Asia, looking irresistibly adorable

Lady Gaga is loving Asia. We’re not talking about the continent. Lady G, just months after her family dog, Alice, passed away, has gotten herself a scrumptious little pup. “Her name is Asia. She is a BATPIG I love her I’m her mom,” Gaga captioned with a video of her new baby. Batpig is, apparently, an affectionate name for French Bulldogs.  Gaga’s precious Asia is our featured celebripet on The Celebrity Spot.

Asia is a cutie pie little black Frenchie, and you’d have to have a heart of stone for this little girl not to melt it. Wacky Gaga,  introducing the dog for the first time, posted a pic of Asia sitting on her lap as she sat in the front seat of a car. “Me and my BATPIG #partBAT #partPIG,” she captioned. LOL

She’s taken Asia on her ArtRave tour to support her latest CD, ArtPop. Gaga shared a photo on her Instagram of the dog gazing out of the window of her private jet. “Asia on her first flight! She just peed on my Saint-Laurent catsuit. #batpig,” she Instagrammed. Asia certainly seems wide-eyed and overwhelmed as she’s barraged by fans and photographers. A lot for a little baby to take in.

Asia says, “Really, mom? Must you?”

Gaga has actually been getting some heat, lately, from PETA for posting pics on Instagram of Asia bejeweled in clip-on earrings, a matching necklace and bracelet, as well as a chain headdress. They also note that Asia seems very loved by Gaga, and I believe it, after seeing the pics and comments she’s made about the dog.

Spooning…

Gaga displayed her over-the-top fashion sense yet again, stepping out of her New York apartment recently, wearing a Tudor-style neck ruffle. Not even the dog was immune to her fashion make over.

Tudor Twins! They look pretty good for over 500 years old!

Asia has already made famous friends. Rapper T.I. took a selfie with her.

Asia with T.I.

Seems Lady G’s handsome man, actor Taylor Kinney, is a pushover for the pup, too.

Aw…

What do you think? Would you Give Gaga a Pass for bejeweling her for a photo, or do you say No Go to Gaga!? Tell me in the Comments below.

Another pic of the irresistible Asia.

Open your hearts…share like crazy, and let’s find these lovely dogs a home. All the dogs from the last post were adopted! My Shelter Stars for the day. Thank you!

SKUNK – ID#A1004947

Skunk is an unaltered female, 10 years old, 9 lbs. With a bath and groom, she looks like she’d be a lovely girl. She needs a forever home. Please share this. Skunk is at the Manhattan Center of Animal Care and  Control.

ANGORA – ID#A1004967

Angora is a 9 year old black and white Papillon mix. She weighs 16 lbs. Here’s what a volunteer has to say about pretty little Angora. “Angora is middle age and found as a stray right in our neck of the neighborhood… She is quite furry, although not well groomed and her eyes are a little cloudy. Two lovely butterfly wings are of course crowning her head. Angora is welcoming in her kennel. A very easy going gal…She walks very nicely on the leash and eliminates right away as we leave the building. She seems very nice with other dogs, big or small. She likes to be petted and is a wonderful lapdog. Angora is a well behaved little girl, friendly, sociable and affectionate. Well groomed and loved…Wow…she will be a beauty!” Angora is at the Animal Care and Control of New York City – Manhattan.

CHEETOS – ID#A1004726

Cheetos is an unaltered, 8 year old, brown and tan Pomeranian mix, weighing 13 lbs. His goofy grin is so endearing. Someone please give this fellow a loving home. Cheetos is at the Animal Care and Control of New York City – Manhattan.

Gail Thackray

What is your dog really thinking? If he’s a rescue, what experiences has he had that contributes toward his current behavior? How can we better understand our pets? These are all questions many of us have asked ourselves at one time or another. And, there’s a woman who can help us learn just that. We can gain a deeper understanding about our pets and just how important a role they play in our lives, in ways we never imagined.

Gail Thackray is a British-born medium and animal communicator, living on a ranch in Los Angeles with six rescue dogs, two cats, a turtle, and horses. Hang on. Before you pooh-pooh it all, take a moment to read what Gail has been able to do for pets and pet owners around the world. And, according to Gail, we can do it, too.

Giveaway Alert!!! Read on to find out how two lucky Bark and Swagger followers can win a copy of Gail’s book and why it is so special. 

Do you have to have special powers to become a medium?

Thackray wasn’t a “gifted” child, in fact she’s the first to tell you she was a “normal” girl, until she hit 40. Hitting 40 will do that for many of us, but for Gail, it meant something different! 🙂 Her aunt, who’d become a Reiki master and teacher, gave her an attunement, a transfer of energy in a special ceremony. Gail expected to feel something big. She didn’t. But, she did practice what her aunt taught her and started doing energy healings on her friends. They thought her energy work made a big difference in how they felt.

A workshop led by a renowned English psychic opened the door to being able to read people. On the spot to read someone, she honed in on a man in the audience and the images started flowing. She told him about a deceased family member, what he did for a living, details of a special photo and a pressing message about a family business – all information that made this audience member’s chin hit the floor. But, Gail wasn’t yet convinced, she was intrigued. A short time later, while browsing a bookstore where a woman was giving a talk on animal communication, she learned her abilities extended to the animal kingdom. She hadn’t even known there was such a thing as this. After the woman’s talk, Gail decided to see what, if anything, she might pick up from looking at one of the guest’s photos of her pet. The young dog’s picture she started with immediately transported her into feeling what this puppy felt. She told the owner the puppy was saying he would be really good with the cats, and that he hid his yellow bone behind the garden shed, all details the owner confirmed. Then, there’s the pink, fluffy slippers story. “I picked up this photo of a lady’s cat and, all of a sudden, I saw these big slippers in front of me, at eye level,” Gail explained. “Big, pink slippers, with a large fluffy ball hanging over the big toe, and I’m watching them go ’round and ’round. I asked her if she had a pair and she said, in fact, she did. I asked her if she goes on an exercise bike every morning where her cat sits nearby, which she confirmed. I asked if the cat liked to watch her, and I could’ve told her he emphatically loved to watch; that it was a great source of entertainment for him.” That day was the beginning of Thackray’s exploration into the world of animal communication.

How can we learn to do this, too?

In Gail Thackray’s book, How To Talk To Your Pets: Animal Communication for Dogs, Cats, & Other Critters, she teaches us how we, too, can learn to communicate with our and others’ pets. She says we’ve always had this ability, we’ve just blocked it after years of not using it, and being focused on our lives, work, etc. But what really struck me and gave me goosebumps, was this. Gail is very clear  that animals are in our lives for a much greater purpose than we know. They are really our partners in life, she says. And, when she communicates with them, and the reason she can do it from a photograph or with an animal not focusing attention on her,  she is communicating with their higher intelligence, not their instinctual selves. You know how sometimes we think something, and the person we’re with says just what we were thinking? We joke and say it must be telepathy, yet that is exactly what it is! You may think I’m into the woo woo, but I am a believer in universal intelligence. All it means, is we are all connected, because we’re all made up of energy. And, if we train ourselves to relax and open up to it, we can communicate on a higher plane, like our animals, like when those telepathic “accidents” happen with another person. It’s happened to me at times when I meditate. I feel a distinct connection to everything, and interesting or important thoughts come to me in meditation, that don’t when I’m immersed in my “day”.

So, I was open to hearing more about this. Thackray holds workshops around the world, where she teaches people how to relax and get into the space to do a reading. There are exercises we can do to help us unblock our innate ability; her 10 Steps to Connect. She is very respectful of the animals she is reading, and emphasizes how important it is to ask them if they want to share something and to thank them at the end of your session. In her workshops, she sees how everyone comes into their ability to read people or pets; some come to it faster than others; some have to work a bit harder at it,  but we all can do it. While at first, it may seem like you’re just making things up, Gail also offers tips on how to discern that and reassures us we will come to trust our communication. And the cool thing is, she teaches all of this in her book, at your own pace, in your own home.

What I learned about my babies…

When I talked to Gail, I wanted to know some things pertaining to my “kids,” Sophie, our new rescue Jasper, and my kitties Isabel and Lola. What I learned from her was fascinating! I learned that Sophie was a superstar (well, I already knew that), but that she came into my life with the distinct purpose of transforming it, of getting me in touch with my new soul purpose. And, it’s true. Sophie was the impetus for me starting my dog apparel brand, Couture by Sophie, which led to Bark and Swagger. Sophie has been the catalyst for me meeting certain people and doing certain things. And, I don’t’ think that will stop. Sophie is my muse, my little partner.

I learned a bit about Jasper’s history and, possibly, the people who surrendered him. Gail saw that he was in a family, where the man wasn’t very nice and might have kicked him around a bit, shoved him out of the way (his paperwork said “only likes owners’ wife,” hmmm…); where the young kids pulled at him (paperwork said he doesn’t get along with kids); where he was locked up for long hours each day, not knowing when anyone would be home (he is terrified of the crate and being behind a baby gate). So far, this could easily make sense.

Isabel, my orange tabby, has always been the wise, sweet one. I learned she doesn’t really view herself as a pet, but one serving a higher purpose.  She thinks of herself as above the others, which I smiled at, because Izzy is, hands down, the smartest one in the bunch and does remove herself from the pack. Gail also said Isabel is an ancient soul and helps me with intuition. Lola, my tortoise shell kitty is the playful, good time girl, who like to cuddle. That’s all true. I always thought Lola was more confident than Izzy, but I learned how brave Isabel really is when Jasper came into our house. Lola is still afraid of him; Izzy could care less about him and swats him if he gets too close.

It was interesting that Gail said, if we have more than one animal in the house, we have to be clear about what role each one has. She said it’s important to tell each pet what they do for you and to thank them for being so good at whatever that is. This, apparently, maintains the peace. Sophie is already letting Jasper know when he gets too close to a coveted toy or rough houses too much with her…that’s not your place, little guy. I’m the princess around here!

Jasper & Sophie

Isabel

Lola

How health problems in your pet can be a reflection of you

I thought it was really interesting how Thackray has noticed, when a mom or dad complains of a pet’s health problem, she often doesn’t have to look very far to see its origin. “I had someone tell me their dog had a left hip problem,” Gail said. “They’re running funny. The first thing I do in those cases is look at the owner. If it’s on the dog’s back leg, it’ll be the owner’s leg that also has a problem. If it’s the dog’s front leg, it will be his arm. Nine times out of ten, the owner will say, yes I have that problem. Or, it can be an energy problem the owner has; not being able to move forward in life.” Our animals help us heal. We already know they make us feel better, emotionally. But, they can also take in our negative energy when we’re stroking them. If you have specific health problems, your pet may have come in to be a healer. By the same token, if our dog has allergies, is scratching a lot, sometimes it’s the owner who has something going on; maybe a lot of stress at work or at home, and the pet is absorbing that stress.

Getting in touch with pets who have passed

Gail also teaches in her book and her workshops how to get in touch with pets who have passed on. She tells a story in the book about her own dog, Bob, and how he clearly came back to let her know he was ok. It’s a bit of a long story for this piece, but I encourage you to read it; it’s amazing.

In my research on Gail for the piece, I saw this interview Gail did for the national morning show, Fox & Friends. She blew the mind of one of the anchors, who was a total skeptic, until this happened. Check it out and enjoy.

There’s fascinating information about communicating with our pets in Gail’s book, How to Talk to Your Pets, and exercises and instruction teaching us how to do it! I’m excited that Gail has generously offered to give a book away to two lucky Bark and Swagger followers. I’ve read it, and am working on the exercises, myself. I want to understand more about my babies and why they do what they do; how I can make their lives even better. I highly recommend this read; I love being introduced to new things that push me to keep learning and growing.

If you just can’t wait to learn how to do this, you can purchase Gail’s book here.

Have you ever had a telepathic experience, with or without your pets? Tell me about it in the Comments!

The Giveaway!

Here’s how to enter the giveaway, which runs from Monday, June 30 – Monday, July 7, 2014:

*  must be 18 years or older

* must live in the United States

* can’t be a relative of mine

* must join our email list (there’s also bonus points for doing this!)

There are additional bonus points for doing other actions, too. Good luck!

Best Friends

Whether you’re an optimist or a pessimist, we could all use some help now and then, reminding ourselves what’s important and not to sweat the small stuff. But, instead of talking to a girlfriend, boyfriend or your mom when feeling low, sometimes we don’t need to look further than our dogs! They’re at the ready with unconditional love, and bounce back from adversity with enthusiasm for life. A fresh, new book has tapped into dog wisdom, offering easily digestible tips on life from our best friends.

Spoiler Alert! There’s an awesome giveaway at the end, so follow your nose through my review until you find the treat! 🙂

Life’s A Bark: What Dogs Teach Us About Life and Love, written by award-winning pet writer, Larry Kay, is a bound credo of how to live life well, like our canine friends. Chock full of rollicking and heartwarming pictures, accompanied by short, easy-to-read life lessons, this is a great gift for dog lovers and a perfect book for those of us on the go, who want the info but don’t have lots of time.

Life’s A Bark comes wrapped in a warm and fuzzy package (and it is warm and fuzzy), but it tackles tough stuff topics, too, like improving our self image, our self respect, the fear of letting go, even the fear of intimacy. But, instead of getting heavy handed, where we feel like we’re on the couch, Kay’s approach is light, even whimsical. He still manages to make the point that life is about taking big, juicy bites out of it with abandon…like our furry friends.

Life’s A Bark is also a family book. I can see it being read with your children, and eliciting important conversation between parents and their kids.  Toys Don’t Last Forever; Don’t Judge Me; Communicate Clearly; Follow The Right Leader and Keep Me Safe And Secure are just a few of the vignette headings Kay includes. For each, we get a take away message and exercise to help us get in touch with that aspect of ourselves or our feelings. Some take aways are funny, like acting like a dog by wagging our “tails,” running in circles, hopping, barking, panting to give ourselves an instant attitude adjustment from a bad day. Some are really insightful, like the one for self respect. He advises looking at ourselves in the mirror and pretending we’re a dog. “Smile like a dog, and say three things you respect yourself for. Say the same three things again until you begin to believe them.”

We didn’t need scientists to confirm what we already knew. A dog’s EQ (emotional intelligence quotient) is equal to, if not higher than, human EQ. They show the highest levels of empathy, compassion, care, trust and distrust. And, like us, a bark can signify many things, just by its sound. We can tell the difference when our best friends are making happy barks, sad barks, barks of fear, anger, anxiety, pain and more.  Our pups thrive when treated with respect, given love, praise, encouragement and guidance. We do, too. So, it’s not far-fetched that we can learn a trick or two from our wise companions.  The ultimate take away?

Since Life’s A Bark, make a joyful noise!!

A short and very fun video trailer about this book!

Happy woofs if you’re excited about a giveaway!

Larry Kay, who also co-authored the award-winning Training the Best Dog Ever with Bo Obama’s dog trainer, the late Dawn Sylvia-Stasiewicz, is generously offering two lucky Bark and Swagger readers a free copy of Life’s A Bark. The giveaway will run from 7am EST, Wednesday, June 25 to 11pm EST July 1.

To enter the giveaway, you must:

* be 18 years or older

* live in the United States

* not be a relative

* join the Bark and Swagger Community via our email list

There are ways to garner extra points, and you can come back as often as you’d like to participate.

If you just can’t wait and want to order Life’s A Bark right now, go here.

What has your dog taught you about life and love? Tell me in the Comments below!

(Disclaimer: affiliate links included)

Lilly Dress & matching Dog Tote in Lilac

Milano Moda Uomo, or Milan Fashion Week, is upon us, with top designers getting runway ready with last minute touches on their Spring/Summer 2015 designs. While New York, London, Paris and Tokyo Fashion Weeks are all exciting in their own ways, it is Milan that has become synonymous with immaculate tailoring accompanying their classic style. As Bark and Swagger is the home of all things dog fashion, I chose one of the top designers of luxury dog clothes, based in Milan, to feature in honor of that city’s fashion event.

Inamorada turns out stunning work for every season and occasion. Founded in 1976 by Benedetta Sainaghi, and named for her French Bulldog, Morada, the brand brings the excellence of Italian tailoring to the pet world. They choose lush fabrics to work with and create designs that are at once classic, and yet, very on trend. These are pieces that will last.

Plush sweaters, stylish coats, classic and fun dresses both casual and formal, matching and separate carry bags and beds…you are covered in luxury in every product category. I discovered them while searching for Italian dog fashion to feature around Milan Fashion Week, and when I saw the collection, I knew this was a brand I had to share with you!

While much of what they do is timeless,  I still reached out to Benedetta to get the most up-to-date news on what’s happening with Inamorada, and what the new designs are for fall.

Belgravia Hooded Cashmere Coat

New Looks

If you’re a fan of complete looks, like me, you’ll love what I’m about to show you. Benedetta has created matching coat and carry bag designs that are so beautiful, it’s the choosing that’s going to be difficult! She’s even included a matching dress, here and there. Whether you like metallics, like the Armatura silver, or maybe a rich honey faux croc is your fancy, like the My Croco design, or you’re a fan of the Chanel look, as exhibited in her Grace collection, there is a luxury look for you.  I’m so excited to turn you on to this label!

Inamorada’s pricing is on par with luxury dog design; not as costly as some and more than others; well worth it to me, based on the quality of materials and how timeless they are. I’ve included so many pieces in this article, I’ve left all of the pricing on the site’s product page. I don’t usually do that, but it was less complicated and cleaner to do here. So, get comfortable in your front row seat at a Milano Fashion Week show all our own!

When I saw this piece, it was a no brainer to include. But, it was the honey color that I chose to feature. It’s richness and warmth lured me in. What is this?  It’s the My Croco faux croc coat, with damask lining, gold jewel buttons sitting prettily on the back belt and velcro jewel buttons on the belly. A wonderful fabric panel is sewn behind the collar, with top stitching detail, which makes for an interesting design feature. I love how Benedetta chose to reverse the direction of the crocodile pattern for the belt. Also comes in black and a dark grey. Nice.

The matching carry bag is elegant and right on trend with skins being so popular this fall. But no animals were harmed. The bag features are:

• Gold chain handles
• Silk bow embellishment
• Side openings
• Gold damask lining
• Removable interior cushion
• Interior lead attachement
• Water resistant
• For dogs up to 10 lbs.

Size: 38cm W x 20cm D x 23cm H (approx. 15″ W x 7.8″ D x 9″ H)

My Croco honey-colored coat

My Croco matching carry bag

The Armatura in silver is sleek and very modern. The faux leather has a imprint with a mattelasse effect, adding to the high tech feel. A generous faux silvery grey fur collar and lining in cream faux fur finishes this coat off perfectly. The only thing missing is the gorgeous silver matching bag, just below. Can you just imagine, city dwellers, strutting down the street rocking this bag, with your little one sporting this coat? That heads will turn is a given. I’m seeing modeling contracts in your future!

The carry bag’s features include:

• Removable interior cushion
• Interior lead attachement
• Water resistant
• For dogs up to 10 lbs.

The Armatura Coat

The Full View

Armatura Matching Carry Bag

Classic Chanel fans, the Grace collection is an opportunity to dress your pup in a design that really could’ve come out of that couture house. It possesses more of the true Chanel commitment to quality, materials and design than others I’ve seen. I like the plum tweed because it’s perfect for Fall. But if you prefer pale, there’s a cream and pink that’s perfect and very chic! The dress features a taupe jersey top, plum tweed skirt and a sophisticated little gold chain link belt at the waist. The matching bag is classic Chanel all the way, tailored to suit a pooch. Dangling from the chain link strap is an Inamorada charm. An alternate carry bag, which I like even more, is below. It offers:

• Ultra-soft interior for supreme comfort
• Removable interior cushion
• Interior lead attachment to keep your pet safe and secure
• For dogs up to 10 lbs.

Size: 15″ x 10″ x 7″

Grace Dress and matching Carry Bag

The Coco Carrier

The Cinderella dress features an understated but very chic floral embroidered pattern on wool with a wool jersey stretch top, so it fits perfectly and keeps its shape. A well-placed velvet ribbon with a pearl center adds just the right touch of embellishment to an already visually-interesting skirt and you’re ready to go! If you just can’t get enough of this fabric (and I’d be right there with you!), the Cinderella also comes in a matching coat, as well as that carry bag. The coat is lined in wool and features a rolled collar trimmed in matching satin. So beautiful! Now, to that matching carry bag. Love loving that bag, which could easily pass for a Valentino purse. The handles are made from plexiglass and the bag’s features include:

• Removable interior cushion
• Interior lead attachment
• Plexiglass wood-effect handles
• Side opening
• Zippered closing
• For dogs up to 10 lbs.

Size: 41cm W x 26cm D x 30cm H (approx. 16″ W x 10″ D x 11.8″ H)

In addition to this gorgeous shade of blue, the coat and bag come in a wow wow fuchsia that is my personal favorite, a pretty wonderful plum and a champagne neutral that is a classic.  This is definitely city luxury fare but, as we know, you can’t be too fabulous, so please don’t limit yourself to this indulgence if you love and live elsewhere.

Cinderella Dress

Cinderella Dress in Plum Version

Cinderella Coat in Blue

Cinderella Coat in Fuchsia-Wow!

Cinderella Matching Dog Carrier in Blue

Cinderella Carrier in Fuchsia

Other Fall pieces

I got carried away with the ensembles. I couldn’t help myself! Had a really tough time choosing what to cover. So, now that I got ensemble mania out of my system, here are a few individual pieces I love and think would make any a fine addition to any stylish pup’s wardrobe.

The Sissi Dress is spectacular. It’s not play wear, but it is definitely appropriate for an afternoon of shopping. Made from a mohair and wool stretch knit top, with ruffled edges, and a very fun faux fur skirt, this piece stands out from the rest by a country mile. It’s a classically styled top meets an outrageous, runway-inspired bottom, and while that may sound schizophrenic, it works and does so beautifully. A matching velvet bow with a pearl dangle is a lovely feminine touch that keep reappearing in Benedetta’s pieces. The Sissi Dress also comes in black and in ivory.

The Sissi Dress in Grey

The Sissi style also comes in a sleeping bag that is so luxurious and soft, your pup won’t want to get out of bed! I’ve featured Ivory, but it also comes in a beautiful black with cream satin lining.

The Sissi Nap Bag

The Tartan neck warmer in camel is classic all the way. Great for boys or girls, it is a comfortable way to keep your pup warm on those chilly fall days with a sweater, or cold winter days when paired with a coat. I liked the rough edged pieces of plaid placed in a seemingly haphazard way, combined with the classic knit of the wool warmer. For those with femininas, there are options with bows and bling and all come in a variety of colors.

Neck warmer in tartan and camel

The Carolina Dog Bed is both comfy and great looking, made from a floral print cretonne cotton with a bolster back. The hypoallergenic padding is removable so you can wash the bed in cold water. This beauty also comes in a red floral print and both have a matching crocheted and cotton nighties or dress (it can be worn as either), sold separately.

Carolina Bed

Milan’s Dog Fashion Week

Last year, Benedetta told me there was a real Dog Fashion Week associated with Milan Fashion Week, and Inamorada participated. I saw pictures from the event on their Facebook page and it was so stylish and very adorable. Little furry munchkins being walked down the runway by human little munchkins…too cute! Here’s one of the pictures I came across.

The young models, both smooth skinned and furry
during Milan Dog Fashion Week last year

If you’re interested in learning more about Inamorada, watch the video below.  Benedetta was interviewed at Global Pet Expo in 2012, and discussed the history of and purpose behind the brand. Many of the designs shown in the video are still being offered, as they are classics.

Where to buy all of the fashions you’ve seen above: Bitch New York

All prices available on the site.

Hope you’ve enjoyed taking a look into the Inamorada brand. I’m a fan…are you? Luxury dog fashion is just that; a luxury. Like my mother always told me…buy less, but buy good. So, find a piece you love and splurge for you and your baby. It will last a long time. Enjoy!

Do you have a favorite luxury piece for your dog? Tell me about it in the Comments below. Don’t be shy…sharing is fashionable! 🙂

(Disclaimer: Affiliate links included in this article)

Sophia Loren in Sophia Loren

Big brown eyes. Luxurious auburn hair. The model wave and walk. You might think I’m talking about the next big cat walker, but this fetching and furry beauty is a dog walker, on the runway, that is. And like her namesake, the stunning and strong icon, Sophia Loren, who rose above a childhood of extreme poverty and self-doubt, this little Pomeranian bravely overcame her fears to become a supermodel. She’s sought after by top dog fashion designers, walks the top runway shows, makes appearances at movie premieres and fundraisers, and meets celebrities on a regular basis in her hometown of Los Angeles. It wasn’t always this way. Mom Anne Maria Tafoya shared Sophia Loren’s story and her adventures with me, and this, you’re not going to want to miss.

A rough start to life

Sophia started life at an Albuquerque home breeder; an elderly couple who became too sick to care for their dogs. With over a dozen puppies and half a dozen adults languishing there (eventually to be released to the county), Sophia was lucky enough to be brought to the attention of Anne Maria, who piled into a car with some friends and went to rescue this girl. She was to be a gift for her parents, who’d recently lost their beloved Maltese. But, the universe works in mysterious ways, and her parents just weren’t ready to accept another dog into their lives. So, Anne Maria took the very frightened six and a half month old puppy home. “When I first got her, all she did was tremble,” Anne Maria shared. “She wouldn’t eat or drink and she threw up the whole way home. I thought she was sick, but our vet gave her a clean bill of health. She was just traumatized by life.”

Shortly after Anne Maria brought her home

Anne Maria’s three cats would look after Sophia, as if she was their baby. Her 20 lb kitty, Alvarado, would cuddle her at night. And, she did need a lot of cuddling. All Sophia wanted to do was hide under the sofa. There and then, Anne Maria made a vow to herself and to Sophia…there would be no way this beautiful little dog would spend the rest of her life hiding. So, she went out searching for a trainer.

After many false starts, Jonathan Klein of I Said Sit, came into their lives. Klein works from the point of view of the dog and what they value most. In Sophia’s case, it was her bed. And, I’m not talking about a Linda Evangelista moment; not getting up to model for less than $10,000 a day, I’m talking too scared to get up, the poor baby! So, Jonathan used her bed as a lure to get her to do things and it worked.

How Sophia became a fashion hound

Once she was able to walk on a leash and had gained some confidence, Anne Maria took Sophia on short excursions. Hearing about how comforting these could be, she also tried anxiety wraps. They definitely helped, but none were befitting the gorgeous girl Sophia was! Finding beautiful wrap-like clothing to assuage Sophia’s anxiety was the beginning of what turned into a fashion model career. And she blossomed! Around this time, the little Pom who’d never made a peep found her bark. I heard it while Anne Maria and I were on the phone, and it is cute!

The costume that started it all – Poison Ivy

Sophia was coming along, but it was at a Halloween fundraiser in Beverly Hills, where she really found her calling. Anne Maria wanted to make it something special; Sophia had worked so hard getting over her fears. Tafoya contacted new dog designer friend, Roni Penberthy of Hobo Cwab, and asked for her help in creating a costume for the event’s contest. The theme was super heroes, and Roni suggested Poison Ivy, an arch enemy of Batman. She’s fierce, sexy and confident, and her costume is super cool in violets and greens. Roni’s creation was intricate, outrageous and gorgeous and Sophia trotted off with first prize. Anne Maria remembers it as a breakthrough night. “If a dog could strut proudly in an outfit, Sophia was doing it. She was smiling, comfortable being held by strangers and was actually posing in the costume…workin’ it!” Tafoya described. “The next day we started getting calls and emails for her to come to New York for the New York Pet Fashion Show, and it grew from there.”  Like with any star on the rise, people want to be involved. Designers started calling, asking for Sophia to model their outfits. One of them was Jaimie Diaz, a young mom, who’d just started sewing less than two years before. “I fell in love with some of her designs, and it grew from there,” Anne Maria explained. “As Sophia’s popularity started growing, so did Jaimie’s  line. She’s become quite the fashion designer! At Celeb Catwalk [a recent NYC fashion show fundraiser], her design took first prize. It’s a beautiful bright red gown with a matching crown called “New York Valentine.” Sophia wore one of the stand-out creations at this year’s New York Pet Fashion Show, created by Roni Penberthy. It was a gown inspired by one owned by Marie Antoinette and it was to die for!

Sophia in the New York Valentine gown
by Jaime Diaz

Today, Sophia Loren has over 1000 outfits. Anne Maria rents a storage unit to house them all.  While top designers are creating for her all the time, the early collaborators – Roni Penberthy, Jaimie Diaz and Christine Kennedy of Chica’s Closet – are still Sophia’s go to gals. The girl remembers her roots.

The accident that revealed a serious condition

Lest you think Sophia Loren another Hollywood pup living life large while getting mani-pedis by the pool, this little girl has some down home courage. Just before her second birthday, an unsuspecting Sophia was attacked by another dog in her apartment complex. A trip to the vet to examine the limping that ensued, revealed a previously undiagnosed condition that was pretty serious. Sophia has such severe dysplasia in her rear legs that she required immediate surgery, resulting in screws in both legs. There was some fear she would have permanent weakness or other problems. But just one short year later, Sophia became the littlest dog taught to surf in Del Mar, California. And, she loves it! You can tell from her face in the picture. I love how this little girl isn’t too prissy to get down on a board.

Hangin’ 18

Her fabulous life…

Getting soaked surfing aside, Sophia does lead a pretty fabu life. She’s met and hung with a bevy of celebrities, including Betty White, Robert Redford, RJ Mitte of Breaking Bad, Anderson Cooper, race car driver Jimmy Johnson and a Beverly Hills and Miami Housewife or two. She’s even gotten cozy with Uggie, the uber-famous canine star in The Artist.

A budding romance? Sophia Loren meets Uggie

The littlest Breaking Bad fan

With Breaking Bad’s RJ Mitte

Anne Maria is a huge Breaking Bad fan, and she got to escort Sophia to Tony Award-winner, Bryan Cranston’s Broadway show, All the Way. During that trip to New York City, they took the Turner Classics bus tour, and saw where Breakfast at Tiffany’s was filmed. Of course, that inspired a trip to the iconic Fifth Avenue store the next day, where Sophia was pampered by the staff and tried on various baubles, fabulous enough to befit a princess.

A girl’s best friend…

Oftentimes, the saying goes, it’s the woman behind the man who helps make him a success. In this case, it’s the woman behind the dog.  Anne Maria has an interesting background of her own. A longtime broadcast journalist and radio reporter, she covered the entertainment business for the Los Angeles NBC affiliate for years. She’s worked in media and pr for the American Red Cross and for the County of Los Angeles. She’s guided Sophia with lots of patience and love. It was clear to tell how devoted she is to this little dog each time I’ve seen them together.

Anne Maria and Sophia

Sophia and Anne Marie do a lot of charity work together from American Red Cross fundraisers to a favorite rescue of theirs, NM Dog, which stands for New Mexico Dog. NM Dog drives across the state of New Mexico to rescue dogs that need help the most: the chained, the abandoned, the victims of the most horrific cases of cruelty, literally, the forgotten ones. They rehabilitate and find them loving homes.

So, what’s up next for Sophia? “We’re doing a fundraiser for her birthday on August 24th for The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at our favorite doggy store, Pussy and Pooch, in  Beverly Hills,” Anne Maria enthuses. “Then, it’s the Barkworld convention this fall and the New York Pet Fashion Show next winter.” But, in between, Sophia is exploring her acting career, after being featured in Nokia’s A-List and Canine Christmas campaign and being named a spokes doggie for Mauro Pet Care Products in Beverly Hills.  And, of course, there’s lots of fundraisers and movie events. For a blossoming star like Sophia Loren, life in the fabulous lane is doggone good!

RHOBH Lisa Vanderpump and daughter, Pandora, with Sophia

You can keep up with Sophia Loren’s adventures at http://www.littledoginthebigcity.com.

Do you know a fabulous dog? Tell me about them in the  Comments below.

The little monster…:-)

Adopting a dog from a shelter can be tricky. It’s why I likened it on social media to the famous Forrest Gump quote, “Life is like a box of chocolates….” You never really get the full history of the dog. If you’re lucky, your new pup comes without much baggage. Oftentimes, because they’ve either been surviving on the street or coming from a less than ideal home life, there are challenges to overcome. To me, part of the beauty of adopting a shelter dog is helping teach them the tools to be successful and happy in your home and your life. And, just as powerful are the things they end up teaching us about ourselves and, in our case, Sophie. Adopting a brother for Sophie has put us on this journey, one that is reinforcing my belief in things always being perfect the way they are in the moment, even if it doesn’t feel that way at the time. So, when we last left little Jasper, our new adoptee from the Manhattan Animal Care and Control, my husband and I were riding with him in a taxi from East Harlem to his new home. As I’d mentioned in the last story, we began to suspect some of the things we were told about him to be false almost right away. We also learned other things about Jasper that would require us to view acclimating him in a very different way. But, I’m getting ahead of myself. First, Jasper had to meet Sophie.

When we arrived at our apartment, Jasper was a bit dazed from the after effects of the anesthesia used to neuter him that morning. We’d decided to introduce Sophie and Jasper outside of our building, so no territorial issues would arise. I ran upstairs, got Sophie and brought her down, excited for how this was going to go. It was a bit anticlimactic, I have to say. Sophie gave Jasper a couple of sniffs, he did the same and off we went on a walk. We didn’t want to keep Jasper out too long, because he was supposed to be resting. But, even fresh from an operation, he was full of energy. I remember my husband and I commenting on how young he seemed. The walk went well; he was a puller; Sophie’s a put the brakes on kinda girl. So, besides that inconvenience, until we could train Jasper to slow down, all was good.

Sophie and Jasper tussling

Happy faces at rest after a session

The first night Jasper made a poop in the apartment, thankfully on the wooden floors and not the area rug, and lifted his leg a couple of times, despite being walked a couple of hours before. Hmmm…we scratched our heads again. This dog was not acting like a 4 year old. But, maybe he was off balance by the newness of his surroundings. He warmed up pretty quickly and gave us kisses. He had such a hopeful look on his little face, our hearts melted. Despite needing rest, it was almost impossible to stop him from playing with Sophie, and he was a rambunctious one! He’d pounce on her, roll her over, they’d tussle and, when she’d had enough, she’d snarl, baring her teeth, and he’d back off. Who knew our typically submissive girl was so fierce, such an alpha dog! It was a revelation for us, and just how complex Sophie’s character was would become more and more evident as the days went on. We tried him behind a baby gate for meals so he wouldn’t steal Sophie’s food, but he got frantic and, no matter how high we raised that thing, he’d jump over it. Confinement was not going to work for him. Oh, great…

Maybe this boy had been locked up for long hours in his previous home?

That night, we all piled into bed. Jasper, possibly a bit cautious,  decided to sleep on a mat next to my side, but that would change on night two, when snuggling up with us in our bed became the place he wanted to be.

Our first full day with Jasper was a Sunday. He’d woken up full of beans, raring to go. He’d done his pee outside early (like 5am!), and because it seemed like he couldn’t hold himself for very long, we took him out again a couple of hours later. It was a beautiful day, and we went for a long walk. We’d learned from his paperwork that Jasper wasn’t good with strangers or children, so we were very attentive to how he reacted on the street. He seemed anxious but, unlike Sophie when she’s feeling that way, Jasper doesn’t jump at noises or lag behind. He forges ahead, almost looking for an altercation. And, there were a few. He’d bark and lunge randomly at people. More often than not,  it seemed to be men and definitely children or baby strollers. We were very vigilant and kept him close, asking him to sit, ad infinitum, saying “Look at me” until we were blue in the face, and treating him each time he complied. I don’t know how he and Sophie haven’t gotten sick from all of the treats they’ve been eating recently.

We did manage to take the dogs out to lunch with us at a cafe. We brought bully sticks to occupy them, plenty of water and a blanket.  Outside of Jasper behaving like a total boy, trying to push Sophie off of the blanket and stealing her bully stick, things went pretty well. I think my husband was already starting to fall in love with the little guy; he was so sweet with us.  But, what started as a feeling about Jasper’s age was fast becoming a conviction. There was no way this dog was four. We wouldn’t be surprised if he was a year or 18 months.

The next day, the vet confirmed it. After inspecting his teeth, she declared him in the vicinity of 10-12 months! So, that three to five year old dog, near Sophie’s age, we’d wanted? We didn’t have that dog. What we had was a floppy, wild, not house broken all-boy puppy, with the attention span of a gnat! No one had taught this dog anything. Our work was cut out for us.

By Monday night, he hadn’t had an accident in the house since the day before. I started devoting daily training sessions, tailored short for puppy brain, reinforcing sit, teaching down, stay, more “look at me” and how to properly walk on a leash. It was apparent he was very bright and a quick study. But, the fear aggression issues? They were proving to be much more challenging.

Getting Jasper through our apartment building lobby and out onto the street is tough. He seems to have a phobia of the lobby and usually finds something to howl his head off at, usually some sweet, unsuspecting children, who cower in horror. It’s awful. The doormen have started to subtly avoid him. And, sweet Sophie would just trot behind, minding her business, probably thinking what in the world was Jasper so freaked out about!

Through it all, poor Jasper developed kennel cough from being at the ACC. Thank goodness, as a precautionary measure, I’d had Sophie get a Bordetella vaccine the day before we picked him up, because kennel cough is very contagious. We have him on azithromycin, an antibiotic for this given us by our vet, but it hasn’t started working yet. And, the awful cough is now accompanied by a runny nose. Jas has a cold. So, I’m taking him back to the vet today, to just make sure he’s ok and to try, again, to get his blood work done. He was fiercely adamant last visit against doing this, and we didn’t want him to get hurt struggling. They may have to mildly sedate him to get it done.

Sophie, Jasper and their Daddy at the Father’s Day gathering

Yesterday, was probably the biggest milestone accomplishment for Jasper. For Father’s Day, we took the pups to my cousin’s in the country. She has a big yard and a pool, and about 20 of my relatives were there. My husband thought Jasper would handle it well, but I was really nervous. My nephew would be bringing his two girls, aged nine and seven, and the last thing I wanted was to frighten them and have my relatives looking at us as irresponsible pet parents.

When we arrived, my husband waited outside the backyard with Jasper while I went inside with a big bag of treats and told those already there about the situation. “Don’t pet him,” I said. “Just give him treats and talk nicely to him.” When my husband brought Jasper in, he looked around but remained quiet. One by one, my relatives came up to him and treated him. Some, who were real dog people, talked to him softly. He was an absolute star. We had one incident where, after a little while, another group of relatives arrived en masse, startling him. That set off a barking episode that would erupt a few times that afternoon. But, by the end of the day, Jasper was off lead running around in the grass with Sophie and taking naps out on the patio amidst all of the guests. What a huge accomplishment for this frightened little boy! We were so proud of him! It reconfirmed for us that Jasper can be rehabilitated. It will just take time.

Despite the many challenges we’re facing integrating Jasper into our lives, we are experiencing a lot of joy with him, too. In just one week, he’s become quite attached to Sophie. He just went over to her bed as I’m writing this, got on top of her and laid his head down on her chest. So sweet! But, it will take a village. Jasper will have a team. We’ve reached out to an animal behaviorist, a trainer and a play gym. We have the tools to teach him basic training, but we need help with his fear aggression issues. And, having the opportunity to rough and tumble with other young, small dogs for a couple of hours at a gym each day will,hopefully, make him less aggressive with Sophie. She’s handling it and seems, most of the time, to enjoy it. But, Sophie is four. And, now that we know he’s just a baby at 10 months, he needs a heck of a lot more tussling than she. Are we up for all of this? At the risk of sounding uncommitted to this wonderful boy, we do ask ourselves that everyday. But, you know what? We’re not giving up on Jasper that fast. We see such a special dog in there. And we know, if given the time, patience, love and guidance, he’ll blossom like a beautiful flower. I’ll keep you posted on life with Sophie and Jasper. Wish us luck!

Whistle fan, Walter, on an adventure

Wouldn’t it be fun to be able to track your dog’s activity, like we can do for ourselves? What about if there was a social network component, too, so you can share pictures and details from your adventures? And, a GPS device so you could stay in touch with your best friend anywhere, from your IOS or Android device? I discovered this sleek dog activity monitor and more at Global Pet Expo. It’s brand new, high tech, and it’s called the Whistle. The company was nice enough to lend us one to try on Sophie. We set out on an adventure and here’s what we found.

Here’s how it works

It’s been described as the FitBit for dogs or the canine equivalent of the Jawbone UP, a fitness tracker for humans. And, considering how much we’ve integrated our dogs into our lives, it’s not surprising that a product like this has arrived.The Whistle, a circular disc that’s 1.5″ in diameter and 3/8″ thick,  uses the most up-to-date technology to monitor how hard a work out or how much rest your dog is getting, for how long and with whom. It attaches easily to the collar. You set a daily exercise goal, customized for your pup’s individual needs, and track her progress.  The device will also compare that data against other similar dogs to see how Fido is stacking up against his competition. If you choose to add other dogs in your pup’s social circle, you have the ability to share photos and notes about your adventures with your community or on your social network. And you can write important notes to yourself about your pet’s day, add her medication schedule or track what or when he’s eaten. If other family members or friends are sharing in the care of the dog, you can add them in, too.

Recently, the company introduced a version with GPS tracking,  called WhistleGPS. It is billed as “the smallest, longest-lasting and most affordable pet location and activity monitor available,”  and uses Global Positioning Satellites and breakthrough cellular technology (Sub-GHz) to locate your dog on demand. WhistleGPS costs the same as the original Whistle, but you pay a $5.00 monthly fee for location services. That is, apparently,  the lowest monthly fee of any pet GPS tracking device on the market, and it seems really economical when you think about what it offers for us as pet parents. We can stay connected to our dog’s activity level from anywhere through our phones, and see who they’re hanging with from the community.  I always wonder what Sophie does when we’re not home. With this device, I could see whether she runs around the apartment or is lounging on the sofa.

Both models give us and our vets a complete pet picture on the exercise and rest front,  reveal health trends and provide indicators when something might be amiss if those trends are disrupted. Whistle has two veterinarians on its advisory board, and has the support of many more, citing the device as a great tool in providing key insights and information, which would, otherwise, be more difficult to obtain.

The set up is pretty easy…

Once we received the Whistle, downloaded the app and connected it to our bluetooth, we were ready to go. The company provided user friendly, tech for dummies type instructions for set up, which was great for me! Really great, because even with that, I had a bit of trouble. What I especially liked was the tech support. The technician who helped me was readily available, easy to deal with and very helpful. Once I was back on track, the rest was easy.

When I attached the Whistle to Sophie’s collar, it seemed a bit big and heavy for her. She didn’t appear to mind, but I thought for dogs 15 lbs and under, maybe a smaller and lighter version would be great.

the Whistle on Sophie’s collar

Using the Whistle

We tested the Whistle for two weeks for this review. Sophie averaged 75  minutes of exercise a day one week, and 76 minutes the next, reaching her goal two and three days those weeks, respectively. Similar dogs averaged 67 and 68 minutes. It showed me I needed to either up the ante a bit, so Sophie would reach her goal more often, or lower the goal.  For us, it’s not always consistent. Some mornings we have more time and will walk around for two hours. Others, I may have an appointment and it’s more rushed. But I try to catch up on the afternoon walk. You might find the same thing, too.

I uploaded a couple of pictures from our walks, but we only had a community of one, so we also shared them on Instagram. The owner of the company, Ben Jacobs, has his dog, Duke, pre-loaded onto all of the Whistles, so you can expect to see him on yours, too.

I also liked that the battery lasted a long time; I only had to charge the Whistle a couple of times during that 2-week trial run.

Never too fabulous to be tracked…

Summary

After our trial run, would I buy a Whistle for Sophie? I probably would. I really like how clear and easy it is to read Sophie’s exercise and rest stats and I feel like I’m doing a proactive and great thing for her as her mom by tracking her health trends. I talked to our vet about it and she, too, thought it was a useful tool to help keep us informed on what’s going on with Sophie. I still wish they’d make a smaller version, as I can’t see a toy breed dog wearing this. But, all in all, I think the Whistle is a great product whose time has definitely come. Others must agree; the Whistle has been featured in Time, the New York Times, TechCrunch, Wired, Bloomberg, Parade and more.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Pros:

• great way to keep track of our dog’s exercise and rest trends, daily and weekly
• great tool to anticipate potential health issues by monitoring those trends
• offers basis of comparison to other similar dogs
• can be a fun social network to share photos and details of your adventures
• battery lasts a good amount of time
• fairly easy to set up
• WhistleGPS offers most up-to-date tracking available
• monthly fee for location services very reasonable

Cons:

• a bit big and heavy for Sophie’s size. I think best suited for dogs 15 lbs and up.

Where to buy: Amazon and Petsmart. WhistleGPS is available on pre-order now at Whistle.com, shipping in summer 2015

Price: $129.00.  For the WhistleGPS, you would add on $5.00/month for location services.

How do you exercise your dog? Do you keep track of how much exercise they get? Tell me about it in the Comments below.

(Disclosure: affiliate links included)

Even puppies can use it