Product Review: Hurtta Microfleece Jumpsuit

This is it, Hurtta's Microfleece Jumpsuit is the warmest dog outfit. Is your dog a major weenie about being out in the cold? Do you live somewhere with actual seasons? Do regular dog coats leave your pup's belly and back legs exposed to the brutal elements? Hurtta makes a full-coverage four-legged fleece snowsuit for chilly dogs. It is available in multiple colors, different leg lengths, and a range of sizes to fit dogs with backs measuring 8-32" from neck to tail.

It was actually 103 degrees when we took this picture.
Photo by Erin Koski

Ru has a very long back, and there just aren't a lot of clothing options for long dogs. Most four-legged outfits are either too short in the back, or much to big in the chest and legs. I had given up on finding him a suitably warm bodysuit until now.

Got a dachshund or corgi? You probably won't find a four-legged suit that fits anywhere but Hurtta. They have fitting down to science. Their four-legged suits are available in different leg lengths, so your 12" miniature Italian greyhound and your 12" French bulldog can both have a jumpsuit that fits.

They've even added an elastic drawstring at the waist, so you can cinch the middle of the suit down to the right size. Ru has a 12" back and a 13" chest. Hurtta's 12" extra-short jumpsuit has room for an 18" chest, but with the drawcord I can shorted it down far enough to fit Ru comfortably.

I often feel like Hurtta products are designed by people who genuinely use them on a regular basis. A good example of this is the snap beneath the zipper of the jumpsuit. See, the suits has a double-ended zipper than runs the length of the back. You place all four of the dog's feet in the suit, and then zip it. Holding both sides of the suit in place while fumbling with the zipper is awkward, so Hurtta has helpfully added a little snap. Put all four feet in the leg holes, snap that one little snap on the back, and then zip the whole thing up like a pro. Thanks Hurtta!

Pros: Warm and fuzzy, like a fleece onesie for your dog. Allows freedom of movement with maximum insulation. Comes in a wide range of sizes to fit many different body types, including long-bodied dogs like corgis.

Cons: Not waterproof, so won't keep your dog dry in slush. Hurtta has waterproof coveralls for that.

Bottom Line: I can't recommend Hurtta's jumpsuits enough for long-bodied, hard-to-fit dogs that need to stay warm and dry.

The Perfect Chihuahua Brush

Ru recently blew his already incredibly sparse coat, resulting in tiny hairs everywhere. The owners of some of Ru's favorite laps suggested that I brush him. This turned out to be a rather tall request. First, I tried the Furminator. Though I have at least five of these things, most of my stuff is currently in storage and the only one available was the large size. The width of the blade is about the same distance as Ru is around. Still, I gave it a go. It picked up a single hair in several strokes. Ru hated it.

Next I asked my large body of internet dog nerd friends for suggestions. These suggestions were all for the same thing: rubber curry combs. I have several of these, but they are all quite large compared to Ru, and the rubber bristles are rather far apart. The result is that only half the rubber teeth end up touching him and none remove any hair either. Also, Ru hates them. I can't really blame him, it's like being rubbed with a large piece of luggage, kinda weird and threatening.

Finally, I Googled it. Search terms included "chihuahua brush" and "perfect smooth chihuahua brush". I found a discussion on a chihuahua-centric forum in which several people extolled the virtues of soft boar bristle brushes. Amazon has a bunch of inexpensive ones, but most of the reviews are complaints that the brushes labeled "100% boar bristle" turned out to have a bunch of plastic bristles in them. Someone on the chihuahua forum mentioned finding theirs at Sally Beauty Supply.

And that was where I found it. Sally's had nearly a dozen brushes labeled "100% boar bristle". On closer inspection, all but one had definite plastic bristles mixed in with the pig hairs. There was just one brush that was very definitely made from all boar bristles and no plastic. I bought it for $5. So fancy. It works though!

Could a Hawk Eat My Chihuahua?

"I have a very small dog, do I need to worry about hawks trying to eat him?" I do educational outreach with a friend and her marvelous birds, and this is a question that comes up quite often. Chihuahuas are very popular around here, and tons of people have a dog that weighs well under ten pounds.

Photo by Erin Koski

Do Hawks Eat Small Dogs?

Short answer: No. Though they look formidable, that bird on my fist weighs about two pounds. He eats mice, and sometimes rats. There is absolutely no way he is going to lift and fly off with my 6 pound dog. He's the same size as the most common hawk species in North America, the redtail.

If your dog weighs less than 5 pounds, they might look slightly more delicious to a very hungry bird. While there are some news reports of redtail hawks attacking small dogs, I've so far only been able to find a couple where someone actually claims to have witnessed such a thing. This one was widely reported, but the details reveal that the dog had blunt force trauma and the hawk was seen on the ground, so it's possible he could have been hit by a car before the bird found him, and it may have been defending a nest site. Several other stories involve a dog either disappearing or being found injured without anyone actually seeing a raptor.

At any rate, any sort of report like this inevitably comes with a mention that this is highly unusual. Unlike a small dog being devoured by coyotes or raccoons, a hawk attacking a dog is so unusual it makes the news. Has it happened before? Yes. Is it still bizarre? Definitely.

Owls, on the Other Hand...

Photo by Erin Koski

Great Horned Owls will happily eat your tiny dog. They are the apex predator of the skies, weighing as much as four pounds and capable of lifting and flying with three times their own body weight. They are also found all over North America and South America. They are the only natural predator of the skunk, not because they can't smell but because they Do. Not. Care. 

The good news is that Great Horned Owls are crepuscular, meaning they are active primarily at dusk and dawn. They're not particularly crazy about people, either. They generally avoid us unless they are really starving. I either keep my chihuahua inside at twilight, supervise him closely, or send him into an enclosed area with my larger and less delicious dogs to potty. 

Eagles, Too...

Eagles are not normally found in urban or suburban areas. There are rare reports of them grabbing small dogs in rural areas. Very rare. 

What Do I Do About It?

Let's say you have a super tiny dog in a rural area, and you keep seeing raptors. How do you keep your dog safe? I've heard people recommend shooting the birds, which is both illegal and highly ineffective. Seriously, these are birds. They have large territories and they can fly. Getting rid of one raptor just sort of invites more of them to your area, and there's no guarantee the one you eliminate is the one you saw circling overhead the day before.

It's best to just keep an eye on your toy breed dog when they are outside. Period. Really, if your have a three-pound dog, hawks should be the least of your worries. Supervise your wee dog to make sure they aren't stolen, lost, or picked off by a hungry coyote.

Like Seeing a Unicorn

All that said, last week at the sheep ranch, a redtail hawk did take a good look at little Ru. It made a couple of passes less than 30' overhead before departing. Being a good tiny dog owner, Ru was close enough that eating him was not worth the bird's risk. Knowing all of the above information, I was able to just appreciate this unusual encounter with a majestic animal.

Product Review: Platinum Pets Genuine Leather Collar

This Genuine Leather Collar by Platinum Pets has glorious purple metal stars, and matching purple hardware. So unique! The color is powder coated, it's not just a paint or varnish. Platinum Pets makes collars with powder-coated spikes and stars in a rainbow of colors. These are available in white and black leather, with fourteen different color choices for the hardware and decorations. They come in three sizes to fit dogs with necks up to 20" around.

Photo by Erin Koski

When I first started seeing colored metal on pet products, my response was, "Welp, there's no way that's going to stay on there." I figured the metal was just painted, maybe coated in some sort of varnish. The assumption was that it would peel or rub off just like every other painted metal surface on a dog collar. They were probably made in China and would be terrible quality under the pretty colors.

It turns out that Platinum Pets is based in the USA, and their products perform better than expected. This tiny collar still looks brand-new after several weeks of continuous wear.

In addition to these decorated leather collars, Platinum Pets makes bowls, choke chains, prong collars, and chain leashes in the same colors. The coloring process is done at their facility in California, and the color seems to stay on better than expected. Of course, the first place it wears is anywhere metal is contacting metal, so the chains and prongs start losing color where the links rub together. I just saw a bright blue metallic prong collar on a dog at work this week, and the collar was very eye-catching.

Pros: Inexpensive, unique, and totally adorable. Super light and soft for delicate and tiny necks. Made, or at least colored, in the USA.

Cons: Only comes in three sizes so may not fit every dog. Larger collars with larger stars may not hold up as well.

Bottom Line: Reviews on these vary so much that there may be some questionable quality control or a counterfeiting issue, especially with the Platinum Pet choke chains. Ru's collar is holding up beautifully, but if I decided to buy one of their choke chains I would get it directly from the company.

Product Review: Outward Hound PoochPouch Sling

The Outward Hound PoochPouch Sling is a cross-body bag for your small dog, cat, ferret, chicken, bearded dragon, or whatever else you'd like to keep right at your hip. The pouch measures 23" long, 13" wide, and 3" tall. It has a harness clip inside, as well as a buckle across the  middle to keep the long sides from flopping open. The shoulder strap is adjustable and has a quick-release buckle. My PoochPouch Sling is black, I've also seen them in blue.

Photo by Erin Koski

This is a very basic, utilitarian dog-holder that I find to be neither stylish, nor terribly functional. The bottom is not rigid at all, so the dog has no secure place to rest their feet. The pouch is long and shallow, and even with the gathered sides it's a bit difficult to keep Ru from flopping out. The chunk plastic harness clip is too big for the hardware on a lot of toy breed gear.

That said, it's better than nothing. If public transport rules require you to carry your pet in a bag, this will do. It's quite a long pouch, I can even fit 30 lb. Sisci in it with some effort.

Pros: Fits larger-size pets than most carriers. Wide shoulder strap distributes pressure. Basic black no-frills sling does not attract attention to the fact that you're schlepping something alive.

Cons: Requires a fair amount of cooperation on the part of the occupant. Low sides and floppy construction mean I don't feel safe using this as a hands-free dog carrier.

Bottom Line: I can see this carrier being useful to someone, somewhere. I already have entirely too many Ru-holders, however, so will be passing this along.

A Chihuahua Herding Sheep

I brought Ru along to our herding lesson this week, and we let him check out the sheep just for fun. This is what happened:

 The video is from Ru's second time working with the sheep that day. The first time around he was a bit cautious until he realized he could make them move. Nothing makes him feel like a big dog like bossing around several creatures much larger than himself. He not only had a blast chasing them around, he also maintained his interest for much longer than I expected. Frankly I was surprised he wanted to play at all, but our instructor says she has yet to see a chihuahua that doesn't want to work sheep. I guess they just don't usually get the chance.

What is the most unlikely breed/task combination you've seen so far?

Food Friday: Lotus Dog Food Brings Ru Inner Peace

I picked up a can of Lotus Just Juicy Beef Shank whilst hunting for a soft food that Ru would eat willingly. Ru approved, as did the rest of the crew. This is a grain-free, limited-ingredient wet food made from high-quality beef, broth, potato starch, and tomato paste. It contains no carrageenan, no guar gum, and no xanthan gum, if you care about that sort of thing. Instead is uses agar agar as a stabilizing agent, because apparently some seaweed-derived gelling agents are still cool to use.

I picked out this can of dog food partly because it was a single-source protein variety, and partly because of the artwork. Look how pretty! It turns out the artist who does the package art for Lotus studied at UC Santa Barbara, my own college. Lotus has their own private cannery in California, so they are somewhat local to me, which I think is cool. I hadn't seen it before, but grabbed when I was checking a local store for Zignature foods. I was disappointed to find only poultry-based foods of that brand, but pleased to find the Lotus cans.

The big selling point of Lotus foods seems to be that their kibble is baked rather than extruded. This requires a longer cooking time at a lower temperature, which may preserve some of the vitamins that would otherwise be lost. I would be very interested in this kibble if it didn't all contain poultry and/or eggs. Brisbane is allergic to chicken, turkey, duck, and eggs, and it's extremely difficult to prevent cross-contamination when I have anyone in the house eating those allergens.

When I opened up the can of Just Juicy Beef Shank, I was immediately impressed with the texture. This stuff looks good enough to eat. I think that's why Ru liked it so much, he was pretty sure he was getting people food.

All of Lotus's canned foods merit five out of five stars on the Dog Food Advisor. While they don't offer enough variety for me to say I'd feel comfortable making this my dogs' exclusive diet, I would be happy using Just Juicy Beef Shank as part of an elimination diet for a period of weeks or months. I can't use their dry foods, but their canned offerings are definitely going to part of our rotation.

Are any Lotus foods available in your area?

Product Review: Bobby Manteau Dog Jacket

The Bobby Manteau Dog Jacket is a cozy warm coat made by a French company. It features a weather-resistant khaki outer shell, a soft fleecy inside, and a zippered slot for attaching a leash to a harness worn underneath.

Photo by Erin Koski

I found this little jacket in the thrift store along with the Caddis dog coat and the Aibao harness. They're all sized for a dog a little smaller than Ru.

This little Bobby coat is extremely well-made. It is thick and very warm. There is a panel that runs between the front legs to help keep tiny chests and tummies warm.

I like the zippered leash access a lot too, specifically because I can close it. I usually put harnesses over Ru's clothes. Running the leash through his coat or sweater just stretches it out awkwardly when he isn't walking exactly beside or in front of me.

Photo by Erin Koski

Pros: Well-designed. Allows freedom of movement. Sturdy. Adorable.

Cons: This 25cm/10" size doesn't actually fit Ru. That's basically my only complaint.

Bottom Line: I need to find a tinier dog.

Product Review: Kurgo Portsmouth Raincoat

I got this Kurgo Portsmouth Rain Coat on REI.com. This coat has been discontinued, but was originally available in five sizes. Ours is an XS, intended to fit dogs with 14-20" chests and 8-13" necks.

Photo by Erin Koski

The stock photo of this rain coat shows a pug wearing it, and that is exactly the type of dog is was designed to fit. Ru has a 12" chest, and despite the fact that this coat is made for a dog with a 2" larger chest, it still manages to be a couple of inches short in the back.

Ru has an extraordinarily long back for a chihuahua. He has several outfits that are a little short, but they aren't raincoats. A good raincoat should cover the dog from neck to tail. 

At the same time, the Portsmouth Rain Coat is too big around for Ru. If I tried to solve the length problem by going up a size, it would be huge on him.

Photo by Erin Koski

Something weird I noticed about the Kurgo Portsmouth Rain Coat is that it does not bear the name "Kurgo" anywhere on it. Indeed, the only identifying mark on it is a plastic logo that says "me & zelda". If I hadn't purchased it new through a trusted retailer, I would never have known it came from one of my favorite dog gear companies.

Pros: Sturdy and well-made. Breathable and non-restrictive. Blanket-style coat is easy to put on. Adjustable chest and belly straps made from heavy duty nylon.

Cons: Designed only for very short-backed, wide-chested dogs. Made in China.

Bottom Line: This coat would rock for a French bulldog, or a pug. Maybe an obese chihuahua.

What sort of rain gear do you use to keep your pup dry?

Product Review: Outward Hound Poochpouch Dog Carrier

The Outward Hound Poochpouch Front Carrier is like a baby carrier for tiny dogs. It features crossed shoulder straps to help distribute weight, and an interior clip that attaches to the dog's harness to help keep them contained. The Poochpouch comes in two colors and two sizes, small fits dogs up to 10 pounds while the medium fits dogs up to 20 pounds.

Photo by Erin Koski

This is the carrier for dogs who want to be super close. When riding in a sling or a purse at your hip is just too far away for your tiny dog, the Poochpouch is the answer. When a shoulder bag just isn't secure enough, the Poochpouch has you covered. (Note: This is actually still a little too far for Ru, who would prefer a carrier that places him directly under my chin.)

Formerly named the Pet-a-roo, this carrier is styled after those things made for strapping your baby to your body. Outward Hound originally made a version that made the dog ride face-out with all four legs sticking out, that looked even more like a baby carrier. At some point somebody probably realized that suspending a dog from their crotch is going to put an uncomfortable amount of pressure on their spine, and the hard-bottom wearable pet carrier was born. (As it turns out, suspending babies like that is problematic for the same reason. Who knew?)

Photo by Erin Koski

Like most baby carriers, the Poochpouch is a mass of straps. There are two that cross over on your back, and a third that goes around your waist. This makes for a very secure ride, and prevents the pouch from swinging away from your body when you lean over. I've heard of people using the Poochpouch for a motorcycle dog carrier.

Ours is a size small, and I like the lower profile. Some of the earlier front pack carriers had a huge bib at the front that was basically the length of my torso and positioned the pet down at waist level.

An obvious potential issue I can see with this carrier is that it is not designed for larger people. I am an average-sized woman and you can see that I have the straps adjusted fairly close to their maximum length. The waist strap will fit up to a 50" waist, but could probably be modified to fit someone bigger with some extra strapping and buckle. Keep in mind that the carrier will also fit differently on different body shapes. My husband can wear the carrier with no adjustment to the shoulder straps, but it sits much higher on his chest. Also, he complains the entire time I am strapping a small dog to his body.

In addition to the size of the human wearing the Poochpouch, the size of the dog must be taken into consideration. The carriers have maximum pet weights listed, but they also have maximum heights and lengths. Ru is a very long-backed chihuahua, and although he is only six pounds, you can see in the top picture that he is very nearly too tall for the small Poochpouch when he is sitting down. We would probably also do well with the medium size, which would leave enough room for him to lay down or snuggle into a blanket.

Pros: Very securely attached to the human when straps are crossed over. Multiple buckles allow for multiple strap configurations and also allow the human to put on the carrier without being a contortionist. Two shoulder strap design distributed weight much better than single strap carriers and is much more comfortable for extended wear. Positions pet closer to my face that any other carrier I've tried.

Cons: Multiple buckles on multiple straps can make using this carrier difficult for the spatially-challenged. Elastic drawstring at top of pouch seems to be a weak point, with lots of reviewers mentioning it breaking. Pouch security relies partially on pet compliance, and will contain a dog/cat/ferret/possum that really wants to get out. Plastic harness clip may also be a weak point, and could be replaced with a carabiner or other sturdier piece of hardware. Many pets well under the listed maximum weights will exceed the maximum dimensions and be too big.

Bottom Line: This is not a secure carrier for a pet that does not want to be contained. It is not good for holding a wiggly puppy that wants to explore. The drawnstring is there for added comfort and security, not to prevent an unhappy dog from escaping. The inside clip needs to be attached to a harness and not a collar to avoid strangling dogs that decide to jump. Don't take this thing out hiking and expect your dog to adapt to it on the move. Take some time to figure out how to put it on and adjust it properly, and then spend some time lounging on the couch with your tiny dog while you teach them that this is another vehicle for snuggling.

What kind of carrier do you use for your dog?

Product Review: Angel Leather Collar

This is a flat buckle collar by Angel Pet Supplies. It is padded and extremely sturdy. Angel dog collars come in a variety of sizes to fit necks 10-26" around.

Photo by Erin Koski

I've seen a couple of these collars on dogs at daycare, and of course they had them at Dog. Dog. Cat. They seem to hold up particularly well for colored leather, though the pink ones start to look dirty after too many adventures.

I wanted to get one of Angel's Alpine collars, which have a center ring. When I ordered this collar on Amazon, it was pictured and described as having a center ring. It was also identified as the Alpine collar. When it arrived, it was just a standard buckle collar with no center ring.

According to the chart on Angel's website, it does not appear that the 12" Alpine collar even comes in purple. It's there on their online store, however. Sure enough, the collar pictured is the one we have, with no center ring. I suspect they may be discontinuing this size/color/style. The tiny rhinestone collars definitely have a center ring.

Pros: Fairly light and thin for my little wisp of a dog. Gorgeous color that lasts with a little care.

Cons: It's a bit stiff for such an itty bitty collar. This size doesn't have the center ring shown in most of the stock photos.

Bottom Line: Buying stuff on Amazon can be sort of a gamble. I would have bought the purple rhinestone collar at Dog. Dog. Cat. if they'd had it in Ru's size. These are a little too stiff and wide to be everyday wear for Ru, he has been going naked lately since his neck has been rubbed bald again.

What sort of collar is your dog wearing today?

Product Review: Caddis Dog Coat

This Caddis dog coat is a blanket-style coat with a nylon shell and a warm fleece lining. It is adjustable in the front and around the middle, and has two buckle closures.

Photo by Erin Koski

The Caddis company apparently specializes in making waders, but at some point they also made dog coats. Their current products do seem to be very high-quality, weatherproof, serious outdoor gear.

This little coat is a thrift store find, and it is in excellent shape. It is thick, warm, and well-constructed. It does not, however, fit Ru particularly well. This coat is made for a shorter-backed dog. It's a little small for Ru, and a little stiff.

Pros: Heavy duty winter jacket. Easy to put on.

Cons: The hardware is a little heavy for an itty bitty dog.

Bottom Line: One of these days I need to start an Ebay store for my surplus dog stuff. Anyone have a tiny, cold dog with a 10" back?

Product Review: Dogs My Love Tiny Flower Collar

The Dogs My Love Genuine Leather Collar is studded and decorated with rhinestones and flowers. It has a unique shape that widens and tapers both at the ends and in the middle. The leash ring is located in the center. This collar is available in several colors and two sizes to fit dogs with necks 8" to 13" around.

Photo by Erin Koski

I found this super cute collar while looking for itty bitty collars on Amazon. This one was about $12 and it is perfect for Ru. The leather is very soft and flexible, and the whole collar is very light.

It's not a flimsy collar. Well, I suppose it would be if it were for a bigger dog. Still, I am not at all worried about it falling off. I only use it to hold tags, I never attach a leash to Ru's collar.

Pros: Too cute! Light and flexible enough to be comfortable on a wee delicate dog.

Cons: Very limited size range, really just for itty bitty dogs.

Bottom Line: An inexpensive way to pretty up my tiny dog.

Chihuahua Fashion Moment: Capes!

Capes aren't the most practical dog accessory, but they are among the coolest.

Photo by Erin Koski

This is actually a cat costume, it's a little vampire cape with a velcro closure in the front. Ru looks totally adorable in a cape.

Photo by Erin Koski

As cute as it is, this cape is a little short for Ru. This seems a little odd because it is intended for a cat, and most cats are a lot bigger than my chihuahua. Ru is about 6.5 pounds, while the smallest of my three cats is about 10 pounds. The cape might fit a kitten, but I think it's a little better suited to a tiny dog.

Product Review: Flexi Mini

The Flexi Mini is a retractable leash that is 10' in length. It is intended for dogs under 18-pounds, and is also marketed for cats. The Flexi Mini comes in several colors, the most common being pink and black.

Photo by Erin Koski

I'm not a fan of retractable leashes, in fact I'm rather vehemently against them in almost all circumstances. That said, this particular retractable leash is less offensive than most for a number of reasons.

It's made by Flexi. This company basically invented retractable leashes, and theirs are much higher quality than any of the competing products. I won't use a retractable leash made by anyone else, and I cringe every time I see someone using a dollar store one. You never know when the clip on one of those is going to snap and go flying into your eye.

It's for tiny dogs. Ru is less dangerous than a real dog on a retractable leash because he generates far less pulling power. Though it may not be true for all dogs under 18 pounds, grabbing the cord on this leash is a far less risky endeavor than it would be if I had a labrador on the other end. Likewise, Ru produces significantly less inertia than a real dog when he decides to bolt to the end of his leash.

It's short. Most Flexi leash are 16 feet long, with the Flexi Freedom offering a whole 25 feet of length. The Mini is only 10 feet long, that's a third less distance my dog can be from me if I'm not paying attention. It's less space to dart out into the street or wander around a corner in a store aisle. It's less speed built up when he does finally hit the end of the leash.

Pros: Tiny leash for tiny dogs. This thing is pocket-sized. It's maybe a third the size of most competing products, which always amaze me with their hugeness when placed next to Flexi leashes. Seriously, the off-brand ones for tiny dogs tend to be as big as the Flexi ones for large and giant dogs. Can be convenient for keeping the leash off the ground and out from under the dog's feet while allowing a little more freedom than a standard 6' leash.

Cons: Too tiny for large hands. Don't expect to get more than 2-3 fingers through the handle. When used as intended, places light but continuous tension on the dog's collar or harness, so absolutely ridiculous and confusing for the dog when attached to a no-pull harness. Cord is very nearly invisible and can cut when it moves quickly.

Bottom Line: I wouldn't use this leash for a muscular terrier or really any little dog with any kind of pulling power. However, when attached to a delicate toy breed, it's a lot less dangerous and annoying than a standard Flexi leash attached to a standard dog.

The Problem with Dog Socks

Dog socks are totally adorable, but they have some design flaws that make them less than perfect. Knit socks should be a convenient way to keep little feetsies warm. Grippy socks should provide traction on slick floors. Dog socks can also be used to protect feet from obsessive licking.

Photo by Erin Koski

Ru has a set of tiny pink socks that are excessively cute. They have little grippy dots on the bottoms, and little argyle designs at the tops. I bought them at a little Japanese import store in a mall in San Jose.

I can't remember who made these little socks, but I bought them about a year before I started seeing similar dog socks in big box stores like Petsmart and Petco. These came one size smaller, but this was as small as I could realistically expect to get on Ru's little feet.

Putting socks on a dog is harder than it looks. Coordinating all those toes and toenails and directing them down a stretchy tube takes a little bit of work. Despite these being snug-fitting little chihuahua socks, they don't stay on.

I had a similar issue with the PMP Waterproof Outdoor Socks. The elastic knit sock fabric just wasn't tight enough to keep them on. Smaller, tighter socks would have been difficult to actually get onto the dog. These and those are the only dog socks I've tried. I have used baby socks on Brisbane to protect foot injuries, and those stayed on about as well as these just-for-dogs socks.

Have you found any dog socks that actually stay on?

Product Review: Gooby New Freedom Harness

The Gooby New Freedom Harness is a mesh vest harness for small dogs. This is an updated version of the original Gooby Freedom Harness, it is not the Freedom Harness II. Does that make sense? No? That's ok. This current iteration comes in nine colors and five sizes to fit dogs with chests 10-24" around. Ours is a small.

Photo by Erin Koski

Gooby made the first mesh harnesses that I saw in stores, way back when Brisbane was a little baby. I have one of their original Freedom harnesses, and it looks like they've made some improvements.

The first thing I noticed about this harness was the buckle. Like Planet Dog, Gooby most likely discovered that metal side-squeeze buckles don't last. The springs inside them degrade too quickly. The updated Freedom Harness has a standard plastic quick-release buckle.

Photo by Erin Koski

The big rubber logo on the original harness is also conspicuous by its absence. Instead there is a much sleeker patch on the back. I'm not positive about it, but I suspect that the area at the front has also been narrowed a bit where it goes between the front legs.

This is a very comfortable harness, I can leave on Ru all day and it doesn't rub marks on his almost-naked skin.

Pros: Soft and light. Does not choke, distributes pressure evenly across tiny chests. Allows great freedom of movement when properly fitted.

Cons: Not adjustable in neck, may not fit some funny-shaped dogs. Lighter colors get dirty quickly. May cause hair to mat when worn for extended periods by dogs with actual hair.

Bottom Line: This is the best-fitting mesh harness I've used, and Ru is exactly the sort of dog the Gooby Freedom Harness is intended for. We'd use it a lot more if it worked better over clothes, the Midnight Pet Pet Lite and E-Z Harness is still the best for my tiny fashionista.

Chihuahua Fashion Moment: Licensed Disney Tinkerbell Costume

I found this licensed Disney Tinkerbell costume in a local store three years ago, before Disney bought Star Wars and Princess Leia became a Disney Princess. There was a Snow White dress that I felt was much more recognizable, but alas they did not have in Ru-size.

Photo by Erin Koski

The costume included a removable set of fairy wings, a pair of legwarmers, and the dress itself. It's not a faithful rendition of the movie character's outfit, but the same is true for most Disney Princess costumes. The major difference here is that Ru's dress doesn't include a little cameo with a picture of Tinkerbell on the front. The little legwarmers are a nice touch, they like a bit like Tinkerbell's green shoes with the white pompoms.

Photo by Erin Koski

I'm not sure exactly what type of dog the designer of this costume had in mind, but I'm pretty sure it was a pug. The dress is very short and almost too small for Ru, but the legwarmers are much, much too big. Even though they have a very wide strip of velcro down the back to allow for a range of different-sized legs, they are still about twice as big around as Ru's legs.

Photo by Erin Koski

This year it looks like Petsmart has all the licensed Disney costumes for dogs. Princesses and fairies aren't in vogue though, it looks like Winnie the Pooh and the Muppets are the only options for aspiring Disney dogs.

Knitting Fun: My Little Pony...Chihuahua

I have been a My Little Pony fan since the early 1980's, I even had one of the original pre-My Little Ponies, a big brown plastic one called "My Pretty Pony". I currently own roughly 300 ponies that were released both in the USA and abroad in the 80's and early 90's. The mid-90's and early 2000's reboots were kind of blah, but I think the 2010 My Little Pony is pretty awesome.

Photo by Erin Koski

I have My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic collars for Brisbane and Ulysses, but they don't come tiny enough for Ru. As the most ridiculous of my dogs, he needed to be ponified as well. I knitted him a Rainbow Dash sweater, complete with ears on the hood, wings, and a rainbow mane and tail made out of ribbons. It is utterly ridiculous. I'm not sure if I should do Twilight Sparkle or Pinkie Pie next.

Product Review: Boots and Barkley Skull and Crossbones Pet Tote

The Boots and Barkley Skull and Crossbones Pet Tote is a pet carrier designed to look like a messenger bag. It features a wide strap for comfortable carrying, multiple pockets for holding things other than tiny dogs, and a subtle design for stealthy dog-toting.

Photo by Erin Koski

This dog carrier is amazing, and probably out of production, though a few can be found online. I'm pretty sure it dates from the dog boutique fad of the late 90's/early 00's. Anyway, I found mine at a thrift store and if I designed a dog purse, this would be it. Ru still favors the Pet Flys Snuggle Bug because he is a total diva, but this one definitely my favorite.

I normally wear all black for a variety of reasons, including hiding stains and wanting to make some people vaguely uncomfortable. My hair is dyed bright fuchsia and the pink/black theme extends to my phone, keys, car interior, and various dog gear. Obviously this dog carrier was made just for me. It is predominantly black with a bright fuchsia trim and rainbow-colored zippers.

Photo by Erin Koski

A lot of dog purses have no storage built into them, which means I still have to carry an actual purse. Some generously provide a tiny, flat pocket, but most just seem to be designed with the assumption that I either don't carry a wallet, phone, keys, etc, or that I will stuff those things in there with my dog. This one has a nice big rainbow-zippered pocket on the flap, and a couple more on the side underneath.

Photo by Erin Koski

While it is intended to carry a small dog, this bag does not overtly scream "HEY THERE IS A DOG IN HERE!!!" like so many others. Ru isn't normally a fan of riding in purses, so the entire purpose off such an accessory is to sneak him into places where dogs are not welcome. I don't make this a habit or suggest anyone else do it, but once in a while on a road trip it is nice to be able to pee or get a drink without leaving my chihuahua to roast in the car. Brisbane doesn't fit in a bag, but he is also perfectly willing to devour would-be car thieves so I feel comfortable leaving the engine on and the air conditioning running when he's along for the ride. At a glance, the Boots and Barkley tote just looks like a messenger bag. It is rigid and has mesh in the back and on the sides, but is subtle enough that people don't seem to realize it is a pet carrier. Or maybe we're just all pretending I don't have a dog in there, I dunno. I'm really bad at people sometimes.

I am apparently a hipster of some sort because skulls lost a lot of their appeal for me when they got popular and began appearing on everything. They really compliment this bag though, there is a keychain on the zipper in front and another painted on the mesh in back. It's not flashy or overdone, and I like the skulls as an accent rather than slapped across the entire front of the thing.

Photo by Erin Koski

Pros: Punky/gothy/edgy style that fits me perfectly. Tasteful and understated design. Smaller than most dog purses, six-pound Ru is slightly cramped. Has actual pockets for actual non-dog stuff. Solid front flap and subtle design make this tote look more like a messenger bag than a pet carrier. Fabulous hot pink lining with skulls and unicorns is pretty much the best thing ever.

Cons: Not currently in production, and I have yet to find anything nearly as functional and fabulous. The wider side of the strap is kind of loud.

Bottom Line: Dog? What dog? This is just my super awesome skull unicorn bag.