My Dog Loves Central Park

These pictures in no way do this event any justice. Since we live just few hours away from the Big Apple, we go down to visit any chance we get. We had a great time a few months ago hanging out with all the NYC doggies!

Just a little late...

Sooooo, yep. These pictures were taken last April. A fun day at the doggie park. That's my Dewey in the last two photos. He's such a handsome boy! Meanwhile, enjoy these pictures from a sunnier, brighter, and warmer time.

Before 2008 Is History

I'm going to try really hard to get a few more posts in before this year is up. Here is the first of many. ClassicHound highlights from 2008!

December's Photo Contest Winner Reiko!

greenwavesgreenonly.jpg, originally uploaded by ClassicHound.

Congratulations to our December winner, Reiko the whippet! Reiko looks fabulous as she unwinds in her Splashing Waves martingale after a very busy and stylish day! Reiko will also enjoy a $20.00 Gift certificate that she can use towards any Classic Hound collar or leash purchase! Learn more about Classic Hound's photo contest by clicking here.

20% OFF PURCHASES $50.00 OR MORE!

We have a lot of exciting new products to share at ClassicHound, including ORGANIC BATH PRODUCTS, ECO-FRIENDLY BELLA BEDS, and wonderful new NEEDLE FELTED PET PORTRAITURES by Vee Dooling! And as always our COLLARS, FASHION HOUND BAGS, VEGGIES, CHARMS, and GIFT CERTIFICATES!

HURRY SALE ENDS DECEMBER 15th!

500 Hearts and 200th Sale Give Away!!!

Two new milestones for ClassicHound on Etsy! Today our 500th Etsian has added us to their favorites - wow - a big thanks goes out to all 500 of you!

We're also about to reach our 200th sale mark. We're currently at 196 so that's just 4 sales away from 200. I will be giving away a TAG COLLAR of the winner's choice (a $13.00 value) to the customer who makes that 200th sale. Ready, set, go!

FETCH YOUR OWN DOGGIE BLOGGIE BUTTON

Simply Copy and paste the following code of your choice to your blog or website's HTML/Java Script

To Link to Classic Hound's BLOG

Copy and paste this code to your HTML/Java Script:

<a href="http://www.classichoundblog.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/ad17/classichound/ClassicHoundBlog.jpg"/></a>

To Link to Classic Hound's WEBSITE

Copy and paste this code to your HTML/Java Script:

<a href="http://www.classichound.com/"><img src="http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/ad17/classichound/VisitClassicHound-1.jpg"/></a>

To Link to Classic Hound's ETSY SHOP

Copy and paste this code to your HTML/Java Script:

<a href="http://www.classichound.etsy.com/"><img src="http://i917.photobucket.com/albums/ad17/classichound/EtsyButton.jpg"/></a>

November's Photo Contest Winner Lily!

LilyContestWinner.jpg, originally uploaded by ClassicHound.

Congratulations to our November winner, Lily the greyhound! Lily shows off her marvelous fashion taste as she flaunts her Custom Collar, sewn only for her with the fabric she handpicked and mailed in to us. Doesn't she look fabulous out on her walk? A true self-made fashion hound! Lily will also enjoy a $20.00 Gift certificate that she can use towards any Classic Hound collar or leash purchase! Learn more about Classic Hound's photo contest by clicking here.

Mod - because it doesn't get better than 60's design

A big thanks goes out to mswedowsky for including Classic Hound in her treasury! What a fantastic selection of Etsy items.

You should check out mswedowsky's Etsy shop, where she "mix sixties / mod design with art deco and art nouveau styles".

October's Photo Contest Winner Ajay!

October's Photo Contest Winner Ajay!, originally uploaded by ClassicHound.

Congratulations to our October winner, Ajay the whippet! He looks quite regal in his Festoon martingale! He'll also enjoy a $20.00 Gift certificate that he can use towards any Classic Hound collar purchase! Learn more about Classic Hound's photo contest by clicking here.

For pet photography tips, go to this post to learn helpful techniques to help you get that perfect shot!

Dogs That Changed the World

This was a fascinating PBS program and a Sunday night well spent in front of the television!

"In Part One, “The Rise of the Dog,” you’ll learn about how the domestication of dogs might have taken place, including the theory of biologist Raymond Coppinger that it was the animals themselves — and human trash — that inspired the transformation. The genetic analysis of Peter Savolainen of the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden has placed the origins of domesticated dogs — and those of the first dog — in East Asia. You’ll also discover 14 dog breeds that controversial genetic studies show are the most ancient — and the best living representatives of the ancestors to all living dogs."

New Designs

I'd like to introduce a few new faces you'll be seeing here at ClassicHound. First off, we have a new REFLECTIVE line: Green: The Ranger, Blue: The Mariner, and Red: The Dare Devil. I love them!


And we also have a new Brocade line as well that is luxury at it's best! The really good news is that there are several more designs coming up very soon!

Talking Doggies

September's Photo Contest Winner, Paris!

September's Photo Contest Winner, Paris!, originally uploaded by ClassicHound.

Congratulations to our September winner, Paris the Italian Greythound! He looks quite handsome as he strikes a pose in his Chocolate Blossom collar! He'll enjoy a $20.00 Gift certificate that he can use towards any Classic Hound collar purchase! Learn more about Classic Hound's photo contest by clicking here.

For pet photography tips, go to this post to learn helpful techniques to help you get that perfect shot!

Summertime....when the livin's busy!

I cannot believe it has been this long (3 months!) since I last posted. I promise to do better! This summer has been a busy one for both ClassicHound and for me and my family. We had a big family wedding in early August that took place on the West Coast, so we were out of town for almost a month for that. And, WOW! Was it ever a good time! The bride and groom were beautiful and about as happy as two newlyweds should and could be, and the reception was such fun! My sister, Pamela, made the wedding cake (yes, she made the wedding cake and from scratch!) and my cousin, Stephanie, made a little tuxedo for her pomeranian, Ralph. Too cute!!

We've been home for about a month now, and we've hit the ground running! Enjoy a few pictures from the blessed event:

July's Photo Contest Winner, Molly!

July's Photo Contest Winner, Molly!, originally uploaded by ClassicHound.

Congratulations to our July winner, Molly! Molly is stunning and picture perfect in her Black Eyed Daisies Martingale and Custom ID Tag. She'll also enjoy a $20.00 Gift certificate that she can use towards any Classic Hound collar purchase!

For pet photography tips, go to this post to learn helpful techniques to help you get that perfect shot!

ClassicHound in the Front page TREASURY!

The title was "charCOOL" and designed by kimiko611. Unfortunately it was featured in the middle of the night, so I slept right through it. I woke up to a message this morning - thank you Crafterall for telling me about this - otherwise I would have never known! I feel honored to have been featured.

Handmade4Hounds

Hooray! Handmade4Hounds has been featured on Etsy's front page in the Storque. Our street team is still young and wet behind the ears, but we are gaining momentum! You can read the article for yourself here.

May's Photo Contest Winner!

May's Photo Contest Winner!, originally uploaded by ClassicHound.

Congratulations to our May winner, Ramona the Greythound! She is one hip hound in her red hip star design! Ramona is definitely a head turner - with or without the collar! She's also Classic Hound's May Photo Contest Winner! Ramona will enjoy a $20.00 Gift certificate that she can use towards any Classic Hound Purchase! Learn more about Classic Hound's photo contest by clicking here.

For pet photography tips, go to this post to learn helpful techniques to help you get that perfect shot!

Sweet Dreams Designs

How lovely are these prints? They make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! This UK artist has whimsical down to a "T". I'm in love with her work. Her guinea pig images brought me back to my teaching days, when my 1st grade class had a pair of cavies - Rosie and Bob - who were quite the amorous pair! It was a lot of fun for the kids (and me!) when Rosie gave birth to the cutest little piggies we'd ever seen! Just little golf ball sizes of fluff running around the cage! What fun!!

Check out her watercolors, originals, prints, and ACEOs.


For those of you who aren't sure what ACEOs are (like me until this post), here's a definition I found on Etsy: ACEOs (Art Cards Editions or Originals). Right now a lot of people are starting to collect ACEOs. They are collectible miniature artworks that can be created in any variety of media - originals or prints. The main rule is that they measure 3.5 x 2.5 inches. They are small, low cost examples of artists' work so this allows people to collect a variety of different types of art. You can put them in a photo album on your living room table , frame them or leave them in a basket for everyone to enjoy. The hope is that when someone sees a sample of an artist's work they'll be inspired to purchase a larger piece for their home or as a gift.

For more information on Sweet Dreams Design's website,Watercolors; Originals, Prints, and ACEOs check out her Etsy Shop. For greeting cards and key chains go to her ZoZo Etsy shop. And for 3D textiles, checkout this one. I almost forgot to mention that SweetDreamsDesigns is also a member of Handmade4Hounds,so she's an artist who gives back! And you've gotta love that!!!

Art of The Greyhound

One of my favorite greyhound artists is a fellow Etsian and also a member of handmade4hounds! Let me introduce you to you Sarah Regan Snaveley and Art of the Greyhound:


Sarah's website explains that in 1995, Sarah called the Greyhound Pets of America 800 number for the nearest Greyhound adoption group. She drove a ten hours drive to meet Sterling, a fawn-colored male who had flunked off the track before he turned two years old. Sterling graciously modeled for many of the art works created while Sarah earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Minnesota State University - Moorhead. It was this amazing breed with the sensitive and gentle nature that captured Sarah’s imagination.


Sarah’s work focuses on the rich, often subtle, body language of her subjects: the ear carriage, the tightening of facial muscles, the incline of the head. All are used as tools to invite the viewer into Snavely’s vision of the Greyhound soul. Whether the medium is two or three dimensional the connection between the Artist and the Greyhound is always evident.



My mother was a sculptor and ceramicist (she preferred to be called a potter) and I've spent years with my mother in her studio playing in the clay. Which makes my appreciation of Sarah's work all the more great - from the molding and rolling of wet clay to the firings and glazing, this is not only hard work, but takes an incredible amount of talent to do what Sarah does! Her work is truly unique and flawless.


Sarah’s work is displayed in public and private collections in fifteen countries as well as all fifty United States. She regularly exhibits in juried art shows nationwide and has received numerous honors including an award at the prestigious Art Show at the Dog Show. Sarah and her pack of Greyhounds live in a small town in southwestern North Dakota. You can find out more about Sarah by visiting her Website and Blog (which is fantastic! I've added her to my blogroll). I also suggest checking out her Etsy Store as well!

April Doggies

ToadBriar

Welcome to the whimsical world of ToadBriar! I get lost in the magic of these amazing paintings. Take this Cozy Fairy Tale Thank You Toad Firefly painting for instance. It is so lovely and immediately takes me back to the days I would sit on my mothers lap as a child and we would read together.


"Under the hedgerow, a little toad reads his Fairy Tale book about The Frog Prince. Night is falling, light is fading .... until a firefly casts his warm light for Toad to read by. This is a warm cozy painting that says "thank you".


The artist, Kim Parkhurst's love of greyhounds (and perhaps whippets too) is apparent in these gorgeous portraits. I feel like I could sit down to drink a cup of tea and engage in witty conversation with this guy:


Parkhurst, makes all sorts of art, from paintings and prints to dolls, vintage style teddy bears, and sculptures. She even spins wool on her very own spinning wheel! (Something I grew up doing as well with the wool shorn from our own sheep, small world)! You can find more of her work, including card sets, in her ToadBriar Etsy Shop.

BowWowBeds

BowWowBeds are incredible! An innovative design that has No Zipper! It's Durable! Unique! Practical! Completely Machine Washable & Dryer Safe! The creator and owner of BowWowBeds is also a member of Handmade4Hounds, so she gives back to the doggies she makes beds for!

BowWowBeds are dog bed covers custom made from durable Duck Canvas. Same TOUGH material used Sails, Humvee Tops & Backpacks! Makes a wonderful comfy bed for your pet! Beds come in four colors: Hunter Green, Jet Black, Drab Olive & Natural.

And the best part is that the designer will personalize your Bow Wow Bed by painting your Dog’s Name, Paw Print or Dog Bone for FREE! The letters measure 2 inches. The paw & bone measure about 1.5 to 2 inches. Once painted (non toxic, permanent) the fabric can then be washed 72 hours later.


Look how well they fit into the back of your car for easy traveling!


And look how comfortable and relaxed these hounds look on their new BowWowBeds!


You can find out more about these fabulously durable and chic beds by visiting BowWow's Etsy shop and website.

Isabell

Isabell, originally uploaded by ClassicHound.

How cute is this little Iggie? Not only is she looking absolutely fabulous in her new Chocolate Blossom martingale, she's also Classic Hound's April Photo Contest Winner! Congratulations to Isabell and her family! Isabell will enjoy a $20.00 Gift certificate that she can use towards any Classic Hound Purchase! Learn more about Classic Hound's photo contest by clicking here.

Dobé and Fiebe

One of my most FAVORITE blogs ever! The most amazing photographs of whippets anywhere, can be found in Belgium. Two whippets, Dobé and Fiebe, are two gorgeous, happy, and well-loved pups. This site is definitely worth checking out for the phenomenal pictures and amazingly video clips of the girls as well.

Whippets are such fun, agile, FAST little creatures - and Dobé and Fiebe really exhibit all these traits to the max! Get lost in this site and watch these two whippies (they are actually sisters) grow up from puppyhood (sooo cute!) and see what their up to today at dobe.com!

Oprah Exposes Puppy Mills

Bill Smith, founder of Main Line Animal Rescue, pleaded with Oprah last month through a billboard just off the Kennedy Expressway in Chicago that read, "Oprah: Do a show on puppy mills. The dogs need you."

"Every year, Bill and several volunteers rescue hundreds of abused, unwanted or abandoned animals, rehabilitate them and adopt them out to families. Many of the animals Bill rescues come from puppy mills, which he describes as places where bad breeders care more about the profit they make from puppies than the health or welfare of the animals. He says the dogs in puppy mills face deplorable conditions including inbreeding, minimal or no vet care, limited shelter and overcrowded cages" (oprah.com).


Oprah along with Lisa Ling and Bill Smith exposed the horrifying world of puppy mills on her show yesterday. Why are we supporting a trade that pumps out little puppies, when there are SO MANY dogs in shelters just waiting for good homes? Not to mention the thousands that are euthanized every day? We do have a responsibility to protect these animals and it just makes me sick to know this is not only happening but LEGAL too.

Check out these beauties! Rescued from certain death and here they are thriving! These three doggies were saved by Bill, who says several of the dogs he and Lisa rescued were named in honor of their appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show. "We have a 'Gayle' (pictured, on the right)and we have an 'Oprah' (left) and we have a 'Stedman (middle),'" he says.

Resources from Oprah's site to help us fight puppy mills:

Main Line Animal Rescue
The Humane Society of the United States
Lange Foundation
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Petfinder
Adoption service associated with the Animal Planet television series, including links to shelters across North America.
Dogs in Danger
Pets 911
Features searchable lost and found dogs and information about neutering, adoption and training.
World Animal Net
Search for local shelters and adoptable pets.
PetHarbor
Search for local shelters, rescues and adoptable pets.
Best Friends Animal Society
Largest no-kill animal sanctuary in the country

Visit Oprah's website for more information.

Home of the Life Size Crocheted Greyhound

I would like to introduce AerieDesigns to all those who may not already be familiar with Lenora's amazing work. The ultimate in crocheted greyhound art! I can't even imagine how long it must take to crochet one of the life size greyhounds, or how long it must have taken to actually DESIGN THE PATTERN. Wow! I just LOVE the snoods and sweaters too. A wonderful resource for all those crocheters out there!!




I really admire Lenora's dedication to such a worthy cause - a portion of every purchase is donated to benefit greyhound adoption. By collecting all of Aerie Design's crochet patterns you are supporting greyhounds!

If you don't crochet (like me) but love the designs, sometimes patterns can be found in Greyhound Adoption Fundraising auctions. Items made with Aerie Design patterns can be sold to raise money for non-profit dog rescue ONLY. For more information visit Aerie Designs's Blog and Website. To buy some of these amazing patterns and products, visit her Etsy Store.

Classic Hound loves Aerie Designs!!