Most of the companies that offer charms shaped like pets offer just the most popular breeds but Meche goes the extra mile. Their dog charms cover all current AKC breeds and they have begun working on the cats, starting with the most popular. The pieces are three dimensional and free standing. They can be ordered in 14K white or yellow gold and customized with diamond collars and eyes and finished with custom colors.
Posh Paws is an idea put into motion by Cantoni furniture store and inspired by a small polyethylene dog originally created by designer Eero Aarnio as part of his children's collection. The Posh Paws version takes the original dog, adds in a few local and national celebrity designers, and comes up with an entire line of adorable and unique puppy toys (toys that are puppies, not toys for puppies) that are up for sale to benefit various charities in the name of animal rescue and helping stray pets find permanent homes. My favorite is this one by Zsofia Mezey Koppani.
We've covered bottled water for dogs before and apparently the trend is really taking off because now we're doing it again. Aqua Pure Breed is bottled mountain water for dogs that not only provides hydration but is also available in 4 different formulas to more personally meet your dog's healthy drinking needs. And Aqua Pure Breed promotes not only healthy drinking water for your pet but an overall healthy and active lifestyle by offering "Active Dog Guides" for major cities and they started the No Dog Left Behind program which encourages people to include their pet dogs into more areas of their lives. You can order online and get about a month's supply of water for $59.95.
I came across this gem while browsing pictures of unique children's rooms. Named The 1984 Fishbowl, this revamped design by Danny Cheung putts a modern twist on the age old glass fish bowl. It's quirky shape is eye catching, the windows are made of magnified glass providing a detailed look at your goldfish, while the opaque walls provide refuge. I love the retro look of this funky little fish bowl, it would make a stylish addition to any room, and I imagine kids would go nuts for it. Available online for $430.
For the jet setting pet in your life! Your precious companion will never be away from home without his or her "essentials", with the Global Gallivanter Trunk! This luxurious collection contains a water bowl, a pet passport holder, a chew toy and your choice of either a bone or fish plush cushion. All of which are encased in a heavily padded handmade Napa leather trunk, (that doubles as a luxe dog bed) complete with collar and leash holders and a storage area to keep your k9's outfits neat and organized! My suitcase isn't even this nice! The Global Gallivanter Trunk retails for around $2,000 and is available online.
Posted May 22nd 2008 3:02PM by Rigel Gregg Filed under: Pets
Cats, with their elitist attitudes and regal posture, might look good with your decor but the supplies they come with (scratching posts, kitty doors, pet beds) are something more commonly tolerated than enjoyed. "Cats in Style" by designer Marly Gommans aims to change that, though, with an artistic and modern approach to cat ownership and maintenance.
The series includes 4 pieces (a scratching post, covered litter box, bed/play area, and cat door) that are made up mainly of all-natural and environmentally friendly sisal and wool.
It's not easy to find cutesy stuff for large dogs, I have a 65 pound mutt, so adorable sweaters aren't an option, neither are name brand carriers. I was excited to find this Swarovski retractable lead, it's covered with shimmering crystals and available in a nice assortment of colors. Walk your big pooch in style and be the talk of the dog park! Available online, prices range from $160 (dogs under 20 pounds) to $280 (larger breeds).
Most pet crates don't look so nice in the home, with their plastic casing, metal gates and colors that don't always match the decor. Unless you want to keep your pet and his or her crate in the basement, there's an alternative, if you have a woody decor. The Pet Crate End Table from Improvements Catalog is solid pine with a chestnut color, and doubles as an end table. It comes in two sizes and is priced a bit more than many of the basic plastic and metal models found at a conventional pet goods site, such as Doctors Foster and Smith, but certainly is nicer looking as well as multi-functional.
Because the crate looks more like furniture than, well, a crate, you can easily set it up in the living room, den or bedroom. The pivoting block "lock" keeps the door closed. The description states that the crate also is a good place for a kitty litter box. And I bet my 3-year-old nephew would enjoy hiding in there too.
Large Pet Crate End Table, 25" x 36" x 30" tall, $259.99; Medium Pet Crate End Table, 21" x 30" x 24" tall, $199.99. See the gallery below for some of the other attractive pet products available from Improvements Catalog.
Posted Mar 31st 2008 11:02AM by Rigel Gregg Filed under: Pets
I'm not big on crating my little Maltese (and she's not big on being crated!) but there are always those times when it's just in her best interests to be confined, whether she likes it or not. Dog crates are typically ugly functional things, but the people over at Go!PetDesign have come up with a slightly less atrocious version of this small dog staple. The eiCrate has an artistic round shape, with a cute little round door and accessories like a fitted cover and half-moon shaped doggie cushion to add even more style. It still has a typical crate's metal framework, but then some things just can't be avoided. $495 - $750
Tired of tripping over squeak toys? Stash them neatly away in Pawdora's Antique Dog Bed that doubles as an elegant toy chest . Available in dark brown stained wood, and accented with antique gold embellishments, this chest is easy on the eyes and convenient . You can switch the top pillow out to custom match any decor in your home, I can picture a leopard pillow or zebra one looking cute. Available online at poochieheaven.com for $249.
Barneys New York always has the most stylish new accessories, so it comes as no surprise that their dog section is also to die for. This chic collar by Stray is perfect for any designer pooch or lovable mutt. Available in three sizes, with the words LEADER OF THE PACK spelled out in nickel studs, these handmade leather collars are available for $355 on the Barneys New York website. Stray dog accessories are made in Paris, by designer Venetia Rudland, who spent years as a designer at the Hermès ateliers making their famous bags.
I'm not sure if it's the saturated adult health and fitness industry or the booming pet products trend, but something has encouraged the creation and launch of Fortifido, bottled vitamin water for dogs. Fortifido touts benefits like healthier bones, skin, and joints, (plus of course better breath) and comes in several different flavors including spearmint, peanut butter, and parsley (parsley???).
When it comes to water for dogs of course there's some controversy over bottled water versus plain old-fashioned tap water, but even if bottled dog water is something you would buy I think everybody can see it's mostly just a marketing scheme to make money. Despite that, though, I'll admit that it might be fun when I'm out exercising to whip out both a water bottle just for me and another one for my dog...
She'll be trying "parsley" first (and probably just once!).
Posted Jan 30th 2008 10:06AM by Rigel Gregg Filed under: Pets
If you're an animal lover you probably have at least one cat or dog, if not several. And whether you're into mixed breeds from the local animal shelter or purebreds worthy of showing, pretty much all pet owners think their little baby is the most beautiful and unique of all. And although that may be true (I've got 3 unique sweeties of my own) there is something to be said for which kinds of cats and dogs really are the most unique, or in this case, the most rare. When it comes to rare breeds different experts have different opinions, but regardless who you ask certain names keep popping up.
The rarest cat breeds seem to be the Sokoke, the Egyptian Mau, and the Ashera. Of those the Ashera is the most expensive($20,000+), the Sokoke the most exotic (from the wilds of Africa), and the Egyptian Mau has the coolest history (lived with the Egyptians).
As for dog breeds, the one that keeps popping up on all the 'rare' lists is the Lundehund, or Norwegian Puffin Dog. Bred originally by the Vikings to hunt Puffins its most unique characteristic is its incredible flexibility in the joints. Other rare breeds include Otterhounds (about 350 in the US) and Stabyhounds (about 100 in the US).
Ralph Lauren's Louisiana alligator dog collar is inspired by the company's posh Ricky handbag. The collar has a brass buckle and a curious detail, a little brass lock which is engraved "RL" 67." The lock has a brass key which is so cute that the owner could wear it as a pendant making this dog collar the canine equivalent of the Cartier Love Bracelet. The collar sells for $495.
The most frustrating thing about the Leo Scratching Post is that no one seems to know how much it costs. This beautiful piece of kitty objet d'art was created by James Owen Design for Design Within Reach. It is constructed of African zebrawood with a rounded polished aluminum base. I'm not sure how alluring it would be for the cat but it sure appeals to me.
I came across this gem while browsing pictures of unique children's rooms. Named The 1984 Fishbowl, this revamped design by Danny Cheung putts a modern twist on the age old glass fish bowl. It's quirky shape is eye catching, the windows are made of magnified glass providing a detailed look at your goldfish, while the opaque walls provide refuge. I love the retro look of this funky little fish bowl, it would make a stylish addition to any room, and I imagine kids would go nuts for it. Available online for $430.
It's not easy to find cutesy stuff for large dogs, I have a 65 pound mutt, so adorable sweaters aren't an option, neither are name brand carriers. I was excited to find this Swarovski retractable lead, it's covered with shimmering crystals and available in a nice assortment of colors. Walk your big pooch in style and be the talk of the dog park! Available online, prices range from $160 (dogs under 20 pounds) to $280 (larger breeds).
Most pet crates don't look so nice in the home, with their plastic casing, metal gates and colors that don't always match the decor. Unless you want to keep your pet and his or her crate in the basement, there's an alternative, if you have a woody decor. The Pet Crate End Table from Improvements Catalog is solid pine with a chestnut color, and doubles as an end table. It comes in two sizes and is priced a bit more than many of the basic plastic and metal models found at a conventional pet goods site, such as Doctors Foster and Smith, but certainly is nicer looking as well as multi-functional.
If you're an animal lover you probably have at least one cat or dog, if not several. And whether you're into mixed breeds from the local animal shelter or purebreds worthy of showing, pretty much all pet owners think their little baby is the most beautiful and unique of all. And although that may be true (I've got 3 unique sweeties of my own) there is something to be said for which kinds of cats and dogs really are the most unique, or in this case, the most rare. When it comes to rare breeds different experts have different opinions, but regardless who you ask certain names keep popping up. 
