We've 'hopped' around to bring you our picks of cute accessories and playthings to gift your four-legged friend this Easter.


1. Pet London Baby Boy Ducks Ultrasuede Collar, £29.99, PetLondon.net
2. Pastel Point Bow Tie, £9, Styletails.com
3. United Pets Toy Duck, £13.50, HairoftheDogLondon.com
4. Pet London Ducky Ball, £4.50, PetLondon.net
5. Knitted Rabbit Dog Toy, £22.00, Mungoandmaud.com
6. Bulldog with Rabbit Ears Easter card, £2, Paperchase.co.uk
7. Baxendale Leather Dog Collar in Yellow, £35.00, Lovemydog.co.uk
8. Fleece Lamb Dog Toy, £10.60, Mungoandmaud.com

Young pup Basil normally goes most places with us but on a recent and sad occasion related to yesterday's blog post, it was not appropriate for him to be by my side. Without a dog-sitter to call on, what to do?

Thankfully my parents came good with a suggestion that put all our minds at rest – a local doggy daycare centre a.k.a. crèche for canines. However, I wasn’t going to let Basil go to any old place; my parents were sent to vet the place. Thankfully, they reported back that Trendy Pooches Doggy Daycare in the Wirral was a suitable play-date location for their beloved grand-pup.

For the fee of £20, Basil received a full day of stimulation, interaction, playtime and nap-time with his new-found pals within the safety of the Trendy Pooches closely monitored environment. Entry to the centre is strict – all owners must present their dog’s vaccination certificates and complete a detailed application form outlining their dog’s health, temperament, ability to understand commands, interaction skills and even how well they share and play with toys so I felt more than assured that Basil was in safe hands. Staff also kindly took some snaps of Basil throughout his day so I was able to see what he got up to. Here are some of his finest moments …


Basil meets fellow squishy-face Vinny the Frenchie.


Hard at play with his new pals Vinny and Bertie.


Enjoying some time out after a hard day's play.

A day pass to Trendy Pooches Doggy Daycare costs £20 or if purchased as a bundle works out as little as £17 per day. For more information, visit Trendypoochesdoggydaycare.co.uk or meet them in person at the centre at 5 Carr Lane Business Unit, Carr Lane, Hoylake, Wirral CH47 4AZ. While in the area, you might also want to check out their sister business, Trendy Pooches Grooming Salon and Spa, which is home to a 24-hour coin operated, self-service dog wash.

We’re already familiar with the surprise gift box subscription concept – a work pal receives an exquisitely packaged Glossy Box at her desk each month jam-packed with beauty and make-up must-haves much to my envy. Since bringing home Basil we’ve received not one but two packages of a similar nature but instead of the latest lipstick or anti-wrinkle cream, both boxes feature treats, toys and training aids for the dog and a few handy products for owners. Genius! And we think that bagging your little Barker one of his own is just the ticket for a pawfect Christmas gift!

First to arrive – Pooch Pack who launched just a month ago. Priced at £16.95 for a six-month subscription or £19.99 as a one-off, our pack contained handmade bone-shaped biscuits from Doggie Patisserie, which Basil seems to absolutely love and they smell delish, Papaya fruit and Sweet Potato chews from Soopa Pets, a Bionic Biotic canine health supplement from Pooch and Mutt, a small bottle of Scruffy Chops Rhubarking Mad Shampoo packed with natural minerals of course, a Doggee Poo Bag holder and Basil’s favourite – the Dublin Dog Roxxter, a big orange rubber Kong-type toy, which smells of vanilla. The box contents were a little more treat/food-related than we’d perhaps expected but it’s their first one so we imagine that this will change over time and it’s also down to what motivates your mutt. The box contents can also be adapted to suit your dog’s individual size, and should you favour one of the products within the pack, there’s a product card providing contact details for the supplier so you can purchase direct yourself.

Next up – Fings For Fido (such a fun name). We were lucky enough to receive one of their Big Boy boxes (see Basil posing above with all his new ‘fings’), which featured none less than eight items including a Puppy Kong Goodie Bone, a hilarious squeaky dog lips toy, a clicker training aid (he needs it) and a treat bag to name but a few. Not just any old tatt makes a Fings For Fido box – they are committed to providing the best products from the most reputable companies – all which are sourced because for their optimum benefit to the hygiene, health and mental well being of the dog. The Big Box is priced at £29.99 as a one-off or £23.99 if you sign up to a monthly subscription. The regular box weighs in at £19.99 and £16.99 respectively and contains up to six items.

As we have seen with similar concepts in the US both companies also give back to animal charities. Pooch Pack donates a portion of their profits to rescue and welfare organisations across the UK whereas Fings For Fido donates 10% from the profit of every box to support Hounds for Heroes. Bravo ‘dog-boxers’! It’s not hard to see why these gift boxes are a great idea – you get more for your money than if you were to purchase each item individually, you get to try before you buy and there’s always something new to keep your dog entertained, fed, motivated and well groomed.

While not fashioned on the same model as the monthly gift box concept, we also like the look of hound hampers and gift boxes from Woof Woof Hampers, who recently won a Pawesome Award for their services to dogs and their owners. Available read made or individually designed at a variety of price points, why not their Teddy Hamper (£38.00) for a fun Christmas gift, which features a traditional stocking to package up the items along with festive themed chews, treats and toys all beautifully packaged in a wicker hamper, which can double as a handy doggy travel case for dogs on the go.

For more information on the products featured and to order visit:
Poochpack.co.uk
Fingsforfido.com
Woofwoofhampers.co.uk

It’s less than five weeks until our new pup Basil comes crashing into our life, and like any expectant mum we’ve started to compile a wish list of gifts and goodies to bestow on our little man. High on the wish list is the puppy starter hamper from Hair of the Dog London, which includes Lily’s puppy food, a small chew toy, a puppy teether (how cute), a dog trainer clicker and a grooming product all neatly packed in mini suitcase so it’s the gift that keeps giving. They also do a girl’s version in pink of course. Priced £34.30 from Hair of the Dog London.

As we enter into week two of the UK’s biggest celebration of all things organic - Organic month, here's an adorable little, organic anipal for your pup who's even got his own name – Adam Dog. Your puppy can enjoy cosying up with this non-toxic, hypoallergenic 100% organic toy during his afternoon siestas or at night safe in the knowledge that he’s helping saving the planet, one paw at a time. Get your pup his very own Organic Adam Dog Toy from Petlondon.net for just £9.