Product posts may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of those links, you won’t pay a cent more, but we will receive a small commission, which helps support us.
Sure, filing your taxes isn’t the most exciting thing in the world. But, like many people, I look forward to it for one reason: that big ‘ol refund.
Once that big check lands in my account, I’ve already spent it about 15 different ways in my mind — on that new purse I’ve been eyeing, a vacation, dinner out at that fancy new restaurant downtown, 20 pairs of shoes…
Ahem. Back on track.
As if there weren’t already a million ways you could spend your tax refund, let me add one more to your list: your pup! Now’s a great time to buy the things that were previously a bit out of reach for your paycheck.
Here’s a list of just a few things that’ll make you and your dog’s life better.
1. A Roomba to Make Dog Hair Disappear
I’ve written before about my trials living with a dog that sheds. (And honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever write enough about it.) Instead of slaving away with the vacuum every week, give yourself a break with a Roomba.
Roomba has a vast lineup of products, but pet owners love the Roomba 690 for how well it picks up dog hair. For proof, take a look at just a few reviews:
“Six whole days of us not touching a broom (aside from sweeping the dirt from an awkward corner into her path the first day), there is not a single doggie hair tumbleweed on our floors. My feet are pretty clean when I run around barefooted all day. I’m no longer embarrassed or panicked when someone says they’re going to stop by the house. “
“Picks up so much pet hair!!!”
“I have two dogs and we are messy, still, I thought my floors were pretty clean. The first time I ran the Roomba it ran about two hours and when I emptied the tray I was shocked! It was packed with dirt, hair, bugs, (see pic) I couldn’t believe I was missing so many areas with my vacuum.”
“We’ve run it every day and it is still grabbing dog hair at an alarming rate. Who knew how much a golden retriever sheds?”
In addition, the Roomba 690 has a companion app to allow you to start/schedule cleaning from your smartphone, and it’s compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. In other words, two ways you can clean without leaving your couch.
One more thing: You get to NAME THE ROOMBA! So cool.
2. A ball-throwing toy
If you have a dog that loves to play fetch, you know your arm is going to get tired LONG before your dog is tired. Thankfully, the miracle of modern technology is alleviating that problem with robots that throw the ball FOR YOU.
The Paws & Pals Automatic Ball Launcher is a great option. It can be adjusted for three distances: 10 feet, 20 feet or 30 feet, and has a treat compartment to reward your pup for bringing the ball back. (Note: This model is intended for small and mid-size dogs only.)
3. A pup-friendly window
This is a fun one — the Pet Peek is a little acrylic that is installed in a wooden fence, that encourages your pup’s natural curiosity and allows him to explore his world more. It looks just like something you’d see on the playground, but for your dog! (And imagine how fun this would be if your neighbor had a dog, too!)
4. A high-tech way to keep an eye on your dog
More than anything, I wish I could stay at home with Lucy all day and hang out. But I have to work so my dog can have a better life, right? Thankfully, there are a slew of cameras out there designed to help you keep a close eye on your pup when you’re away, like this one from RCA.
The RCA Pet Camera and Monitor is a state-of-the-art pet camera that can pan/tilt/zoom remotely and provides crystal-clear 24/7 life high-definition video. It offers two-way audio so you can talk to your pet, infrared night vision, temperature detection and more. Better still, you can watch your pet from your smartphone, making it easy to check up on her wherever you are.
5. A robotic way to exercise indoors
Take playtime to the next level with robotic dog toys like GoBone. Made from durable, FDA-food-grade materials, this rugged little guy moves on its own, giving your dog a great game of chase while also challenging him mentally.
I know what you’re thinking: “So this thing is just going to take off and terrorize my dog, right?” Nope! It can be customized for your dog’s age, weight, breed and play style, and also comes with bonding mode, which is ideal for helping timid pups slowly warm up to the GoBone. And because no one knows how to play with our dogs better than us, the GoBone can be controlled via smartphone for a more interactive experience.
Finally, the GoBone’s exterior can be removed for cleaning, and replaced if damaged, meaning it’s one dog toy that will actually stick around.
6. An EPIC new dog bed
Who doesn’t love a new bed? We’ve written before about how much we love the Cozy Cave, which is a great bed for dogs who love to burrow. Here’s a few other options:
An oversized memory foam bed for large dogs:
A couch-style bed that’s probably comfier than anything you own:
This cuddler, which I’m currently looking for in human sizes:
That about does it! How are YOU treating your pup this year?