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