Twice a week, Frankie and I take our morning walk with my friend Jackie and her miniature poodle, Angel. Dogwise, it’s a perfect match. Angel is the only pup I know who is shyer than Frankie. The two of them generally ignore each other, but occasionally one sniffs the other’s butt furtively and then immediately skitters away. I’ve never seen two dogs so similar when it comes to nongreetings.
Angel (pre-shoes) & Frankie, ignoring each other as usual
But I digress.
All was copacetic on our walks until a few weeks ago, when Jackie decided to buy Angel some pink shoes.
Now as anyone who’s spent two minutes on this blog knows, I’m not generally opposed to canine footwear, especially when it’s functional — for example, when the sidewalks are too hot or they’re dosed with snow-melting corrosives. Angel’s shoes, in contrast, were intended only to keep Jackie’s house and her clothing clean.
I kind of wished that Jackie wouldn’t perpetuate frou frou poodle stereotypes. Still, Angel looked sweet and as long as she was comfortable being shod, I had no problem with it.
The other day, however, I noticed Angel walking with a bit of a limp. I bent down to investigate and saw that Angel’s shoes were attached to her halter with string, which had gotten tangled on one side.
When I asked Jackie about the string, she explained that Angel had almost lost one of her shoes. She wanted to make sure they stayed on.
Now mind you, Jackie is a very kind, good-hearted person: She wouldn’t dream of doing anything that she felt would harm any dog, and especially not her sweet girl. She was convinced that the string wasn’t interfering with Angel’s comfort.
I wasn’t.
In fact, an Old-woman-who-swallowed-a-fly scenario began running through my head.
Would Jackie next add clips to the string to make sure it didn’t get tangled? Put socks over the clips so they won’t rub? Boots over the socks…?
I didn’t mention all this to Jackie, just mildly suggested that Angel’s gait seemed encumbered.
I have more clout these days than I used to, what with having written a book about dog care. But Jackie was adamant that Angel was doing ok.
I didn’t feel strongly enough to argue. But it left me wondering. At what point — and how — do I intervene without insulting my friend?
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Asian Dog Fashion
[originally posted November 15th, 2009]
It’s been a while since I blogged purely about dog fashion but I can’t resist — and why should I? — posting these pics sent by my peripatetic friend, Donna L. Hull, who writes about baby boomer travel at My Itchy Travel Feet. Donna is not only amazingly good about keeping up with posts and taking photos while on the road (or in this case, sea). She also remembers her friends who lead more sedentary lives.
South Korean dog chic, Seoul
Savvy Thai canines shop Bangkok's night market
Most of these fashions are a bit feminine, but I think Frankie would look swell in the Korean kimono-type item; it fits his “you exist to serve me” attitude.
I can’t help but think, based not only on this sample but also extended research into the topic, that Asian dogs are the best dressed in the world; see also Japanese Dog Dressing Part 1 and Dog Dressing and Sumo Wrestling.