EDGE Holiday Gift Guide :: Pets

For many Friends of Dorothy, our pets give us the same feelings of love, joy, and family that breeders get from their children (and of course I mean that term in only the most positive of ways). Of course pets aren't children, but the fact is that having been denied equal adoption rights and treated as second-class citizens for so long, we did what we could- and this often meant passing the love and devotion we would have given our children to dogs, cats, and the occasional hamster.

Nowadays, although things are beginning to equalize child-wise, the gays still appreciate the devotion and unequivocal love we receive from our pets. This is especially visible around the holidays.

If you've got a dog or cat on your list- or a friend whose pet is their life- we've got a gift for you. Style Editor Jason Salzenstein and his animal-loving style team have searched high and low for the best gifts for our furry friends. Check them out!

Spoiled dogs go to heaven... and sleep on fabulous beds!

Many people spend thousands of dollars on a quality mattress, and with good reason- you spend about a third of your life on it. Dogs and cats spend even more time sleeping- so why shouldn't they get a bed that's just as fabulous?

Luckily Hilton Hotels understands the needs of our four-legged friends, and through their Pet Friendly Program they're offering beds that are as comfortable for dogs as their larger ones are for humans! In fact, the hotel has partnered with famed artist William Wegman and Crypton Fabrics to create a line of upscale beds- and other amenities- exclusively for the hotel. Everything in the line is fabulous, but after curling up on one to test it out, we're especially partial to the Crypton Pet Pillow.

First of all, I'll warn you: not only are these beds beautiful, they're also incredibly comfortable. Getting one for your pet may lead to feelings of jealousy. You see, the long-lasting and easy-to-clean pillows are made from Crypton, which means that they're permanently stain-, spill-, moisture-, and odor-resistant, and they're designed by William Wegman (featuring his famous Material Dog), which means they're also super chic. They look great and match nearly every d?cor.

The Crypton Pet Pillow is available for your pup to take home, in three sizes and two colors. So whether you've got a miniature Chihuahua or a Great Dane, your baby's guaranteed to be happy- and to get a great night's sleep!

Available from $109 at www.HiltonToHome.com - and in Hilton guestrooms upon request! (And don't think that the Crypton Pet Pillows are just for dogs; my cats love to snuggle up together on the small size...)

The famous tote goes to the dogs...

For dogs who prefer the great outdoors to boutique hotels- or like the versatility of both!- the Naughty & Nice Gift Tote for Dogs from L.L. Bean and Planet Dog are puppy perfection. For the holiday season, these two Maine-based companies have come up with the perfect gift: an iconic bag packed with treats, just for Fido.

Presented in the world famous red-handled tote, you'll find three fabulous treats from Planet Dog: a green Orbee-Tuff Bulb with Treat Spot, a Squeaky Naughty and Nice Lil Buds, and a Paw Print Euro Sticker. The Naughty and Nice Gift Tote for Dogs is finished off with a cute red paw embroidered on the front, and a bag of all-natural peanut butter treats. Yum!

The Naughty and Nice Gift Tote for Dogs is $30 at L.L. Bean stores, catalogs, and online at www.LLBean.com where you'll also find other great gifts for dogs. (And of course they're all covered by the company's 100% satisfaction guarantee as well.)

No more groomers!

I don't think anyone who has a dog would ever describe washing Fido as "easy." It's a frustrating chore that usually results in the bather being covered in water, dirt, and shampoo, and a somewhat cleaner dog. The RapidBath Pet Bathing System however, makes bathing your dog fast, easy, and- dare I say- fun?

The company's shtick is that you can "give your dog a professional level bath at home in three minutes or less," and in our tests we found that to be pretty accurate. The secret is their "all-in-one" wet, wash and rinse bathing solution- and your dog gets the bonus of a little massage action. The system includes the Handheld RapidBath Device (which is fun to use- you might find yourself offering to wash neighbors' dogs as well...), an indoor/outdoor hose, a universal shower adapter, and a 5-pack of Shampoo Cartridges.

To use the system you simply pop in a cartridge, pop your dog into the bathtub- or on the driveway (summer only please)- and hose him down! The device automatically mixes water, air, and shampoo to deep clean your dog's coat- and skin- gently, quickly, and easily.

Available for about $80 at www.rapidbathing.com and Amazon.com

Just make sure he doesn’t drive...

On a hot day, you might love nothing more than popping open a cold beer and relaxing on the porch- so why wouldn't your pooch?

Bowser Beer is the perfect gift for dogs and dog lovers, allowing Butch (or Belle!) to enjoy a delicious brew with you any time of the year. Of course nothing goes better with beer than snacks, so you'll also want to grab some Bowser Bits, peanut buttery pretzel treats that make the perfect pair.

Next time you're planning an event for your dog- whether it's yappy hour, BarktOberfests, or just Sunday football, be sure to stop by your pet store and pick-up some Bowser Beer and Bits; for retailers, go to www.3BusyDogs.com

Need I even mention that Bowser Beer is (obviously) non-alcoholic?

Help your kitty "kick the habit!"

For cat lovers with a sense of humor, KiCK LiTTER: Nine-Step Program for Recovering Litter Addicts helps cats get clean and stay clean- and it's good clean fun too!

Toilet training your cat? Sure! Why not? Adorably funny, KiCK LiTTER is the story of two cats- Moxie and Cooper- as they follow their path of recovery, sharing their adventure- and a bit of practical advice as well. Jack Byrnes from Meet the Parents would be so proud!

Help "rescue your furry friend from the evils of litter: the odor, the clean-up, the cost?" Maybe not, but you can sure laugh trying! Available at bookstores, www.KickLitter.com and Amazon.com for about $15.

Toys, toys, toys!

Cats love toys- especially new ones- which is why we love KONG; they've got so many toys for cats that your little guys will never get bored.

We first fell for their Kickeroo, a "Wrestling Catnip Toy" that looks like a tiger-spotted-log (with a tail!), and is big enough for felines to grab with their front paws- and mouth- and kick at with their hind legs. (You'll die laughing when you see them with it.) We also love the famous Wubba, designed to appeal to a cat's instinctive need to stalk and capture prey. Of course they're infused with catnip, but they've also got a "crackling" tail that cats love- which keeps them coming back for more and ensures they stay active.

If you've got an eco-friendly cat lover on your list (i.e. a lesbian... or me), the KONG Naturals line is fantastic. All of the toys in this line are made with materials and dyes that come from natural and renewable resources- which means fun for your cat and a warm fuzzy feeling for you! Available at pet stores nationwide and at Amazon.com. For more info :: www.KONGcompany.com

Protecting Precious

Welcoming a pet into your life is rewarding, wonderful, and something I'd recommend to almost everyone; it's not without its work however. Pet.doc, from Buttoned Up, can make it a bit easier though.

Having a pet means having a lot of information to keep track of. Knowing when Muffin got his last shots, what kind of treats Sugar likes best, and when Bruce got his last flea dip is important- especially when you're going on vacation and leaving your "baby" to friends, a pet-sitter, or at doggy daycare. Pet.doc lets you keep all the important info on your pet close at hand.

Six sections are divided into family history, medical basics, medical history, insurance, training and pet care. There's also space for vital information concerning pet sitters, food, and their favorite toys, which is a big help when you're gone, and allows you to relax knowing that should they need it, emergency info is at-hand.

Available for $5 at www.GetButtonedUp.com