Stocking Stuffers

Small dogs are big, but your little darling needs to be fashion-forward.

By Carol Tisch

Sweater weather: Your pooch will look posh in Coach's dapper doggie duds.

Time was, Christmas puppies were for kids. This year, status breeds (the smaller the better) are touted as the must-have stocking stuffers for women who have everything. Little dogs, it seems, are fashionable. And there’s big money in dressing, de-stressing, and bedding down the adorable pint-sized canines.

It all started with Tinkerbell, Paris Hilton’s cute little Chihuahua with the nose for clothes. That’s the pup you’ve seen splashed all over magazines, the one who trekked cross country in Hilton’s Louis Vuitton carrying case—you know, the true star of reality TV’s The Simple Life.

Not to be outdone, Paris’ pal, Nicole Richie has her own yuppie puppy, and so do an ever-growing number of fashionistas round the world. In fact, the New York Times style section did an entire ‘sleeve dog’ spread last week under the banner, Women’s Best Friend, Or Accessory? [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/07/fashion/07dogs.html?_r=1&oref=slogin]

Reminds me of the celebrity puppy in the making who drew crowds at Sarasota airport’s luggage carousel recently: while the owner was thin, young and beautiful (wearing the requisite black tights under her ever so stylish retro jumper), this dog’s personality plus overpowered her. She didn’t mind a bit because the dog was her bowed and bejeweled arm candy. Let me tell you, Killer Tisch, the white Westie who had a mind of his own wouldn’t stand for a bow like that more than five minutes. And if the groomer bobbie-pinned one on, he’d roll in the mud till to loosen it if he had to.

But let’s get this trend in perspective. There are fashion leaders and there are followers. You can buy Tink’s Classic Lily Boots on line at LeDoggieCouture.com—but they’re so last year. Why not head over to Westfield Southgate Mall, where the chic new Coach Signature striped doggie sweater and a batch of status initial leads have arrived in time for the holidays (http://www.coach.com/content/product.aspx?product_no=8622&category_id=200)? Perhaps you’d like to be first to own Ralph Lauren’s Home’s new Doggie Bag—just hitting his RLHome stores right now. Sarasota’s own home store, Robb & Stucky, has the most adorable French walnut doggie beds and matching holders for food and water bowls.

If your puppy isn’t model-thin, we have two gourmet canine bakery shops in town. But you may have to wait for a Privileged Pup pet massage at the Ritz-Carlton: The $130 program made the New York Times’ travel section last Sunday (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/10/travel/10comings.html). Not to be outdone, Starwood Hotels have an LTD (Love that Dog) program with specially designed beds for four-legged guests that match the owner’s room décor (http://www.starwoodhotels.com/promotions/promo_landing.html?category=WPETS).

Still, if you’ve watched Caesar Milan’s dog training/psychology show, The Dog Whisperer (http://www9.nationalgeographic.com/channel/dogwhisperer/), you get the distinct impression that America humanizes its dogs to the pets’ disadvantage. Can we pamper our little pups and still be their masters? Let us know what you think by posting below—and share your pet shopping “leads,” too.

Posted: 12/12/2006 9:20:35 AM | 1 comments

	All Dogs Unleashed
	I think dogs as fashion accessories is unhealthy. Dogs are like members of the family, and you wouldn't take your small child in your purse because he's cute. It just doesn't make sense.
	9/3/2010 1:29:15 PM
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