Last week, we shared our top picks for Cyber Monday but gift-giving season has only just begun. This year, surprise your loved ones with thoughtful gifts they will cherish for years to come. With the help of the Shoreline Happy Paws’ 2023 Gift Guide, you’re are sure to ace your gift-giving efforts this year.
Pet Gifts from Old Saybrook
Sweet Luna’s in Old Saybrook
Keep it simple and local at Sweet Luna’s in Old Saybrook. This pet pet-friendly ice cream shop is an ideal place for locals of all ages and varying species to indulge. It’s also a great spot to bring your sweet-toothed hound for a treat and a stroll.
Located at 139 Main Street, Old Saybrook and inspired by a black lab we assume is named Luna, Sweet Luna’s has the most delicious desserts and bubble tea in town. Gift your loved ones a gift card from Sweet Luna’s this year. You’ll be stimulating the local economy while wowing the pet lovers on your list.
The Feed Bag in Old Saybrook
Whether you’re shopping for pets or their parents, The Feed Bag in Old Saybrook has something for everyone. They offer nutritional counseling, the best of the best in pet products, and apparel for pet lovers. No matter what your loved one may be into, chances are, if they love dogs, cats, birds, etc., The Feed Bag will have a thoughtful, helpful, and unique gift for them.
Right now, you can pick up unique bird houses and feeders at closeout prices, holiday pet gifts including Santa-inspired chew toys, and natural chews and treats galore.
The Feed Bag’s adorable snuffle mats make excellent gifts for cats and dogs. These unique products are slow feeders and toys in one. They slow pets down at feeding time and can also keep them entertained when their humans are busy. The greatest things about the snuffle mats and other products you’ll find at The Feed Bag is that they are not only made of quality, safe materials but are also durable, creative, and memorable. There’s no way your bestie is going to forget who got them that “dogs make me happy, humans make my head hurt” t-shirt! In fact, they’ll think of you every time they reach for it.
With Love and Oats in Old Saybrook
A session with ‘With Love and Oats Fine Art Dog Photography’ is truly the gift that keeps on giving. By purchasing your friends and loved ones a session with Jenni, With Love and Oats’ gifted photographer, you’ll give them valued memories they can hold onto forever. Of course, it seems sad or negative to think about things that way, but it’s true; our pets don’t live near long enough so it’s important that we make every moment – and every year – count.
Jenni offers in-studio portraits and natural, in the wild shots. Whatever your loved ones prefer, a gift card to With Love and Oats is a great way to tell someone you love them and their pet(s.)
Pet Portraits from a Friend of a Friend
My real life best friend, Juliana, runs a pet rescue in El Salvador. She also creates one-of-a-kind digital illustrations that you and your friends will cherish forever. From family portraits to individual pet portraits, all you have to do is find your favorite photo and let Juliana get to work. She’s so talented, and, well, overall wonderful, we’d love to see her work wrapped up with a bow this holiday season.
Pet Gifts from Connecticut
What’s better than supporting the great State of Connecticut with our purchases? Whether it be a pet-related product, pet-specific product, or a product that is made by a small business in Connecticut, it’s important to put extra thought into our purchases and support local when possible.
The Connecticut Tourism Office obviously agrees with us because they compiled a gallery of Connecticut-based gift ideas. From homemade pies to local nutmeg and honey, there is something for everyone in our great state. We particularly enjoy the idea of gifting Oma’s Pride Raw Pet Treats and Donovan Family Confections to dogs and humans, respectively. Remember, dogs can’t have chocolate so make sure recipients know they should only be sharing their delicious chocolate treats with you.
Helpful tip: when shopping for treats for a cat and dog-friendly home, opt for freeze-dried or dehydrated single-ingredient organ meat treats. These treats are safe and delicious for both species.
Not to toot our own horn but a gift card from Shoreline Happy Paws is also a thoughtful and practical gift. If you know a pet lover that uses our services, we’d be happy to help you surprise them with prepaid visits, a credit on their account, etc. Because pets love the pets as much as their parents do, you’d be feeding two birds with one scone!
As the winter holidays approach, please note that we take very limited pet sitting appointments. We will likely book up soon for services in mid to late December. To book your pet care appointments, please log in to your client profile. If you are new to Shoreline Happy Paws and would like to discuss your pet care needs, please create an account.
Shoreline Happy Paws serves the following areas of the Connecticut Shoreline:
- Old Saybrook
- Essex, Ivoryton & Centerbrook
- Deep River
- Chester
- Westbrook
- Clinton
- Old Lyme
- East Lyme
- Niantic
Certain Parts and Certain Service Hours in:
- Lyme and Madison
- Waterford, New London, Groton
- Uncasville, Gales Ferry, Mystic, Noank
