Here comes the Bride.... and the dog!

Many pet owners and celebrities these days are choosing to include their pet(s) in their wedding. In many cases, the pet attending or in the wedding happens to be a dog, since dogs are most easily trained and social but I understand that cats, parakeets and other little ones have been a part of those special days too. I remember my sweet beloved Taylor (my first Weiner-dog) and how precious he was to me but I cannot say how he would do in a wedding and I am not sure if I would have wanted to find out.

I understand that it is all in the wedding planning. If you do not know how your pet will react around a group of people, I am not sure I would take the chance. Pets can be very unpredictable at times and over excited. BUT… if you are sure Fido will be an added blessing for your wedding day, I say GO FOR IT!

Why not I guess, there is even an online game where you can dress your pet for the big day. Freeplaynow.com offers a free online game where you change out outfits on your pet to participate in the blessed event. If you want a dog tiara, just add it on, if you want her with a doggie wedding veil change it up and you are ready to roll.

There are steps to take before planning your big day if you are going to include your best buddy in the festivities:

• Find out if the establishment allows pets whether it be in a church or reception hall.


• Make sure you tell your Wedding Planner about the plans to include Buster. She should know exactly what to do.


• Appoint a “temporary guardian” to be with your dog during the entire event making sure he is not overwhelmed, or needs water or simply to “relieve himself”.


• Always have a “Plan B”, just in case things don’t go as planned.


• Again.....unpredictable pets can cause an unpredictable outcome, so rehearse, rehearse and rehearse again.
  
  Most importantly in my book is for your pet to look good at the wedding!! Bridal fashion for dogs, whether they are tying the knot or involved in their owners wedding is so crucial. There are precious dog wedding outfits out there. You can spend as low as $25.00 all the way up to a $215.00 for this great Diamond Jim Leather and Swarovski Crystal Dog Vest. Don’t forget the wedding dog accessories either… the veil, the dress, the tux, the jewelry, hat and the bachelor party wear!
  
  Make sure your photographer includes your party go-er as well and have a wonderful wedding!

Beth Ostrosky Stern’s Pet Project and Doggie Couture Helps Out!

VIV Magazine contacted Doggiecoutureshop.com to help out animal activist ~ , Beth Ostrosky-Stern (wife of Howard Stern) and her pup Bianca in a photo shoot for this month’s featured article. VIV magazine asked owner Melissa Gampel of Doggiecoutureshop.com to provide dog collars for the photo shoot and of course, Doggie Couture came to help ASAP! Who wouldn’t help out someone that has the best interest of animals at hand?

In the featured article, Bianca (an English bulldog) proudly wears two wonderful collars provided by http://www.doggiecoutureshop.com/. A Bone Diggers heavy metal gold crocodile print collar and a House of Dog Wedding I Love Paw Collar. All great collars and affordable for your for your own pup!

Beth Ostrosky Stern, for several years has been involved with North Shore Animal League America, which is an animal rescue and adoption organization. She was asked to model wonderful gowns while carrying doggies down the runway. All of this work was to benefit the annual Lewyt Humane Awards Luncheon.

Beth Ostrocky Stern said “I wouldn’t leave the runway until every animal was adopted,” she is that passionate about this organization and the well-being of animals. I would certainly say that is committed! She raised more than $300,000 for North Shore Animal League America by running in the New York City Marathon last fall. She recalls her best moment of that time as being when the shelter’s staff and volunteers welcomed her at the finish line (along with her husband Howard Stern and his youngest daughter, Ashley.

A great person doing great things for animals! For more on Ostrosky Stern’s charitable causes and additional photos check out VIV Magazines July/August’s cover story featuring Bianca and her great dog collars!

Have a "Howling" Good Time!

Expect an invitation and wear your best duds to the new growing trends of Doggie Birthday Parties! I thought we were in a recession, but have a birthday party for your doggie, why not?

Some pet parents throw extremely elaborate doogie birthday parties for their canines, other times, a dog birthday party is a low-key affair or simply an excuse to get together with friends. Planning can be extensive or relatively minor depending on what you have in mind.

Such dog birthday parties are part of a growing trend, according to the American Pet Products Association. The group's 2009-10 National Pet Owners Survey says that about 7 percent of dog owners hold holiday or birthday dog parties for their friends. That's up from 6 percent before 2008. And the APPA projects that those numbers will keep growing even through the recession, as overall pet spending hits $45.4 billion this year. That is a lot of partying!

There are many pup party preparations to take before throwing your pooch a birthday party, you must plan like you would any birthday party.

• Doggie cakes or doggie treats (there are so many choices, you can get flavours including banana nut, apple cinnamon and honey almond make it easy to customize for your pampered pooch and his friends.

• Doggie birthday hats or doggie bandanas
  


• Don't forget to decorate with balloons and Doggie birthday party theme plates, cups, streamers etc.

• Goodie bags

• Don't forget the best thing! Every birthday girl or boy should have a brand new pooch birthday outfit to sport at the special event!
  

• Don’t forget to give your “human party go-ers” refreshments! Try"K9 Candy", which is the cutest bone-shaped people candy around or "Kooky Chew" party food snacks, that looks like kibbles. Service snacks in dog bowls, it will be a HUGE hit! You can make sandwiches and then cut with a dog bone shaped cookie cutter.

Doggie Birthday Activities and Birthday party games are fun too! Have each doggie guest come in doggie costume and have a mini-fashion show! You might want to pick up some pet friendly small organic dog toys to use as prizes for best costume, most original, funniest, etc. There are great doggie costumes to buy out there!

Instead of receiving gifts for your Pooch, why not ask for donations to favorite charities, especially those benefiting animals. Have party go-ers bring a bag of dog food, or a pet bed, or something that you can take to a local shelter.

Whatever you do and how big you make your Doggie Birthday Party, remember to just enjoy your time, stay safe and make new friends!

Have a "Howling" Good Time!

Expect an invitation and wear your best duds to the new growing trends of Doggie Birthday Parties! I thought we were in a recession, but have a birthday party for your doggie, why not?

Some pet parents throw extremely elaborate doogie birthday parties for their canines, other times, a dog birthday party is a low-key affair or simply an excuse to get together with friends. Planning can be extensive or relatively minor depending on what you have in mind.

Such dog birthday parties are part of a growing trend, according to the American Pet Products Association. The group's 2009-10 National Pet Owners Survey says that about 7 percent of dog owners hold holiday or birthday dog parties for their friends. That's up from 6 percent before 2008. And the APPA projects that those numbers will keep growing even through the recession, as overall pet spending hits $45.4 billion this year. That is a lot of partying!

There are many pup party preparations to take before throwing your pooch a birthday party, you must plan like you would any birthday party.

• Doggie cakes or doggie treats (there are so many choices, you can get flavours including banana nut, apple cinnamon and honey almond make it easy to customize for your pampered pooch and his friends.

• Doggie birthday hats or doggie bandanas
  


• Don't forget to decorate with balloons and Doggie birthday party theme plates, cups, streamers etc.

• Goodie bags

• Don't forget the best thing! Every birthday girl or boy should have a brand new pooch birthday outfit to sport at the special event!
  

• Don’t forget to give your “human party go-ers” refreshments! Try"K9 Candy", which is the cutest bone-shaped people candy around or "Kooky Chew" party food snacks, that looks like kibbles. Service snacks in dog bowls, it will be a HUGE hit! You can make sandwiches and then cut with a dog bone shaped cookie cutter.

Doggie Birthday Activities and Birthday party games are fun too! Have each doggie guest come in doggie costume and have a mini-fashion show! You might want to pick up some pet friendly small organic dog toys to use as prizes for best costume, most original, funniest, etc. There are great doggie costumes to buy out there!

Instead of receiving gifts for your Pooch, why not ask for donations to favorite charities, especially those benefiting animals. Have party go-ers bring a bag of dog food, or a pet bed, or something that you can take to a local shelter.

Whatever you do and how big you make your Doggie Birthday Party, remember to just enjoy your time, stay safe and make new friends!

These are not just lap dogs!

SO COOL! Saw the 4th Annual Loews Coronado Bay Surf Competition held on June 20th at the Imperial Beach and noticed something shocking, the surfers are DOGS. This amazing dog event was sponsored by Loews Coronado Bay Resort’s Good Neighbor Council and was honored to organize and host this fun-filled dog surfing event as part of its Loews Loves Pets program.

Now, I thought that fetching a stick was difficult for my canine to complete, but this is great! The dogs surf and ride those waves and certainly do it in doggie style! I am not sure I could ride a wave like the winner of the small dog category, Buddy ~ a Jack Russell Terrier. There were many different levels, small dogs, and larger dogs, and up. They even had the pet owner and his/her pet category which Zoey, a Jack Russell Terrier, and his owners Scott and Tyler Chandler won!

These pet owners have brought their surfing, wave loving doggies from all over and competition is tough, not just to surf and win, but to look good while doing it, it's call great doggie fashion. I saw great dog bathing suits, canine sunglasses (called "doggles", not goggles) and bandanas!

I noticed the doggie life vests, the doggie bikini's, and of course, the doggie board shorts, which I like, because my Copper has this pair in blue! Of course, pooch bathing suits are a must when you are going to be in the water, and life jackets too, however if you are going to compete with other dogs, make ‘em look good for heaven’s sake!

What a great event, and all proceeds from the 4th Annual Loews Coronado Bay Surf Competition go to organizations that help prevent poverty before it happens. If you are feeling generous today, visit Modest Needs Foundation. This wonderful water activity dog event not only brought in 45,000 but also brought pet owners and communities together for a fun day with your pet!

Russian Pets hitting the catwalk!

We are not the only ones that are going to fashion shows for our pets! Pets in Russia are now hitting the Catwalk as well! Moscow had their first ever Pet Fashion Week in May.
Canine couture was on show in Moscow as pet fashion designers displayed their best outfits at the first ever Russian Pet Fashion Week.

Women and men are now catching on to the pet fashion must have’s for their canines! Most of the dog clothes and dog accessories come from America, but more fashion designers in Russia are stepping it up to meet America’s dog couture demands.

It is a huge doggy trend in Russia to match your faithful owner with outfits that are color coordinated and matching bags to carry your pooch in.

Its great to know that I already have some of these great dog items and am sure I pay much less than what they do in Russia. I am excited to see they are wearing the cute little Dog skull and crossbones shoes because who wants to walk around on a nasty floor? Who knew about a "menswear line"?

So glad that America has had a great influence on Russia and they are following our lead in Pet Fashion! Wonder if they will be watching us at the New York City Dog Fashion Show in August? I betcha they will for sure be taking notes!

Eco Friendly Canine Couture

Heard of the neatest thing the other day, a great new eco-friendly apparel company designed and donated a t-shirt for the Four Legged Fashion show. I checked it out online and had no idea that such fashion show even took place. I wish I could have attended, what a great event! Debbie of Seedsucker contributed the human and doggie shirt (shown), how cute! Seedsucker also operaties a really neat environmental fundraiser for schools and organizations. I am sick of selling candles and junk wrapping paper so I am all for this!

Four Legged Fashion Show “Where Canine meets Couture” was a fashion show presented by the Fashion Group Interenational Dallas. There were auctions and a new one of a kind revelaing of new fashion designers, all of this to help small animal rescue organizations. Will keep up with this event and attend next year for sure!

Eco Friendly Canine Couture

Heard of the neatest thing the other day, a great new eco-friendly apparel company designed and donated a t-shirt for the Four Legged Fashion show. I checked it out online and had no idea that such fashion show even took place. I wish I could have attended, what a great event! Debbie of Seedsucker contributed the human and doggie shirt (shown), how cute! Seedsucker also operaties a really neat environmental fundraiser for schools and organizations. I am sick of selling candles and junk wrapping paper so I am all for this!

Four Legged Fashion Show “Where Canine meets Couture” was a fashion show presented by the Fashion Group Interenational Dallas. There were auctions and a new one of a kind revelaing of new fashion designers, all of this to help small animal rescue organizations. Will keep up with this event and attend next year for sure!

Life Vest for Dogs, so many uses

Doing my normal internet surfing for dog clothing and accessorories, I stumbled across a pretty cool idea to keep your doggies safe while they are frolicking in the water, LIFE JACKETS FOR DOGS!

I am amazed, I had no idea that not all dogs can swim, so having a floation device on your dog would ease your mind. The life jacket also provides an effective way to rehabilitate dogs with leg injuries. Sometimes after surgeries, dogs are immobilized and this makes many of our furry friends unhappy. But with one of these lifejackets our dogs can take of excess strain and rehabilitate effectively by swimming rather than going for a run. Not all dogs take to them right off, I understand that in time, they adjust just fine. Not sure if your dog is anything like mine, but my playful doggy loves to jump in the pool and swim with our family during the summer. We love having him in, but have always worried about how long he can swim safely. You know, they swim out and then they look a little tired so you try and lead them back to the edge or step of the pool.

These canine life vests come in many different sizes, different prices, different colors and by different brands. I found great ones which I am excited to share with you today. Some of these are large size dog life vests others smaller sized floation support for your petite pooch. . Now your pup can play with the family and be just as safe as your toddler who should be wearing water wings ;).There is more than just safety when swimming with family. We go out on our boat pretty frequently and in case our pup slips off the edge or decides to take a dive, we know that he will be taken care of with one of these safe yet fashionable life saving dog vests.

What a great idea to take care of our dogs during these summer months. What pup wants to stay at home while the family is outside enjoying their summer? I can’t wait to see these on the lake this summer!

Here are a few dog water safety tips for your little one: You can get additonal tips at: http://www.akc.org/public_education/summer_safety.cfm

~Test your dog, see if he can swim. If not, don’t force him in the water, especially puppies.

~Do not let your dog drink pool, lake or saltwater. It can make him sick.

~Watch for algae scum in any body of water as it can be toxic for dogs.

~Know Dog CPR

~Be careful of unfamiliar lakes or parts of the beach. Strong currents can pull the dog right under.

~Limit your dog’s time in the water. They get very tired too and older dogs will poop out much faster.

~Dogs can get sunburned too, apply dog sunscreen to their ears and their noses.

~Keep your dog hydrated

~Hot sand or a hot boat dock or deck can burn your dog’s paws. Try putting your pooch in these great dog sandals to protect them!

Keep your family safe this summer and ENJOY!