Puppy Love

They say dog is man’s best friend, but we all know that a dog is also a woman’s soul sister. If you’ve had your pup for a while, think back to all of the elation, heartbreak, embarrassment, and triumph she’s witnessed: crappy first dates, hangovers, boyfriends, wanna-be boyfriends, one-woman fashion shows, wardrobe disasters, your attempts to train for a marathon, and don’t forget the flu.

She knows the songs you sing in the shower and completely respects your crush on 80s power ballads. She’s been there for you through “Do these khakis make me look thick?” and “OMG! These jeans make me look thin!” Steadfast in her devotion, she’s never judgmental,  even if you haven’t washed your hair since last Tuesday.

While we’re all in the Valentine’s Day spirit (ahem), why not show some love to your caring canine? Oh sure, you could buy her another embarrassing sweater, but she’d really appreciate it if you would check out these tokens of affection:

Potty Patch
As seen on TV! I haven’t tried this myself, but I hear good things about the Potty Patch, a three-tiered doggie restroom for indoor and/or patio/balcony use. The first of the three layers is made of artificial grass “specifically designed to let liquid flow through.” A grate keeps the grass dry, and a collection tray holds up to a gallon of liquid. So next time your walk of shame takes a little longer than expected, Fido can avoid the potty dance by taking advantage of her indoor outhouse. Made with high-rise apartment dwellers and workaholics in mind, the Potty Patch is $40 at officialtvwebsite.com/pottypatch.

Microchip
If Precious is prone to going over the river and through the woods, be sure she’s sporting a collar and tags. If you’d like to add an extra letter of protection, consider the microchip. The Humane Society of the United States endorses the microchip and describes it as a tiny transponder, about the size of a grain of rice, that uses radio frequency waves to transmit information about your pet. It’s implanted just under the skin, and if your baby should “runnoft,” the hero who finds her can take her to a vet or shelter, have the chip read, and then contact you, thereby returning her safely home. (And if said hero is a hottie, he’s got your number!)

My tea cup poodle doesn’t have a microchip — she weighs three pounds, and if she runs away, a hawk will pick her up before anyone can find her — but I did call my vet, Murphy Road Animal Hospital, to get their take. The folks at Murphy Road say they can microchip a dog (or cat), which is done through a relatively quick and painless injection, for around $42. The Nashville Humane Association performs the service for less, but only at their microchip clinics, which are offered a couple of times a year. The next one is Saturday, April 17.

Doggles
Keep your pooch’s eyes healthy and bright with Doggles, the goggles made especially for dogs. Don’t believe me? Ask my mom — her dog Molly has a pair — or check out doggles.com. The site features various sporty and stylish Spot specs for three-pound poodles to 250-pound mastiffs. (I so want the pink ones for my little gal!) Superior to sunglasses, the makers of Doggles say their product is tailored to a dog’s wide nose-bridge and “protruding” eyes. Doggles protect from ultraviolet rays, are shatter-proof, and provide actual eye protection. Vanity’s just a bonus! Your hound can be hip for $12.99.  

Puppy Paintings
Capture every hair on her delightful head with a custom puppy painting by Nashville native and award-winning visual artist Amanda Norman. From westies to pugs and dachshunds, Norman paints them all. Her commissioned acrylic paintings start at $450. Whoa there, ladies. Before you pass judgment on the price, check out her portfolio at amandanormanpainting.com/pets. Girl is gifted, swear!

Whether you have a chocolate-bearing beau or are still impatiently waiting on Cupid’s arrow, go ahead and pamper that brown-eyed love of your life. Remember, she once “held it” for eight hours waiting for you to stumble home on a Friday night/Saturday morning. What a good girl! Treat her like one!