America's Next Top Dog Models

If I had to pick, I'd say English springer Maggie is Cabana's favorite gal pal at the park. Cabana and Maggie are always so happy to see each other and can roughhouse endlessly. The humans get such a kick out of watching their antics, sneaking up on each other for a surprise attack, playing leap frog, or biting on the others' hind legs.

So when Maggie's owner asked us to watch her for a few hours earlier this week, I didn't hesitate to say yes.

Plus, it was a great opportunity to utilize Maggie's cuteness to showcase my handmade dog collars for my Etsy shop.

Cabana is a fabulous model, patiently posing for me in our photo shoots--but I welcomed the chance for variety. And some colors look so much nicer against Maggie's gorgeous black and white coat.

I gave this collar to Maggie in payment for her modeling services. I just love the red and silver against her coat--stunning!

These collars and others have been posted in my Etsy shop. Blog readers can receive FREE SHIPPING, just enter OURSFORAYEAR in the coupon box.

Phew, modeling is hard work. Good thing we have two spots for sunbathing on the carpet!

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Ay Chee-Wow-Wa!

Some of you may know that I like to sew and that I operate a small business, making purses, accessories, and a few dog-related items. And when I say small business, I mean it's REALLY small. I am the sole proprietor and the sole employee--and a slightly lazy and unfocused one at that. I'm the webmaster, marketer, sales person, photographer, bookkeeper, designer and seamstress. Only my work time gets eaten up by dog walks and foster dogs and adoption fairs and kids and housework and okay, blogging, which is why my business remains a small business.

But I just had to share my exciting news today! It isn't really that big of a deal...but okay, I'll just get to it.

A few months ago, you may remember the dog treat pouches that I made and posted about here--thanks to everyone for their wonderful feedback. Using your market research input, I have been selling the treat pouches in my Etsy store, and they've been selling quite well.

Today, I got an order for one of my treat pouches, and the buyer emailed me and asked me to call her. When I called her, she told me she needed the pouch right away...for FILMING! Of course, I asked her what she was filming, and she said, "Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3"!

My treat pouch will be worn by a dog trainer in the movie! Woo hoo! I doubt it will make me famous, but I'm still quite tickled. Judging from the poster, it looks like there are some cute pups in this movie. Hmmm, I wonder if they need an almost 3-year-old dog-distracted, slightly pudgy yellow Lab as a backup character?

If you'd like to get in on this new Beverly Hills craze (!!), I just added a widget for my Etsy store on the right. Finally, I'm taking the time to do a little marketing! And I guess this means I might want to watch Beverly Hills Chihuahua 1 and 2 at some point.

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Cork Dog Journals

This past week, I made these cork covered journals with dog silhouettes. The covers are made from a thin layer of cork with a fabric backing. The dogs are made of dark brown cork. Each dog is cut by hand, which my sore left hand can attest to!

Cork is very eco-friendly because cork trees can be re-harvested every 8-10 years. No trees are cut down in the process.

I had fun deciding which breeds to make, but some of the fluffier breeds don't translate well as silhouettes.

I had to stand on a bench to get a good shot of my journals. During my photo shoot, Cabana came over to supervise. Ha ha, my striped socks are showing.

If you want to purchase a journal, I have them posted in my Etsy store. Blog readers can get free shipping by entering this code: oursforayear.

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