do dogs really need sweaters

Asked and answered

January 25, 2006

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It is more than a fashion statement. Some dogs may actually need to wear a sweater in the cold. (TONY CENICOLA/New York Times)

QUESTION: Do dogs really need to wear sweaters?

ANSWER: Some dogs might. Your canine friends may come equipped with warm winter coats, but that doesn't mean they're prepared for extreme weather. When it gets too cold for people to be outside, pets should be brought indoors.

Some dog breeds, such as huskies, love the cold weather, and their thick coats keep them protected. But small or short-haired dogs might need a sweater when going out.

For dogs that spend a lot of time outside, feed them more during the winter and make sure their water bowls aren't iced over.

Dogs also need a comfortable, three-sided shelter with a warm floor covering such as a blanket or hay. The shelter should be small enough to retain the animal's body heat, and the entrance should face away from the wind.

Always wipe your pet's paws off after a walk. Road salt and sand can irritate their paw pads, and ice can get lodged between the pads, causing frostbite or cuts.

If there are cats in your neighborhood, always check your vehicle before starting it. Cats often crawl underneath vehicles for shelter or climb up near the engine to get warm.

Designer Toys

Last week mom and i went to spend the day in Berkeley.

And found ourselves visiting one of my favorite pet boutique chains in the North Bay:

GEORGE SF

(We'll be writing about George in detail tomorrow)


And she got me my very own Eiffel Tower!! It's so cute and chic! I had no idea I'd like it so much!

And today she went to the George on Fillmore and also got me a chewy vouitton in small!!

I LOVE them! I can't stop playing with and hogging my new toys!!

We weren't ever too big on designer things, but these two are just WAY too cute so mom got them for me. What can I say, Shampooh is a princess. I like the finer things in life.

Plus mom is throwing away all of my bigger toys, since I have too many toys now, so these two were the perfect tiny size and are perfect for travelling.

The best part is that they're deliciously squeaky and perfect fun for fetch around the house!

I am such a happy Peke.
Maybe you'd like one or both of these posh toys too.

We searched on George's web site, but they aren't selling it there.
So in case you want to get one too, we hunted it down at:

Designer Luxury Dog Pet Toys @ Happy Tails Pet Boutique

They have a whole slew of luxury goods to choose from!

The funniest one we saw is definitley the I-Paw:





Naturally since everyone has an iPod.
Arf! Isn't it a riot? ` . ~

Human Busy-ness

SIGH.

Mom has a big day tomorrow.

Doesn't it suck when our humans are really busy?

Time feels like it goes by so slow.

At least mom made time to give me some boiled chicken and treats and let me sit with her while she researched.


Don't you hate it when your humans are busy too? I hate it more when they are busy AND not at home. What about you?

Boomerang Tags' CollarTags

Nowadays you can go to Petco or Petsmart and get a very decent pet ID tag in about 5 minutes. Which is the ultimate in convenience and security.

BUT for the ultimate sense of security and style, I feel that Boomerang Tags' CollarTag slide on tags and built in tag collars are the best of all worlds when it comes to our pesky pet ID's.

The slide on tag comes in many different sizes, with different thicknesses so you can find the one that works for you and with your existing collar. And best of all, it just sits on the collar, and doesn't hang down and cause that irritating jingle AND your mom and dad can get peace of mind knowing that the collar isn't going to come loose or fall off or get chewed to bits...yes I know there are other dogs out there that also enjoy the taste of metal. (If only I could just...get to it.) Plus it will be so nice to not have our tags fall into our food dish and get in the way every time we go to grab some chow out of the bowl!!

But even cooler is the option of ordering a customized built in collar! Both styles are made with nylon and are soft and not too heavy..which is especially good for us smaller breeds with delicate necks, and it looks tres chic!

Best of all you can also pick between an adjustable collar with plastic buckles. (Perfect for the growing puppy.) And the standard collar with the metal buckle. (As pictured here, which honestly is the most secure in terms of durability.)

The prices aren't too shabby for the kind of quality and durability that these beauties offer either. Plus the site is completely user friendly. Boomerang Tags even keeps the traveling dog in mind, and offers the idea of getting an extra slide on tag, in case you are a dog lucky enough to have more than one loving family to call home, so you can either switch tags for every occasion or add the extra one just in case!

Mom just ordered me a collar and an extra slip on tag, for those visits at Grandma's house. And I can't wait to get it in the mail, no more annoying tags, just a fully functional one! I'm sure it's going to be the perfect tag and if not, there's always the no quibble policy...

I'll be sure to let you know when it comes, and share my thoughts on my newest ID. And who knows maybe your mom or dad will get you one too!

And just in case, here's the link:

www.boomerangtags.com

rain

It is raining today.

Rain is rather annoying. I hate rain. On rainy days I cannot go out, well I can but I hate to.
I detest water.

And rain gets my paws all wet and cold and our hair (okay fur) gets all wet and smells funny.
Which inevitably spells disaster, because that means we will end up in the shower.
And if there is one thing I HATE it's showers.

I only know one dog who likes showers and baths...that's my grandma's dog gyzmo. i guess he's like a brother to me. he's wierd he will jump into the tub when his mom is in it and rush to get in the shower. no thanks for me...Catch me if you can!

Don't get me wrong though, I don't hate all water, in fact I love drinking water. It is what I do most next to sleeping. To me though, that is the only acceptable form of water...if it is to be drunk. That whole getting wet and having to shower thing is not for me though. No sir. No water on this fur please.

What about you out there? Canine or human...do you like rain? Showers? Being wet? Please share any and all stories you might have about rain, showers, and general wetness. THANK YOU!

the puppy purse

The people at the Original Puppy Purse designed the Puppy Purse because they felt that having witnessed dogs being shoved into sweatbags and purses along with one's wallet, make-up, keys etc is inhumane. And being able to carry us pooches around while allowing us to have a view and be able to move is nice, but is it comfortable? Tacky or cool?

What do you think?
Because I still can't get used to the idea of being a purse and mom can't decide whether or not its actually humane.

I guess we'll still be able to walk though so that is a plus, only where can anyone be a purse without creating a spectacle?

As for me, we still haven't found a style incognito enough to try out. And living in a city where animal rights and the SPCA create huge humane or not issues, we can't tell what people will think. Because as much as San Francisco loves canines, it is definitely a more au naturale place, where dogs mostly walk, and having a doggy as a tote will definitely incite more than a few double takes.

Well, it goes without saying that this is definitely not for the bigger breeds, maybe theres a cut off on how big a dog can be before this sort of thing is just not humane or cool. It's probably perfect for a tiny doggy up to 6 lbs.

But enough about us. Has anyone ever seen anyone use a Puppy Purse? If so where? Have you tried it? Do you like it? And would you try it? Please tell us what you think.

Hello.

Woof! (Hello.)

My name is Shampooh.
I'm a five year old Pekingese.
I live in the beautiful city of San Francisco with my human parents Tina and Scott.

I love my human parents unconditionally and I spend most of my days alternating between sleeping on my mommy's pillow and finding food.

And on special days I get to explore the world with mom and dad.



I hope to share some of these adventures with you as well.
I just want to celebrate and talk about all of the things that make a dog's life grand.

Because it is a wonderful time to be a dog.