Hurry up!

There's barely any time left before Christmas Day, Saturday, so if you're still stuck for affordable gift ideas, I have already done the searching for you.

Face it, when your friends seem to have everything, tug at their heartstrings by showing you care about their beloved pet. Of course, be sure to present the gifts with the pet's name on the card.

I recently spent a morning perusing Pikesville looking for presents that are convenient and price-friendly, all for pets or for your loved ones who love their pets.

Blankets, toys, costumes

First stop, Target.

The store at 1737 Reisterstown Road has a plethora of choices just beyond the front door.

Look no further than their "Happy Bargains" deals where you can find fleece dog blankets, large rope toys, tennis balls, pet sweaters and pet costumes all for just $2.50 each.

Beef twists, haddock treats

Next, I head north on Reisterstown Road and hit Trader Joe's at the Festival at Woodholme Shopping Center, 1809 Riesterstown.

There you can find a great stocking stuffer:  Happy Pet beef stick twists for only $4.99.

Just a few doors down at the pet supply store Bark!, assistant store manager Spring Netto showed me some great pet gifts.

Holding up a bag of haddock treats she said, "Dogs go absolutely wild for these!"
The Honest Kitchen's 100 percent wild Icelandic haddock treats are for dogs and cats, and one bag sells for $6.49.

Pet toys

Next, Netto showed me a wall full of adorable organic pet toys. Simply Fido organic pet toys are $14.99 for a small size and $15.99 for large. "When I first saw these come in," Spring said, "I wanted to get one for my niece they're so cute!"

But she warned against buying them for dogs with strong jaws. "These are not for voracious chewers," she said.

Cat tricks, dogbone kits

Crossing the Woodholme Center parking lot I ducked into Barnes & Noble, where by the front entrance I found the cutest 'make-your-own,' organic, dog biscuit kit.

It was only $14.99; the perfect idea for any crafty dog lover.

Right next to it sat boxes of cat toys, each with a book teaching how to make a cat do tricks. Two perfect gift ideas side by side.

More toys, greenies

Head up Reisterstown Road a little bit more in Owings Mills, and there's Petco where you can find the old standby favorites: feline Greenies for $3.17 to $14.39. And you can't go wrong with Extreme Kong dog toys for $5.95-$16.95.

I hope this helps de-stress your last-minute shopping spree a bit, and while you're running holiday errands or just making merry, please remember to pick up something for your own four-legged family members!