Thinking Outside the “Gift” Box: Gift Guides for the Hard To Buy For

If you’ve ever Googled the phrase, “gifts for the hard to buy for,” or spent hours swarming the Internet for ideas for a hard-to-please person, you know that finding the perfect gift for the picky is practically impossible! It should be easier these days, with so many companies with fascinating products and ideas just a click away on the Internet, yet somehow more options just means more to weed through when trying to find the perfect gift.

So, we’ve spent the last few months searching for those perfect products for different types of people—from trendy dog owners, to trail runners, to techies. We tried to think outside the “gift” box, looking not only for products, but for innovative ideas such as memberships and subscriptions too.

All the companies and products we sought out have something in common with our own company: some are local to the Pacific-Northwest region, some are made entirely in the USA, and some are an engineer’s fantasy, giving us a sneak peek at where product innovation is heading in the future. For whatever the reason, we hope you join us in supporting these interesting and innovative businesses. And, find that perfect gift along the way!

Gifts for the Trendy Dog Owner:

(pictured)

Dog Socks

Casetify Dog Breed Phone Case

 “Putting Your Pet First” Book by John Sleasman

Rad Dog Release ‘N Run Collar with Retractable Leash in Turquoise

“I’ll Run Everywhere” Personalized Photo Frame

“Will Run for Treats” Throw Pillow

Gifts for the Trail Runner:

(pictured)

Rad Dog Release ‘N Run Collar with Retractable Leash (Assorted Colors)

HYDAWAY 12oz Collapsible Water Bottle (Assorted Colors)

Runddies Athletic Underwear by Oiselle

“Make Time to Run” Running Journal

Ice Bug Shoes

Rollingfwd Vibrating Foam Roller

Sweet Spot Athletic Skirts

(not pictured)

Moon Valley Organics Muscle Rub

Strava Social Networking App for Athletes Premium Subscription

“Never Run Alone” Women’s Dog Tee

“I’ll Run Everywhere” Personalized Photo Frame

“Will Run for Treats” Throw Pillow

Rad Dog Pocket Travel Dog Bowl

CamelBak Hydration Pack

Gifts for the Avid Bike Rider

 (pictured)

Live to Ride Decorative Sign

Cycling-Themed Reusable Grocery Bag

Freehub MTB Community Magazine Subscription (available online & in paper form)

Rad Dog Release ‘N Run Collar with Retractable Leash (in Fuchsia)

Sweet Spot Athletic Skirts

HYDAWAY 21oz Collapsible Water Bottle (in Rose)

Blinged Out Dog Paw Bike Bell

(not pictured)

Strava Social Networking App for Athletes Premium Subscription

Moon Valley Organics Muscle Rub

CamelBak Palos^™ 4 LR Waist Hydration Pack

 

TurboPup Complete K9 Meal Bar

Gifts for Outdoor Techies Who Like Gadgets

(pictured)

 

Whistle GPS Pet Tracker

 

HYDAWAY 21oz Collapsible Water Bottle (Assorted Colors)

 

Rad Dog Release ‘N Run Collar with Retractable Leash (in Blue)

 

GoPro Fetch Dog Harness for Adventuring

 

RinseKit® Portable, Pressurized Outdoor Shower

 

Gifts for the Environmental Do Good-er

 (pictured)

 

Freehub MTB Community Magazine Subscription (available online & in paper form)

 

Rad Dog BioHybrid Dog Waste Bags

 

100% Natural Himalayan Dog Chews

 

HYDAWAY 12oz Collapsible Water Bottle (in Chili)

 

Moon Valley Organics Muscle Rub

 

Trendy. Athletic. Outdoorsy. Techy. Do-gooder…No matter what their gig, we’ve found a gift for them. From retractable leashes, to collapsible bottles, to social networking apps, the gift solution is there, you just needed help finding it!

How to Know if Your Dog is Really A Werewolf

While the werewolf may be a figment of our imaginations, they are wolves nonetheless. So it makes sense to mention the werewolf on a blog about dogs during the spookiest month of the year.

With their superhuman strength and canine senses, werewolves embodiment of both man and beast. In fact, even the name “werewolf” comes from the root “wer” meaning male man, and wolf.

Stories of the werewolf date back as far as the written word. In the original stories, which can be found in ancient Romanian and Greek pieces, the werewolf was able to change form at will. Modern pieces, such as Teenage Werewolf, Little Red Riding Hood, and Twilight have distorted character and appearance the traditional werewolf, however there are some similarities that are commonly carried from story to story. These similarities include the following, agreed upon features of a werewolf.

How To Spot A Werewolf

• Born on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day (considered a divine punishment for competing with Christ's birthday according to legend)
• Red Hair
• Unibrow
• Index and middle finger are the same length
• Appetite for raw meat
• Insatiable thirst for water
• Hair on the palms of the hand
• Strange sleeping habits and the tendency to restlessly circle around the bed before laying down
• Changes back to a human if a piece of iron or steel is thrown overhead in animal form

What can we learn from vigilantly scouting for a thirsty, raw-meat-eating human? Well, probably nothing, but you may never be able to look at a red-head with a unibrow the same again. And if you dog was born on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, you may not want to throw iron at them, because they might turn into something a little more scary than the hairy Michael J Fox in Teen Wolf.

Putting Your Pet First: A practical and ideological view of pet care and medicine

It’doesn’t take a doctor to know this, but we’re glad he said it anyway: “It is good to love a pet and be loved by a pet.”

Dr. John Sleasman discusses this bond between dog and owner in his book Putting Your Pet First: A Veterinarian’s Perspective.  As not only a veterinarian, but a lover of pets as well, Dr. Sleasman demonstrates his compassion for pets and their owners, as illustrated in a variety of short stories in his book about his patients, including an anecdote about crafting a new bill out of acrylic for “Goosey Gander” and fitting “Momma Dog” with corrective glasses following cataract surgery.

In short, Putting Your Pet First tells the story of John Sleasman’s journey to veterinarian practice, the evolution of his practice and the advances in veterinarian medicine over the last 40 years. Along with being informative, his patient stories are guaranteed to make you laugh. His compassion for, and commitment to animal welfare are threads that run throughout the book, as well as the recurrent theme of the human-pet relationship and the importance of veterinarian care for the family pet. Dr. Sleasman’s intelligence and ingenuity in crafting treatments for animals will make you chuckle as well as give you a deep sense of respect for the thoughtful and  innovative care he has provided for his patients and their owners.

The book begins with the story of how John developed a love for animals while living the farm life as a child on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State in the late 1940s where animals were seen as purposeful, having an economic value, and not as pets. Eventually, a family pet arrived and Blackie, a crow, became John’s first pet. He then tells of the variety of animals they had on the farm and ultimately, of the situation that led him to become a veterinarian: when his horse “What Do’s” labor went wrong and required John to provide her with daily treatments in order to save her life.

Woven between hilarious and heartwarming stories of Dr. Sleasman’s patients, he describes a variety of changes in the pet care industry, beginning with the one veterinarian who could “do it all” and concluding with the current, highly specialized--yet fragmented--veterinarian medicine. Dr. Sleasman draws his book to a close with extremely valuable advice for navigating veterinary care, especially in an age of high pressures of corporate veterinary medicine, where trust may often be eroded in the face of escalating tests and fees.

Anyone who has a pet and has sought medical consultation or treatment from a veterinarian will find this book entertaining and informative. We truly appreciate the unique, educated and compassionate approach Dr. Sleasman has brought to veterinary care and are thankful for this book that is both informative and hilarious.

The book can be found on Amazon under the title Putting Your Pet First.

Adventure Dogs and their Humans: Established in 1915

When you hit a trail with your furry friend, or play fetch in a park, do you ever wonder who has gone before you and been captivated by this very same place?

How many a hikers have enjoyed a hike up to this same peak, to look out at the splendor beyond? And how many paws have trekked through on this wanderlust before your canine?

These are the questions we ponder as we make our ascent up the trail. We decided to look and see just who was the first to share outdoor adventures like these with their pup, a tradition that would be fufilled by people and their furry adventurers for years to come!

The Gehrke Family: America's first canine-accompanied outdoor adventurers

Pictures of the Gehrke family from pbs.com

In 1915, a childless couple from Nebraska, Margaret and Edward Gehrke, decided that they were going to make a lifestyle of going to the places that were popularly loved by others. More specifically, they acted on their dream to travel to all National Parks in the United States, with their beloved furry canine companions in tow.

Margaret, a former school teacher, was a lover of books. Edward was a fishing enthusiast and dog lover who enjoyed photographing their adventures together. The life they had envisioned evolved as they began to make a beautiful life despite it being one without bearing children. With their furry children in tow, they made an intentional effort to visit all of the United States National Parks (18 in total at the time).

Their love of the the parks initially began as they were traveling home via train from a trip to San Francisco. They stopped to see the Grand Canyon, and it was then that the splendor of the parks would captivate their hearts. Initially they traveled by train, but eventually their signature traveling method would be made possible by the Buicks--17 of them in all--which would end up navigating their journeys. Each summer, they faithfully chose a park until they eventually reached their goal and saw all 18.

Margaret kept a journal, and made an entry of their adventures every single day, while Edward photographed all of their excursions. One particularly notable trip was documented in the piece "To A Dog" and devoted to their beloved furry canine companion Barney, who made the 7,000 mile journey in the Buick as they traveled to parks out west.

In the 1930’s, Edward began working on a traveling house to take to their next park adventure. Sadly, he died in 1939 before the “house-car” was ever driven to a National Park. He was 58. Margaret survived her husband for another 40 years. In her years following Edward’s death, Margaret continued to visit the parks, often with her furry companions by her side. The last park she visited was the couple's favorite park, Rocky Mountain National Park. Today, the photographs and the journals can be seen at the Nebraska State Historical Society.

Next time you go on a National Park excursion, don’t forget to give pause, and think of all the people and furry companions that have found splendor and comfort in the very same place. The mountains are calling you too, to greet them with two boots, and when possible, four paws. 

Back to School? No! Back to the Backcountry (with 15% off)!

Back-to-school? No! Let's make the most of what's left of summer and head back to the back-country instead!

To celebrate the last days of summer, Rad Dog is offering 15% off your entire dog gear order at www.myraddog.com. That means 15% off all the items perfect for a fall frolic down the trail.

What might you be able to do with all that rad gear for your dog? Well, there's the Rad Dog essentials, like the revolutionary Release 'N Run dog leash/collar in one; the only collar on the market with patented, retractable leash stowed right into the base of a collar. Take you dog for a hike with tons of off-leash freedom, then grab the stowed away leash when critters, other dogs, or leash laws require a little restraint.

For your fall travels, there's the handy food caddy, our Feed Bag, that holds up to six pounds of food (for dogs with big appetites), and folds down to get smaller as your food starts to deplete. It's also perfect for bringing to the dog sitter or kennel for fall adventures where there are no pups allowed.

We have all the gear to get you back to the back-country this fall. Get it at 15% off now through Labor Day using promo code "laborday16". Happy Trails (and tails!) Rad Dogs!

Tips for National Park Travel with Your Dog

August 25th marks the 100-year anniversary of the National Park Service, and as outdoors-people, many of us will want to use the anniversary as an excuse to get outdoors and #liveunleashed with our dogs. But the reality of the situation is, most national parks have restrictions on how our best friends can join us.

So what do you do when your best adventure traveler is a four-legged companion? Here are a few tips for national park travel with your dog.

Tips for National Park Traveling with Your Dog

Do your research beforehand

Some national parks allow dogs; it’s simply restricted to particular areas or trails. For example, the Grand Canyon National Park is actually a place you can take your best friend, but only on the rim trails, and always on a leash. Doing your research is imperative! There might not always be a sign to tell you where your dog is allowed to go, and fines can get hefty. Stay informed and be a responsible dog owner so that dogs and their human companions can enjoy these areas for years to come.

Some parks have kennels

The number of national parks with kennels for your dog to stay at while you see the whole park may feel limited, but be sure to check out nearby cities, too. Sending shot records to these facilities will be a part of the process, so again—do your research and plan your trip to allow your dog to have fun with you in the accessible areas, and so you can have your own time to explore the backcountry or steeper trails.

Know your campground rules

Camping near or inside a national park is half the fun! While most campgrounds allow dogs, they cannot be left unattended. Again, look into pet-friendly lodging in the area. For example, the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia has lodging, allows dogs inside their campgrounds, and even allows leashed dogs on most of their trails. It can be done!

Pet-friendly hostels or hotels

Let’s say after you hit the trail for the day you’d like to cozy up in a bed instead of inside a tent. There are hotels and hostels out there that allow dogs. While extra fees may apply, consider the option because it solves the where-to-leave-your-dog problem. If your dog is kennel-trained, that’s a big bonus! Having a safe place for them to rest in while you’re out will aid their comfort. Try aiming for an individual room in a hostel. If your dog is prone to barking while you’re away, try a safe citronella spray collar.

Pack accordingly

For those times when your dog can join you inside the park, don’t forget to pack a collapsible water/food dish, plenty of water for the two of you, snacks, your dog’s harness or collar, and the appropriately-sized leash (parks usually require a 6-footer or less). Don’t forget the bed or kennel for sleeping the day out in the sun off and never keep your dog in a car in seemingly mild temperatures. Even if the temperature outside is only 75 degrees, it can quickly reach unbearable temperatures inside.

Follow these tips and feel prepared for the adventure you can’t wait to take with your dog this summer! Happy 100-year anniversary, national parks!

A Rad Dog Music Playlist for Your Summer Travels

You've filled your pack with gear, thrown the Pocket Bowl and Feed Bag into the back of the car, and filled a tall HydroFlask with water. The windows are down and your furry companion is grinning ear to ear as his jowls flap fantastically into the wind. But there's something missing from this very moment, and you realize what you need a soundtrack that puts this exact moment of road-tripping paradise to music. 

From old country to classic rock to funk, these 16 songs are sure to keep you and your dog(s) groovin’ while driving cross country, into the mountains for a trail day, or through town running errands prepping for those summer adventures. Play on!

A Summer Roadtrip Playlist for Your Dog-Friendly Travels

1. “Runnin’ Down a Dream” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

2. “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson

3. “We’re the Best of Friends” by Natalie Cole

4. “Who Let the Dogs Out” by Baha Men

5. “I Love My Dog” by Sublime

6. “Hound Dog” by Elvis Presley

7. “Kick the Dust Up” by Luke Bryan

8. “Black Dog” by Led Zeppelin

9. “Diamond Dogs” by David Bowie

10. “I Wanna Be Your Dog” by Iggy and the Stooges

11. “Fox Chase” by Earl Taylor

12. “Old King” by Neil Young

13. “Atomic Dog” by George Clinton

14. “Happy Trails” by Roy Rogers

15. “These Boots Were Made for Walkin’” by Nancy Sinatra

16. “Wagon Wheel” by Old Crow Medicine Show

Have a favorite song you’d like to add to the list? Comment below to keep this playlist growing!

Happy roadtrippin'!