Design Your Dog’s Bed with Smucci Too!: Part Two
Sassy & Classy
Thanks for visiting for Part Two of my Smucci Too! story. This innovative pet bed company has created the only completely interchangeable parts pet bed, that marries artistic design with practicality.
Red Truck Bed
Today, you’ll discover their secret design weapon, how they make these incredible beds, what Smucci Too! the Rescue is and what’s next for this forward-thinking design company.
Their Secret Weapon
The beds come in a variety of themes: Serenity/Nature; Bold Colors/Fashion & Trends and Classic Design with a Glamorous Twist. With photography and design being such a key element in the Smucci Too! business, having access to brilliant artwork is critical. Their son Jamie, now 27 years old, was always tech savvy, even as a kid, and did IT work for the business. Jamie has autism and, like many autistic kids, learns visually. He’d always had a keen eye for photography and design and is a big animal lover. Getting more involved in the business made sense, and Jamie has become Smucci Too!’s secret weapon. The beautiful designs he creates, either through his own photography or on the computer, is what graces the panels of the beds. Where do those ideas come from? “It’s what inspires us,” Debi explains. “It could be something you’d want to envelop your pet in or would work with your decor.”
How do they do it?
For the DIY lovers in the house, I’m not saying you could do this yourself, but it may be fun to know how it’s done. Gary and Debi use a substrate PVC material called Fintra, the same material used for outdoor signage. This gives the bed it’s flexibility for the curvy shape that fits into the track. The image-printed Fintra is cut and hand-routed into the track groove. It withstands the elements – rain, sun – and it’s UV-cured, so it won’t fade. It also resists wear and tear, and is completely waterproof; you can actually hose it off, so it’s great for seniors who may have accidents in bed.
Giving Back
Debi and Gary wouldn’t be the ardent animal lovers and rescuers they are without making sure they gave back. Smucci Too! The Rescue is their program to benefit shelters. “We donate 40-50 beds a year to shelters, both for fundraisers and to shelters directly,” Gary explained. “If someone adopted an animal, they got a bed.” They also donate professional photography services to shelters, to assist them in getting their animals adopted. And, because they both come from a medical background, they also donate beds for fundraisers for a cancer center in their home state of Ohio. Nice!
What’s Next?
Smucci Too! has conquered marrying form and function in the loveliest way. Now, they want to ratchet up the works a bit, appealing even more to the magpie-like lovers of all things beautiful. Some of you might have seen a crystal-encrusted Smucci Too! bed I tweeted from Global Pet Expo. I received some great feedback from followers, asking where they could get it and when. The wait is almost over!
FurSmucci Crystal Bed
Come July, Smucci Too! will be debuting its newest line…The House of FurSmucci, the blingiest, most luxurious of them all. In case you missed it, here’s a pic of what you can expect from the stunning new collection that we’ll be getting a first look at soon. Keep an eye out!
In Summary
Smucci Too! has changed the game in pet beds, hands down. For the first time, the complete bed is interchangeable, waterproof, washable, tough…all in one. We can get creative and it’s affordable enough to have several options for different occasions. The word about these beds is spreading. Some well-known portrait artists in Ohio are using the panels as a canvas for their own dog’s beds, and celebrity actor, Denise Richards, is such a fan, she bought two. “We want to put a smile on people’s faces,” Debi shares. “We started this company because of our love for animals, which is reflected in everything we do. We share our home with 18 of our own rescues, and take many of them (not all of them at the same time!) to work with us very day. It seems everything we do…we do with animals in mind!” For us, that’s a win-win.
Where to buy: BitchNewYork
Sizing: Small & Medium (+$20)
Price: $199.00
What’s your design? Are you a serenity/nature, bold colors/fashion or a classic with a glamorous twist kind of person? Tell me about it in the Comments below.
(Disclosure: Affiliate links in this article)
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