Finding Inspiration for The Doggie Fashion Show of the Year in NYC! | The New York Pet Fashion Show

Getting inspired for the 2014 New York Pet Fashion Show!

(Formerly know as the Pre-Westminster Dog Fashion Show) 

How do you get ideas for a new design? 

The theme of this year's NYC Dog Fashion show is

 "Crown Jewels of Fashion and Rescue"

One way to start a new design is to look for inspiration from the past.

I found some images for inspiration for a doggie gown

If I have time, I plan on sewing a few costumes.

To start, I have some embroidered silk that I think would make a beautiful skirt to a doggie gown, with a coordinating silk for the bodice.  I pulled some bling from my embellishment box and began to work out a design.

This is where I started:

And the final result:

Bella's Gown for the New York Pet Fashion Show

Bella's Gown designed and sewn by The Doggie Nanny

Here are some beautiful gowns and jewels I found for inspiration.Visit my Pinterest board for more inspiration.

When I think of "Royal" red velvet and white silk seem to come to mind immediately, so I think I will have to create something in that color scheme too! 

 

The Doggie Fashion Show of the Year in NYC!

Getting ready for the New York Pet Fashion Show!

(Formerly know as the Pre-Westminster Dog Fashion Show)

Click here to see video from the Feb 7, 2014 event

There are some things that we indulge ourselves in that, well let's face it-- are not necessary-- but they add a great deal of pleasure to our lives.  A Pet Fashion Show, (yes I will admit it's a frivolous) is something I love to attend and be a part of. As a small dog lover, it is just plain fun, and a portion of the proceeds goes to help animal rescue.

A couple of years ago, I had the honor to be one of the designers on the runway for a fundraiser for Yorkie911 Rescue, Inc.  It was my first time as a "Pet Fashion Designer" and I really didn't know how to present myself or my designs on the runway, but I learned from watching the other experienced and well known "Dog Couture" designers.  If I ever have the pleasure of being invited to participate in another pet fashion show, I will be sure to not be shy and hide behind the curtains! I will strut out on the Red Carpet with mutts and pups who model in my designs-- just like the other designers do!

Animal lovers, those involved in Pet Fashion and Animal Rescue are making plans to attend the Annual New York Pet Fashion Show--Feb 7th, 2014.  

For many involved in the dog world, this event it is the start of an exciting, dog-centered week in New York City --held the Friday before the NYC Westminster events commence.

This year's theme "Crown Jewels of Fashion And Rescue" is sure to inspire many unique costumes for both fur babies and their humans. Some people go to great lengths and expense to wow their friends with imaginative and creative costumes --for themselves and their dogs. The Press is sure to be there with coverage on Television, and photos that are shared throughout the world on the web and social media.  


I myself have been looking for inspiration for the dog dress that my little Bella will wear. Of course my little Bella will attend the Ball!  Only the best for Bella! 

I created a board on Pinterest to inspire my imagination.  Click here to view my board. 

I have pulled out the beautiful tapestries and embroidered silks I have collected for my doggie designs and picked out bling for embellishments. My extra bedroom has been transformed into my sewing room once again; I started to layout some ideas on today on my canine mannequin and this week the cutting and sewing will begin. Let the thread fly!

I am excited to see the doggie couture inspired by this year's theme, and how humans accompanying their pets will be decked out!  It should be a royal affair!

Contact phone number is 646 202 3807 to reach Gregg Oehler, Chairman on the NY Pet Fashion Show.

Click here to purchase tickets.

The 2014 New York Pet Fashion Show | Feb 7 at 6-10PM

Click here to view video from the Feb 7, 2014 event

The 2014 New York Pet Fashion Show

If you are a dog lover and want a fun night out in NYC-- this is the event for you!

Click here to view video from the Feb 7, 2014 event

Well behaved dogs are welcome guests too at this unique fashion show.  Held annually at the Hotel Pennsylvania it includes complimentary food, a cash bar, unique vendors, costumes and lots of beautiful dogs on the runway in amazing doggie fashion for the costume contest. 

Every year a new theme is chosen for the event--this year's theme is "Crown Jewels of Fashion and Rescue".  You will be sure to see amazing, blinged-out dogs and people at this year's event! Everyone enjoys dressing for the theme--though it is not required to attend.  

If you are in town for the various Westminster events, why not start out your dog themed week with a night of Doggie Fashion?  PLEASE NOTE: The music can get loud, so if your pet is sensitive to loud noise, this might not be an event for him or her.  

Yes... its silly, but great fun!  Hope to see you there!

Click here to purchase a ticket
General Admission is $40 per person-- tickets purchased in advance

Contact phone number is 646 202 3807 to reach Gregg Oehler, Chairman on the NY Pet Fashion Show.

Click here to view video from the Feb 7, 2014 event

Date: February 7th, 2014 Time: 6:00PM - 11:00 PM Theme: Crown Jewels of Fashion and Rescue Location: Hotel Pennsylvania - Penn Top Ballroom 18th Floor This Event will Be Recorded for Different media such as Televison, Print Press and/or Radio. Please note that there are NO PRINTED TICKETS Please keep proof of purchase — Names will be listed alphabetically from ticket master list

Here is a short video I put together from the 2012 Fashion show at the Hotel Pennsylvania.

Formerly know as the Pre-Westminster Doggie Fashion Show...

News Coverage from 2012

Read my post: Why do people like to dress up little dogs?

TIKI DOG | A YUMMY HUMAN GRADE DOG FOOD | LOOKS GOOD!

INTERESTING PET FOODS

A recent little doggie guest came to us with some dog food that I had not seen before. When I opened the can, I couldn't believe how delicious the food looked. Chunks of meat that looked like they were placed by hand in the can, topped with a piece of kale and lovely little shrimp.

Tiki Dog Premium Dog Food gets great reviews and I have to say, it is the most visually appealing dog food that I have ever seen in a can! Not to mention-- the dogs devoured it! My only concern-- it is a product of Thailand not the USA, however after some research on the net, it seems that there have been no reported problems with the brand-- no recalls. From what I see from pet owners reviews it may be a little more expensive, but it scores high ratings across the board.

Tiki Pet Foods by Petropics 

• Only brand is Tiki Cat Premium Wild Caught Seafood
• Foods manufactured in a privately owned Thailand human cannery
• All ingredients come from Thailand including raw materials such as rice.
• Products do not contain wheat glutens of any kind or rice protein concentrate.
• All products contain all-natural ingredients including added vitamins & minerals manufactured in a human cannery.
• All products contain no by-products, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
• All products made with whole meat formulas.
• Individually owned company (no parent company).
• 
  

Long Island Small Dog Boarding With The Doggie Nanny

Dog Boarding/petsitting on Long Island with The Doggie Nanny

Where should you board your little dog when you have to go away? 

With The Doggie Nanny  of course!

Small breed dogs need lots of human companionship and interaction. As a pet parent of two little Yorkies, I know just how demanding a 4 pound ball of fur can be! Don't let size fool you-- small breed dogs have big personalities and big demands for your time and attention. It is only natural that owners of small breed dogs have very close connections with their petite pets. The dogs aren't the only ones that experience separation anxiety!
Huntington, Long Island, Suffolk County
#huntington #small #dogboarding #petsitting

Treating Chronic Ear Infections caused by Yeast and Bacteria in Dogs

My mother's beloved and pampered dog has had severe ear infections for years and despite many trips to the Vet, changes in his diet and the constant vigilance of my Mom, the ear infections kept occurring.   

As I was researching this problem for her, I  came across three products on Amazon that had a huge number of favorable reviews.  I placed an oder for all three and had them delivered to my parents. 

When Bailey recovered from his last ear infection, she began cleaning his ears weekly with Zymox Ear Cleanser With Bio-Active Enzymes, (see photo). For the first time in years, Bailey has had a long period of pain free, normal ears.  

Gone is the redness and scabbing that used to plague him!   
Regular cleaning once a week with a solution just for ears (especially after bathing), will help prevent an ear infection and keep your doggie happy and healthy. If you have chronic issues with your pet's ears caused by yeast, please do some research on these products.  They might bring relief to your fur baby and save you money and trips to the vet.

I also ordered  Zymox Topical Pet Cream with Hydrocortisone and Zymox Otic Pet Ear Treatment with Hydrocortisone--both very favorably reviewed on Amazon, (photos below) which she has yet to use because the Zymox Ear Cleanser has worked so well.

For more information on mites and ear infections click here

Be sure to give your doggie lots of TLC and keep them healthy!

Here are two other products for treatment of yeast/bacterial infections to look into.  Based on customer reviews--they seem worth a try!

Zymox Otic Pet Ear Treatment with Hydrocortisone

Zymox Topical Pet Cream with Hydrocortisone
 

President's Week Videos | Small Dog Boarding on Long Island

Long Island Small Dog Boarding With The Doggie Nanny. 
TLC for little doggies--minis, toys and teacups. 
Huntington, New York

Cageless, private home boarding for your little fur baby.
Loving care for small breed dogs.

Visit our website www.doggienanny.com for more information.
Or call us at 631 742 4176.


Here are some videos of our little guests over the years on President's Week.

Treating Ear Infections in Dogs | Treating Smelly Ears

Scroll down for how-to videos.

Mites, ear infections and treatments for your dog.

If you notice a smell coming from your dogs ears, if you see a brown discharge, if your dog is scratching his ear or shaking his head, you need to to treat your baby for an ear ear mites or an infection caused by moisture and yeast in the ear. 

EAR MITES

Ear mites are a tiny spider like parasitic mite that usually live in the ear canals but can also live on other parts of a dog or cat's body. Ear mites are the most common cause of ear infections seen by vets.  More commonly found in cats than dogs, they are still a considerable cause of ear infection in the canine population. As they feed they bite through a dog's skin, causing discomfort and pain. Other symptoms of ear mites include black or dark brown discharge from the ears (this may resemble ground coffee grounds), sores or hair loss around the ear. Left untreated, they can cause your dog considerable pain and damage to the eardrums.


YEAST
The other common cause of ear infections is yeast-- caused by moisture trapped in the

ear.  Dogs with floppy ears are especially prone to yeast infections in the ear canal. Left untreated it can cause pain and even lead to hearing loss.  Hair can grow in the ears, causing moisture and wax to build up. This hair and wax needs to be removed.  I just had the groomer take a look at one of my Yorkies.  She took an instrument and took hold of the hair in her ear and gently twisted the hair out.  There was no pain to the dog, but I was surprised at the knot of hair and dark brown wax that came out of what looked to me like a clean ear!  Be sure to have your groomer or vet check your dogs ears periodically.  

DIAGNOSIS
An infestation of mites usually causes an allergic reaction in most dogs.  Since an infection caused by moisture and yeast in the ear can produce similar symptoms as ear mites, it is important to get a proper diagnosis from your Vet. 

TREATMENT
If your dog has mites, and there is a buildup of debris in the ear, the ear will be cleaned with an ear cleanser and gently swabbed out with cotton. Anti-inflammatory drugs or an antibiotics may also be prescribed to relieve infections. A routine ear cleaning once a month can inhibit the presence of ear mites. If your pet has recently recovered from ear mites, be sure to thoroughly clean his bedding and check your other pets for infection.

If your Vet has determined your pet has an ear infection caused by yeast, he or she will prescribe an ointment-- to be used twice a day.  The one I recently received for my dog is under the name "Tri-Otic Ointment" by Phonex and it has worked for him--my dogs have only had an occasional ear infection. 

CHRONIC EAR INFECTIONS

My mother's dog however, has had chronic ear infections for years in his floppy ears. My mother tried different foods, and diets--thinking his problems were caused by a food allergy.  He would improve for a time, and then the ear infections would start again, which would necessitate another visit to the Vet, and more meds. She was running up quite a vet bill-- on a retirement income it was becoming a drain on their finances. 

Every time Bailey had a new infection, the Vet prescribed the same salve.  My mother asked if there was anything else they could try since the infections reoccurred so often. Her Vet said, "No--this salve was the only medicine we use". 

Recently I was researching this problem for her and came across three products on Amazon that had a huge number of favorable reviews.  I placed an oder for all three and had them delivered to my parents. 

When Bailey recovered from his last ear infection, she began cleaning his ears weekly with Zymox Ear Cleanser With Bio-Active Enzymes, (see photos below).

For the first time in years, Bailey has had a long period of pain free, normal ears.  Gone is the redness and scabbing that used to plague him!   I also got her Zymox Topical Pet Cream with Hydrocortisone and Zymox Otic Pet Ear Treatment with Hydrocortisone (both very favorably reviewed on Amazon) which she has yet to use because the Zymox Ear Cleanser has worked so well.

Regular cleaning once a week with a solution just for ears (especially after bathing), will help prevent an ear infection and keep your doggie happy and healthy. If you have chronic issues with your pet's ears, please do some research on these products.  They might bring relief to your fur baby and save you money and trips to the vet.

Here are some how to videos to show you how to clean your pet's ears.  Scroll down for how-to videos.

Be sure to give your doggie lots of TLC and keep them healthy!

 

When to use a pet sitter and separation anxiety in pets

Pets with Separation Anxiety

No matter how loving or wonderful a boarding facility may be-- private or commercial-- some dogs just need to stay in their own home environment. Elderly, sick dogs and dogs with anxiety issues may do better at home with a pet sitter visiting them several times in a day than in a new, foreign setting.  Finding themselves suddenly in an unfamiliar home or facility can be overwhelming for the pet with anxiety.

Most little dogs are thrilled to have the companionship of other little doggies and the love and attention of The Doggie Nanny! However, we have found for a small number of dogs, a change of environment can bring out anxiety, aggression and  destructive or nervous behaviors that overwhelm the dog and the care provider.

Though it is the exception, in 6 years of providing home boarding for small breed dogs, we have had three dogs here that would have been better off remaining home. My first experience with severe separation anxiety was with a male dog that whimpered and cried for two and a half days...all day and through the night. He also pee'd incessantly all over the house. The second dog just acted crazy, pooped everywhere and walked it all over our home as well. I went through a lot of bleach that weekend!  The third was simply in a state of panic for most of her visit with us and constantly tried to escape. Throughout their visit, these three dogs suffered and exhausted me with all the extra cleaning I had to do! They shook, cried, peed and pooped. I was unable to console them.

Fostering Rescued and Relinquished Dogs

I have been part of a small dog rescue group for the past few years.  In total, I have fostered 8 dogs who were adopted into forever families.  I am one person who has played a very small part in helping foster dogs that have come through www.Yorkie911Rescue.com .

Remi kisses the hand of his mommy 

Yorkie 911 Rescue is a wonderful organization of small dog lovers who give an enormous amount of time, effort and resources to help abandoned and relinquished small breed dogs-- primarily Yorkies, but not exclusive of other small breeds.  We have had small breed dogs of all kinds, ages and shapes come into the rescue.  Some are young, adorable and in excellent health, others are at death's door due to abuse and neglect.  Our foster parents take in dogs that are in all stages of training, from the well trained, outdoor toileting dog, to the incorrigible leg lifter.  The dedicated group of volunteers work to train, socialize and bring neglected dogs back into good health!

Remi

What I have learned about foster groups is that they go to great lengths to help save pets and find them permanent homes.  My last foster dog was a 10 year old Yorkie that I will call Remi. He was my 8th foster dog who actually belonged to a friend of mine.  Her husband was suddenly diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and she had her own health issues--as many of us do as we get older.

My friend first contacted me to ask if her pup could come and stay with me for a while, she did not know for how long... her world was spinning out of control.  She and her husband have known each other since their teens--he was her life...her strength.  She needed to give her all to her husband and there was no time to give to their dog during this prolonged crisis.  They would be away from home for months at a time as her husband went for surgery and treatments.  She didn't know what to do--their fur baby was a senior dog; he has some issues, he was very timid; he was on prozac; he was paper trained--but that could be hit or miss.

I reassured her that he could stay with us as long as she needed.  In time, she came to the difficult decision that her little guy would need to find another home--her focus would have to be the treatment and healing of her husband--but what could she do? She loved this quirky little dog.  She had had him for 10 years.  Who would take him?  Who would love him?

In a panic one day, feeling overwhelmed with the emotions she was dealing with, she called me saying that she felt she could no longer impose on me, she was going to discuss putting Remi down with her Vet.  I told her ABSOLUTELY NOT!   Remi had already been added to the adoption list for Yorkie 911 Rescue.  Heidi Walker, the head of the group had assured me that they had adopted out all kinds of dogs that seemed un-adoptable. We would find a home for this little guy.

Later my friend told me that her Vet refused to euthanize Remi and he assured her that foster groups were dedicated to saving dogs just like him.  But really, I knew she was just reacting to the terrible situation she found herself in, and could never follow through on ending the life of the little dog she dearly loved--that would only add to her suffering.  Not to worry, Remi would find a loving home.

It took 7 months, but eventually Heidi of Yorkie 911 Rescue found my little foster his new home. There was a couple who had been watching his story on the Yorkie 911 Rescue website.  One day they decided they had room in their home and hearts for another senior dog.  Heidi drove Remi to their meeting point and this lucky little guy was delivered to his new family. His story has a very happy ending.  The ironic thing is he left Long Island and wound up back in the state of Delaware--which is where he was born and his life story started.  His new family adores him and he loves his new adopted sibling-- they have another senior dog that Remi bonded to right away.  Another happy story thanks to the dedicated ladies at Yorkie 911 Rescue!

There are many wonderful little dogs of various breeds that are being fostered by the Yorkie 911 Rescue group.   Please considering adopting a waiting dog.  Experience the joy you will receive when you save one of these little lives!  Click here to view available little doggies!