The Poodle (and Dog) Blog

Hairy Grandkids

So let’s say your children have grown up and gotten married, but instead of doing their duty to provide you with grandchildren, they continue to live their selfish little lives

You buy one of these sweaters for all the dogs and cats in the family. It says to the world that instead of getting your God-given right to human grandchildren, you are the victim of self-centered progeny.

Your children will be so shamed and guilt-ridden that grandchildren will soon start popping out.

Could work.

$21.95 from Hairy Grandkids

No one pays me for any product reviews, but you probably figured that out.

The “Super Catcher”—a doodoo diaper for dogs?

Is this for real?

From a Taiwanese company, Fellowlike Pet Product, comes the “Super Catcher.”

Here’s how the Super Catcher works: you fasten a lot of harnesses and straps to your dog and they all work together to hang a small bucket under the dog’s tail. Then off you go on your walk.

The dog who presumably doesn’t know or care that there is a bucket hanging from its butt, makes doodoo in the bucket.

Then you can empty the bucket (or use the contents to make a political statement, depending on the outcome of this court case).

The directions for fastening bucket to butt are given in 26 [this is not a typo] separate steps, each one illustrated with photos, which can be enlarged by clicking.

The company doesn’t seem to have a distributor in the U.S. Why doesn’t this surprise me?

I can barely get leashes attached on joyful, jumping dogs to take a walk. But 26 separate steps to attach a doodoo diaper?

Is this ingenious or Taiwanese humor? If it is a gag, it is a very elaborate one.

Fellowlike Pet Product

Talking dog food bowl

Want to mess with your dog’s head?
Chatterbowl lets you record a message up to ten seconds to leave under your dog’s bowl.
Every time your dog eats or drinks from the bowl, it will play your voice.

The talk box is removable for cleaning. Only $19.95 at this website.

Who dreams these things up?

Doggy steps

You’ll either think this is a totally silly product or it’s just what you’ve been looking for.

All weather wicker steps can be used indoors or outdoors. Good for small dog breeds, older pets or dogs with arthritis, back or hip problems. They can climb and you don’t have to lift them.

Attractive wicker on an iron frame. Non slip rubber base.
$79.99 2 step
$99.99 3 step

From Skymall

Doggy Camelot tent

For the little indoor dog who wants a place of her own, this is a lot more elegant than a blanket stuffed in a cardboard box. It would look good any place in the house, but at this price you’ll probably want everyone to see it.

The Camelot tent has a hardwood spire and is covered with tapestry fabric and tassels. The sleeping cushion is filled with 100% natural buckwheat hulls.

Most dogs will probably prefer to get on people furniture anyway, but this is the most stylish ”doghouse” I’ve seen for a while, priced at $185 plus shipping from Dog Beds Etc.

Mutt Muffs—noise reduction for dogs

In my quest to bring you all the latest products for the well-appointed dog, here is one you may not have known about. Thanks to Denny, my favorite flyer, for bringing this to my attention.

According to the website: Dogs are sensitive to loud noises—speedboats, lawn mowers, vacuum cleaners, passing ambulances. “Now he can reduce harmful noise in nearly all environments with these comfortable and lightweight Mutt Muffs. Each comes with a black drawstring carry bag.”

Comes in your choice of red, green, yellow or pink in sizes from extra small to extra large. $64.90 each

Has anyone been looking for dog ear protectors? In pink? Do you take your dog to rock concerts?

And from Mcsweeney sent to me by my favorite Beancounter:
Recently retired Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan warns his new puppy against “Irrational Exuberance,” by Michael Ward
Hilarious!!

A better pooper scooper

More and more communities are passing strict laws for dog owners to remove doggy doodoo from streets and parkways. Veterinarian Dr. Mike Thomann has invented an ingenious new pooper scooper, the Sanitation-Safety Stick.

The lighted S3-Sanitation-Safety Stick is a poop scoop that serves as a walking stick and a flashlight for night walks. It can be used for dog walking, camping or cleaning up the yard. It measures 24” by 4”, weighs less that two pounds and he says it is easy to clean (good to know).

The S3 has a handle, scoops and storage compartment and can be used with or without standard plastic bags. It's guaranteed to pick up any stool, fresh or hard, on any surface (also good to know).

Priced at $19.95, this seems like a practical product for the dog owner at a reasonable price.

More information at Innovative Pet Solutions (their URL is kakaking—I love it)

A gumball machine for dogs!

Something your dog needs like a whale needs rollerblades?

The dog learns to operate the machine so that it dispenses dog food or treats (not gumballs). The manufacturer says that it is great for showing off your brainy dog to friends. “Won’t your friends be impressed with your clever pooch!”

Hmmm, learning to push a lever to dispense food. Haven’t rats and pigeons learned to do that in laboratories?

The Yuppy Puppy Treat Machine is priced at $99.99, available at Critter Cottage.

The Dog Loo - A Backyard in a Box

So let’s say you can’t always get home to let little Fluffy out in time to doody in the backyard. Or your backyard is clean and pristine and you don’t want it spoiled. Or you are yachting and don’t want to row ashore every time nature calls Fluffy.

Here it is at last!! The Pet Loo, the dog's total indoor toilet solution, a backyard in a box. Great way to housebreak your dog.

No more being at the beck and call of your dog’s bladder, no more walks through the cold rain, no more carpet stains, no more dodging minefields through your yard.

Synthetic grass covers a surface and the urine drains in a container below. Solid waste can be easily scooped up and the urine-draining system allows the dog to keep her feet dry on the synthetic grass surface while she uses the facilities. Then you simply empty the collection jug down the toilet.

I used the feminine pronoun because I’m not sure how this works with macho male dogs that need to mark their territory as high up as possible.

Priced at $449.99
Shipping is free in Australia where the company is located.
The company, Critter Cottage, can give prices for delivery elsewhere.

Puppy Dog Webcam now on the market

What’s cuter than a playful puppy?

This is Textorm’s new Puppy Dog Webcam. The1.3 megapixel webcam made of soft fur stuffed with cotton is cute and cuddly.

It looks like they took a very ordinary product and disguised it as a cute puppy to find a market for it.

Priced at $29, it will probably find buyers who can think of creative ways to use it.

More details