The Comfy Cone

Photo: All Four Paws

I'll never forget the day when I came home from school. My dog Casey who would greet us when we would get off the school bus was not there that day. It turned out that he was hit by a car that day. My mom and dad immediately took him to the vet. He was injured so badly, he was lying on his side as if he was playing dead. When he heard our voices he could only lift his head and wag his tail which he would thump against the floor.

For the next two months, Casey had to wear one of those plastic e-collars. He woudl constantly be bumping into walls and doorways because the e-collar would block his peripheral vision. Still, it was worth it so that he wouldn't be able to lick his rear legs and they would be able to heal on their own. After the two month period, Casey was up and walking again and back to his old self. He went on to live for 12 years after that.

Photo: All Four Paws

A New Type Of Collar

Yesterday I learned about the Comfy Cone. When I heard about this product, I was thrilled. It's made to be softer for a dogs head but at the same time, it gives the support and flexibility you don't get with a normal plastic collar. It can be folded back so your dog can eat his food without problems.

What makes it special?

• It's moderately priced. You can find an average size Comfy Cone for about $20USD.
• It's built to last and is flexible by having plastic stays inserted into the fabric
• It's earth-friendly. With the type of materials like nylon fabric which has been laminated onto .5 inch foam which is gentler around a dog's head. It also has elastic loops and various velcro settings to make it have a customized fit to the dog's neck.
• The softer material makes less noise. You won't hear bumps in the night as loudly. It's also suitable for cats as well.
• It's recommended by veterinarians which always is a good thing.

While we never want to see our pets have to wear a collar like this, it's a relief to know that if they ever need one, there's a more comfortable alternative out there. You can find these at pet boutiques or online at places like Amazon.

Let's Discuss!

What have your experiences been like when your pet had to wear an e-collar?

Bark 4 Beer Dog Collars

Sometimes, you just catch notice of a wild gadget. I've not much of a beer drinker. On a good day, I'll have a Corona with a lime and the lime is what makes all the difference. Still, I couldn't turn my head away, when I heard about this intriguing gadget.

The Inspiration

Our dog accessory of the week is the Bark 4 Beer dog collar. This came about when the two creators were sitting by a pool one day drinking beer. There was no beer bottle opener to be found. That's when they came up with this idea. It's neat because you don't lose the bottle opener and the beer will not spill onto the dog because it's retractable.

You can get the collar for $14.95 USD. It only comes in the color black. Even better, they offer a matching leash and collar for $22.95 USD. These collars are best suited for medium to large dogs. If your dog has a neck that's smaller than a Cocker Spaniel or other similar dog, this would not be ideal for them.

New Year's Eve

With New Year's Eve being one of the biggest drinking holidays out there, I wish you all a safe and happy holiday celebration. Most importantly, don't drink and drive. No celebration is worth the risk, and it's always better to be safe than sorry. If you are going to drink abundantly, have one of the people you're with be a designated driver. Nothing is worse than regret.

If you would like to learn more about these collars or order one for yourself, please visit the bark4beer.com website. See you in 2010.

Dog Sweaters

Their Origins

Dogs first started wearing clothing in King Arthur's time in Britain (around 520 A.D.). Since knights had put coverings on their horses to protect them from their elements, they had the same idea for their dogs since they would travel with them. Now, you normally see them dressed up for fashion, some do dress up their dogs for warmth.

I never thought much about dog sweaters until Elvis joined my family. Elvis was a Rhodesian Ridgeback that my brother had picked up from a local breeder. Since Elvis was a short haired dog, he would need a sweater in the winter to protect him against the harsh winter elements. We always picked up a knit sweater from Pet Supplies Plus every season. It really made a difference with Elvis too. You could tell from looking at him that he didn't mind wearing the sweater at all. He has since passed but I will always remember how much sweaters helped him through our rough winters.

Dog Sweater Breeds

If you live in a cold weather climate and have a short-haired dog, if your dog falls into one of these breeds, you may want to get them a sweater for winter. Most of these dogs have short hair and/or thin skin. However, some short-haired dogs have a dense enough coat. If that's the case, you probably won't need a sweater for them. Here are some dog breeds that can fall into this category:

• Basenjis


• Chihuahuas


• Chinese Crested


• Dalmations


• Dachshunds


• Great Danes


• Greyhounds


• Italian Greyhounds


• Weinmaraners


• Xoloitzcuintle(Mexican Hairless Dog)


• Yorkshire Terriers

What to look for

When you are looking for a good sweater for a dog, you want to find one in a knit that doesn't shed much fibers. If you have a dog with allergies, you will want to check the fabric contents to make sure it doesn't aggravate their allergies. Measuring a dog is important. The best fit for a dog sweater is by measuring the largest diameter of the chest area. Some packaged sweaters will give you a breed size, others will give a measurement in inches so it's always good to measure beforehand. Most sweaters are priced starting at $10.00. If you love to knit, you can make your own. There is a very good resource at this site.

Where To Get One

Chilly Dog
Dog Supplies.com
Etsy
Petco
PetSmart
Pet Supplies Plus

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Acc essory of the Week: Dog Raincoat

Do any of you use sweaters for your dog?

Dog Accessory of The Day

Happy Monday Everyone! Today, I came across an article which features dog raincoats made from recycled umbrellas. Not only is it good to keep your dogs warm and dry from a rainstorm, it's earth friendly too. Check out the link below to see these jackets up close and personal. Have a great night all!

Broken umbrellas=stylish raincoats