Pet-Pet * pet product blog

Well, he’s finally done it. My boyfriend, Chris, brought home a puppy! After we lost our beloved Herkamur last November, we briefly considered adopting another dog, but it was too soon. We haven’t discussed it much since, so you can imagine my surprise when I came home one afternoon last week to find a little fluffy-ball romping around our backyard!

Her name is Mimi, a 5-month-old Yorkie mix whose elderly owner couldn’t take care of anymore. She is just the most precious little thing, and I can totally understand how Chris fell in love with her despite his desire for a “big dog.”

However, we weren’t sure how Murphy would “take” to her. I mentioned in our bio how he lacks certain doggie social skills and tends to be a bit of a spaz around other dogs. So, I was a little nervous when we introduced the two. Luckily, the Humane Society of the United States’ website has wonderful information on how to introduce a new dog to a resident dog. With all of those great tips and some guidance from a few family members who work in pet rescue, the introductions went fairly well.

Mimi was frightened of Murphy’s defensive aggressiveness at first, but I’m happy to report that he didn’t try to hump her or eat her for dinner. Yesterday, they were even playing together in the backyard! And Mimi absolutely loves the kitty cats, wants to play with them all the time. They’re not really interested in playing, but have found her to be a fascinating specimen and watch her obsessively, which is quite funny to observe.

I’m so very excited to be a new mama to this precious baby girl and am looking forward to scouring the internet to report on lots of cool stuff for my little punk-rock princess.

Almost everyone has had a pair of the infamous bunny slippers at one time in his or her life. It’s a tradition of sorts, and whether you were 4 or 40 when you wore them, I’m sure it put a smile on your face to look down and see fuzzy bunnies on your feet.

Now our darling dogs can keep their paws warm and toasty in precious pink bunny slippers made just for them! The Puppy Shop offers these sweet fluffy slippers for dogs, with Velcro straps for a secure and snuggly fit. Or, if your pup isn’t the “bunny” type, go for the yellow duckie version, complete with cute little duckie wings! What a perfect gift for the Easter basket!

I don’t know about the rest of you, but fuzzy pink bunny slippers always remind me of that fantastic scene in the movie A Christmas Story where poor Ralphie comes trudging down the stairs in the bunny outfit, looking like a “pink nightmare.” It always gives me a good giggle. So, I can imagine that when I strap some of these on Murphy I’ll giggle even more. Plus, I’m sure the look on his face will also mirror Ralphie’s look of embarrassment. Hee, hee … it’ll be great …

For a truly satisfying doggie dining experience, an exquisite dish is almost as important as the food we fill it with. And what doggie mama wants a hideous plastic or metal dog bowl busting the groove of our fashionable kitchen décor, anyway?

Well, stylish dining can now be had by all, thanks to Kate Ward Thacker’s distinctive (and affordable) designer dog dishes, which I found at The Little River Pet Shop. These colorful ceramic bowls are available in small or large sizes at kick-ass bargain prices. Go for total coordination and pick up a matching placemat for … you’ll never believe it … less than two dollars!

Choose from the dreamy ocean-inspired Aqua Wave, the modern colorful Geometric, and the retro-chic Paw Power designs, and your pooch will be eating in style.

Extra bonus: these dishes are also the perfect sizes to plant small flower bulbs, herbs, or cat grass and catnip seeds.

Usually in my blogs, I tend to stay away from the overly commercialized products sold via super-stores such as Wal-Mart and such. But today, I am going to stray from my rule. I was at Target yesterday when I noticed a new line of stationary (for people!)—Only Dogs by Amy Brazil.

Amy Brazil’s smart and sassy artwork is captured brilliantly in a unique and contemporary line of cards, stickers, and desk accessories, strictly for the dog lover in mind. All her designs are striking, from the gorgeous Boston Terrier (Attention, DarlaKitt!) with the gray Harlequin background to the sweet-faced Corgi with the appropriate British flag.

My personal favorite is the portrait of a huge Great Dane looking inquisitively at a tiny pink butterfly. This painting (that I bought in sticker form) speaks volumes to me in the way of a dog’s spirit. Here we have a huge creature that could easily harm a smaller one, yet he simply looks on peacefully with the childlike innocence of curiosity. A gentle giant.

Check out Amy Brazil’s website . Her beautiful artwork is inspiring.

I love cute-ugly things. I love my ugly couch, because it’s so damn comfy. I love my ugly car, because it’s such a trooper. I love my ugly robe, because it always makes me feel good. And, of course, I love my ugly Murphy dog. So when I discovered UglyDolls by Pretty Ugly, LLC, I instantly fell in love.

UglyDolls are not just any old toy. No, no, no. They have stories, personalities, histories. They interact with one another, and show their feelings. And they make wonderful plush companions for doggies. These dolls are cuddlers, and don’t have squeakers, so their puppy friends are less likely to tear them to shreds.

There are 13 adorable UglyDolls to choose from, 12-14 inches high and full of charm.

Murphy and I especially love:

Babo, everybody’s best friend. He will stick with you to the end and when something scary happens, he will send you a nice greeting card from wherever it is he runs away to.

IceBat, who comes from an Ice Cave and loves hiding inside Ice Chests. He thinks you are cool and he wants to chill with you. Ice Bat is there for you when you feel like you may be losing your cool.

And UglyDog, who doesn’t really like to sit or fetch or roll over and all that stuff. Beg? No thanks. What he really likes to do is stand on his tail and live out his big dream…to be just like you!!! Except for the waking up early part.

For smaller dogs who may be intimidated by companions a foot high, these creative creatures are also available as Little Uglys, with an average height of 7 inches, but just as much charm as the big guys.

Check out the site, read their stories, and I am certain that you too will totally fall in love with UglyDolls. Beauty is so over-rated!