Is Your Dog Spoiled?

September 2, 2008

Too pampered? Is there such a thing?!?

Is Your Dog Spoiled?

Huddled under my umbrella the other day, I was dodging raindrops and puddles as I walked the three blocks from the parking garage to my office. As I was passing an apartment building, I saw an elderly woman standing near the entrance holding an umbrella over her little white poodle dog. Unfortunately, the umbrella wasn’t large enough to cover both her and the dog, so she was getting soaked. Unable to withhold comment, I said, “Do you think he’ll melt if he gets wet?” She responded, “Well, he’s sweet enough to melt, but the truth is that if I don’t hold the umbrella for him he gets angry and pouts and won’t eat his lunch.” And, by dinner time he’s an absolute bear! Welcome to the world of the pampered pet.

Although man’s best friend has always been his dog, the degree to which man has rewarded that friendship has quite possibly gotten out of hand. Evidence to support that statement can be found in the food we give our pets, the “attire” we put on their backs, the jewelry with which we adorn them, the amenities we provide in their surroundings and the provisions we make for their temporary care when we absolutely have to leave them behind. If necessary, we send “Rover” to counseling sessions with dog psychologists, provide outrageously expensive dental care, clip/wash/curl their hair and make sure their nails are done so as not to embarrass them in front of their friends.

How many of us have spent a restless night because “Missy”, our pug faced Pekinese, can’t seem to get comfortable in our bed or “Bull”, our six ounce Chihuahua, growls and snaps at us when we roll over on him. Yes, for those of you that are disbelievers, many people do share their beds with their doggies. In fact, I’ve heard of many cases where couples sleep apart rather than crowd the dog. Have you ever tried to argue with a sleepy Doberman Pincher? Forget about it!

A thriving and lucrative industry has grown up around the pampered pet. Pet owners spend multi-millions each year on their little four-legged friends. Occasionally the news media will offer a blurb about the pet owner who spent hundreds, even thousands of dollars on a diamond studded dog collar for “Fluffy.” However, this phenomenon is actually rather commonplace. Pick up the “Yellow Pages” in any city and you’ll find scads of pet salons that offer expensive pet jewelry and accessories. And just because you’ve gone to the expense of buying that ruby red sweater, with matching rubies, for “Fifi”, don’t think your obligation have been fulfilled. If “Fifi” can’t have a gold rimmed feeding bowl, like her friends have, she’ll no doubt have to double up on her counseling sessions. The expense of this could easily exceed the cost of the bowl.

No let’s get down to diet - what can we feed “Prince”, the proud Rottweiler? To be honest, Prince isn’t all that fond of dry dog food. He’ll eat some of it, but only if mixed with some of that delicious lamb gravy he likes. And, just like most of us, he prefers light fare in the mornings; perhaps a few scrambled eggs and just a slice or two of bacon. Careful not to overfeed though; he likes his lunch of broiled liver at precisely 12 noon. No need to make a big fuss about dinner though, he’ll usually eat some (or most) of whatever it is that you’re having.

This scenario might involve a slight stretch, but it is certainly not too far fetched. We worry more about what our pets will eat, or if they’re “off their feed”, than we worry about what our kids eat. I wonder how it is we know that our kids will eat when they get hungry, but we can’t accept that this truism might apply to our dogs too. We feel compelled to continue to offer our dogs a full menu from which to select and if all else fails, it’s time to schedule a trip to the Vet.

Speaking of Veterinarians - most of them now offer direct deposit so your entire paycheck can be directed right into their accounts. Veterinary expenses have gone through the roof and there’s no end to the elaborate medical procedures now being provided routinely. A friend who bellyached for months about the cost of dental appliances (braces) for his kid willingly shelled out $2500 to fix his dog’s overbite because “Tiger” appeared to be in discomfort when chewing on his rawhide bone.

Now that we’ve clearly established that we spoil our dogs, let’s offer a word or two in our own defense. Dogs love us without reservation. Scold them, treat then meanly, tease them, leave them for long periods of time or forget to feed them and they’ll still love you and want nothing more than to be near you. Throughout history, dogs have given their lives for their masters. “Police” dogs will face an armed attacker to protect their handler and “Seeing Eye” dogs will risk death or injury to steer their Charge away from a speeding car. A dog’s love for its master is pure and unquestioning. In my opinion, they deserve all the pampering they can get.

Pets make us feel good. They comfort us, allow us to be ourselves and give those of us that need it, a reason for living.

Dog Article courtesy of I-Love-Dogs.com

Filed under: Pup Culture by Stage Dragon

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10 Ways to Incorporate Your love of Dogs with Your Interior Design

1. Art! Dogs are very popular subject matter right now. It’s easy to find something in the style you love! Look up your favorite artist online, or do a Google search for dog art in your preferred style. eBay is also a great place to find deals on dog art.

2. Area Rugs. William Wegman among other doggie designers has come out with carpeting and rugs that contain canine themes.

3. Flooring. Be your own Picasso, paint random paw prints on the floor in your desired color!

4. Furniture. Recycle furniture by sanding it down and giving it a distressed vintage look. Paint on paw prints or add decals of your favorite breed!

5. Window Treatments. Look for canine themed fabrics from your favorite doggie designer.

6. Lighting. Find a pair of gorgeous lamps in your favorite breed! Or repaint the lampshades on a pair of retro lamps and add paw prints or dog bones.

7. Paint. Add doggie accents to the room with paint! A silhouette of your favorite breed, paw prints, or dog bones work great in any room!

8. Small Accent Rugs. Dog themed ones are super easy to find! Use them in the kitchen, one at the back door and one by the sink.

9. Ceramic Wall Hangings. Hand made sculptures of dogs to hang on your walls can be found at stagedragon.com. These make a unique statement in any room.

10. Stemware. Martini glasses with your favorite breed or paw prints etched in make great conversational pieces at your dinner party.

Professional artist Kimberly Helgeson Sams has been marketing her own work since 1989. Dogs are her favorite subject matter. She has nearly 20 years experience raising and showing Shetland Sheepdogs. For more information about this innovative artist visit her website at Stage Dragon

Filed under: Canine Creative, Dog-Friendly Decor by Stage Dragon

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How To Decorate with Your Dogs in Mind

September 1, 2008

1. Primer and Paint! Choose paint that is easy to clean and non-toxic (in case of chewing.) I advise darker colors that won’t show the mud easily if your dog likes to get mud-spattered on stormy days. Of course if your dog has light colored fur and sheds frequently, a lighter more neutral color might be more practical. Be sure and use a drop cloth to protect your carpet unless you are planning on tearing it out and replacing it immediately. If you are covering up paneling with paint, always mud and tape first! It is virtually impossible to mask otherwise! Make sure the paint is completely dry and fumes totally aired out before allowing your pet back in the room. I would go as far as suggesting a pet sitter for a weekend paint job or any other large home improvement project.

2. Carpeting. Does your worn out old carpet need replacing? Choose a complimentary color with the same ideas in mind as above. Indoor/Outdoor carpet is a great option for dog owners. Do your research. There are companies that actually cater to dog owners now using fabrics and materials that are sturdy and easy to clean without compromising aesthetics.

3. Flooring. Sturdy tiles or hardwood floors work best. Linoleum is just too tempting to chew on and falls apart easily.

4. Furniture. It depends on your dogs. Do they like to chew? Rattan is probably a poor choice. I recommend pet friendly slipcovers! Your furniture stays protected and when they get dirty or hairy, just pull them off and wash them! So easy! Plus slipcovers are trendy right now and come in a variety of colors and styles to suit your tastes. They are easy to switch out later if you change your mind. Far less expensive then buying a whole new couch and chairs!

5. Window Treatments. Again choose sturdy, easy to wash materials in colors that compliment your walls and floor.

6. Lighting. I advise lighting that is off the floor, as in sconces, lamps on tables or stands (with cords carefully tucked away or hidden in some fashion), and or hung from the ceiling. Floor lamps get knocked over easily, especially if you have large dogs, and the cords are right within reach to chew on.

7. Art. I naturally advocate dog-themed art. Choose a style you love. There are many talented artists out there whose work represents a large variety of styles. From off-the-wall to photographic realism, there is something out there for you. Giclee prints are very “in” right now. Choose mats and frames that go along with the scheme you have going if possible. Sometimes an eclectic mix is rather cool and can be pulled off very well. Trust your instincts and have fun with it! Remember, you are the designer, and you are the one who has to live with it, so choose colors and art that you will love and enjoy. There are no set rules to design, no matter what anyone will tell you! I personally choose art that is bold in color, vintage or retro in style, and a little on the whimsical side.

8. Not a D-I-Y type? You can always hire professionals for any of these jobs. I would shop around for people who cater to pet owners if at all possible.

Filed under: Dog-Friendly Decor by Stage Dragon

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Dog’s Reaction to Charlie the Unicorn

August 30, 2008

As a fan of Charlie the Unicorn, I just had to post this, ROFL!

If you haven’t seen them, you are probably now curious, here are the Charlie the Unicorn Cartoons below:

Filed under: Yappy Hour by Stage Dragon

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The Bartini Dogs

July 26, 2008

Filed under: Yappy Hour by Stage Dragon

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Fall Fashion Preview 2008!

July 23, 2008

Here is a glimpse of Nordstom’s Fall Fashion on the Runway. The human fashions trends usually end up translating into canine.

http://fabsugar.com/1790320

We predict lots of burberry like plaids and tweeds again this fall. Animal prints seem to be making a big come back as well. The trench coat is again a must as is the fashionable anorak. Watch for all these by your canine designers too. It’s inevitable. It just makes sense that our dogs would want the same fashion trends we do. They want to look hot and stay warm this fall too.

Other predictions for fall 2008:

Just as farm fresh beauty ruled the roost this summer, we predict the hip urban city look for the fall. One word, head bands! Wide and plaid, or in animal prints and solids. Paired with a cute anorak, a just above the knee tweed skirt and knee-high boots and you’ve got the look of the season. How this will translate to our canine friends one can only envision. I sense a new painting coming on!

More Canine Fashion news here:

http://uk.popsugar.com/gallery/548532?page=0,3,0

Fall is a vision and it looks great from here!

- Kimberly Helgeson Sams

Filed under: Canine Couture, Pup Culture by Stage Dragon

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