Nice and Comfy

Book: The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood

"Journey with Nadine M. Rosin into the emotional healing and self-awareness she develops over nineteen years through the unconditional love of her dog, Buttons. Join them as they explore the world of holistic pet care to successfully heal canine cancer. Experience how Nadine copes with grief and loss, and ultimately discovers a continued spiritual connection with Buttons after death. This is her story. It is only one version of a story shared by millions of pet parents." Avail here.

I lost my own little French bulldog "Kobey-Rose" to a cancerous tumor Jan 14 2009.

Bulldog Bone Collectors

Why Dogs Make the Best Friends

By Jim Thornton, Men's Health
"Remember these rules," said my new housemate Adam about my other new housemate, Diablo, a wolf-German shepherd mix who looked as though he had eaten more jugular veins than Snausages. "Don't make quick moves, don't try to touch him, don't look him in the eye, and you'll probably be fine."

I was 6 months out of college and hauling my cheap belongings into a cheaper Salt Lake City bungalow. Adam, an Apache construction worker, explained that he'd rescued his dog from a sadistic drunkard who had beaten the animal half to death with a golf iron. Then Diablo growled as if I were the guy's caddy.

"Quiet," Adam told the beast, not unkindly. Diablo's growling ratcheted down, but only a notch. No wonder the rent was so cheap.

For the next 3 weeks, the growl never stopped. I almost got used to it, the way I almost got used to navigating the bungalow with my eyes trained on the ceiling. Every once in a while, Diablo sniffed my groin with his elongated snout, which could snap moose femurs like pretzel sticks. It was all I could do to keep from fainting.

Our relationship changed one searing afternoon in August. Having come home early for lunch, I heard Diablo snarling at me from his fenced lair in the backyard. His growling carried its usual tone of hatred, but I sensed an additional chord, the barest tone of vulnerability in the heart of the largest carnivore I'd ever lived with.

As slowly and reassuringly as I could, I approached the fence. "It's okay, buddy," I said, trying to channel Saint Francis. "Easy, boy."

Diablo's problem was soon apparent: He'd upended his water dish in the 101° heat. What I decided to do next terrified me, but the alternative - doing nothing - seemed as cruel as beating the brute with a sand wedge. I unlocked the gate and slowly, slowly moved inside his territory. I could feel Diablo's breath on my leg, the guttural vibrations of his growl. Smoothly, slowly, I reached for the water dish, righted it, filled it from the wall spigot, and retreated. The growl was silenced by desperate, maybe even grateful, lapping from the dish.

When I returned home at 6:30 that night, Adam was cooking his dinner, and Diablo was in his usual evening spot beside his master's La-Z-Boy. He was sitting on his haunches, watching me silently. The growl had stopped.

From that point on, our bond deepened.

If you've ever become best friends with a former bully, you know how gratifying it can be. With Diablo beside me, I felt invulnerable - it was as if I'd developed a superpower. In the eons before modern weaponry, dogs like Diablo must have bestowed a sense of invincibility upon those fortunate human beings they trusted.

I got a delicious taste of this a month later, when I was jolted from a deep sleep by the sounds of Diablo in a rage. A couple of my ne'er-do-well friends had broken in late one night to invite me out for drinks, which they had hoped I'd pay for. Diablo backed the slackers against a wall.

I gave him an affectionate scratch behind his ears, which, of course, did nothing to calm him. "You know what they say about sleeping dogs, he, fellas?"

After a quick recitation of Adam's list of "don'ts," I hugged Diablo around his neck and watched my friends slink off into the night. The last thing they heard in retreat was my voice switching to pupspeak.

"Who's a good boy, Diablo? Who's a good boy? You are! Oh, yes you are!"

Pop Pup

Just send a photo of your adorable pup to ALL POP ART and have it reproduced on paper or canvas in one of several pop art styles. WarholStyle (pictured), LichStyle (ala artist Roy Lichtenstein), or RetroPop (a retro 70's look). This is a great way to display the love of your life in a hip artsy fashion.

LUCKY DOG

Lucky the little Maltese of Wendy Diamond (founder & editor of Animal Fair magazine) was a rescue that now enjoys all the privileges of celebrity.

Haute Dog Hat Couture

Modeled by Vanilla for Ada Nieves "Moulin Rouge" collection. Oh La La!

Good to the last drop...

This adorable Frenchie's name is Harrison.

Jane makes sure Tulea is taken care of...

Recently while starring on B'way in Tony nominated 33 Variations, Jane Fonda had her bodyguard call ahead to make sure her dog Tulea would be welcome at restaurant Il Bastardo. She was and enjoyed sipping the best Italian bottled water. Non-carbonated of course. Good Mommy.

Bim and Jerry

Actor Jerry O'Connell and his dog Bim go out for a jog together in Los Angeles.

TIME FOR SPRING FLOWERS

Did you know Daffodils and Tulips could be dangerous? (the bulb being the most toxic part in both) Click here for a list of plants that are toxic to dogs.

See Monster

Is it Jaws the shark?
No it's the bulldog from the Dogster photo contest.

Fashion Designer Norma Kamali

Norma plays with a little Daschund in her design studio.

Jai and Nemo

Cute Jai Rodriquez and his adorable Yorkie Nemo continue to host the second season of GROOMER HAS IT. Be sure and visit here to keep up to date.

Cruella Deville 2009

Naomi Campbell and a car full of Dalmations up to no good, I'm sure.

KYLE & CHIHUAHUAS

Kyle King is the kid that ran onstage during Britney Spears stage show the other night. Talk about your 15 mins of fame...

Meet Betty...

Betty recently joined FRENCH BULLDOG NYC