The Muttropolis Blog

Adventures with a Secret Agent Spy Collar Cam

Aside from the requisite sleeping, scratching and navel gazing, many pet parents wonder what else our dogs and cats are doing exactly when we’re not around. While web cams might be one approach to pet surveillance, a web cam can be limiting as the camera captures footage from only one vantage point in your home, which is why the Pet’s Eye View collar camera piqued my interest.

Essentially the equivalent of a collar spy cam, the Pet’s Eye View camera attaches to your pet's collar and the built-in timer automatically takes photos from your dog or cat’s perspective at intervals of 1, 5 or 15 minutes.  The internal memory stores about 40 photos and a four-foot USB cable is included which can be used to download the collar-cam pics to your computer in order to see what sort of espionage is occurring whilst you’re away.

In addition to spying on your pet while you're away, I believe that a lot of fun can be had with this camera outside the home. For instance, boxers or briefs: Why not clip it on your dog’s collar and ask your cute or handsome neighbor to pet sit your dog for the evening? Or discover the true identity of whomever is sneaking your dog biscotti’s every morning when you’re inside Starbucks grabbing a latte? The list just goes on...

Check out my field test of the Pet’s Eye View Camera in this week’s video, and see what kind of valuable intel I am able to collect on unsuspecting Zazou and Schmoo…including identifying the party responsible for the dirty paw prints left on my pillow!

Article reprint courtesy of The Daily Treat on Animalplanet.com

Fun Summer Dog Dresses and Dog Harnesses for Furry Fashionistas

Some folks admittedly roll their eyes at the sight of a dog all dolled up in a foofey dress, the innocent dog looking none too thrilled to be sporting a tutu, fedora, gladiator sandals or other ensemble.

However, I must say that there are some absolutely darling little dog outfits and functional dog harnesses to be had these days, and the entertainment value can be quite high as long as pup is comfortable. Naturally, if you are indeed going to pimp your pup in a Seersucker Shift, its best if they do not resemble a sausage encased in said lightweight puckered fabric.

Does this dog dress make me look fat?

Some of the fuller figured dogs should just say no to parading around resembling a dog stuffed into a frilly sausage-casing. To help you best dress your dog according to his or her body type, I suggest you review some of the handy guidelines provided by the folks over at Howcast.com.

Some of their tips on how to Dress Your Dog According to Their Body Type include how to: 1) Avoid too tight clothes  2) Accentuate your Bulldog's head  3) Work with problem hair  4) Avoid horizontal stripes for Boxers and my personal favorite, 5) Elongate your Dachshund's legs.

Once you've gotten these important details all worked out, you can find some of the cutest tees, dog dresses and functional dog harness dresses around at Muttropolis.com. Some of my favorites are below...particularly the Watermelon Dog Dress and the Pink Watermelon Dog Tee. Dresses and harnesses start at $20.

Article reprint courtesy of The Daily Treat on Animalplanet.com

Dog-proof Trash Can: And it was all yellow

 

There's nothing like returning home from a fun night out to find yesterday’s coffee grounds, orange rinds, fish skins and other unsavory discards spread across the kitchen floor with Jackson Pollock flair. When you find yourself faced with this situation, your dog can typically be found either 1) skulking around in the darker recesses of your home, or 2) joyfully greeting you at the door as if none of it ever happened.

After the requisite pulling of your hair and retrieval various treasures from beneath the couch, calm down and consider getting yourself a kick-ass, ironclad trashcan (and maybe some training too).

The happiest darn trash can you ever did see

Originally designed in 1939, this super durable stainless steel Vipp Trash Bin is hand-crafted by skilled craftsmen and consists of up to 42 components. The tight fitting lid can keep curious noses out and trash smells in. Very likely one of the happiest-looking trash cans you’ll ever see, it is available in a range of sizes and colors, and is great for use in the bathroom, kitchen, workspace or living space. A removable inner bin makes changing out the bags easy and a roll of biodegradable liners is included.

Find the Vipp Trash Bin at Design Within Reach.

Article reprint courtesty of The Daily Treat at Animalplanet.com

Safety and Comfort First with Sleepypod Pet Carriers and Pet Beds

A pet carrier, a car seat and a hideaway bed all wrapped into one, the award-winning Sleepypod provides security and comfort for pets both at home and on the go. Available in a host of vibrant colors, the beauty of the Sleepypod is its versatility, as a dog that needs to be aware of his surroundings at all times can be just as easily accommodated as the cat who likes her privacy.

Many cats and dogs unfortunately associate travel with negative experiences such as a trip to the vet or the kennel. The Sleepypod allows pets to travel safely in the comfort of their own cushy bed, thus alleviating the stress associated with travel and confinement in hard, plastic boxes with limited visibility.

As well, according to the June 2009 issue of Pet Product News Magazine, the designers of the Sleepypod updated its award-winning Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed and Sleepypod Mini carriers with enhanced safety features to make it even more secure in an automobile.

With nifty add-on accessories available such as a special heating pad and uber-plush blankie, I give the Sleepypod a definite four paws up for versatility and value. You can find the Sleepypod pet carriers and pet beds at Muttropolis.com

Article reprint courtesy of Animal Planet's The Daily Treat with Janet McCulley

When you care enough to send the very best: Say it with Panda Poo

Leave no man-ure behind

While on a recent trip to Orlando Florida, I popped into a new boutique, Earth Inspired Living, in the charming town of Winter Park. A gift and home accessories store dedicated to great design with a commitment to conserve the environment. Their carefully selected and elegantly displayed products are all made from recycled, reclaimed, organic and sustainable materials designed to enlighten and surprise. And surprise they did, when I found some darling note cards made completely of Panda Poop.

Yes the note cards pictured at right are actually made out of real, Grade A Panda poop. Eco-friendly and innovative, these darling stationary products are 100% recycled, odorless (good to know) and quite lovely for a piece of poo.

Prefer Pachyderm poop? Good news for you! These products also come in Dumbo dung.

Handmade in Thailand, this papier de poop is created via collection and processing of Panda poo ‘pulp' collected from Giant Pandas in China. Natural and quite lovely for a piece of poo, this unique stationery is 100% recycled, odorless and sure to be a hit with anyone who loves recycling and/or potty humor...which pretty much describes

Get the scoop on this poop by visiting either Earth Inspired Living  or  uncommongoods.com

Blog reprint courtesy of AnimalPlanet's The Daily Treat with Janet McCulley

Tweet This: Fave finds for (and from) the Birds

Whether they tweet, chirp, squawk or cluck, all things avian flew into the fashion scene a few years ago and they've proudly remained on their perch ever since. From eclectic home and garden decor, cool pet collars and pet toys to darling tees...it's fun and easy as ever to celebrate the beauty of our feathered friends. Here are some favorite finds:

Bright Bird Collars: Bright and cheerful, with vibrant hues of pinks and oranges or reds and blues, your pup will stand out wherever he or she goes. $28 at Muttropolis.

The Big Apple Bird Feeder: An apple a day...brings birds to play! This minimalist bamboo bird-feeder features three perches, a loop for hanging and a skewer to secure an apple. Easy to assemble and no messy seeds $25 at UncommonGoods.

Song Bird Cat Toys: These cute little birds make sweet chirping sounds when moved and shaken. Kitty will love playing and interacting with this cat toy. $5.99/ea at Muttropolis.

Bird Flight Homestickers:  Temporary and repositionable, enjoy birdwatching from the comfort of your own home. Goofy bird call whistle or binoculars required. $30 by Novelles Images at Amazon.

Drooley floors no more with the Drink Better Pet Bowl

My neighbor’s dog Baloo resembles a cross between Sasquatch, Cousin It, Slash from Guns N’ Roses and a whole lotta Pigpen. Weighing in at more than 125 lbs, Baloo is a furry bundle of love and Lulu and Zazou love having him over for play-dates.  However, a dog that rocks a fro of this magnitude (see photo), requires more than just a proverbial !Cleanup on Aisle Four!, particularly when it comes to the mess he makes when he drinks water. 

As you will see in this week’s video, Baloo’s beard releases the equivalent of Niagra Falls when he drinks from a water bowl, whether outside or inside the house. And don’t even talk to me about what happens when he shakes his head after drinking…it looks like someone let loose with a hose on the windows.

Enter the Drink Better Bowl

In an attempt to reduce the Slip-n-Slide that Baloo leaves behind when hydrating, I did a little research and found The Drink Better® pet bowl.

The innovative pet bowl integrates the use of a floating obstacle within the bowl to control the flow of water, encouraging dogs to drink at a slower, healthier rate, and make less mess while they’re at it…. just the thing I need for Monsieur Pigpen. According to Contech, the manufacturer, dogs that drink too fast (puppies do this a lot) can also experience digestive problems such as indigestion and vomiting and light-haired dogs may experience staining of the muzzle (from chlorinated water).

Check out this week’s video and see what happens when we test the Drink Better pet bowl with uber-slob-face Baloo!

Article reprint courtesy of The Daily Treat at Animalplanet.com