We are excited to announce a new team of writers to join The Swanky Pup. These dog-loving bloggers will be introduced one at a time over the next couple of weeks. We hope you enjoy the additional content and information, and of course we hope this information helps your keep your Swanky Pup happy!
In the Philadelphia area it has been HOT! A trip to the dog park or a hike in Fairmont Park with my puppy Baxter can be very exhausting in such hot temperatures and I am constantly making sure that both of us are getting plenty of water. Originally I envisioned myself being able to train Baxter to drink out of a water bottle so I would not have to carry around a bowl. Unfortunately, I have been somewhat unsuccessful and find that I end up wasting our water as he desperately tries to lick it out of the small bottle, resulting in a puddle in the dirt at his feet (which he then steps in, of course).
Luckily, carrying around a bowl is not such a headache with the Hydro Bowl from Barker and Meowsky. It is made out of a durable and waterproof plastic canvas and best of all, it folds up and snaps together into a small triangle, making it extremely portable. For only $7.95, the Hydro Bowl is what I will be carrying around this summer to make sure that I have my hands free and Baxter is hydrated during our outdoor adventures!
The word on the streets, is all about vending machines for your pup. You know what I am talking about. It's the machines you used to ask your parents for a quarter to use. You'd drop the coin in the machine and out would come a little plastic containers with a goodie inside. You then go on your way with a big smile on your face.
Well, now your dog can enjoy a little bit of that happiness, and a yummy treat too, when strolling the streets. This great idea comes from a company called Street Treats. The treats are all made in New York and they are preservative free and all natural. Dogs love the taste of them. The new Street Treats are made from the same liver and herb biscotti that can be found in pet boutiques and pet shops.
Not only do the vending machines have snacks in them, they also have machines with poop bags in them in case you left your house unprepared. Check out the Street Treats website at Streettreats.com for the various locations where Street Treats are sold.
If you are looking for a great deal, Street Treats offers you three, 3 ounce packages for $5.99 each for a total of $17.97 with shipping included only in the continental United States.
Going away for the weekend? Take your dog and go in style!
With the arrival of summer, many of you will be taking summer vacations, hopefully with your pet! Should they be tagging along, make sure they go in style!
I love this new Jet Setter flight carrier. This fabulous roller bag fits perfectly under the seat on an airplane in front of you and can be completely secured as a car seat. Its plush interior is fully removable and machine washable. The sturdy wheels are removable leaving you with an incredibly light 3.25 pound bag! (Only 5 pounds with wheels). This airline approved carrier has lots of pockets for tickets, treats, wallets, magazines and all of your personal and puppy items.
The Jet Setter is great for car travel, too! It easily straps into the shoulder and lap belt to secure your pooch. The bag is made of patterned fabric and trimmed in pleather.
The bag accommodates pets up to 16 pounds, and other colors include: Turquoise, Blush, Titanium, Black, Taupe, Camouflage, Moss or Espresso.
Creature Comforts makes a ton of other bags too, including handbags and day travel bags. They also have cool slings. Check our their amazing line!
Holidays are my favorite times to buy cute outfits for my puppy Baxter and July 4th is no exception! If you are planning on taking your swanky pup with you to a party or a BBQ this July 4th, then you need to help show off their patriotic spirit with red, white and blue gear from Modern Tails.
This time of year, my family and I spend a lot of time at the beach. It's the same thing every weekend. We load up the car with our bags, our kids (yes, that does include the dog) and we are off. Our dog has his own luggage (the E.B.D. Carry All Bag from Pupcentric.com) and we are always sure that we have his Rope-N-Go inside.
The Rope-N-Go, available at Ropengo.com, is a hardware free harness that can fit any pet from the smallest of dogs to the largest of dogs. The rope is made from strong material and will not catch on the hair of our furry friends. There are no buckles to have to play around with and no noisy metal that can clang when going for a walk or set off a metal detector at the airport.
What I like about the harness, is that my dog is a puller when he goes out for walks. When I use the Rope-N-Go, I never worry that he is hurting his throat when he pulls, because there is nothing around his neck . The harness sits nicely on his chest, and since it is adjustable, I can be sure that it is placed on him properly.
The Rope-N-Go, comes in a wide variety of colors and all come with a great removable leash with a comfort grip at the end. For our smaller, canine friends, the Rope-N-Gocomes in an extra small toy size.
You can purchase the Rope-N-Go online at Ropengo.com or you can find a list of stores where they are sold.
I can't get enough of beautiful, classic collars and leads. I seem to be collecting them at this point, and my dog models a new one each week!
I recently discovered Blueblood Luxury items for dogs, and I absolutely love the look of their products. Made from beautiful ribbons, sophisticated colors, and rust resistant nickel hardware, these items are awesome.
I love the choice of colors and ribbon fabrics for the collars and leads, and I especially love that the collars come with a removable dog tag snap, so you can easily remove your dog's tag and change collars at a whim. The fabrics used on the dog beds are amazing, and the best part is that the covers are removable and machine washable. This is one dog bed that will not look ugly lying around your house.
You will not be disappointed with your purchase from this site -- every product is gorgeous and affordable. Enjoy shopping!
Great gift idea: Swarovski crystal versions of man's best friend
Looking for a unique and luxurious gift for your dog loving friend? The adorable Swarovski crystal dog figurines will be sure to please. They are a unique and fun keepsake you will want to put out on display for everyone to see.
Available in different breeds including the Great Dane, Beagle, Dalmatian, Bulldog, Basset Hound and more, each has unique and intricate details making it reflect light beautifully and sparkle brightly in the light.
Different shades of Smoky Topaz, and gorgeous crystal in a variety of vibrant colors make these little pooches something to treasure. Find these swanky crystal pups online starting at only $55 from Swarovski.com.
I love trendy gift stores. I recently came across a great one and you don't even need to get out of your chair to go to it. The store is called Tatutina.com and the gifts that are sold there are fantastic.
What I especially love about the Tatutina.com website is that they sell all kinds of gifts for everyone in your family, including your pets. I have the picture frame and dog food bowl that are shown here. People love the frame, and not just because my dog and daughter are in it, but because it's so nice to look at. All the products are fun, colorful, eye catching and will, for sure brighten anyone's day.
The gifts at Tatutina.com are all hand painted by a mother-daughter team, who wanted to create functional and fun products. The paint used is all certified non-toxic and lead free.
So, if you are in need of a gift for anyone in your family from your kids to your pets, I highly recommend checking out the great products at Tatutina.com.
If you don't know much about Olive, they are an organic store for modern dogs. They feature all sorts of great organic, healthy, and environmentally conscious dog items, like toys, collars, clothing, sleep items, and more.
Read the full review here and learn more about the products that you can win.
To enter, simply sign up for our email newsletter between now and June 26th, 2008 and one winner will be selected and announced on the 27th.
And remember, if you want to make a purchase from the Olive site, take advantage of a special Swanky Pup coupon -- 15% off! Use code OLIVESWANK.
This cutie pie is Edgar, a 3 year old Whippet and Beagle mix from Bear Delaware. Edgar loves going for car rides and going to the dog park to go swimming. He was a rescue pup and loves his home and family as well as eating chicken, tomatoes and watermelon.
Nicknames: Ed, Eddie, Edgar Doodle, Speckled Edgar and Pickles
Likes: Playing, jumping, running around like a fool, being cute, snuggling and curling into a tight ball to sleep.
Dislikes: Not getting attention, being left alone, not being able to sleep under the covers
I know many of you with boy dogs find it challenging to find cute and funky boy's clothes. (I have a girl dog, so I don't know personally, but I sort of feel your pain since I have two little boys!)
Anyway, I came across the amazing Marvel Comic line of clothing for dogs, which is currently 15% off at Funny Fur.
The Marvel Comics pet collection includes dog apparel, dog carriers, dog collars and leashes, dog beds, and other accessories. The tees are made out of vintage and re-cycled clothing. They are funky and tom-boyish -- great for boy or girl dogs. Check out the entire collection.
Enter code SUPERHEROES15 at checkout to save 15% throughout the month of June.
I just realized tonight, as my son was grabbing my dog's bowls and lifting them up (and spilling all of the water out of them) that I have nothing under the bowls. This is a problem for a number of reasons. 1) It doesn't look good. (Why has it been like this for so long?) 2) My floor is unprotected! (especially with a 1-year old constantly spilling water on the floor!) and 3) It's not as clean and sanitary as it would be with a mat.
Why it took me so long to realize this I have no idea. But I do know that I will be ordering one of the adorable (and inexpensive) feeding mats from Floyd and Jake. This cute online boutique, (which offers a number of other awesome items for your dog like attire, spa items, collars, beds, and more) has a couple different styles to choose from.
I love the Stripey Dog Mat, which is a vinyl feeding mat with multi-color stripes with line images of dogs. It is 18”x 12” and sells for $7.50! But there are a number of adorable, fun, and funky styles to choose from, including some vintage designs, too.
Who says dog treats can’t be healthy AND tasty?Olive Organic Treats definitely satisfy both categories.I have bought several types of organic all-natural treats in the past and my puppy Baxter just did not seem to have the same enthusiasm that he has when he sees the box of Snausages.I have been on a quest to find a healthy and organic treat that Baxter would truly enjoy and when I gave him an Olive Organic Oh My Pizza Pie treat I could tell he loved it.He gobbled it down and came running over to me with his tail wagging to see if another treat was going to follow! Olive Organics are all hand-made in the USA with natural ingredients and no fillers.These yummy treats have no wheat, no corn, no soy, no artificial colors or flavors and no preservatives, making it ideal for dogs with allergies and sensitive tummies.
Baxter’s favorites are the Oh MY Pizza Pie treats, made with parmesan and cheddar cheese and oregano.His cousin Maggie loves the Nutty ‘Nanners which are made from bananas and peanut butter.There are many tasty varieties that your dog will love, so we recommend the Cookie Treat Cuatro so you can try 4 scrumptious flavors at once!
I discovered Feel Good Frames last year when writing for another blog on baby and kids products. They sent me a sample of their personalized, hand-made picture frames and ornaments and I was so impressed with the design, quality, and uniqueness of these products.
Recently the company announced that they are coming out with a new line of ornaments and frames for dog-lovers like us! The ornaments are designed with bold dots, stripes & swirls in apple green, holiday red, pink & blue. Choose from “Posh Pooch,” “Spoiled Rotten,” “Where’s My Tiara?,” and “World’s Best Dog.” The year “2008” is painted on the back of the ornament.
Feel Good Frames’ products can also be personalized with the pet’s name and the year. The frames hold a 3”x3” photo and hang from a fluffy ribbon. Feel Good Frames’ ornaments retail for $26.00 and make a great gift.
Remember this great site for great holiday or birthday gifts for your friends and fellow dog lovers. They will definitely love it!
This handsome two year old Chihuahua is Tooots (yes, with 3 o's!) and he is the little brother of our previous swanky pup Elmer. From the bustling streets of New York City, Tooots is a city boy through and through and can be seen strutting his stuff on the Upper East Side!
Budding fashion designer and tv reality star Lauren Conrad is known for her chic LA style. Recently she has been spotted around town toting her adorable new puppy Chloe with her everywhere she goes. When Lauren can't be with Chloe, she sports this trendy personalized necklace from Jennifer Fisher to keep her pup close to her heart.
If you want to steal this look then try the Kyle, which is the classic style Lauren was spotted wearing by People.com.If you like the style but want to make it your own, Jennifer Fisher allows you to customize your necklace by choosing your chain and ornaments.
Rub a dub dub, organic, safe soap for your dog (and a product giveaway!!!)
I recently discovered Olive, an organic store for modern dogs. They feature all sorts of great organic, healthy, and environmentally conscious dog items, like toys, collars, clothing, sleep items, and more.
I got to try out some of Olive's spa products, and I was so impressed with the everything I tried. My favorite product was the Olive Organic Dog Shampoo. From the minute I saw the packaging (so cool and modern looking) and smelled it, to reading the ingredients (all natural! organic!) to trying out with my dog, I was very impressed.
When I look for a dog shampoo, I look for something all-natural, something gentle, great-smelling with a good lather. (My dog is dirty -- I need to feel like that soap is getting her clean!) This product is perfect. In fact, I think I found my new go-to shampoo (meaning I will re-order this when I run out... though a little bit goes a long way!) If you want to make a purchase from the Olive site, take advantage of a special Swanky Pup coupon -- 15% off! Use code OLIVESWANK. Product Giveaway! Want to try out some Olive spa products on your dog, too? Sign up for our e-newsletter and you will automatically be entered to win Olive's Fur Spritzer and Olive's Soap Lump. Enter by June 26th, 2008 and one winner will be selected and announced on the 27th.
These past few days in the Philadelphia area have been VERY hot.Temperatures in the high 90’s are tough to handle, but imagine if you had a fur coat like your dog does!Not just is it uncomfortable but with the threat of heat exhaustion it can cause serious health problems as well.If you are going to be outside with your dog for long periods of time then the Body Cooler Pet Mat from Drs Fosters and Smith is what I recommend to keep your dog cool and comfortable in hot temperatures.
The mat is filled with non-toxic crystals that are activated when soaked in water.Just place the mat is water for up to 20 minutes, hang dry to remove excess water and then it is cool and ready to use. The est part is it can stay cool for long periods of time each time it is activated and it can be reused over and over again.Also, though water is used to fill up the mat your pup will not get wet while laying on it.
Available in extra small through extra large, dogs of all sizes can enjoy feeling this cold mat on their bellies.My dog Baxter used to always kick water up from his water bowl onto his tummy on really hot days to keep cool but this mat gives him a comfortable place to lay and a simpler way to cool his body down.
If you are planning on spending long days outside in the heat you don’t want to leave the Body Cooler Pet Mat at home!
My dog and I love the beach. We are lucky enough to have a place to stay at the Jersey Shore, so we get to spend a lot of time there enjoying the sand and sea.
One of our favorite things to do in the morning is take Maggie out on the empty beach and let her run and have fun. She loves it. Whenever I see a dog on the beach, they always seem to be smiling. I'm not sure what it is, but it seems like dogs and the beach just go to together.
Jean M. Fogel photographed and wrote about the love of dogs and the beach with her book, Salty Dogs. This beautiful hardcover book features tons of full-color photographs (taken by Jean) of dogs on the beach alongside fun and witty quotes throughout. After a long and hard day, a couple minutes with this sweet and happy book will change your mood and brighten your did. (It did for me!)
What a perfect gift for a dog lover this summer! I plan to bring my copy down to my shore house -- it will make the perfect coffee-table book.
Purchase Salty Dogs from Amazon for $11 and change or you can purchase from Jean's site and receive an autographed copy for you and your dog!
This week's swanky pup of the week is the very handsome Baxter Burgundy. He is a 9 month old Beagle/Wire Hair Dachshund and a very good little boy. He loves being with his family, laying on the couch and relaxing. Baxter is a puppy mill rescue and just the sweetest dog around!
Nicknames: Baxie, Boo Boo, "B", Puppers
Likes: Ripping toys apart, torturing the cat, sleeping, going to the dog park, treats, walks, Maxim
It's always nice to see a pretty doormat in front of someone's house. Well, how about a doormat that really expresses your love for dogs.
At Planetdog.com, you can find a terrific doormat that will let everyone know who comes to visit your a lover of dogs.
These "Woof" doormats are 31'' X 18" in length and width and measures 1.5" in thickness for those days that you need to get a little extra dirt off your shoes. The doormats are brown with your choice of either blue or orange writing. The paw prints are black.
Planetdog.com has many other great things for dogs and dog lovers. Check out their website to find something for your pooch or yourself.
My Aunt stayed with me this past weekend from Florida. She has 4 dogs at home, and 1 cat. While she was away, we were able to watch them any time we wanted on her laptop. They were playing in their own playpen, lying in doggie beds, and getting taken out for walks. She sent them to a fabulous pet "country club" called Preppy Pet Suites.
This franchised organization, with locations throughout Florida and many of the southern and western states, offers climate-controlled indoor play areas. "The Country Club, The Yacht Club, and The Racquet Club," are designed for dogs of different sizes to play together. They are monitored by their staff and you can check on them through the internet with their Preppy Pet Cam. They play most of the day indoors except when they are on an outside walk, napping or eating. They also sleep well, night or day, with a TV playing in the background.
They offer 5 sizes of suites to choose from a Mini-Suite to Super Suite and many choices of our climate controlled play options.
Check to see if there is a location near you. If so, this is a great option for your pet should you be planning an upcoming vacation!
When I am picking out a collar for my puppy Baxter there are many factors that I consider.Obviously style is very important to me since he is wearing it out and about all the time, but many of the trendiest collars just don’t have your dog’s comfort in mind.I love the collars from Pupperazi because they are very stylish but made for maximum comfort for your swanky pup.
Each collar is handmade out of the softest cotton fabric in unique and adorable prints. There are so many fun and bright styles to choose from and since each style is only made in limited quantities, your dog will definitely stand out from the crowd. My favorite is the Addy collar with bright oranges, prints and greens in a cute circular print that is perfect for the summer.
Check out the soft and stylish collars from Pupperazi if you want your dog looking and feeling good hot, handmade collars that won't cost you a fortune. Matching leashes are available for most styles too so you can complete the look with a matching set!
. This beautiful hardcover book features tons of full-color photographs (taken by Jean) of dogs on the beach alongside fun and witty quotes throughout. After a long and hard day, a couple minutes with this sweet and happy book will change your mood and brighten your did. (It did for me!)
