Category: For Owners
Doggie dinnerware
A lovely table makes up for just about any mishap in the kitchen. We've been known to encounter a few culinary disasters. But we don't let a flopped souffle ruin the party. Instead we whip out some fancy bone china, fine linens and try to pass off treats from the local bakery as our own. We're hoping this fabulous "Best in Show" dinnerware from designer Barbara Barry (for Wedgwood) will encourage our guests to forgive our kitchen incompetence. Even if all you can muster up is mac and cheese, don't throw in the dish towel. These swank pooch plates can dress up the most meager meal thanks to the elegant black and white poodle pattern.
Decorative dog painting
Here is a Pop Art style depiction of a Dalmatian, to help your interior decorating go to the dogs. The background could be interpreted as halved, hard-boiled eggs floating in a sea of melted chocolate. Or, you could think that is just a yolk. Whatever the case, the Dalmatian's eyes match in color the center of the hard-boiled eggs in the background. Modern Dose, the company selling the portraits, says that each artwork is numbered and comes with an art identification label. The medium is colorful thermal digital artwork printed on thick, oxford-canvas fabric.
Dog-themed t-shirts
It's hard to live in the shadow of an adorable dog. All the stares and smiles are reserved for her majesty. Hey! Sometimes a girls wants a little attention. We're sure to get some looks with one of these sassy doggie tees. There are three to suit our many moods and numerous beloved breeds: Wiener Lover, Quiero Mucho (Chihuahua) and Holy Shi-Tzu. The ironic styling looks like a throw-back to the days of roller disco and the BeeGees. We can't wait to show up at out next puppy play date and see if we can rustle up some human attention and maybe a date.
Dog bookends
There are many reason we're fond of James Thurber. First, there's the prose and cartoons he contributed to The New Yorker. But second (and maybe more important) there's his lifelong love affair with dogs. Thurber's Dogs Bookends represent the doodle Thurber created that turned into a fan favorite. Here's how Thurber described his dog: “He loves serenity and heavy dinners, and wishes they would go on forever.” Thurber's scribble is now a quaint set of bookends bound to dress up any reading collection. Carefuuly commissioned, each of the two dogs includes a "book" (Men, Women & Dogs and The Beast in Me) affixed to the canine. So even though many of our books fall into the realm of doggie lit, we'll look erudite.
Dog-themed fashion belts for humans
What is a spoiled big city Sheltie to do when she wants to buy her human a lovely designer belt with little Sheltie images on it, but the company that makes breed specific belts for humans doesn't offer Shelties on its belts? Ginger the spoiled big city Sheltie here, and I'll tell you what I did. I went right to Dancing Dog Design's suggestions page, and told them to start making human belts with Shelties on them PDQ! Meanwhile, among the breeds included on human belts are Bernese Mountain Dog, English Springer Spaniel, German Shepherd et cetera, et cetera every dog from every nation but not the Shetland Sheepdog. It's enough to make a Scottish lassie have a bitch fit! I'm only riled up like this because Dancing Dog Design's breed specific belts for humans look so fashionable, bow wow wow.
Scottish Terrier notecards
We know, we know, email and SMS are the fast and easy way to keep up to speed with friends. But in this digital age of instant message this and download that, we'd like to make the case for a good, old-fashioned handwritten note. Crane has given us a new reason to write--delightful personalized Cambridge blue cards with Scottish Terriers. Now that we own grown-up stationery, we plan to conduct ourselves accordingly and pen missives like Ms. Austen. Be it to say "thanks", "well done", or "I'm sorry about that unfortunate scuffle Mr. Wiggles caused at last weeks play date"--we plan to take the time and effort to personalize epistles and then bask in the warm glow of our efforts.
Dog themed plates
Fishs Eddy is the type of place we like to visit on a regular basis. We're always unearthing unique items in their housewares emporium. On our latest visit, we stumbled upon these delightful dog dishes. No, no, they're not for kibbles and bits, they're for human nibbles. The collection includes a side plate (perfect for desert or salad) a 12. 5 oz glass, a big roomy cereal bowl and an oversized mug (ideal for the caffeine junky). Each piece is decorated with realistic depictions of various dog breeds in action. Though precious to the eye, there's no need to spend hours at the sink--these durable items can be tossed in the dishwasher. So enjoy your Cherrios and fresh brewed java in your doggie wares then get outside and enjoy your doggie.
Scotty dog earrings
Simply dazzling! That's what we thought about these precious Scotty dog earrings from Kristen Grace. The dangling earbobs are bejeweled with crystals (unlike real diamonds, we won't cry buckets if we lose one of these at the dog park). Delicate (the drop only measures 2"--an understated and elegant length) and feminine, these accessories are just the thing to give any ensemble a lift. And if Scotty's are your favorite (and we completely understand your predilection), why these are likely to become part of your everyday uniform of style.
Dog sculpture by Chen Chanwei
The Chinese zodiak assigns an animal to the year of one's birth, in twelve year repeating cycles. Some renouned humans born in years of the dog are Socrates, George Gershwin, Benjamin Franklin, Herbet Hoover, and David Niven. But far be it from us to suggest that the Beijing Olympics should be boycotted because in many parts of China, people eat dog meat. Rather, we today bring to your attention the sculpture People Belong to Dog by artist Chen Changwei, born in 1973 in Qujing, Yunnan. The sculpture is a limited edition, and part of a series of the zodiak cycle of animals, all realized in pate de cristal.
Puppy bookends
A Tail of Two Cities, Love in the Time of Collara, Are You There Dog? It's Me Margaret?--what ever you like to read (Dickens, Garcia Marquez or Blume) these bookends are the perfect item to hold your book collection. The Chihuahua-shaped bookends are hot pink and way cool--definitely an attention grabber. We think they are perfect for a snazzy office, dorm room or brightly-hued kitchen. Line up some of your favs--be it dog training guides, comics or organic cookbooks. Whoever said reading is dead, never had accessories like these in the house. We believe books are here to stay and can't wait to show off our collection.
Pug handbag
Oooh, aaah. Those were the sounds emanating from the CEO/Editor's office here at Pampered Puppy that drew our attention to this bag. In fact, we just about had to go in and mop up the drool when she came across this pugalicious leather handbag from Fuzzy Nation. The bronze leather bag is a stunning replica of one of our favorite breeds. Despite our thought that this bag would be undeniably popular (or is that pupular?), this limited edition style is special order only. That means we'll have to be a little patient waiting for this treasure to arrive. Once in our hands, we think this fashion will go with just about everything in our wardrobe.
Tote bag for walking doggy in the park
Here's an over-the-shoulder tote bag for strolls with your spoiled dog. The fashionable item is from Cheengoo Boutique; Cheengoo being a Korean word for friend. The Park Sling has three main compartments; an area for larger things, an area for smaller ones, and yet another mesh pocket for "the wet, slobbery stuff." An additional pocket on the shoulder strap dispenses little bags for you-know-whatsie. A dual leash attachment is said to "let you walk hands free," but we all know that will depend on a dog's willingness to walk politely at your side no matter how many squirrels might scurry across the grass in the park.
Designer doggie handbag
Timmy Woods has created a fashion empire by crafted exquisite handbags that are anything but mundane. She shuns quiet fashions in favor of flash and panache. She's even landed a product placement in the new Sex and the City movie (a $2K Eiffel Tower bag). While we love Paris, we've set our sites on a lacquered black "Paws" handbag. It's so sweet and girly! Covered in pink and white paw prints the bag has silver-toned hardware and a compact shape. When we have our next fancy lunch date, we'll be sure to carry this accessory to make heads turn and women drool with envy. Who needs Louis Vuitton, when we've got Timmy Woods!
Eco-friendly pee pads
Nobody likes to think about it but millions of dog owners have either tried it or considered trying it: the dreaded pee pad. The big flat diaper in the middle of your house. Sure, you might say "no, thanks" - but pee pad devotees swear by them, particularly those who have carpets and like to keep them. :) But what to do with all that waste? Eco-friendly cities will often allow you to compost or organically recycle pee pads, but it's still not an ideal situation. Enter the nicer-to-the-environment Washable Pee Piddle Pads from The Haute Hound. Absorbent fabric on one side, waterproof on the other, machine washable. Smart idea, saving money AND the planet - we're hoping they'll come out with a "designer" line of slightly more elegant color combos (and plain fabrics, maybe, anyone?) for our loft-loving, urban hip selves.
Dachshund doggy fashion bag
Going Dutch has a whole new betekenis ("betekenis" is the Dutch word for "meaning") with Caroline Borger's and Klaartje de Hartog's designer dachshund carrying bags and clutch purses. This is one fashion accessory sure to make people think "Hot dog!" Hand made from genuine leather, the dachshund bag is available in red, brown or black. Borger and de Hartog previously designed a dachshund decorator lamp, for people who can't get enough of this adorable breed. The purse is, to borrow a line from H.L. Mencken, half a dog high, and a dog and a half long.
