Gifts from the Heart for the Dog You Adore

Edison is giving away a bundle of Natural Balance® dog treats
from his personal stash. Details below!

Looking back, the gifts that have always meant the most to me are the ones that have a personal touch. A custom photo album with handwritten notes, sweet memories of that magical trip when he proposed; an inscribed book that inspired me to become a writer; a log cabin bird feeder crafted from wood by my father’s own hands, an antique ring that has been passed down the generations of my husband’s family. These are all gifts that I treasure.

When I take stock of all the gifts I’ve been given, no matter the reason or the season, it is the ones that are symbols for something deeper that hold the most meaning. Whether those gifts represent a pivotal moment in a true love story, a family’s cultural history or a magical book that soars and sings with both sisterly and patriotic love, when giving and receiving gifts, that old adage is true:

It’s the thought that counts.

For my husband and me, family is an important word. As two men whose shared lives were invisible to the law for too many years, we take the word family seriously. For us, it encompasses both the kin we are bound to by blood and those special people we have been blessed to meet. Family means love, support, respect, encouragement. Family is the foundation of both our lives and we are better for it.

Our family is as traditional as it is modern and it includes four dogs- two deaf, two not- and seven cats. Each year, we decorate a tree and hang a stocking for each of them. Sure, they get wrapped presents, but it is filling their stockings that give me the greatest pleasure. The wrapped gifts under the tree tend to be group presents, toys that they can share and play with together. But their stockings are different.

Each dog and cat has his or her own stocking. Both my husband I pick out items for each one, based on his or her personality, interest and personal taste. The stockings are filled with items carefully chosen to please each pet and to inspire him with toys and treats that they would probably choose for himself. The presents under the tree may be the big ticket items, but the stockings are filled with the emotional equivalent of that special photo album or ring rich with the history of Cuba.

This year, I wanted to do something different. I wanted their presents to be as meaningful and uniquely individual as their stockings have always been. I also wanted to offer something more heartfelt; this year, I decided to get crafty and make DIY treat jar for each of my dogs.

These treat jars will be perfect for your own dogs, but also for the canine family members of close friends and relatives. Each one can be personalized to not only your taste but also that special pooch you will gift this too. These also make excellent gifts for homeless dogs who are spending the holidays in your favorite shelter or rescue. If you decide to make a DIY treat jar for your best four-legged friend or for a special dog (or cat) at your local shelter, please share a pic and short story! I’d love to see and hear more about who inspired you!

Supplies You’ll Need:

Most of these items can be upcycled from your holiday or junk drawer. If you prefer, you can pick out new items from a craft or discount store.

• Cylyndrical cardboard canister(s) with top
• Fabric glue or glue gun
• Fabric tape
• 2-3 types of ribbon
• Paw print stamp
• Ink pad
• Small picture frame with small fold-out stand
• Chalkboard sticker
• Chalk pencil or chalk
• Scissors
• Tasty dog treats
• A favorite photo
• Raffia (optional)
• Small or medium cellophane bags (optional)

Instructions:

Step 1: If using a glue gun, turn it and wait for it to heat up.

Step 2: Choose the best size canister for the dog you have on mind. If you are planning on gifting this to an animal shelter or rescue, a larger size canister can be a gift for more than one dog!

Step 3: Choose 2-3 different ribbon or fabric tape patterns, depending on the height of the canister. Cut the ribbon to the correct length by measuring the circumference of the canister.

Step 4: Attach your first piece of fabric tape (see photo above) or ribbon to the canister just below the top. If using ribbon, attach it to the canister by applying a small amount of hot glue to the canister. Carefully press ribbon to the canister to adhere and allow to cool and dry. Once securely attached, wrap ribbon around the canister and attach the other end with a small dab of glue. Be careful! Hot glue on finger tips will hurt!

Step 5: Repeat step 3 with another piece of ribbon at the the bottom of the canister. Feel free to use the same or different ribbon patterns or colors, depending on your personal taste. Make sure that the seams for both ribbons are on the same side of the canister. This will become the back of the finished treat jar.

Step 6: Attach ribbon to the the center of the canister, equal distance from the top and the bottom, by repeating step 3 above. Again, make sure the seam is on the back side of the canister.

Step 7: Using a chalk pencil or small piece of chalk (or perhaps even paint or glitter!), write the dog’s name on a chalkboard sticker. Be careful not to smudge the chalk! Peel and stick the chalkboard sticker over the center ribbon on the front side of the canister.  Again, be careful not to smudge the sticker!

Step 8: Using the paw print stamp and ink pad, decorate the body of the canister with paw prints. Feel free to use as many or as few as you like, though sometimes less is more! For more subtle paw prints, use a red, green or gold ink pad. I chose an informal pattern with varying amounts of ink, but you can make use a more formal pattern if you prefer.

Step 9: Cut a piece of ribbon and tie into a bow. This can be a simple or an ornate bow, depending on your personal taste (and bow-tying skills!) I chose a simple bow.

Step 10: Insert your favorite photo into the small frame.

Step 11: Using the glue gun, adhere the frame to the canister top. Use as little glue as possible to help ensure a clean surface.

Step 12: Once the frame has been securely attached, place a small amount of glue to the canister top and attach the ribbon between the frame and the stand.

Step 13: Choose the dog treats that your dog will love! You can place the treats in individual cellophane bags and tie raffia to close the bag or you can place the treats loose into the canister- your choice! If you will be gifting your treat jar to a lucky shelter dog, small bags of treats will offer a more polished presentation.

Giveaway Time!

Edison & Co. are giving away one bundle of Natural Balance® treats. This bundle include 10 bags (yes, TEN bags!) of delicious dog treats to one lucky deaf dog fan! They look delicious right?

Click here to enter the giveaway!. One winner will be randomly chosen from all accepted entires. Enter now through 11:59 PM, December 10th, 2015. One winner will be announced on or about December 12th, 2015. Winner will notified by email and must respond within 24 hours or forfeit the prize. In this case, an alternate winner will be randomly selected.

Tell us about and share a photo of the lucky dog who will get the treats if you win! If you will be gifting them to a favorite shelter or rescue organization, tell us in a comment below– AND don’t forget to tag them in any social shares!