LootPets: We Got a New Subscription Box

I had decided we were done with subscription boxes for a while, but then I heard about the Loot Pets box by Loot Crate and lost my mind. I mean look how cool this is! Loot Crate does subscription boxes for geeks and gamers, with fandom-related goodies. For those unaware, I am so geeky that I've read the complete works of H.P. Lovecraft, seen every episode of every iteration of Star Trek, and own the original three Star Wars films on laserdisc. That's right, laserdisc. Clearly the Loot Pets box was made just for us.

The theme this month is Galaxy! We got:

A Hypergalactic T-shirt by Loot Crate Labs, with planets and satellites and snowflakes and a lovely blending of space and winter. I had some trouble picking out the shirt size because Ru is so long and slinky. I love the length of this shirt on him, but it is very wide. I may dust off my sewing machine and sew a dart down the belly to improve the fit.

We also got a Founding Member Collar Charm, for subscribing to the first-ever Loot Crate for pets. It's a gold rocket ship, so much more awesome than the usual bones and hearts.

There's a collar branded Weyland-Yutani, the scary corporation from the Alien films. Instead of the company logo, "Building Better Worlds", the collar says "Building Better Dogs". It's by Quantum Mechanix. This collar will fit both Sisci and Brisbane. This is definitely one of the coolest things in this box, it's so awesome I can't even stand it. I adore subtle fandom fun, this is why I have a Miskatonic University parking pass sticker on my car.

The Firefly Troublemaker Dog Dish is the other super awesome item in our box. It has a non-skid ring on the bottom and is dishwasher, microwave, and oven-safe. It's a nice size, small enough for a big Ru bowl but big enough for Brisbane's dinner most nights. This one's also by Quantum Mechanix, makers of accurate, awesome, and sometimes delightfully subtle film and tv series goodies.

The last thing in here is a bag of Galactic Snaps Dog Treats by Loot Crate Labs. They are made from freeze-dried beef liver and nothing else, so Brisbane gets to have some!

Overall this is basically the best subscription box ever. I guess it's more for me than for them this time, given that there was only one bag of treats and no toys in there, but I'm sure they'll be something squeakable or throwable or chewable in there next month.

What's your favorite geek fandom?

Product Review: Star Trek Communicator Dog Bag Dispenser

High on the list of super-nerdy dog stuff is this Star Trek Communicator Dog Bag Dispenser. This is officially licensed Star Trek Original Series merchandise, it's tough to get nerdier than that. I am very much a Star Trek fan, have seen every episode of every series (except the animated series but we like to pretend that never happened) and have a favorite captain. The Original Series is extremely nostalgic  for me, and this poo bag dispenser is so awesome I have a hard time believing it actually exists.

Photo by Erin Koski

I don't like tying things on leashes, and I can't stand hard plastic bag dispensers rattling around and weighing down the end of the leash. I don't hang anything on any of my leashes these days, but when I did I only used light fabric poo bag holders.

This bag holder is made to clip onto leashes, but I keep it on my purse. It's been on there for several months now and still looks brand new. It is lightweight and look awesome, and fits regular poo bag refill rolls. 

Pros: Lightweight, durable, and amazing.

Cons: The plastic clip attaching it to my purse is probably going to fail eventually and need to be replaced with a carabiner.

Photo by Erin Koski

Bottom Line: See that zipper pull? It says "To boldly go..." This goes really well with Ru's Star Trek collar and my Star Trek pajamas.

To what fandoms to you belong?

Product Review: Star Trek: The Original Series Collar

The Star Trek: The Original Series dog collar is a flat collar with a quick-release buckle. It comes in three sizes and features a rubber Starfleet logo charm. This collar comes in three colors, or departments: yellow, blue, and red, or Security, Science, and Expendable.

Photo by Erin Koski

Naturally, Ru has a red collar. He is my little Redshirt, ready to go out and suffer an anticlimactic end. This is a serious nerd collar, and I am a serious nerd. I grew up watching Star Trek: The Next Generation, and went to Star Trek conventions with my family. I've always loved the original series though, with its endless array of omnipotent beings and palpable fear of the unknown.

M favorite character is, and always has been, Mr. Spock. I would love to be as calmly logical and in control of myself. The new reboot just doesn't live up to the original though, and I am deeply mourning the loss of Leonard Nimoy.

Pros: Super nerdy way to tell the world that you, or maybe just your dog, is an Original Series fan. Easily adjustable, bright. I really love the Starfleet charm.

Cons: This collar feels kind of big on little Ru. It's 1/2" thick and bulky when adjusted to be as small as possible.

Bottom Line: I need to get a blue one for Brisbane, my logical dog.