Christmas gift ideas for the Holiday Season

December 15, 2012 By 17 Comments
Rebel 316

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Side step the thought of spending thousands on diamonds and gold this year and take a look at a hot new trend in jewelry: Alternative Metal. The most common alternative is Stainless Steel Jewelry is hypoallergenic, shines like white gold and sterling silver, and costs just a fraction of the price! So this Christmas, lets take a look at a few gift ideas to jump start some excitement into your wonderful holiday season.

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Pet Urn Materials For Your Dog Or Cat

December 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

pet urn materialsYour pet was a member of your family, so it makes sense that you would want to memorialize him or her in your home.  Researching and choosing a pet urn during a period of grieving can be difficult and it can also be cathartic.  Laying your pet to rest is never an easy process, but choosing the perfect urn to store his or her ashes can help ease the pain.  When you know that your family friend will be honored with a fitting memorial, it can begin to help you heal.

Cremation urns have often been seen as ugly or uninteresting, but it all depends on the style you choose in the end.  The traditional wide-mouthed vase is not your only option.  Urns come in all shapes, styles, sizes and materials.  In this article we’ll cover the different types of materials urns are made from and which one is right for you and your pet.

Metal urns are the most common.  These pet urns are usually crafted from inexpensive but durable metals.  Pewter, brass and bronze are used most often.  Metals are obviously the more traditional of your options and are available in a variety of colors that can suit the decor of your home.

Glass urns have recently become popular.  Stained or tinted glass can be an elegant way to keep your pet’s memory alive.  These glass pet urns are available in many styles and any color imaginable.  The glass urn is a little less “stuffy” than its metal counterpart and would fit a more modern  home well.

Ceramics and stones are the most customizable urns.  These cat and dog urns can be carved into any shape.  There are many available online that are carved to look like dogs, cats, butterflies or anything else you can imagine.  There are even companies that will allow you to commission a custom urn, perhaps in the shape of your pet or his/her favorite toy.

For those that prefer a more natural choice, there are wooden urns available.  Wood is perfect for the more outdoorsy type.  If your pet loved to run in the park with you, what better way to honor his memory than to have an urn made from the same kind of wood as his favorite tree?

There are many, many choices in choosing the perfect urn to honor your beloved pet.  The process can seem overwhelming at first, but narrowing down your choice by knowing your material preference can make the task a little less daunting.  Once you know what type of urn you want, view my featured lists of photographic, modern or classic urns.

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Saying Goodbye: How to Cope With the Loss of a Pet

December 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

dealing with loss of a petNo one ever wants to say goodbye to a beloved pet.  Dogs, cats and all of our other furry and feathery friends play huge roles in our lives.  A pet is a member of your family, your best friend and your shoulder to cry on.   Owning a pet means that you have opened your heart and your home to another creature.  They will love you unconditionally and be there for your in every situation.  There’s nothing quite like coming home to a wagging tail or soft purr, so when these companions are taken from us it is absolutely heartbreaking.

There is no easy way to deal with the loss of a pet.  The grief can be overwhelming, often leaving pet owners with a feeling of emptiness.  Some people will only take days to move on from this loss, where some people never fully move past their grief.  The important thing to remember during this period is that grieving is normal and healthy.  Feeling sad, helpless or lonely are common reactions to losing someone you care about so much, and the best course of action is to express this sadness to a trusted friend or family member.  Recount the happiest moments of your pet’s life and the time you shared together.  Your pet would want you to remember the good days!

There may be some people in your life that do not fully understand why you are so upset at this time.  This is simply because certain people haven’t had the luxury of such a deep bond with an animal companion.  Pets are there for you day in and day out, and those who have not experienced the relationship owners have with their animals could not possibly comprehend the loss.  In these cases, choose different people to talk to.  Trying to explain the depth of your loss to a person who doesn’t want to understand will only hurt and anger you.  Look to friends and family who have and love pets the way you do and you will find a common ground on which you can securely express your grief.

There are ways to aid the grieving process, as well.  It is said that funerals are for the living and it’s quite true.  Holding a pet ceremony to say farewell to your friend can be cathartic.  While it may seem silly to some to have a memorial for a pet, it can help you and your family say goodbye to someone you love.  Physical memorials can also be a nice way to remember your pet.  You could create a photo collage, build an online gallery or have a painting made.  Picking out a beautiful urn for your pet’s ashes can keep him or her with you in your home for decades to come.  If you have a yard, you could even plant a tree that will flower for years in your pet’s memory.  However you choose to remember your lost loved one, it will be right for you.

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Honoring Your Furry Pet Friend

December 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

pet ceremoniesLosing a pet is one of the worst things an animal lover can experience.  It is difficult to explain the pain, hurt and emptiness that accompanies the loss of a companion animal to people who don’t feel the same way.  Those who have never experienced the joy of sharing their lives with a pet are unable to understand the depth of the bond between furry friend and owner.  While rituals for celebrating the life of the deceased are common in every culture, these are rarely extended to animals.  The thing is, holding a ceremony to say goodbye to your pet can be very cathartic and heavily aid the healing process. Also choosing a pet urn can be a benefit for the years after.

This is especially true if you have a family with children.  Children are new to the concept of death and mortality and they may be very confused at this time.  It is common for children to lash out and become even more upset than their parents or guardians when their unconditional companion passes on so early in their young lives.  Hosting a funeral or ceremony for your pet can help your children to understand what has happened, why and come to terms with it.  It will also give them the opportunity to express what they are feeling and share in the good memories your pet left.  Remind your children that it is okay to be both happy and sad, that they should celebrate the life of their departed friend as well as mourn his or her loss.

Most of this advice holds true for families that don’t have children, as well.  If your home family is only you and your pet, invite friends who shared time with the animal as well.  Invite people who have a similar love for animals so that they will be able to empathize with your loss.  While a funeral or passing ceremony is largely symbolic, it will give you the opportunity to say farewell to your companion and help you start the healing process.  Asking trusted friends who had a relationship with your dog or cat to be present is a good idea for emotional support.  You will have hands to hold and shoulders to cry on, and other people to share more cheerful memories of the departed.

The ceremony itself can include anything you choose or anything that you feel honors your lost pet.  If you’ve chosen to bury the urn, the ceremony can include the burial process.  If you plan to store the ashes and keep them in your home, the ceremony can include the transfer of the ashes to the urn.  If you prefer, the ceremony can include neither of these and just be a gathering of friends and family honoring your pet in conversation.  It is your pet and your choice; honor him or her in whatever way you see fit.

If you’re curious about cremation, read my next article “Cremation and Pets” to better understand the process.

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How to Choose an Urn For Your Dog or Cat

December 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Choosing an urn for your catYour dog or cat was your best friend and part of your family.  A beloved companion that it is hard to say goodbye to.  If you have chosen cremation, the best way to honor your pet’s memory is by choosing an urn that suits him or her.  There are a number of factors that should be taken into consideration when seeking out and purchasing an urn.  Some of these factors are absolute and some are a matter of preference.

First, you will need to know your dog or cat’s weight prior to purchasing an urn.  This is so that you know what size urn to purchase.  You can weigh your pet yourself at home by standing on a scale, then standing on the scale with the pet and subtracting your own weight from that figure.  If this is not an option, you can also contact your veterinarian for your pet’s last recorded weight.  When searching for the perfect urn to memorialize your pet, keep in mind that one pound of body weight equals one cubic inch of ash.  As an example, if you have a dog that weighs twenty pounds, you will need an urn capable of holding 20 cubic inches.  These numbers should be readily available from any reputable distributor.

types of cat urnsThe next decision you must make is whether you are going to bury or display your pet’s urn.  If you choose to bury it, you will want to take the material the urn is made out of into consideration.  Decide whether or not you want the urn to last the weathering of being buried or whether you want it to decompose within the earth.  There are biodegradable urns available for this option.

If you would rather display the pet’s urn in your home, take your apartment or house’s decor into consideration.  Keep in mind that this urn is something you will be displaying to memorialize your pet for generations to come.  There are dozens of styles of dog and cat urns available online, and one is bound to suit your style and honor your pet at the same time.

There are two types of urn shapes that are most common.  One is the vase style that you are probably already familiar with, and the other is the “keepsake” box style.  The keepsake box can be large enough to put your pet’s tags or favorite toy inside with the ashes or anything else you feel your pet would like to take with in the afterlife.  However, if you plan to add anything besides your pet’s ashes to the urn, keep the cubic mass of the addition in mind when choosing a size.

Another important thing to consider when purchasing an urn for your departed pet is the material of the urn.  Read my next article for more information.

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Choosing Cremation Throughout History

December 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

pet cremationsHistorically, methods of to disposing of the deceased have always been complicated.  There are hundreds of specific traditions worldwide and throughout the ages.  From the ancient Egyptians to the Roman-Catholics, these processes are full of tradition that memorialized our lost loved ones, neighbors and leaders.

Though cremation seems like it has only recently become popular, cremations urns discovered by archaeologists date back thousands of years.  Many people choose cremation for their pets because it does not require the manual effort of a home burial or the expense of purchasing a plot in a pet cemetery.  Finding an urn that helps one to remember their pet and displaying that urn in their home as a lasting legacy to the animal is also a nice touch.

Dating back to the Stone Age, there is evidence of cremation.  Ancient urns have been discovered in various places around Europe and Asia.  With carbon dating and other archaeological techniques, it can be discerned that cremation remained at the forefront until the rise of Christianity, where burial became the more popular tradition for some time.

In the 1800s, the practice of cremation was again revived, particularly in Europe.  It is also around this time that pet cremation came into play.  As an inexpensive method of disposal that allows owners to retain a keepsake of their beloved animal companions, cremation has provided an alternative to burial for generations and will do so for many more to come.

The process has grown so popular that there are even organizations devoted to the practice and regulation of cremation throughout the world.  The Cremation Society of North America was founded in 1913 (when it was called “The Cremation Society of America”; it was renamed in 1975).  These organizations maintain the standards of the cremation process and ensure its reputability.

With human cremation, often times the ashes are spread in areas the person held dear.  Sometimes they are distributed amongst family members for them to release as they see fit.  Urns are far more common, though.  There are hundreds of options out there for beautiful urns that suit your lost loved one.  There are even companies that make custom urns to add detail to the memorial specific to the person or pet you are remembering.

When it comes to pets, most owners choose to keep the ashes of their deceased friend in an urn so that the pet can “live on” with them in their home and be remembered daily.  After all, these wonderful little creatures spent their lives with us in our homes and should be honored there throughout our lives.

To learn more about urn burial versus keeping an urn in your home, read the next article in my series.

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To Bury or Display Your Pet

December 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Pet cemeteriesDeciding what to do when your pet passes away is obviously complicated.  There are so many choices to make and options to consider.  The most common and popular method is cremation.  If you come this far in my series on pet cremation, this is probably the decision you’ve made, or at least one you are heavily considering.

In our culture, burial is still the more popular option for managing our loved ones after they have passed on.  However, cremation has been gaining in popularity for generations as a less expensive alternative.  As discussed in previous articles, cremation is also a nice way to honor your lost dog or cat by giving him or her a permanent place in your home, one that transcends life and death.

If you prefer the idea of burial but don’t have the ability to bury your pet in traditional manners, there is still one more option.  You can choose an urn for your pet and have a burial for that urn and his or her ashes.  Pet cemeteries offer much less expensive burial plots for urns because they take up less land space.  Some pet cemeteries also have enclosures intended for cremation urns that will give you peace of mind that the ashes are safe.  You will also have a place to visit your pet whenever you choose.

If you would prefer to bury at home, cremation and a pet urn make this process easier as well.  If you live on a plot of land that has space limits it lessens the amount of room necessary for a proper burial.  This is especially true if you have a pet that is a large breed.  Choosing to bury an urn instead of the body will also lighten the load on whomever has to put in the physical labor to create the grave site.

With the option of urn burial at home, you can also have a headstone made or plant a tree to permanently memorialize your lost companion for generations to come.  This provides a close, safe place for you to honor your pet and enjoy the memories you have of him or her.

If you would like to choose a more natural burial, there are many biodegradable options out there.  One of the most interesting is a sea burial concept from Marble Products International.

natural looking pet urns

While this Carpel Rock Salt Pet Urn above is a beautiful piece, it is made from rock salt and is designed to fully dissolve within four hours.  This particular urn is 80 cubic inches in volume, so it could hold pets of several different sizes.

The burial process also offers the opportunity to have a funeral or ceremony to celebrate your pet’s life with those who love you and loved your pet with you.  My next article contains several ideas for how to hold a burial ceremony if you choose this route.

The alternative to burial is to keep your pet’s ashes in an urn in your home.  Many people prefer this option so that their companion animal can remain close to them for years after his or her life in this realm has ended.  In this case, choosing an urn that properly memorializes your pet is very important.

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Personalized Pet Urns: A Photographic Memorial

December 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

unique pet urns

If you have chosen to remember and honor your pet with a cremation urn, there are a number of styles to consider.  One of these styles is the photographic pet urn.  These urns hold your pet’s ashes and your favorite photo, so that he or she can be memorialized accurately and lovingly.  Some of these urns also offer further personalization, such as an engraved nameplate.

Keepsake Urn in Mahogany

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Peaceful Pet offers this keepsake chest above that is a very affordable option for anyone on a budget.  Made from real mahogany, this piece is durable and intended to last generations.  This is a large cremation urn and will suit even the biggest breed of dog, as the chest has a volume of over 150 cubic inches.  The photo insert is for a 5″ x 3.5″ photograph.

Unique pet urns

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For an elegant touch, this beautiful keepsake chest for your pet above comes with an acrylic medallion that can display a photograph of your pet.  It is available in chestnut or mahogany wood with brass accents, and either 150 or 250 cubic inches in size.

photographic pet urns

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For a more simple urn, these modern-style pet photo box urns above feature a large photo of your pet inside a smooth, wooden urn.  These urns are available in a variety of sizes and several colors including natural (shown), cherry and black finishes.  This urn is a particular favorite of mine because of its simplicity and the focus on the photograph of your departed friend.

Memorial Box Urn for pets
Another affordable option by Peaceful Pet is their Revolving Memorial Box urn above.  This urn showcases five different photos of your beloved dog or cat and can be rotated often so that there is always a fresh memory to cherish.  The memorial box itself sits atop a pedestal that turns, so it is not necessary to over-handle the urn when rotating to view the different photos.  The mahogany finish adds a classy element to this urn, while the photos give it a causal appearance that does not directly imply that it is an urn.  This is the perfect option for those that want to memorialize their pet without having the urn be obvious.

Brushed Nickel Urns for pets

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For those who prefer a metallic finish, K-L Enterprises offers a photo urn in brushed nickel above.  While a little more expensive than other options, this urn is very sleek and sophisticated.  It would go well with almost any home decor, especially on a mantle or in an office or den space.  It features a large space for a photograph that can be changed without disturbing the ashes.  This urn holds 100 cubic inches so it is suitable for most pets, from small to large.

If the photo urn is not quite the memorial you are looking for, there are also more traditional urns available, as well as other modern-style non-photo urns.

Modern Pet Urns

Popular dog urns

Photographic urns and the classic vase-style urns are not for everyone.  Sometimes these options are a little too traditional for every animal lover.  If you’re looking for a more unique way to memorialize your departed pet, there are still a lot of options available.  There are urns out there in lots of shapes, colors and materials that don’t quite fit the norm.

Unique cat urns

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beautiful cat urns

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These two urns are elegant but playful at the same time.  What better way to honor your memory of your cat than with a cat-shaped urn?  Both of these urns are made of durable brass to last for ages and protect your pet’s ashes.  Each has a volume of 35 cubic inches, so these urns are perfect for cats up to 35 pounds.  The urns are available in a brown or a white finish, so you can choose which better represents your personal taste or your cat.

Cat shaped pet urns

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Everyone knows cats have very different personalities.  For the more regal kitty, Star Legacy offers this style of cat-shaped urn.  As elegant as its pouncing counterparts, this cat is a little more distinguished and would look lovely displayed on a mantle or as a keepsake on a shelf.

Expensive pet urns

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This beautiful pewter urn for pets has a very modernized look.  Ashes are contained in the base while the focal point is an interchangeable photo or memorial encapsulated in the glass bell.  This urn would be ideal for an office or den environment.  It is made from pewter and glass and will suit small dogs or cats up to 18 pounds.

cool urns for dogs and cats

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This brass-plated pet urn is the definition of modern.  Its very sleek, silver finish decorated with paw prints will be a fitting memorial to a larger pet; this urn’s volume is 205 cubic inches.  This is one of my favorite pieces in the modern category, as it is unique and can compliment any home’s decor while honoring your lost pet’s memory.

keepsake urns for dogs and cats

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For a more simple style, this large memory chest for pets has enough space to send your pet off with his or her favorite toy, tags, or anything other items your pet loved.  It is made of very durable pewter, has a high luster finish in silver and has a volume of 220 cubic inches.

If modern urns aren’t traditional enough for your tastes, or if you simply prefer something more recognizable as an urn, the following article contains a collection of classic urns that may suit your needs better.

Classic Cat and Dog Urns

Cat urns

If you’ve reviewed my lists of photographic urns and more modern urns and still have not found one that suits you and your pet, perhaps you have more of a traditional taste. I’ve hand-selected several beautiful options for a more classic memorial for your beloved pet.

unusual pet urns for pets

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urns for hunting dogs

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For a traditional urn with a modern finish, UrnsDirect2U offers two styles.  The woodgrain urn and camouflage finishes are perfect for those who liked to spend lots of time outdoors with their pets.  If you and your dog went hunting regularly, or if your cat loved to climb the tree in your yard, these affordable aluminum urns are a nice way to honor their memory.  Volume of 50 cubic inches. This style makes the perfect urn for hunting dog owners.

Metal pet urns

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From the same manufacturer, there is a more elegant pet urn option as well.  This brass urn has a pewter finish with little gold paws wrapping around.  Available in small (80 cubic inches, shown) and large (110 cubic inches)

Pewter urns for pets

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this classic pet urn above could suit almost any size of pet.

Unique urns for cats

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Star Legacy’s urns tend to be more detailed, and this one is no different.  The urn is made of solid brass with a delicate shale finish and cat silhouette inlays.  There are three styles available on their site: sitting kitty [http://www.wayfair.com/Emerald-Green-Feline-Silhouette-Cat-Urn-SL2891P-SLF1128.html], grooming kitty (shown) and standing kitty [http://www.wayfair.com/Sienna-Feline-Silhouette-Cat-Urn-SL2890P-SLF1127.html].  Each of these cat urns holds 30 cubic inches.

copper urns for pets

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This classic pet urn adds a subtle touch with the paw prints on the lid.  It is a low, wide vase style pet urn available in antiqued copper (shown)

silver

Paw Print Pet Urn

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or black below from Star Legacy.  It is also available in several sizes so it could be used for a variety of different breeds or species.

Black urns for dogs and cats

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Ebony Pet Urns for dogs and cats

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For a sleek-but-traditional option, this black marble urn is perfect.  It is an understated yet attractive memorial for a small pet, holding up to 35 cubic inches.

Lotus Heart Pet Urns

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Perhaps the most traditional style of urn included in this list is the Lotus Heart Pet Urn by Star Legacy.  It is an affordable option that is nickel plated and features very intricate engravings all around.  It is also available in small (20 cubic inches, shown), medium and large with varying color themes for each size.

unique pet urns

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For those that want to go all-out for their pets with a more chic memorial, Urns In Style offers three very elegant options that will command attention.  Their Morning Dew and Lotus designs focus on a more spherical shape and depart from the classic vase style while retaining an element of tradition.

Whichever style of urn you choose for your pet, remember that it is his or her memory that is being kept alive.  Honor your pet by relishing your happy memories together, and know that he or she will always be with you at heart.

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Cremation and Pets

December 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Pet cremationThe process of losing a family pet is emotionally taxing enough, but dealing with everything afterwards can be hectic and confusing.  Most pet owners choose to go the cremation route, which can be significantly less expensive and less difficult than utilizing a pet cemetery or attempting burial yourself.  Considering the options of how to deal with your pet’s remains is probably the last thing you want to be doing during your grieving period, but it is a decision that must be made.

The process is rather simple.  Crematoriums use extremely high heat to turn the body into ashes, which are then returned to the owner.  There are typically two types of cremation services offered by crematoriums.  The least expensive option is mass cremation.  This is when a group of deceased pets are cremated together and their ashes are divided by weight of the animal prior to being returned to the owner.  Some people may not like this option, but many others think of it as nothing more than their own pet passing on with other beloved pets.

If you feel that mass cremation is not a suitable option for your pet, most crematoriums also offer private cremation.  This is when your pet is cremated individually and all of his or her ashes are returned to you.  While this option may appeal to you at first, it can carry a hefty price tag.  In the end, the decision is up to you and your family.  Paying the extra money to know that you will always have your pet with you can be worth it to some people.  Both mass and private cremation are common, reputable procedures and should choose the one that is right for you.

When your pet’s ashes are returned to you, they will be sent from the crematorium in a plastic bag.  Some facilities will send them in a cardboard box, while others send a cheap plastic or aluminum urn.  These are not intended to be permanent vessels for your pet’s ashes, so it is important that you find a reliable way to store them.

The best way to store your pet’s ashes is in an urn.  Not only will a pet urn keep the ashes safe, it can be a lovely way to keep your pet with you in your home and memorialize him or her.  Dog and cat urns are available from many retailers online.   I also have compiled lists of photographic urns, modern urns and classic urns that may be of use in deciding.  There are hundreds of styles, so you can find one that will help you remember your pet however you choose.

For more information on the history of cremation, read the next article in this series.

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A Cascade of Pleasure – The Conair Waterfall Footbath!

December 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment

“When you’ve had a long day, and you’re feeling beat…

Treat yourself the right way, and pamper your feet!”

Conair Waterfall Footbath

Conair Waterfall Footbath

Whether you’re sitting, standing or steamrolling all day; it’s your poor feet that take the punch. Doctors even say the first symptom of exhaustion is leg pain. Imagine how marvelous it would be if we could get a magical massage every single night!

Well, since friendly foot fairies are only part of fairy-tales, you’ll have to find another way… and this is what I settled for- a Conair Waterfall Footbath! The luxuriously warm relaxation it gives my weary feet, is a sensation like no other! Cozily shaped to encase each foot, this bath has both bubbles and a constant waterfall massaging your feet from both sides.  I have found it best to add hot water initially as the cool bubbles gradually bring the temperature down to a perfect environment.

With 3 little toddlers to run behind the whole day, who has time to visit a spa! All I want to do on a break is lie back and relax. After a single use of the Conair Footbath, I decided this was one of the most interesting and invigorating ways to pamper my aching feet. Besides just a warm shower, this appliance does so much more! It comes with 3 fancy attachments- a scrub brush (to remove the grime), a pumice stone (to scrape off dead skin) and soft-touch massager to rejuvenate the underside of your foot, leaving you feeling completely refreshed and vibrant!

One of the chief treatments in naturopathy is curing ailments through a focused foot massage. Now you can practically heal yourself while enjoying the phenomenal feel of a ‘Waterfall Footbath’. It even has toe controls, so once I’m all comfortable I don’t have to get up again for the next hour! So join the race ladies… and don’t worry, once you get back, plug it in and give your precious feet a perfect foot-spa!

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