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.

Product Review: Pet Flys Snuggle Bug

The Pet Flys Snuggle Bug is a multi-function carrier and bed for small dogs and cats. It is available in a variety of colors and patterns, and includes a matching pillow bed and blanket.

Photo by Erin Koski

Finally, I found a purse that Ru will ride in happily and willingly. This carrier looks like it was made for him, and therefore it is ridiculous. The inside is fleecy soft fabric, the outside is plush fake fur, so it's basically a sack made out of blankies. The bottom is solid, so he feels comfortable standing on it, and the little pillow bed fits perfectly in there for cushioning and also naps.

This bag does all sorts of things. The sides can be rolled down to make a little nest bed. I can attach the shoulder strap to the lower rings to make the carrier less deep. I can lay it on its side to make a burrow bag. Pet Flys also shows it in a car with the strap hooked around the head rest to make it a car seat, but that wouldn't provide any protection for Ru in an actual collision. The entire bag is also reversible, and the clasps for the strap are pretty awesome. Camo isn't really my style, but it's worth it if he'll actually ride quietly.

Pros: Made of layers of blankies for tiny, cold, naked dogs. Also irresistible to cats. Solid bottom is comfortable for dogs that don't like riding in soft-bottomed bags. Also functions as a snuggly bed. Ridiculously warm and soft.

Cons: Looks ridiculous, very large and ostentatious in entirely the wrong way for those of us who aren't into fashion. Hot as hell for dogs that actually have fur. Cats and dogs fight over it.

Bottom Line: Only for very, very spoiled little dogs. Sometimes I'm embarrassed to be seen with him.