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!

Good Hair isn't just for Humans anymore

Pet Head Dog Products has some great new items for your dogs grooming issues. Want to change your dog’s haircolor as you change yours? They have the neatest new things, hair dye for DOGS! The line of dog shampoos, dog sprays, dog detanglers and dog crème rinses are all made with specially formulated ingredients that smell great and keep their hair well taken care of. They are PH adjusted and free of Parabens, petroleum derivatives, propylene glycol, sulfate and DEA.

The Pet Head Dry Clean Waterless Spray Dog Shampoo is great and I recommend using it on the dog that hates to get a bath or even between baths! I like to use it after they have ran in the park and kinda have that smell of a kid that has been playing outside for hours! Love that Blueberry Muffin smell!

Even if you don’t color your dog’s hair, or add a touch of sparkle, on a rainy day this summer, why not let the kids color their canine’s hair? I mean, how much fun would that to add a little touch of color to your dog’s head?

I love all the Pet Head products and who cares if you spend a bit more, why not?

I believe my little ones are worth it and we have fun doing it! Check out Pet Head's precious dog toys too! Great company and great prices!