Those of you who have dogs, understand how tedious it can be to keep the house hair-free…and also, whoever invented the Swiffer is a genius. (It’s really just a fancy paper towel, right?)

My life, especially my business, revolves around my preposterous and boundless love for my Chocolate Labrador Retriever, Trotter.

Trotter is a lovely dog, although, perhaps just as nuts as John Grogan’s willful Yellow Lab, Marcy.

But still, life without Trotter, just wouldn’t be chocolate-y enough for me!

However, when it comes to home decorating…I have had to figure out how the color brown or brown-compatible fits into the scheme of EVERY room — from carpets to drapery, to throws, and especially bedding.

Bedding is a special challenge — which thwarts my creativity every time I visit K-mart.

Hey Martha, are you listening? You’ve got to start coming up with some color palettes that are more suited to homes in which dogs feel that the owners’ bed is their bed.

There just aren’t enough shades of chocolate out there to add interest and to allow me to change the sheets as many times as the dust-mite police recommend.

Perhaps next time around, it will have to be a Yellow Lab…I’m thinking the color options are wider…or, I could become a better trainer.

Post from: Blisstree

Should You Decorate Your Home For Your Labrador?

It all started about 7 years ago, when I walked into a pet store and our eyes met. I now know that you’re not supposed to buy a dog from a pet store. (The hideous practice of backyard breeding is another post.)

His name would be Trotter, and I would spend the next 7 years educating myself about the breed, about dog handling, separation anxiety, gourmet doggie food, and how to choose between a pair of splendid shoes for myself vs. a lush sofa cover for him…(yes keeping him off the sofa is covered in the dog handling books, but I failed at that.)

I have never worked so hard at a anything in my whole life…not my career, not cooking and I dare say, sometimes not even my marriage. Why? Because I wanted Trotter’s life with us to be as fine and fulfilling as it possibly could. I wanted to understand that mystical bond between human and dog. And I wanted him to love me.

I’m not sure Trotter is able to understand love, but I think he does trust me. And I know that he always, always, always wants to be with me. Seven years later, I still melt when I look into his eyes and laugh at almost everything he does.

So, Happy Birthday Trotter…and I hope you enjoy your birthday sirloin, carrot, beef-stock and peanut butter burger. We will be having pasta.

Post from: Blisstree

The Doggie Wears Prada.