Dog Toys and Accessories

Having a dog, or two or three, means a whole new world of dog accessories and dog toys. You'll need a leash, a collar, tags, food and water bowls - and that's just to get started! There's a big, wide wonderful world of pet vendors just waiting to serve you and your hounds needs. So what are you waiting for? You want your canine pal to be amused and happy, don't you? Or let me put it this way - you want him to not chew on the living room sofa, right?

There are so many things out there to choose from, and every dog has a different personality and needs. First, the leash and collar.

I like my retractable leash. It can be really long, and give me a feeling of independence - so to speak - but is easy to pull in, so I don't wander into danger. The only downside to the retractable leash is that it can be dangerous on it's own. It's not so much a traditional lead, but more or less a thin nylon cord - strong, but you need to watch your fingers and bare skin. I once went around my persons legs really fast while she was picking up a doody and although I didn't mean to, in fact, I didn't even know it could happen, but the cord whizzed by her leg, and gave her a pretty nasty gash. So, if you do choose a retractable leash, make sure you learn how to use it properly, and stay aware of it when in use.

When you pick out a collar, just go ahead and imagine how you would feel with it around your neck 24/7. Feel the edges and test the latch or buckle. You want it strong yet comfortable. I have a nice adjustable collar, made of nylon, and my people make sure that it's tight enough to stay on, but loose enough so that if I do something stupid (which rarely happens) and get it caught on something, I can back it off over my head.

The worst part of my collar is the tags. Just imagine having someone follow you around all day, ringing a little bell in your ear. Remember, your dogs hearing is more sensitive than yours, so investing in some tag silencers is just the right thing to do. Trust me, you and your dog will be happy about it. It's an inexpensive way to make your dog happier. Hey, this page is all about us dogs and our happiness and well being. So I had to bring it up.

You'll need stuff for our food, like a water bowl and a food bowl, and a rug or placemat is always a nice touch, and gives us our own space. I have really long ears, which tend to drape into my bowl when I eat or drink. So I got this really neat set of what are called spaniel bowls. Designed to keep a spaniels ears nice and clean, they are great for us long ears of other breeds too! It's much better than wearing a snood, which I really didn't like at all. Not to mention that my person sewed me one with little duckies on it, and that was just embarrassing. And speaking of wearing things, what's all this nonsense about dressing us up and parading us around like furry fashion models?

Look, I'm fine with the Halloween nonsense, and I've got this little snowman character that rides on my back to make the kids laugh at the holidays. But other wise, I'm not a real fan of sweaters and such. Unless it's really cold. Then I don't have a problem with a nice dog coat over my own to keep me warm on a walk. And come to think of it, I have a great dog raincoat which makes getting outside in the rain much more bearable. And where would I be without my Muttluks, those great dog boots that keep the sidewalk salt out of my paws during the winter? Ok, there are some dog fashions that are practical, and I actually do appreciate.

But Halloween, 2005, was the worst! Me, noble basset hound, jammed into an ill-fitting frog costume. Do I look happy? Of course I don't look happy! I am not a frog. I am a dog. Oh, sure, I'll do most anything for a laugh, but this was beyond the pale. I only share this picture with you as a visionary caution. Do not ever do this to your dog. Why? Because I can almost guarantee you that he will be just as put out as I was, and you will have wasted ten bucks. After this horrible excuse for a Halloween costume came off, I hunted it down, and chewed off the eyeballs. Hah.

Which brings me to dog toys.

Dog toys. Oh I love 'em. My favorites are the plush toys with the squeakers! I have a rabbit and a star. I also had a gorilla that hollered when I grabbed it just right, but I loved it so much that it was soon just a flappy piece of furry fabric. My people are careful when they pick out the stuffed animals, and check my toys often for wear. Those squeakers make me crazy, and I like to try and get them out of the toy. So when my stuffed toys look like I'm about to get through to any plastic bits that I might decide to eat in a frenzy of playful mauling, they disappear and a new one is found! So that's good. Because I do love them. I also like those Kong balls - I've had one for almost four years! I can't seem to kill it. I like the Nylabones and chews too, and I'm told they're good for my teeth. I like the Fresh-and-Floss Booda brand rope toys too - hours of dental health fun!

There's nothing better than some time spent with my pack, er, people, tossing my Kong ball, or Booda rope or one of my many plush toys for fetch or keep away. I get to bark and run, and fetch and practice my sitting and staying technique, and at the end, there's a treat and then nap time on the sofa cuddled next to my favorite people. I've got it made. All dogs should be as happy as me.

Just don't ever make them dress up like a frog. Because that was a bad seven minutes.

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"I'm not stupid, I'm just big-boned."

- Wild Eye James, Basset Hound