pet

The Dogirondack Chair

[via book of joe]

Custom-made in Italy, each Antonia Leather Pet Carrier is a far cry from the standard issue dog bags that you're likely to find elsewhere. The carriers are made of fine leather and have numerous mesh-lined grommets to provide ventilation while keeping your pet safe. The interior has a water-resistant nylon lining and there is a double top zipper, making it easy to get animals in and out of the bag. Shoulder straps are made of soft, rolled leather and the bag includes a matching luggage tag for travel. The color pictured is "pumpkin," but there are a variety of others to choose from if you want something that flatters you (or your pup) more. Price: $900.

On Cyprus, different beaches appeal to different people, but they all have one thing in common: no dogs are allowed on them. The rule is in place to make sure the beaches stay clean for bathers. Perhaps tired of enforcing the policy, or simply tired of hearing complaints from dog-lovers, the authorities on the holiday island are considering changing the rules to give dogs (and presumably their owners) their own beach. No location has been picked out yet, but a dog-only beach is sure to be a big draw with pet owners.

GW Little's Gilded Dish and Treat Jar set is made with fine china and looks to be more formal than most of the dinnerware intened for pets, primarily because it is likely to coordinate well with your own fine China dishes. Both the bowl and the jar have 24-karat gilding applied by hand, including the custom pet name that is on the food bowl, and the jar also bears a golden dog bone handle. Platinum can be used in place of the gold unpon request. Price: $115.

The Beastro Pet Table was styled after a more conventional bistro bar, then scaled down topped with a couple of dog-sized serving bowls. The table is handcrafted from "layered Baltic birch" and retains the natural, attractive wood grain pattern even though the various stains that can be added to it. Not only is the table good for Fido's meals (raising the bowls is said to help with digestion), but this one has a built-in cabinet for storing food, pet supplies or anything else that a pampered pup needs. The table comes in three sizes for medium, large, and extra large dog breeds, but is not available in very small sizes because the utility of the cabinet would be compromised. Prices start at $525 depending on size and choice of finish.

The craze for miniature dogs isn't limited to American celebrities. The petite pets are popular in both Australia and Japan, although in Japan, the intensity of the interest in the trend is pushing breeders to try to meet Japanese desire for ever-smaller and ever-cuter puppies. And that is leading to some real problems for the animals. Inbreeding has led to crippled or deformed animals and puppy mills are producing more animals than the public can handle.

The most popular breeds at the moment are ones that are naturally small, such as chihuahuas. It is especially popular to get them in exotic colors, like the blue-grey puppy pictured. These unusual colors are recessive traits and repeatedly breeding for them, often using the same couple of dogs and their offspring because they are known to have the genes, is what causes the dogs to have unfortunate genetic defects. Many are killed at birth, but others lack limbs or are prone to deafness, eye problems and nervous disorders.

A prized puppy can go for as much as $10,000, making it worthwhile for some breeders to pursue these dogs in spite of the risks to the dogs themselves. Breeders are left to self-regulate, but as long as the demand is high, so will the temptation for unscrupulous breeders.

It has become so common to see dogs dressed in little sweaters or tucked away in a handbag that the standard collar-leash combo has almost fallen out of fashion. Fortunately for those whose dogs are a bit too large to put up with wearing puffy pink sweaters, it hasn't and a high-quality set makes a great gift for the non-frilly pet lover. This Ostrich Collar & Lead Set has fine ostrich leather on a plain leather backing accented with brass hardware, including a loop for the lead to attach to. The set is also available with a harness instead of a straight collar and comes in four colors. Price: $350.