Living, Pets, Style

A Girl’s Best Friend

Hint: We’re not talking about diamonds.

In these uncertain times, we need to find calm and focus in our homes, our loved ones (whether near or far), and within ourselves. For some lucky ducks, this solace can also be found in our furry friends. So for those of you who are home with your hounds, we’ve got some cute collar suggestions to spruce up your pets’ style. BONUS: Most of our picks come from small and/or local businesses, so you can pat yourselves on the back for supporting business owners in a serious time of need. OK, let’s get right to it!

GoTags Personalized Dog Collar, $19 on Amazon

This cute and classic collar is great for larger dogs and pets who play hard. We had a recurring situation with our Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy that required us to switch to a tag-less collar. Every time we picked him up from doggy daycare, his tag was gone! We knew this meant he was getting all of that puppy energy out, so we were thankful, but we didn’t like throwing away money on new tags every week, so we purchased the GoTag collar (in Orange) and have never looked back!

La Bande Collar, $58 from Billy Wolf

Before necessity required us to switch to the GoTag Collar, our beloved Basco (as in Tabasco) was supposed to flaunt a Billy Wolf collar. 100% made in the USA, Billy Wolf collars are always made in small-batches and ethically produced. Their designs are simple yet artful, mixing discarded fabrics with a variety of leather grains to create stunning pieces every time. They also feature collars and leashes in rope for the more nautical sort!

Big Poppy Buckle Collar, $46 from Beast + Babe

Next up is a company we’re crazy about: Beast + Babe. Woman-owned and produced in the USA, Beast + Babe’s collars scream cozy chic. Their collars are made from a range of fabrics and in a variety of designs, so there is sure to be something that catches your eye. They also make leaches and quite possibly the world’s cutest bandanas. Their XS size is 9-12″, so tiny friends welcome!

The Henri Ombre Cotton Rope Collar, $56 from Found My Animal

Found My Animal has one simple objective: to support pet adoption. Each of their collars boasts a proud “FOUND” tag, letting the world know that you saved a precious life. So if your fur baby is a rescued angel, check out Found My Animal. The best part: their collars are majorly adorable, so it’s not a choice between principles and style.

Antigua Collar, $20 from Wolfgang

Last but certainly not least in our collar round-up is the sportier dog-friendly company, Wolfgang. If you’d rather spend your weekend hiking on a trail than binge watching Netflix, Wolfgang’s collars are for you. They’ve got tons of great patterns and prints for the adventurer in all of us. And they’re quite a bit cheaper than their stylish counterparts. Best of all, a portion of proceeds from every Wolfgang collar made in partnership with Nena & Co. is donated to help kids in Guatemala get the education they deserve (check out the Brite Blue Foundation here). Feel great, look great. Done.

As as a little added bonus (for you and your pooch), we wanted to let you know about two small businesses that make amazing dog treats. They are both local and serve up righteous treats that will have your dog begging for more — literally. First up, we have Canines & Carrots. An off-shoot of the Durango Dog Company in Baltimore, Maryland, C & C makes their treats in the US from the best stuff. Meaning that there are no preservatives, everything is vegan, and all treats are vet-approved. So, hop over to their website and spoil your fur baby; you won’t regret it.

Our last shoutout goes to a local FL company, DOGDELI. DOGDELI is another family-owned business that grew out of personal need. The company’s owners were having trouble finding treats for their picky and food-sensitive pups, so they decided to make their own! We’re glad they did because now we all get to enjoy the deliciousness — well, our dogs get to! Good news, their online shop is still open while most of the country shuts down, so if you’re in need of some high-quality goods to pamper your baby, you can do so from the comfort of your home.

Where’s my treat? On it’s way, puppo!