Last Chance for Retro Flower Power!

Last Call for Retro Flower Power! We have very little of this print left and since it's out of production, once it's gone, it's gone! 

This fabulous Retro Print is very stylish with a cocoa brown background and lots of 60's style colorful daisies in a variety of size. Wearing this print will definitely get you and your pet noticed everywhere you go! 

Order yours today!  

Hopping and biting: Take control of flea season

by Adam, Wendy & Lola, proprietors Paw Luxury
You said it: with a rise in temperature comes a rise in the flea population.

Here is an all-natural flea control recipe:
1. Combine one part of as many of the following powdered herbs as possible: Eucalyptus, rosemary, fennel, yellow dock, wormwood, rue.
2. Put mixture in shaker-top jar.
3. Apply the flea powder to your dog's fur by brushing backwards and sprinkling it into the base of the hair (especially focus on the neck, back and belly).
4. Immediately take your dog outside so the vacating fleas don't wind up on your floor.
5. Use this natural flea control recipe as frequently as necessary, up to several times per week for more serious infestations.

Today's Featured Print: Stars & Stripes

Are you looking for fun 4th of July collars for your dog? Check out our new prints in the Patriotic Collection. You'll find some great red, white & blue prints that will set your dog apart as well as a Desert Camo that is very cool and stylish! 

Also, we've recently added a few prints to this collection. Show support for your political party affiliation with our Democrat or Republic prints. Also, newly added Stars & Stripes (pictured here) is 15% off through midnight tonight. All of these prints are available for collars, harnesses & leads. 

For 4th of July delivery, please place your order by Friday, June 26th. 

Five Puppies Cloned from 9/11 Hero Dog

James Symington is about to find out whether you can clone heroism.

The retired Canadian police officer – who took part in the rescue operation after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks in New York City – is scheduled to take possession Wednesday of five puppies cloned using DNA from his beloved late German shepherd Trakr, the rescue dog credited with finding the last survivor in the smoking rubble of Ground Zero.

Symington, who won the opportunity to have Trakr cloned in an essay contest last year, first met his new pups in an emotional encounter on June 14.

"They're identical – down to the smallest detail," Symington said in a statement released by BioArts International, the California company that arranged the intricate cloning procedure. "Few dogs are born with exceptional abilities – Trakr was one of those dogs." Symington said that if the puppies have the same abilities as Trakr, he intends to put them to work as search and rescue dogs.

Trakr died in April at the age of 16. The actual cloning using his DNA took place at the Sooam Biotech Research Foundation in South Korea and was led by Dr. Hwang Woo-Suk, who produced the world's first canine clone in 2005. The goal was to create one clone, CBS News reported, but five genetically identical puppies resulted from surrogate pregnancies. The first of the pups was born on Dec. 8 of last year and the last arrived April 4.

To read more about the cloning of Trakr and comment on the story, visit PEOPLE Pets.

Meet SwankyPet, Xena!

This beautiful Rottie is Xena, who lives with mom Michele in East Haven, CT. We think Xena looks very swanky and stylish in her new Princess Puppy Pirate collar. Here is what mom, Michele has to say about how Xena became a member of her family:

Xena is a 15 month old Rottweiler girl. We got Xena at 7 weeks old from a breeder who was an elderly women that was having a difficult time handling the pups. Xena's mom was also having a tough time with the pups because she was overbred and tired. We took Xena home full of fleas and dirt, cleaned her up, and nurtured her to become the wonderful girl that she is (all 97lbs of her!). She is a very special doggie daughter because she is very sweet, affectionate and very well behaved and very popular with the other dogs and owners at our local dog park. When people meet her, at first they are concerned because she is a Rottie, a breed that unfortunately has a bad reputation. After people see what a gentle girl she is, they have a new found respect for the Rottie breed. Xena is a wonderful good-will ambassador for her breed and this fall, because of her gentle nature, I plan to start working with her to become a therapy dog. In her spare time, Xena likes to play with balls and absolutely loves to go swimming and play with her little 3 month old Bull Mastiff brother, Loki

Take Your Dog To Work Day June 26, 2009

In 1999, Pet Sitters International sponsored the first Take Your Dog To Work Day. In that first year approximately 300 business participated in encouraging the adoption of dogs from shelters and humane societies by celebrating the joy of dog companionship. The theme for this years Take Your Dog To Work Day is "Secondhand Dogs" Offer First Rate Love.

In a survey conducted by The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, it was found that nearly one in five companies in the United States allow pets in the workplace. Some companies allow pets one day a week while others welcome pets every day.

Having pets in the work place provides many benefits to both employees and employers. Pets in the workplace have helped co-workers to get along better and can lead to a more creative and productive work environment. Employees tend to work longer hours along with a decrease in absenteeism. Last but not least they help improve the relationship between owners/managers and employees.

At the top of the TYDYWDay list of 10 ways to celebrate is educating people about homeless statistics and fund raising for a local animal shelter. The Humane Society of Greater Rochester, better known as Lollypop Farm and not surprisingly, a very canine friendly workplace is offering the following ideas for celebrating this event:
Invite each employee to bring his/her dog to work, providing they sign up in advance. Ask for a contribution for admission and make sure they provide proof of current immunizations. Publicize that all the proceeds to benefit Lollypop Farm.

Canine Contests are a crowd pleaser! Hold fun contests, such as best trick, friendliest canine co-worker, the "lazy dog" employee of the day or most talented. Use your imagination for other fun contest categories. Take pictures, build team spirit and most of all have FUN!

Can't bring your dog to work? Designate "Take Your Dog to Work Day" as a dress down day. For a financial contribution of $5.00, allow your employees to dress down for the day. Take pictures, hold a hot dog lunch. You can create dog bone-shaped cookies to share with your staff in support of Lollypop Farm.

For more information on how you or your company can participate visit TakeYourDog.com the official Take Your Dog to Work Day website. You will find information on planning for your dogs day at work as well as download free printable materials to help make your day pawfect!

Today's Featured Print: Seeing Spots

Today we are offering 15% off all orders of Seeing Spots, one of our funky Retro Prints. This print is a very bright and vivid hot pink with lots of little polka dots in many colors. Your dog will definitely stand out in a crowd sporting this print! 

This offer expires at midnight tonight (pacific time), so don't delay - order yours now! 

Keeping Your Dogs Safe in Water

I wanted to share this great article from PET CONNECTION to get us all ready for the Summer season - enjoy! 

Swimming is great exercise for dogs, as long as you remember to look out for your pet’s safety at all times.

The swimming motion comes naturally to most dogs, but not all dogs are designed to be Michael Phelps. For example, bulldogs generally can’t swim without sinking because of their shape, and none of them can ever be trusted around a pool safely. For these dogs and others with physical limitations, some supervised splashing in a shallow kiddie pool is all that should be allowed.
Other dogs are naturals in the water, but even those who love to swim and are good at it can get themselves into trouble. That’s where you come in, to keep the experience safe for all.
No dog should be given unsupervised access to a backyard pool or a neighborhood swimming spot. Swimming pools are best fenced off for the safety of all and should be equipped with a monitor that sounds when a pet (or child) falls in, and with ramps (such as the Skamper Ramp, www.skamper-ramp.com) to allow animals an escape route. Teach your dog where the pool stairs are so he can find them and get out when tired.
Obedience training is important when it comes to your dog and natural bodies of water. Your dog should come when called, even when swimming, so you can call him back before he heads into deeper water or stronger currents. Always carry extra retrieving toys. A dog who’s heading out into a dangerous area after a ball or stick can often be lured back into shore with a second item thrown closer in. If your dog isn’t trained, stick to the shallows so you can walk to him if he needs help, and swim with him on a long line so he can’t get too far away.
If your dog isn’t much of a swimmer, or once loved to swim but is older or debilitated now, add a personal floatation device to that long line. Canine lifejackets are especially great for family boating trips because most have sturdy handles for rescue if a pet goes overboard.
At dog-friendly public swimming areas, don’t assume that because your dog is allowed there that the water is always safe. Rivers and oceans can change frequently, and an area that was safe for swimming one visit can be treacherous the next. Consider currents, tides, underwater hazards and even the condition of the water. In the late summer, algae scum on the top of standing water (such as small ponds) can be toxic, producing substances that can kill a pet who swallows the tainted water. When in doubt, no swimming. Better safe than sorry.
Be aware of your dog’s condition as he swims, watching for signs of exhaustion. When your dog is tiring, be sure to call him in for some rest, or just call it a day. A tired dog is a good dog, but an exhausted dog is in danger of drowning.
Don’t push your dog beyond his capabilities: It’s better to enjoy cool water at belly-depth on a leash for the remainder of the outing than to drown or be swept away out of an owner’s reach. Besides, trying to save a dog in trouble puts you both at risk, so keep your dog where you can safely deal with any trouble.
Be particularly careful of young and old dogs. Both can get themselves into more trouble than a healthy adult dog with lots of swimming experience. Young dogs can panic in the water, and old dogs may not realize they aren’t as strong as they used to be. Keep them close to shore, and keep swimming sessions short.
Dogs can and do get hot, so bring fresh water and offer it constantly. This is, of course, especially true at the ocean, because saltwater isn’t meant for drinking.
Finally, one of the best things you can do is to take courses in first aid and CPR for your pets. Many local Red Cross chapters offer these classes, and some veterinarians may also teach them in your community. A dog who’s pulled out near death from drowning may be saved by your prompt actions — if you know what to do.

Meet SwankyPet, Audrey

This little cutie is Audrey who lives in Sherman Oaks, CA with her mom, Meg. Here is Meg's touching story on how she found little Audrey:

"Last year I traveled to Mexico with a friend, just over the border in tijuana because she had never been. We got a little off the beaten path and stumbled upon a 2x2 dirty pet shop, two cages with 2 big pups on the bottom and 10 little ones on the top. Audrey was the weakest and was being stepped on by other dogs. As soon as I saw her I knew I couldn't leave her there, the man struggled on the price and finally gave her to me for $160. Upon re-entry into the US the border patrol stopped me and told me that dogs coming over the border must be 5 months old and have all their shots, he looked at Audrey weighing only 1 oz and said " Look, most of these dogs are improperly bred and die within a week, I see it all the time, but I tell you what, I'll let you take her, but I would get her to a vet right away" and I did. She was malnurished and was just 4 weeks old, she should have still been nursed by her mother another 4 weeks, she also had flees, luckily no parasites or anything intestinal. Today she is a spolied 1yr old, who goes on hikes, goes to the dog park, gets beautifully groomed, has her own bed and toys and is flying first class to Minnesota with me for 4th of July weekend at my cabin up north. She is a great dog and has just recently landed a pet agent here in LA. I think it's a truly rags to riches story."

Cool Summer Dog Collars

Are you looking for a cool Summer collar for your pet? Check out our very-summery print, Juicy! This fun watermelon print will get you in the mood for those long summer days. 

Juicy! features a green background with lots of little watermelon slices and is a very refreshing pet fashion accessory. This print is available in collars, harnesses & leads to fit all sizes. 

Through midnight tonight (pacific time) all orders for this print will receive 15% off. Combine this savings with a low $3.25 flat-rate shipping and you won't have to break the bank to fully outfit your pet for Summer. Order now!