy wuzzy lovely I shared the other day:

Loving and Honoring Our Pets
As I mentioned above, my post sharing our family Christmas card triggered at least one reader who objects to pets being regarded as children or grandchildren.

I included a photo of the four rescue pets who belong to our children.

My sons are single and refer to their pets as “their babies” which warms my heart. The thing is, a lot of folks identify as parents to their furry babies, and for 14 years, I called our beloved Bella Luna, “my girl.”

She brought so much goodness, unconditional love, and joy to our home that it changed us forever. Our hearts still ache for that sweet creature who left a mark.

I do think people are more aware than ever of the wellth pets bring to modern life.

With depression, anxiety, and despair commonplace now as a response to very real concerns in the culture, pets bring comfort and can be comic relief at home.

Who among us cannot benefit from more laughter (which Ann Lamott calls “carbonated holiness”)?

So what’s your take? Are you more concerned about growing overly attached to your adopted creatures or about the forces beyond your control in the culture that contribute to feelings of despair?

My Favorite Pretty Pup
Here’s the pretty pittie girlie as a pup. I have relaxed about scratches, damage, and shedding, because that is the reality of a dog that is not a wee little hypoallergenic dog like our Bella was!



I snapped these photos in our backyard where she loves to fetch.

She is extremely obedient, and after months of tummy trouble, she healed from colitis.

She loves her Mimi and helps with absolutely every kitchen task (if watching cookies baking in the oven counts as “help”).

A Donut Bed
Don’t you love that fluffy vegan shag bed?
Rubber Fetch Balls
Whistling rubber fetch balls may be old news to you, but I’m just learning about all these sweet finds.

Bath Towels
Our family dog (a lhasa) in the 80s looked exactly like the fluffy teddy bear pup below!

Buffalo Checks for Your Bella
And how cute would this little number be on Peaches or Lola during the holidays?


Who Loves Mama?
This hoodie looks so comfy cozy for pups who get chilly, and the message on the back will make the rest of the family so jealous!

Seat Protector
We have always lived with non-shedding dogs so a smart cover like this wasn’t necessary – but if your pet sheds and loves car rides…so smart!


Bags & Dispenser
Practical finds round out this list as well!

Anxiety Reducer
Have you seen these behavioral aid toys designed to reduce anxiety and offer your pup a warm body to sleep with? Meant to imitate the nurturing feel of a mama dog, they come with a heart-shaped ticker that heats up and emits a pulsating beat mimicing a beating heart. Pure comfort and perfect for thunderstorms, fireworks, and scary occasions.
Grooming Tools
With a firm, stainless steel edge, this tool penetrates the topcoat and gently removes loose hair. Easy to use — just comb through the hair to grab your pet’s fur, then press the easy FURejector button to release it.

Super Sweet Fun With Treats

Paw Protection
Of this Musher’s Secret, one reviewer on Amazon raved, “I purchased three more containers today for my dog to give out as Christmas presents to her friends. It is that good.”

Dog Harness

Travel Bowl
This convenient collapsible bowl comes with a clip-on carabiner you can use for attaching to a backpack while hiking, or on a crate when traveling.

Go Pro at Home
Smart Container

Sweet Squeakers
Cots For Chilling Out

Healthier Eating
Sometimes a slow feed dog bowl is just what you need to encourage an overzealous fur baby to eat slowly, improving digestion and reducing bloating. In addition to portion control, it provides a little puzzle for dogs to solve, keeping that sweet brain engaged while they feast.
For Tough Stains

Twinkling Safely
There are five color options, and Amazon customers seem to be obsessed with this light-up collar, given the 3,400+ raving reviews. I guess it is the product’s ability to glow brightly and keep your dog safe from vehicles. It is a fully adjustable collar which can be worn as one solid light or set to blinking mode.
Natural & Fragrant
Here’s a shampoo with detangler made with delicious natural scents such as eucalyptus and peppermint, oatmeal and aloe, mango, rosemary, tea tree, and sweet orange oil.

Especially for Puppies
Funny + Cute!
Lucky Dog!
How gorgeous is this neutral Scandi holiday home with its modern pendant and sumptuous textures?
Sharp Dressed Pooch




Thanks for entertaining all these gift ideas and quotes to pin, and do comment with any bragging you care to do about your pet!

What a good girl!!!!


I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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She is the cutest ! Congrats on your new family member and what a kind heart your son has to have rescued her. How about ‘Izzy ‘
Author
Thank you! That is adorable. I’ll relay Izzy to him – my sister’s beloved pug in heaven was Izzy. 🙂
She is darling. I foster rescue puppies so it makes my heart happy that your son adopted a rescue. How about Oreo since she kinda looks like one!
Author
Hahaha – so cute, and I always loved the doublestuffed! How kind of you to foster those puppies – I can only imagine the joy (and extra work and patience) they add to your days. 🙂
Not sure where this came from but I’m going with Fred or Darla. Just the first names that came to mind when I saw her pix.
Author
I must have forgotten to say she’s a girlie – hahahaha – thanks, Marilyn. Have a wonderful weekend. 🙂
I love your new dog, what a lucky find … for you and her! She reminds me of my chloe’ who was all Pitty, but the old fashion gentle looking kind as your baby is.
My chloe loved over stufffed furniture by shabby chic’ and I found it was ok to let her on it …. it all washed up! Enjoy her what w treasure .
Author
Chloe sounds wonderful, and what a lucky girl to enjoy that cozy furniture. This pretty pitty mix is our son’s rescue (and my grand-doggie-daughter) so I get to enjoy her every few months when he visits, but we are all smitten with her. When my health improves, I will return to the idea of adopting a puppy – I want to be strong enough to train a sweet pup properly and am just not ready yet. 🙂