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