Dog Art Today

Dog Art Today's 1st Annual Doggie Pumpkin Patch

Jesse, Boston photographer Erin Heffernan's new dog. What a darling muse!

A massive pumpkin at her local Trader Joe's inspired pixel artist Jamie Pflughoeft to create this image of her dog Fergie. She's also kindly dedicated it to her friend and fellow artist (and friend of Dog Art Today) Linda O'Neill. See more of Jamie's digital dog art at Decopaw Design.

Cutie-pie and good sport, Emmitt the Pug from Melissa Langer. Check out her PugNotes website for an amazing array of Pug art and gifts (even Pug wrapping paper!)

Who's a good boy?! My cousin Clair Answer Girl Lamb's dog Dizzy know's he's supposed to sit before he gets a treat. She caught him patiently waiting for this withholding pumpkin man to appropriately reward him for his excellent behavior. Too sweet!

Preston the Puggle can't decide!

Preston inspects his new friend "Jack." See more Preston the puppy Puggle pics at PrestonThePuggle.com. (I'm pretty sure Preston is our first hybrid on Dog Art Today. Welcome!)

Four whimsical Corgis atop a pile of pumkins from Pembroke Welsh Corgi Artist Karen Howell.

Harvest Greyhound necklace from FrumsGlassMenagerie. $15 on Etsy.

Curious Schnauzer and jack-o-lantern from Angie Ketelhut.

My dog Darby demonstrates how Dachshunds carve pumpkins.

Abby as Count Dracula from pet portrait artist Linda O'Neill. Such a sweet girl!

Darth Vader and Princess Leia: The Indignant Dogs Costume Video

OMG...ROTFLMAO!

Right after Chris Pirillo stopped filming, Pixie peed in place and Wicket bit his left hand.

Remember, people, dress up your dogs at your own risk!

Step It Up and Stop the Machine!

My friend Allison is one of those teachers they make movies about. She's always looking for ways to engage and intellectually challenge her students beyond the classroom. And I know she has made a profound difference in many of their young lives.

This Saturday, she's orchestrated an event that combines three of her passions: teaching, art, and the campaign to save the environment. As part of the Step It Up November 3 day of action to stop global warming, she's organized an exhibition of her students' artwork inspired by the Thoreau quote, "Let your life be a counter-friction to stop the machine."

I can't wait to see what these young minds come up with. If you're in the Los Angeles area, please stop by and show your support. Here are the details…

What: The Verdugo Hills Multi-Media High School and the School of Visual Arts along with Step It Up, Allison Conant and Alexandra D'Italia present Stop the Machine! Art Show.
When: Saturday, November 3, 2007, 3:00 PM
Where: NoHo Gallery LA. 5208 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601

Step It Up is a grassroots organizations founded to promote community action to raise awareness to stop global warning and get our representatives to cut carbon 80% by 2050. There are going to be thousands of local events across the country this Saturday. To find one in your area visit their website.

You can also think globally and act locally when it comes to your pet. Here are some ideas to reduce you and your dog's carbon footprints.

Recycled bone and ball from Planet Dog the Maine-based product design company devoted to socially responsible initiatives. Available at Branch, a super-cool sustainable living design site.

Big Shrimpy beds:

blanket:

and toy:

Seattle-based Big Shrimpy uses SmartFill, a 100% recycled pre-consumer poly fiber diverted directly from the waste stream to create long-lasting, durable pet products that reduce increased consumerism. Smart idea, since my dog's destroyed plush toys could fill a garbage barge. Their motto -- love your pet, love your planet --- says it all.

I think this is my favorite find, Hartz Clean Earth Biodegradable Training Pads. Darby is beyond using these, but I was pleasantly surprised to find one of the largest pet-product companies going green. Check out their entire Clean Earth line that includes shampoo, odor and dander removers. Great move Hartz. Thanks for being an eco-friendly leader in the pet biz!

P.S. Purchase a Step It Up T-shirt here.

(Photo at top: Allison Conant and our friend Kris Kamm at a Lawrence Asher gallery opening.

Reinventing the Dog Bowl

The Yum Bowl by design superstar Karim Rashid. Sleek and ceramic, it cleverly integrates a handle into it's asymmetric design. It also has a non-skid bottom and is microwave safe. He's thought of everything including beauty. Availabe at For the Dogs and discovered on PupStyle.com.

The GOD - B-1 (go with DOG), a bowl and mat in one. Image reads "Puppy steps on front part of product." So your little one's paws hold it in place. The bowl is tilted for easy access and is held securely in place while a sucker action forces the sillicone rubber mat to cling to the floor. Easy clean up too. Brilliant! Concept only right now. Designed by Seungchun Lee and spotted on cribcandy.com.

A zen variation on the bowl and mat prototype... a blue water bowl and white food bowl set into a grooved bamboo stand. From Red Envelope.

Like the Kohler faucet commercial, I would love to design a house around this bamboo dog bowl set. Gorgeous!

Related modern dog bowl links:

Hugx: Building a Better Dog Bowl
Great Dane Dog Bowl

Whippet Good Ringer T-shirt. I Said Whippet…Whippet Good!

Yesterday's Whippet poster reminded me of this Whippet Good T-shirt from One Horse Shy I've been meaning to feature. It combines everything I love: dogs, the 80s, cool red, black and white design, and humor. Wish I knew a Whippet owner. I could cross them off my Christmas gift list today.

For thousands of more great Whippet gift ideas click here.