Gift Ideas for Older Dogs

Looking for gift ideas for your senior dog? Here are seven Christmas gift or birthday gift ideas that Maestro and I recommend for the older dog in your family:

Snoozer Scalloped Pet Stairs for Canine Arthritis

Available on Amazon.ca, the Snoozer Scalloped Pet Stairs is at the top of our list ($57.50 CAD and up). Maestro used to have the Pet Gear Easy Step II Pet Stair ($37.56 CAD and up), but once he was diagnosed with canine arthritis and I.V.D.D, the stairs had to go. The impact was too hard on his joints.

Maestro's old stairs had to go once he was diagnosed with Inter-vertebral Disc Disease. Photo by R-M Arca.

The Snoozers are so soft (yet firm). It's much easier on his joints:

This Snoozer Scalloped Pet Ramp is easier on Maestro's joints. Photo by R-M Arca.

A Dog Ramp to Ease Joint Pain in Dogs

If you are crafty, you could make your own dog ramp. Just make sure the angle isn't too steep.

If we didn't have the Snoozers, we would have purchased Mr. Herzher's Smart Ramp Jr ($72.99 USD at PetSmart). There is a full-sized version of Mr. Herzher's Smart Ramp  on Amazon as well as PetSmart ($143.99 USD and up).

If you need a pet ramp for your vehicle, check out the Pet Gear Full Length Tri-Fold Pet Ramp. It's also available on both Amazon and PetSmart ($129.99 USD).

A Dog Jacket or Sweater

Just like us, older dogs have achy joints. Keeping them warm helps immensely!

When we experienced that cold snap a few weeks ago, Maestro refused to let me remove his plaid Bailey & Bella jacket from Pet Valu:

Maestro really loves this dog jacket by Bailey & Bella. Photo by R-M Arca.

Believe it or not, I had to go back to Pet Valu to order him a second jacket. The first one is currently in the wash.

A Therapeutic Dog Bed to Soothe Aching Joints in Dogs

When he was younger, Maestro loved his dog crate. Now, he needs more room to get settled and a softer, warmer surface.

If money were no object, I'm sure Maestro would love an infrared Thermotex Therapeutic Dog Bed. It retails between $178 to $238.80 CAD. In the summer, I bought us a Thermotex Infrared Therapy pad. Sure, it costs more money ($249 CAD), but at least we both can use it:

There are alternative therapeutic dog beds. At PetSmart, you can check out the Precision Pet SnooZZy Round OrthoAir Mattress Dog Bed ($99 USD) and Canine Cushion Orthopedic Fabric and Fleece Dog Bed  ($20 USD).

Amazon has a variety of therapeutic dog beds. They range between $32,85 to $86.06 CAD.

Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews for Dogs

Gum disease is common in older dogs. Bottom line, they need to clean their teeth, but the treats must be gentle on their sensitive gums.

Maestro really likes his lamb pizzles from Pet Valu. His second favourite go-to dental chew are his enzymatic oral hygiene chews that we get at the vet. You can also find them on Amazon.

Wheat-free biscuits for Arthritic Dogs

Wheat is bad for dogs with arthritis. Lately, Maestro has been enjoying think!dog Crawfish Dog Biscuits:

He gets his fruits and veggies too. Our usual go-to wheat-free dog cookies are Fruitables Crunchy Dog Treats and Nutro Natural Choice Crunchy Dog Treats. Really, any dog cookie that is wheat free is fine for the older dog in your family.

Paw Protection for All Dogs

If you live in a cold climate, paw protection goes a long way at preserving your furry buddy's paw pads. All the dogs in our family own a set of Muttluks:

They retail for $50 CAD and above. The major pet stores in Canada sell them, although you can also find them online at Amazon or PetSmart.

Recently, I picked up a FouFou Pet Fou Stick Paw Balm for Pets. If Maestro isn't out for too long, it's a lot easier to slap on the paw palm than it is to put on his dog booties!

Whether your are shopping for Christmas gifts or birthday gifts for you older dog, we hope this list gives you a few ideas to check out. How about you? Do you have any gift ideas for older dogs that you'd recommend for Maestro to try out?

My Tabletop Games Wish List: 2013 edition

Some of my friends are coming over during the Christmas Break and we're going to do some serious tabletop gaming. It will be a great way to catch up with each other, challenge our minds and to just have fun. It's no surprise that some of the people on my Christmas shopping list are receiving tabletop games for Christmas. I had to think long and hard about the games they enjoy. I even had to call in my friend Sharwhiz for some recommendations.

While shopping, and exploring, my Tabletop Games Wish List has steadily grown. Here are 12 board games, card games and dice games that are on my Wish List:

1. Lost Cities

2. 7 Wonders expansions: 7 Wonders Leaders and 7 Wonders Cities

3. Pandemic expansions: On The Brink and In The Lab

4. Castle Panic

5. Tigris and Euphrates - Double Scenario Edition

6. Tikal

7. Agricola All Creatures, Big and Small

8. Flash Point Fire Rescue 2nd Edition

9. Martian Dice

10. Rio Grande Games ACH Space Alert

Of these, I think I've only played two: Castle Panic and Martian Dice. For some reason, I can't remember if I've tried Lost Cities. I don't think so as I'm sure I would have remembered going an archaeological expedition.

The Monster Onslaught: Castle Panic

Castle Panic is a co-operative game for one to six players. The objective is simple: survive the onslaught of monsters coming to trash the castle. If all the towers are knocked down, you're dead.

It's a card and dice game. You roll the dice to determine the monsters' entry point. There are four rings around the castle. The monsters enter your land through the Forest and cannot be attacked from there. Once they step into the Archers' ring, only they can attack. Next are the Knights and Swordsmen. The Barbarian and Hero are exceptions to the rule.

During your turn, you can draw or discard cards, exchange cards with your team mates, attack the monsters, repair walls and add fortifications. Your turn ends by drawing new monster tiles and then moving ALL monsters up one ring closer to your castle. If you wind up with a Boss, it gets ugly.

Kidnapping Earth Specimens in Martian Dice

I understand that Martian Dice is a lot like Zombie Dice. I can't get over my distate for zombies, so I am just happy that there is this cute martian version.

You and your opponents are Martians. This dice game is recommended for two to five players.

Your mission is to abduct human, chicken and cow specimens in a three-roll turn. Watch out for those big bad tanks. If you roll the same number or more Martian death rays, you successfully make off with your specimens. However, if you roll more tanks than death rays, the humans manage to fend you off.  The first Martian team to hit 25 points wins.

Game Expansions Squared

You will notice that I have expansion sets for two games listed: 7 Wonders and Pandemic. As you can see, I do own the base sets:

How about you? What tabletop games are on your wish list?

Christmas Gift Ideas for Students

My colleagues and I have been discussing what kinds of presents we give (if at all) to our students. I have given small Christmas gifts to my students throughout the years, such as pencils and erasers, candy and Christmas decorations. Twice, I've turned my students' gifts into a Japanese language studies project. I made origami stars and turned them into ornaments. Another year, I bought small ornaments and wrote my students' names on each one: in Japanese.

This year, I was inspired by the CD project I did with a student who terminated lessons earlier this year. Last week, my students recorded a track for the studio Christmas CD. Most participated.

I didn't have time to record anything new. Thankfully, I still have my files from a family Christmas CD I made a few years ago, so I tossed one of the tracks in.

It was a good excuse to test out LightScribe label making software. No more smudged up CD labels. The CD design and name are etched in. Let me tell you, my studio and office computers were busy burning audio and artwork.

Then, I was going to add a Christmas candle. However, I discovered that decorating each one would take more time that I could spare and that it was really difficult to find glass votive holders for a really good price. Only once I switched gears, did I learn that IKEA sold said glass votive holders at a sweet price point.

At Michael's, I found 30 party favour tins on sale. I picked up some round Christmas chocolates and decorated the tins with foam stars and Christmas ribbon (also on sale).

It was important to me that my students get at least one thing that can be re-used. The tins are a good size to hold little trinkets, candies, dice or coins.

The last bit was a bit of a last minute bonus. I took my studio mascot, Maestro, to PetValu on Saturday. There, with a donation to Pawsitive Match, pets could pose with Santa Claus.

I was initially told that the photo would be sent on Tuesday. I was delighted to see the photo in Maestro's mailbox yesterday afternoon. Bingo! Here's the perfect Christmas card for M̶a̶e̶s̶t̶r̶o̶'̶s̶ ̶g̶r̶o̶u̶p̶i̶e̶s̶ my students.

Here's the finished package:

Here are a few ideas that some of my colleagues have come up with:

• personalized framed Wordle pictures (Jennifer Foxx)

• rainbow loom bracelets

• customized greeting cards

• sheet music

Need more student gift ideas? My colleague, Joy Morin, asked teachers to share their Christmas gift ideas on her blog, Color My Piano. Finally, Diane Hidy has a colourful list of prize and gift ideas on her blog.

Now, it's your turn. Fellow music (and school) teachers, please share your Christmas gift ideas. What do you give your students for Christmas?

Diggin' the Laser Therapy

Maestro laser.jpg

After six months of laser therapy for his canine arthritis and I.V.D.D., Maestro is still enjoying the benefits of this non-invasive treatment.

Paralyzed Hedgehog Gets Wheelchair

This seven-month hedgehog had an accident that left his hind legs paralyzed. Thanks to Exootic Vets, the creators of his custom-made wheelchair, this paralyzed hedgehog can walk once again: