Holiday gift guide: Part III

OFFICIAL AYATOLLAH MUGSY MERCHANDISE

The gift: The Pug Life Ministries Gift Shop offers an assortment of Mugsy-approved merchandise. The store includes stirring propaganda items bearing the intense visage of the ayatollah, official Voting Rights for Canines products, the simple yet profound Got Rawhide? lineup, and the holy offerings from the Vatican Gift Shop, featuring Pope Pius Pug.

Special offer: Today (Sunday, Dec. 6) only, get free shipping on apparel orders of $50 or more by using coupon code WKNDDEAL. Some restrictions may apply.

Cost: Varies. But as Mugsy always says, "Spendliness is next to Godliness." So don't be shy.

Where: www.cafepress.com/ayatollahmugsy

DONATE TO A WORTHY CAUSE

The gift: Instead of buying something for the person who already has everything, why not just donate that money to a worthy cause such as an animal shelter or rescue group? You can often make a donation in the name of the gift recipient or rescue a dog in their name. Worthy causes abound, but some that get the Ayatollah Seal of Approval include DFW Pug Rescue and Operation Kindness.

Cost: As much or as little as you want.

Where: The links above, or google a shelter or rescue group in your area.

DOG SILHOUETTE

The gift: Artisans on the handmade craft site etsy.com are apparently selling custom silhouette images of beloved pets. An example from the sometimes hilarious Web site regretsy.com can be found above. And yes, that was supposed to be a poodle puppy.

Cost: Too much, unless you can do better than this one. If you really want a silhouette, make the ayatollah an offer and he'll consult his Photoshop Sweatshop.

Where: Various merchants on etsy.com.

Holiday gift guide: Part II

HUMUNGA STACHE

The gift: Many canines like to fetch a ball, and many humans like to see a giant mustache on a dog. So this item offers the best of both worlds -- a rubber ball attached to a giant mustache! In theory, the canine will pick up the ball end of the Stache and look like an Old West villain about to tie a damsel to some train tracks. I have my doubts and think you may see just as much whisker-chewing as ball-fetching. But you gotta admit that outrageous facial hair is in in the doggy world (just look at Ayatollah Mugsy's beard!), so it might be worth a shot if your pet is unable to grow his own thick mustache.

Cost: $12 for one, $10 apiece for two or more, plus $5 shipping for entire order

Where: Moodypet.com

Holiday gift guide

Hey, everybody. It's me, Wendell. Mugsy put me in charge of the ministry after a recent surgery, though he's going in tomorrow to get his stitches taken out, so he'll be back at the helm soon. I'll be the first to admit that I haven't done a great job filling in as blogger-in-chief -- I've been a little distracted from posting by my newfound howling abilities. Rumor has it that there's even a video floating around of an ayatollah family howl-a-thon, so that may surface at some point if there's enough interest. You may have also heard a rumor that I've been cast as a werewolf in the next Twilight movie, but the screeching girls in "Team Wendell" should know that no contract has been signed as of yet -- though I am willing to show off my abs in exchange for a belly rub.

Anyway, I don't want Mugsy to be mad at me for my lack of blog posts, so I'm gonna try to make up for it now with a new feature, running all this week, that I like to call the Pug Life Ministries Holiday Gift Guide! I've scoured the Web for some of the finest canine-centric gifts so that you don't have to.

So let's get right to it -- here's the first installment!

HUMPING USB DOG

The gift: First off we have the Humping USB Dog, the ultimate gift for the techno-geek dog lover in your life. The 2.25-inch-tall dogs come in either boxer or beagle (and other breeds are pictured, so you may be able to find those if you shop around). Simply plug the amorous pooches into your computer and watch them go to town! These are perfect for both home and office use. And as the seller states, they do require USB power to get turned on.

Cost: $9.99 plus shipping

Where: thinkgeek.com

If you have any ideas for items to include in the gift guide, message Ayatollah Mugsy on Facebook or e-mail him at ayatollahmugsy@gmail.com.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Hey, everybody! Wendell here. Big Brother Mugsy told me I could wish everybody a happy St. Patrick's Day. This is one of my favorite holidays -- I already added green food coloring to all the water bowls in the house, and I've got my green collar on. I don't think Mugsy understands why I get so into St. Patrick's Day. I tried to explain it to him. I said, "Dude, I'm a party animal! And besides, it's my heritage." And Mugsy said, "What do you mean, your heritage?" And I said, "Mugsy, I'm pretty sure I'm Black Irish."

Happy holidays

Season's greetings