My Fetching Fido

I have a small dog that I take everywhere I go. I dress her in cute outfits to show her off, especially when I take her downtown. I was so delighted to find a website that sells an adorable black dog beret to complete her ensembles. She even acts different when she wears it – like she know she looks extra cute. Everyone stops us to comment.

I can’t tell you how much my little Schnauzer Sophie loves wearing her dog pajamas to bed each night! Sophie has been my bed companion ever since she was just a puppy, and she’s always liked wearing pajamas to bed. When Sophie was just a year old, I bought her dog pajamas and dog slippers from an online store because she always seemed to be cold at night. You’d think with all that fur she would be too warm sleeping on the down comforter on my bed, but she was always trying to get under the blankets.

Whenever I say “Pajamas” to Sophie she gets excited and starts rushing around barking. The slippers also keep Sophie’s dirty feet off the bedding, so I don’t have to worry about having sand and dog footprints on my nice white sheets!

I have a large, long-haired dog that loves her daily walks. In the past, on wet days, I have chosen not to walk her because of the hassle of drying her off when we enter the house. Now that’s no longer a problem. I have found a great looking, affordable waterproof dog blanket coat.

Dog Blanket Coat

that covers her entire back and sides. And it’s super easy to secure so it stays put. I am so glad I can take her on her walks every day rain or shine. And  she’s happy too.

I like to take my dog for a jog in the morning, but on darker or cloudy days, we’re less visible. I want to make sure that my dog gets out of the house, but I don’t want to risk his safety, which is why I purchased a dog vest for him. It fits him perfectly and doesn’t impede his movement whatsoever.

Similar to the vests worn by construction workers and crossing guards, this bright orange vest has reflective tape and can be seen in the dark and foggy mornings. Now when we go out, I don’t have to worry about either one of us getting hurt due to low visibility.

It’s been getting colder out there lately. Sometimes I think twice about going out because the temperature is just freezing. I hate having to leave my dog home along when I do my errands.

My dog hates staying indoors all the time, so I got a dog jacket that will keep him warm on our trips outdoors. At least I’m sure he’s warm despite the cold weather. He looks so cute in his new coat, too.

Anyone who owns a dog, or any pet for that matter, can attest to the fact that animals have distinct personalities. Just like with humans, the clothing and accessories that animals wear can give us insight into their character. Think about the different connotations that a spike collar will conjure up as opposed to a jeweled model.

The dog accessories that you choose for your canine should help reflect their unique traits. Opting for bandannas and hats will exhibit a dog’s masculine features, while dresses and gemstone collars provide for a feminine appearance. You can also find practical accessories to display your dog’s uniqueness, like rain jackets, backpacks and leashes.

Our dogs love their walks day and night, rain or shine. They can’t get too many. They also like to be in the middle of things. They sense when something is different, like when you get into your wacky Halloween costume to answer the door to trick or treaters and try to scare them. So be sure to plan ahead and get just the right costume so your pet can be in on the fun. I’ve picked up a dog costume that my Sadie will just love. She’ll look so cute in her red and black velour Dracula cape. I’ll scoop her up each time the doorbell rings, so she can hear the ooooh’s and ahhhh’s as everyone tells her how cute she looks. She’ll be warm, too, when we take a walk after all the candy is gone.

Imagine! An airline devoted exclusively to our precious dogs and cats. Instead of passenger seats, there is room for 50 pet crates that are checked on every 15 minutes by an attendant.

What is this airline? Based out of Delray Beach, Florida, Pet Airways and is set up to transport your dog and cat around the country in twin-engine Beech 1900 turboprops. The planes fly at 25,000 feet and free pets from temperature extremes, poor ventilation an often rough handling by cargo personnel on other airlines. Pet Airways operates out of Washington, New York, Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles and is looking to expand to 25 additional cities over the next two years. One-way fares vary from $149.99 to $399.99 depending on the pet’s size and destination. Dress your pet for this special adventure in an adorable dog coat to keep it cozy on the journey.

The fall season is coming fast upon us. Some of us are already seeing leaves dropping and changing their colors. We are starting to feel a coolness in the air on our evening walks with our pets. So, it’s a good idea to keep them warm and cozy with a soft, hooded sweatshirt. For sports fans, you can even choose your favorite logo: basketball, football, soccer, hockey and baseball. Your dog will not only look very cute but will be comfortable as well.

There are new innovative programs across Sonoma County in northern California that use therapy dogs to help kids learn to read. Animal trainers and educators are increasingly enlisting canines for the unlikely challenge of helping children read. This month, the central library in the city of Santa Rosa started teaming up with the Sonoma County Humane Society to entice kids to come by on select afternoons and sign up to “Read to a Dog” from 3 PM to 4 PM. Trained therapy dogs serve as patient ears for young readers who otherwise would be too shy or self–conscious to read out loud to an adult, parent, or peers in school. An important point is that dogs don’t criticize.

Kids who have experienced the feeling of failure around reading now can be “the tutor” when reading to a dog, said Kathy Klotz, executive director of Intermountain Animals. Dogs also are comforting and put children in a relaxed state, making reading more pleasurable, said Martin Smith of the UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Extension. Finding reading pleasurable is an important part of becoming a good reader.

Hooch, the therapy dog shown above, would look great in a safari dog collar, when he makes his rounds helping kids.