I was delighted to find Chloe's Custom Harnesses online a few weeks ago. Long have I been looking for a robust harness for Axel, my 30 plus pound wire fox terrier. Axel loves his walks, but he is a puller - and if you saw us walking down the street, you may very well ask yourself - who is taking who for a walk? I have never liked to restrain Axel by his collar out of fear of hurting his neck - hence my never-ending search for the perfect harness. My definition of a perfect harness is one that is easy to get into, fits well and doesn't come off easily until after you are safely at home.
The owner of Chloe's Custom Harnesses, Jane Callison, was inspired by her 3 pound Chihuahua Chloe who is so tiny, Jane could not find any harness to fit her. So being a "retired" seamstress Jane was forced out of retirement and Chloe's Custom Harnesseswas born. Now any dog, of any size, can enjoy a great looking and fitting harness!
Jane sent me two custom harnesses (pictured left and below right) - a summer harness for Axel, and a beautiful girl harness for Axel's friend Lucy - a dachshund. The harnesses are extremely well made - Jane pre-washes and dries all her fabrics before cutting. She also uses heavy duty velcro to hold the neck and chest, with a 2-1/2" to 3" inch lap over. They are very secure! And each harness has a heavy D-ring to attach the leash. Axel's harness fitted him perfectly and was a breeze to put on - you just slip the harness over the head and fasten it around the chest! What a win for a terrier who hates being fussed over! Plus it stayed on despite rough-housing with big dogs at the dog park. Lucy's Mom was crazy about her harness and it was a big hit at the rest homes where Lucy works as a therapy dog. Lucy's harness was lined with fleece to create a warm, snuggly coat and harness in one. A wonderful addition to any dog's winter wardrobe.
Summer harnesses range in price from $10-$12. Boy/Girl harnesses like Lucy's range in price from $20-$22. Shipping is included, so these are a great bargain, especially as they are all custom-fitted! Jane has generously offered all Swanky Pup readers a $2.00 discount - just mention Swanky Pup with your order.
Where I live in Philadelphia there is a law regarding all pets: they must be registered and licensed. This entails filling out a form and paying a fee in return for another form to prove that, yes, your dog is legal (yawn). The folks at YappyHappy.com came up with a resourceful and fun interpretation of pet permits. At this site you can order a unique kind of dog tag that is, in fact, a license.
These tags are charming and highly functional. They provide your pet with a lot more information than the traditional metal ID tags, which usually only offer a name and phone number. These miniature “barking” licenses give all the facts—breed, first and last name, address and phone number, height and weight, and of course, like any other form of identification, your dog’s picture. And, because these tags are made of durable plastic, they don’t clang against the metal fixtures on your canine’s collar. This then eliminates that annoying noise that accompanies your pet’s every step, a noise that is most likely even more bothersome to the collar-wearer whose hearing tends to be super-sonic.
But unique and original dog tags are not the only items Yappyhappy.com has to offer. Following the layout of your state's driver's license are also water-resistant pet mats. These are perfect to place under your dog's food or water bowl, as they make clean-up easy while adding a sense of humor to your kitchen floor.
Yappyhappy.com can also create personalized tote bags, magnets, key chains and luggage tags.
Also, check out http://yappyhappy.etsy.com/ for other unique ideas like custom dog collages, hand-made bird houses, and, my personal favorite, the Fairy Dog Bottle-Cap necklace.
These pieces are one-of-a-kind, and you have the freedom to choose your favorite colors and backgrounds. A great gift idea.
To order a Yappy Happy barking license, pet mat, tote bag etc. you’ll need to upload the most flattering head-on mug shot of your dog. Select the state you reside in (all are available), fill out all the pertinent information and send it. Your new dog license will arrive in the mail in a few days.
Check out my Pearl sporting her Yappy Happy license.
If your best friend loves water and is fortunate enough to have access to the ocean, lake or large body of water, you may want to invest in a doggie life jacket to ensure his safety on the water. Paws Aboard specializes in products for dogs who enjoy an active lifestyle whether in water or on land, or while travelling away from home.
My wire fox terrier Axel loves to swim and will do so in any body of water from a mere puddle, to a Philadelphia public fountain (shh, don't tell) to the ocean. Although he is a great swimmer and can tread water much longer than I can, I decided to invest in a doggie life jacket for those times when he swims in deep water.
After much research, I settled upon the Paws Aboard designer doggy life jacket because they provide ultimate buoyancy and high visibility on the water. As quoted on their Web site, "Paws Aboard Doggy Life Jackets features an advanced breathable mesh underbelly for proper draining and drying, which provides your dog more comfort and healthier conditions than traditional pet life jackets made with neoprene, which can cause heat exhaustion and chafing." The jackets offer a very secure, snug fit with a Velcro fastening system and quick release buckles. The jackets also have reflective strips for maximum visibility and a handle on top for quick and easy grabbing.
And why be boring when you can look fabulous on the water? The jackets come in wonderful designs and colors from polkadot to camouflage for the hunting dogs among us. For Axel, I chose the nautical design (pictured) which is colorful and fun. Depending on the size of your dog, life jackets from Paws Aboard are priced from $23.99-$49.99.
It's July. We are in the middle of the "dog days of summer". The days are long and hot. Week after week, we hear about heat waves crossing the country. Let's face it... it's not fun when it gets really hot. If we feel miserable, can you imagine how your dog must be feeling?
I found a great solution to keeping your best friend cool on those hot days. It's called the Chillybuddy. It's a light weight mesh jacket that when worn, will keep your dog cooler and reduce the effects of exposure to the sun.
The jacket has two layers. The first layer is made of woven synthetic with an aluminized finish that acts as a mirror and reflects the suns rays away from the dog. The second layer is a liner that is made of cotton mesh that can be made wet to aid in the cooling process.
To use the Chillybuddy, you simply dampen the jacket so that the whole thing is moist. When your dog wears it, he or she will feel significantly cooler. On the Chillybuddy website, there is a fact section about the Chillybuddy jacket that gives information about the temperature change that occurs when a dog wears the jacket.
If you have a light haired dog the Chillybuddy jacket will aid in reducing sunburn on your dog's skin. In addition, the jacket will help in protecting your dogs coat from sun bleaching.
There is no doubt in my mind that the Chillybuddy jacket is a must have during the summer months. We all love our dogs and want what's best for them to keep them healthy and safe. Be sure to go to the Chillybuddy website (www.chillybuddy.com) and see what other products are available for your dog for the winter months.
In the Philadelphia area it has been HOT! A trip to the dog park or a hike in Fairmont Park with my puppy Baxter can be very exhausting in such hot temperatures and I am constantly making sure that both of us are getting plenty of water. Originally I envisioned myself being able to train Baxter to drink out of a water bottle so I would not have to carry around a bowl. Unfortunately, I have been somewhat unsuccessful and find that I end up wasting our water as he desperately tries to lick it out of the small bottle, resulting in a puddle in the dirt at his feet (which he then steps in, of course).
Luckily, carrying around a bowl is not such a headache with the Hydro Bowl from Barker and Meowsky. It is made out of a durable and waterproof plastic canvas and best of all, it folds up and snaps together into a small triangle, making it extremely portable. For only $7.95, the Hydro Bowl is what I will be carrying around this summer to make sure that I have my hands free and Baxter is hydrated during our outdoor adventures!
These past few days in the Philadelphia area have been VERY hot.Temperatures in the high 90’s are tough to handle, but imagine if you had a fur coat like your dog does!Not just is it uncomfortable but with the threat of heat exhaustion it can cause serious health problems as well.If you are going to be outside with your dog for long periods of time then the Body Cooler Pet Mat from Drs Fosters and Smith is what I recommend to keep your dog cool and comfortable in hot temperatures.
The mat is filled with non-toxic crystals that are activated when soaked in water.Just place the mat is water for up to 20 minutes, hang dry to remove excess water and then it is cool and ready to use. The est part is it can stay cool for long periods of time each time it is activated and it can be reused over and over again.Also, though water is used to fill up the mat your pup will not get wet while laying on it.
Available in extra small through extra large, dogs of all sizes can enjoy feeling this cold mat on their bellies.My dog Baxter used to always kick water up from his water bowl onto his tummy on really hot days to keep cool but this mat gives him a comfortable place to lay and a simpler way to cool his body down.
If you are planning on spending long days outside in the heat you don’t want to leave the Body Cooler Pet Mat at home!
As April showers are coming to an end and with the weather getting nicer by the day, you may find yourself enjoying the great outdoors more and more with your pup. If you and your pup enjoy long walks or hikes then a backpack from Ruff Wear is just what you need to start the season off right. Dog backpacks are great for tiring out that high-energy dog or for having your pup lend a hand when you have too much to carry on your next adventure and the Approach Pack has it all.
This backpack boasts attached saddlebags with a weight-forward design, meant to make load carrying easy on your pup, waterproof zippers, reflective trim, and a comfort-fit Web Master Harness to ensure structure, stability and load dispersion. Also, the bag is adjustable so you can make it fit your dog perfectly without affecting his range of motion and it is padded so that it will be very comfortable during both long and short walks.
Whether your dog is carrying a water bottle or some yummy treats for later, giving your dog the job of carrying something for you can be great exercise and can do wonders for a dog’s mental well-being. My dog Baxter has tried out this pack and he did not mind helping me with carrying some light weight supplies on our walk together and he was twice as tired after our short walk, making this perfect for the pup who just never seems to get tired out after a walk. Best of all, I was extremely impressed with the quality construction and thoughtfulness put into the trail-savvy design to make it a practical addition to any hike with your dog.
The Approach Pack has everything your dog will need to ruff it on your next outing together and will keep him comfortable and looking cute too! Available in blue and green and sizes xxsmall to large, this pack can work for dogs of all breeds and sizes. So put your pup to work with this high-quality Approach Pack from Ruff Wear!
These could possibly be the coolest dog shoes I have ever seen. Really. But beyond their rugged exterior, these bark 'n boots grip trex by Ruff Wear are extremely important, functional paw wear for your pooch.
These supportive shoes for your dog help protect their paws from extreme outdoor elements (heat, sharp objects, etc), have amazing traction (great for hiking!) and are comfortable and durable. They have an air mesh upper inspired by human shoes (that is breathable, durable, and drainable) and a high performance Vibram® sole. They also have a nonmarking sole which is perfect for taking your dog out on your boat or for wearing inside the house.
The boots are easy fit with an expansion gusset and a Sure Cinch closure strap to help them stay on their paws. They also have a reflective trim for added safety and nighttime visibility.
The bottom line... if you are active with your dog, protect their paws with the best boots out there, these grip trex. They are extremely well made, comfortable, and they look great too.
Available in sizes XXS to XXL and in red or blue, make sure you measure your dog according to their instructions. And learn more about the awesome benefits of these boots for your dog.
If your dog likes to play outside at night, or you walk or hike with your dog in the evening, the Beacon safety light, made by Ruff Wear, is a necessity.
This very cool looking, very sleek light clips on to your dogs collar (or coat, harness, etc) and emits a light with 1/2 mile visibility. You can choose from three light settings: a slow flashing light, a fast-pulsing red light, or continuous light (the three settings make it possible to keep track of 3 dogs). The four light-emitting diodes (LEDs) create a halo of high visibility red light around your dog in 4 directions (forward left, forward right, backward, and straight up).
The design is sturdy, compact, watertight, lightweight, and easy to use. I love that I can clip it on my dog, let her out at night, and know where she is based on the light. Should she somehow escape our electric fence, I feel better knowing she will be spotted with her Beacon light which will help her stay safe from cars and return home.
Not only appropriate for dogs, the Beacon is also a great tool for kids, adults who like to jog, hike, and bike, and more. At $12.95, it is an inexpensive safety tool necessary for your pets and family.
April is here... and that means lots of rain (around here, at least!) I discovered a unique (semi-odd) but practical product for your dog this spring, called the Pet Umbrella.
It's exactly what you would expect it to be... an umbrella to protect your dog from getting wet. This pet umbrella features a dog leash which easily attaches to your pet's collar. A clear umbrella body, trimmed in classic plaid, allows full view of your dog while walking.
On sale for $19.99, this could be a great product if you have a dog who hates the rain (like mine does!)
Living in the northeast, we are fortunate enough to experience all of the seasons. Spring is warm, summer can be hot and unbearable, fall is chilly and crisp and winter... well, can be down right miserable! It can be even worse if you don't have a warm coat to wear.
Dogs feel the same way. They still have to go out, and they want to be warm when they have to leave the comfort of their warm house, or in my dog's case, his fleece bed with a hood. There is no question in my mind that my dog is warm enough, now that he has a custom made fleece coat from Passionpets.com.au.
This coat is awesome. It covers his very long back, and it even has a little flap at the neck that can stand up to keep the wind and cold off his neck and the bottom of his head. The padded straps are fastened with velcro for easy on and off.
The coats from Passionpets.com.au are all handmade in Australia from the finest quality polar fleece. They are so soft to the touch and the looks of them make heads turn. When ordering your dog's new fleece coat from Passionpets.com.au, make sure you add in the comment section "the swanky pup" and you'll get 10% off your order.
Jane sent me two custom harnesses (pictured left and below right) - a summer harness for Axel, and a beautiful girl harness for Axel's friend Lucy - a dachshund. The harnesses are extremely well made - Jane pre-washes and dries all her fabrics before cutting. She also uses heavy duty velcro to hold the neck and chest, with a 2-1/2" to 3" inch lap over. They are very secure! And each harness has a heavy D-ring to attach the leash.
