| The dog fashion show of the century was held | | | | The Willis's in Ontario have an eight pound |
| in Toronto Ontario, this past June kicking | | | | poodle named Struppi, who wouldn't be caught |
| off the annual " Woofstock" sort of a doggie | | | | dead without her Louis Vuitton doggie bag and |
| love in fest. It is the largest outdoor event | | | | a matching LV collar and leash. The cost is |
| for dogs in North America with free admission | | | | in the thousands of dollars, but to the |
| festivals, entertainment and dog lovers | | | | Willis couple it's like splurging on a child. |
| fashion shows. | | | | However, Struppi doesn't fly Air Canada |
| | | | anymore, since they banned travelling pets in |
| Over 120,000 dog enthusiasts attended with | | | | July of this year. More singles are living |
| over 200 companies who showed their latest | | | | alone, than married couples that are |
| foods, fashion and fun furnishings for our | | | | allocating more money for the comforts of |
| furry friends. These were the "must haves" | | | | their family pets. |
| for every canine to live in this dog eat dog | | | | |
| world and for 2 days the St. Lawrence Market | | | | The pet industry has ballooned to a four |
| on Front Street became "Doggie Heaven" for | | | | billion dollar industry that caters to pets |
| the participants. Dog divas donned their | | | | for anything from gourmet treats, pet spas, |
| finery wearing pearls, silks, cashmere, | | | | pet hotels, pet vacations, pet foods, and the |
| leather and outer fashion canine couture, and | | | | very lucrative niche of pet designer |
| could partake of: massages, spa treatments, | | | | fashions. Industries are popping up |
| portraits, fashion accessories, furnishings, | | | | everywhere and the ideas are out of this |
| bedding and decadent treats to satisfy any | | | | world, including catered Dog Birthday |
| palate. We can only hope that Carson Kresley | | | | Parties? Yes, when your dog's birthday rolls |
| comes next year to do the judging or is it | | | | around you can have it all catered and invite |
| jusshhing as he calls it. | | | | his/her neighbourhood pals and have a Dog |
| | | | Birthday Bash. |
| Festivities also included a Doggie High Tea | | | | |
| honouring Canine Cancer Survivors at the posh | | | | With dog bakeries spawning at such a rapid |
| downtown King Edward Hotel. When Elizabeth | | | | rate worldwide -it shouldn't be too hard to |
| Taylor came to town with Richard Burton, she | | | | find a cake, in the shape of a bone, made of |
| stayed at the King Eddie for 10 weeks, and | | | | carob which is a natural pure chocolate that |
| brought along her dogs who also stayed with | | | | is harmless to dogs. Carob which is the |
| her in her suite. The participants of the | | | | ingredient substitute for chocolate does not |
| Doggie High Tea dined on fresh baked cookies | | | | contain caffeine or theobromine, which is |
| and lapped it down with a specially brewed | | | | most often fatal for dogs, and is free from |
| tea, in the beautiful Windsor Ballroom. | | | | phenylethylamine. |
| Guests made donations to help raise funds for | | | | |
| OVC Pet Trust Fund for Canine Cancer | | | | In the world of canine couture what's hot you |
| research. Also participating was the Smiling | | | | ask? Hoodies. They are cute, comfortable and |
| Blue Skies Cancer Fund organization. As these | | | | very in doggie vogue and you never pull the |
| dogs were pampered to the nines with lavish | | | | hood over their heads, its all for looks you |
| royal treatment, the audience were asked to | | | | see. Bling's The Dog Thing. |
| vote for their favourite outfits, at the Dog | | | | |
| Fashion show. Paris Hilton should have | | | | Jewellery is here to stay and doggie fashions |
| attended this event, but alas she missed out. | | | | must have accessory frills, such as |
| | | | rhinestone studded collars, and leashes, |
| This all preceded the main event, a mutt | | | | where the bling matches the outfits. Some |
| strut culminating with the crowning of the | | | | designers' have added Swarovski Crystals for |
| Ms. and Mr. Canine Canada Pageant, which was | | | | the sheer elegance of a well heeled dog |
| the contest for the cutest and most handsome | | | | collar. Charm bracelets, well the equivalent |
| dogs, actually they were all pretty cute. The | | | | for a dog is charms placed on their leash, |
| fashions shows were to" dog for", with the | | | | which are also making a bold fashion |
| furry fashionistas all parading, and | | | | statement. Pearl necklaces are here, and |
| strutting their stuff on the cat walk. | | | | banish that old leather worn out leash, that |
| | | | these days seem as antiquated as yoke straps |
| An Extreme Makeover produced and donated by | | | | on an oxen. |
| Aussie Pet Mobile made over 2 lucky pooches | | | | |
| per day that were transformed by the | | | | Dog Bags: |
| afternoon events, into Doggie Diva's or Kool | | | | |
| Dudes. Next was a Best Costume contest where | | | | Hand bags to keep their toys, snacks and |
| contestants revealed their true inner dog | | | | stuff in while travelling or shopping. Dog |
| selves, by flaunting their favourite outfits. | | | | bags for those sleep over nights, at a |
| | | | friend's house, you have to pack up Priscilla |
| On the second day, a Rescue Me Walk-a-thon | | | | also. Dog bags, Strollers, Harnesses, and |
| too place to support the Ontario Canine | | | | raincoats are all the rage. |
| Rescue which is a not for profit organization | | | | |
| that rescues maimed and injured animals. | | | | Dog Strollers: |
| After that, was a "Stupid Dog Tricks" show, | | | | |
| where canine idols showed off their stunts | | | | You will see more strollers in the coming |
| and trickery. Donations from the proceeds of | | | | years, as our baby boomer dogs are getting |
| Woofstock were presented to the OSPCA, the | | | | older. Now, many have joint problems and |
| Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty | | | | arthritic conditions where they cannot get |
| to Animals, The Toronto Humane Society, and | | | | around as much as they did in the past. These |
| the WSPA which is the World Society for the | | | | strollers are not Chevy's either, but I |
| Protection of Animals. | | | | expect I will see a Hummer Stroller soon, on |
| | | | the streets, as they are designed to move a |
| Canine couture has evolved over the years | | | | VIP, a very important pet. If you have a dog |
| once only for smaller breeds, but has now | | | | named Arnold, your half way there already. |
| stimulated dog fashion designers to boldly go | | | | |
| forward with fetching outfits for larger | | | | Dog Life Jackets: |
| breeds. Although we are discussing dogs, the | | | | |
| cat fashion industry is also included in the | | | | There is now a line of dog life jackets, even |
| mix, with collars, clothes and accessories. | | | | for big dogs that can't swim or have |
| The cat industry is also big business when | | | | arthritis, and swimming is less damaging to |
| you see commercials such as that white | | | | their joints. Some dog's breeds are not |
| Persian cat, dining on tender morsels, from a | | | | strong swimmers but love to cool off in these |
| crystal glass in a commercial for cat food. | | | | dogs' days of summer. |
| | | | |
| Larger dogs also have a need to make a | | | | Doggie Tee-Shirts: |
| personal statement of their inner selves, and | | | | |
| the mode is in glamour, style and beauty. | | | | Tee shirts with the most outrageous sayings |
| Companies such as are predicting the advent | | | | are both colourful and funny; some have car |
| of fashion spilling over to all sizes of dogs | | | | motifs such as: BMW, or Mercedes, and one |
| especially the bigger breeds. | | | | that says "Desperate Housedogs, or Baddabing. |
| | | | My dog sports a black Harley Davidson shirt |
| The term "Big Dog" applies to big jewellery | | | | which looks really cool especially since she |
| and the growing trend of highlighting big dog | | | | has black fur. Beaded collars, and ruffle |
| stylish apparel that fits in with today's | | | | netting in purple, pink and yellow are all in |
| fashion culture. No longer will you see a | | | | with plenty of lace. Just be aware of the |
| pink tutu just on a Chihuahua. Now all the | | | | type of collar and harness you purchase and |
| plaids, bright colors, polka dots and frilly | | | | ensure they actually fit your doggie, or you |
| collars will be on the runway with the big | | | | will end up with a dog with a hoarse bark. |
| dogs. Pay attention to that Dalmatian down | | | | |
| the street, for it may be wearing more polka | | | | Try not to laugh at your pet in their fashion |
| dots this year. | | | | finery, as they are very aware of what |
| | | | laughter means, and can become petulant if |
| As our families evolve and as children grow | | | | you laugh too hard and hurt their feelings. |
| and moved out of the house, many empty | | | | Dog's have egos too. |
| nesters nearing retirement now more than ever | | | | |
| before spend more time and money on pet | | | | Happy tails were wagged by all, but I can't |
| health care and outfitting their pets. | | | | wait for next year's Woofstock and my dog is |
| | | | dreaming of it. |