I realize that in other parts of Los Estados Unidos, people don’t dress their pets up like we do here in Los Angeles. Nonetheless, Saturday is “National Dress Your Pet Up Day” and to expand on that theme, we hope to provide a little something for everyone. The shopaholics, the Do It Yourselfers and the Utilitarians.

my my don't you look handsome!

Let’s just be real here; some ladies love to shop for clothes. Combine that with the maternal type of love we feel for our pets and you can easily end up in the company of  dogs that dress better than you.

Dog clothing can definitely serve a purpose, to protect from chilly winds and cold nights. Some very small dog breeds with short fur can pull on a sweater (or vest) to keep body heat in and protect from sunburn.

Snickers and Boo in their "Winter Wear"

Some dogs wear clothing to keep from itching and scratching because they have  skin conditions or hot spots. Some dogs find a tight t-shirt or thundershirt makes them feel more secure and less anxious. Or, It can all just be for fun.

It's back to school time Pierre!

For you Do It Yourselfers, I used this pet holiday blog assignment as an excuse to try something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time – Felting. Felting is the process of turning yarn into a dense, fuzzy felt material through water, soap and agitation.

Here’s what you need:

Yarn & scissors

Hot water

Hand Soap – I used Dr. Bronners

Needle and thread to string necklace

#1 -  Start a tiny yarn ball and wind up yarn tightly so that is is as smooth and even as possible, make it a little bigger than you want your  finished bead to be since it will shrink a little. Snip the yarn and tuck in the loose end when your ball is at the desired size.

#2 – Dunk yarn ball in a bowl of hot water so it’s saturated and soap up your hands.

#3- Roll ball very GENTLY (like patting a baby duckling) in your palms for up to 20 minutes. You will be able to see when the ball no longer looks like rolled up yarn and takes on that soft, felty appearance. You made need to re-soap your hands if the ball looks like it’s drying out and not making progress.

#4- Let balls dry for a couple days, when they are light & firm they are ready to string.

I have no idea if my cat is a Leo or not, but I like to think she appreciates the occasional adornment.

For You Utilitarians out there – Nobody likes a wet smelly dog and lots of dogs here are so unused to precipitation, they’d prefer not to set foot outside when it’s raining anyway. However, city dogs need walks whether it’s sunny or windy or raining so here is a quick fix tip from our own graphic designer, who is a simple man with a job to get done…

Do you like to dress your pets up? Share photos with us on our Facebook Wall

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