Looking for an Amazing Pet Artist?

My friend Di—who has an adorable bulldog named Ozzy—has been raving about a talented pet artist named Rory Mackay, who recently completed a gorgeous portrait of her beloved dog. I have to say, I was incredibly impressed by Rory's work...not to mention, he's an unbelievably nice guy.

Two of Rory's pet portraits

How Rory works is, he either uses a pre-existing photograph (if you have one that’s sentimental to you) or he arranges a time to come to your apartment or house and do a photo shoot with your pet. He’ll select the best 20-30 images from the 150 he usually takes and will send them to you so that you can choose your favorite. He will then work/paint from that particular photograph and will even update you with images of the painting at various stages to make sure it’s in keeping with your vision. (Clearly, your dog isn't going to be down with posing for hours. Hence, why Rory works off of photographs.)

One thing that’s so great about his work is that he uses bespoke measurements and will go with whatever canvas size and material you’d like. So, you’re getting exactly what you want. Be sure to look out for a feature on Rory and his pet portraits in the October issue of Quest Magazine!

To view Rory’s dog portraiture, visit www.yourpetsinpaint.com or go to this link: http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/Rorz95/YourPetsInPaint?authkey=Gv1sRgCNr0iaLX68SJ4gE&feat=directlink.

To contact Rory, you can email him at rory@yourpetsinpaint.com.

Easy-to-Clean Dog Beds

Today, my friend Ashley sent me a link to FatBoy Doggie Lounges. The “Doggy Boy” beds come in a variety of cool colors, including orange, pink, lime, camo, red, sand, black, and brown. But by far the best part? To clean, you just wipe down the nylon with a damp cloth.

Fatboy beds come in small and large sizes, and if your dog prefers less stuffing you can remove pellets for a softer feel. Prices range from $99-$139. For more info or to buy, click here.

Does your dog have a favorite doggie bed? If so, where is it from? Please share!

The Pet Industry Remains Recession-Proof

The global economy may be crap, but American pet owners are still spending on their animals like crazy, according to the Christian Science Monitor. In fact, the pet industry has grown to $46 billion this year from $17 billion in 1994, says the American Pet Products Association. Some evidence of this phenomenon? Despite the pet food recall two years ago, the pet food industry is booming; Pet Airways recently launched; PetSmart and Petco are hiring and opening new stores; Martha Stewart has opened a pet franchise; and Honda introduced a dog-friendly concept car this year.

Credit: Ann Hermes/Christian Science Monitor

The article credits a combination of “emotion and anthropomorphism” for what’s driving pet sectors—including the market for doggie drugs, “healthier” specialty foods, doggie day care programs, organic shampoos, and more. Just this year alone, I’ve bought Riley her own lifejacket, a monogrammed tote bag, two new beds, a DNA test, calming pheromones, and countless other things. Clearly, I’m as guilty as the next dog owner, if not far more so.

The article also references several “social readjustments” that have come about due to our bond with our pets. “Legislatures are now struggling to rework legal codes that consider animals property—a status that creates all sorts of difficulties in divorce cases, for instance, where the resolution to a disputed pet is to sell the animal and split the proceeds. Some courts have started to issue protection orders that cover pets; a number of domestic violence shelters allow battered women to bring their dogs.

“It was hurricane Katrina, as much as anything, that drove home the importance of social institutions evolving with the animal-human bond, says Stephen Zawistowski, of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. During the New Orleans evacuation, he notes, people of all racial and socioeconomic backgrounds refused to leave if it meant abandoning pets. Later the government and organizations such as the Red Cross changed their pet policies. ‘The emotions might have been here all along,’ he says. ‘But this showed the depth to which the sentiments have become part of our culture.’”

I highly recommend reading this article if you have a few minutes! You can find it here.

Pet-Friendly Restaurants in NYC

A friend of mine recently passed along City Pet Guide, a free local resource guide. It has so many cool things in it, but one item I particularly loved was a list of pet-friendly dining spots in Manhattan. (This is, of course, only for outdoor seating.) I’ve copied their list below in case it may be useful.

Fetch, an UES restaurant that welcomes dogs in its outdoor seating area

• 79th Street Boat Basin (W. 79th St between Riverside and West End)
• Barking Dog Luncheonette (1453 York Ave at 77th Street)
• Da Rosina Ristorante (342 W. 46th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues)
• Dolci on Park Caffe (66 Mercer St at Broome)
• Fetch (1649 Third Avenue between 92nd and 93rd)
• Firehouse (522 Columbus Avenue at 86th Street)
• Gavroche (212 West 14th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues)
• George Keeley’s (485 Amsterdam between 83rd and 84th)
• No Malice Palace (197 E. 3rd Street between Avenues A and B)
• PJ Clarke’s on the Hudson (250 Vesey Street at the Hudson River)
• Philip Marie Restaurant (569 Hudson at 11th Street)
• Von (3 Bleecker Street)

Do you know of any other restaurants where you can bring your dog with you and sit outside? I’m sure there are many more!

August 12 is "Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet Day"

Dogs over 2 years old. Big black dogs. Pit bulls. Shy dogs. Petfinder.com is hoping everyone will spread the word to help these harder-to-place animals find homes. They've named this Wednesday, August 12th, "Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet Day."

Large, black dogs often get looked over at shelters. Photo via www.startseeingblackdogs.com.

Petfinder conducted a survey asking rescue and shelter groups which pets have the most difficult time being adopted. They responded:

• 30% — senior/older pets
• 15% — pets with medical problems
• 13% — victims of breed prejudice
• 10% — shy pets
• 10% — those who need to be the only pet

So sad, right? Riley was incredibly socially awkward and shy when I got her. It just took a little time for her to gain some confidence.

Petfinder compiled a list of “reasons they love ‘special’ pets.” I included a few of them below…

• Older pets are mellower—you don't have to worry about your lamp getting knocked over!
• With "bad reputation" breeds, you get the chance to prove people wrong with your great dog!
• Dark-furred pets make it easy to accessorize—black goes with everything!
• Pets with behavioral issues allow you to form a tight bond as you overcome obstacles together!

For more information on Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet Day, click here. You can even search for dogs in your area.