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