A dog blog featuring dog products, toys, collars, clothes, treats, and more

"Pick Your Pooch" 8 x 10 Reproduction Art Print

Any artist who can impart a new "something" to the seemingly endless parade of dog portraits deserves a mention. And there's something about John W. Golden's Fido Series that made me take notice. I think it was the expressions on the pooches' faces... the nonchalance... the dignity... the "devil-may-care" attitude.

The colors are nice too; vibrant and muted at the same time (work with me here. I'm no art critic). These are prints - not originals - which makes them nice and affordable. Each portrait is printed on archival paper and signed by the artist. Many breeds are available right now, and he's adding more all the time. He invites suggestions for breeds (*cough*KEESHOND*cough*) if you don't see your favorite.

Not that I have a (KEESHOND) favorite.

Etsy
$18

The Ultimate Pet Food Guide

After the scary pet food recall in 2007, a lot of us have been left wondering what's actually in the food our pets eat. Liz Palika, a writer for pet publications since 1985, breaks it down for us in this amazingly informative book, The Ultimate Pet Food Guide.

In this book, Palika walks you through the basics of the digestive systems of dogs and cats, nutrition, supplements, and raw food diets. It also includes a section of recipes depending on your dogs special needs (frankly, the recipes looked good as human food, too).

It's an interesting read, and one that will help you make an informed decision about your dog's diet for a happier, healthier bow-wowser. Yes, I said bow-wowser.

Amazon
$10.85

"Tu for Tee" Dog Tshirt

The nice people at Tu for Tee were kind enough to send me a sample of their so-darn-cute-it-hurts dog clothes. They're tshirts featuring things like girly skulls and cupcakes, and have little tutus built right in! Bliss, being of the double-coated persuasion, can't really wear clothes, but she passed it along to her Chihuahua friend Bambi who LOVES it. They have a handmade look that is endearing, but without that, "Oh, did you make that?" quality to it, if you know what I mean.

If you have a little girl (human, that is) and want to make passers-by keel over from cuteness, you could also get a similar tee for your little girl and parade them down the street in all of their tutued glory.

I'm not sure if that amount of cuteness is legal in most states.

Tu for Tee
$40

The Mutt Pack

Matt from The Mutt Pack sent us a sample of his new dog "closet door" organizer for dog stuff.

As you can imagine, Bliss might be a little spoiled, and we may have a couple of dog things laying about. You know, a toy or two, a treat here and there. And, of course, she has a lot of grooming needs, so we have all that stuff to organize. Oh, and the "regular" dog stuff like poop bags, food, and everything that goes along with that.

Previously, I had stored a few items in a "travel bag" (a promotional bag I received from somewhere), little-used items in a plastic tub, and often-used items sitting on a shelf. With the Mutt Pack, I can store most of her items in an organizer that hangs from the closet door, all visible and in easy reach. It certainly didn't fit all of her stuff, but it made a good dent. And if we decide to flee the apartment in a hurry, the whole thing folds up suitcase style and we're on our way.

This is a new product for Matt, and he is really open to suggestions to make it better. A few things I found:

1. It makes a really wonderful closet organizer, but as a travel bag, it might be too big for one dog. Perhaps if I could zip off the bottom section, it would be the perfect size for travel.
   
   
2. It would be great if the pack came in different colors/patterns, and maybe even allowed for monogramming or embroidering her name on it.


3. The included hooks were flimsy. I know the idea was to make them malleable so they could be customized to one's door, but I'm really impatient and didn't want to follow the directions carefully enough to make them work. I already had a hook on the door, so I used that instead.

All in all, this is a great start for a product that is really useful as-is, but as Matt makes little tweaks here and there, has the potential to be an indispensable accessory for all dog owners.

Thanks Matt!

The Mutt Pack
$49.95

KaysK9s Custom Needle Felted Miniature Dogs

I first read about needle felting in a dog magazine. Basically, you take fibers, like wool, and "push" and "punch" them using a special felting needle. The result is the wool "felts" and sticks to itself, and becomes a wonderful material for sculpting.

KaysK9s uses this needle felting technique to make adorable miniature dog sculptures. She works directly from pictures of your dog, and includes details right down to individual spots and markings. She can make them teeny-tiny at 4" tall, or itsy-bitsy at 1" tall. They take about 25 hours to create, and asks for 3 - 6 weeks to produce your order. Oh, and she even includes a little accessory like a tiny toy, collar, or bowl.

These things are so freaking cute.

Excuse me for a moment.

* OMG SQUUUUUUUUUUEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!*

Okay, I'm back now. Just had to get that out of my system.

KaysK9s
$155

Sojos Peanut Butter Honey Dog Treats

I came across these Sojos dog treats online in my search for new things to put on this blog, but then found them at the new dog boutique that opened in our neighborhood (more on that later!), so we were able to give them the ol' Bliss taste test.

Sojos specializes in healthy, natural food for dogs, and these treats are baked daily. Made with peanut butter, eggs and honey, they are now wheat- and corn-free. They smell really good. Very peanut buttery. I wanted to taste one myself.

Oh, and I love the packaging. Of course I do. Bright colors and polka dots? Please. Sold.

How did Bliss like them? Let's see:

I would say they are Bliss approved.

Sojos
$6.50

Gulpy Dog Travel Water Dispenser

I've been needing a way to carry water for Bliss on longer car trips, and the collapsible bowls are just a little too awkward for that purpose. Then I found the Gulpy water bottle. It's basically a water bottle with a plastic, flip-out attachment that serves as the bowl. You flip it out, squeeze water into it, and voila! Water bowl! I was a little skeptical; Bliss tends to shy away from plastic items (except, perhaps, a treat-filled Kong) and anything remotely unusual looking. Frankly, I thought she'd be scared of the thing.

But when we went on a car trip and I heard her panting in the back seat, I whipped out the Gulpy and presented it to her. She didn't hesitate and got a nice drink of water. Success!

(But isn't "Gulpy" kind of a weird name? I mean, doesn't that encourage bloat? Maybe they should call it "Sippy" or "Lappy." Or maybe I'm overthinking this.)

Muttropolis
$10.99

Fairy Tail Dust Body Bling for Dogs

Remember in the '80s and it was prom night so you put a lot of that body glitter on? And then you danced with your date and it got all over his tux? And it got all over everything you ever owned and in every nook and cranny of your body?

Well, now your dog can enjoy the same experience. That's right - it's body bling for your dog. In eight different colors to coordinate with... well, whatever your dog wants to coordinate with. It indicates it's non-toxic which is great, because when your dog licks herself it would be good if this stuff didn't make her sick. And it will make her tongue very sparkly, very shiny.

Your Precious Pet
$5.39

PUDS Pooper Scooper

We watched the documentary Air Guitar Nation and were enthralled by the stylings of one C. Diddy. A master air guitarist who won the world championship in 2003, he has gone on to start a company with his father selling the PUDS Scooper, a disposable bag system for... er... dog... waste.

Designed to keep your hands as far away from the offending... er... items as possible, the system uses a bag and scooper that allows you to keep the... er... well, let's just say it! THE POOP! IT KEEPS THE POOP AWAY FROM THE SCOOPER AND YOUR HANDS! POOP POOP POOP!

Whew. I feel better now.

Rock on, C. Diddy.

PUDS Scooper
$24.99/basic kit

Wagwear Canvas Dog Bed

Oooh... I like this! A dog bed made of 18 oz duck canvas, it comes in seven colors + that beigy canvas color. It arrives all rolled up for travel.

I like how this looks like a little storage box that The Container Store would sell for use in your desk or closet. But instead of storing old files or out-of-season sweaters, you're storing a box full of puppy!

Wagwear
$180 - $280, by size