Who Said That Poodles Aren't 'Real' Dogs?

But, of course they are! What other breed looks so regal dining with you?

When I was ten years old my parents bought me my first dog. It was a Toy Poodle, because (as Mom said) Poodles don't shed. I named him "Fluffy." From that point on, I've had a strong love for Poodles.

I've been told that Poodles "aren't real dogs" and that they're hyper and yappy. No, no, no, no. This breed is incredibly smart, playful and loving.

Originally bred as gun dogs, Poodles soon became beautiful elegant companions for the glamorous and creative community as well as the Royals.

When we bought our dog Vito (as in Vito Corleone from The Godfather--he's a fierce little guy), it was instant love. I thought it would be funny if he could dance the "Can-Can," but that didn't go over too well. Shouldn't a French Poodle be able to dance?


I'll admit, I'm not terribly fond of the "topiary" Poodle clip. There are so many cute clips, so Vito sports a "puppy cut."

Both Madame de Pompadour and Marie Antoinette had beautiful Miniature Poodles.

Even Dame Elizabeth Taylor owned Poodles!

What breed is more fashionable than the Poodle, huh? (insert laughing out loud)

No other dog can match their uniqueness-- their prancing paws, perhaps a bit of an attitude sometimes. Poodles always remain my favorite breed. Now let's have a bit of brie, shall we?

images: Vogue Italia 2009, Vogue US March 1999, Vogue US July 2007, Vogue Italia 2002, Americana Manhasset Fall/Winter 2006, Vanity Fair September 2010, Vogue Nippon August 2008, Renee Zellweger by Ellen von Unwerth, Elizabeth Taylor photos, Creative Pro, Gherkins & Tomatoes

Relax and Breath...

Just stumbled upon this image on Pinterest...it has me laughing out loud...I think a little meditation may be needed today!

Hope your week is off to a great start!

Cats & Dogs at Macy's?

That's right, it's that time of year again when the San Francisco SPCA & Macy's join together to give homeless dogs and cats a warm and loving home. Holiday shoppers come from all over the world to see the amazing window displays that Macy's creates for these precious animals.

I happened to be downtown today and saw the well-cared for darling animals. Do you know that almost all of them get adopted? That makes me so happy.

I tried to take photos, but there were too many people in the way of the windows, so I've used the professional ones. The window themes were of New York. So amazing in person!

All cats and dogs up for adoption have been medically screened, vaccinated, micro-chipped and spayed or neutered. SPCA representatives are at Macy’s while the pets are on display to answer questions from anyone interested in pet adoption.

Here is a link to a streaming video to view the adoptable cats and dogs from three live webcams. Sooo cute!

Holiday shoppers can catch a glimpse of some of San Francisco's cutest animals in the Macy's windows at Stockton and O'Farrell Street through January 2, 2011.

And, if you can't make it, give the best holiday gift by donating to the SPCA here, or the local San Francisco shelter that puts the Macy's window together here.

photos: Jennifer Jamieson Photography and Sweethardt Photography

What We Do For Our Four-Legged Friends...

Or... what we make them do for us!

Yesterday was my dog Vito's 10th birthday. Getting into the spirit, I decided to have a party with doggies and adults. For some reason Vito loves Bichons and Havenese, so his close friends were there to celebrate. My friend Lisa generously donated her house for the festivities!

Forgive Vito's bad behavior...

$27 (yes, $27) for an organic dog birthday cake from a dog bakery. Hope they enjoyed it!

little treats for the guests

"Oh, please take these silly hats off of us!"

"Are you kidding me?" -Buster

Speaking of dog parties...I had to share this cute "dessert party" that Kristy of Posh Pixels Design Studio created for her new adopted puppy, Ozzy.


The theme was “Meet the Puppy,” to introduce Ozzy to her family & friends. There was "doggy" food and "people" food.

So beautifully done...

Biscuits & rawhides for the puppies, candy & treats for the humans...

How creative is this?

For the humans...

For the dogs...

Love that party! So talented!

Are we silly? Yes. We love our animals so why not spoil them? They give us so much joy and unconditional love!

photo credits: Posh Pixels Design Studio & my own

Makes Me Smile

The work of Martine Roch is truly whimsical! Martine is an artist-illustrator-photographer, based in Dijon, France. Her work is a collaboration of antique photographs and photos she takes herself that are all digital.

The Elegant Nanny

Andrew

Martine loves her animals as you can see. And playful stories accompany each photo.

Her muse is her famous female Labrador 'Boudi'.

Boudi is "pretty in pink"

Pierrot

If you want more fun, please visit Martine on Flickr, or on her website.
Her cards, notebooks and other products are available here.

All Photos: Martine Roch

How Much is that Doggie in the Window?

Nothing.

The San Francisco SPCA & Macy's join together every holiday season to give homeless dogs and cats a warm and loving home. Holiday shoppers come from all over the world to see the amazing window displays that Macy's creates for these precious animals.

I used to get really sad watching hundreds of people glaring at these little animals and taking photos. Then I spoke with my neighbor who has been volunteering this year. She said that over 200 animals have already been adopted.

All cats and dogs up for adoption have been medically screened, vaccinated, micro-chipped and spayed or neutered. SPCA representatives are at Macy’s while the pets are on display to answer questions from anyone interested in pet adoption.



Here is a link to view the adoptable cats and dogs from three live webcams. Sooo cute!

Holiday shoppers can catch a glimpse of some of San Francisco's cutest animals in the Macy's windows at Stockton and O'Farrell Street through January 3, 2010.

And, if you can't make it, give the best holiday gift by donating to the SPCA here, or the local San Francisco shelter that puts the Macy's window together here.

Glamour Dogs

Joan Collins with dyed pink poodle: photo credit: Slim Aarons

I chuckled when I saw these vintage photos of Joan Collins and Doris Day with their dyed poodles! We adorn our dogs more than ever now with fancy clothes and jewelry. Well... some do.

Doris Day and her Poodles, Paris, 1950, photo credit: John Florea

This is my toy poodle, Vito. How do you think he would look dyed? I don't think he'd be a happy camper.

If you want to see some great dog glamour shots, Catherine Ledner's book, "Glamour Dogs" is due out his week and I can't wait to see it. Ledner is a California-based photographer who has a love for animals. "Catherine Ledner brilliantly captures these doggie doyenes in all their glamorous glory as they strut their stuff on the catwalk, recline on sumptuous furniture and pose on the latest of floor and wall fashions." -Chronicle Books.

Your can purchase Glamour Dogs here. You can also purchase Catherine's whimsical animal prints on her website here.

Woof Woof!

Glamour Dogs book cover image from Chronicle books

Poodle Party!

Ever since I got my poodle Vito, I always wanted to have a "poodle party." Imagine all of these silly French poodles dancing around (Can-can style)! I was so jealous when I saw the Dauschund meetup group at the park a couple of weeks ago that I had to start a San Francisco Poodle Meetup group.

Maxie, Vito & KoKo meet

Today was our first "meetup." Unfortunately it was cold and rainy, but the doggies endured. Vito met his first two Poodle friends, KoKo the Cockapoo and Maxie, who is a teacup. They had lots of fun at the park. If you live in the Bay Area and have a poodle, please come to one of our meetups. Hopefully we'll have better weather next month. You can join here.

Jeany & Rie holding Maxie