Recently MSN Shopping highlighted an editor's pick of pet accessories, from colorful collars and leashes, to pet beds and dog houses, to clothing and toys. There really is no limit these days to what you can buy for your pet to make them more comfortable, fashionable or to keep them entertained - you can stick to the functional and unadorned, or you can go haute couture and completely impractical!
Some people love to coordinate their pet's look with their own, with a happy tartan leash that matches their new belt for example, while others stick doggedly to a more utilitarian look such as reinforced nylon or plain leather.
Many people dress their pets to protect them from the elements (like with this great 'horse blanket' just for dogs).
Even people who wouldn't normally think of putting a coat on their pet or buying them jewelry tend to get a bit carried away over the holidays, enthusiastically dressing their hapless animal companions up as fairies, reindeer, pumpkins and the like. Dressing your pets up can be a bit of harmless fun at holidays, as long as the animal will tolerate it and is ultimately comfortable and safe - the Humane Society of the US recommends making sure any clothes you put on your pet don't constrain movement, vision, hearing or ability to breathe. They also recommend checking pet costumes for parts that can be chewed off and choked on.
Some people love to coordinate their pet's look with their own, with a happy tartan leash that matches their new belt for example, while others stick doggedly to a more utilitarian look such as reinforced nylon or plain leather.
Many people dress their pets to protect them from the elements (like with this great 'horse blanket' just for dogs).
Even people who wouldn't normally think of putting a coat on their pet or buying them jewelry tend to get a bit carried away over the holidays, enthusiastically dressing their hapless animal companions up as fairies, reindeer, pumpkins and the like. Dressing your pets up can be a bit of harmless fun at holidays, as long as the animal will tolerate it and is ultimately comfortable and safe - the Humane Society of the US recommends making sure any clothes you put on your pet don't constrain movement, vision, hearing or ability to breathe. They also recommend checking pet costumes for parts that can be chewed off and choked on.
Thanks to many Hollywood celebrities like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, these days pet fashion is a growth industry, particularly for small dog garments. Unfortunately these celebrities also appear to consider their pets more fashion accessories than companion animals, toting them around in designer carry bags to industry events and posing with them for the paparazzi .
Not all celebrities treat their pets this way, but the high degree of visibility afforded Paris' and Britney's dolled-up doggies creates a real danger - that of impressionable people wanting a pet not because they want a lifetime animal companion, but because it's "hot" right now.
What happens when Chihuahuas are no longer de rigueur because Paris or Britney decide they don't want the hassle of their furry friends any more? Or when the teen who begged for a Paris-type Pooch can't be bothered to look after it when the responsibility of pet ownership gets in the way of their lifestyle? When celebrities or other influential people use their pets as accessories it trivializes the pet ownership experience and contributes to the idea that pets are merely conveniences, to be discarded when they're no longer fun or fashionable. This sort of mindset leads to unwanted pets finding themselves in shelters looking for homes or even being euthanized unnecessarily.
Companions for Life encourages people to reject this kind of "disposable pet" mentality - any decision to buy or adopt a pet needs to be taken more seriously than whether or not they'll match your outfit. Pet ownership is a responsibility and a lifetime commitment, to some degree like deciding to have a child - there are costs and inconveniences that you need to be aware of, but the reward of unconditional love and companionship that a lifetime pet offers is worth more than any designer outfit.
What happens when Chihuahuas are no longer de rigueur because Paris or Britney decide they don't want the hassle of their furry friends any more? Or when the teen who begged for a Paris-type Pooch can't be bothered to look after it when the responsibility of pet ownership gets in the way of their lifestyle? When celebrities or other influential people use their pets as accessories it trivializes the pet ownership experience and contributes to the idea that pets are merely conveniences, to be discarded when they're no longer fun or fashionable. This sort of mindset leads to unwanted pets finding themselves in shelters looking for homes or even being euthanized unnecessarily.
Companions for Life encourages people to reject this kind of "disposable pet" mentality - any decision to buy or adopt a pet needs to be taken more seriously than whether or not they'll match your outfit. Pet ownership is a responsibility and a lifetime commitment, to some degree like deciding to have a child - there are costs and inconveniences that you need to be aware of, but the reward of unconditional love and companionship that a lifetime pet offers is worth more than any designer outfit.
So before you rush out to get your very own Tinkerbell think about what you really want and why you want it, and if you just want to be like Britney or have Paris' latest look then invest in some bling of the inanimate kind - it's much easier to switch out when the next fad comes along.
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