Barking Dog Shoes

First Annual Barking Dog Shoes Gift Guide

Better late than never! Although I don't have one gift wrapped and many still to buy, I've carved out time to put together the FIRST ANNUAL BARKING DOG SHOES Gift Guide. Even if you bought all your gifts in July, consider the barking dogs in your family and throw them a treat to quiet them down.

For Cold Dogs:

• Merrell Encore Chill: cozy warmth plus Merrell's famous support. $90
• Aetrex Lynco Shearling Orthotics: you can wait until next Friday to see if you win the contest below, OR you can head over to Footwear Etc. and pick up a pair for $59.99.
• Hatley "Fun Dogs" Slipper Socks: Lightweight enough so the feet won't overheat. $11.49
• Haflinger Doggy Slippers: Boiled wool with latex arch support. Machine washable. Comes in kitties and sheep too! $69.95

For Muddy, Wet, Outdoor Dogs:

• Bogs: Comfort rated to -20--40 below! Waterproof and warm (thanks to thick neoprene), Bogs come in fun prints and colors. $60-88

For Stylish Dogs:

• Sorel Torino boot: To quote from the description at Zappos, the Torino is "for that fun fearless female who wants the look, comfort and versatility of a sneaker with the protection of a Sorel® boot." $94.95
• Miz Mooz Janessa boot: Vintage appeal with modern flair. Reviewed here. $146.90

For Scrappy Dogs:

• Ped Egg+3replacement blades+Miracle Foot Cream: Ok, so the PedEgg is one of those crazy As Seen on TV products, but it WORKS! Grate away at those callouses until they're smooth and then slather on the Miracle Foot Cream. Great deal for $17!
• Lush Fair Trade Foot Lotion: Just plain good stuff. $19.50

For Dogs on their paws all day:

• Dansko Professional in tooled leather: roomy toe box, rocker sole; good for what ails ya (bunions, painful forefoot, plantar fasciitis and back pain). The tooled leather style is gorgeous and appears to have been handcrafted in Mexico! $120
• Alegria clogs: Great for wide feet that need a lot of support. Removable insole to accommodate orthotic. Rocker sole. These are "statement" shoes as they're quirky and come in many bright colors and funky patterns. $99;  $109 for mary jane.

For Dog Walking:

• MBT shoes: Aside from the fact that they really do tone your legs and behind, they're fabulously comfortable with room for toes, great support and take pressure off forefoot while walking. Great selection and many on sale at Footwearetc.com
• Merrell Siren Sport: My favorite gym shoe of all time--just as comfortable on the elliptical as the prairie path. Comes in wide widths too. $90

Now I'd like to hear from you! Which are your tried and true shoes/boots/slippers/socks? Leave a comment below and tell me what I left out. If you haven't entered the Ugg Australia boot + shearling orthotics giveaway yet, there's still time. Check out this post and enter by this Friday for a chance to win.

Footwear Etc. Ugg Boots & Aetrex Shearling Orthotics Giveaway

This is so much better than a sock contest. The generous folks at Footwearetc. are giving away ONE pair of authentic Ugg Australia boots to ONE lucky winner next Friday, Dec. 18.  And as if that wasn't enough, they'll throw in a pair of super warm and supportive Aetrex Lynco Shearling Orthotics to put IN your new Uggs.  

See, my fellow achy-footed friend, we know you've always wanted a pair of  cute and cozy Uggs, but your feet require more support, shock-absorption and cushioning than the standard Ugg can provide. The Aetrex Lynco Shearling Orthotic will trick out your Uggs (or any shoe/boot/slipper with a little extra room) with warmth AND support. 

How do I enter?

• Visit Footwear etc. Ugg Australia store and choose your favorite pair from their fabulous selection of authentic Ugg Australia boots.
• Leave a comment below telling us which style you chose and why you think you should win (not that this will sway the random selection gods).
• For an extra entry, tweet about this giveaway on Twitter: I entered to win a pair of authentic Ugg boots from @FootwearEtc and @BarkingDogShoes http://tinyurl.com/yet4558
• All entries must be received by midnight central time, Dec. 18. Winner will be notified by email on Dec. 19.

In the meantime, check out Footwear etc.'s great selection of MBT shoes (48 styles on sale).

Comfortable Women's Shoes | Simple Boots/Shoes for Under $40

Look at what's on sale at SimpleShoes.com!

1. Simple CARry on boot: Was $85, now just under $40 with free shipping. One customer states she can wear her custom orthotics due to removable insole. Knit shaft made of hemp and certified organic cotton; bottom of the shoe made from recycled car tire! Sizes 5-12, medium width.

2. Simple Satire: Upper made from cotton velvet, the “pedbed” (insole)  is made of super soft and squishy polyurethane and recycled car tire. Was $60, now under $40.

 

3. Simple PARlay: Great reviews for this natural wool "slipper." Most customers state they wear it as a shoe as it has a crepe outsole. Whole sizes 5-12.

More great deals:

• Shoebuy: $10 off $50 with promo code GIFT.
• PlanetShoes: Take 20% off sitewide.
• FootwearEtc: Great sale section, especially if you love Uggs or have always wanted to try a pair of MBT fitness shoes.
• Crocs: Outlet sale--buy 1 get 1 50% off.
• Naturalizer: All boots on sale.

Comfortable Women's Shoes | Vintage+Merrell=Plaza Strap

Emily Rose takes a better picture than I can ever hope to. She keeps up the most fascinating and visually aesthetic blog, SimplyVintageGirl.com, featuring  crafts, recipes and stunning nature photos. Her love for God and His creation is evident as she includes scriptures throughout her posts. Emily Rose has her own Etsy shop, and most recently launched a line of paper dolls, Daughters of His Story at NobleRosePress.com. And here's the kicker. This young woman just turned 17! If I had only been half as mature at 17...

Here you see a lovely photo of Miss Emily Rose's Merrell Plaza pumps. She had this to say about her comfortable shoes, "What I really like about the Plaza is the style (feminine and cute), color, and small hidden heel. I am about 5'1", so I like having a little bit of a heel, but it's  not too tall and it is hidden (which I like)."

Unfortunately, the company has discontinued this particular style, but it's still available at sale prices at a few online retailers. Some customers feel the Merrell Plaza Strap runs a half size small. I would recommend this Merrell style for narrow-medium feet with no bunions or hammertoes as the toe box is not particularly wide (like Keen).

Where to buy the Merrell Plaza Strap (and other current Merrell Plaza styles):

• OnlineShoes.com: $74.99, free shipping. (Order before Christmas and receive a $20 off a future order of $80 or more).
• Shoes.com: $89.99, free shipping. 
• Most popular style from Merrell's Plaza line, the Bandeau, $74.99-99.95, free shipping. 

Comfortable Women's Shoes | KEEN FOOTWEAR 60% off at 6pm.com

Good Saturday morning! Just a quick post to alert you to a fantastic deal at 6pm.com. Get 60% off select styles of Keen footwear.

Tip: Before buying a style, google it first to see if you can find reviews on fit and style since 6pm doesn't show actual customer reviews.

Other great deals around the web: RueLaLa is offering $10 to new customers (some great sale boutiques going on right now). Got a little one? Save 30% on ROBEEZ at Endless.com today.