We heart dogs and fashion.
SNIF goes to Pet Fashion Week!

This weekend some of the SNIF team will be gathering in NYC to show our flair for fashion and the prototypes of our unique SNIF Tag, due to launch this Fall. We’re really excited to be attending this industry event which brings together a brilliant range of designers, innovators -and breeds! Some of our favorite dog brands will be there including Bowchies and Mascot!

As Modern Dog Magazine said ‘If you’re part of the pet industry, it’s an event not to be missed’. With a real sense of innovation, design awards and runway shows it should be a great event. We’ll be reporting on some of the fun things we spot and some of the breaking trends: just watch this space.

An industry-only event (sorry), Pet Fashion Week is held at the Metropolitan Pavilion & Altman Building, 125-135 West 19th Street, NY 10011

Looking for some adventure this weekend? Head over to Winthrop Park to hear Jenna Ringelheim discuss her new book, Best Hikes with Dogs: Boston and Beyond. The event is sponsored by the Globe Corner Bookstore in Harvard Square.

Not only will you learn about some great new places to take your pooch, but there will be “Biscuit Bags” for all canine attendees. For more information about the event, click here.

You would be hard pressed to find a dog  owner who didn’t complain (at least once in a while) about the rising costs of veterinary care. It is true that the medical bills for any animal can get quite expensive. That said, is there a limit to what one should spend to keep his/her pooch healthy? While catching up on the latest business fodder, I came across this article on the Wall Street Journal Online in which the author angrily whines about the amount of money spent on taking care of his dog when the dog got hit by a car.

Don’t get me wrong, I too feel the pinch of my wallet everytime I take a pet to the vet.  My most recent trip cost me a couple hundred dollars…and that was for my hamster.  I get it, it’s expensive, but when you decide to adopt a dog (or any animal for that matter) you are really making a lifetime commitment.

According to the AVMA, in 2006, 49.7% of pet owners considered their pets to be family members.  Additionally, I’m sure most dog owners would consider their dog some form of companion.  You can’t put a price on a family member or companion.  I feel that people get caught up in the purchase price of an animal.  For example, my father thought it was slightly ridiculous to pay expensive vet bills for a $12 hamster.  Simply because an animal has a certain purchase price does not mean that there is a cap on what should be spent for that animal.  It’s free for people to have children.  Does that mean that $0 should be spent on keeping that child healthy?

Personally, I think that unless it is more humane to put an animal to sleep, a pet owner should take full responsibility and consider the cost of veterinary bills a small price to pay for unconditional love and the good feeling of knowing you are your pet’s hero!

- Liz

If you’re a dog person then you know how quickly you establish a connection with your four legged friend. Not just any connection though, an eternal bond that comes from the endless joy and unconditional love that they provide to you.

Unfortunately the average life span of a dog is around 12 years so there is a good chance that a dog owner will love and eventually have to let their loyal companion go.

Biotechnologists from S. Korea have enabled us to ask an interesting question. Would you want to have your dog back? Yes - it’s now an option. And if so, how much would you be willing to pay?

A lady in California paid $150,000 to have a genetically identical dog born to replace her exceptional Pit Bull that died of old age a few years ago.

This article is getting some extremely mixed reviews - check them out here…

Liz, Chopper and I had the opportunity to attend an awesome fund raising event put on by the MSPCA Angell. The scene was set at the Foundation Lounge in Kenmore with like minded individuals enjoying one another’s conversation while a small pack of doggies were exchanging stories through tail wags and sharing their favorite toys.

The night proceeded with personal stories by supporters of the MSPCA and a speech by their CEO, Carter Luke. One of the main attractions was the raffle that gave participants the chance to win packages that included dinner in the North End, gift certificates to local boutiques, and even a SNIF Tag.

There was also an award for best dressed dog - guess who won? That’s right - Chopper aka Kevin Garnett did! We got a gift certificate for a really nice collar and leash combo from Bowchies.

All and all it was an excellent evening and most importantly we helped an unbelievable organization earn $11,000 with the event.