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Though she was lucky to be taken in by Silicon Valley Humane Society, her experiences left her feeling traumatized and withdrawn.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!