Posh Paws is an idea put into motion by Cantoni furniture store and inspired by a small polyethylene dog originally created by designer Eero Aarnio as part of his children's collection. The Posh Paws version takes the original dog, adds in a few local and national celebrity designers, and comes up with an entire line of adorable and unique puppy toys (toys that are puppies, not toys for puppies) that are up for sale to benefit various charities in the name of animal rescue and helping stray pets find permanent homes. My favorite is this one by Zsofia Mezey Koppani.
We've covered bottled water for dogs before and apparently the trend is really taking off because now we're doing it again. Aqua Pure Breed is bottled mountain water for dogs that not only provides hydration but is also available in 4 different formulas to more personally meet your dog's healthy drinking needs. And Aqua Pure Breed promotes not only healthy drinking water for your pet but an overall healthy and active lifestyle by offering "Active Dog Guides" for major cities and they started the No Dog Left Behind program which encourages people to include their pet dogs into more areas of their lives. You can order online and get about a month's supply of water for $59.95.
I came across this gem while browsing pictures of unique children's rooms. Named The 1984 Fishbowl, this revamped design by Danny Cheung putts a modern twist on the age old glass fish bowl. It's quirky shape is eye catching, the windows are made of magnified glass providing a detailed look at your goldfish, while the opaque walls provide refuge. I love the retro look of this funky little fish bowl, it would make a stylish addition to any room, and I imagine kids would go nuts for it. Available online for $430.
The Search Dog Foundation(SDF) produces the nation's most highly trained search and rescue dogs. In times of natural disaster or terrorist attacks, chances are the dogs that will be coming to our aid will be graduates of this amazing organization. Training for each dog runs around $10,000, takes up to a year and requires extensive one-on-one time. The dogs that train at SDF are from shelters, which makes me love this organization that much more. SDF receives no government funding, and relies on the generosity of the public to keep the whole thing running!
For the jet setting pet in your life! Your precious companion will never be away from home without his or her "essentials", with the Global Gallivanter Trunk! This luxurious collection contains a water bowl, a pet passport holder, a chew toy and your choice of either a bone or fish plush cushion. All of which are encased in a heavily padded handmade Napa leather trunk, (that doubles as a luxe dog bed) complete with collar and leash holders and a storage area to keep your k9's outfits neat and organized! My suitcase isn't even this nice! The Global Gallivanter Trunk retails for around $2,000 and is available online.
Posted May 22nd 2008 3:02PM by Rigel Gregg Filed under: Pets
Cats, with their elitist attitudes and regal posture, might look good with your decor but the supplies they come with (scratching posts, kitty doors, pet beds) are something more commonly tolerated than enjoyed. "Cats in Style" by designer Marly Gommans aims to change that, though, with an artistic and modern approach to cat ownership and maintenance.
The series includes 4 pieces (a scratching post, covered litter box, bed/play area, and cat door) that are made up mainly of all-natural and environmentally friendly sisal and wool.
It's not easy to find cutesy stuff for large dogs, I have a 65 pound mutt, so adorable sweaters aren't an option, neither are name brand carriers. I was excited to find this Swarovski retractable lead, it's covered with shimmering crystals and available in a nice assortment of colors. Walk your big pooch in style and be the talk of the dog park! Available online, prices range from $160 (dogs under 20 pounds) to $280 (larger breeds).
Most pet crates don't look so nice in the home, with their plastic casing, metal gates and colors that don't always match the decor. Unless you want to keep your pet and his or her crate in the basement, there's an alternative, if you have a woody decor. The Pet Crate End Table from Improvements Catalog is solid pine with a chestnut color, and doubles as an end table. It comes in two sizes and is priced a bit more than many of the basic plastic and metal models found at a conventional pet goods site, such as Doctors Foster and Smith, but certainly is nicer looking as well as multi-functional.
Because the crate looks more like furniture than, well, a crate, you can easily set it up in the living room, den or bedroom. The pivoting block "lock" keeps the door closed. The description states that the crate also is a good place for a kitty litter box. And I bet my 3-year-old nephew would enjoy hiding in there too.
Large Pet Crate End Table, 25" x 36" x 30" tall, $259.99; Medium Pet Crate End Table, 21" x 30" x 24" tall, $199.99. See the gallery below for some of the other attractive pet products available from Improvements Catalog.
Poochie of Beverly Hills (makers of all things faaaaabulous for pets) brings you this lavish Mink Dog Bed. Sturdy Alder wood legs put your pup up on a pedestal where he belongs, while faux mink fur nestles him in cozy luxury. Ooh La La! This bed is a must for pampered doggies and indulgent owners, definitely a conversation piece in any home. Check out barkavenue.com for dog beds that are fit for a king! The Mink Bed costs $700.
Posted Apr 1st 2008 11:02AM by Tom Barlow Filed under: Pets
You've finally scored the house of your dreams (at a steal! thanks, subprime fiasco). How is your mutt going to feel if you stick him in a common old dog house? LIke a poor relative, that's how.
Luckily, you can extend your aestethic to your hound's home, too, by having a custom mutt mansion built. Both La Petite Maison and Jimbo's House Houses (how's that for contrasting brand images?) can design and build a dogacile that will set your tail wagging.
Jimbo's offers unlimited design flexibility, with a choice of flooring (carpet, marble, linoleum and more), electricity, AC, heating, and double-pane windows. Most of its promotional models have a rustic charm that would fit well in a heavily wooded retreat.
La Petite Maison features more upscale models such as the trendy Georgian, chalets and chateaus. It also offers model reproductions of your house in doggy size, an interesting concept which could be fun when also extended to birdhouses, mailboxes and tree houses.
The same structures can be also used indoors as doggy time-out rooms. With one of these beauties, husbands that end up in the dog house might retain a shred of their dignity.
Posted Mar 31st 2008 11:02AM by Rigel Gregg Filed under: Pets
I'm not big on crating my little Maltese (and she's not big on being crated!) but there are always those times when it's just in her best interests to be confined, whether she likes it or not. Dog crates are typically ugly functional things, but the people over at Go!PetDesign have come up with a slightly less atrocious version of this small dog staple. The eiCrate has an artistic round shape, with a cute little round door and accessories like a fitted cover and half-moon shaped doggie cushion to add even more style. It still has a typical crate's metal framework, but then some things just can't be avoided. $495 - $750
I've always loved aquariums, and although small simple versions are fairly commonplace, lush big ones are usually only found in zoos and some business lobbies. But the days of plain goldfish bowls with algae bloom in your home are long gone -- these days you can indulge your love of having nature indoors with an aquarium that looks lush, beautiful, and professional, not stagnant or scummy. The experts at Aqua Forest can help you create a personalized tank that can be anything from thick with greenery to nothing but an artistic arrangement of rocks and stones. And in their tanks the fish serve more as an accent to a work of art than they do the main attraction. Beautiful.
I have to warn you this charity may bring a tear to your eye. Dogsindanger.com is an award winning website that was started by dog lovers Alex Aliksanyan and Brenda Bush. The site features various dogs in shelters that are on doggie death row. Their mission is to get as many of these dogs adopted before their time runs out, and to raise awareness about the numbers of dogs that are put to sleep in shelters every day. As of today dogsindanger.com has saved 4366 dogs. Their website is both educational and user friendly, with a search feature that allows prospective "parents" to search by breed or zip code to find potential pups. Online petitions, and a free newsletter are also available on the site. It's a common misconception that shelters only have large breeds, or old dogs...not true, shelters have dogs of all sizes and all ages. Please check out dogsindanger.com before you head to the pet store, and help spread the word, there's a loveable dog, in a shelter near you, that's patiently waiting.
Tired of tripping over squeak toys? Stash them neatly away in Pawdora's Antique Dog Bed that doubles as an elegant toy chest . Available in dark brown stained wood, and accented with antique gold embellishments, this chest is easy on the eyes and convenient . You can switch the top pillow out to custom match any decor in your home, I can picture a leopard pillow or zebra one looking cute. Available online at poochieheaven.com for $249.
Barneys New York always has the most stylish new accessories, so it comes as no surprise that their dog section is also to die for. This chic collar by Stray is perfect for any designer pooch or lovable mutt. Available in three sizes, with the words LEADER OF THE PACK spelled out in nickel studs, these handmade leather collars are available for $355 on the Barneys New York website. Stray dog accessories are made in Paris, by designer Venetia Rudland, who spent years as a designer at the Hermès ateliers making their famous bags.
I came across this gem while browsing pictures of unique children's rooms. Named The 1984 Fishbowl, this revamped design by Danny Cheung putts a modern twist on the age old glass fish bowl. It's quirky shape is eye catching, the windows are made of magnified glass providing a detailed look at your goldfish, while the opaque walls provide refuge. I love the retro look of this funky little fish bowl, it would make a stylish addition to any room, and I imagine kids would go nuts for it. Available 
