Swanky Holiday Schedule

The 'Swanky' Elves are working very hard to get your orders shipped right away! All orders received by Dec 15 will ship by Dec 18 for the holidays.

Beginning Dec 19, we'll take a short break for the holidays and return to our normal processing times on Dec 27th.

Happy holidays to you and your adorable pets!!

Meet Swanky Pet, Peanut!

This adorable little vampire is Peanut from Ellicott City, MD. Mom, Jessica tells us:

"He is a 4 year old rat terrier. I got him about 3 months ago from the animal welfare society in my town. I fell in love with him as soon as I saw him! He has the best personality, so playful and he loves to cuddle and give kisses. He's always by my side, I feel like I've had him all my life. His favorite thing to do is play fetch/catch with a tennis ball. On the weekend I usually take him to play and for a walk at the park. I stumbled onto your website while looking for cute and unique collars; I ordered 3 right away! Here he is wearing the monster mash collar for Halloween and dressed as Dracula. I can't wait for December to put him in the gingerbread man collar. I look forward to ordering many more products from your website in the future! "

We bet Peanut was the envy of the Trick-or-Treating on Halloween! We can't wait to see him in his Gingerbread Man collar!

Meet Swanky Pet, KC!

Meet Swanky Pet, KC! She lives in Palm Bay, Florida with her family. She's a 7 month old Rhodesian Ridgeback and her mom, Gail tells us she loves to sun herself in the sandbox.

In this photo, she is looking perfectly lovely in her new Wild Thing collar. What a beauty!!

20 Tons of Food Donated to Help Hurting Pet Families in the Gulf

Thousands of people came to the Health Pet Clinic in Jefferson Parrish, Louisiana. This was the 1st of 4 events organized by the Humane Society of the US to help struggling pet owners in Gulf Coast Communities. Just outside of New Orleans, this one was very popular with lines so long that some people waited up to 5 hours!

But when the waiting was done and the people got what they came for, they said it was well worth the wait! Why? Everyone with a dog or cat that could get to the clinic got free microchips and free vaccinations for their pets. And because Freekibble donated 5 tons of Halo, Spot's Stew, each family took home two bags of healthy, nutritious food. This was a huge deal for people in the area… for many of them it meant that they could keep their animals in the family and not have to give them up.

We are very excited and honored to be able to help and see the many happy, smiling faces of people taking care of their pets. For all of the people at home or at work, playing Bow-wow and Meow trivia everyday, I want you to know that you are really helping make a difference! When you watch the video please realize that it is because of you that thousands of animals in the Gulf Coast area are eating big bowls of healthy kibble, while their human parents get to be relieved of the issues of trying to keep their animals.

Meet Swanky Pets, Cassey!

This sweetie pie is Casey and she will be ten next month. She lives with her parents in Limerick, PA. Mom, Laura tells me:

"This past January the Dr. found a cancerous tumor in her right ear. They were able to remove the tumor, but they had to remove her ear canal, leaving her deaf in that ear. She has rebounded and is just as spoiled and energetic as ever (well, as energetic as a basset can be:) Finally, the impetus for getting her the cute collars and leash was a recent trip to Tennessee. My husband had bought her a standard black collar - everyone who commented on her kept calling her a 'he'. My daughter and I were talking about it and decided when we got home we would go on-line and see what we could find...leading us to your site and it was exactly what we were looking for! We can even tell that she feels 'prettier' with her new clothes. Thanks again!"

We think Casey is just adorable and glad to hear she has bounced back!

Waste Not: Can One Dog Poop-Powered Lamp Spark a Revolution?

When Matthew Mazzotta visited a Cambridge, MA, dog park with a friend, he noticed the trash can stuffed with bags of poop.

The sight sparked inspiration; Mazzotta, an M.I.T. graduate, had been studying methane digesters for several years.

On a trip to India he even watched people fuel methane stoves with dog doo to make chai tea.

"With every bag of poop you tie off, you're cutting off its supply of oxygen and thus making a mini methane digester," explains Mazzotta.

This revelation led to his Park Spark Project, a gas-burning lamppost powered by the first Dog Park Methane Digester in the United States.

Basically, people at the park are prompted to use biodegradable bags supplied on site to pick up their dog's poop and deposit it into a big tank. As people put dog waste into this digester tank, it fills up to the level of an outlet pipe and then overflows into an overflow tank, thus keeping the digester tank at a constant level.

The small pipe coming off the digester brings the methane to the gas-burning lamppost. And then there was light! Although the installation in Pacific St. Park is temporary, Mazzotta plans to bring it to six different cities in 2011.

Why Dog Doo is a Big Deal

For those not lucky enough to have a methane digester to light your way, at least not yet, that's no reason not to be conscientious about cleaning up after your pet in an eco-friendly way.

It's estimated that dog owners fail to pick up over 4 million tons of dog waste annually.

Twenty to thirty percent of all pollutants in waterways can be attributed to dog waste; pollutants originating from rainwater run-off via sewer systems, and dogs pooping near watersheds or beaches. Dog waste is believed to be third or fourth on the list of contributors to bacteria in contaminated waters.

Finding Better Bags

Many commercial bags, even those advertised as "biodegradable" fail to adhere to biodegradable standards, especially California law SB 1749, which defines biodegradable as being able to degrade at the rate of an apple with no plastic bits left behind. The law also prohibits the sale of plastic bags within the state which are labeled "compostable," "degradable" or "biodegradable" unless the bags conform to standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials.

Several companies do sell biodegradable, compostable bags for picking up after your pooch.

Companies like BioBag and PoopBags.com provide bags and dispensers for use in shelters and parks (including the Park Spark Project), pet-friendly campgrounds and hotels, apartment/condo complexes and doggie daycares as well as selling directly to consumers.

Poopbags.com president, Paul Cannella, used to pick up his dog May's poop with plastic grocery bags, bags from the newspaper, sandwich bags, whatever was handy, "then I started looking around and I saw how bad plastic bags were for the environment."

After testing different materials - including a film that unfortunately melted when it rained - Cannella chose the final product that launched Poopbags.com. While biodegradable bags might be a little more expensive than plastic ones, "it amounts to the cost of about one latte a month," says Cannella.

Community Matter(s)

In Ithaca, N.Y., several dog walkers who frequented Allan H.Treman Marine State Park noticed that the dumpsters were overflowing with bags of dog poop.

Members of the Tompkins County Dog Owners Group initiated efforts to turn the dog park into a dog waste-composting park.

Composting began in late spring 2009. "We bought biodegradable bags and dispensers and educated people to pick up after their dog, making sure they used our bags," says Leon Kochian, a professor of plant biology at Cornell University.

People use roughly 5,000 bags a month. And once a week, Cayuga Compost picks up the bags, weighing roughly 250 lbs.

What was once six tons of dog waste was reduced to what looks like a small pick up truck load.

After the material is tested later this year to make sure there are no pathogens that could cause illness if released back into the community, "Our hope is that it will be nutrient-rich and pathogen-free and can be sold as a fundraiser to benefit the Tompkins County Dog Owners Group," says Bruce Stoff, communications manager for the Ithaca Visitors Bureau. "It's nice that a little town can do six tons of it, but what about a big city?"

Meet Swanky Pets, Kylie!

Meet, little Kylie who lives in Oakland Gardens, New York!

We got her from a breeder in New Jersey when she was only 8 weeks old. She is now two and quite a handful... loves to play and tease you with her toys. "Kylie" enjoys watching TV and barking at any animal that appears in a show or commercial. She hasn't quite gotten the fact that they're not real. "Kylie" also loves riding in the car (in her car seat). She goes shopping everywhere we go. She's very social... loves people. We are so fortunate to have found her.

Thanks for sending in her photo - she looks fabulous in her Swanky Plaid collar and leash set!

Abbie's Story: From "Almost Dead" Rescue Dog to Champion Surfer

Do you doubt that shelter mutts can match dogs bought from breeders? Here's the tale of yet another formerly homeless hound who totally torches the competition.

Once upon a time, young Abbie went through heaven only knows what horrors. She wound up on the street, "almost dead," according to her rescuer.

Though she was lucky to be taken in by Silicon Valley Humane Society, her experiences left her feeling traumatized and withdrawn. In her lonely cage, she sat around twiddling her dew claws, trying to forget her past, and hoping that a Prince Charming would hurry up and come for her.

Actually she probably wasn't just sitting around. She must have been doing stretches, push-ups, jumping jacks and trotting in place, trying to stay fit, having a hunch that her future prince might be the athletic type.

Along comes hottie bachelor Michael Uy, and the next thing Abbie knows, he's patiently coaxing her out of her shell, and she's living the doggie dream with her own personal Dream Dude down in sunny San Diego.

Nowadays her past is so over. Running, biking, paragliding, snowboarding, sheep herding... There's practically nothing that three-year-old Abbie the Adventurer won't take on, especially when it involves face time with her fave fella.

Recently she scored one for shelter pooches everywhere by taking First Place in Helen Woodward Animal Center's 5th annual Surf Dog Surf-a-Thon in Del Mar, California, a fundraiser to help other needy animals just like her.

Then she garnered more top dog honors in Huntington Beach's Surf City Surf Dog fundraiser - First Place in the medium dogs division and Best Wipe-Out. Awesome Abbie also picked up a prize for Best Trick when she hung on, hanging 20, even through a wild backwash wave that slammed into hers.

"People ask me what treats I give her during training," says Uy, "but no - surfing is the treat."

Also, as you'll see, Abbie appears to hold champion rank in yet another popular doggie sport - Extreme Kissing.

Watch our video from Helen Woodward Animal Center's Surf Dog Surf-a-Thon.

World's Smallest Dog Meets World's Tallest Dog

A dog's life isn't so bad, especially if you're top dog.

Giant George, a 245-pound Great Dane from Tucson, Ariz., sleeps on a queen-size bed -- alone, of course. And when he travels by air, he stretches out across an entire row of first-class seats.

Those are just some of the perks when you measure 7-foot-3 from snout to tail and you're the biggest dog in history. Oprah's people call your people, because she has to have you on the "That's Incredible" episode of her talk show.

"George eats 110 pounds of food a month," said his human companion, David Nasser. "And he'd eat a whole lot more if we let him."

But big isn't necessarily better -- or more pampered. Just ask Boo Boo, a 4-inch-high long-haired Chihuahua who holds the Guinness World Record as the world's smallest living dog.

Lana Elswick of Raceway, Ky., fed her from an eyedropper at birth, and this 4-year-old, 24-ounce pooch now calls a teaspoon her dog bowl.

As canine royalty, this odd couple flew first class to New York City, spent the night (in separate rooms) at the $400-a-night Warwick New York Hotel, and greeted a crush of news reporters from around the world in Central Park, as if they were "Twilight" stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson -- only these two celebrities actually have fangs.

Boo Boo and Giant George came to the Big Apple to ballyhoo the launch of the 2011 Guinness World Records book, which features a special section on amazing animals.

"I was a little scared," Elswick said. "I was a little afraid George would mistake my little Boo Boo for a snack. But he is, truly, a gentle giant."

Nasser admitted he was a little frightened, too, when he and his wife took their newborn daughter, now a 1-year-old, home from the hospital. This monstrous beast was waiting, swinging his prodigious tail.

"He's so big," Nasser said. "We worried how the two would adjust to each other.

"But they became fast friends. They love one another."

If opposites attract, Boo Boo and Giant George might indeed be a match. After all, on two legs he's taller than Shaquille O'Neal, and she's small enough to sit comfortably in a woman's shoe.

After a few sniffs, some wags and an indiscreet lick, it was clear they were just friends.

"Boo isn't generally afraid of other dogs, even this big one," Elswick said. "It's cats, really, that put her on edge."

After leaving the park, Boo Boo and Giant George headed downtown to visit the New York City Fire Museum, where the collection of hydrants, of course, were of great interest.

"It's not easy for George to travel," said Nasser, recounting the weeks of planning required before American Airlines found five seats at a bulkhead to accommodate the big dog.

Even little trips require planning. Such are the trappings of size -- and celebrity.

"We don't go to the local dog run much anymore," Nasser said. "When we do, a crowd gathers, and it becomes a scene."

That has been the case, especially since the February appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." Giant George flew to Chicago, got whisked away to Harpo Studios by limo and hunkered down in a specially equipped green room with soft bedding and lots of nice things to chew on.

"It was a great experience. George felt like a total rock star, and like everybody else, he loved Oprah."

Canine Lifeguards Rescue Doggie Style

Never underestimate the power of a strong doggie paddle!

Every summer hoards of beach-goers swarm the Italian coasts, and each year, the Italian Coast Guard estimates they rescue 3,000 people.

Working along side them is a team of very specialized lifeguards who are responsible for saving many lives during these seaside months — the graduates of canine lifeguarding school.

"Dogs are useful in containing the physical fatigue of the lifeguard, to increase the speed at which casualties are retrieved, to increase the security of both the casualty and of the lifeguard," Roberto Gasbarri, coordinator of the Italian School of Canine Lifeguards, told the Associated Press.

The program is three years long and trains dogs to rescue swimmers in trouble. The lifedogs wear buoys or tow a raft on which the victim can hold on while the dogs pull them to safety. The pups are particularly useful in missions where they need to jump from helicopters or fast boats, as they are much more capable than humans in these extreme situations.

"The dog becomes a sort of intelligent lifebuoy," said Gasbarri. "It is a buoy that goes by itself to a person in need of help, and comes back to the shore also by himself, choosing the best landing point and swimming through the safest currents."

There are currently 300 life-saving pups deployed on the Italian coast lines. Most of the dogs tend to be retrievers, but the only requirement to become a lifedog is weighing more than 66 lbs.

"Being retrievers, they set out to pick up anything we tell them, be it a human being, an object, or a fish, and they bring it back to the shore," said lifeguard Monia Luciani. "They do not associate it with a physical activity, but it is rather a game for them."

http://www.tonic.com/article/canine-lifeguards-rescue-doggie-style/

Meet Swanky Pets, Ashley!

This adorable West Highland White Terrier is 9 year-old Ashley who lives in Horsehead, NY. Dad, Frederick, tells me he located her breeder at an agility trial show and just fell in love! Her dad tells me what a sweet, but tough little lady she is - living with diabetes.

We think she looks very smart, sporting her new Swanky Plaid collar!

New Holiday Prints

It's time to get ready for the 2010 Holiday season! We're bringing you the cutest (and spookiest!) Halloween prints; beautifully colored Fall prints and the merriest of Christmas prints!!

They will all be added to the website soon under the Seasonal Collection, but until they are --- you can place an order for your pet by emailing us at: customerservice@swankypet.net

View the Halloween, Fall & Christmas prints!

Dogs in Cars Can Cause Risky Behavior Behind the Wheel

Great article from ASPCA.org

Whether it’s a joyride or a long haul, taking your dogs for a drive can be fun for everyone involved—but it’s important always to buckle up your pet. In the U.S. alone, an estimated 30,000 car accidents are caused annually by unrestrained pets. In a recent survey of dog parents by the American Automobile Association (AAA), 59% of respondents admitted to participating in at least one distracting behavior while driving with a dog. More than half pet their dog while driving, and 21% let their dog to sit in their laps.

Any behavior that takes a driver’s eyes off the road increases the risk of a crash, and stopping short can send an unrestrained dog flying, causing severe injury to pet and passengers. The ASPCA urges motoring pet parents to keep their pets safe and secure in the back seat in a well-ventilated crate, carrier, or harness. If you choose a crate or carrier, make sure it’s large enough for your pet to stand, sit, lie down and turn around in.

Here are some more tips to keep your end-of-summer road trips festive and injury-free:
Always secure your pet’s crate so it won’t slide or shift in the event of a quick stop.
Resist the urge to feed your furry friend in a moving vehicle—even if it’s during a long ride.
Avoid letting your pet ride with his head outside the car window. He could be injured by flying objects!

Bring along a favorite toy or pillow to give your pet a sense of familiarity and comfort.
For more helpful hints, please visit our Top 10 Tips for Safe Car Travel with Your Pet.

http://www.aspca.org/news/national/08-27-10.html#2

Just added: Cute new doggie toys!

We've recently added two new designs to our toy collection that I think you'll love!

First is, the brown Chewy Vuitton purse - perfect for the ladies and also a stylish Dogverse sneaker for the cute little guy in your life!

The Chewy Vuitton comes in two sizes --- Small (approximately 3" x 3") which is perfect for the smaller and toy breeds and Large (approximately 6"x6") for the medium and large breed ladies who are fashionistas!

The Dogverse sneaker is available in size Large and is approximately 6" x 6".

Both are high quality plush toys with squeakers.

Order yours now!

Last Day for Buy 2, Get 1 FREE!

Final day for our Buy 2, Get 1 FREE promotion!

Here's how it works: Order 3 (or more) items and you will receive a refund for the cost of an equal or lower-priced item(s).

Initially, you'll see the charge for all items when you checkout, but we will manually credit the cost of the free item(s) within 48 hours. As always, our low flat-rate shipping $3.25 allows you to get lots of 'swanky'wear to your door at a very low cost! (International shipping may incur additional shipping costs)

Chicken Soup Sorbet: A Summer Recipe for Dogs

Looking to relieve your pet on a hot summer day? If you have an ice cream maker handy, try soft freezing a can of low salt, no MSG chicken broth for your pet. It's a cheap and creative way to help your pup beat the heat!

Hot dogs can chill out on hot days with a scoop of this tasty (well, to them anyway) and healthy iced soup. If you don't have an ice cream freezer, try pouring into a shallow pan in the freezer, scraping & mixing every hour or two.

We're extending our Buy 2, Get 1 FREE promotion through July!

We are extending our Buy 2 Get 1 Free promotion for the month of July!! Here's how it works: Order any 3 items and you will receive a refund for the cost of an equal or lower-priced item(s).

Initially, you'll see the charge for all items when you checkout, but we will manually credit the cost of the free item(s) within 48 hours. As always, our low flat-rate shipping $3.25 allows you to get lots of 'swanky'wear to your door at a very low cost! (International shipping may incur additional shipping costs)

Surviving Fireworks Season

The fourth of July is almost upon us. While it is a time for many dogsters to celebrate the independence of our nation, for many American dogs the 4th of July is the most terrifying holiday of the year.

Don’t be afraid to give your dog comfort. As we discussed in fearful dog week, the idea that one reinforces fear through comfort is a myth. Be your dog’s advocate – do whatever you can to make her feel better during the storm.

Consider implementing some of the calming aids we discussed in fearful dog week, including sound therapy and perhaps a ThunderShirt.

Avoid taking your dog to a fireworks display. If you must leave her on the 4th, put her in her safe place and leave soothing music playing in your absence.

Keep your dog on leash at all times when outside for walks or potty breaks, even if you are not near a formal fireworks display, even if you are in your own backyard or neighborhood where she is reliable off the leash.

People may set fireworks off at family BBQs or picnics, so it’s best to leave your dog home if you’ll be attending these events. If you insist on taking your dog, keep her on leash! One of the most reliable dogs I ever knew off leash ended up disappearing and never being seen again when someone unexpectedly set off fireworks at a bonfire his owners had attended. Frightened dogs are unpredictable dogs – use management tools to keep your dog safe.
Hopefully, these tips will get your dogs through the holiday with minimal stress.

The following three internet resources may be helpful to you in understanding how best to help your dog through Independence Day and summer thunderstorms.

1. Lisa Spector of “Through a Dog’s Ear” for Dog Star Daily: 8 Tips for Keeping Your Dog Calm on July 4th

2. Patricia McConnell, PhD and canine behaviorist: Thunderstorm Phobia in Dogs

3. Last, but certainly not least, is a project undertaken by British behavior professional and fellow Dog Star Daily blogger Karen Wild. Karen has created what is the most thorough resource I’m aware of on addressing fireworks phobia specifically, www.dogsandfireworks.com.

"This Dog Was Locked In a Truck on a Hot Day"

Great article from Dr Jon at petplace.com

The other day a client called me and she was very upset. She was at the mall with her kids and they saw this poor dog locked in a truck. It was a hot day - just a few days ago - and she didn't know what she should do.

The window was barely cracked. The truck was parked in the middle of the parking lot and the sun was beating down on it - the truck was NOT even in the shade - and the dog looked very hot and tired. They were all very upset and she wanted to know what she should do.

I can't tell you how many times I've been asked this question. Unfortunately this happens too often. People think that they'll only be gone a few minutes and that the dog will be fine in the car. Some believe that "cracking the window" will make it OK. In reality, it is NEVER OK to leave a dog alone in a hot car, not even for a few minutes. I can't tell you how many cases I've seen where the owner returns to find the dog severely overheated. Heat stroke can happen very quickly and in many of these cases, it is just too late to save the dog.

Heat Stroke is a condition arising from extremely high body temperature (rectal temperature of 105 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit), which leads to nervous system abnormalities that may include lethargy, weakness, collapse or coma.

Allowing a dog to remain in a car with closed windows on a hot summer day is probably the most common cause of heat stroke.

Normal dogs dissipate heat from their skin. In addition, panting allows evaporation of water from the respiratory tract and is an effective method of heat dissipation. But when these mechanisms are overwhelmed, hyperthermia and heat stroke usually develop.

At this time of year, it only takes minutes for a dog in a closed car or truck to suffer from heat stroke. Treatment is possible but difficult, and even with treatment many dogs die. For more information on heat stroke - go to: http://www.petplace.com/heat-stroke

So...what should you do if you see a dog that was left inside a truck or car? The reality is, the dog can die in a matter of minutes. That dog needs help. In a case like this where they were at a shopping mall, I recommend calling mall security. You can even call your local humane society or animal control to get their recommendations.

Leaving an animal alone inside a hot car is pet abuse. Here is an article telling you what to do if you suspect pet abuse. Go to: http://www.petplace.com/what-to-do-if-you-suspect-pet-abuse


Let this be a lesson. NEVER leave your dog in the car (even with the windows partially rolled down) - not for any reason at any time. During warm weather, this is the most common cause of heat stroke.

Until next time,

Dr. Jon


P.S. What if you were the one who saw this dog locked inside that truck on a sunny day? What would you do in this situation? Take our poll.

Meet Swanky Pets, Truman!

This handsome fellow is Truman from Youngstown, Ohio. We think he looks dapper in his Mod Squad collar. His mom, Jackie sent us the nicest email:

"We love the new collar. Attached is a photo of Truman wearing it for your contest. Truman is about one and a half years old. He is from the local dog pound and has quickly become one of the loves of my life. I chose the Mod Squad collar for him because he is COOL. When I went to the pound last year, I wanted a puppy, but Truman sucked me right in with all the right moves--wagging his tail, sitting on my lap, almost saying "Hey, what more could you want?". This picture shows him looking out our front window (his favorite spot) at a storm approaching--as you can see, he has the "I dare you" look in his eyes. Truman is always calm and cool and definitely a lady's man. "

What a great story and we're so happy you and Truman found each other!!

Today's Featured Print: Beach Umbrella!

Today's featured print - 'Beach Umbrella!' The perfect Summer dog collar!

This crisp, cool Summer print reminds us of colorful beach umbrella colors. Featuring colorful stripes in orange, watermelon, kiwi green and more against a crisp white background which really makes it pop!

Your dog will turn heads at the beach or bark park, wearing this stylish Summer print. It's available for made-to-order collars, leashes & harnesses.

Stylish Summer Print Dog Collars!

Are you looking for fun & fresh new Summer style dog collars, harnesses and leashes?

Check out our new, stylish Summer Prints. Fun, Summer-themed prints for your dog or cat.

Today's featured print is called 'Juicy!' --- set against a cool, green background this print features slices of watermelon. It's getting cooler already! This super-cool print is available for collars, harnesses & leashes all made-to-order so you can get exactly what you want for your pet.

Don't delay! We're featuring a Buy 2 promotion, which allows you to get lots of super-cute styles at a very low price!

Meet Swanky Pets, Lucy and Lilly!

Aren't these two girls just the cutest??? I received cute photos (for more check out our Facebook page) from mom, Tabbetha along with this email:

"Meet Lucy and Lilly Muller....Lucy is a 10 lb long haired dash hound and Lilly is an almost 5 lb short hair weenie dog-they are sisters.

Lucy aka LouLou is our girly girl yet a rebel-that is why she got the pink skull and cross bones collar. Always wants what her sister has and likes to be in charge.

Lilly aka Peanut is a drama queen-that is why she got the snow leopard collar. She may be small but she loves to tease her sister and will drag her by the ear across the room if she needs to prove a point to her.

We love the swanky wear so much we bought them the sun dresses and had their nails painted. :) Cant wait to purchase more so they have a wardrobe each."

June Promotion: Buy 2, Get 1 FREE!!!

We are extending our Buy 2 Get 1 Free promotion for the month of June. Here's how it works: Order any 3 items and you will receive a refund for the cost of an equal or lower-priced item(s).

Initially, you'll see the charge for all items when you checkout, but we will manually credit the cost of the free item(s) within 48 hours. As always, our low flat-rate shipping $3.25 allows you to get lots of 'swanky'wear to your door at a very low cost! (International shipping may incur additional shipping costs)

Meet Swanky Pet, Gus!

Meet, Swanky Cat, Gus!

What a handsome kitty! Gus lives in Aurora, CO with his family. Mom, Suzanne writes:

"Just wanted to send along a picture of one of your newest clients – I requested a special order collar for my cat, Gus. He wears his collar proudly! He is a 5 year old cat – we adopted him as a kitten from a local shelter. He is a BIG boy – 20lbs. (almost as big as our dog, a Shiba Inu!) He is very social, loves to be around people, hang out on the patio in the summertime and loves to watch and “talk” to birds all day long.

I love your products and will continue to order. "

Thanks so much for sending in Gus' photo. We think he looks very dapper in his Seeing Spots collar. It's not often we get to see swanky cats!

10 Plants That Can Poison Pups

10 Plants That Can Poison Pups
Keep this greenery out of your house and yard.
Arden Moore

For eight years, Jill Richardson, D.V.M., was the voice of safety at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center in Urbana, Ill. She fielded calls from frantic owners worried that their dogs had eaten a toxic leaf, stem, or flower.

To protect her own dogs, Richardson made certain that poisonous plants never made their way into her Urbana home or her yard's landscape. "People are often surprised to learn that there are actually hundreds of plants potentially poisonous to dogs," says Richardson, who left the ASPCA to become associate director of consumer relations for Hartz Mountain Corp. in Secaucus, N.J.

Richardson identifies the top 10 most common poisonous houseplants and landscape plants dog owners should avoid:

Autumn crocus (Colchicum): Its active ingredient, colchicines, triggers an anti-metabolic effect that can cause rapidly dividing cells, shedding of the gastrointestinal tract, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting.

Azalea (Rhododendron): This popular plant can harm a dog's cardiovascular system and trigger vomiting or gastrointestinal upset.

Daffodil (Narcissus): Toxic ingredients in the bulbs cause convulsions, tremors, lethargy, weakness, and upset stomachs.

Hyacinth (Hyacinth): This popular plant can cause severe vomiting, bloody diarrhea, depression, and tremors.

Japanese yew (Taxis): Extremely toxic to dogs, this group of ornamental plants can cause seizures or cardiac failure. The plant and red berries are toxic.

Lily of the valley (Convalaria): This plant can cause heart failure, coordination problems, and vomiting.

Oleander (Nerium): Extremely toxic, this popular outdoor plant contains cardiac glycosides that harm the heart, decrease body temperature, cause abnormal pulse rate, and can cause death. Beware: Even people have died from eating hot dogs roasted on an oleander twig.

Rhubarb (Rheum): Although the stalks are used to make pies, the leaves pack the potential to cause kidney damage.

Sago palm (Cycads): Resembling an upside down pineapple, this plant thrives in sandy soils, especially in warmer states such as California, Texas, and Florida. A few seeds can kill a dog.

Tomato (Lycopersicion): Surprisingly, the greenery of this common plant, not the tomato itself, contains solanine, a toxic ingredient that can prompt gastric upset, depression, weakness, and a decrease in heart rate.

Richardson's parting advice: Keep your dog away from any mushrooms. "Always assume any ingested mushroom by a dog is toxic and will cause liver failure," Richardson says. "The problem is that many poisonous mushrooms often grow together with non-poisonous mushrooms."

For more information on poisonous plants, tap into the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center or the American Veterinary Medical Association website.

Summer Patriotic Holidays

Get your pet ready for the Patriotic Summer Holidays!

Are you looking for stylish, Patriotic dog & cat collars, harnesses or leashes for the Summer holidays? Memorial Day is just around the corner; June brings Flag Day and don't forget the 4th of July!

You will love our Patriotic Prints Collection --- a great selection of red, white & blue prints, political party prints and even military camo prints which are available for made-to-order collars, harnesses & leashes.

All items are made with top-quality materials to create an excellent quality collar, harness or lead for your best friend. All items are constructed with four layers of fabric and are lined with lightweight nylon webbing for structure and durability. All hardware is top quality: contoured zinc die cast side release buckles, durable slip lock buckles, cast D-rings and heavy nickel plate swivel snap hooks. Don't worry if your pet has a nylon allergy - I will be happy to construct your items with heavy-duty interfacing instead of nylon webbing. If you prefer a more lightweight collar or harness, your item can be made with a top-quality contoured acetal side-release buckle instead.

May Promotion: Buy 2, Get 1 FREE!

We are bringing back our Buy 2 Get 1 Free promotion for the month of May. Here's how it works: Order 3 collars, 3 leads, etc and you will receive a refund for the cost of the free item(s).

Initially, you'll see the charge for all items when you checkout, but we will manually credit the cost of the free item(s) within 48 hours. As always, our low flat-rate shipping $3.25 allows you to get lots of 'swanky'wear to your door at a very low cost! (International shipping may incur additional shipping costs)

Meet Swanky Pet, Flower!

Hi, my name is Allie Jane Tilford and I want to tell you a story about me and about why my mom chose the "She Loves Me" collar as a birthday gift for me. (Next month, I will be 3 whole years old!!)

..............Once upon a time there was a little black puppy wandering around alone. It was winter time, and she was cold and lonely. Then someone trapped her, put her in a big white van and then dropped her off at this big place with bunches of other dogs and even some furry cats!! The next few days were very hard for her, people looked at her with strange eyes and said things like "lab weimeraner?", "lab doberman?", "lab MIX??". She didn't understand. But at least they let her keep her pink collar with flowers on it. It was the only thing she had to remind her of what used to be home. Soon enough, little puppy was put in a kennel tagged with the name "Flower"...and there she would stay until someone fell in love with her.

Within just a few days a woman walked through looking for her first puppy. She saw Flower and passed her by. But then as she walked back by she saw a pair of sad little brown eyes peeking up at her and had to stop and at least rub Flowers head a time or two. When she stepped into the kennel, Flower never barked, never jumped, never made a sound. She simply walked up to the woman, put her head in between the woman's knees and waited to be loved. As the woman stroked Flowers head she thought, "This is love". And love it was. The woman took Flower to her little home and decided to name her "Allie Jane". And they lived happily ever after. The End....................

So that is my story. Me and mom have been inseparable since we first met in November 2007. Now, I'm no longer a puppy prisoner. I have my own back yard and get to snuggle up next to my mom in bed every single night. I chase birds, roll around in the grass, go to the dog park, play fetch, rollover, and I LOVE to shake hands. But the only thing is, as soon as mom adopted me, she had to get rid of my pink collar because it got too tight. She promised me all along that she'd find me another one. I've had bunches of pink collars since that one, but never one that made me feel beautiful and special like that one did. So mom found swankypet.com and found me the most BEAUTIFUL collar ever. Even more beautiful than my old one! Not only is it pink, but it has flowers all over it. I think someone made it especially for me since I love pink and my name used to be Flower. I have never felt more special and more beautiful than when I'm wearing it. Mom calls it my "church collar" since it's my extra special outfit.

When I'm wearing my special collar, I look at my moms eyes and I know ......."She LOVES Me".

Thank you SwankyPet for making me feel beautiful.

Soldier, Dog to Trek 7,000 Miles to Help Military Families

When Troy Yokum arrived home after a tour of duty in Iraq last year, he spent one day relaxing with family before hatching a plan. Stunned by the stories of friends who'd returned from the war and lost their jobs, he was on a mission: To raise money for struggling military families, and bring awareness to his cause.

Now, seven months later, Yokum is preparing to pound the pavement on a 7,000-mile, 16-month cross-country walk, with his sister's 2-year-old Shiba Inu Emmie by his side. Inspired by Terry Fox, the cancer research activist who attempted to run across Canada with an artificial leg, Yokum, 30, knew he had to do something big to draw attention.

"Terry raised so much money, and I was so impressed with his story," Yokum tells PEOPLEPets.com. "I knew if I was at least one-quarter as successful as him, I could raise some serious funds." Yokum's goal is to raise $5 million for Soldiers' Angels, earmarked for needy families.

With the help of companies like Louisville Slugger and Dog Is Good, Yokum's dream is coming true. On Saturday, he'll begin the rain-or-shine journey in his hometown of Louisville, Ky., stopping in major cities and 20 Major League Baseball stadiums along the way. He'll first walk to Los Angeles — "I'm hoping to get on the Ellen DeGeneres Show," he says — then back east toward San Antonio, and onward to New York City and Boston. From there, he'll turn around and head back to Louisville.

Estimating his walk at roughly 50 million steps, Yokum knows it'll be hard on him, as well as on Emmie. "Twenty miles is roughly 100,000 steps for a dog, so you can do the math," he says. "But I don't want people to think this is punishing for her." In fact, Emmie and Yokum take daily 20-mile hikes together, and she'll get to ride in Yokum's chase vehicle whenever her paws are pooped. They'll take days off, too, but only Emmie will get to rest: Yokum plans to fill his downtime with press appearances.

Along the way, the duo will stay with host families and in American Legion and VFW facilities, and visit veterans hospitals to lift soldiers' spirits. "Emmie can bring a smile to anyone's face," Yokum boasts. He'll also carry a drum to draw extra attention to himself. "I want people to come out and interact, and learn about the cause," he says. "Qualified men and women who've risked their lives for this country shouldn't be doing teenage-level work. They deserve their well-paying jobs."

Yokum himself has risked it all for his country as well. "My mom thinks I've already scarified enough," he says. But somehow he's still finding a way to put others before himself. "If you'd told me a year ago when I was sitting in the desert in Iraq that I'd be doing this, I'd have said, 'You're joking'," Yokum says. "And now, here we are."

To contribute to Yokum and Emmie's walk, visit their official Web site (check out the event schedule to see if they'll be stopping in your city). And help support their cause with the "Never Walk Alone" T-shirt from Dog is Good ($19.99).

New, FUN Summer Prints Available!

At long last, our new, super-FUN Summer prints are available in our Seasonal Collection!

If you're looking for cool summer print dog collars (and for those 'cool cats'), look no further! We've built a fun & stylish collection of all things summer: watermelon, seashells, little red crabs, beach umbrella stripes, lady bugs and more!

All prints are available for made-to-order collars, harnesses & leashes - made specifically for your pet!

Teacup ($15.00) 1/2" wide Adjusts 7" to 11"

X-Small ($16.50) 1/2" wide Adjusts 9"-14"

Small ($18.00) 3/4" wide Adjusts 10"-16"

Medium ($19.50) 3/4" wide Adjusts 14"-22"

Large ($21.00) 1" wide Adjusts 16"-26"

All of our items are made with top-quality materials to create an excellent quality collar, harness or lead for your best friend. All items are constructed with four layers of fabric and are lined with lightweight nylon webbing for structure and durability - yet they remain soft & flexible and the nylon webbing never touches your pet's skin.

All hardware is top quality: contoured zinc die cast side release buckles, durable slip lock buckles, cast D-rings and heavy nickel plate swivel snap hooks. If you prefer a more lightweight collar or harness, your item can be made with a top-quality contoured acetal side-release buckle instead.

Stylish Animal Print Collars!

Take a walk on the Wild Side with our fun and stylish Animal Prints - available as made-to-order pet collars, harnesses & leads, especially for your pet! Shop our fun and fabulous Animal Print Collection

Alligator print collars, Giraffe print collars, Leopard print collars, Python Snake print collars, Tiger Stripes print collars, Tortoise Shell print collars, Cow Print collars and Zebra Stripes print collars.

Teacup ($15.00)
1/2" wide
Adjusts 7" to 11"

X-Small ($16.50)
1/2" wide
Adjusts 9"-14"

Small ($18.00)
3/4" wide
Adjusts 10"-16"

Medium ($19.50)
3/4" wide
Adjusts 14"-22"

Large ($21.00)
1" wide
Adjusts 16"-26"

All items are made with top-quality materials to create an excellent quality collar, harness or lead for your best friend. All items are constructed with four layers of fabric and are lined with lightweight nylon webbing for structure and durability. All hardware is top quality: contoured zinc die cast side release buckles, durable slip lock buckles, cast D-rings and heavy nickel plate swivel snap hooks. Don't worry if your pet has a nylon allergy - I will be happy to construct your items with heavy-duty interfacing instead of nylon webbing. If you prefer a more lightweight collar or harness, your item can be made with a top-quality contoured acetal side-release buckle instead.

Stylish Spring Dog Collars

Celebrate the upcoming season with our fun and stylish Spring Prints - available as made-to-order pet collars, harnesses & leads, especially for your pet! Shop our fun and fabulous Seasonal Print Collection!

Teacup ($15.00)
1/2" wide
Adjusts 7" to 11"

X-Small ($16.50)
1/2" wide
Adjusts 9"-14"

Small ($18.00)
3/4" wide
Adjusts 10"-16"

Medium ($19.50)
3/4" wide
Adjusts 14"-22"

Large ($21.00)
1" wide
Adjusts 16"-26"

All items are made with top-quality materials to create an excellent quality collar, harness or lead for your best friend. All items are constructed with four layers of fabric and are lined with lightweight nylon webbing for structure and durability. All hardware is top quality: contoured zinc die cast side release buckles, durable slip lock buckles, cast D-rings and heavy nickel plate swivel snap hooks. Don't worry if your pet has a nylon allergy - I will be happy to construct your items with heavy-duty interfacing instead of nylon webbing. If you prefer a more lightweight collar or harness, your item can be made with a top-quality contoured acetal side-release buckle instead.

Promotion for April

With your help, we raised $341 for the Susan G Komen foundation. It's a wonderful organization and we're happy to donate.

We need your help to determine April's promotion. Which would you rather see?

$1 Donated to the US Humane Society for every item ordered - OR

Buy 2, Get 1 FREE!

You can post your feedback on our Facebook page.

We love to say 'thank you' to all of our wonderful customers - two-legged and the furry customers, too! Let us know which way you'd like to be thanked.

New Summer Prints - Coming Soon!

Look for new, very cool Summer Prints to be added to our Seasonal Collection mid-April!

Earlier this month, we attended the International Textiles Expo in search of new vendors and new fabrics and boy, did we find them!

Coming mid-April, are cute & stylish prints such as, Watermelon Seeds (pictured here), Juicy (another Watermelon print), Flip Flops, Little Beach Bags, Picnic Ants, She Sells Seashells, Crab Cakes and Ladybugs. Everything you can think of to get you in the warm Summer days frame of mind.

So start planning your Summer get-away and don't forget to make sure your Swanky Pet is properly accessorized! They want to join in the fun, too.

You can preview some of the prints on our Facebook page. You can pre-order by emailing us: inquiries@swankypet.net