Today is Marvin’s 7th birthday!

In honor of my one true love (sorry, husband), I dedicate this post to unique and fun gifts you can purchase for (wo)man’s best friend. I’m not covering typical toys, leashes, dog tags, clothes, etc.; those are all great options too, and trust me, Marvin has his fair share. Instead, this collection of gift ideas is a little more “outside of the box,” with a wide range of options and prices, some of them personally vetted by yours truly and Marvin. Perhaps next I’ll do a post of cool gift ideas for dog lovers.

Fine Dining

I’m not talking candles and music (although I’m not necessarily scratching that idea), but you can easily prepare a fine-dining experience for your pup with a little red meat, chicken, turkey, or lamb (pork is not recommended for dogs). Believe it or not, you can serve it cooked or raw, but it’s recommended you talk to your vet to be sure raw meat is okay for your dog and to learn proper safe handling techniques.

When it comes to bones, stick to raw bones in the appropriate size for your dog, and keep a close eye on them to ensure there’s no choking issue. Cooked bones are more brittle and prone to chipping and splintering, which can be a disaster on your dog’s GI system.

Gourmet Treats

It’s a special occasion, so put down the daily milk bone and head to your local pet store to see if they have dog-friendly gourmet treats (typically housed in a display case near the register). It’s like shopping in a legitimate doggy bakery with cookies, eclairs, truffles -- you name it -- all prepared for the safety and enjoyment of your dog. Can’t find any gourmet treats nearby? Try making your own!

A Birthday Cake Fit for a Dog

If gourmet dog treats are beneath your canine, how about upgrading to a full birthday cake with his or her name written in frosting? (Reminder to self: must purchase for next year) Want a DIY version? Try Puppy Cake’s line of boxed cake mix, which comes in flavors like peanut butter, carob, and red velvet. And if traditional cake isn’t high brow enough, how about cheesecake?

Frozen Desserts

While you’re planning ridiculous desserts, don’t forget pet-friendly ice cream, like Puppy Cake’s maple bacon ice cream or The Bear and the Rat’s (anyone remember them from Shark Tank?) banana peanut barker or pumpkin frozen yogurt treats made with human-grade ingredients in the U.S.A. And again, you can find plenty of recipes online to make your own canine-friendly frozen desserts.

Bean Bags

Dogs love a soft, warm place to snuggle (preferably my lap, in Marvin’s case) and there are countless dog beds and pillows that range from basic to luxurious. However, if your dog likes to “nest” (scratching and circling their bedding before plopping down to rest) they may like the comfort of feeling semi-encased by their bedding. In this case, a bean bag is perfect.

There are others to choose from, but Marv has the small bean bag from SHAGS Wags, given as a gift by fellow dog-lovers (and owners of four dogs, so these bean bags are tried and true). Marvin loves nesting to make a little depression in the bean bag, perfectly sized for his little body to be hugged by the bean bag on all sides.

(Hmm, Marv is looking a little SHAGgy himself here...)

A Little R&R

Yes, there are spas specifically designed for our pets as well as hotel chains and groomers which offer pampering services, so you’ll have to do a little research to see what’s available in your area. Don’t want to shell out more money for your dog’s massage than you would for yourself? Do a little reading and YouTube watching (there are a lot of resources out there, here’s one) to learn the techniques and hand-deliver the best-darn massage your dog ever received!

Gift Baskets

Instead of a bottle of wine, dry pasta, expensive olive oil and cured meats, etc., think antlers, bones, balls, and squeaky toys. You can put together a gift basket of toys and treats specially curated for your favorite four-legged friend. Want to add a special touch? Present it in a basket with a personalized liner that can be repurposed as a catch-all for your dog toys laying around the house.

Dog Books

Think I’m kidding? Think again. Yes, there are books you can read to your dog before they drift off into peaceful slumber. Sure, it’s probably good practice for your kids (if you have any) to read to the dog, but as a mom to only Marvin, I still own one and read it to him from time to time. Do I really think he gets anything out of it? No. But who cares? It’s the 1:1 time that we both really love.

Food Bowls and Mats

There are tons of options for purchasing personalized food and water bowls for your dog(s) in a wide variety of styles and prices. They add a cute touch, and if you have more than one pet it can help everyone remember who eats where. But perhaps you have a tall dog that has to lean over quite a bit to reach his or her bowls. If so, you may consider raised food and water bowls - the ergonomically sound choice for your pet. Already have a bowl set that you like? Try a personalized placemat to put under the bowls to help contain the crumbs and dribbles.

Bowser Beer

Honestly, I can’t believe this exists. I’m just grateful I found out about it before Christmas. Love to spend an evening lounging on the couch with your best furry friend, watching TV, and kicking back a few brews? Well, now you can share the beverage with your dog...sort of. Bowser Beer is a 6-pack of “beer” specially made for your dog (using 100% natural ingredients and made in the U.S.A.). It gets better - you can pick the beer style - brown ale, porter, etc., - AND you can create a custom logo for your selection. I will be purchasing ASAP.

Travel Water Bottle

If your dog likes to accompany you on long walks, runs, and hikes, a portable water bottle serving double duty as a water bowl is a great little investment. They come in a variety of styles, but the one we have for Marvin is similar to his Handi-Drink bottle holder that flips open to serve as a water bowl. We use this all the time and it’s easy to carry (it even has a belt clip if needed), offering Marv a little hydration during our jaunts in nature.

Virtual Parenting

Want to stay connected to your dog while you’re at work all day or running errands? The Petzi (and there are other similar gadgets on the market) is a device that allows you to see your dog, talk to them, and even dispense treats when you’re not home. You can reinforce some basic training (making your dog “sit” before receiving a treat, for example) and check in with them so they’re a little less lonely during the day (bonus: you may be a little less lonely too).

Bark Box

If you want the gift that keeps on giving, consider a subscription to Bark Box, the monthly gift box of 4-6 handpicked treats and toys that are sure to please your pup. You can select from 1, 3, 6, or 12 month subscriptions, and if you find an item that you and your dog really love, you can purchase more of them (among other things) through their Bark Shop.

Pet Umbrella

This year, Marvin’s main gift is the Pet Umbrella (in addition to walks, snuggles, and some toys & treats as shown above). Unfortunately I don't have it yet to show in a picture (it should arrive on Tuesday), but thankfully I don't think Marv will realize his gift is late. In good news, I was able to pick up this lovely little birthday hat which he hated wearing...

Back to the Pet Umbrella. Marv absolutely despises the rain. He'd rather refuse to go to the bathroom all day than risk getting his precious coat wet. So while this contraption may look absurd, I promise you it is no less absurd looking than leaning over him with an umbrella trying to keep him dry while I get soaked. Or carrying him under your jacket from tree to tree so he can pee with a bit of shelter provided by the branches and leaves. Fingers crossed this Pet Umbrella will deliver as promised and make walking in the rain more bearable for me… I mean, Marvin.

Unconditional Love

Okay, maybe this one isn't unique, but when in doubt, just give back to your dog what they give day in and day out: unconditional love. Spend time with them, praise them for good behavior, and let them know how much they mean to you. It’s all a dog ever really wants.