Meet SwankyPet, Miley!

This adorable little pup is Miley, who lives in Ashburn, VA with mom, Bethany. These photos of Miley in her new Kiltlifter collar and lead set are soooo cute! Here, she is at a company picnic when she decided to jump into the Potomac! 

Bethany writes, "I think she is just the cutest but I guess all moms say that about their own puppies. This was at a work picnic I went to on the Potomac River. It was her first time near the water and her Golden Retriever instincts must have kicked in because she was very curious about getting in…she has since taken to jumping in the shower with me…she is a little water dog for sure."

Thanks so much for sending in the photos of little Miley! 

Today's featured print: Juicy!

Looking for a way to cool off this summer? We call this refreshing print "Juicy!" This pattern will turn heads everywhere you and your pet go - full of fun watermelon slices. 

Today we are offering 15% off all orders for Juicy, so don't delay - order yours now! 

Test Your Dog or Cat IQ

Here is a fun quiz that lets you test your dog or cat IQ from Purina. Have fun! 

Today's featured print: Flashback

Today's featured print is Flashback - a new addition to our Retro Prints Collection. 

This hip and funky pattern features a medium-blue background with lots of circles in shades of blues, browns and greens. This print is an excellent choice for boy doggies who love that Retro style. 

Flashback is available for collars, harnesses and leads. All orders are 15% off through midnight tonight (pacific time), so order yours now! 

Featured Print of the Day: Wine Corks

Wine Corks is a new print in our Novelty Prints collection that features lots of little stacked wine corks in various shades of brown. If you love wine as much as you love dogs - this is the print for you! 

This print is available for collars, leads and harnesses - so order yours today! All orders for Wine Corks are 15% off through midnight tonight (pacific). 

Dog Surfing? As Ruff as It Sounds!

I saw this article by Sara Hammel at People Pets and thought it was great:

If you read about the recent Dog Surfing Championships in San Diego last month, you may have been impressed – but skeptical that your own pooch could catch a wave without catapulting off his board into the roiling Pacific.

Your incredulity would be well-founded.

Recently, my husband and I took our 7-year-old Labrador, Ollie, to the Loews Coronado Bay's “Su’Ruff Camp,” a package (available through Dec. 2009) that includes surfing lessons for your dog and one night’s stay at its resort near San Diego. (Prices start at $389 including a Surf & Turf room-service pet meal for Rover).

A very patient, very pooch-friendly instructor met us at a San Diego dog beach near the hotel, and proceeded to introduce Ollie (pictured above) to the board. All he had to do was stand on the board as it sat in the sand. But as soon as we got four paws on, Ollie was off chasing another dog’s ball.

Next, we took him into the shallow surf. Between three of us we hoisted Ollie on, and after about ten tries he managed to stand up on his own, so we let go, and he surfed. He rode that wave for about 1.5 seconds before leaping off and, you guessed it, started chasing another ball. Still, we were told, he DID SURF.

A Loews rep explained that some dogs don’t even make it onto the board, while others will start catching waves on their own after an hour’s training. The more natural doggie surfers will come back year after year, from states far and wide, to surf those California waters.

Okay, Ollie isn’t in the latter category. Still, it was a great afternoon out taking out our dog into the Pacific on a sunny day, an experience we won’t soon forget.

Eco friendly pet fashions

We often hear the words “save the planet” or “go green” . These terms immediately takes us to conserve energy or to recycle at home ideas.
An organization called, Solar One decided to take this a step further by organizing the first eco-friendly pet fashion show.

There are talks already for a second show, at which pet fashion designers are welcome and challenged with the task of creating their products by using only recycled, reclaimed or repurposed materials.

A date has not been set yet, however, the organization has a full calendar of events at their website with more fun and educational activities.

To learn more go to : http://solar1.org

In the photo , Cinnabon Bon wears a Harness made out of a plastic bag of rice and a leash made out of recycled bags from the supermarket. The apparel is water resistant and helps the environment by recycling plastic products that otherwise would stay in landfills for a long time.

Meet SwankyPet, Emma Rose!

This little cutie is Emma Rose, who lives in Staten Island, NY with her mom, Doreen. We think Emma looks very 'swanky' in her Power Suit collar and lead set. Mom, Doreen writes about little Emma:

'Emma is 2 she is very sweet and hardly ever barks, she loves to be cuttled and kissed. She is a tiny toy poodle 5lbs. unusual markings spoted like a dalmation which is why i sent you this photo you can see her spots she was solid white with one solid black ear as a baby and i found her online. Love this collar and lead.'

Thanks for sharing this photo of Emma Rose - she's adorable! Emma and Doreen are entered into our monthly drawing for a fee collar - check back here at the beginning of each month for the winner to be announced!

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Puppycam raises awareness for shelter dogs

Great article from The Examiner: 

Northern Arizona University college student, Morgan Sharman is streaming a live 24-hour video of eight foster puppies in her care. The puppycam is part of a project to bring attention to homeless pets and so far more than 36,000 people have tuned in.

Morgan came up with the idea after she became a fan of a similar website earlier this year that filmed a litter of puppies and their mother. She watched the puppies in their daily activities alongside several million other fans.

Morgan Sharman hopes to achieve three goals with her puppycam project:
Increase awareness about the importance of spay/neuter for pets. After all, the puppies she is fostering wouldn’t be homeless if there wasn’t an abundance of unwanted pets.

Call attention to the need for people to adopt homeless cats and dogs rather than purchasing them from breeders, pet stores and puppy mills.

Inform the public about no-kill rescue groups and shelters and their efforts to stop pet overpopulation.
Morgan selected two animal rescue groups to highlight through her project. She picked, Foundation for Animals in Risk (FAIR) in Tucson, AZ and Best Friends Animal Society.

“I’d like to see this program go national if not global,” says Sharman. “And to do that, I knew I had to work on a local level as well as on a country wide level. It’s why I chose Best Friends to increase awareness on a large scale.”
Sharman is also using the puppy cam as a fundraising tool. Donations will be split between the two rescue groups. At last count generous viewers had contributed more than $400.

The puppies on Ustream were dropped off at FAIR when they were just a few weeks old. The mother lived with a family that didn’t see the need to have her fixed. As a result, another 8 unwanted puppies were born and then surrendered to the rescue group.

Millions of unwanted companion animals are relinquished to shelters and rescue organizations every year. The majority are euthanized because there are just too many pets and not enough homes. The puppies in Sharman’s care were lucky because FAIR had enough resources to take them in and because the college student agreed to foster them.

Click Here To See The Puppy Cam

Meet SwankyPet, Dolly

I hope you enjoy this story about Dolly, who is pictured here sporting her Zebra Stripes collar. Here is the lovely letter her mom, Kristen sent me:

"Dolly is a 3 year old deaf boxer. Her exact age is unknown. In February 2008, I adopted her from Denise Crabtree Rickles of the Rickles Ranch in Quinlan, Texas. Denise runs a boxer/american bull dog rescue organization.
I had always wanted a boxer and what better way is there than adoption. The moment I saw Dolly’s picture I wanted her. When I inquired about Dolly, I did not know she was deaf. I adopted her anyway, because I fell in love with her and I thought she was a treasure.

Denise taught Dolly hand signals. She has signals you do when you want her to sit down and come to you.
I also, have a 8 year old male corgi named Sampson. Dolly and Sampson are best friends. Since Dolly has been in our lives Sampson acts just like a young pup, despite some medical conditions he has had in the past year. He has recovered and is doing fine, she brings out the playful side in him that we have never seen.

Dolly really has no dislikes. She is happy go lucky all the time.
She loves to play, eat, and sleep (mostly in the bed and on the couch). She loves to go for rides in the truck..

Dolly and Sampson are not just dogs, they are my CHILDREN. I love them with all my heart and would do anything to protect them.

Thank you again for the great collar ..... I will be ordering more things very soon. "

Today's featured print: 60's Chic

New to our Retro Collection is a fun and funky 60's style print we call 60's Chic. This bright and colorful print will bring you back to the swingin' 60's with shades of fuschia, orange, lime green and dark pink. 

This wonderful new print is available for collars, harnesses & leads. All made-to-order, so you get exactly what you want for your pet. 

Order this for your pet and you'll be saying, 'Swingin' 60's, Here We Come' just like like Austin Powers. 

All orders for this print are 15% off through midnight tonight. 

Introducing: Wine Corks

Our latest addition to our Novelty Prints Collection is a print called Wine Corks. It's perfect for all of those wine and dog lovers! 

This print features stacked wine corks in neutral shades of brown and is very unique. It is available for collars, harnesses and leads - all made-to-order, so you can get exactly what you want for your pet. 

Today we are featuring Wine Corks and all orders are 15% off through midnight tonight (pacific), so don't delay - order yours now! 

Meet SwankyPet, Daisy - July's Winner

For July's Winner, we selected Daisy, who lives with her pet parents Christina and Colleen in Cambridge, MA. We think Daisy looks perfectly 'swanky' in her She Loves Me... collar which is perfect for her!

"We just wanted to let you know that Daisy LOVES her new pink Daisy collar. Daisy O'Shell-Danek is a chocolate lab who is going to be 8 years old in April. She was chosen from a litter of 7 because of her spunky personality. Daisy loves to chase the tennis ball, go for long walks in the park and her most favorite part of the day is lying in the sun. Unfortunately about 3 years ago, she had to have her right eye removed due to some medical issues but she is getting along just fine and is very active. She is looking forward to the springtime and warm days at the park.
Thanks for the beautiful collar!!!"

Thanks, Christina & Colleen for sending in this story and the photo of beautiful Daisy!

San Diego commercial photographer seeks unique dogs

San Diego commercial photographer, Andrew Grant is producing a big, fun, coffee table book featuring over 150 portraits of dogs to benefit pet shelters.

The book will feature over 100 various dogs including pure breeds and rescues. And he is currently seeking a few more models. He is asking that interested dog-owners email him a picture of your dog or introduce your dog to Andrew at the Rover casting call at the Muttropolis Pet Store at Fashion Island Mall in Newport Beach this Sunday, July 5th between 12 and 2 PM.

If your dog is selected for the book you will be required to bring your dog to Andrew's Oceanside, CA studio before 7/23/9 and complete a property release allowing us to use the image(s) of your doggie. Andrew is usually able to capture the shot he needs in 20 to 60 minutes. They will provide you with a free copy of Rover for and in consideration for your time and effort. Rover will be a nationally distributed, very high-end, 12"x12", 300 page, hardcover book on premium, thick paper that will retail for $60.Check out Andrew's website where you can view over 60 examples of dogs that will be featured in the book.

Brrr! Aussie Snow-Leopard Cubs Dip Paws in First Snow

It was like Christmas morning for two snow-leopard cubs at Australia's Melbourne Zoo: The duo awoke July 2 to 10 tons of fresh snow! Tashi and Gobi, now 6 months old, took their first steps on the white stuff with little hesitation. They leaped, licked and then happily chilled out, according to the local Herald Sun newspaper, after the zoo had trucked in the cold treat from Mount Buller.

The two cubs are the first snow leopards to be born at the zoo in 20 years, and they have a pack of admirers. In April, newspaper readers submitted more than 2,000 names for the little big cats. The zookeepers ultimately decided on Tashi for the girl, the Tibetan word for Lucky, and Gobi for the boy, after the southern area of Mongolia that is native land for the endangered species.

If you love the Snow Leopard look, check out our Snow Leopard print available for collars, harnesses & leads in our Animal Print Collection.

4th of July Festivities - Should You Bring Your Pet?

Excellent advise from the ASPCA:

As the country dons its red, white and blue to celebrate Independence Day, nothing says patriotism like a good old-fashioned barbecue with a side of fireworks. But beware pet parents, what’s fun for people can be a downright drag for our furry friends.

The ASPCA recommends keeping your pooch indoors as much as possible during backyard parties and Fourth of July festivities, even if he is a pro picnicker. From toxic food and beverages to raucous guests and fireworks, the holiday weekend is a minefield of potential pet problems.

“Even the most timid dog can leap a six-foot fence if he’s spooked by loud noises,” says Dr. Pamela Reid, Vice President of the ASPCA Animal Behavior Center. If your dog shows signs of distress from fireworks or boisterous revelers, Dr. Reid suggests giving him a Kong toy stuffed with peanut butter. “The consistent licking should calm his nerves,” she says.

The ASPCA offers some more expert advice to keep your pet singing, “Oh Say Can You See,” all the way to the fifth and beyond:

Keep your pet on the wagon. Since alcohol is potentially poisonous to pets, place all wine, beer and spirits well out of paws’ way.
Avoid scraps from the grill. Stick with your pet’s normal diet—any change, even for a day, can result in stomach upset. Certain foods like onions, avocado, chocolate, grapes and raisins are especially toxic to pets.
Avoid lathering your pet with any insect repellent or sunscreen not intended for the four-legged kind. Ingestion can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy.
Stay fire-smart. Keep your pet away from fireworks, matches, citronella candles and lighter fluid, which if eaten can irritate the stomach, lungs and central nervous system.
Be cool near the pool. Don’t leave pets unsupervised around a pool or lake—not all dogs are expert swimmers! Also, pools aren’t large water bowls—they contain chlorine and other toxic chemicals that can cause stomach problems.

As always, if you suspect your pet has ingested something poisonous from the picnic table, please contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. And be sure to check out our more complete list of holiday pet care tips for a safe and happy Fourth!