Cool Dog Site: Planetdog.com

I'm a crazy dog person, but I don't hold any illusions about the fact that Dr. J is, in fact, a dog. I do not dress him in a shirt and tie every day (although he has been known to wear a Halloween costume on occasion.) I have not spent $1000 on a dog bed that looks like a cruise ship. That doesn't mean that I don't like to pamper him.

The people at Planet Dog are crazy dog people too, but not weird crazy dog people. Dog-centric stores tend to cater to either breeders, who see nothing wrong with keeping their dog in an outdoor run year round, or the Paris Hiltons of the world, who believe that their pet is an accessory. Planet Dog, however, just has cool, useful dog stuff.

They even have a Chew-O-Meter, which rates the durability of each toy from 1 to 5, which for super-chewers like Dr. J is essential. Looking through their site, you can tell that they are dog people. And their customer service can't be beat. Last year I ordered golf-ball chew toys to give as gifts and they were rather oddly shaped when they arrived. When I contacted the company, they immediately sent out new, defect free replacements!

Suggested item: Orbee-Tuff® Bulb with Treat Spot™ for $9.95 comes in three different colors and would make an awesome Christmas gift.

Buying a Collar or Harness

Collars or harnesses are the only clothing most dogs wear. While fashion is important, function is essential. Collars are fine for most dogs, but those special canines possessing necks bigger than their heads should be in harnesses. You should consider the quality of the material, size and clasp when selecting a collar or harness. Pull, twist, yank and otherwise try to break the collar or harness in the store before you buy it. Don’t be shy. If it breaks, you can quietly place it back on the display and feel fortunate that it wasn’t on your dog at the time. Collars should be long enough to fit around your dog’s neck with two fingers tucked underneath. Harnesses should fit similarly.

The Perfect Collar for Water Dogs

So, my golden retriever, Dr. J, is a typical waterlover. In fact, despite being perfect in every other way, he tends to try to pull me into any body of water that is deeper than 2 inches. Most collars don't hold up to this treatment well. They get smelly and take forever to dry, which is why I was so happy to find Spiffy Dog collars at my local pet store. Not only are they practical, they come in a variety of fabulous designs. Dr. J is currently sporting a black Spiffy Dog collar with flames, cause he rocks it like that.