Over the top?

Here's a bright question for a gloomy Monday:

What's the most indulgent thing you've ever bought your companion animal?

For me, it would be the mini-biker Halloween outfit. At least it was pleather.

Comments

[Cynthia Williams]

Designer sunglasses for my Red Dobie along with a designer scarf with a matching viser cap - then later we added a $70.00 backpack to the mix - all rather costly and silly.

[Cherita]

"Shoes" for a Rat Terrier who is a house dog. She hates them.
At least 6-7 musical stuffed animals for each dog at every holiday. The Min-Pin loves to play "Here Comes Santa Claus" at all hours of the night.

[Jessa]

2 things: A $45 dog toy described on the packaging as "indestructible" that lit up and played music. My Samoyed gnawed it in half in about 10 minutes; He also likes to wear clothes, so I bought him a really cute $80 tartan plaid winter coat. He looks adorable in it, but the last thing a Sam needs is any kind of coat!

[MaryL]

Two red satin quilted coats trimmed in black fake fur..Hey, they were at a Pets.com close out, $3.99 each..The dogs hate the coats! I usually buy their pretties from Houndtogs.com..these Whippets are stylin'... (0:
MaryL-California

[Audrey]

A radio-controlled mouse for my cats. They both ran down to the basement out of sheer terror. They have more fun with my Roomba.

[linda speranza]

I used to buy my tuxedo cat (Ted) all these toys, he would just look and them & walk away. But if you rolled up a piece of paper, he would run all over the house chasing it .. kept him busy for quite a while.

[Debbie]

I had a beautiful carrier wagon built specifically for my Gordon Setter,(with a sun unmbrella) which I pulled behind my TREK bicycle, to do 100 mile bicyling centuries, and our private travels through the Sierra mountains to camp, just us. She absolutely loved to ride all over the Northwest including the California Coast HWY 1 with me. Lovers forever.I read every day still praying for VIVI. GOD I want her home and safe. An animal lover first, human second. HA! Debbie

[Karen]

I think my agility ribbons and titles qualify - who knows how much each one is worth when you total the training, entry fees, equipment and travel costs and the dog doesn't even know she gets them. Kind of funny. This thread is about funny people (like me). She loves to do it but if you showed her a shiny blue ribbon or a her worn out blue frisbee which one would she choose?

[SueG]

I bought my greyhound a collar that was real
gems, Lapis I believe. It cost me a fortune but
she still wears it on special occasions.

[Cynthia Williams]

If I a dollar for every indestructible dog ball, plastic or rubber, that my dogs have destroyed in less than ten minutes - the ones that always cost at least $9.99 and some $14.99, I'd have enough money to send the pack of curs by first class air to Mau for summer break and put them up in the honeymoon suite at the Hilton with money left over for a cruise around the islands.

[Terri]

A pink mink coat for my Pomeranian, Bijou. A cute little fur hat (check out "The Pets Pizzazz" website. Bijou is the "Pet of the Month" for November 2005. He's wearing the hat. :-) A doggie stroller/carriage... so we can go on those long walks when little "pom" feet can't go the distance. A leather and brass "playhouse" that is an exact replica of a treasure chest...very unique item from "Anthropologies". Lots of cute little sweaters, and my favorite....pajamas! Bijou has his very own toy box with more toys than a "pom" puppy could hope for...and he does play with them.
Ya, I know, but we spoil all of our "wee ones" this way. And yes, I do have a life. I'm a nurse and my husband is a Dr. We have two daughters, an attorney and a psychologist. Our family just loves animals!

[Amy]

My horse, Rusty just turned 28 years old today, and I just came home from a great ride with him. If he makes it to 30, and it sure seems like he will, I'll throw a barn party with champagne and carrots, and invite everyone who has ever known him. That seems pretty indulgent, but if you have a horse this old you surely want to celebrate. He looks like he is maybe 12 to 15 years old. Arabians age the best, lucky for us!

My best wishes and thanks go out to all you Vivi volunteers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for keeping all of us far away up to date on the situation.

[Sharon from Michigan]

Let's keep lighting those candles! There are 15 as of this evening. http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/light5.cfm
It takes no time at all. It costs nothing, but it provides focus.
(The following prayer is a variation on an old prayer, which invokes the God of creation, and the aid of St. Francis of Assisi.The original can be found on:http://hometown.aol.com/prayersforpets/Prayers.html

Father of all Creation,Your goodness is turned upon every living thing; Your grace flows to all Your creatures; Your Light touches each of us with the reflection of Your love, love that we see when we look in the faces of our "buddies". Grant long and healthy lives to our special animal companions. Bless their relationships with us.Hold and guide Vivi, Biggie, and Sniffles,help them find safety-in shelter, food and water.Keep them from anyone or anything that could harm them. Let them sleep peacefully under your tender gaze.Bless all who do Your work on earth for them, especially animal rescue workers, and Vivi's Angels who are working tirelessly in NYC.Bless all vets and animal healers and thank you for the healing you are doing in Madison, Dante and Murphy. When you draw our family and friends to You in Paradise help us to understand that they are not gone from us but only drawing closer to You.Give our love and welcome to all who will join You tonight. Grant our prayers through the intercession of good St. Francis of Assisi, who honored You through all Your creatures. Empower him to watch over our animal friends until they are safe in their earthly homes, and finally with You in eternity, where we someday hope to join them in honoring You forever.Send us healing sleep knowing YOU ARE IN CHARGE! Amen!
'Night everyone. Think I have a touch of the 'flu-
Hope we have good news tomorrow.

[Sharon from Michigan]

McGee and Minou are a Persian, and Persian mix respectively, and therefore are always wearing a pretty heavy coat-- although more stylish at sometime than others. I bought a green sparkly bowtie, and bowler for McGee to wear for St. Patrick's Day. He would (wisely) not wear it, not even for a picture. He (unwisely) decided to sleep in a new Baleek "bun bowl" later in the day. I was not amused.
If you want a great spot for canine couture, and feline fashion, I found a recommended spot where 10% of all funds goes to OHIO GREYHOUND RESCUE. It is http://www.sewingcatsanddogs.com/. I wish we could get Vivi a raincoat, and talk herinto modeling it. What do you think little girl is this enough to get you to come out, and go home?
(Now I'm really going to bed.)

[Marnie G]

Okay, you guys definitely outdo me, definitely out do me, but I'll give it a shot.... Hmmm, what we have splurged on for our dogs.... (a moment away from the constant worry for Vivi.) I love reading what we/you all have done!!! So many outrageous things!! I love it!! Okay, I'll join in... ours is.... definitely when we had each of our Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies flown out to CA to us from Texas (first the boy, then our girl a year and 1/2 later) and we picked each of them up at an airport about 1.5 hours away from us in a stretch limosine!! They each got the limo ride home, complete with driver in tuxedo opening doors for them, so we could hold them and love them and not worry about one of us driving. On each trip, they were each out of their crates, sitting on the leather limo seats with us and enjoying their ride to their new home in a stretch limo. Space to stretch their little legs.... walk a little bit... We had champagne, and they had their play toys, new baby blankets, familiar favorite toys they brought with them, their regular water from home shipped with them, treats.... it was a celebration ride home in a stretch limo each time!! Too much fun!! They explored the 10-seater limo and slept on varying seats in the limo most of the way!! Mostly on our laps!!! Love these babies! Marnie Keeping the Faith for Vivi in CA
Most important: another BIG thank you to all of you volunteers out there pounding the pavement for VIVI... my message above is lighthearted, but my heart aches for VIVI and I am so thankful to all of you out there on the front-line. Thank You! A never-ending thank you! Marnie

[Marnie G]

Okay, you guys definitely outdo me, definitely out do me, but I'll give it a shot.... Hmmm, what we have splurged on for our dogs.... (a moment away from the constant worry for Vivi.) I love reading what we/you all have done!!! So many outrageous things!! I love it!! Okay, I'll join in... ours is.... definitely when we had each of our Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies flown out to CA to us from Texas (first the boy, then our girl a year and 1/2 later) and we picked each of them up at an airport about 1.5 hours away from us in a stretch limosine!! They each got the limo ride home, complete with driver in tuxedo opening doors for them, so we could hold them and love them and not worry about one of us driving. On each trip, they were each out of their crates, sitting on the leather limo seats with us and enjoying their ride to their new home in a stretch limo. Space to stretch their little legs.... walk a little bit... We had champagne, and they had their play toys, new baby blankets, familiar favorite toys they brought with them, their regular water from home shipped with them, treats.... it was a celebration ride home in a stretch limo each time!! Too much fun!! They explored the 10-seater limo and slept on varying seats in the limo most of the way!! Mostly on our laps!!! Love these babies! Marnie Keeping the Faith for Vivi in CA
Most important: another BIG thank you to all of you volunteers out there pounding the pavement for VIVI... my message above is lighthearted, but my heart aches for VIVI and I am so thankful to all of you out there on the front-line. Thank You! A never-ending thank you! Marnie

[Marnie G]

Man, do you guys have style and a sense of class!! YOWZA!! These have to be the best dressed pampered "babies " in America!! YOWZA! Love it, love it, love it!! Send photos!! And, I thought I was all alone with the stuff I do for my babies that makes my husband think I am totally nuts!!! NOW, we just need to get ViVi home and back to being pampered and well coutoured!! I'll just settle for getting Vivi home!!! Thanks whoever for posting a nice uplift and time away from the worry.... it was a nice post to talk about how we spoil our "kids." And, then hear the response. Thanks. Marnie in CA

[Teresa G]

Well, I haven't bought anything that expensive other than raincoats and such, but I used to drive my whippet, Duncan, to DoggieWorld Daycare every other Friday so he could have a play day with other dogs.

I once knit a lace collar out of crochet cotton for a friend's greyhound and I knit an Aran sweater for my greyhound, Thalion.

Teresa

[MaryL]

DING! We have a winner! MARNIE G, a stretch limo for
pups? lol..I love it! (o:
My male Whippet rode home from the airport in a
Jeep..Poor thing..
MaryL-California

[OG]

Where do I begin. My husband & I bought a 3rd car, a station wagon, so our pembroke welsh corgi could ride around with us. Before 9/11, we used to fly her to board with her breeder in Toronto, Canada (we're from CA) when we go on vacation because I couldn't bear leaving her in a kennel. That means two round trip tickets each time we take her to and pick her up from the breeder. After 9/11, we found a wonderful doggie hotel called Citizen Canine. She board there now when we're away. She gets special treats like massages and "love supreme" sessions. She gets monthly accupuncture treatments. She has a Barbour jacket, an assortment of designer leashes and collars, three doggie beds, pillows, down blankets (formerly mine), and an assortment of toys. She also has doggie jewelry - a personalized sterling silver crown charm - although I let her wear some of my necklaces sometimes. On short trips, we pick hotels that are dog friendly so she can stay as well. This week-end, she is going with us to the Napa River Inn, a wonderful hotel in Napa, CA that takes pets and gives them special treatment. Call us crazy, but we love this dog and pamper her. I only wish we could claim her as an income tax deduction.

[Alane]

Nuon my Pharaoh Hound get a monthly massage, unless he has been showing a lot then it is twice a month. The person comes to the house to lessen the stress levels. His chriopractor also comes to the house to give him adjustments as needed. That and TONS of toys.

[Marty]

Okay I decided I want to be a dog.(:

[Marty]

I meant I've and not I

[MaryL]

Marty, "I, I've" are you trying to grow another EYE?

I think its great that our dogs are sooooo spoiled.
My kids weren't as lucky..lol

MaryL-California

[OG]

Some of my friends and also my chiropractor have joking said that in their next life, they want to come back as my dog.

[Marty]

My husband says to me he thinks I love my dogs more than him. heh heh

[Lois Baker]

Marty, if only the "men" really knew... :)

[jeanette]

I bought a conversion van with a TV so my dogs could watch the Westminster show on the way to the shows and get all pumped up (didnt work that well)...they didnt care about that but didn enjoy watching lure coursing and would bark at the dogs chasing the lure. Oh yeah and my poor white male whippet that I once bought a pink tutu for halloween...yikes.

[Nancy Mohrmann]

My Chiggy (Chihuahua/IG) has a "pearl" necklace with a rhinestone bone on it. Plus a ton of sweaters, fancy collars, and she's always in the house except for supervised visits to the backyard.
Bought the "Yuppy Puppy Treat Machine" for my dogs who are now on the Bridge...only the Golden had enough brains to know how to use it (a bone-shaped lever)andhe was such a gentleman, he used to sit and hit the lever over and over for his "sisters" to have treats, and every few ones he'd take one for himself. Someone mentioned massage and chiropractic... there's a Golden in the 5 Towns who gets weekly massage and bodywork from me at her house (except for the 5 months of the year her people drive her to Florida). One of their maids, who has serious arthritis, frequently remarks that "that dog has it better than me" And I tell her, me too..I can only spring for a once a month treatment for myself. Lily's groomer comes to the house too.