That's Random: Feline-on-Fox Lovin'

I want one.

P.S. More on my all-consuming obsession with foxes here.

(Via Dlisted.)

Cool Stuff: Wall Mounted Pet Bed

Introducing: Akemi Tanaka's Curve Wall Mounted Pet Bed.

It holds up to 45 pounds (meaning it works for small dogs, too), comes in a variety of wood finishes and fabric options, and is $199 at Supermarket.

Seriously, I don't know how our cats have survived without this.

And speaking of pets, have you all seen this video? Apologies if it's old news, but I just discovered it yesterday and think it's absolutely amazing. I mean, really -- who needs kids when you can train your dog to do this?

That's Random: Puppy Cam

I cannot stop watching this. Help.

That's Random: The Worlds' Ugliest Dog Contest

Remember Elwood, the reigning Ugliest Dog in the World? Elwood is facing down 15 of the homeliest pooches on the planet for the dubious title during the 20th annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest.

I'm noting a theme here: Hairless Chinese Cresteds. (Will someone please explain to me why these dogs exist? They look like mutant rats.)

Still, the contest organizers take pains to point out that each contestant is dearly loved by his or her owner, and that the contest is all in good fun. In fact, like the challengers in other beauty competitions, many of the entrants have "platforms" -- raising awareness about canine cancer, for instance -- and the winner typically serves as an ambassador for an animal-related good cause during his or her reign.

The Ugliest Dog will be crowned at next month's Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California. Until then, you can vote for your favorite physiognomically-challenged pooch right here.

But I'm sorry -- if Pee Wee Martini (above) doesn't scamper away with the prize, then this contest is fixed.

That's Random: For the Love of Cats (and Dogs)

If you're into cat- or dog rescue -- or simply are an animal lover -- check out this video my brother-in-law made about an amazing, no-kill animal sanctuary called Cat House on the Kings. So inspiring.

That's Random: The Cat Castle

Now, before you go and accuse me of being coldhearted or immune to the charms of our fine furry companions, know this: I adore my two cats, I honestly do.

But if you're even a little bit tempted to put this $445, 6.5-foot-squared monstrosity in your home, I think maybe you have a small cat problem.

It's a slippery slope, my friend. Today, you kindheartedly purchase the Cat Castle for the enjoyment of your beloved furkids -- maybe getting rid of some piece of extraneous furniture like the couch or your bed to make room for it. Next year, the neighbors are twittering about you while rolling their eyes and whispering "crazy cat lady" to each other. And in a decade or so, an anonymous call to the Humane Society leads to a citation for keeping 156 felines in a urine-soaked hovel and a plea-bargain agreement involving mandatory psychological counseling.

So just don't, OK?

P.S. Here's a photo illustration from my brother- and sister-in-law, to whom this post was not so subtly aimed (and yes, they're the same ones who recently shared on this very blog the Photoshopped silhouette portraits featuring their four rescued felines). It shows how the Cat Castle might look in their little Silver Lake bungalow, and was accompanied by this note:

"Thanks ever so for steering us to the Cat Castle. Don't know how we ever got along without it! Besides, who needs access to the front door? It's fun climbing in and out through the window."

Very funny guys -- but I wouldn't put it past you.

That's Random: The Dogs of Domino

Photo of Max the bulldog by Paul Costello

With two growing kids of my own, I'm fairly immune at this point to the twinges of "baby lust" that used to draw me like a magnet to other people's small humans. But puppy lust? That's another story entirely. (The other day, in fact, a girl at my daughter's softball practice practically had to pry her family's new, 8-week-old Labrador puppy out of my arms when practice ended.)

If you, too, are almost as passionate about pooches as you are about home design, then you mustn't miss "The Dogs of Domino."

Photo by Melanie Acevedo

The slideshow showcases some sweet pups in a series of beautiful rooms shot for the magazine over the last couple of years. One thing you won't see? The dog hair that clings to the furniture and blows like tumbleweeds across the floor in just about any home blessed with a canine resident.

Photo by Lucas Allen

Oh well -- we buy shelter magazines for the fantasy, right?

Photo of actress Ione Skye's puppy by Paul Costello

See the entire slideshow right here.

(P.S. This actually makes my ovaries ache. Thanks for the link, Barb!)

eBay Find of the Day: Retro-Mod Pet Bed

Finally, pet supplies that will work with your retro-modern aesthetic.

This handcrafted cat bed was created by a graduate of L.A.'s Fashion Institute of Design -- who happens to possess not only a lifelong collection of retro fabrics, but also a heartfelt devotion to feral cat rescue.

The padded bed has a mod boomerang shape that will fit right in with your MCM decor and groovy, vintage linen-cotton upholstery that's been Scotchgarded for stain resistance. (The whole thing is also fully washable once the detachable birch base is removed.) The pet perch measures about 24 inches long and 18 inches wide, so there's plenty of room for your puss or small pooch to curl up or stretch out while they snooze.

There you go -- cushy comfort for your favorite cool cat, and style in spades for his hip mama or daddy-o.

Current bid: $40

(Note: The seller also offers models with different fabric choices and wood finishes, and takes custom fabric requests as well.)

Cool Stuff: Plush Bird and Branch

I finally had a chance yesterday to stop in and check out San Francisco's new Rare Device shop, which is full of loveliness. The product that really caught my attention, though, was this sweet bird-and-branch combo from Brooklyn's Itchyknee.

It's actually a cat toy -- the handstitched bird is stuffed with catnip, and when the avian plushie isn't being mauled by your favorite feline, it perches on a hand-forged pewter twig that screws directly into the wall.

Don't get me wrong, I love our two cats. But the metal twigs are so pretty I'd almost hate to install them at shin level. Instead, I'd mount a couple in an entryway to hold scarves, hats, or other lightweight items -- and to simply perch prettily when they're not being employed for practical purposes.

Bird-plus-branch combos are $28 each, or $16 for the bird or branch alone, and are available through the Rare Device and Itchyknee websites. (Though if you're in the Bay Area, be sure to check out these and all the other lovelies in person at the Rare Device shop.)

Cool Stuff: Corgi Love

Um, have I maybe mentioned my adorable Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Bonnie, here once or twice? Sorry -- I just can't help it. I'm madly in love with her.

And, totally tacky though it may be, I couldn't help smiling when my husband sent me a link yesterday to this corgi cookie jar ($50 from Pug Cafe).

That, of course, prompted a search for other tongue-in-cheek Pembroke products.

So, honey? These are officially on my birthday list. (Pssst -- these shops all have lots of stuff for other kinds of dogs, too.)

Corgi Silhouette T-shirt, $21 from Cafe Press

Corgi Mouse Pad, $15 from Menagerie Mayhem

"Corgi-Zilla" Print, $8 from Menagerie Mayhem

Pop Corgi Pillow, $20 from Pet Pop Art

Corgi Cookie Cutter, $8 from Dog Stuff

"Pop Corgis" Giclee Print, $95 from Dog Art Dog

My apologies for this momentary lapse in good taste -- but if loving these is wrong, I don't wanna be right.

Who Knew? A "Cure" for Shedding

See this adorable pooch? That's our Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Bonnie. I love her almost as much as I love my children -- but her shedding is truly the bane of my existence.

Between Bonnie, our two cats, two flokati rugs, and the "amazing shedding shag" carpet that I blogged awhile back, I pretty much spend my days scooping up tumbleweeds of shed pet hair and carpet fibers from all over the house.

Not too long ago, a sympathetic pet store owner (who actually wasn't trying to sell me anything, since she didn't stock it herself) told me about a product called the FURminator. Have you heard of it?

Using a patented "de-shedding" shampoo and grooming tool, it's supposed to all but eliminate shedding by grabbing and removing all the dead hairs from a dog's undercoat. (The photo above, from the company website, is of hair removed after one "furminating" session.)

Seriously, check this out:


I was dubious, to say the least, but willing to try pretty much anything. So a couple of weeks later I booked an appointment with a mobile grooming service that used the FURminator line.

Now, a normal brushing session with Bonnie yields a comically large pile of hair -- but the hair that came off of that dog during the FURminator treatment was truly a sight to see. She actually looked like she'd lost a few pounds when all was said and done.

The treatment didn't even come close to stopping Bonnie's shedding (which, with a notorious shedding breed like corgis, is probably impossible). But it did significantly cut down on the volume of shed hairs for the next month or two.

The verdict: Not an end-all, but definitely worth a try. (Note for you feline fanciers: The company has a line of products for cats, too.)

Now that the we're actually heading into the warmest months of the year here in the Bay Area, I think I need to book another session. And though they're more expensive than standard grooming supplies, I may even spring for a FURminator brush ($25 to $45, depending on size) and shampoo ($15), available from retailers like PetSmart and Petco.

Now a question for you other pet owners: Have you tried the FURminator? What did you think? Post a comment and let me know.