[Note from the author: Lola does not pee in the apartment anymore, not at all, not even in the litter boxes, but she still really enjoys hanging out in places where I've sprayed Feliway. On the Pounce Crunchy treats: these are Lola's junk food. She loves them. She also really likes Whiskas Temptations treats for cats in Creamy Dairy or Savory Salmon flavor ($2.50).]Oh, and Santa, please ship all above items in cardboard boxes, which are the best gift of all ($0).
[A note from the author: Nothing new here. I was surprised to see that a replacement inflatable playball did not make the wish list.]
[A note from the author. Two themes emerge from these gifts: (1) protection from the sun and (2) things that stink.
On the first: Betel hates that big yellow ball in the sky. Maybe it's because she spent the first four months of her life in a cage with artificial lighting or maybe it's because she has a big fur coat and gets hot easily. But whatever the reason, she hates the sun. When we ride in the car, she gets anxious and sometimes even sick unless and until we cover her with something that blocks out all light (for example, our coats or a dark scarf but not a light-colored t-shirt or towel). Then she lays down and goes to sleep for the rest of the ride. She's like a parrot.
If nothing else is available, she'll even try to hide under Lulu.
It would be nice to have something that is not one of our articles of clothing (or our other dog) to keep in the car for these purposes. The satin side of a baby blanket would be nice and cool for her, but I think something like the Sleepypod Cloudpuff blanket ($30) would work fine too. Doggles are hilarious, but I'm not sure she would put up with them.And, Mr. Kringle, last but not least:
On the second: Betel is just gross. She likes eating her own eye goo and cat poop and hanging out with socks and her favorite treat is the stinkiest cheese in the world. It's just who she is.]
[A note from the author on the bike basket: The steel frame cover is 100% necessary. I already have a pet basket that attaches to my handlebars (the Solvit 62331 Tagalong Wicker Bicycle Basket), which Betelgeuse loves, but no matter how well I secure Lulu in the basket, she jumps or wiggles or ninja-style flips out while I'm riding and just hangs from the basket by her harness. You have never experienced anything so terrible. I will not even ride with them anymore. So yes please, this basket. And it's easier for me to ride with the weight on the back bike rack anyway.]
[A note from the author: Three of these gifts are related to the weather, or rather, Lulu's disdain for inclement weather -- the Thundershirt, which we discussed previously, to help Lulu overcome her top three shake-inducing fears: thunder, snow, and the subway. Second, the training pads. We have successfully housebroken Lulu and would never use wee-wee pads, but she HATES the rain. Her only "accidents" now occur when it's raining outside, so training pads would definitely be on her wish list. And finally, the Dogbrella for my prissy rain-hating pup, which is just so hilarious.]Feel free to also throw in some dog or human treats -- whatever, really, although I'm quite fond of the Wagatha's Organic Dog Biscuits in Coconut Grove with Tart Cherry ($7). And if you hook me up, I might even stop barking at you. No promises, though.
