For Scout, it’s a dreaded day of loud fireworks, crazy bright lights and tipsy parents who won’t share their hamburgers or hot dogs. Sorry, Scouty …

So, in lue of this awesome day, I went on an Internet pursuit to find the coolest Patriotic-themed dog items the World Wide Web has to offer. And there was a lot!

Take the Denim Eagle Dog Jacket from The Gilded Paw, for example. This down and doggy blue denim jacket features an embroidered eagle proudly grasping the American flag in his powerful talons.

This Uncle Sam Costume, found at Posh Pet Glamour Boutique, simply cracks me up. If you plan on having any kind of patriotic party in the future, your guests will laugh out loud when they see your pooch dressed in this fully-lined, tuxedo-tailed Uncle Sam Costume, complete with bowtie and top hat.

Over at Kool Dog Café, you can choose from a large selection of Patriotic fresh-baked gourmet doggie treats, like Patriotic Brownies, Cupcakes, Dipped Bones and more! And of course, all of these cookies are baked with the best dog-friendly, healthy ingredients.

Let your red, white and blue shine! God-Bless our troops!

When I’m chowing down on my Lean Cuisine mac-n-cheese, Scout will be consuming delectable tidbits of steamed lobster, cooked to perfection, then freeze-dried especially for the insatiable doggy pallet.

Sweet, succulent Bella Lucy Lobster Treats are broken up into bite-sized pieces that will please even the most discerning of animal appetites.

I mean, it’s lobster, for the love of Pete! I’m thinking I may just have to have a bite! This treat is made from USDA whole lobster tail, so you know Pet Paris has gone to great lengths to deliver this mouth-watering treat to you and yours.

This is gourmet dog dining at its best!

I think I am partial to all things ice cream. It’s my weakness. Give me a taste and I am back to eat the entire pint. And it really doesn’t matter what flavor—Vanilla, Chocolate, Phish Food, Chunky Monkey, Mint Chocolate Chip—you name, I’ll eat it. Mmmmm… ice cream (Me channeling Homer Simpson.)

But I digress…

This Ruff Ruff Couture Gelato Hooded tank-style sweatshirt is just what an ice-cream eatin’ mamma’s pup should wear—rain or shine. Because we all know ice cream is not just a summer snack. It’s an all-season treat, even in 20-degree weather! Just bundle up and snack down!

Oh, and don’t forget the matching Ice Cream Toy. Both delicacies are found at The Pink Paw.

P.S. Click this link for an awesome (and healthy!) recipe for Doggie Ice Cream. Thanks Big Boutique for Dogs!

Ahhh… cold, refreshing Happy Tails Ale by Dog Star Brewing Company. This non-alcoholic, non-carbonated beer for dogs actually contains malted barley! And what makes it even better than beer is its beef flavoring, glucosamine and Vitamin E.

Get your bar-hopping buddy a six-pack at Wag Stores.

I’m loving this idea and already started a list of puppy friends who’ll be receiving holiday packages of “Murphy Snacks!”

We all know that kitties are picky eaters. Well, most of them. Occasionally, you’ll run into a feline who’ll eat anything it can find, but for the most part, domestic housecats are quite particular about what foodstuffs they choose to consume.

For the most finicky felines, Catviar is a perfect luxury snack. These little nibbles are all-natural, with real fish ingredients, including actual fish roe, from which true caviar is made.

So if your sweet kitty turns up his nose at most store-bought treats (like my Nick, who totally ignores any cat treat I offer, yet will happily munch on moths or millipedes or any other insect prey he happens to snag, go figure …) give these gourmet snacks a try.

Looking for a way to indulge your favorite canine with some sweet loving? Well, Happy Dog Bakery is all about creating scrumptious sweet treats for very special doggies. Their site is chock full of lip-smacking nibbles and sinfully rich snacks.

For the ultimate in doggie decadence, you must check out their towering s’more-like creations, called Marshmallow Delights. A carob-drizzled marshmallow is squished between two honey oat cookies, topped off with their signature “whipped” topping.

And the Large Sandwich cookies are stuffed with puppy-safe crème filling, then dipped in carob or white yogurt, much like my own beloved chocolate-dipped Oreos. Mmmm …

These treats look so delish that I started to drool just looking at them! Imagine what they’ll do for your dog …

Heaven Scent Pizza for dogs! Yup, pizza for puppies. And this isn’t just an ordinary-flavored biscuit disguised in a pizza shape. Nope. This is an actual pizza that’s safe for dogs, that really tastes like pizza! The tangy recipe includes all-natural, real pizza ingredients, like parmesan cheese, garlic, tomato paste, basil and oregano. There is no salt and no artificial preservatives.

Each 7” pie comes pre-cut into 14 “slices,” is shrink wrapped for guaranteed freshness, and is packaged in its own pizza delivery box. So next time the dog starts drooling over your take-out pizza, whip out one of these and let him go to town on one made just for canines. These puppy pizzas look so appetizing, I swear my Murphy dog would never know the difference.

So Bad Dog Biscuits are the perfect treats for my evil little monsters. They feature a unique menu of fresh-baked yummies, sure to tantalize the taste buds of even the baddest of the bad.

For kitty chasers, check out their Bag O’Cats, peanut butter biscuits in cute kitty shapes. Or if your bad doggie also has bad breath, try the minty fresh Smooch Your Pooch biscuits. But my favorite item on the Bad Dog menu is Canine Carryout, a bag of “burgers and fries” made just for fast-food lovin’ hounds.

If you wanna try them all, sign up for the Bad Dog Biscuit Club, and a fresh package of snacks will land on your doorstep each month, plenty to keep any bad dog motivated to be good (at least for a few minutes).

My favorite close-by vacation spot is Cape May, New Jersey. I know, it’s easy to make cracks about the Jersey Shore, but Cape May is incredibly beautiful. Steeped in Victorian charm and oozing small-town friendliness, America’s “original seaside resort” is a wonderful place to unwind.

One shop I always visit is Whiskers, a whimsical boutique that specializes in all things “pet.” It’s chock-full of beautiful things for pets and people, including gorgeous items handmade by local artists. You’ll find an excellent selection of their products on their website, but I highly recommend making the trip to see it all and fully appreciate the cozy atmosphere, including the most charming backyard garden full of fanciful outdoor decor.

On my last visit, I found this adorable, retro Simone Cat Clock, that now proudly hangs in my kitchen. With her slender neck and flirty long-lashed green eyes, she is the epitome of feline elegance. I love to watch her tail swish back and forth as she ticks off the time.

So, if you need a reason to take off for the beach this weekend, check out Whiskers for unique pet-centric items you won’t find anyplace else.