Christmas Photos: My Dogs are in Witness Protection Program

Everywhere, all over the web, I see absolutely adorable Christmas photos of dogs.  I love them!

So, why have you not seen some of my dogs?

Well, I've come to realize that my dogs are in the witness protection program.  I don't know why.  I only know that is the only rational reason for their behavior.

They don their ribbons, bow, and reindeer antlers with nary a qualm.  In fact, Rudy loves wearing his antlers.  Both Jeffie and Rudy will sit nicely, even without a treat to tempt them.

However, the minute they hear that little ding of the camera turning on and/or spot me with a camera, it's all over.  They're outta there!  

In fact, they head for the back door.  They want out of the house and as far away from the camera as they can get.

So, while I bide my time and gear up for another try, I inspire myself viewing other doggie Christmas photos like these below.   Enjoy!

Poodle Dog lover Jewelry Gift Ideas

Fetch handmade Poodle dog breed jewelry gifts from For Love of a Dog for special people on your Christmas shopping list.  Select from unique, hand crafted pins, necklaces and earrings.  

The black Poodle dog pin shown at top is hand sculpted of porcelain.  Two dimensional (flat on back) with a beautiful glossy finish.  Hurry, there's only one of these available as I write this blog post!

In fact, all of our Poodle dog breed jewelry is one of a kind, so when a piece sells, it is not repeated.  Like this whimsical Poodle dog necklace shown below.  It begins with a unique artisan handmade lampwork Poodle dog head.  The necklace is composed of beautiful coordinating grey freshwater pearls with pink crystals to match the Poodle dog's tongue.

Or how about a Poodle dog necklace like those shown below. Each has a hand sculpted porcelain Poodle dog pendant.

Shown above is a Chocolate Poodle dog necklace with dragonskin turquoise gemstone beads and deep amber crystal rondelle beads.

Shown above is a blonde Poodle dog necklace with coordinating crystal rondelle beads and blue faux pearls.

Shown above is a white Poodle dog necklace with red jasper and creamy white riverstone gemstone beads.

Shop For Love of a Dog for more Poodle dog breed jewelry gifts.  Browse our other jewelry, too,  in themes of rescue, adoption, rainbow bridge memorial jewelry and more.

Enjoy fast free standard shipping and don't miss our Black Friday Holiday sale!




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Old Dogs Are the Best Dogs Book Review

Old Dogs:  Are the Best Dogs is, hands down, my favorite dog book.   This is less a book review as it is an opportunity for me to encourage you to consider this one of the best gifts you can give this holiday season.

A collection of short profile vignettes written by Gene Weingarten and photographs by Michael S. Williamson, this book is a tribute to senior dogs. 

The publishers state that anyone who has ever loved an old dog will love Old Dogs.  I beg to differ.  Anyone who has ever love any dog will love this book.

All of the dogs in this book were at least 10 years old when their portraits were made.  Published in 2008, many are now waiting for their human companions at the rainbow bridge.  Weingarten notes:

"If you ask us which of them [the dogs] are still alive, our answer is:  They all are.  May old dogs live forever."

Old Dogs begins with by far the longest essay.   Remembering Harry is a story about Harry, a yellow Labrador Retriever, the product of a Kansas puppy mill.  In telling Harry's story, the author shares observations about living with our best friends and life itself.  

" Old dogs can be cloudy-eyed and grouchy, gray of muzzle, graceless of gait, odd of habit, hard of hearing, pimply, wheezy, lazy and lumpy.  but to anyone who has ever known an old dog, these things are of little consequence.  Old dogs are vulnerable.  They show exorbitant gratitude and limitless trust.  They are without artifice.  They are funny in new and unexpected ways.  But above all, they seem at peace.  This last quality is almost indefinable.  If you want to play it safe, you can call it serenity.  I call it wisdom.."

Without a doubt, I promise you will find dogs in this book who will bring your own old friends to mind.  I suspect you'll fall in love with every dog in this book.  These beautiful black and white portrait photographs of the dogs will melt your heart.  Many of Weingarten's profiles will require tissues.

If you don't have a copy of this book, get one.  If you're a dog lover like me, you'll find yourself picking it up more often than you can imagine.  It is a meditation on the meaning of life with dogs and on love.

As a dog lover, in Weingarten you'll a kindred spirit.  This is a man who has instructed his family that he wishes to be buried in Washington's Congressional Cemetery, because it allows dogs to run free.  He wants his tombstone to read only:  

"Gene Weingarten, a funny man who loved dogs."  

and to be carved in the shape of a fire hydrant.



Old Dogs: Are the Best Dogs, published 2008 by Simon & Schuster, 160 pages.  Available at major book sellers.


Gene Weingarten is a nationally syndicated humor columnist and a Pulitzer Prize-winning staff writer for The Washington Post.  He has written two books:  The Hypochondriac's Guide to Life And Death and I'm with Stupid (with Gina Barreca).  

Michael S. Williamson is a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and works as both a photographer and photo editor at The Washington Post.

Norwegian Elkhound Dog Lover Jewelry Gift Ideas

Here's a perfect little gift for that Norwegian Elkhound dog lover on your Christmas gift shopping list.  

Beautiful handmade Elkhound dog dangles from a red jasper heart and silver ribbon bow in this Norwegian Elkhound pin from For Love of a Dog.

In fact, you'll find more Elkhound pins, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces for people who love this special breed at For Love of a Dog.  

All are handmade and one of a kind, so shop early for the best selection.

Check out the whimsical hand sculpted porcelain Norwegian Elkhound dog pin shown below.  Absolutely adorable way to wear your beloved friend close to your heart.

The Norwegian Elkhound dog lover bracelet shown below is a festive piece perfect for the holidays.  Red crystal and silver beads are hand wire wrapped with silver jeweler's wire for this bracelet.  Charms include a hand crafted two dimensional Elkhound dog, plus a silver heart and three dimensional dog bone.

 
Fetch For Love of a Dog for more Norwegian Elkhound dog breed jewelry for perfect Christmas gifts sure to please.  In fact, you'll find dog breed jewelry gifts in over 80 dog breeds.  Enjoy fast, free standard shipping and save 10% on your entire order with this coupon code at checkout:  FLDNEW

For Love of a Dog jewelry and gifts are handmade by a dog lover in her Missouri Ozarks studio.  Enjoy the satisfaction of buying handmade and supporting a small businesswoman who loves dogs, just as you do!

Handmade Min Pin Dog Lover Jewelry and Gifts

Fetch For Love of a Dog if you're shopping for Miniature Pinscher dog lover jewelry and gifts.  You'll find unique, one of a kind handmade Min Pin bracelets, earrings, necklaces and more.  Perfect for Christmas, birthday, anniversary, or "just because" gifts.

Shown to the left is a Min Pin dog charm necklace.  Adorable hand crafted two dimensional (flat on back) Min Pin dog charm is joined by a silver dog bone and silver heart on a sleek silver snake chain.

The Min Pin dog lover necklace shown below includes a whimsical hand sculpted porcelain pendant that can easily be removed to wear solo as a pin.  In fact, you can even wear some of your own brooches as pendants on this necklace.  Earthy natural picture jasper is hand wire wrapped with silver jeweler's wire for this necklace.

For a very festive Christmas gift, check out the Min Pin dog charm bracelet shown below.  Luscious scarlet red brilliantly faceted crystal rondelle beads are hand wire wrapped with gold jeweler's wire.  Charms include a Min Pin dog and a three dimensional gold dog bone.

These are just a small sample of the Miniature Pinscher dog breed jewelry available at For Love of a Dog.  Since items are one of a kind, shop early for best selection.  Enjoy free standard shipping and a 10% discount on your entire order with this code at checkout:  FLDNEW

English Springer Spaniel Dog Jewelry Gifts

One of a Kind English Springer Spaniel Dog Necklace - For Love of a Dog

If you're looking for a unique gift for a special friend with an English Springer Spaniel, fetch a look at my dog breed jewelry.  Each piece is handmade the old fashioned way, one by one, in my Missouri Ozarks studio.

Shown above is an English Springer Spaniel dog lover necklace that is truly one of a kind.  The pendant is hand sculpted from porcelain and can be easily detached to wear solo as a pin.  I created the necklace from beautiful chocolate jasper gemstone beads combined with some adorable three dimensional porcelain dog bones. 

Spaniel Dog Lover Necklace - Removable Pendant / Pin

 Here's another truly one of a kind, whimsical Spaniel dog lover necklace.  This sweet dog pendant can also be easily removed to wear solo as a pin.  And, of course, you could add any of your own pins to this necklace, too.  Hand sculpted of porcelain, this Spaniel carries his own silver bone.  To coordinate with the dog collar, I used sparkling citrine crystal, peach aventurine gemstone beads, plus some small three dimensional porcelain dog bone beads.  A fun ode to your Spaniel dog!

Fetch more English Springer Spaniel dog jewelry at For Love of a Dog.  And be sure to check out my dog bone jewelry for fun earrings, bracelets and necklaces for dog lovers on your holiday shopping list.   Enjoy fast free shopping with every purchase and receive a 10% discount on your order with this code at checkout:  FLDNEW

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Dog Breed Jewelry at For Love of a Dog

Afghan Dog Christmas Ornament at For Love of a Dog 

I wanted to to title this post: Dog Breed Jewelry at For Love of a Dog.  However, our dog breed jewelry spans the alphabet only from A to Y, not Z.   That includes 86 dog breeds.  Beginning with Afghan all the way to Yorkshire Terrier dogs.

Yorkshire Terrier Dog Necklace at For Love of a Dog

Pretty good for a one woman, two dog, one cat, two horses, and one very supportive husband business!  Yes, all of the jewelry at For Love of a Dog is handmade and the majority of my pieces are one of a kind.

Fetch For Love of a Dog and you'll find hand crafted dog breed specific, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and Christmas ornaments.  They make barking good gifts for dog lovers, plus my jewelry is a pawsome way to take your special canine friend with you wherever you go.

You'll also find mixed breed mutt dog lover jewelry, dog bone themed jewelry, dog rescue jewelry, and my new rainbow bridge jewelry.   Skeeter just reminded me to give a meow out to my cat lover jewelry and I should also bark about my horse lover jewelry!

Each jewelry piece is handmade the old fashioned way - one at a time and with love - from my studio in the Missouri Ozarks.