| When it comes to the art of giving, a gift of | | | | to dressing up a dog. There are some really |
| clothes is fraught with peril. We all have | | | | creative doggie costume out there that are |
| stories to tell, and if you don't, you will. | | | | good for a chuckle or two.There's really only |
| Just give it time.Mine started early. My | | | | a couple of rules you'll need to keep in mind |
| grandmother, having survived the Depression, | | | | when shopping for dog clothes: |
| knew how to stretch a dollar. Clothes for her | | | | |
| grandkids were always purchased 3 or 4 sizes | | | | One is that if the dog in question is an |
| too big so we could "grow into them". And she | | | | avid chewer, you should avoid buying him |
| passed this charming trait on to my mother. | | | | anything tempting. Shiny buttons, fringe, and |
| So, we endured our baggy clothes, with the | | | | feathers are examples that come to mind. An |
| sleeves and pant legs rolled up, until we | | | | object that can easily be chewed off and |
| were finally big enough to wear them with | | | | swallowed is a choking hazard and can get |
| dignity. By which time they were ready for | | | | stuck in the dog's digestive tract.The other |
| donation.Then there's my husband. Heaven | | | | rule is that any dog, no matter how tolerant, |
| forbid I should try to give the man a Polo | | | | will be more comfortable wearing clothes that |
| shirt with an uneven hemline. Most Polos are | | | | fit. Proper fit typically requires measuring |
| made longer in the back to help them stay | | | | from the dog's collar to the base of her tail |
| "tucked", but hubby goes un-tucked -- always. | | | | for length. Most garment's girth can be |
| He rejects any polo that breaks the rule, no | | | | adjusted with velcro tabs, but could still be |
| matter how subtly. For an otherwise | | | | an issue with a barrel-chested breed such as |
| easy-going guy, his behavior is almost | | | | a bulldog. Measurements are typically in |
| perverse.If you must give clothes this | | | | inches.Remember that a dog will never "diet |
| season, there's one giftee on your list who's | | | | down" into an outfit that's too small , or |
| sure to look great in any outfit you buy him. | | | | -- unless you're shopping for a puppy or a |
| He'll wear your gift with pride and | | | | pregnant female -- "grow into" an item that's |
| appreciation, head held high and tail | | | | too big. (Sorry, Grandma.)Oh, and one more |
| wagging.That's right, your dog. Or your best | | | | thing--if you're handy with a sewing machine, |
| friend's dog. It's so easy you'll wonder why | | | | you can make your own dog clothes creations. |
| you didn't think of it before.Dogs love any | | | | Just don't forget to include an opening for |
| kind of attention you lavish on them. So, | | | | the dog to relieve himself. Don't laugh, it |
| Spike will wear his outfit - whether it's | | | | happens a lot!Now, if you're shopping for |
| cute or ridiculous - as soon as he sees how | | | | your own dog, you're all set. But if you're |
| happy it makes his owner. Spot will eat up | | | | buying clothes for someone else's dog, I've |
| all that extra attention he gets from | | | | got a few more tips for you.Surveys conducted |
| strangers. And Fifi might even want to Vogue | | | | on the subject of gift preferences of men and |
| for the camera.Clothes shopping for dogs is a | | | | women have shown that men prefer gifts that |
| lot like clothes shopping for babies. Unless | | | | are more playful or practical. So, if the |
| you're going for practicality, cuteness is | | | | dog's owner is male this might translate into |
| what counts. And that's easy to accomplish, | | | | a doggie Harley jacket, a funny costume, or |
| given that any dog wearing clothes looks | | | | a reflective hunting vest (more on practical |
| pretty darned cute.Choices in dog clothes | | | | clothing in another article!).Women, on the |
| range from winter sweaters to football | | | | other hand, prefer gifts that are beautiful, |
| jerseys and summer tees. You can get a set of | | | | memorable, and personal. It shouldn't be hard |
| flannel PJ's for bedtime or a terry robe for | | | | to find an item of clothing for a woman's dog |
| after bath. There's even an entire line of | | | | that's either beautiful or memorable or both, |
| Harley clothes for dogs, complete with | | | | and it will of course be personal!Exception: |
| leather cap and studded collar. Dog costumes | | | | if the woman is someone you don't know well. |
| made for parties and holidays are just too | | | | The more distant the relationship between |
| cute for words.If you really want your gift | | | | giver and receiver, the riskier it is to give |
| to be a hit with admirers, accessorize. Try a | | | | a personal gift. So, be they man or woman, if |
| designer dog collar and maybe a cool pair of | | | | you don't know the dog owner very well, you |
| sunglasses--they make them just for dogs. And | | | | probably shouldn't be buying dog clothes for |
| I recently heard that leg warmers are making | | | | their pet.I hope you'll have fun picking out |
| a come back.Got a mischievous sense of | | | | something nice for the canine on your |
| humor? Making the baby look silly might be a | | | | shopping list. If you get a chance, send me a |
| no-no, but it's good clean fun when it comes | | | | photo! |