Hi

I have a comment on your recent blog. I own a website that sells pet products so I am involved in the pet industry. We do not sell 'boutique' items but concentrate more on fun items for dogs, so I an trying to defend the ‘designer dog’ crowd. However I am concerned that some of you comments seem to infer that if you buy designer products for your dog then you do not care for dogs in general. The comment

“So real dog lovers provide their dogs with simple, fun toys and accessories, with lots of love and affection (and don't forget boundaries and structure!). And if they have money left over, real dog lovers won't be tempted to purchase silly overpriced, unnecessary items that their dogs won't even appreciate anyway”.

I know several people who do dress their dogs in fancy clothes, but these very owners also spend a lot of their time working within local animal shelters, organizing auctions to raise money, and contribute a lot in terms of time and money to help shelters. Many of these people show their deep love for their dog in buying these expensive products. Is this a good way to show you love your dog? Probably not; as you quite rightly say the dog doesn’t care if he wears a $5 or $50 collars, but just because they do this doesn’t mean they are not ‘real dog lovers’.

Tim Homer
www.chimpfeet.com

They could but silver bowls are the best.

I was determined not to comment on this one. KPs message seemed straight forward and said it all. Then I read Tim's post.

Tim- you're right to an extent. People show their love by buying over-priced unnecessary stuff for their dogs. (as an aside- people do this with their kids too)

This fulfills our needs- not the dog's needs.

I'll be the first to admit that I've wasted money on dog products. We've all fallen victim to mass-marketing. However, I soon realized that the simplest things make her happy. Dogs want to be treated as dogs, not 4-legged children.

"Real dog lovers love all dogs." Can you get someone at PETA to make this into a bumper sticker?, I looked and didn't see it, but it should be there, it's a perfect statment.

>>>KP's Response:

Hi Jennifer!
I'll look into it!
KP

Tim,

Yes, there are exceptions to just about every rule and every situation.

I think the point that KP is making when she uses the word "real," as in real dog lovers, is that love, affection, attention and care are REAL.

You can buy your dog the most expensive material items available, but nothing, absolutely nothing replaces the "Real" affection and love that you give your dog.

Jennifer, I love your bumper sticker idea!!

Great post! I couldn't agree more. My dog Lucy loves a ride in the car each evening, so that's what she gets- it's her little luxury and it makes her happy as anything. My dog Opie loves stuffed toys and I usually buy him a bagful from the thrift store and he's the happiest dog in town! Dogs don't need designer collars and clothes- if anything, I'd imagine it would only make them uncomfortable. But a little love and attention goes a long way.

My dog is my best friend, and always has been. She's with me when i'm sick, she's with me when i'm well. I scratch her fly bites, and she licks mine, haha. I think if YOU had the money to buy your dog a designer dog bowl, you would. I would too! It's human nature to want nice things for the people you love. My dog has a snow suit and sweaters. So am I an animal abuser now? I dont think so.

Sarah-
I think the point is that your dog doesn't really care if she has a designer bowl. She's just happy to get fed. And the time she spends with you? That's better for her than all the sweaters in the world.

So basically- because someone has money and wants to spend it on their dog that makes them a bad person or a bad owner or not a true dog lover as you stated?

This blog is a bit silly and sometimes, people look for any reason to complain about something so silly.

If the owner works for their money and wants to spend it on their dog- who are you to criticize?

I agree the ringtone thing that's just plain stupid and such a waste of time, money and energy. BUT, far be it from me to tell someone they are NOT a true dog lover because they choose to purcahse such a stupid thing. I would rather see someone who is rich and can afford such things for their dog and shows them the correct affection than know that another owner, who might not have money, have their dog tied up in the back yard and their dog can't even reach the water that is in their nondesigner, generic bowl.

Let's get a grip and complain about real issues. People need to pick their battles and this shouldn't even be a concern. You can not critize one because they have money and not criticize another because they are poor. This world is full of choices, different people, and all kinds of walks of life.

I think that rich people could instead donate some of that money spent on silly things to pet charities but who are we to tell them what to do with their money? It is not up to you or anyone else to decide how their money is spent. Everyone has different beliefs and different values.

If I had a ton of money, I'd rather donate it to animal shelters and organizations that help to save animals. But, if buying a designer bowl for a dog isn't harming anyone else in any type of way- that's really none of anyone's business.

I think some people are reading into this too much - I think what KP is trying to say, is that's it's silly that people spend heaps and heaps of money on their dogs for items their pets won't necessarily appreciate, or may even cause them harm. Do you really need to spend hundreds of pounds on designer, doggy clothes when they'll probably just irritate him, buy perfumes that will annoy him and inflame his skin or get a ring tone that only he can hear?! (though I wonder if perhaps that was an invention for hearing dogs, but even so what is the point? A dog can hear a normal ring tone, he doesn't need one with a ridiculously high frequency!)

I think the issue she was trying to stab at was that buying designer goods and treating dogs like image-concious humans encourages the idea that animals are simply accessories to exploit and make ourselves look good, encouraging owners to give their dogs all these ridiculous beauty products and not indulge in the luxuries dogs really enjoy - long walks in gritty weather, burrowing in mud, smelling things, playing and being with you - my point being most dogs would prefer unconditional love, basic necessities and lets face it, a slightly more mucky life than lots of baths and perfumes - which can only harm them.

If you have heaps of money to spend on designer items that are often unnecessary and over priced, please spare a thought for all the less 'lucky' dogs out there and donate some money to an animal shelter instead.

I have 1 dog and 8 cats, all "second hand " animals that have medical problems,and I buy very expensive designer stuff for my animals . My dog has all sorts of collars, with rhinestone's etc.And yes, the dog and the cats have foodbowls with rhinestones on it.I also give them fresh food (fresh fish and meat and vegetables)every day.Now PETA tells me I don't really care for my animals because I'm buying great stuff for them?Just google my name and you can see how much I care and all the action's I take for Animal Rights.I really think this is an insulting article.I love my animals very much, and profid them with all I can give them.

>>>KP's Response:

Hi Daniella,
I think it's great that you're taking such good care of your animals, but just think how much more you could have done for them or for other animals who are less fortunate if, instead of buying rhinestones, you had spent that money on something that really benefits dogs. Dogs couldn't care less about rhinestones. You bought them for yourself.
KP