Dogs We Luv!

Every dog owner knows how sad it would be to lose a pet and surely you will do anything to protect your pet from all dangers. The importance of providing your pet with a dog tag may be obvious – it greatly increases the chance of your dog being reunited with you in case it gets lost.  Of course, pet tags are not just for dogs but for cats too! A typical dog tag bears the dog’s name, home address, and the owner’s phone or mobile number.  These details should be engraved on the tag to make sure that all information will be visible when it is most needed.  For this reason, sterling silver and brass dog tags are popular among pet owners. A pet wearing a tag indicates that it belongs to its owner, and that it has a loving home to return to.  Aside from the dog tag, it’s also important to choose a matching collar that will securely stay on your dog until it’s safely home.  However, see to it that the collar comfortably fits on your dog, not too tight or too lose...

Anne and Michael are the couple behind the shop  Bean Town Handmade  – a shop that sells handmade  dog clothes . I would like to thank Anne for taking the time to do this interview.  More than just being shop owners, both of them are animal lovers too and a portion of their proceeds are donated to various animal rescue organizations all over the world.  Check out my interview with Anne to know more about their pets and their business: How old is your shop? I started Beantown Handmade in November of 2008. What’s the inspiration behind your shop name? Our Boston Terrier Bean was the inspiration for our shop name. Bean is named after Boston, aka Beantown. What moved you to start your own dog apparel business? When Bean was a puppy he was always cold and we had a hard time finding clothing that would fit him well and keep him warm in our cold Nebraska winters. Can you give us a peek on the creative process involved in making clothing and accessorie...

Violet, a Lab-Pit Bull Mix graces the pages of the July/Aug 2011 issue of Lonnymag . She belongs to Lauren Gold, design director for Nate Berkus Associates. I guess dogs are allowed at Nate's office:)

It’s so nice to meet fellow dog people   who have such a big heart for our four-legged friends .   Ashleigh is the designer and owner of   Charlie ♥ Diesel  at Etsy.  Ashleigh shares with us how she and her husband started as volunteers for an animal shelter in their city and their desire to help homeless dogs inspired them to start a business.  She also talks about the dogs in their lives, her views on pet adoption and the joys and challenges of being a dog lover and a business owner. How old is your shop? We actually opened  Charlie ♥ Diesel  just over a month ago. What’s the inspiration behind your shop name? It just sort of came to me. I’d been kicking around names for a while and nothing really fit. I wanted it to be really personal, but also really catchy. I was going through our other Etsy shop,  Indian Summer , and I noticed the little favorites heart. And it was perfect. Charlie and Diesel are our two young Pit Bul...

Would you like to adopt a pet from a shelter?  Considering adoption as your first option is gracious and kind.  Here are some tips to make your adoption experience a happy and a rewarding one: Are you ready to own a pet?   Having a pet is a life-time commitment .  Too many cats and dogs have ended up in rescue homes because their owners were not committed to their responsibilities.  Many animals in shelters have been neglected or abandoned.  They are in need of a loving, forever home so it’s important to make sure that you are committed to your responsibilities as a pet owner. However, you should not let the challenges of caring for a pet stop you from doing what your heart tells you to do.  If you sincerely want to adopt, you can overcome the obstacles by choosing the right pet, and doing the necessary preparations. Choose a dog breed that matches your lifestyle .   Do you spend more than eight hours of most days away from home?...

Would you like to get a pet? If yes, then you should seriously consider adopting one from an animal rescue center. Some people are afraid to adopt a pet from shelters because they think all animals there had been given up by their owners because of bad behavior. While this might be true for a few, many dogs end up in shelters to no fault of their own.  Here are common reasons why dogs are abandoned:  The owner cannot take care of the dog anymore due to time and financial issues. The original owner has fallen ill, has been taken into a nursing home or has died. A couple gets divorced and no one wants to keep the dog. A couple welcomes the arrival of a child and the dog is no longer wanted. The owner leaves for another country or moves to a new apartment that does not allow pets.  Some dogs ended up in shelters because they were lost. Many dogs who have been victims of puppy mills end up in shelters because they cannot be sold.  Dogs from...

I am starting a new segment on this blog called, Featured Dog Shop for business owners who are dog lovers too.  And I’m very happy to introduce you to Ginny, shop owner of  Lifesruff  at Etsy.  Ginny has been an entrepreneur for 25 years but only started selling clothes and accesories for dogs recently.  In this interview, Ginny talks about her experiences, challenges and joys in managing an online business as well as in taking care of her two adorable dogs, Madeline and Jack. She also speaks about  pet adoption  and gives some  tips for those who are considering to adopt a pet . How old is your shop?  I just opened my etsy shop Lifesruff on September 7 2011.  What’s the inspiration behind your shop name? My 2 dogs lead such a comfortable,content life …oblivious to any negativity. Their day consist of play,nap,snuggle with my husband or I ,fetch toys, nap some more. I sometimes say to them “ you guys have suc...