When Pet Owners Go Too Far – Part 3
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Fur love or money in the pampered pet boom, a plethora of products, trends, fads and surgical procedures are available to dog owners with a penchant for the best for canine companions, from fur dying and hair extensions, day spas and pet apparel, to doggie night clubs for the party animal. It may sound barking mad, but plastic surgery for your precious pooch including liposuction, testicle implants, and porcelain veneers is a very real — and lucrative — business.
Sandra Hartness with Cindy as a peacock in a 2006 competition. Photo Barcroft
Dyeing, Sculpting, Beading, Feathering and More
Pet hairdresser and competitive groomer Sandra Hartness from Yucca Valley, California, has been coloring, cropping and accessorizing her dogs since 2000. Sandra’s enduring poodle Cindy has won plenty of awards at dog shows in various get-ups including guises as a UFO, a dragon, peacock, camel and even the star-spangled banner.
The two have been featured in many editions of the US dog care industry bible Groomer to Groomer.
Cindy in the guise of a chicken. Photo Barcroft
Sandra shows Cindy as a miniature camel. Photo Barcroft
Odin the poodle as a dragon dog in a 2005 competition. Photo Barcroft
Hair coloring is claimed to be non-harmful to pets for this latest trend in tinting, with non-toxic gels that last 4 to 6 bath times, and longer-lasting semi-permanents for pets which are CTFA-approved for dogs and cats over 12 weeks old. Several U.S. states don’t allow the dyeing of animals, but most states don’t even mention it.
Featured here are dogs-a-plenty caught on film by the Pupperazzi — some undeniably endearing, while others have been caught in the typical unfavorable Pupperazzi style.
Photo Duckymilo
Photo Duckymilo
Photo JDWync
Photo Eiscube1978
Photo Joseph Robertson
Photo Jill Beninato
Dog dyed like a Panda. Photo You Never Know
Photo Caroline Rita
Photo Nomegusta
Photo Both Coasts
Photo Shadkitty
Photo Peggyhr
Photo Ryan Arrowsmith
Photo Snujiin
Photo SyGuildmistress
Photo Clou Queur
Photo Koreaneve77
Photo Anjalisaraf07
Photo Zoom Zoom
Canada Dog Jecht
Vancouver Olympic Poodle Dog
What Not to Wear
Salon owner Joy Douglas at Boulder Zing Salon in Boulder, Colorado was cited for dyeing her poodle pink with what some say were dyes not designed for pets. Former employees and clients of the salon claim to witness Douglas using more than just beet juice to color numerous dogs a rainbow of hues.
Photo Daily Camera
Daley, employed at Zing last year, said she thinks Douglas deserves a ticket after seeing her dye dogs a variety of colors using Manic Panic — a semi-permanent hair color that advertises itself as a vegan product containing no animal ingredients that’s “tested on celebrities, not animals.”
“She’s got like 50 colors.” Daley said. “[Douglas] says it’s a veggie-based dye and it’s not harmful on the dogs. But it’s an actual hair dye that she uses on clients as well.”
Some also dispute Joy’s claims that her poodle Cici’s coat is pink to promote breast-cancer research. Former employee Cheryl Fisk said she has never heard Douglas mention breast cancer when talking about her pink pooch, and had seen her using the hair dyes on dogs.
“I saw her do it.” said Fisk. “I think she deserves to be fined.”
Joy said she has stained other dogs different colors in the past — far from her original comment that only the poodle has been colored. “In the past, we have tried other kinds of stains and Kool-Aids.” she said. “But we never used hair dye that would cause a reaction.”
Officers said they issued the citation only after receiving numerous citizen complaints and giving Douglas several warnings.
But Douglas said she didn’t break the law, and “Cici will be pink until they kick us out of the city of Boulder.”
Boulder Humane Society says it reached an agreement with Douglas — no citation if she does no more dyeing.
Owner Charged for Dyeing Dog’s Coat
Epitome of Pampered Pooches
Pets now have access to life coaching, educational holidays, luxury hotel accommodation, dog yoga, therapists, day spas, mud baths for sensitive doggie skins and coats, diamond jewelry, meat-flavored bottled water, dog beer, dog birthday parties and their own blogs. A new cookbook called Grrrrowlicious Food for Hungry Dogs features recipes such as risotto-stuffed spatchcock and ox-tongue parcels, available at Amazon.
Some pet shops offer basket deliveries packed with treats for the birthday dog, including party hats and biodegradable poop bags. Pure Bread Pet Pantry and Supplies in Paddington, Australia hosts parties for pooches — bone-shaped cake, doggie bags and party games –- and makes birthday cakes to order.
On summer Saturdays, dogs can hang out at the Given Terrace business’s Dishlicker’s Deli and choose from puppachinos, smoothies, biscuits and pupcakes. Owners Amanda and Peter Logan have a daycare centre at the site, complete with an air-conditioned room for pet naps.
For a growing number of furry friends, being well groomed also means being well dressed, with high-end fashion brands quick to cash in. Harley-Davidson can “make your dog a hog” by marketing leather skull caps and hats, and “bad to the bone” bandannas.
HD leather cap photo Adventure HD
Von Dutch puts pooches in hoodies, Gucci and Louis Vuitton offer collars and pet carriers, Juicy Couture does a line of T-shirts, Ralph Lauren ramps up the glamour with coats and cashmere jumpers, Burberry has a signature beige trenchcoat, and even Target moved into pet clothing and accessories last year.
Dog Hoody, Von Dutch
The original Von Dutch designs offer the same style for pups as for humans. “Von Dutch, the actual person, would customize cars and motorcycles so people could set themselves apart, show their individuality and that is being reflected in multiple aspects of peoples’ lives.” says Kai Scheider, marketing associate for the company.
“One of those aspects happens to be pets. Why shouldn’t pets have individuality if their owner does too?”
A first-ever canine-couture show was held recently at New York’s Meccalike Fashion Week. Amid the unveiling of Kenneth Cole’s and Ralph Lauren’s and Vera Wang’s latest work, discount retailer Target paraded poodles, terriers and hounds in casual, glamour and classic collections, including pooch-wear by designers Isaac Mizrahi and Michael Graves.
Photo Ferlinka Borzoi
Photo Ferlinka Borzoi
Nadine Puxty began sewing outfits for her dog Pugsley in 2002 when she couldn’t find any clothes for him that she liked. Puxty, who has a degree in industrial design now sews almost all of the wide range of pet clothing available on her Fluppies website, has seen her business double every year.
Photo Fluppies
Outfits run from the practical — factor 50 UV bodysuits with matching hats — to a ladybird coat, a blue “farm girl” dress, football jerseys and waterproof boots. “It’s because of people not having children or having them later. The dog is a substitute child.” says Puxty.
Ruby and Molly modeling the bride and groom outfit. Photo Fluppies
Dogs and cats are increasingly being cared for to human standards and pet shop suppliers such as Aristopet have jumped to the demand with aromatherapy potions, pet cologne, dog toothpaste, fresh breath spray and dog nail polish.
But do most animals actually like the Paris Hilton treatment? Animal behavior expert Dr. Judith Blackshaw says no, it satisfies the human rather than the animal. Dogs “hate their dog smell getting removed, especially male dogs, which is why they go and roll in the dirt straightaway.”
“If they’re still allowed to have walks and pee on posts and smell other dogs, it’s probably okay. Unfortunately some of them are kept sedentary — it’s like children who aren’t allowed to play outside anymore. But as long as they are allowed to be dogs, I suppose it’s all right.”
Mondex, a five-year-old chihuahua, dressed as a scuba diver, poses during a dog show at a mall in the Filipino capital Manila, bagging 1st in fashion show. Photo AP
Not Your Average Doggy Drink
K9 Water Co. Inc. offers you Toilet Water, Puddle Water, Hose Water and Gutter Water — the world’s first flavored, vitamin fortified bottled water specifically formulated to provide your dog with essential vitamins in tasty flavors of chicken, beef, liver and lamb that they call ” Rebarkably Refreshing.”
K9-Quencher is a Sport Drink for dogs — a healthy, completely safe, veterinarian recommended drink, selling it in dog-bone shaped packets, and canisters with measuring scoops, like Koolaid on the human market. Simply add it to the water bowl.
Man’s best friend now can also be his best drinking buddy, with a beer designed especially for dogs — sold in a glass bottle, steak-flavored Dog Beer is leading the way at a Derby pet shop.
Non-alcoholic and said to have nutritional value by retailer Pets at Home, the pooch hooch is proving popular with customers at the Meteor Centre store, according to manager Mike Hall.
Photo Mens Syndication
“There’s potassium, protein and fats in there. There’s nothing in there to harm them.”
“We’ve had quite a lot of repeat business — people coming back for more because their pets really enjoyed it.”
The Derby store was chosen as the place to test the drink’s popularity before Pets at Home launched it nationwide.
Imported from Holland, where it is called Kwispelbier — “tail-wagging beer” — it sells for £1.99 a bottle.
Made using a traditional brewing process, the drink contains malt barley extract.
A spokesman for Pets at Home said, “While initially people may think of the drink as a novelty, it makes a delicious treat for a thirsty dog and a great source of vitamin B.”
“It means pets are even more a part of family life as they can enjoy a beer too.”
Dog Night Clubs, Restaurants and Hotels
My Dog Cafe at Station Pier in Port Melbourne is the first restaurant in Australia licensed to serve both humans and their canine companions, located in an old ferry ticketing booth and waiting room which serves as a dog biscuit display and pay area with an outside covered dining space catering to the 4-legged canines and their owners.
Photo Zen
The cafe hosts 1-hour doggie birthday parties, complete with party hats and pupachinos, birthday cakes and a separate menu featuring dishes such as braised beef cheek, oxtail ragout and slow-cooked lamb shanks — without onion, garlic, seasoning or cooked bones.
Blake says each dish is made using A-grade ingredients and fresh stock. Owner options include lunch bites such as salads, baguettes and toasted paninis.
“It really is more about the dogs than the humans. I would hate for anyone to go there expecting to have a ‘Blake’s’ experience.’ It’s all good fun.” Blake says.
Photo The Breakfast Blog
So how much is too much? Dog trainer John Harkin thinks treats and novelty clothing is over the top. Harkin, who has been in the business for 30 years and trained dogs around the world says behavioral problems in dogs are often caused by our need to “humanize” them.
“I don’t like humanizing dogs. I like to treat dogs very kindly and treat them very, very well and look after them properly. But the humanizing of dogs is really quite degrading to a dog … it’s amusement for humans at the expense of the dog as far as I’m concerned.”
Brandon Hochman’s pet peeve was that he loved the L.A. party scene, but couldn’t take his own dogs with him for a drink and a good time, so he opened L.A.’s first doggie night club named SkyBark on the rooftop of his downtown offices, where party animals — dogs to be precise — can hang out.
Photo Sky Bark
The Skybark is complete with unique doggie restrooms for which Hochman invented the Pet-a-Potty, an indoor pet toilet that allows pets to take indoor bathroom breaks. The grass sod system can be installed anywhere — nightclubs, theaters, and hotels — wherever dogs are.
Photo Pet-a-Potty
California’s canines are now howling to rock and roll on a special 3,000-square-foot lawn doggie dance floor and lapping up “muttinis” with a 360 degree view of the city skyline and a full bar.
“It’s not just about having a fun evening out with your dog.” says Hochman. “The covert charge from every event is donated to an animal charity and different rescue groups benefit from each event. This way we are sharing the wealth amongst all those in need.” The first event raised over $4,000 for New Leash on Life.
SkyBark won awards for the best pet service in L.A., and was named “the hottest new club in Los Angeles in 2007” by the National Enquirer.
“The biggest advantage of places that cater after dark to dogs is that it removes the guilt of having to rush home to walk and feed the dog and feeling that you should rather be home spending time with your pet.” says Hochman.
“People love to attend events with their pets after hours as it gives them a chance to relax and unwind.” says Meredith Brooks of Lil’ Angel Pet Boutique and Gallery in Denver, Colorado. Brooks who holds regular art exhibitions in store, giving people who appreciate art an interesting venue to meet and mingle.
Scott Rinehart of Wiskers Pet Beastro in Belmont Shore, Long Beach, California says if you want to give your dog an active social life after dark, a good place to look for events is on pet boutique notice boards.
“We host cheese and wine parties in store every month, serving wines with pet-related labels with names such as Dog House. Dogs get flavored waters in fun martini-shaped bowls along with organic gourmet treats — they are always well attended.”
Bruce Haas, co-owner of the Tails in the City pet boutique off Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago, says anyone can stage a doggie event if you have proper canine bathroom facilities.
Recently, Haas and his partner Phillip Emigh threw a bash called “Dance with the Dogs” at the Level nightclub on Rush Street. Pet parents sipped Arnold Pawmers — the club’s signature vodka, cranberry juice and lemonade drink — while doggie party animals munched on treats shaped like martinis.
“We also had a beauty lounge so that dogs could have pawidures and hair touch-ups.” says Haas.
Photo Hotel Monaco
The Hotel Monaco in Alexandria, Virginia, holds a “Yappy Hour” in the hotel’s courtyard every Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5.30 to 8.00 p.m. during April through to October where they serve complimentary doggie treats and fresh water to all canine friends, guests and locals alike.
Pooch Medics
Pets now have access to cosmetic enhancements, liposuction, testicle implants, porcelain veneers, wrinkle removal, eye transplants, and alternative therapies including pet homeopathy, acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine.
Photo Jacky Ghossein
Liposuction is available for your pooch for the first time outside Germany at the University of Sydney’s new Canine Teaching Hospital, which opened about 2 weeks ago. The university’s associate professor in small animal surgery, Geraldine Hunt, introduced the technology in Australia 2 years ago.
Most surgeries have been to remove lipomas, or benign fatty tumors, which traditionally require invasive surgery, but Dr. Hunt said she would consider liposuction on dogs that were overweight if there were good medical reasons.
“The main one is if the dog has any tendency towards arthritis. The fact that it is overweight puts a lot more weight on their joints.” she said.
The procedure can cost around $2 000, so prevention for proper diet and exercise is the best medicine for cosmetic purposes.
After 2 kilos of fat was sucked from his body — 10% of his body weight — 12-year-old Patch is believed to be the first dog in Australia to have undergone liposuction and “like new” says his owner, Irene Williams.
Tumor-depleted Patch has a post-operative check-up with Professor Geraldine Hunt, center, and assistants Nina Lorenz and Natasha Burton. Photo Bob Pearce
His problem was not obesity, but fatty tumors. One on his left hind leg was so large it was threatening to cripple him within months. Liposuction was the only option to avoid putting him down.
“To see him degenerate was tearing at my heartstrings.” Irene said.
“Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for treating cancers, that’s quite routine now.” Professor Hunt said. “We do brain operations from time to time, we remove cancerous tumors from dogs and cats and we do open-heart operations to fix obstructions and valve problems.”
Even more bizarre were owners who asked for testicular implants for their pooches, most often so they could compete in dog shows, be exported for sale overseas, or to negate a prostate problem, she said.
“They might want to enhance the look of the dog’s testicles, have large ones on a Chihuahua.” Randwick Veterinary Hospital’s Dr. Andrew Herron said.
“If it was to show off down the park, I’d probably suggest I take them from him [the owner] and put his in the dog.”
Dr. Herron said dogs were having stainless steel caps and porcelain veneers on their teeth, with owners paying up to $2000 to make their companion’s chompers “shiny and sparkly” or to strengthen fractures.
“We do blood transfusions every week, and have a [dog] blood donor program.”
Her university clinic is planning to buy a magnetic resonance imaging machine and a CT scanner to diagnose everything from brain diseases to slipped discs and arthritis.
“What is changing is the owner’s willingness to pursue diagnostic procedures. They say, ‘If I’m sick, this is what I’d have done and I wouldn’t hesitate, so why should I hesitate for my pet?”‘
Progress in human medicine made people rethink what was possible for their pets. It was no longer unusual for owners to spend $3000. “Most people pay out of their pockets, from savings, or they’ll get a loan.”
If your dog has unsightly wrinkles on their face, you no longer have to put up with it, and neither does your dog. Just like wrinkle removal for people, dogs are anesthetized right before they go under the knife, waking up wrinkle-free from surgery.
Photo Author Unknown
Once-blind dog Dixie, a 7-year-old Mountain Cur from Runnells, Iowa, can now see thanks to the new plastic cornea she received.
Dixie underwent the first veterinary corneal implant procedure in North America, and one of only a few ever performed.
Sinisa Grozdanic, an assistant professor of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at Iowa State University, removed the dog’s damaged cornea and replaced it with a permanent synthetic one made by the German company Acrivet.
The plastic cornea may offer an advantage over transplants of real corneas from other dogs, which are often rejected by the recipient’s body. The synthetic cornea contains no biomaterial so rejection is unlikely.
Although the new cornea doesn’t give Dixie peripheral vision, it has restored some of her sight.
“She used to walk right behind me when we’d go for a walk. She couldn’t see and was scared.” said owner Brett Williams. “Now she wants to run ahead.”
Sources: Daily Mail, Daily Camera, Azstarnet, News AU, Dog Boston Dog Blog, MSNBC, Sidney Morning Herald, Liveleak, and Live Science
Related stories:
When pet owners Go Too Far – Part 1
When pet owners Go Too Far – Part 2
Do Dogs Look Like Their Owners
High Hopes for Puppy Hope with No Front Legs
Pets Get Their Geek On
[...] Related stories: When Pet Owners Go Too Far – Part 1 When Pet Owners Go Too Far – Part 3 [...]
While it’s interesting to look at I don’t think I approve. I’m a hairstylist and a dog owner and putting your pet through that just seems cruel. Heck–I hate coloring my own hair but at least I’ve no one to blame but myself.
Thanks for sharing though–amazing pictures.
Haha
what a freaks 
Poor animals have to resist their owner’s dullness.
This is animal cruelty! But… he is cute, I like it…
Though dogs look good and different but I still don’t agree of doing this. I’m also a dog lover but I don’t think that it will come to the point that I’ll die and color their, I felt pity for them.
It’s quite a controversial issue, but I quite agree, I would never consider putting my dogs through any kind of dyeing process like this. Yes, some of them are cute, but …
Poor creatures… I don’t think they enjoy that as much as their owners…
[...] liposuction, testicle implants, and porcelain veneers is a very real — and lucrative — business.read more | digg [...]
Hey, I LOVE your new design template! I’m sending this link onto a friend who designs dog clothes here on Maui…maybe this post will inspire her!
Thanks Kuanyin
It was rather stressful, as we were doing all of the switches while we were live, from 8a.m. up to the end of the day. But I feel that Mig did a fantastic job, I’m extremely pleased with it.
That’s cool that your friend does dog clothes, too bad I didn’t know about it sooner for this article. May be something for the works in the next in this series
Wow those are some colorful pups! My favorite is the one near the top that looks like a camel. She did a great job with the cut and color, I couldn’t resist stumbling it. I can’t believe that one lady got in trouble for “dying” her dog. Oh well, that just got more publicity for breast cancer so I guess its not a bad thing.
Thanks Monavie
I believe the reason Joy Douglas got into hot water was for using dyes for humans rather than those certified for pets.
Wow ! When I had my cat declawed they asked me f I wanted the claws removed or if just wanted “tips”. I had no idea what they were so I asked. They are pieces of plastic that fit over the ails and are availble in a variey of colors ! (They last several months)I had thought I had senn everything with that…..until I read all these aticles on your blog that is ! BTW…I thought the cutest dg was the panda dog. I could never dye my pets though.
Thanks for sharing this Dawn, I have never heard of these ‘tips’ for cat’s claws up to now.
The panda dyed dog is cute, but I could never do something like this to my dogs either.
I don’t know but..is it safe to paint your dogs? I mean it won’t be dangerous for them if they lick those paints?
Just stumbled upon your site. Great look – and very interesting and amusing post. I love the little one in the wetsuit and flippers. My cat is a lover of fragrance and strong aromas so I use a variety of essential oils to sooth and calm – both her and myself. Pets are great -
‘Photo Author Unknown’…is it a real dog?…weird but cute..
Nice pics. I feel a bit sorry for the animals uet I am sure they do not feel embarrassed.
http://www.FuglyPets.com – The good, The Bad, and the Extremely Unattractive
came across your post while doing some research on liposuction… thats very over the top. dog lipo
“It may sound barking mad, but plastic surgery for your precious pooch including liposuction, testicle implants, and porcelain veneers is a very real — and lucrative — business.” I heard of people loving their pet but plastic surgery is outrageous. The peacock dog is too much. I think pet owner is just wrong for making Cindy a chicken. You have some really great pictures so keep it coming!
I have a great fun seeing all the dog pictures with color. They all look cute!
Hello…If I wanted the claws removed or if just wanted “tips”. I had no idea what they were so I asked. They are pieces of plastic that fit over the ails and are availble in a variey of colors !I couldn’t resist stumbling it. I can’t believe that one lady got in trouble for “dying” her dog. Oh well, that just got more publicity
Great collection of Dog’s photos.. Actually I like first one…I have question for you.. that why some one paint that dog. Is it healthy for dog ??
funny collections of dogs pictures, I like them
The photos are funny but something in the back of my brain says its wrong?
simon’s last blog post..Currys THQ SPNGBOBC FTCC DS now mearly 9.97
Although the Panda – like Chow Chow is cute, I am still for accessorizing your dog with dignity. Just get a cute collar or leash. Something that your poor dog won’t be humiliated over.
Hi I have just started dying my dog I’m a salon owner these product are very safe for dogs they are made for dogs so they can lick it and all it will not hurt them.
I love the panda and will be at some stage making my dog look like one too it’s so cute
ppl use hair dye for their hair all the time the dog dyes are heaps safer for your pet then the colors ppl put in their own hair and look how spoit these dogs are ppl dont do this kind of work if they dont love dogs as it takes a lot of work to get the look these dogs have
Oh my God! These poor dogs… Whilst amusing I wonder what they feel. I’m sure some enjoy the attention but you have to wonder about the owners…
baby gender predictor’s last blog post..Baby Gender Predictor – Introducing Ultrasound
Sorry to burst your bubbles guys but the dying of dogs has been around for decades. The products, including vegetable dyes, blow-pens, and accessories are all child safe and 100% nontoxic. These are beloved animals and faithful companions who love the attention and hours of one-on-one time with their owners. We as professional groomers, do things that may be unusual or out of the ordinary, but it is a skill and talent that only a few possess. The time and dedication to our jobs and animals is unlike ANY you will ever find anywhere else. We see on a daily basis, pets who are filthy, matted to the skin, pelted fur that can imobilize them, matts so tight around their genitals it leaves acid burns on their skin, dogs with ear infections that smell rancid, impacted anal glands, toenails grown int the pads of their feet and so on. THIS IS NEGLECT AND ABUSE. The condition of the dogs who are dyed are pristeen and the upitome of health and vitality. They spend time on the grooming table everyweek so we can see their skin, teeth, ears and eyes. We can tell they love and enjoy the process and the time with us. They are not embarrasses, look at those poodles gleaming eyes. When people ‘ohhhhh’ and ‘ahhhhhh” their tails wag! They are proud of themselves and even more proud of their beloved masters hardwork and dedication and amazing skills at the way they transformed a regular coat into a piece of art. Think before you open your mouths. You want to see cruelty? I can show you cruelty. Go to youtube and type “rendering plants” or “fur trade markets”
This was such a great photo blog that I included the link for more information at the end of an article I was writing about Aubrey O’Day. Wonderfu blog you have here!
Darla ´s last blog ..Celebrities Dye Dogs: Aubrey O’Day Dyes her Pampered Poochie
The only person who posted and has sense was Lindsay from 2009!
So many people want to talk about “animal abuse” when they can’t even find a definition of what that would be.
Grooming your pet is not abuse. You really think dyed cats and dogs are bothered by getting a haircut? Stop trying to push your human emotions on an animal, and assume it is the same.
Why not put your anger comments to real abuse? Like animals getting beaten or burned? Not an animal being groomed and pampered.
I actually think these are now became a sign of fashion to exhibit dogs like this