A dog blog featuring dog products, toys, collars, clothes, treats, and more

The Mutt Pack

Matt from The Mutt Pack sent us a sample of his new dog "closet door" organizer for dog stuff.

As you can imagine, Bliss might be a little spoiled, and we may have a couple of dog things laying about. You know, a toy or two, a treat here and there. And, of course, she has a lot of grooming needs, so we have all that stuff to organize. Oh, and the "regular" dog stuff like poop bags, food, and everything that goes along with that.

Previously, I had stored a few items in a "travel bag" (a promotional bag I received from somewhere), little-used items in a plastic tub, and often-used items sitting on a shelf. With the Mutt Pack, I can store most of her items in an organizer that hangs from the closet door, all visible and in easy reach. It certainly didn't fit all of her stuff, but it made a good dent. And if we decide to flee the apartment in a hurry, the whole thing folds up suitcase style and we're on our way.

This is a new product for Matt, and he is really open to suggestions to make it better. A few things I found:

1. It makes a really wonderful closet organizer, but as a travel bag, it might be too big for one dog. Perhaps if I could zip off the bottom section, it would be the perfect size for travel.
   
   
2. It would be great if the pack came in different colors/patterns, and maybe even allowed for monogramming or embroidering her name on it.


3. The included hooks were flimsy. I know the idea was to make them malleable so they could be customized to one's door, but I'm really impatient and didn't want to follow the directions carefully enough to make them work. I already had a hook on the door, so I used that instead.

All in all, this is a great start for a product that is really useful as-is, but as Matt makes little tweaks here and there, has the potential to be an indispensable accessory for all dog owners.

Thanks Matt!

The Mutt Pack
$49.95

Gulpy Dog Travel Water Dispenser

I've been needing a way to carry water for Bliss on longer car trips, and the collapsible bowls are just a little too awkward for that purpose. Then I found the Gulpy water bottle. It's basically a water bottle with a plastic, flip-out attachment that serves as the bowl. You flip it out, squeeze water into it, and voila! Water bowl! I was a little skeptical; Bliss tends to shy away from plastic items (except, perhaps, a treat-filled Kong) and anything remotely unusual looking. Frankly, I thought she'd be scared of the thing.

But when we went on a car trip and I heard her panting in the back seat, I whipped out the Gulpy and presented it to her. She didn't hesitate and got a nice drink of water. Success!

(But isn't "Gulpy" kind of a weird name? I mean, doesn't that encourage bloat? Maybe they should call it "Sippy" or "Lappy." Or maybe I'm overthinking this.)

Muttropolis
$10.99

Raffia Fringe Dog Carrier

Here's how it's going to go down. I'm going to get a small dog. I'm going to name said small dog "Gidget." I'm going to take Gidget and put her in this raffia-trimmed, pink-and-green straw tote and head to the beach. We will meet another dog named, appropriately, "Moondoggie." Then we will frolic in the waves. Except for Gidget. Who will refuse to get out of her cushy dog carrier.

The end.

The Pampered Pup
$80 - $90

Grrburry Plaid Dog Carrier

Don't you hate posts that begin with, "wow, it's been a really long time since I posted"? Then a lame excuse follows and is almost never the real reason which is, "I just wasn't into it for a while."

I promise I won't do that. On to the doggie products!

I love Burberry. I don't own a single stitch of Burberry, but I love them just the same. For some reason, this iconic plaid pattern just says elegance to me. It also says,"ha, ha, you can't afford me." This Burberry-inspired doggie carrier (cleverly called "Grrberry") has that rich look to them, but not necessarily that Burberry price. Available in pink or classic tan.

Muttropolis
$139 - $149

BreezeGuard Dog Safety Car Window

Whenever we take Bliss in the car and we roll down the window, guess what she does? She sticks her head out of the window! I know, that's so weird, right? I mean, no other dog does this, right? Oh, yours does too? Hmm. I guess that's why BreezeGuard was created. The BreezeGuard resembles a wire cage that attaches to your window that allows your dog to enjoy the breeze and protects your pooch from tumbling out.

At $250, it's pricey, and although the wire grid keeps your dog from falling, I don't think it protects from debris in the air (maybe an mesh overlay in a later version could help). Still, it's a novel idea and is on the right track.

(P.S. We roll the window right back up if Bliss decides to stick her cute little schnoz out of our car.)

EDIT: "There is a plexiglass wind shield on each and every BreezeGuard shipped which protects against flying debris and wind. It can be seen in the lower left photo at
www.muttmanagers.com/gallery.html." Thanks for the update, Sue!

MuttManagers
$250

Pet Master Handheld Electronic Pet Guide

Do you remember the Pokemon craze? There was this little handheld thing called a "Pokedex" that allowed you to look up all the information you needed to, you know, become a Pokemon Master. This electronic pet guide reminds me of that, except your dog is the Pokemon. This handheld device reminds you of vet appointments, stores important phone numbers, has a built-in shopping list, and has a place for your dog's picture. I'm not exactly sure how useful this would be in day-to-day life (Bliss' vet appointments and her related phone numbers go in my regular organizer), but I could see how this would be good to leave with a pet sitter.

I choose you, Bliss!

The Pet Master
$25.45

Happy Pirate Skull Dog Carrier

Day 2 of Pirate Days at Dog Bliss. Here is what I'm sure the Dread Pirate Roberts would carry his dog in - the Happy Pirate Skull Dog Carrier. The skull even glows in the dark for a little pirate night-light in case the pirate gets a-scared of the dark.

It's made of pleather and has a peek-a-boo flap so your little stowaway can see what all the noise on the poop deck is all about (your dog giggles at "poop deck"). It has a fur-lined bottom (just like your dog), a side pocket for treats, two interchangeable handles, and little blankie for extra-pirate-dog-comfort. It comes in three sizes for dogs up to 16 lbs., buckles into your car for safety, and is approved by most major airlines for cabin travel.

Whether or not the Black Pearl approves of it, I couldn't say.

Puplife
$99 - $109

Puppy Lunch Box

Back-to-school time! Send your pup off to obediance school with this puppy lunch box. This travel set includes bowls for food and water, a treat container (after your pooch finishes lunch) and a thermos that keeps drinks hot or cool (um... hot drinks for dogs?)

It's all kept in a stylish, insulated lunch box. It comes in two designs, one in red and black for your little rock star, and one in pinks for your princess. Or maybe your princess is a rock star, and would therefore prefer the red and black one. I have no idea. It's your dog.

Calling All Dogs
$47.50

Urban Transport Carrier

This messenger bag-style carrier is just the perfect thing to transport your urban pup around town. The versatile style allows you to wear it on your front, side, or back, and the adjustable straps, side pockets, see-through cinch top, and collar clip make it usable as well as incredibly cute.

For dogs up to 15 pounds (sorry, Bliss) and only for dogs and owners who are serious about looking cool around the city. Are you serious about looking cool? I thought so.

Vavadog
$72