Monday, February 22, 2010

Why Do People Dress Their Dogs?

This is a phenomenon I just don't get.

People that dress their dogs.

They don't need clothes.

They certainly don't need a coat to go outside. They have a built in fur coat that does the job.

Don't even get me started on little doggie booties.

Look at this poor little fellow:



He's sporting some kind of vest with pockets.

Hard as I try, I cannot come up with a single reason why a dog needs a pocket.

Then there is this one:



She had some serious bling goin' on. She had a little pink purse that was attached to her leash, but I didn't get a shot of that for you.

So sorry.

But believe me, she had one. And it had sparkly crystal thingies on it too.

But nothing - I repeat nothing - prepared me for this:



A doggy pedicure.

Who has time to do their dog's nails??

I can add this phenomenon to my list of things I will never get.

21 comments:

  1. Anonymous7:30 a.m.

    Our dog has 3 sweaters. Why? Well he's a miniture daschund and the winter here in Texas has been very cold. Not to mention he loves to play outside and after 5 minutes outside he's shaking from the cold. Besides he looks super cute in his dark blue one.

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  2. My neighbour's dog needs a coat. He's a Great Dane...no fat and very thin fur. But his coat is very purpose-oriented and not a fashion statement.

    I think the little dogs who were bread to be "arm candy" need to stay warm. Bigger working dogs like you and I have are bread to be heartier and not needing a coat.

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  3. ABSURD. Our neighbors have like 6 dogs and they all have stupid outfits - even the uber puffy collie looking thing. It's beyond lame and they look like idiots. Don't think they have purses, but I'm not sure any of them are female. I saw a display for Snuggies for Dogs yesterday at the store. Snuggies, Kate. Snuggies. Add it to my list of things I'll never get also!

    AND I love how your new blog looks - it makes me think of Easter! It's so pretty!

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  4. We have clothing for our chihuahuas, but not really anything fancy or flat out crazy. They have sweaters or coats to wear when we take them outside to potty (if it's cold-tiny chihuahus get cold really easily) and they have these little vests that we put on them to take them for a walk. People mistake the vests for clothing, but they are actually the harness we use to connect them to a leash for walking. Oh, and the woman that gave us our dogs (one puppy for each of our 3 girls) actually does like to dress her chihuahuas up in little dresses. She makes dresses or shirts for all of her animals.
    She even gave us the dresses she had made for our puppies to wear. We don't ever dress them in anything but something to keep them warm though. I just don't really feel comfortable if my dog looks better than me in a sundress! Lol.

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  5. yeah...i know...really.
    bling, nail polish and plaid for pets?!

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  6. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention....my sister-in-law actually has these fake nails that she puts on her Boston terrier! She glues 'em right on and you can tell that the dog hates it:( I didn't even know that you could buy fake nails for a dog.

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  7. I think the problem is that certain folks in our culture value their dogs lives over that of their children or families... its like they believe that their dogs are *equal* in importance to humans.

    Now, dont get me wrong, we love both our dogs, but if one of my dogs ever bit or threatened to bite one of my kids that DOG would be gone. My KID would stay. And I would happily delight in painting her toenails. :)

    Tangent over, goodday.

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  8. Well I admit that our two little lap dogs where a sweater out in the backyard when its really cold.

    But one reason I think folks go all out on their pets may be for many reasons.

    Maybe the woman can not have kids so her pets are her kids, And to her it is no different buying things for her pet as it is for us to buy fo r our kids. I have a very dear friend that can not have kids. She has 2 dogs that she spends lots of money on. It makes her happy so I say go for it.

    Now there is NO way I would be painting my dogs nails. UM NO..

    but that one dog you posted with he painted nails Um what was with he muzzle? it reminded me of Hannibal lector

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  9. You've got awards!

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  10. Too funny! Quite the stylish pooches!

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  11. uhhhm..my doggie has a new blog LOL that's integrated into mine. He sleeps in pajamas. I know. Someone's nuts. Wonder who? :)

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  12. Too funny! I want to know how you took these shots without them noticing! I am to afraid to try.

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  13. Um yeah, not a fan. Although I have seen a couple cute little dressed up dogs, it's still ridiculous. You're not against dressing twins alike are you? Hope not. :)

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  14. Some dogs, such as greyhounds, have very thin skin and do get cold...as do older dogs. Both my labs get cold outside now. When they were younger, they'd swim in Lake Michigan in the winter. Now they don't like to be outside for more than a few minutes when it is cold out.

    The booties may help with traction. Also, if you walk your dog where there is a lot of salt put down for snow/ice removal, it can damage their pads on their feet. So I can see using them as well.

    The fake nails can be so that the nails don't damage your hardwood floors. They have them for cats as well to help with scratching furniture and carpet. Some vets promote their use so that owners won't get their cats declawed.

    Some people, me included, think of their dog and/or cats as a part of the family. Jake and Luke were my other kids when I didn't think I would have any more. Some people don't/can't have kids and think of their pets as their kids. I smile when I see animals dressed up. it's not my thing....but it doesn't hurt me at all and if it makes them happy, why not? At least you know they are being taken care of.

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  15. Yep I don't really get it either. But in the case of dogs with really short fur it can be a blessing in the winter time. Our little dog freezes when it's cold out and buries himself under his blanket when he sleeps. Still I don't dress him up, but if he were outside in freezing temps for long periods of time I would have to because he'd get cold super easy.

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  16. I think its cute :) I bet the pink purses holds poopoo bags...we used to have one..just not pink and blingy :)

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  17. Ridiculousness at its finest, my friend! I've never understood the infatuation with the stupid little outfits either...and nail polish on a dog!!?? Seriously, I am lucky to have my own toes painted.

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  18. I found your post hilarious because yes, I am one of those people that dress my 95 pound dog. And for what reason I have no idea. He hates his sweaters! In fact, I just wrote about it on my blog tonight. No more dressing Willis. I told my husband maybe it's time for a child. =)

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  19. I found your post hilarious because yes, I am one of those people that dress my 95 pound dog. And for what reason I have no idea. He hates his sweaters! In fact, I just wrote about it on my blog tonight. No more dressing Willis. I told my husband maybe it's time for a child. =)

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  20. Some dogs, such as greyhounds, have very thin skin and do get cold...as do older dogs. Both my labs get cold outside now. When they were younger, they'd swim in Lake Michigan in the winter. Now they don't like to be outside for more than a few minutes when it is cold out.

    The booties may help with traction. Also, if you walk your dog where there is a lot of salt put down for snow/ice removal, it can damage their pads on their feet. So I can see using them as well.

    The fake nails can be so that the nails don't damage your hardwood floors. They have them for cats as well to help with scratching furniture and carpet. Some vets promote their use so that owners won't get their cats declawed.

    Some people, me included, think of their dog and/or cats as a part of the family. Jake and Luke were my other kids when I didn't think I would have any more. Some people don't/can't have kids and think of their pets as their kids. I smile when I see animals dressed up. it's not my thing....but it doesn't hurt me at all and if it makes them happy, why not? At least you know they are being taken care of.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Well I admit that our two little lap dogs where a sweater out in the backyard when its really cold.

    But one reason I think folks go all out on their pets may be for many reasons.

    Maybe the woman can not have kids so her pets are her kids, And to her it is no different buying things for her pet as it is for us to buy fo r our kids. I have a very dear friend that can not have kids. She has 2 dogs that she spends lots of money on. It makes her happy so I say go for it.

    Now there is NO way I would be painting my dogs nails. UM NO..

    but that one dog you posted with he painted nails Um what was with he muzzle? it reminded me of Hannibal lector

    ReplyDelete