Do you like classic, clean lines, important-looking embellishments, top quality materials and timeless style? Now, for the first time, one of Europe’s leading designer dog fashion brands has landed on our shores and where did they choose to open? Right here in Fort Lauderdale! But, you don’t have to live here to shop their beautiful style. Fashion lovers, read on!

The Hunter brand is impressive. A family-owned business for over 30 years, Hunter has come to stand for quality and innovation. You can see and feel how luxurious the products are, but they have also made a point of being affordable. So, when I discovered this beautiful store in my neighborhood, I was very excited.

I learned that a pet brand called Just Your Friend was the exclusive distributor of Hunter in Florida. I got to know the principals of Just Your Friend and met the woman whose father started Hunter in Germany. They are all committed to making the most beautiful, highest quality products possible.

And, there’s something for many different tastes. I bought these gorgeous chocolate brown faux leather collars with white trim for my girls (see above). They have a row of very sparkly Swarovski Crystal Elements, of course!

I love their beds, which range from a luxe royal style called the Ricarda (complete with gold thread embroidery-below), to the very sporty, waterproof Grimstad in four eye-popping colors (above).

Harnesses for big dogs? Hunter makes a really beautiful one, regal, almost. It’s called the Ranger Professional and comes in a striking navy, silvery grey, classic black and a fun orange.

The fashionable travel bags for dogs or cats are awesome! The two styles I loved most are both structured to maintain their shape and they fold into a narrow, easily stored item. Called the Luxus and the Comfort, they both exude modern chic. And, with a cozy cushion and plenty of ventilation, it’s a safe, comfortable ride for your baby. Perfect for apartment dwellers who don’t want to sacrifice roomy comfort and style. The Luxus comes in black, chocolate brown, champagne gold and a black & white animal print.

The Comfort

The Luxus in Champagne

I’ve added these Hunter pieces to the Bark & Swagger Boutique to introduce you to this great brand. There’s lots more and I’ll be bringing in new pieces for Spring. For high quality, clean, classic styling and an affordable price for luxury, this is a wonderful brand to know.

Discover. Hunter.

SHOP HUNTER NOW

Miss Puglicious in a baby pink shag C-Shaped Bed

Today, it’s all about Home Decor because I have an exciting announcement to make! I’ve just added a NEW designer to the Boutique, the first in the Home Decor category! Custom dog beds is just the beginning. Want to know more? Read on!

Are you a Home Decor lover? Here’s how you know:

• when you pass a home goods store, you have to go in. Maybe you’ll find that thing you were looking for forever!
• your inbox is filled with emails from your favorite home accessories shops
• pillows, throws, decorative do dads get you excited
• you have to have your dog’s bed, blankets (sometimes even toys?) match your color/design scheme

If you’re nodding your head yes to any of these right now, we’re part of the same tribe! That’s why I’m so excited to have finally found a Home Decor brand I love enough to include in my Boutique. It’s called Puppy Hugger™ and Elaine Doran and her adorable Havanese, Zoey, are the founders and sole proprietors, creating high quality, beautiful beds, blankets, pet carrier inserts, crate pads and crate covers.

Albie in his new Puppy Hugger C-Shaped bed

Elaine was kind enough to make a bed for Albie, our little boy Chihuahua, so I could see and feel the quality of the piece and, can I just tell you, all the dogs keep stealing the little guys spot! It’s like Albie has to make a reservation to lay in his bed! That’s why I’ve just ordered three more, so each of my canine cuties has their own.

Here’s what I loved about the Puppy Hugger™ custom dog beds:

• the fabric choices are phenomenal and stunning. You won’t believe how many choices you’ll have.
• the fabric is super soft yet sturdy and all are machine washable and dryer safe (except the faux furs). You throw the entire bed in so it never loses its shape.
• there are several styles and lots of sizes, so there’s one that’s right for your dog, from a teacup to a titan (read on for more on the styles)
• you can choose 3 different fabrics for the Cloud Nine bed, so you can get really creative
• there are no zippers, tags or other things attractive to a puppy or a chronic chewer with which to get into trouble

Types of Puppy Hugger™ Products in the Boutique

Cloud Nine Bed – This is the opulent bed; the one that screams luxury. It’s a deliciously cozy haven for your pet. Substantial and elevated off the ground because of its gusset, it’s like your pup is climbing onto her throne, seriously. The Cloud Nine comes in 7 sizes, from XX-Small to Large, and X-Large in the Round and Rectangle shapes. Starts at $89.99 and goes up to $449.99.

C-Shaped Bed – Personally, I love this one and bought this style for my guys. Why? It’s got a retro looking vibe I like, and I love the shape; there’s nothing like it out there I’ve found. It’s perfect for my two Chihuahuas, who might have a hard time getting in and out of a Cloud Nine. It’s also perfect for puppies (same reason) and seniors, who won’t have to navigate a climb to get cozy. Also comes in lots of sizes, from Teacup at $119.99 to XX-Large, which fits up to a 90-lb dog, at $249.99.

Chief Inspector and Tester, Zoey, trying one out.

The Pet Carrier Snuggly Insert – This is such a great item to have on hand.  What’s better than turning your pet carrier, which may be fabulous on its own, into an even more fabulous den for your precious pooch? This insert is so soft and lush, it will make the experience of travel, whether near or far, a much more pleasant, stress free one. Then, pull it from the carrier and use as a nap pad for the little ones. The sky’s the limit with fabric and color choice, just like the beds. Comes in 2 sizes – X-Small (fits a 17″ x 8″ carrier) at $28.99 and Small (fits an 18″ x 12″ carrier) at $34.99. Perfection!

The Pet Blanket – Another must have item in the house, in the car or for travel. It’ll do double duty. It’s soft, comforting and warm, and will protect your furniture, bedding and car upholstery from sharp claws and shedding coats. It can second as a bed away from home or a very cozy, safe place to get toasty and relax. They run from XX-Small to X-Large and from $43.99 to $181.99. If you’ve seen how much high quality designer throws sell for, this is a great price. I love that about Elaine’s creations; value for money.

Our Valentine’s Day Special!

If you love what you see and would like to surprise your pup with a brand, new plush bone toy, you get one for FREE with the purchase of a Puppy Hugger™ bed, until February 18th. A great gift for you and your dog.

SHOP NOW.

How To Wash Your Puppy Hugger™ Bed & Other Products:

All of the Puppy Hugger™ products can be machine washed. Use Cold water/Delicate Cycle. Elaine suggests vacuuming off any loose hairs & bits of food before putting in the wash. She cautions against using top-loaders with agitators, because the agitator will damage the fabrics. She suggests visiting the Laundromat with anything too big for your home machine. Do not over-stuff items into the washer. There’s no need to add fabric softener, but if you want to, Elaine says no more than 1/2  teaspoon.

After washing, shake your faux fur items gently, reshape them & let them air dry. Anything that is made without faux fur can go in the dryer, lowest setting and remove while slightly damp. No dryer sheets.

Then, just a gentle shake and your Puppy Hugger™ will spring right back into shape. For faux furs, once air dried, shake off any loose hairs, then gently comb with a wide-toothed dog comb to finish and, voila! A gorgeous bed, once again.

In Summary

I spent the past few months looking for the right home decor brand to feature in the Bark & Swagger Boutique and, in Puppy Hugger™, I’ve found it. Great style, great quality, great choices, great value for your money. I hope this post has been a helpful introduction to Puppy Hugger™!

What’s important to you in a dog bed?

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Wild About Pink!

Glam. Nature. Patterns. Pop of color. There’s no limit to the combinations you can create with Smucci Too!, this innovative pet bed company that’s made it easy and cost-effective to design your dog’s bed just how you like it. Parts are created to be easily interchangeable, washable, and stand up to the elements. And, they’re beautiful! You won’t find two beds exactly the same. I like that! They were generous enough to send us a bed for Sophie to try. It’s great-looking and works well in our New York City apartment (meaning, there’s a lot of black :-)). Isabel, my orange tabby senior, laid claim to it before Sophie even had a chance. I didn’t have the heart to move her, so while the pup isn’t using it, it’s going to good use! Izzy loves it.

And, I love these products, the concept behind them and the people behind the company. They have a great story and I want to share it with you.

The beginning

The Smucci Too! story is a journey that began a long time ago. Founded in 2009 by Gary and Debi Kahn, a retired OB-GYN and a retired Registered Nurse, the germ of the idea started as an art project for Debi, “the creative one.” An avid animal lover and rescuer, Debi has had lots of pets as far back as she can remember. “My mother is still with us and lives nearby,” Debi shared. “We were looking at a bunch of old photos recently. I have four younger sisters. In the pictures, all of my sisters are sitting around with dolls on their laps. I always had an animal in mine.” She has a heart for it, she explains. Debi would find animals on the street and bring them home. Pretty soon, she had a number of dogs, cats and birds.

As an adult, that trend continued. But, Gary and Debi found a very creative way to do it graciously, without sacrificing their home. As a family project with their three children, they built a system of tubes and tracks, kind of like a hamster playground, where the animals could move from one space in the house to another. Pretty cool! Today, Gary and Debi have 18 rescues – six dogs, 10 cats and two birds! “The lessons we’ve learned about unconditional love and forgiveness, and how to live each day with renewed exhuberance and joy were taught to us by these ever-present creatures and served to alter our perceptions forever,” Debi revealed. I think those of us with pets can relate to her sentiments completely. This passion they shared served as the fuel for what was to come.

The early Manger Bed

The first bed

It started in the garage. Back in 2004, Debi had done a brief study on the great artists, including Henri Matisse, a master of bold color. On a visit to a museum, she saw his painting, Woman Sleeping on the Corner of a Table, and her first thought was, “that would make a great dog bed!” She filed it away.

When they started the company, they chose the name Smucci by combining the love they felt for animals – the big Smooch – with the artistic inspiration they wanted to bring into the home, in the Ucci. Their early dog and cat beds resembled art pieces and incorporated unusual materials, custom fabrics, and lot of imagination. They would search antique stores for wooden bowls, finials, and frames. Then Debi, who Gary refers to as “the creative one. I’m the bean counter,”  would disappear into the garage and assemble these parts into one-of-a-kind pet beds that combined comfort and an artistic edge.

Their love of bright colors informed where they went next, and the Matisse idea was dusted off. They gave themselves this challenge: the bed had to be so colorful that it was breathtakingly beautiful…and it had to be round. Making a round dog bed out of a firm material is anything but easy! The curved walls were made of wood, to which Debi applied layer upon layer of plaster. Although the project began in their garage, it gradually moved into the kitchen and, eventually, took over the entire first floor. “Heaping amounts of plaster dust and paint mixed with 6 dogs, 9 cats, and 2 birds at the time, was a recipe we fondly referred to as the ‘Big Mess!’,” Debi recollects. “We were forever picking bits of plaster out of paws and scraping paint off of everything!” Debi actually painted the bed herself, and it’s amazing! “I’m an RN. I’m not an artist,” Debi exclaimed. “But, I was so determined.” Wait until you see the gorgeous bed that emerged! They posted a picture of it, CBS’ The Early Show called and put the bed on its national morning show for the holidays.

The Journey

The Matisse Bed

Debi started making beds for their own animals and few friends, but it was a long and costly process. They wanted to be able to share it with more people, and with a product that was practical, washable and beautiful. “We thought creating a build-a-bed concept would make it  fun,” she explains. “We found we could do it. We could make it round. Gary and I looked at each other and started brainstorming.”

Gary got the idea that they could print the artwork on to a substrate material. “The track system idea came to us in an A-Ha! moment,” Debi described. “Graphic panels, or the walls of the bed, would slide in and out of the track system on the bed base, and could be printed with original artwork, photographed scenery, or digital designs. The feet, which would screw to the bed base, could be made available in lots of exciting colors.”  Every part became launch points for creative design. “We could put in a panel for the dog’s birthday or for the holidays. It was a no brainer for me, because it’s about celebrating their lives,” Kahn added. This new direction warranted a new name. So, Smucci became Smucci Too!

Find out what the Smucci Too! secret weapon became, how their beds were created and see beautiful beds for boys and girls in Part Two, here!

Where to buy: Bitch New York

Have you ever designed something for your dog? Tell me about it in the Comments below.

(Disclosure: Affiliate Links in this article)

Kathy Ireland and Elizabeth Taylor, with one of her beloved Maltese

You may wonder what former supermodel and current business mogul, Kathy Ireland, and the iconic Elizabeth Taylor have in common. Inspiration. Read on to find out how one honors the other in a new pet product collection.

Hers may be the world’s 28th most licensed brand and more successful than Martha Stewart’s, but in front of a roomful of femmeprenuers at Global Pet Expo recently, Kathy Ireland’s eyes flashed with sassy glee. She’s telling a story about overcoming adversity, something Ireland has done many times in her life. Seems that at age 11, she began her first job – a paper route –  after writing the paper to say she was the girl for the job. But, everyone didn’t feel that way.  Back then, the naysayers claimed Kathy was trespassing in a boy’s world,  and it just wouldn’t work. She insisted she could do it as well as any boy, and she pedaled her heavy papers, rain or shine. She even rode up a big hill every day to deliver to this one very ornery man. He would yell at her, telling her she’d never make it, but the spirit she’d nurtured in herself as that young girl is very evident today in this grown woman’s eyes. “I held that route for 3 1/2 years,” Ireland relayed proudly. “And each year, I won the carrier award for my district. It taught me not to quit. Many years later, I’m still the girl with the paper route.”

And that probably says it best. An approachable, savvy woman who has learned not to let anyone’s opinion of her define who she is, Kathy Ireland has transcended what many thought was possible for a supermodel. And, she’s done it her way. Since launching her brand with a pair of socks in 1993, Ireland has designed over 15,000 products, available in 50 countries, in categories that all offer solutions –  for families, especially busy moms; for business people and for people in love. kathy ireland Worldwide® (kiWW) has annual sales exceeding 2 billion, with Forbes calling her the “prototype for model-turned-mogul,” and British Vogue proclaiming her the world’s richest model. She’s  managed this transformation so well, becoming exceptionally successful at marketing and selling to middle America, that licensers and other brands around the world are only too happy to find a way to partner.

Because there’s nothing the girl can’t do, Kathy’s latest foray is into the world of pets, with licensing partner and pet industry leader, Worldwise®.  Called kathy ireland’s Loved Ones, she’s offering pet families a home decor-friendly, tasteful and high quality collection of beds, collars, leashes, accessories and toys. Entering the pet space was inspired by her 12 year old pup, Sparky. I previewed some of the Loved Ones‘ items at a brand launch press conference at Global, and had the opportunity to briefly interview Kathy and Worldwise CEO, Kevin Fick. I noticed that they offer several different styles of beds and asked why. “We want pets to be welcome in any room of the home,” Ireland explained. “Having worked for so many years in home goods, we wanted to bring those palettes, those types of designs into the pet space, and feel it’s going to draw everyone [in the family] together.”  Ireland’s philosophy that “life is messy,” is something we can all relate to, and she has made it her mission to find or create products that are inclusive for all family members, furry ones included.  Kevin Fick added about the beds, “Dogs and cats like to get under the covers. When u think about separation anxiety, let’s say, a lot of products are designed around using a personal article of clothing, so you’ll see someone take a shirt and put it in that enclosure (referring to the Pillow Hideout Bed style), and it’s perfect.”

Kathy & her Sparky

Other styles of beds include the patented Cuddle Cube Pet Bed©, which enables our pups to sink cozily into the bed, without it spilling over and losing its structure; the Quilted Pet Bed with Lounge Mat features a quilted bed base with a reversible mat inside, which looked classic and chic. This style of bed can be used as is, or upgraded using a cool Mix & Match feature, whereby we can match the bed style with the sleeping style of our dogs. The Tailor Made Gusseted Pet Bed is a bit higher end, appointed with upholstery-like details (the word “gusseted gave that away, right?); and the Constant Comfort Bolstered Pet Bed gives comfort and support for both the body and the head, possibly working very well for seniors or for those who need a bit more support. I could see the attention to detail in these pieces. And I love that all the covers are removable for easy cleaning in the machine. The beds retail from between $40.00‑$180.00, so that’s not too bad.

The collection of leashes, collars and accessories have a classic, timeless look,  and offer interesting details, like the Tag Silencer© to quiet the jangling of i.d. tags, as well as an easy attach leash ring which makes it simple to put a leash on an excited pet. The Tag Silencer is a great one for us, because that jangling sometimes drives me a little crazy. 🙂 The leashes also feature a shock absorber to help eliminate strain from a dog that pulls, a feature a few companies are doing now and one that I’m sure dog moms, and even dads, appreciate. These retail from $8.00‑$30.00, again, a reasonable price point.

I was especially intrigued by the collection within a collection called Gracie and Delilah®. Kathy shared that Elizabeth Taylor was a mentor to her and they were very close. A staunch animal lover and one who “had a way with animals,” relayed Ireland, Liz came to Kathy with a very special request when she was nearing the end of her life. Taylor asked Ireland if she would take her two beloved Maltese, Gracie and Delilah, and care for them when she passed. Kathy and her family not only took the two babies in, and have them to this day, but she honored her dear friend by naming this luxury collection after them. The Gracie and Delilah® collection features products for both dogs and cats with luxury fabrics, detailing and some sparkle and shine. Perfect for

Gracie & Delilah
Product Wall at Global
photo: Jody Miller-Young

La Liz!

Other collection categories include travel accessories and mealtime. In travel, it’s basic things you might want on a trip with your pooch, but each item solves a problem and each is done in a high quality, timeless way. A Reversible Travel Mat unrolls to a double sided, durable mat with quilted padding, providing a comfortable place to rest in the car or a hotel; a stylish Travel Tote to carry smaller pets, and waterproof Travel Bowls that fold flat, with a protective flap at the top to protect the it from dirt and debris. These retail from $20.00‑90.00.

For mealtime, they offer sturdy, nice-looking dishwasher safe ceramic bowls, with metallic gold detailing (I love that); furniture pieces like the Grow with Me Adjustable Feeder for dogs, that adjusts in height as your pet grows older and the Double Diner with Storage Drawer, which has handy storage drawer for your dog’s toys. Both furniture feeding options feature removable stainless steel bowls with silicone gaskets (to prevent drips) for easy cleaning. Retails range $5.00‑130.00.

I liked the kathy ireland Loved Ones pet collection and I think, like her other solutions-based products, this will be very popular. But even more than that, I really liked Kathy. Her warm, friendly and very open demeanor, coupled with her business savvy, makes her someone other femmepreneurs aspire to. As a wildly successful former supermodel, you also have to figure the girl knows a thing about style. What a powerful combination. And, Kathy Ireland’s paper route is far from over.

The kathy ireland Loved Ones pet collection will be available this summer. Stay tuned here for details on where.

Do you have a favorite kathy ireland Loved Ones bed? Share which one with me in the Comments below.

Patchwork Bed
photo courtesy of Worldwise

Green Lounger
photo courtesy of Worldwise

Reversible Travel Mat
photo courtesy of Worldwise

The Gorgeous
Quilted Lounger
photo courtesy of Worldwise

It was a whirlwind three days at the Global Pet Expo, but I don’t think I could’ve had a better time! Met great people, discovered gorgeous dog fashion and products; lots of amazing things happened! I’m so excited about what I’ve found, I have to share it with you in more detail than a tweet or a Facebook post. I’ve tried so hard to put all of the pictures I want to show you in here. It’s a bit crowded, but please bear with me. I couldn’t cut any of them! 🙂 Here are my Top 7 Best Products at Global. Not all of these cool items are available yet. I’ll tell you which ones are and where to buy them.

Best in Show
Tuggo Dog Toy

Tuggo Dog Toy

This simple yet effective toy walked away with a Becker’s Best Award Best in Show prize at Global. Company founder and creator, Adam Harrington, was inspired when he found his dog entertaining himself with a bowling ball in the yard. It got him thinking and, after trial and error, the Tuggo Dog Toy was born. Tuggo is for big dogs and small dogs over 10 lbs. It uses weight to provide tension that helps promote exercise and build muscle. The design is a hard, hollow 10″ in diameter plastic ball with a rope going through the middle that can be pulled from either side providing the tug-of-war effect. The cool thing is, if you have a smaller dog, this is just fine, as is. But, if you have a big dog that needs more weight to get good exercise, the Tuggo has a recessed screw cap allowing the ball to be filled with water. Adding water inside the ball increases the weight anywhere up to 20 lbs, depending on how much you add. Also, it makes the Tuggo have a sloshing sound which will keep your dog interested for hours!

I really liked Adam. He’s a young guy in his 20’s and very entrepreneurial. And, got to give him credit. He came up with a good idea! Adam said they are working on a smaller version, too, which will be available soon.  Check out the video just below of dogs playing with the Tuggo!

Where to buy: Amazon

Price: $29.98

Bobby Sweater/Rain Slicker in One

Bobby Sweater/Rain Slicker

Bobby’s Green Sweater/Slicker

I just discovered this new brand, Bobby, at the show. They are from Paris and base their design colors, patterns on the Paris runway shows. Right up our alley, yes? 🙂 Their collection includes classic styled winter coats that have panache; message tee’s;  beds mixing interesting fabrics and color combinations; beautiful collars, leashes and harnesses, with bling of the finest variety and without; and some truly stunning carry bags with that Parisian chic that is, at once, classic and very, very stylish. There are sooo many Bobby items I could choose to include here, but I’ve decided to go with one I think is very clever. They have created a sweater, with a sewn on zippered dog bone. Inside the bone is a matching rain slicker, so if you’re on a walk with your pup and it starts to drizzle, he or she is prepared. How cool is that! Comes in two colors.

Bobby isn’t yet available in the U.S., except as a display at Barney’s New York. But, they will be and when they are, I’ll be the first to let you know where to buy.

Vintage Inspired
Dog Blouses

Vintage-inspired Chiffon Dog Blouses

Diamonds in the Ruff Ruff’s Madeline Saia is a great designer, and one I will be featuring more on Bark and Swagger. I love her gorgeous dog beds and apparel, but it was these vintage-inspired chiffon dog blouses that made me go gaga at Global. The floral patterns she chose, the crystals, pearls, satin and lace embellishments she uses, the suggestion of ruffle…all of it made for  truly gorgeous pieces, every one of them.

Where to buy: BitchNewYork

Price: $105.00

Sneak Peek of PUPSAVER’s New Fabrics!

Some of you who’ve read my review of the PUPSAVER dog car seat knows what a big fan I am of this product. It is the only dog safety seat that has been officially crash-tested by the same company who crash tests infant safety seats for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). For a dog under 30 lbs, in a head on collision (67% of crashes are head on) at 30 mph or under, PUPSAVER holds your dog safely inside it’s catcher’s mitt type seat. The company was kind enough to send us one for review before I wrote my story, and it has become Sophie go to safety seat. We don’t drive in our car without Sophie strapped in. 

Fuchsia & Black Striped Shag w/Black Patent Back

Faux Cheetah & Faux Bronze Croc

PUPSAVER told me they were going to unveil some new colors at Global and they didn’t disappoint! You have to check these out. They aren’t yet available; the company just received the samples themselves the day before Global began, but they will be soon. And, Bark and Swagger will give you a heads up on when to order.

Faux Silver Fox w/Black back

Faux White Mink w/Faux Red Ostrich Back Dog Car Safety Seat

Stylish Nylon Raincoat and Jockey Silks-Inpired Jackets

Legitimutt is a company founded by super model Kristy Hinze Clark and her longtime manager, Neal Hamil. Clark became the youngest model to sign with Australian Vogue, and went on to host that country’s version of Project Runway. Her designs are runway-inspired and made in America. The real stars and faces of the brand are Kristy’s three schnauzers, their names pay homage to Hollywood greats: Brando (as in Marlon) and his sister Ava (as in Gardner), both three-years-old, and Ava’s one-year-old son Elwood (as in the Blues Brother). Cute. I chose Kristy’s new light weight, rip stop nylon raincoat design, and her bold colored nylon jackets, inspired by horse-racing’s jockey silks. Both are crisp, clean, pop with color and classically timeless.

Legitimutt Jockey Silk Jacket

Legitimutt Rain Coats

These coats were debuted at Global and are not yet available. Stay tuned…

Furry & Fabulous Autism Collection and PPV’s Toys

I put a pic of these two collections on social media from the show, but I want to tell you more about them, as they are really special. The Autism Collection was designed by autistic kids, who were inspired by different animals. This is their interpretation.

The PPV’s toys were designed by Grandma Vicky and the initials are taken from her native name in Chinese. Grandma Vicky has since passed away from Alzheimer’s Disease. She was a prolific designer of these dog toys, all created from her imagination, even though she was experiencing severe memory loss. It just shows you how the creative mind can keep functioning, even with Alzheimer’s.  These two collections are so inspiring. The toys themselves encourage interactive play and are very soft and cuddly. And, 10% from the sales of each goes to benefit Pride Paws and Autism Speaks for the Autism Collection, and Leeza’s Place and the Alzheimer’s Association for Grandma Vicky’s PPV creations.

Grandma Vicky’s PPV Toys

Furry & Fabulous’
Autism Collection

Where to buy: FurrynFabulous.com

Price: Autism Collection – $12 each toy

Grandma Vicky’s PPV’s – $16.00 each toy

Smucci Too! Dog Beds

This is the first booth I visited at  Global and the last product I’m going to leave you with in this story. When I walked by Gary and Debi Kahn’s booth and noticed the bed they were debuting, (shown here) it stopped me in my tracks. Then, I learned about the company and that these beds weren’t just gorgeous, they were practical, economical and inspired by the Kahn’s love of rescues and providing a beautiful and unusual option for dog lovers. First, the artwork, which is, at once, really interesting and beautiful. It is all designed by Gary and Debi’s autistic son. So, it is that genius skewed a bit left that immediately captivates you. The Smucci Too! bed has parts that are completely interchangeable, so you can customize your dog’s (or cat’s) bed or change it up at whim. Each bed consists of four components: a graphic, interchangeable panel that slides in and out on a track, a plush pillow that comes in tons of colors and fabrics, a bed base that also comes in lots of colors, and the fun, big round feet that screw on and off, also available in multiple colors. And you can purchase additional panels to completely change the look of your bed. No tools are needed; it’s easy to do. The panels are waterproof and are designed with different fronts and backs, so you can get a different look by just flipping the panel around. Some of the designs are runway inspired; others are nature inspired. There are glam, sassy and glitzy options…really, the sky’s the limit!

Back View

Smucci Too! Crystal Bed

What I also love about this brand is how dedicated Gary and Debi are to rescuing animals and helping rescues. They live with 18 rescues…18! That may seem crazy to some, but these are two of the nicest people. Big hearts. They donate many beds to rescues, giving these animals the opportunity to sleep on a cozy, secure and very beautiful bed. They donate photography time and expertise to shelters to help them present their pets for adoption in the best light. I can’t say enough about this company.

The bed I’ve showcased here isn’t on the market, at least not yet. But there are so many Smucci Too! stunning designs available, I’m sure anyone interested will find one (or more) they love.

Where to buy: BitchNewYork

Price: $199.00

I hope you enjoyed my little slice of Global Pet Expo 2014. Stay tuned to Bark and Swagger for more news on other great brands I discovered at Global, and for when these products I covered here become available to you. Which is your favorite one?

Until next time…

(Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Amazon and BitchNewYork, so if you choose to purchase anything from a suggestion I make via a link on my site, I will get a small commission, which goes towards the animal advocacy groups and animal charities I support on an ongoing basis. Thanks for helping!)

You’ve decided to add a wonderful new addition to your family, or, you’ve decided to give a dog as a gift to a deserving and responsible special someone. You’ve chosen the shelter or rescue organization you want to adopt from and you’re about to choose your new friend. Now what? If this is your or their first, a helpful new dog owner checklist will come in very handy. After growing up with many dogs and having to outfit my home many times for a new addition, I hope that experience will benefit you. The list includes the basic necessities. But, lest we forget; this IS Bark and Swagger! 🙂 So, my recommendations will be for things that are practical, that I love and that also look great!

The New Dog Owner Checklist

• Find a good vet – ask friends with dogs or cats who they use and are they happy with them. Stop by the vet’s office before you get your dog and take a look around. Do you like the environment? Is it clean, orderly? Are the staff friendly? You might even discreetly strike up a conversation with a couple of people in the waiting area. For more tips, the ASPCA has compiled a list of questions when you’re shopping for a vet.
• Pet ID Tag – this is going to be one of the most important things you can have. It will protect your dog if he or she gets lost. There are lots of choices on the market. PetHub is my new favorite and here’s why. If your pet gets lost and they are wearing a PetHub ID tag, there are 4 ways PetHub can help you retrieve them: the person finding your dog can scan a QR code on the tag to your pet’s complete profile on PetHub; they can type in the tag’s web address to the profile, which includes everything about your dog, including any medications he may be on; they can scan the tag’s code with a newer smartphone; they can call PetHub’s 24-hr found pet hotline with a 97% success rate. And, they’ve just added the ability to track your dog using his or her DNA! No one else I  know of is doing this. Once any of the above actions happen, a notification email goes out to the owner, an interactive GPS map is included of where the pet’s tag was scanned and $3000 of emergency medical pet insurance coverage is activated. That’s a pretty comprehensive package to get when you purchase an ID tag. You can find PetHub here. Also ask your vet about microchipping and/or tattooing your new dog if the shelter doesn’t already do it.
• Register your dog for a license – it’s illegal not to have one and, when you do, your dog is in the city’s database. Best bet is to look up how to register a dog for a license in your particular state and follow those instructions.
• Consider Pet Insurance – we were very happy we did. Things always go wrong, especially with puppies and older dogs. If we didn’t have our Trupanion insurance, we would have spent thousands of dollars on  Sophie and our two cats’ various ailments and issues. It’s an expense worth incurring. There are lots of pet insurance companies on the market. We love Trupanion because they reimburse 90% of all coverable costs and have really been there for us with Isabel, our kitty who has intestinal lymphoma and Sophie, with her little luxating patella knee issues. You can read Isabel’s and Sophie’s stories in my post here.

• Buy a sturdy crate – dogs are den animals. They feel safe and secure in small spaces they can call their own. So whether you’re bringing home a puppy or a grown dog, making a place for them is a good idea. A puppy or adult who is not housebroken will require a crate for training. They should be able to turn around and stand up comfortably in their crate, so that’s a good thing to keep this in mind when you’re selecting one. An older dog who is housebroken may not need one as long as you create a safe place in your home with their bed and toys. My suggestion is you get a traditional crate, which you can order from Amazon (this one’s in a sweet baby blue; but other colors or black are available), and then you can get a stylish crate cover to match your home decor. Several are offered at BitchNewYork and they are machine washable.
  
• Buy a comfy bed – again, even more so than with crates, there are so many fantastic options for beds, in all colors, fabrics, sizes, firmness. Take into consideration the size and age of the dog. Puppies need to have a bed that fits their size, leaves a bit of room for growth and stretching out, and is made from a durable fabric. They may chew and will, undoubtedly, play on their bed. I would wait until they’ve grown to full size and settled down a bit to get that really special bed. If you’re adopting a senior dog, you’d be doing them a favor to choose a bed made for older dogs that has the kind of cushioning needed to support their joints. I like this one from Walmart, made by Midwest Pets. It’s a double thick orthopedic mattress that combines firmness for support with a cushy top for comfort.
• Get a great collar and leash – you may want to get a collar which your dog will always wear outside that has his or her license, registration, rabies tab and PetHub ID on it. Then you may want a training collar for your sessions. For a beautiful collar which you can also customize, I love Dog Collar Fancy. They have jeweled collars and harnesses that are stunning. A more masculine but still gorgeous and very unusual choice could be the Pegasus designer collar. For training purposes, I’d go with a harness or a martingale, which is sturdy and durable. Both of these come in multiple colors and sizes. I don’t like choke chains or pinch collars. My personal opinion. I feel there are so many better and less oppressive collars to train our dogs today and we know more about what is better for our dogs.
• Get great food/water bowls – You can have such fun here as there are so many adorable or plain gorgeous and cool options. I love the selection at BitchNewYork. Just a quick mention about food, as we don’t really cover that at Bark and Swagger. Please do some good research when you are choosing food for your dog. Nutrition is so important to long lasting health. I would suggest, from my own research and experience, checking out several options. I’d look into raw food, cooking for your dog and how to do that nutritionally, and into very high quality canned food and dry. Here is where it’s worth it to spend a little more to insure you’re putting the best ingredients into his or her body. It will pay dividends for years in a healthy, vibrant and happy dog.
• Toys, toys, toys – I’m the biggest softie around toys. I am constantly buying new ones for Sophie and I think it may overwhelm her sometimes. Buying 3 or 4 sturdy toys to encourage interactive and self play is a great idea, though. You might want to look at a rope tug toy, a plush toy, a non-rawhide chew toy that also isn’t so hard it can accidentally break teeth, and a vinyl toy and then experiment. You’ll see soon enough what your dog gravitates towards as favorites. Sophie loves vinyl squeaky toys, especially ones that have expanding arms or legs when you squeeze them. Check out Puprwear for a great selection of all of the above.
• Buy a baby gate, especially for puppies – this a great way to cordon off a safe area for your puppy while you’re doing something else. It gives them some room to move. You can put a wee wee pad down, a couple of toys and some water. It’s like the equivalent of a playpen for a baby. But keep an eye on your little guy and make sure the area you’ve chosen is puppy proofed. No wires along the floor they can chew, no small objects lying around they can choke on, no shoes or clothes they can ruin. You can see more about how to puppy proof your home here. Check out Amazon, which offers many choices of baby gates.
• Get some nice and healthy shampoo and conditioner – I would read ingredients and choose one that doesn’t have alcohol and sodium laurel sulfate. These are both very drying to the skin and bad for the hair. If you can afford to, buy an organic shampoo and conditioner that has oatmeal, aloe and herbs like calendula (relieves irritations), almond oil (a natural emollient so it softens and conditions), rosemary (controls dandruff and itching). I love Pure Petshampoos and conditioners. Sophie had a skin condition where she was constantly licking her fur and this shampoo was the only one out of many we tried that worked. It’s completely natural and gentle and the Pure Clover conditioner works really well with it.
• Buy grooming supplies – I’ve learned it’s best to brush your dog everyday to keep their coat from knotting (which can be painful to get out) and to keep the natural oils of the skin evenly distributed for a soft, shiny coat. I would take into consideration the kind of fur your dog has and its size. For small dogs with thin coats, buy a softer brush and stay away from metal bristles as they’re too rough. For larger dogs with thick ones that shed, especially, I like this this Conair Dog Slicker with a memory gel grip. Also buy a good pair of nail clippers for large dogs or for small dogs, as well as a metal comb. If you want to totally pamper your new dog, check out these great Dog Fashion Spa products and packages here.
• Finally, don’t forget the poop bags! 🙂 Wherever you live, I always think it’s a good idea to pick up after your dog. They have from plain to pizzazz when it comes to poop bags today so you can even match your bags to your dog’s fur or outfit!. BitchNewYork has a great selection of bags and poop bag carriers that are gorgeous!

Whew! I know I gave you a lot to think about and some suggestions of what to buy. This is a big step so think things through and take your time. If you have any questions, please reach out and I’ll help as best I can. And, if you are getting a dog with any kind of special needs, please consult your vet. I’m not a veterinarian or an expert in dog health. My suggestions come from my own experience and my research to bring you what I think are good, solid options.

Stay tuned next for some fun apparel and accessory suggestions for your new pup.

Until next time…