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.

Treat Tuesday: Honest Kitchen Beams

At the suggestion of one of my awesome readers, I got Brisbane some Beams fish treats from Honest Kitchen. They are absolutely disgusting. Brisbane loves them.

These things are just dried Icelandic catfish skins. Those are marine fish, unlike the catfish that inhabit American lakes and rivers. Honest Kitchen advertises these as an alternative to chicken jerky or bully sticks. They don't last Briz nearly as long as a thick bully stick, but they last way longer than any kind of jerky treat we've tried. This is definitely an allergy-friendly dog chew.

Good For: Dogs with food allergies. Occupying Brisbane for about 10-15 minutes. Making my husband ask "Where is that horrible smell coming from?"

Not Good For: Lasting as long as a thicker chew. Being discreet and nonoffensive. Looking pretty.

How Much We Like Them: This is the only thing Brisbane has ever attempted to swallow whole. For about 60 seconds I wasn't entirely certain he could breathe and was considering whether I should pry it out of his throat or perform the doggy Heimlich maneuver. He's still lovingly licking the floor where he chewed it (after horking it back up) several minutes later.

Product Review: AibaoPet Harness and Leash

This Aibao Pet harness and leash set is definitely from China. It is a step-in style harness with a sliding adjustment and a matching leash. This is sized for a very small dog.

Photo by Erin Koski

This little set is yet another thrift store find. It's well-made, a good design, and is actually a little small on Ru. I feel like I could stick it on a ferret or a guinea pig or something.

The adjustemnt slider on the back strap isn't really visible in the picture, it is decorated with six little crystals. The fabric part of the vest is made from breathable mesh. This is not a harness that unbuckles, it is similar to the Little Pals set where it goes on over the head and then the dog's feet are stepped through it.

While I'm really not a fan of products made in China, I think this one is pretty neat. It features a logo by the actual company in China that made it. A lot of products are produced in China for American companies, and that sort of feels like cheating. Aibao Pet is an actual Chinese company. They proudly state that they have been manufacturing pet products since 2002. It looks like their products are mostly exported to European markets. My theory is that this little harness and leash set arrived in my town with someone who was either traveling or moved here for school or business. I found it with another international dog item that is not readily available in the USA.

Pros: Cute, comfortable, and non-restrictive. Easy to put on. No buckles make for minimal rubbing of delicate coats. Very light construction for super-tiny dogs.

Cons: At 33" the leash is really, really short. Like, if I'm holding it and gesture or turn too fast Ru ends up flying.

Bottom Line: I love finding unique little things like this at the thrift store. It helps me keep in mind that there is a lot more dog stuff out there than what I see every day.