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13 Tips for Growing Your Garden in Canada

Whether you’re a green thumb veteran or a novice with limited lawn space, we’ve assembled the following gardening tips to give you a head start for growing your ideal garden this Spring.

Gardening Tips for Beginners

If you’re just starting out this year and have a blank slate to work with, or you’re returning to your yard with new ideas, it’s your time to get creative. Before you begin, make sure you carefully plan and design for your space.

Take a walk around to get a feel for the size, soil, light and any pre-existing plants. Tread lightly during your initial inspection — especially if your city had a recent rainfall or has just begun to defrost. Make notes of what you would like to keep or change, and map out a design plan of what you envision your garden to look like.

Take inventory and replenish any tools you may be missing or that need updating. This may include a tractor for efficiency over large spaces, pruning shears, a shovel or rake, pots, gloves, hoses or a bin for your compost.

Know your cool-weather crops and mix up perennials and annuals to make sure your garden will last year-round. Be diverse: mix up seeds and starter plants for the same reason (and to shorten waiting times), and look for edible plants that you enjoy eating.

Check out more tips and how-tos to get started.

Cold Climate Gardening

In Canada, the growing season varies across regions. It’s important to know your frost dates before you begin planting — especially for crops that need longer seasons. However, if you want to get a head start and the weather outside is still chilly, don’t worry. There are many guides for cold climate gardening in Canada, with lists of which fruits, vegetables and flowers you can start planting in your region, even before Spring arrives.

To guard your outdoor plants against freezing during the coldest winter months, consider investing in a greenhouse, using raised beds or employing old comforters to insulate containers. You can also plant a winter garden in late summer or early autumn with dormant plants that will have time to take root.

Pick which plants best suit your climate. Winter-happy herbs include: chives, parsley, thyme and mint. Some vegetable possibilities are: asparagus, green onions, garlic and rhubarb. Lavender, figs, strawberries and sage are hardy perennial and biennial options to last the whole year, as well as are some domesticated wildflowers. Find a more extensive list of available options here.

Winter Lawn Care

To achieve the garden of your dreams, first make sure your lawn is in top shape. After a rough season, it may seem disheartening when you’re left with the aftermath of a storm. But taking the time for some upkeep is essential in maintaining a beautiful (and fruitful) yard.

If your lawn is recovering after a cold snap, grab a recyclable lawn bag and collect any debris. If the ground is firm and there is some thaw, rake up dead leaves (this contributes to snow mold) — and be careful of disturbing any growth. Check for winter damage and make repairs to supporting structures or fences as needed. In the future, ensure there is minimal walking or driving over the lawn, since this can cause bare spots.

Learn first aid for your lawn. This includes everything from year-round maintenance like weeding, treating any insect infestations and other plant diseases.

Replace mower blades and shears the instant they become dull. Look for any bends or cracks ahead of time. As the weather changes, take the time to adjust the cutting height of the blades to slightly higher than usual to allow for growth over the winter.
Spot-treat any areas the dog may have soiled, or where weeds have come up. Learning just a few lawn care tricks can make all the difference. Know how to prepare for next winter to avoid any difficulties you may have found.

Indoor Gardening

Not everyone has access to a community garden or backyard — but that doesn’t mean you can’t grow plants indoors or on your balcony.

Container gardening has become increasingly popular for those who live in smaller spaces or are brand-new to growing their own flowers and vegetables. And for good reason: container gardening is a great way to bring greenery and joy into your home with minimal stress and mess. Follow these steps to cover the basics, which include: knowing how to pick pots and containers; sterilization; fertilization; rotating and watering; and choosing the best potting mix.

Start an indoor vegetable garden. Ideally, your plants will have ample access to sunlight — six to eight hours on average — to promote growth. If this isn’t possible, you may want to invest in supplemental light fixtures. Make sure you also determine what kinds of veggies you want to grow. Some require a cooler climate, while others grow faster at higher temperatures (so adjust the thermostat accordingly). Keep your pots lightweight in case you have to move them around to achieve the perfect climate.

Not looking for a big project, but love the idea of growing your own food in the house? Indoor herb gardens are a beginner staple for the kitchen. Not only are herbs incredibly useful when cooking (and more affordable to grow than purchase), but their fragrance creates a fresh reminder of Spring and don’t take up much space. Consider ginger root, oregano and cilantro. Basil is also a popular option as it grows quickly and can be revived fairly easily. Like with all your plants — indoor and outside — make sure you watch the amount of sunlight and water each one requires, nurture their environment and tend to them carefully.

The Basics Every Aspiring Yogi Should Know

Are you an aspiring yogi? Or perhaps you’re just interested in learning a little more about this ancient practice that’s become widely popular. Either way, with World Yoga Day on February 22nd, there’s no better time to learn the basics — and we can start you off right with this quick overview of styles, benefits and supplies.

Some Common Yoga Styles

Ashtanga

An active and athletic form of yoga. Its literal translation from Sanskrit means “eight-limbed yoga,” but you don’t have to be a giant spider monster to enjoy it. This style is often associated with vinyasa or power flow classes.

Great when: you feel energized, want to move your body, and challenge your mind.

Hatha

Almost every kind of yoga taught in North America is some form of hatha yoga. It’s an all-encompassing word for any physical yoga practice, but in the form of a class is usually something that is a gentle, basic approach to yoga and the yogic breathing exercises, often with no ‘flow’ (or linked movements) between poses.

Great when: you’re a beginner, or you’re looking to strengthen your foundational knowledge of yoga and the poses.

Yin

A quiet, meditative, and gentle form of yoga. This practice is generally close to the ground, might involves blankets and pillows (yes, really), and can be held in a heated room. Each pose can be held for up to two minutes, so it’s a great patience practice as well.

Great when: you’ve got some seriously sore muscles that need some love and attention, and/or you’re looking for a thoughtful and restorative practice.

Hot

A term often used interchangeably with Bikram yoga, although there are many forms of hot yoga today including Moksha and Baptiste). This is quite literally, yoga done in a hot (and we mean hot—up to 105°F or 40°C) room, so prepare to sweat buckets and bring a towel.

Great when: you’re ready to get hot and sweaty with your yoga practice.

Some Health Benefits of Yoga:

Improved Strength & Flexibility: You might not be able to touch your toes or hold a plank position on day one, but with patience and consistency you will be able to gradually tone and loosen up tight muscles.

Stress Release & Mental Clarity: Because yoga is so focused on connecting movement with breath, yoga has been linked to relieving chronic stress patterns and relaxing the mind.

Better Sleep: Regular yoga practice has been linked to a more restful sleep in people with insomnia.

Mindful Eating: Research has also linked the meditative qualities of yoga to help strengthen the mind-body connection and increase the physical and emotional sensations of eating.

Lessened Chronic Pain: A regular yoga practice has been shown to have some pain-relieving effects on the brain.

5 Terms Every Yogi Should Know

Before you saunter on into a yoga studio, brush up on a few of the basic Sanskrit words you’ll hear in most yoga classes:

Asana: Used interchangeably with the word ‘pose.’ Each yoga pose is a different asana. For example, Uttanasana is a standing forward fold.

Namaste: It means something similar to ‘the divine light in me honours the divine light in you.’ It’s a way of feeling and sharing that divine yoga love.

Om: A meditative sound, pronounced ‘ohm’ and while the true meaning has been lost to the mists of time, it’s connected to universal energy.

Shanti: Its literal translation means ‘peace.’ Often used as a mantra (for example: ‘om shanti, shanti, shanti’) as an invocation of peace.

Yoga: Union. Because yoga is all about that mind-body connection.

Helpful Yogi Supplies

Ready to sign up for your first class? You can also try an at-home practice before stepping into the studio. Here are some tools to help you get started:

Yoga Mat: There are lots of different kinds with varying thicknesses and lengths. Find one that works for you!
Mat Towel: Great for slippery hands, and even better for hot yoga classes to prevent your mat from turning into a Slip N’ Slide.
Mat spray: Especially if you’re taking a more athletic practice like ashtanga, mat spray can help keep your mat squeaky clean.
Yoga blocks: These are a smart choice if you’re wanting to build your flexibility and need a little extra stability.
Yoga DVD: If you’re not quite ready to practice around others, or splurge on a studio membership, creating an at-home practice could be just the thing.

With these tools, you’ll be able to confidently start building your own practice, and have a mindful 2017. Namaste!

Quick Fitbit Tips to Unlock More From Your Wearable Tech

Your wearable tech is only as good as how you use it… or so the saying goes. With so many different FitBit models (Alta, Flex, Charge, Blaze, Surge, Zip and One) and options for activity trackers, it can be difficult to know if you’re getting the most out of the electronic gadget around your wrist. The best part? There is so much more to your wearable tech than keeping track of 10,000 steps (although it’s a great goal to start with).

At London Drugs, we are here to help you maximize the benefits with a few tips to get you off and running (or stepping) into a healthy 2017.

Better Together

It’s a proven fact that fitness is more fun, and effective, when you have a workout buddy. One of the best things about wearable tech is the ability to compare your stats and activity with other users. Start a challenge with friends or family by tapping the Challenges tab at the bottom of your app screen. See who can walk the most steps in a day, or who can commit to 5 days straight of getting sweaty. The loser buys the next fun workout class for you both (belly dancing, anyone?), and everyone wins at sticking to their 2017 goals. Check out Fitbit’s user-friendly guide here on how to share your exercises.

Know Your Options

While the Fitbit app has a plethora of useful features like tracking your daily goals for steps, distance, calories burned and monitoring your sleep patterns to name a few – it is not your only app option. There are many other health and fitness apps to give you a more detailed look into your daily habits, and even apps to help you with the ones you’re looking to break. Their products are currently compatible with more than 30 other apps including Strava and MyFitnessPal. Read over their general setup guide on how to connect to these apps here.

You Are What You Eat

If one of your 2017 goals is to slim down, or even just to improve the quality of the food you eat, studies have shown that one of the best ways to do this is by keeping a consistent food diary. Tap on the “+” at the bottom of the screen on the Fitbit app and select the metric you want to manually log (food, exercise, weight, sleep or water). The Fitbit app takes this data and combines it with your activity to give you accurate information on how many calories you have actually burned in a day. The power of science is right at your fingertips, or rather right on your wrist.

Hit Your Stride

People come in all shapes and sizes and so do their strides. When so much of the data you’re collecting is dependent on the number of steps you take, it’s important to make sure that your Fitbit has the correct lengths for walking and running. The easiest way to do this is to measure a distance and count your steps as you walk it. One “step” is each time you plant your front foot. Then divide the length walked by number of steps, and then you have your stride length. Do it again while running to see the difference. To add these to your profile, log into Fitbit’s website and scroll down to Settings > Personal Info and you will find the two lengths under Body Options.

Don’t have a FitBit yet? If these tips intrigued you, London Drugs has various models to fit your lifestyle needs. Visit us online or in-store for more information.

Five Fresh Reads For Spring 2017

Every spring, we strive to clean our homes, smell the blossoms, and plant a few seeds, both the literal and figurative kind. After a long cold winter, we all just want to feel renewed and reenergized, don’t we? At London Drugs, we aim to help with a selection of books filled with original perspectives and fresh starts.

So pack up your parka, swap your heavy boots for light ones (there’s still snow during a Canadian spring, after all), and check out these fresh reads for spring 2017.

The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben

The author, Peter Wohlleben, is a former German forest ranger and naturalist, and a great writer. He combines engaging storytelling with detailed research to introduce and explain an ecological world we mostly ignore – the vast and intricate community of trees. Did you know they raise, assist, and protect their young? Or that they, themselves, depend on a “wood wide web” of fungi for survival?

You’ll learn more than you imagined possible about our leafy, green friends with this book. What better time than spring to learn exactly how trees survived the winter?

Prepare to never look at trees quite the same way again.

You’ll Grow Out of It by Jesse Klein

This book unleashes the incredible talents of self-proclaimed “geek” comedian Jessi Klein on the awkwardness of finding your place and voice during your tweens, teens, and twenties. The result is raw, unflinchingly self-deprecating, and completely relatable. This book definitely contains adult content, though. So maybe save it for the high schoolers and above in your life.

You’ll follow Jessi’s sometimes difficult, but always hilarious transformation from tomboy to “tom man.” Springtime is, after all, the season of growth.

Jessi also writes on Inside Amy Schumer. Love the show? This book’s for you!

Zayn by Zayn Malik

Even casual Top-40 fans probably remember hearing in March 2015 that Zayn Malik had left teen idol mega band One Direction. Fans know he speaks three languages and was raised, along with two sisters, in blue collar, rural England, the son of a Pakistani immigrant father and part-Irish mother who converted to Islam. So saying Zayn’s life wasn’t always full of the trappings of celebrity is an understatement.

Dubbed “the quiet one” for his reluctance in 1D interviews, Zayn finally opens up here and entirely in his own words. Next, he plans to pursue a degree in English Literature.

Zayn’s capacity for reinvention is truly inspirational.

The Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton

Melton first became famous in 2009 with her hilarious, tell-all blog Momastery. This was followed by a best-selling book in 2013. Then, when things seemed almost too perfect, her marriage disintegrated after her husband confessed infidelity. But Love Warrior is about finding true understanding and, ultimately, getting back on your feet. In Melton’s signature style, it’s also a very enjoyable read.

Known as a Christian blogger, Melton shocked many in November by revealing she was in a relationship with US female soccer star Abby Wombach. Talk about new beginnings.

This book fearlessly probes the human psyche. Be ready to go deep.

Two By Two Nicholas Sparks

If you enjoy Nicholas Sparks’ very romantic books, you’ll probably love this one, too. Even if you don’t, consider giving it a chance. Instead of a will-they-or-won’t-they between a man and woman, this book revolves around a father and his six-year-old daughter, London. The dad is Russ Green, a former ad executive who finds himself on a journey more challenging and rewarding than he ever predicted.

Marriage trouble, financial struggle, and the value of family ties mark fairly refreshing subject matter for Sparks, showing new flowers can bud in any field.

It may be a tough read for some, but a few tissues should help get you through.

4 Great Canadian Road Trips to Drive in Winter

This year is Canada’s sesquicentennial, marking 150 years since 1867. Time sure flies, eh?

To commemorate this important birthday, we’re all eligible to receive a free Parks Canada Discovery Pass for 2017. They provide free access to all national parks and are great for outdoorsy types and families, too.

This year’s Canada Day in July is sure to be one of our biggest celebrations ever, but many national parks are open year-round. So why not get an early start with a winter road trip? If you’re lucky, you might even get more of the park to yourself this time of year.

To help you get started, here’s some information on one great winter national park destination for each Western Canadian province.

First, some quick winter road trip tips:

1. Get Roadside Assistance Insurance – Extra coverage gives peace of mind and will help you out if there are any problems. (Psst: this is available at London Drugs)

2. Plan and Check Your Route – Make sure you know where you’re going and aren’t driving into a storm. Be sure to tell someone else your plans, as well.

3. Service Your Car – Have it checked out before leaving, and don’t forget: winter tires are a must.

4. Pack An Emergency Kit – Consider including a shovel, candles, and warm blankets.

5. Entertain The Kids – You don’t want extra distractions while winter driving, so make sure they enjoy the ride.

Here are a few more tips, plus: Your Winter Road Trip Checklist

British Columbia – Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Photo by Ruth Hartnup on Flickr

Known For: Pacific Coast mountains and a marine and forest environment.
Approximate Driving Time From: Victoria (4hrs), Vancouver* (6hrs), Kamloops* (9hrs), Kelowna* (11hrs) *Depending on BC Ferries departure times.

Winter Activities: Pacific Rim National Park is split into several sections on Vancouver Island’s southwest coast. The most popular is the Long Beach area, near Tofino. Due to warm coastal winds, the daily average high in February and March is about ten degrees, meaning you can hike in the ancient cedar forest or down along the water, even during winter! Feeling adventurous? The winter months are also the best time for surfing, with the highest and most consistent waves.

Other BC National Parks:
Glacier National Park
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site
Kootenay National Park
Mount Revelstoke National Park
Yoho National Park

Alberta – Banff National Park

Photo by davidgsteadman on Flickr

Known For: Rocky mountain views and being Canada’s first National Park (1885)
Approximate Driving Time From: Calgary (2hrs), Lethbridge (4hrs), Edmonton (4hrs), Vernon, BC (5hrs)

Winter Activities: Nestled within a connected network of four national parks in the Canadain Rockies, Banff during winter is amazing no matter how often you go. It has everything a Canadian could ask for, including skiing (both alpine and cross-country), snowshoeing, a hot spring, gondola rides, and more. Of course, taking in the stunning views of Lake Louise is a must. If you have time, be sure to also check out the equally stunning nearby Jasper National Park.

Other Alberta National Parks:
Elk Island National Park
Jasper National Park
Waterton Lakes National Park
Wood Buffalo National Park

Saskatchewan – Prince Albert National Park

Photo by Ladylaurels Choice on Pinterest

Known For: Being a massive protected region of northern forest and wildlife.
Approximate Driving Time From: Prince Albert (1hr), North Battleford (3hrs), Saskatoon (3hrs), Regina (5hrs)

Winter Activities: It may be cold, with daily highs around -5C in February and March, but that’s never stopped true Saskatchewanians from enjoying the great outdoors. And why should it? Not when there are so many winter activities available, including cross country skiing and even curling. Perhaps the best winter activity in Prince Albert National Park is spotting wildlife, like otters, foxes, bison, or especially birds, with dozens of species viewable during winter.

Other Saskatchewan National Parks:
Grasslands National Park

Manitoba – Riding Mountain National Park

oTENTik promo photo by Parks Canada

Known For: Being a semi-“island” in the Manitoba Escarpment.
Approximate Driving Time From: Brandon (1hr), Yorkton, SK (2hrs), Winnipeg (3hrs), Thompson (7hrs)

Winter Activities: There’s everything from ice fishing and pond skating to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. And of course, there is plenty of gorgeous Canadian wildlife to watch. Plus, starting in 2017, you can now rent a snow capable Fat Bike. Another brand new addition is reservable cabin-tent hybrids called oTENTik. With so much to do at Riding Mountain National Park during the winter, it’s nearly a wonder that anyone would come during another season.

Other Manitoba National Parks: Wapusk National Park

Also: 9 Romantic Places for a Staycation in Canada

Photobooks and Valentine’s Day photo cards

Sentiment and romance—they’re like the twin pillars of Valentine’s Day. And if your gift is lacking in one, you’d better hope it covers the other. Fortunately, the Photolab has been a solid go-to for occasions like Valentine’s Day for, well, I don’t even know how long. I guess all that matters is that the Photolab will be there for us again this Valentine’s Day, with a couple of simple gifts that score off the charts when it comes to sentiment and can also be as romantic as you want to make them.

To be a success, after all, a Valentine’s Day gift doesn’t need to be particularly expensive, but it does need to be thoughtful in nature (I suppose this is true of any gift, really). And what could more thoughtful than browsing through old photos of you and your significant other (S.O.), looking for just-perfect photos to build a personalized card or photobook around? That, friends, is the very definition of sentimentality. In fact, the only way it could be more sentimental is if the card could also somehow play ‘your’ song as it’s opened (hmmm…note to the Photolab…)

As for romance, that, my friends, is up to you and photo-choosing skills. (And also, I suppose, your photo-taking skills—because you need to have romantic photos featuring your S.O. in order to choose romantic photos.) The Photolab kiosk and website have a selection of themes to cover any mood you want to create, from light & breezy to super-smooth romance. So provided you have the right photos—you know the ones; the tropical beach, the moonlight shot, the embrace, the one from that special night—a photo card or photobook can be as romantic as the ‘candlelight dinner + dozen roses + Barry White playlist’ triple crown.

This is usually the point in the post where I bust into the walkthrough showing how to create the gift item in question using the Photolab in-store kiosks and website, but in this case creating photobooks and greeting cards have been covered in detail:

Creating a photobook

Creating a personalized Valentine’s Day card

Do yourself a favour this V-Day: forget the clichés, forego dropping a fortune on extravagance, and stick with a simple testament to how well you know the special someone in your life and how fond you are of the memories you’ve created together. That, friends, is truly Valentine’s gold.

Just a sample of personalized greeting card Valentine’s Day themes available via the Photolab website and in-store kiosks.

14 Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas Everyone Will Love

Whether you’re a romantic at heart, a cynic, or perhaps a supporter of Galentine’s Day, February 14th offers an opportunity to express some appreciation (or affection) for the lovely people in your life. To help, we’ve prepared for you a list of the most thoughtful gift ideas for every type of Valentine.

Gifts for the Techie

Does your Valentine’s idea of a fun evening involve setting up a new sound system, or challenging you to the latest multiplayer video game? If so, this list is for you.

iHome SmartPlug

For those with a do-it-all mentality, the iHome SmartPlug is the ideal gift. No more arguing about whose turn it is to hit the lights before bed — this device syncs up to your smartphone to control electronics around the home, including your music, heaters, fans and audio systems.

Outdoor Buckshot Pro Speaker

Is your spouse someone who can’t get enough of the outdoors, but still feels the need to be plugged in? This 3-in-1 Outdoor Buckshot Pro Speaker includes a removable LED flashlight, built-in microphone and USB charging port that can be mounted onto bike handlebars.

Kobo eReader

For the less outdoorsy tech type who prefers settling down with a good book, the waterproof and dustproof Kobo eReader is a sleek alternative to lugging around a hardback. Fitting up to 1,000 ebooks easily downloadable from the eBookstore with built-in WiFi, this reader is portable and customizable to each individual.

Fitbit Alta

Have you and your partner, friend or family member been training for a marathon or trying to kickstart a new health plan? Do it together with the Fitbit Alta. Download the app to your phone and compete against each other daily to meet your goals. The wristband is slim and subtle, and tracks your fitness statistics while also notifying you of any incoming phone messages.

Gifts for the Gals

If you know some proud single ladies who like to celebrate modern Galentine’s Day with a night out, or if you just want your mom, sister or best friend to feel extra special on the 14th, we’ve got you covered with these classic, timeless gifts.

Valentine’s Day cards

Show your appreciation for your closest female friends with interactive and funny Valentines cards. You’re never too old to drop them a cute note with the reasons why their friendship means the world to you.

Delicious treats

You’ll also be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn’t love receiving chocolate. Whether it’s a box of chocolates or a bouquet, put a smile on your loved one’s face with their favourite sweet treat. Are they not a fan of sugar and prefer saltier snacks? Celebrate their tough side in a cheeky way with a pack of beef jerky in their favourite flavour.

Latest beauty trend

Do you know someone obsessed with makeup and the latest beauty trends? This year, surprise them with makeup products that even they may not have yet tried. Some options include a customizable lip palette, bronzer kit or nail set. If you’re not sure what colour to buy or what they already have in their collection, pick up a beauty tray to help organize their makeup.

Gifts for Kids

Have fun with your kids, students or other family members this Valentine’s Day by going beyond the ordinary. Check out the following products, or mix-and-match to create your own DIY V-Day kits.

Interactive fun

Decorate a plastic basket with red ribbon and fill with candy and a stuffed plushie. Alternatively, pick up a pre-made basket versatile for any age group. Make this holiday interactive by creating Valentine’s cards with the whole family. Whether the kids are Star Wars fans, or can’t get enough of emojis, London Drugs carries different themes for everybody. Pick up a sticker kit to add personal flair to every card and Valentine.

Traditional (and silly) treats

Consider getting a bit silly this Valentine’s Day with edible lips or ring pops, or by creatively decorating your own Valentine’s Day cookies. Can’t get enough of a good thing? Chocolate hearts and cinnamon candies are always well-received staple during this time of year.

Gifts for Grandparents

Spoil your grandparents this February 14th with personalized gifts that are guaranteed to put a smile on their faces. Even if it’s something small like a handmade card and a cute keychain, the simplest gesture coming from you will brighten their day.

Something warm

For grandpa, a pair of cozy slippers will keep feet warm year round — and dry too, when he goes to collect the newspaper in the morning. A gift of aftershave lotion not only soothes his skin after shaving, but will make him smell fresh all day long. Really impress him by slipping a golfing gift card into his card to look forward to the summer months.

DIY spa day

Have a spa day with grandma and make her feel like a queen. Treat her to a mani-pedi at your local salon or do-it-yourself with an at-home kit. Settle in with a nice mug of hot chocolate and a DVD you know she’ll adore. Leave her to relax in a bath with the soothing scent of lavender to finish off a perfect day.

Share the memories

Make sure your grandparents keep you in mind all the time by personalizing their very own calendar for the kitchen or hallway. Choose photographs with some of your best memories — in front of the Christmas tree when you were a toddler, having a picnic in the summer, or the family portrait at graduation.

Gifts for Pets

For many people, true love is expressed through the relationship with cats, dogs and other animals. Pets are there for you unconditionally, calming you down after a long day at work — or wreaking just enough havoc to keep you on your toes. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with your pet with the following gifts.

Furbaby photos

If your colleagues tease you for posting picture after picture of your pet in costumes all over social media, head over to our PhotoLab to create a lasting image of your furbaby to keep within sight at the office. Some ideas include mousepads for your desk, iPad cases to carry with you everywhere, pet bowls, water bottles and more.

Treats and toys

Stock up on tasty treats for your dog or cat. Some of our pet favourites are Beggin Strips (bacon for dogs) and healthy lifestyle treats for the carb-conscious pup, or catnip and liver treats to spoil your cat. Keep your dog tired and happy after playing with dog toys and doing double duty chewing on a dog bone that helps clean their teeth. Bedazzle your cat with a sparkly collar to match the season, and spoil yourself with pet wipes that will not only keep your pet’s paws clean, but will prevent any dirt from staining your couch.

Make sure to cuddle up with your furbaby and enjoy a night together watching a classic animal-lover movie.

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at London Drugs!