Happy National Dress Up Your Pet Day!

It may seem like the hustle and bustle and excitement of the holiday season is over, but another reason to celebrate something has arrived!  January 14th is National Dress Up Your Pet Day!

I was never quite attuned to the whole idea of dressing up my pet until I had a smaller dog-one that would actually withstand me yanking articles of clothing over her head & making a fuss over her for extended periods of time

Our poodle seemed bare when we groomed her during the winter months.  Naturally, we felt bad and bought her a sweater thinking it would help to keep her warm as she tunneled her way through the foot-high snow.  After much success and a few sweaters later, we finally purchased a red coat with a hood trimmed in white faux fur.  She looked darling in it and bobbed through the snow like a little elf.  One afternoon I stood in the doorway and called for her to come in.  After a few calls and whistles she did not come running.  I scanned the backyard and spotted her in all of her red-coat-glory continually headbutting the side of our above ground pool.  The poor dog's hood had fallen over her eyes and she could not see.  She kept wobbling around, bumping into this and that before I could rescue her.  Lesson learned-hoods on pet clothing are for decorative purposes only.  We pinned the hood down and off she went frolicking through the snow as good as new. 


But there's more to it than just dressing your pet for the weather.  When divas like Paris Hilton started slathering diamond encrusted collars, sweaters, and booties on their pups, pet clothing became the hot commodity.  The trend did not stop with small dogs, however.  Clothing for both cats & dogs has become huge.  Go to any pet retail chain, or even your local grocery store, and you are bound to find some type of pet-related apparel.

The trend to accessorize pets has become even more extreme.  Recently, pet owners have been piercing their cats' ears (I am not making this up, nor do I condone it), tattooing their skin (ditto), or putting $50 wigs on them (okay you have to click on this link because it's hilarious).  How far is too far you ask?  I think I'll stick to the sweaters and pretty collars...

Ahhh, nonetheless, we shall celebrate this nationally reserved day and dress up our pets!  Just remember to be safe while doing so!  Post pictures of your decked out pet on our Facebook wall!  www.Facebook.com/ScoopFree