The swankypet Blog!

New Spring Holiday Prints are Here!!

2012-01-09T12:30:00.000-08:00

Looking for cute Valentine's Day prints? Mardi Gras, St Patrick's Day or Easter?

We're happy to release our Spring Holiday 2012 Collection - click Here to see the whole collection!

Happy New Year to our Customers

2011-12-31T08:06:00.000-08:00

2011 was a rewarding, yet challenging year for us here at swankypet. We suffered an enormous loss this Spring when we lost Shirley, my mother and very dear friend to the other ladies who kept the swankypet operations running on a daily basis. She was such an important part of our business and we feel her loss every day.

In spite of the challenges we faced this year, it was our wonderful customers who kept us going. Hearing your kind words, candid feedback and suggestions for future enhancements, encourages us to strive for continuous improvement and creativity. Not to mention, we absolutely LOVE seeing photos of your adorable pets rockin' their 'swanky' wear!!

We have a lot of exciting things planned for 2012 that we hope you will enjoy! We have the best customers in the world (yes - all over the world!!) Thank you so much for your continued business - so many of you order on a regular basis and it really makes us smile and inspires us to keep moving forward with swankypet.

Wishing you a Happy and Safe New Year to you all!

Sincerely,

Jacqueline

Today We're Featured on Modern Dog's Friday Freebies!

2011-11-25T09:38:00.001-08:00

If you're on Facebook - visit Modern Dog's page. Today we're featured as one of their Friday's Freebies. Leave a comment for a chance to win a collar & leash set of your choice!

Buy 2, Get 1 Free is back, for a limited time!

2011-11-22T20:01:00.001-08:00

For 2 days only, we're bringing back our Buy 2, Get 1 FREEpromotion!! 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 be charged for all items when you place your order, but we will manually credit the cost of the free item(s) within 24 hours

If your order is placed Wednesday, 11/23 through midnight Thursday 11/24 (Pacific) your order is eligible to receive this promotion

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)

** Please measure your pet carefully, as all items are made-to-order.
We will not be able to honor this promotion on returned or exchanged items once the promotion has ended.

'Let it Snow' - Featured Print of the Day

2011-11-14T06:34:00.000-08:00

This is 'Let it Snow' and it's our featured print today.

Beautiful snowflakes in white & blue set against a pale, sky blue background.

If your order today (11/14) features 'Let it Snow', you'll receive FREE SHIPPING. Initially, you'll see a charge for shipping during the checkout process, but the charge will be manually refunded within 24 hours.

Veteran's Day Special!

2011-11-11T10:30:00.000-08:00

Beginning today (11/11) through Sunday (11/13) we are offering FREE SHIPPING on all orders that feature at least one of our Patriotic Prints!

There are several prints to select from and they are available for all of our made-to-order collars, harnesses & leashes. You select the print and let us know what to make for you!

Initially, you'll see a charge for shipping during the checkout process, but it will be manually refunded within 24 hours.

Questions? Email us at: inquiries@swankypet.net

Happy Veteran's Day!!

2011-09-11T07:24:00.000-07:00

We're adding some AWESOME new retractable leads to our collections that we think you'll love!

Stylish Animal Prints: Leopard, Zebra Stripes and Giraffe and a collection of sparkly crystals in Black, Silver, Red & Pink.

They coordinate perfectly to our collars & harnesses and feature:

Extends up to 9 feet
Rubberized comfort grip
Thumb activated security locking system
Suitable for dogs up to 44 lbs
Animal Prints $22 and Sparkle leads $32

See all of the styles here

Until they are added to our website, you can order by emailing us: inquiries@swankypet.net

Dog Helps Save Sea Turtles

2011-04-06T07:05:00.000-07:00

I just read the coolest article from TheBark.com and wanted to share with you:

It was the Cairn terrier, with his powerful nose, sharp teeth and aggressive personality, who helped Highlanders keep rats and other vermin from infesting both the cairns and their stone cottages. Indispensable then in Scotland, another Cairn has become indispensable today on the beaches of North Padre Island, Texas, where he is helping save the rare Kemp's ridley sea turtle from extinction.

Donna Shaver is the owner of Ridley, the dog who is helping find the 'missing' nests of the most vulnerable of the seven species of sea turtles. Shaver explains that, "we have had a huge increase in nesting in the last five years". But for the turtle's future to be secured, the number needs to grow by about 10 times – or to approximately 1,950 – within the next 10 to 20 years.

Shaver began to exploit Ridley's acute sense of smell to locate these elusive eggs. "I've known for years that dogs are used to find illegal drugs or explosives at airports and locate trapped people after earthquakes. So I was anxious to see if Ridley could find the 'missing' nests." Says Shaver. At a freshly emptied turtle nest, Ridley's attention was directed toward its pungent scents of hatchling turtles. After he got a nose full, Shaver and her fiancé Stephen Kurtz filled the empty nest with sand, walked him down the beach for about a half-hour and then told him to "go find the nest".

Within about 10 weeks, he was ready to begin the real work of finding the few but critical "invisible nests" the Gulf wind had hidden. Now, he is brought to the beach several times each year to find nests at track sites where humans have been unsuccessful. Found eggs are relocated to the humidity- and temperature-controlled incubation building at NPS headquarters. "I actually think Ridley understands just how important what he's doing is; he gets so excited when he finds a nest, even before he gets his reward," says Shaver.

Ridley Shaver not only lends a paw but most importantly, a nose to this environmental success story.

Fun and Stylish Easter Dog Collars

2011-04-02T06:45:00.000-07:00

Easter is just around the corner - April 24 this year - and we've got your pet covered for cute Easter themed collars, harnesses & leashes.

This fun print is called Eggscellent! With a crisp, white background, this print features several little pasted decorated Easter eggs. Perfect for the season. An Eggscellent collar would be the perfect addition to your pet's Easter basket.

All of our items are made-to-order, so they will fit your pet. Made from 4 layers of fabric with ultra-strong nylon webbing encased, so only the fabric touches your pet. Our products are strong & durable yet remain soft & flexible for your pet's comfort.

Top-quality metal hardware is standard, but if you prefer a lighter-weight item, we'll be happy to make your collar or harness with heavy-duty plastic buckles instead. They are available in black, white, pink and chocolate brown to match your favorite print.

Order yours today!!

Meet Swanky Pet, Teensy Weensy!

2011-03-03T09:59:00.000-08:00

Hola! My name is Teensy Weensy and i am the cutest 2 year old chihuahua- (so my mom says), She tells me every day i'm the best christmas present she ever got. I love to wrestle with mom and steal her socks when she tries to put them on. I dont like it when she turns me over and tickles me, or when she hollers and jumps around watching football! Mom and me go on lots of adventures,the beach is the best! I love chasing the birds and crabs and digging in the sand. The big pasture at home is fun to explore too. Mom brings me lots of toys and things i love to chew! She's always dressing me up in cool collars like this one i got for Valentines day. I hope every dog could have the love my mom gives to me!

We think Teensy looks adorable in her new Glory Days collar!

Swanky Holiday Schedule

2010-12-03T05:53:00.001-08:00

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!

2010-11-03T06:04:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-10-29T11:21:00.001-07:00

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

2010-10-21T05:16:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-10-18T06:49:00.000-07:00

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?

2010-10-15T06:08:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-09-27T07:53:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-24T06:43:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-22T06:32:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-09T05:56:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-09-08T06:28:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-01T19:43:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-27T06:27:00.001-07:00

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!

2010-08-17T09:31:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-07-31T07:49:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-05T12:31:00.001-07:00

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!

2010-07-02T09:25:00.001-07:00

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

2010-06-23T06:30:00.000-07:00

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"

2010-06-20T07:46:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-06-04T10:24:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-06-03T06:28:00.001-07:00

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!

2010-06-02T07:20:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-06-01T16:48:00.000-07:00

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!!!

2010-06-01T06:28:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-05-28T11:10:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-25T19:23:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-15T09:20:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-04-30T08:17:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-04-23T06:46:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-16T06:46:00.001-07:00

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!

2010-04-15T16:55:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-04-10T07:41:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-03T08:22:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-01T06:51:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-03-31T06:02:00.001-07:00

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

Meet Swanky Pet, Miley!

2010-03-15T07:19:00.000-07:00

This adorable little girl is, Miley who lives in Ontario, Canada with Mom, Lisa. Lisa tells me:

"She is our new baby. She was born Sept.2009 I got her for Christmas from my husband. She is a schnoddle. She is only 11 pounds won't get much bigger. She loves her baby... its an orange bear she carries all around the house. Her personality is amazing, she's daddys little girl and she's the princess of the house. A friend of mine told me about swanky pets, I just purchased her 2 collars, she looks adorable in them."

We think Miley looks so sweet in her She Loves Me collar! Thanks for sending in her photo!

March's Winner!

2010-03-05T16:46:00.000-08:00

This month's winner of a FREE collar is Meg and her little Audrey. She is adorable in her Princess Puppy Pirate harness. Mom, Meg tells us how Audrey became a member of her family:

" 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."

Meet SwankyPet, Miss Bossy Pants!

2010-03-03T18:55:00.001-08:00

Cutest dog name - EVER!

I'll call her "MBP" and she is a beautiful Pitbull who lives with mom, Michelle in Klamath, Oregon. Michelle sent me the nicest email and photo of MBP:

'Here is a picture for your website of my pup, Miss Bossy Pants, wearing the Love is All You Need collar. I'd love to be entered into your drawing for a free collar! :) I love your selection and the quality of your collars and leads. I get many, many compliments on them.

Of course I'd love to tell you all about her - that's one of my very favorite things to do! Miss Bossy Pants is a 12 month old Pitbull. I picked her out when she was only a week old and fell in love with her immediately because, out of a litter of 9 puppies, she was the only one that had that beautiful chocolate coloring. She has the best personality. She is smart & whitty, playful & attentive, she loves other dogs & thinks everyone is her best friend! She loves her toys & blankets, going for walks, playing fetch or simply sitting on the couch with us to cuddle. I've never owned a dog before, and I must say, the experience with Bossy has brought a lot of joy to our lives.'

Collars for the Cure!

2010-03-02T18:49:00.000-08:00

During the month of March, we will be donating $1 for each item you purchase to Susan G Komen for the Cure.

Stay tuned and watch our progress!!!

Together we will donate towards an incredible cause.

More Than 80% of Some Dogs Have This Disease - What Is It?

2010-02-25T06:14:00.000-08:00

Great article from Pet Place.com and a reminder for those of us who tend to spoil your dogs by over-feeding them:

I recently attended the North American Veterinary Conference - a large annual conference in Orlando. Dozens of speakers communicate new information to veterinarians and vendors show off new products in the exhibit hall. I'd like to pass along some things I learned at the conference today to help keep you up to date with the newest and latest information.

So, which disease affects more than 80% of some dogs? It is arthritis. I have always known that this was a common disease in dogs but I didn't know just how common. Based on research, 33% of adults (human) have arthritis and more than 20% of all dogs have arthritis. With age or obesity those numbers get even higher. This is unbelievable but about 83% of obese dogs have arthritis*!

Like I said, I knew the number was high but I didn't know it was that high. That is amazing.

I guess it makes good sense. The more weight the dog (or human) carries, the more stress is put on their joints. As for age, most seniors (humans) have some aches and pains somewhere, just from constant wear and tear. This is probably why many dogs seem to slow down as they get older. But this really makes you stop and think - it may not be that these dogs are just getting old - it may be that they just plain hurt.

Exercising your Senior Dog

Exercise and play is important to all dogs, including your elderly dog.

First of all, exercise helps maintain a healthy body weight. Being overweight may lead to a number of health problems. It places excess stress on your pet's heart. Excess weight on degenerating joints can speed up the development of arthritis.

Your elderly dog's mental health may also benefit from exercise. Activity keeps oxygen and other nutrients at optimum levels in the brain. The brain is like every other organ in the body in that it requires good nutrition.

Meet SwankyPet, Dexter!

2010-02-23T18:31:00.001-08:00

This little cutie is Dexter who lives in Sussex, New Jersey with Mom, Corey & Dad, Marko. Corey tells me:

"My fiance Marko and I adopted him from a rescue in North Carolina. The rescue saved him and his brother from a gassing shelter. We had to drive down to North Carolina from New Jersey to get Dexter because he had kennel cough and couldn't be transported with the other pups. The rescue said he is about 15 weeks old and is a terrier mix, however my fiance and I call him a North Carolina Scruffaluffagus. We've had him for a week so far, and he is one of the most interesting dogs I have ever seen. He loves to fetch, and run his toys back into his crate. He is trying his best to learn how to be potty trained. Every person that has met Dexter so far has fallen in love with him. Dexter loves his new collar by Swanky Pets. It fits his personality perfectly, and is very comfortable for him."

Thank you so much for sending us this photo of Dexter - he looks adorable in his new Kiltlifter collar. He's adorable on his own, but the collar kicks it up a notch!

Today's Featured Print: Kiss Me, I'm Irish!

2010-02-20T06:46:00.000-08:00

Today's featured print is: Kiss Me, I'm Irish

Now your dog can get in on the St Patrick's Day fun!

This print features a crisp, white background with tiny green shamrocks. Your dog can't drink green beer with you, but he or she will rock this shamrock collar. This is the perfect St Patrick's Day collar!!

Meet SwankyPets, Lulu-Belle & Bosley!

2010-02-15T06:33:00.000-08:00

I received the nicest email from Stephanie in Concord, NC - Lulu-Belle's & Bosley's mom:

"Hey,
I recently purchased on your last "BUY2" deal a preppy brown plaid leash and harness, and funky retro flower harness for my 2 pugs. Not only do they look stylish, but the feel more comfortable in these than others we had originally purchased at Petsmart (for much more in price). Lulu-Belle is the older pug in the funky retro harness, and the baby Bosley is the one with the preppy brown plaid harness, we wanted to show you how appreciative we are!
Thanks again, hope you enjoy our pic."

How adorable are Lulu-Belle and Bosley? Thanks so much for the photos - it's wonderful to see cute little pugs looking even cuter in their swankywear!

Our Buy 2 - Get 1 Free offer has been extended!!

2010-02-14T07:28:00.000-08:00

To celebrate the Spring Holidays we've decided to extend our Buy 2, Get 1 Free promotion. When you order three items, enter the code "BUY2" during the checkout process where you are asked "How did you hear about swankypet.net?" and you'll receive a refund for one equal or lower priced item. The refund is manually processed, so you will see a charge for all items, but the refund will be issued within 24 hours.

Excellent Review from Pampered Puppy!

2010-02-02T06:42:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful surprise! And isn't Merry the cutest? You can find daily photos of her at: www.pamperedpuppy.com

There's always been a certain type of plaid that spoke of refined elegance and old-school charm; most of us know that style of plaid under a fancy label to remain nameless here (okay: they rhyme with Durburry, get the idea?). Makes you think of British raincoats and posh afternoon tea.

With Swanky Pet's new Swanky Plaid collar and leash set, your pooch can now be ready for afternoon tea and a good cheerio any time the mood strikes.

The collar is a simple but classy woven plaid fabric in shades of tan, cream, black and wine. I love the color scheme - it goes with everything. Findings are all silver metal: contoured zinc die cast side release buckles, cast D-rings. The buckle itself bears the engraved Swanky Pet logo.

Like all Swanky Pet collars, it's crafted from four layers of fabric and of incredible quality - you can literally see the work that goes into the collar just by hefting it in your hand. I'm continually impressed by the workmanship this company puts into its work - and, of course, I'm loving this particular fabric style.

The leash, like all Swanky Pet leashes, is practically the best thing about the set, and that's saying something. Usually leads are a second fiddle, an afterthought for "matchy matchy" purposes and little else. However, this company puts as much thought into the design of their leads as their collrs - they make it adjustable. The leash (also made from four layers of fabric) comes with a cast slip lock so that it can be adjusted in length, anywhere from 2.5 to 5 feet in length. What's more, the handle features its own d-ring so you can bling up your part of the leash, if you so desire, with charms, dangles or a something functional like a clip-on bag holder.

Fit is fabulous, as we've found before with these products. As long as you measure your pet according to their instructions, you won't have any trouble at all.

We're ready for spring and can't wait to show off our fabulous Swanky Plaid collar set at high tea! Four paws up.

Today's Featured Print: Bon Bon!

2010-01-26T06:35:00.000-08:00

Sweets for your sweet --- this stylish print makes an excellent Valentine's Day gift for your pet when made into a collar, harness or leash. Let's face it - you dog wants the whole matching set to strut through the bark park!

Delicious-looking chocolate truffles are set against a pink background. Since your doggie can't have the real thing, this is an excellent alternative treat.

Get it FREE with our Buy 2, Get 1 FREE promotion - still running. When you order three items, you'll receive a refund for an equal or lower priced item making it easier than ever to get some 'swanky'wear to your pet and not break the bank! Click here to order.

Meet SwankyPet, Tobey!

2010-01-25T06:36:00.000-08:00

Tobey is a Swanky Pet from Toronto, Canada. Mom, Julie tells me:

'Tobey is a very special girl, with lots of energy and loads of love to give! She is extremely sensitive, and aware of people’s emotions, and is a very vocal and communicative member of our little family. She’s the best snuggler we know, and consistently makes us laugh. Her presence in our home is something that both my husband and I adore more than anything, and although we have lost the occasional shoe, pair of sunglasses, underwear, etc., to the jowl monster, to be honest we just don’t know what we’d ever do without her!
Her personality doesn’t really go with any of the collars we have seen on the market, however when we came across your Burberry-inspired collar, we knew she just had to have it! It’s great for her, as she loves playing and of course getting dirty, so the fact that it’s washable was definitely a selling point! We are extremely happy with your product and service, and will definitely be back for more swanky collars!'

Thank you for sending in Tobey's photo - she is adorable!

Devin & Danger

2010-01-22T08:57:00.000-08:00

You will LOVE this story! This is a recent email I received from a lovely mom, Paige in Ft. Benning, GA:

'Thank you so very much for sending such a great collar! This was my first time ordering a special collar from anywhere... and you made it a GREAT experience! My husband recently deployed to Iraq for another tour of duty. To help our middle son with a little seperation anxiety, we decided to get him a Beagle puppy. I wanted to make it extra special and give him a connection to his Dad, so when I found your Advanced Combat Collar I HAD TO HAVE IT! Needless to say, Devin (my son) LOOOVES his puppy (who he named Danger b/c it sounds like a hero name :) and the collar has made it even more perfect!

So, after this long story... I basically wanted to share with you that your product made a special moment even more spectacular than believable! Devin believes the collar means Danger is Army Strong just like his Dad, and he is now sleeping in his own room again comfortably. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!'

Of course, we wish Devin the best with little Danger and Paige's husband a safe return home!

California Search Dogs Giving Hope to Haitians

2010-01-20T09:19:00.000-08:00

The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF) has been receiving encouraging cell-phone updates from it's search teams deployed in the earthquake-stricken country of Haiti.

In the aftermath of the powerful 7.0 earthquake, the SDF sent six Canine Search Teams to Haiti to assist with search and rescue efforts. The dogs the foundation employs are sourced from rescue organizations and are tasked with finding people buried alive in the wreckage of disasters. SDF recruits the dogs and partners them with firefighters, providing the canines and the training at no cost to their departments.

On Sunday, the team celebrated saving five people from the ruins of Port au Prince. After one rescue, in which a woman was rescued from the rubble of a hotel, the appreciation shown by locals for the Search Teams and their Task Force was overwhelming, and locals began chanting "USA, USA...". Later in the day, 3 women were saved from the same collapsed building, with Search Dogs Cadillac, Maverick and Hunter playing instrumental roles in locating them. The two teams - the Blue and Red team - work in alternating shifts, ensuring that there is always a team available.

SDF Executive Director Debra Tosch comments: "The rescues in Haiti underscore the critical importance of Canine Search Teams in finding survivors in the aftermath of major disasters. This is our mission, and we're honored to be part of the Haiti rescue effort in conjunction with the U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance and the L.A. Country Task Force."

SDF receives no government funding and relies solely on support from individuals, private foundations and companies to produce these highly-skilled teams. Since its founding in 1996, SDF has rescued hundreds of dogs, many on the brink of euthanasia. They have trained 105 Search Teams, 72 of which are currently active, and teams have been deployed to 66 disasters, including the World Trade Center attacks and Hurricane Katrina.

Picture Courtesy of National Disaster Search Dog Foundation

Featured Print of the Day: Bon Bon!

2010-01-13T07:18:00.001-08:00

Looking for a very 'sweet' Valentine's Day print dog collar? Look no further!

Bon Bon is a wonderfully sweet print featuring lots of yummy chocolate truffles set against a pink background. It's the perfect treat for your furry Valentine.

As always, this print is available for collars, harnesses & leads - all made-to-order, specifically for your pet! Since we don't make them until you order - it takes about a week to get these stylish wearable Valentines in the mail to you, so don't delay!

Our Buy 2 - Get 1 Free offer is back!

2010-01-09T07:38:00.001-08:00

To kick off the Spring holidays: Valentine's Day, St Patrick's Day and Easter, we've decided to once again offer our Buy 2, Get 1 Free promotion. When you order three items, enter the code "BUY2" during the checkout process where you are asked "How did you hear about swankypet.net?" and you'll receive a refund for one equal or lower priced item. The refund is manually processed, so you will see a charge for all items, but the refund will be issued within 24 hours.

Don't forget the Superbowl coming up --- check out our fun NFL prints available for collars, harnesses & leads so your dog can help cheer on your favorite team!

New Prints for 2010!

2010-01-06T10:04:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

To kick off the start of 2010, we've added several new stylish prints that you are sure to love.

In our Retro Collection:

Beach Umbrella - Get ready for the beach with this colorful and bold striped print!

It Isn't Easy Being Green - This retro-style paisley features many shades of green and teal

Java Jive - Fun, retro-wavy stripes and dots in various shades of brown will turn heads at the coffee house and everywhere else!

Retro Flower Power - Groovy, baby! Colorful retro-style flowers against an espresso-colored background.

Seeing Spots - This fun print features colorful dots in shades of kiwi, teal, grey & white.

In our Patriotic Collection:

Sooperstah! - Your pet will be a superstar in this bright red print with white starbursts.

In our Preppy Collection:

Kensington - This very proper paisley features red, cream, sage green and mustard yellow.

As always, all prints are available for collars, harnesses & leads made especially for your pet!

Holiday Pet Photo Contest

2009-12-09T06:56:00.000-08:00

Does your pet have a cool Christmas collar? Or holiday 'Swankywear'? Post your holiday-themed pet photos to our Facebook page. Each Friday we'll announce a winner who will receive a FREE collar of their choice!

Buy 2, Get 1 Free - Extended!

2009-12-05T09:19:00.001-08:00

We've had a great response to our Buy 2 Get 1 Free promotion, so we are extending it. When you buy 2 collars (or 2 leads) you will get the 3rd one free. Here's how it works: Order 3 collars, 3 leads, etc and enter "Buy2" when asked "How did you hear about swankypet.net?" during the checkout process.

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 24 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)

So, don't delay - get your pet's Christmas list filled early!

Coming soon: Retro Flower Power!

2009-12-03T20:53:00.000-08:00

You'll love this new retro print for collars, harnesses & leads -- it's called Retro Flower Power and will be added to the website very soon.

This fun retro print features an espresso-brown background with lots of colorful 60's-styled daisies, which will have your pet saying, 'groovy, baby!'

Until Retro Flower Power is added to the site, we are taking pre-orders by special order: inquiries@swankypet.net

Coming soon: Java Jive!

2009-11-30T08:13:00.000-08:00

Do you love Retro Print Dog Collars? If so, you'll love the latest addition to our Retro Collection --- Java Jives!

This stylish print features lots of groovy dots and sleek stripes in various shades of brown, coffee, latte, espresso - you name it - your dog will be the center of attention wearing it accompanying you to the local coffee shop.

Look for Java Jives to be added soon to our Retro Collection. It's also available for pre-order on a special order basis. Email: inquiries@swankypet.net

Buy 2, Get 1 Free - continues!

2009-11-26T04:43:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-22T08:00:00.001-08:00

For a limited time we are offering a special - when you buy two collars, you receive the third collar free. Enter "Buy2" when asked "How did you hear about swankypet.net?" during the checkout process.

Initially, you'll see the charge when you checkout, but we will manually credit the cost of the free item within 24 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!

So, don't delay - get your pet's Christmas list filled early!

Today's Featured Print: Holly Jolly!

2009-11-20T06:03:00.001-08:00

Are you looking for a stylish holiday pet collar? Then we have the perfect print for your dog or cat (or any other pet)!

Today we are featuring Holly Jolly (pictured here). This stylish Christmas Print features a crisp, white background with lots of colorful holly leaves and berries which really represent the holiday season.

Holly Jolly is available for collars, leads and harnesses, which are available in 5 standard sizes (Teacup through Large). However, because all items are made-to-order, we are happy to make custom-sized items to fit your pet!

So, turn your pet, into a Swanky Holiday Pet with our festive holiday prints!

Swine Flu Infects Housecat—Are Your Pets Safe?

2009-11-20T05:45:00.000-08:00

Source: ASPCA.org

Ever since the news broke earlier this month that an American cat caught the swine flu, rumors about how pets can catch this disease have been spreading—but we're here to set the record straight!
"On November 2, test results confirmed that a pet cat in Iowa was infected by the H1N1 (swine flu) virus, which was most likely transmitted by human family members," reports Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at the ASPCA. "All family members, including the cat, have now recovered. In unrelated incidents in other states, a few pet ferrets also recently tested positive for H1N1, and one of them has died.” Although we already knew that infected humans could transmit H1N1 to both pigs and turkeys, these are the first reported cases of the virus affecting cats and ferrets.
According to Dr. Murray, there are no known instances of a dog catching H1N1 (but remember, it is flu season, and your dogs are still susceptible to catching other flu bugs). In addition, there is currently no evidence that H1N1 can be passed from pet to human—it seems to be going only the other way, with people transmitting the illness to their pets.
A little common sense will go a long way in decreasing the likelihood of passing the illness on to your pets. If members of your household are exhibiting flu-like symptoms, the ASPCA recommends protecting your pets by:

washing hands thoroughly,
covering coughs and sneezes and
avoiding close contact with pets during the course of the illness.

In fact, if you’re sick, it’s a good idea to give your pets a place other than your bedroom to sleep at night until you get better.
If any pet displays symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, coughing, sneezing or difficulty breathing—especially if a human family member has recently suffered from influenza—please contact your veterinarian.

Buy 2 Collars, Get 1 Free!

2009-11-18T08:40:00.000-08:00

Initially, you'll see the charge when you checkout, but we will manually credit the cost of the free item within 24 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!

So, don't delay - get your pet's Christmas list filled early!

Introducing: Groovy Dots!

2009-11-15T18:49:00.001-08:00

There is a new Retro-Print Collar in town!

New to our Retro Collection, Groovy Dots features a black background with polka dots in pink, white and green. The fabric is a home dec fabric, so it is heavier-weight and sturdy! All top-quality metal hardware are standard, but if you prefer a lighter weight collar, we'll be happy to make your items with black plastic buckles.

This smart and groovy print will have your dog turning heads when you're out for walks, at the bark park or anywhere you go!

Order yours today! All orders for this print are 20% off through midnight Monday, Nov 16th.

Prebiotics in Dog Food

2009-11-15T06:38:00.000-08:00

Interesting article from PetPlace.com:

When you were at the store shopping for dog food, you may have noticed a label on the bag promoting a new ingredient.

That new ingredient is "prebiotics". Have you seen it?

There has been a push for more "natural" dog foods that work to promote health through good nutrition. This has led to several valuable developments in the pet food industry. One of these developments is a better understanding of the role of good and bad bacteria in dogs.

The idea is to maximize the good bacteria and minimize the bad bacteria naturally. Prebiotics do just that. Prebiotics are non-digestible ingredients in food that stimulate the growth of good bacteria.

A normal dog's digestive tract has bacteria that help the dog break down his food into absorbable components. The "good" bacteria allows for digestion of the food and proper absorption of the nutrients.

An imbalance in the "good" vs. "bad" bacteria can create problems. Not enough good bacteria or too many bad bacteria can change this process, thus altering the absorption of food and the overall health of the dog.

Prebiotics have demonstrated that they work to maximize the good bacteria AND have positive effects on immune system function, intestinal regularity and mineral absorption, including calcium. In humans, prebiotics have even demonstrated a reduction in the risk for colon cancer and irritable bowel disorders such as Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

Eukanuba was the first pet food company to include prebiotics in pet food. Prebiotics can now be found in most of Eukanuba's product lines.

So now you know. If you see " prebiotics" on the bag, you now know that they will help maintain the right balance between good and bad bacteria to aid digestion and absorption of nutrients while encouraging strong defenses with a healthy immune system.

Encouraging good digestive tract health through good nutrition can strengthen your dog's immune system, which strengthens his defenses against harmful diseases. Promoting good digestive health encourages overall health.

P.S. Eukanuba is offering a $5.00 coupon to try their foods. To learn more about these foods or to get your coupon now, go to: http://www.eukanuba.com/EukGlobal/US/en/jsp/hercules/HerculesLanding.jsp

Cool Video

2009-11-13T11:37:00.001-08:00

Check out this cool new video designed by our UK partners, Swanky Pets Boutique!

Today's Featured Print: Gingerbread Man!

2009-11-13T08:54:00.001-08:00

Are you looking for a charming holiday collar? If you like to celebrate the holidays with your pet, you'll love today's featured print: Gingerbread Man!

This print features a beige background with lots of adorable tiny gingerbread men - perfectly decorated for the holiday season.

Today we are offering 20% off all orders for this print through midnight tonight. Order yours now!

Why Dogs Shed and What You Can Do to Stop It

2009-11-13T06:43:00.000-08:00

I saw this article on PetPlace.com and it really hit home for me. My chihuahua, Merlot has the coat of a German Shepard even though she only weighs 5 lbs and she sheds worse than any dog I've ever had! It is a constant battle between bathing, brushing and even using the lint roller to remove the excess loose fur. After reading this article, I know what is on my Christmas list:

Dog lovers commonly ask (as they pick some hair off their clothes), "Why do dogs shed? Is there a shedding season?"

I'll answer those questions now.

Shedding is a continuous process. This is a normal event in the life of a dog and it is largely influenced by daylight.

There is a word for this phenomenon: photoperiod. The number of hours a dog is exposed to sunlight in a day (photoperiod) triggers the shedding process.

It is more noticeable in outdoor dogs in the spring and fall. Indoor dogs shed more consistently but in lesser amounts because of the artificial light inside the house.

Dogs tend to have heavier coats in the winter months than they do in the summer.

Stress and illness can cause excessive shedding. A chronically ill dog that is shedding may also suffer skin lesions, as well as scaling and thin and abnormally wrinkled skin.

Providing your dog is just a normal shedding dog, here are some tips:

What can you do about shedding?

1. The first thing you can do is to reduce the amount of hair in your home by brushing or combing your dog on a daily basis. This will help more than anything to reduce shedding. You are basically controlling the shedding.

2. Feed your dog a good quality dog food. Don't skimp. Stick with one of the premium brands.

3. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise. Healthy bodies promote a healthy haircoat.

4. Don't let your dog get fat. Keep your dog at an ideal weight. Obese dogs have difficulty grooming.

Dogs shed. Nothing will change that. But regular grooming will make the biggest difference. Brushing helps, but I found something that's even better. It's called the Bissell ShedAway.

My staff and I really love this product. Instead of brushing, you can easily vacuum away the dead hair on your dog with this simple attachment. You simply hook it to your vacuum cleaner and brush your dog with it. It easily removes the hair and dander from your dog's undercoat. And you will be AMAZED to see how much hair it actually removes.

The best part is, all that hair goes directly into your vacuum cleaner ... not all over your clothes, floors and furniture. So with the Bissell ShedAway, there's no need to clean up after grooming your dog. It captures all that hair, which means there will be less hair in your home ... and on you!

If dog hair is a problem for you (as it is for most dog owners), you should really see the Bissell ShedAway in action. Watch this video of a dog being brushed with the ShedAway ... you'll be amazed! To watch this short video click on the image below, or go to: Bissell ShedAway

Pet Amber Alert from Dogster - Now Free!

2009-11-10T11:11:00.000-08:00

At Dogster we want all pets to be where they belong - at home with their loving familes. And, if they ever get lost, we want them to get home fast and safe. That is why we created Together Tag, a pet ID registry and "Amber alert" network for lost pets. In our mission to protect all pets, we are happy to announce today that the core service of Together Tag is now FREE.

Dogster moms and dads, please protect your dogs today. The service is free and many loved dogs have already been found.

Free Benefits:
Nationwide Lost Pet "Amber" Alerts - Messages are sent to geo-targeted community members and shelters
Lost Pet Tools - Including our poster-making tool, preventative and emergency checklists
Multiple Contacts - Securely store your pet's profile on our database with multiple contacts, photos, health and vet info
Permanent Together Tag ID# - Can be used on your own tag or you can choose to purchase one of ours

Sign up here

10 Things to Hide from your Pet this Thanksgiving

2009-11-09T14:35:00.000-08:00

We all know how hard it can be to resist those begging eyes and that furry face you can deny nothing on any given day, and on Thanksgiving – with the fragrant smell of that really rich dinner swimming throughout the house – the temptation can be that much worse. But this year, do your dog a favor and keep her away from the items listed below. Pookie Dearest might be miffed for the evening, but her stomach will thank you the next day.

1. Turkey Skin – On its own, turkey skin can be fatty and hard to digest, but on Thanksgiving it’s particularly bad (just think of the butter, oils and spices rubbed into it). If you must share the turkey with your dog, do peel the skin off and cut the meat up into bite-sized pieces. And consider choosing the white meat over the dark for your pooch – it’s a little blander and easier to digest.

2. Cooked Bones - Whether your bird is duck, goose or turkey, do not give the bones to your dog. Any dog cartoon features Fido carrying a bone around in his mouth, but the reality is that a cooked bone is often brittle and sharp pieces can get lodged in your pet’s intestine. And bird bones are hollow and break easily.

3. Gravy/Buttery Side Dishes - This one goes hand-in-hand with the turkey skin. Fatty foods and trimmings can cause pancreatitis in dogs at worst and diarrhea or vomiting at “best.” ThePoop.com suggests substituting gravy with a little turkey broth if you really want to give your pup a treat.

4. Aluminum Foil and Plastic Wrap – Dispose of these when you’re done with them. There are two risks here: one, your pet will be licking the fatty substances off the wrappings, and two, swallowing these can cause an intestinal obstruction.

5. Chocolate - Not that we think that you would intentionally feed your dog chocolate (which we all know can be toxic to our canine friends), but since candy is often left out on tables for guests during the holidays, it made the list. Be sure to keep bowls filled with chocolate out of reach.

6. The Garbage Pail – A frustrated pet who can’t get a scrap out of his usually-generous parents may be tempted to dig around the trash bin and find a good number of the items listed above.

7. The Kitchen – Thanksgiving can be the busiest day of the year for the kitchen, and you’ll want to keep your pup out of there. With hot dishes being whisked from one counter to the next, there’s a chance a dog that’s under foot could be burned or cut if something were to shatter.

8. Holiday Plants – Sure it’s Thanksgiving, but a good number of people have already decked the halls with holly by this time. Know that Poinsettias, holly berries, mistletoe and Cedar Christmas trees are toxic to dogs.

9. Decorations – Glass ornaments and candles are just begging for trouble. Like the chocolate, keep these out of reach.

10. Guests Who Mean Well – Educate your less pet-savvy visitors (and hey, maybe even send them this list). A child may accidentally feed a dog some chocolate and your great aunt might think she’s being nice by sharing her turkey skin.

Participate in our Facebook Poll

2009-11-07T09:52:00.000-08:00

We would like to hear from you!

We've posted a poll on our Facebook page to ask what new product lines you'd like to see introduced to swankypet.net in the near future.

Among those under consideration:

Fashionable retractable leashes
Pet beds or slip covers in the same prints to match the collars, harnesses & leads available on the site
Contemporary designs in pet bowls and pet feeders
Creatively designed pet beds or pet furniture

As always if you have a suggestion, please email us: customerservice@swankypet.net

Meet SwankyPet, Daisy!

2009-11-06T08:03:00.001-08:00

This little cutie is Daisy who looks adorable in her She Loves Me collar and lead set. Mom, Kathy tells us:

"We acquired Daisy recently after losing our beloved Rottweiler, Bindi a couple of months ago. Daisy is helping us to enjoy life again and feel happy to come home. She looks precious in her new daisy themed leash and we love the quality, too!

She is about 12 weeks old and has very long legs and a shiny coat. Like any puppy, she loves to chew and taste just about anything. She really enjoys biting our golden retriever's tail. Sometimes she gets bits of his hair stuck on her chin, making her look like she has a beard a-la- ZZ-Top! It is funny."

Kathy - thank you so much for sending in Daisy's photo! She is so cute! For submitting Daisy's photo, Kathy is entered into our drawing for a FREE collar. We hold drawings 2-3 times per month, so send in your pet's photo (in their new 'swanky'wear) for your chance to win!

Photo Contest Winner

2009-11-05T08:14:00.000-08:00

We have a winner! Little Derby dressed as an Organ Grinder Monkey. Thank you to mom, Ann Marie for sending in this adorable photo! For winning you receive a collar of your choice!

We also want to thank everyone who submitted Pet Halloween photos and they will receive 20% off their next order.

Today's Featured Print: Deck the Halls!

2009-11-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

Our featured print today is Deck the Halls, from our Christmas Collection.

This print features a pale green background with several colorful ornaments in a variety of colors which will have you in the holiday mood in no time at all! It is available for collars, harnesses & leads in a variety of sizes. We can even accommodate your custom-size order.

Top-quality metal hardware comes standard: contoured zinc die cast side release buckles, slip lock buckles, cast D-rings and 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. (shown above)

Halloween Photo Contest

2009-11-01T10:35:00.000-08:00

Post your cutest (or spookiest) Halloween photos of your pet on our Facebook Fan page. We are holding a photo contest today (11/1) through midnight Nov 4th. The winner will be announced on Nov 5th and will receive a collar of their choice.

Today's Featured Print: Candy Cane!

2009-10-30T11:13:00.000-07:00

Our featured print today will definitely get you in the holiday mood.....Candy Cane!

This festive print features a green background with red and white candy cane stripes. The perfect sweet treat for your pet!

Candy Cane is available for collars, harnesses & leads - all made-to-order so you can get exactly what you want for your pet.

All orders for this print will be 15% off through midnight Sunday (11/1, pacific). So, start off the holidays wish some fun & festive swankywear!

Christmas Pet Collars

2009-10-29T16:32:00.001-07:00

If you're looking for Christmas Dog Collars, check out our Holiday Collection! Twelve fun and festive prints available for collars, harnesses & leads - all made to order, so you can get exactly what you want for your pet!

Choose from: Candy Canes, Snowflakes, Christmas Trees, Snowmen, Gingerbread Men, Holly and even gift-wrapped dog bones!

All of our items are constructed with four layers of fabric with lightweight nylon webbing inside for structure and durability while remaining soft & flexible. Top-quality metal hardware is included: 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 (black, white or pink).

These holiday pet collars are the perfect way for your furry friend to celebrate the holidays along with the rest of the family!

Today's Featured Print: Ba Humbug!

2009-10-29T08:33:00.000-07:00

Today, our featured print is Ba Humbug! - the perfect print for any Furry Scrooge! All orders for this print are 15% off through midnight tonight (10/29, pacific).

This print features a cheery bright red background with bright white lettering and comes standard with high-quality metal hardware. If you prefer a lighter-weight item, we offer plastic buckles in black and white.

This fun & festive print is available for collars, harnesses & leashes. So don't delay - order yours today!

Today's Featured Print: All I Want for Christmas!

2009-10-28T07:36:00.000-07:00

It's only 3 days until Halloween, but we're already getting ready for the Christmas season!

Today, our featured print is All I Want for Christmas - sure to be on every 'swanky' pet's wish list! All orders for this print are 15% off through midnight tonight (10/28).

Set against a burgundy background, little doggie bones are gift-wrapped with green and yellow bows! This festive print will turn heads everywhere you and your pet go and will definitely put your furry friend in the holiday spirit.

Adorable Halloween Pet Videos

2009-10-27T12:42:00.001-07:00

Enjoy these funny Halloween pet videos from PetPlace!

Today's featured Print: Autumn Hues!

2009-10-26T09:05:00.001-07:00

Today's featured print is Autumn Hues. Beautiful fall colors of gold, red and brown available for collars, harnesses & leads!

We are offering 15% off all orders for this print through midnight tonight (pacific). Order yours now!

2009-10-23T10:18:00.001-07:00

This lovely lady is Cookie from Humble, TX. Mom, Diane writes about Cookie:

"Cookie was special from the day we brought her home. She could learn any trick in 15 minutes, and at 8 years old, she still has never forgotten any of them. She likes to help bring groceries in, opens the fridge for me, and will take items to different members of the household. If she can carry it, you can tell her who it needs to go to, and she's on her way. Cookie runs out and gets the newspaper every morning. She likes to play catch, where you throw a ball to her and she will throw it back with either her mouth, her paw or whatever it takes. My son and daughter taught her lots of cute tricks over the years, proving an old dog definitely can learn new tricks. She is definitely ONE SMART COOKIE!

Cookie has been the helper dog when we have had other dogs that have joined our family. Her brother Dewey, another black lab, was a very troubled 1 year old when we brought him home. It took a year and a half till he wagged his tail. She has put up with a lot of upsetting behavior, but her stability has really helped. He's great now! She also has been patient dealing with my daughters dog Beau, who as a puppy drove her crazy. She helped teach him how to behave too. Beau is a wonderfully behaved lab cross, and we love his visits.

However, the Diva side of Cookie comes out with her refusing to do anything she doesn't want to do! Cookie has recently overcome cancer, and rather enjoyed the extra spoiling. It is now expected. She sits and glares at me, waiting to be hand fed her food. She stands over her water bowl to show me she would like a fresh bowl. Old water is unacceptable. Her Dad takes her on errands, on Saturday morning, and gets her a breakfast burrito. She proudly sits in the front seat of her truck, happy as can be. Of course she gives so much to us that we all indulge our little Diva.

Cookie is clearly delighted with a new collar or bandana. She loves to dress up and be adored. She absolutely struts! My daughter, who is off at college, sent me the swankypet.net site and we were excited! The "If the Shoe Fits" collar was the perfect collar for our little Diva!

Thank you swankypet.net! What a great concept!"

Today's featured Print: Fall Leaves!

2009-10-22T09:11:00.000-07:00

Today we are featuring a print from our Seasonal Collection --- Fall Leaves!

This beautiful print features an ivory background with lovely fall leaves in shades of gold and brown. This stylish print will put you in the mood for fall!

All orders for Fall Leaves items receive a 15% discount, through midnight tonight (10/22), so don't delay - order yours now!

Meet SwankyPet, Pepper!

2009-10-21T06:19:00.000-07:00

This adorable miniature schnauzer is Pepper of Salisbury, NC .

Mom, Lisa tells us: "We recently adopted her from the North Carolina Schnauzer Rescue. She is 7 years old and was dropped off by her family in a kill shelter. Luckily the shelter called the Rescue association and she was in a foster family until we adopted her last week.

Now she is a beautiful part of our family with a brand new Candy Corn harness! And secretly I know she is just waiting to see what new collar Santa brings!"

What a sweet little face - you know she's is happy and grateful to have a wonderful home! Happy Halloween, Pepper!

Is Your Dog Afraid of Halloween?

2009-10-18T07:13:00.001-07:00

Is your dog afraid of Halloween? Many dogs are. Why? We've got the answers right here, straight from the mouths of the dogs themselves.

The noises can frighten them to the point that they run away or bite. I've seen dogs with no history of aggression bite when frightened on Halloween. All the scary costumes and screaming can be too much for them (it can be too much for me sometimes, too).

So keep your dog safe this Halloween. I want to warn you about some of the things dogs hate about this "creepy" holiday. Here they are, spoken from the mouth of a dog!

Doorbells - "That darn doorbell rings and rings. My owners answer it and then it rings again. I get excited, I bark and they yell at me. I don't get it."
  
Scary Costumes - "Ugly, evil-looking things come to the door, and for some strange reason my owners smile and give them things. I don't know what they get, but I'm sure it's tasty. The whole ritual is scary and just plain weird. Why do they do that? If I did something like that they would haul me off to the "funny farm"."
  
Screaming Kids - "As if the noise and the costumes aren't bad enough, there are all those screaming kids to contend with. Screaming children chanting little rhymes that only a mother could love. Like I said, I just don't get it."

No Treats for Me - "On top of it all, there is an abundance of candy going from hand to hand ... chocolate, candy bars and goodies that make a real dog drool. But I don't get any. None. Stingy people."

They Ignore ME - "There I am - barking and doing my dog thing - but no one pays any attention to me. I try to join in on the fun but they keep telling me to go away. With all these new people here at this Halloween party, a dog has lots of important sniffing to do. I need to get to know these people to make sure they are safe for my family to be around."

Weird Music and Sounds - "People play the most ridiculous music - it makes me want to howl."

Jack-O-Lanterns and Candles - "There are weird shadows on the walls and an eerie ambiance of ghostliness ... it would not surprise me if Casper came flying out of the wall and said "boo"!"

So keep in mind the things dogs hate about this holiday and try to minimize your dog's exposure.

Top 10 Pet-Safe Vehicles

2009-10-16T11:05:00.000-07:00

These days, more pets than ever are traveling in vehicles; unfortunately, though, most drivers aren't taking the steps necessary to ensure that this travel is safe both for them and their pets. Most of these animals ride unrestrained, increasing the risk of pet injury or fatality during an accident. The animals aren't the only ones at risk: If you have an accident at 35 mph while toting your 60-pound unrestrained dog, your pet is capable of causing an impact of up to 2,700 pounds, slamming into the seat, the windshield, or even a passenger. If your unrestrained pet survives the crash, Fido or Fifi may impede or slow the progress of rescue workers, who'll need to secure the traumatized animal before treating human victims.

Bark Buckle Up is committed to informing pet owners about the dangers of unrestrained pet travel. The organization tracks in-depth statistics regarding pet safety, and works with police and fire departments as well as the general public to promote safe pet travel. As part of its Pet Safety Program, Bark Buckle Up and Edmunds.com have collaborated to determine the 10 vehicles whose features make them best suited for transporting you and your animal companion in safety. The top choices are listed below, in alphabetical order.

Dodge Journey: To ensure the safety of drivers, passengers and pets, all gear should be secure when driving, and the Journey offers in-floor storage bins that elegantly achieve this objective. Sadly, many pets are injured by drivers who unknowingly run them over while reversing — the Journey offers a rearview camera that helps drivers avoid this tragedy. Other available features include an in-dash cooler that can be used to store beverages, medicine or pet food; an LED rechargeable flashlight; and steering-wheel-mounted controls (useful in lessening driver distraction).

Ford Flex: Larger dogs and their crates will be comfortable in the roomy Flex; the crossover offers ample legroom and wide door openings for easy ingress and egress. Other pluses include a refrigerated console and five-star crash test scores.

GMC Acadia: Tri-zone climate control is available in the Acadia. This feature is important in SUVs, station wagons and minivans; it helps monitor temperature in the rear of the vehicle, thus ensuring that pets secured in back aren't exposed to extreme heat. The Acadia also offers a direct link to poison control via its OnStar feature (many animals are injured each year from ingesting potential pet poisons like antifreeze, chocolate and tea), along with rear fold-flat seats that accommodate travel for larger pets and their crates.

Hyundai Tucson: Turn to the Tucson for pet-safe available features like automatic climate control and fold-flat rear seats. This Hyundai also offers remote keyless entry (helpful if your hands are full managing a dog on a leash) as well as privacy glass that helps keep temperatures cool in back.

Jeep Liberty: The Jeep brand offers specialized pet travel gear, including crates, carriers and a ramp. The ramp is useful for larger dogs, as well as older and/or arthritic pets. This gear may be used with the Liberty and all vehicles in the Jeep lineup. Other useful Liberty features include a split-folding rear seat and available keyless entry.

Kia Borrego: Full-length side curtain airbags with rollover sensors can keep both pets and their owners safe, and they're offered in the Borrego. The SUV also offers a back-up warning system and rear camera display.

Mazda Mazda 5: Three words: sliding rear doors! The Mazda 5 offers easy-access dual sliding rear doors with a one-touch walk-in feature. These doors simplify pet access, and make it a breeze to secure them. The minivan is also notable for having earned five-star crash test scores and for having side curtain airbags in all three rows. Its low cargo floor facilitates easy pet access, and the Mazda 5 also has tethers and anchors in both the second and third rows — helpful since pet safety seats need to be secured in the same way as a child's.

Mitsubishi Outlander: Side airbags, five-star crash test ratings and steering-wheel-mounted auxiliary controls are all part of the Outlander's arsenal of available offerings. The SUV also boasts fold-flat seating and stowable third-row seats (both of which increase the amount of room available for larger pets), as well as more than a dozen storage compartments for your gear and your pet's.

Subaru Tribeca: Pet owners will appreciate the Tribeca's five-star crash test scores, steering-wheel-mounted auxiliary controls and rear back-up camera.

Volvo XC70: The XC70 is available with a Volvo-designed pet barrier. This is not a one-size-fits-all system with suction cups and Velcro — this is the real deal. Many pet barrier systems are not designed to remain in place during an accident; this system — crash tested by Volvo — has been created to remain intact in a collision. The barrier may be installed by the dealer, and is bolted securely into the vehicle. Another great feature is the XC70's blind spot warning system. A pet in back can sometimes impede visibility — as a result, any safety feature that helps with blind spots is a big plus.

Meet SwankyPet, Sgt. Pepper!

2009-10-15T12:40:00.000-07:00

This is Sgt. Pepper, looking very stylish in his Yellow Submarine collar lives in Tulsa, OK. Mom, Kelli has a great story of how Sgt. Pepper came into their lives:

"I found Sgt. Pepper on July 4th of this year right after the fireworks. My fiance, my brother, and I were walking into a restaurant when Pepper approached us in the parking lot. He was timid, but extremely obedient. He followed us until we reached the door.

As my fiance and my brother entered the building he crouched into a small corner by the flower shop next door. For some reason I felt it wrong to leave him, but there was no place he could go on a holiday weekend to keep him out of traffic. I stayed outside with him for almost thirty minutes looking for some kind of tag or owner.

I convinced my brother, who is also our roommate, to let us keep him overnight until the humane society would be able to take him in. Expecting him to be an outdoor dog, I was surprised when the next day there were absolutely no accidents.

The humane society would not take him in immediately due to a full facility. As the days went by we realized just how special Pepper was. He was completely house broken and showed us some of the tricks he was trained to do. Pepper never barked or growled at anyone he was just too grateful to be off the streets. He warmed everyone's hearts. People kept telling us how intelligent he looked and how lucky we are to have such a great and well behaved dog. We decided that there would be no harm in keeping him and, no one claimed him after all of our attempts. We had grown so fond of him that as the days went by we were hoping no one would.

I then decided to take him into our local vet to bring him up to date on all vaccinations. This is when our vet told me that he has had heart worm for quite some time. This explained to us why Pepper would never eat much if anything. It has been such a struggle to watch, but in the four months we've had him his heart worm is almost gone and he is a completely different dog. He's happy, which our vet thinks is something he hasn't been in a long time. His mannerisms in the beginning proved that he was possibly mistreated. Pepper is more than just a stray dog that we felt bad for, he's now the completion to my family."

Facebook Fan Appreciation Day!

2009-10-14T07:24:00.001-07:00

Today we are saying "thank you" to our Facebook Fans by offering FREE SHIPPING (10/14) on all orders received through midnight Pacific time.

To take advantage of this offer, please enter "Facebook" during the check-out process where asked 'how did you hear about swankypet.net?' and you will receive a credit on your shipping cost!

Harmful things your dog should not chew

2009-10-09T07:22:00.000-07:00

Interesting article from Dr Jon at PetPlace.com:

Chewing is often a perfectly normal behavior among our beloved canine friends, but there are certain items that just aren't made for chewing ... some are off limits because they are our personal belongings and we don't want them to be destroyed, but some items are off limits because they can be harmful to the dog.

Protect your dog from chewing dangers both outside and inside the home. Here's a list of things you should prevent your dog from chewing on:

Items that can grind away his teeth
Rocks
Wires
Recreational balls meant for people
Any chew item that cannot bend
Items that can cause splinters
Wooden sticks & toys
Cooked & uncooked bones
Items that can easily be swallowed whole and block the intestinal tract
Clothing, socks, gloves
Washcloths
String and ribbon
Rubber bands
Children's toys (Legos, dolls, etc.)
Toys meant for other pets (Cats, hamsters, etc.)
Toys that are too small or toys that are inappropriate for the dog's size
Items with small/dangerous pieces that can be chewed off & ingested
Shoes
Slippers
Handbags
Items that can release toxins or items preserved with poisonous arsenic
Cheap plastic toys

The best thing your dog CAN play with is a durable toy made especially for dogs. One of the toughest toys I've come across is the Tuffy Ultimate Ring Toy - made with 2 layers of industrial strength luggage material and soft fleece on the outside, all sewn together with triple stitching. I love it and so do many other vets. It's great to use interactively with your dog, like a Frisbee. And because it has soft edges, it won't hurt your dog's gums when he bites it. It can even float, so it can be used on land or water. No toy is indestructible, but this one is really tough!

Do You Know What Your Dog is Thinking?

2009-10-06T16:10:00.000-07:00

Decoding the canine mind has long been a pastime for dog owners - we've been trying to figure out what those looks and gestures mean furever. A recent Time Magazine article discusses the evolution of dogs and how their minds work. Explore the subject with Dr. Barchas and let us know what your dog is thinking!

Pet Fashion Week NY going to Brazil

2009-10-03T06:03:00.000-07:00

In a continuing effort to create new and innovative opportunities within the global pet market, the producers of Pet Fashion Week NY are pleased to announce that they are leading the way once again. In April 2010 Pet Fashion Week NY along with Aktuell Communications, will be hosting a first of its kind pet industry trade event in Sao Paulo City.

Brazil is the fastest growing pet market in the world, and is expected to be second only to the U.S. in annual sales within the next couple of years. Currently the U.S. pet market is approximately 42 billion dollars a year with Japan second and Brazil running a close third and expected to overtake Japan in the very near future.

Aktuell is the leading agency regarding integrated marketing services in Brazil and is responsible for producing the world’s top equestrian event, the Athina Onassis International Horse Show. The event is visited by horse lovers and riders from across the globe and is annually one of the top grossing events in Brazil.

For the first ever Pet Fashion Week event in Latin America, Aktuell would incorporate the look and feel of PFW’s highly successful NYC event in a uniquely South American setting. The branding elements will be that of the familiar Pet Fashion Week NY although the marketing and development of the event would be a pure partnership.

The promotion of the event itself would be that of Pet Fashion Week New York - Brazilian Edition. The thought process being that the well established PFW brand would attract vendors and retailers from both the U.S. market as well as the global pet market.

Meet SwankyPet, Charlie!

2009-10-02T06:36:00.000-07:00

This cute little pup is Charlie from New Prague, MN sporting his new spooky Batty collar.

Mom, Holly tells me: "I just wanted to share pictures of Charlie, a puggle, in his new swanky wear. Charlie is 2 years old an he can count to six and he loves to be naughty and "dance" on the table when he thinks we aren't looking. He also loves to get new Swanky Pet collars."

What a sweet little face! Thanks for sending in a photo of Charlie. Looks like he is ready to go trick-or-treating! Or count out up to six pieces of candy for Trick-or-Treaters!