canine couture

i am an ardent supporter of having the freedom to make fun of that very special breed of pet owner who intentionally, repeatedly, and even worse, seasonally, dresses their animals in anything more than medically necessary paraphernalia.

karma has just given me a resounding slap around the chops.

this past week, i took reilly out for her bi-daily consitutional, and she spent much of it shivering (it gets cold in new england, you know). my immediate concern became the very real possibility of having to wipe and/or chip poosicles hanging out of her rectum.

while the prospect of putting a cork in for the winter, appeals to my own aversion of her (and therefore me, as the holder of the leash and plastic bag) toileting in several feet of snow, layering of both parties seems the most humane option- and "uncorking" her after 6 months just sounds downright dangerous.

fortunately, american pet retailers have a veritable baskin-robbins selection to cover every imagined weather condition and social obligation. owners can now express and project their own identities onto their four legged friends, whether it's an outdoorsy, x-treme "little fluffy" in snowshoes and north face vest, or "rover" in a polo shirt and arglye sweater (burberry dresses for the ladies), jauntily swinging a 9 iron on the green. obviously, the uber hipster pooches don't need anything more than to grow out their face fur, all the better from which to peer moodily, overcome with angst at the limited choices in organic doggie treats.

i realize that ugg's and giant sunglasses would complete her outfit, but she has already asked for her very own miniature dog, to tote around in a purse, for christmas.