A Dog’s World 2010
Even though we are in the pet business, we are regularly amazed at how different pet ownership is these days. When I was growing up, I honestly can’t remember much about the day-to-day business of dog ownership, but I clearly remember that feeding Buckwheat, not the first dog I brought home unannounced, in the garage. I also remember having to sneak Shasta, another dog I dragged home without permission, up into my room at night. Inevitably, my mom would find her and bring her back down to, well, I’m not sure. The garage? The basement?
Today’s dog and her owner can enjoy the space saving comforts of the “Sleep ‘N Store Dog Bed Combination,” with a dog bed underneath and a storage area for all your dog’s clothes. (This is making the assumption that your dog has enough clothes to need her own closet. Again, not one of my dogs from my childhood owned clothing that went beyond a collar, and that might have been a non-existent item too!). $215 on sale.
Speaking of clothes, how about cashmere? No, silly, not for you - for the dog! For $120 you can own the finest in dog apparel. This particular style is smartly trimmed with suede and is even hand-knit. Now, I can only speak for myself; I happen to love cashmere and I’m pretty sure it loves me. My wallet, however, does not love cashmere with the same intensity, so my personal cashmere selection is somewhat small, as is my dogs’.
No cashmere would be complete without some doggy boots, labeled Air Doggy. Perfect for the day your Chihuahua is feeling the need to hit the court with her buddies! Oh, and they can be yours for more money than I spend on my children’s shoes. $45. I don’t know that my own experience will be yours, but Kirsten and I really did try booties on one of our dogs and I thought we’d just die laughing. Needless to say, he wanted nothing to do with them and managed to chew them to bits.
If you happen to be attending a baby shower for your friend’s new puppy, you might consider a dog baby cradle for $164. It is far more beautiful than what my own dogs sleep on. I may need to start shopping for some new friends who might actually spoil my dogs the way they deserve to be spoiled.
For the Oscar worthy pooch, there are gowns galore that would put the stars on the red carpet to shame. My favorite is actually a seasonal dress, but I am sure the rules in the doggy fashion world can be relaxed to allow such a fashion faux paw (!) now and then, right? Trixie’s Christmas Red Dress with Long Evening Skirt is perfect for that special event that calls for a special gown, priced at $435. Way less than Sandra Bullock spent, I’m sure!
If your poochie’s gown can’t be trampled on the red carpet by all of her fans, then stroll her down in style in a deluxe pet stroller. Most models might easily be confused with a human baby stroller, particularly since the prices are comparable. Like the human version, they set up in a snap and even have a handy tray for your coffee, car keys, etc. I wouldn’t suggest shopping with it though; many times with my human babies happily strapped in a stroller, I’d forget and toss something in on top of them. Oops! $150 for your one and only.
And every dog, no matter designer or mutt, needs a collar. The designer dog, the one whose preferences lean towards Gucci Pucci (get it?), would love to have a Turquoise Sunburst Leather Collar. This is truly jewelry. Heck, this is so nice I might wear it. Priced at $169.
So far, we’ve spent $1289 on accessories and I haven’t included the dog bowls, the food, and supplements.
My best guess on what we spent on Red, Shasta, or Buckwheat, again not including the bowls, food, and of course the supplements, which weren’t even sold for humans back then - maybe $25. Yes, $25. Granted, you probably just figure out my age based on the supplement comment, so prices were obviously less back then. However, pet ownership was also different back then.
Unlike the dogs of my childhood though, I’m really hoping that Pecan can end up at Harvard, but I’ll settle for Williams. They might appreciate the fact that his tongue is usually hanging out of his mouth.
Tags: dog luxuries, dog ownership, dogs