It’s Holiday Time and what kind of friend would Theodore be if he didn’t offer up a couple of his favorite Gift Picks for his fellow canines?

First on his list? A new Custom Dog Tag.

Theodore’s shiny new tag was handcrafted by the lovely Melissa Gilkey of Doggone Tags. These custom tags come in array of colorways, shapes, designs and sizes. From tough and edgy to sweet and sunshiney, Doggone Tags has your pooch covered. But for those craving an entirely unique tag, Melissa will create an original design, based on your input.

Theodore went bonkers for his copper/nickle silver Cupcake Tag as it reflects his love of sweet, portable, baked goods! Thanks Melissa!

You can check out Doggone Tag‘s full range of designs by clicking HERE. Prices run roughly from $13-$30.

*** Read more below, at the end of this post to learn how you can win a Doggone Tag for your dog!

Theodore’s next pick can be filed under: The Border-Collie-Mutt-Meets-His-Match.

I should note first that Theodore is a Class A Dog-Toy-Killer. I’m not exaggerating when I say that Theodore can silence and eviscerate the vast majority of plush toys labeled ‘Toughest of the Tough’ in under 60 seconds…a colossal drag when said toy costs between $10-20.

Enter the Fluff & Tuff Ferret!

Theodore carried this delightfully durable Ferret all the way home from the DoggyStyle pet store on University Street, dropping it only once (on accident) to apply the ol’ self-throw and catch tactic. As he marched down the avenues of Manhattan, his tail head high, a bounce in his gait, passers by would congratulate Theodore on his ‘adorable raccoon’ quarry!

Those remarks, however were met with frustration by Theodore, who thought for sure he’d captured a mongoose! (Which looks quite a bit like a Ferret, if you ask Theo). If only his mouth weren’t full, he would have countered those comments with:  “PLEASE note the absence of raccoony facial hair, People! This is a vicious, cobra-eating carnivore I’ve so cleverly vanquished! Not a pedestrian, backyard raccoon!”

When we arrived home, Theodore immediately went to work, hoping to relegate his new toy to the ‘Dead’ bin in record time, only to find that its squeaker, as well as its furry exterior, mightily resisted his best efforts! Weeks later, the toy remains intact, and for that we are grateful to the folks at DoggyStyle (stores in Soho and on University Place) who recommended the toy and Fluff & Tuff for creating it! (The toy will set you back about $18.)

Finally, a toy that escaped King Theodore’s death knell!

And with that, my friends, we leave you to your holiday shopping.

If you’d like to enter to win a Doggone Tag of your own, just follow ALL of the instructions, below.

1) Facebook ‘Like’ this post by clicking the Facebook button at the beginning or bottom of this post.

2) Visit Doggone Tag’s store on Etsy.com, by clicking HERE. Peruse the offerings and choose the tag that would most suit your dog and post the NAME of your selection on our City Dog Country Dog Facebook Page (including the LINK or a PHOTO of your favorite is ideal, but not mandatory) and WHY that tag would suit your dog best! Feel free to post a photo of your pooch too, if you like!

Click HERE to go to our City Dog Country Dog Facebook Page.

Your post on our City Dog Country Dog Facebook Page might look something like this:

3) All entries due Tuesday, December 6, 2011. Winners will be announced no later than Friday, December 9th.

Doggone Tags at www.Etsy.com. Click HERE.

DoggyStyle:

Website: www.doggystylenyc.com

46 University Place and 70 Thompson Street, NYC.

Phone: 212.228.5824

Fluff & Tuff:

Website: www.fluffandtuff.com