Dogs + Interiors
Saturday, April 11, 2009
It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of our President and his beautiful wife Michele. But Barack, my man, it feels like dog years since you promised a puppy to Sasha and Malia. So much drawn-out drama, so many promises and plans. Now, we learn that this key campaign promise will be delivered at last! On Tuesday “Charlie,” the Portugese Water Dog, will be formally and flair-fully adopted by the First Family. Oh happy day! Unlike the Obamas who will have a staff to clean up puppy piddles and wipe dirty paws, you and I must cope when our best friends act like... well, animals.
Clean + tidy, ladylike Pearl
Choco
I love my two dogs — they are members of our family. But one of them { you know who you are, big guy } is a horsey-like slob. His coat is like fuzzy velcro. When he comes in from outside, his white fur is covered with leaves. I actually pulled a yardstick-sized branch off his back recently. His massive lower lip sags and after lapping up water much of it dribbles right back out. Our dark formerly gleaming floors are now polka-dotted with white marks. True to his heritage, he likes to dig and lay in the cool dirt. Muddy paws? Oh yeah. And muddy legs, tail, body and head.
But, I’m crazy about this sweet, funny dog. So we are constantly learning how to live with him and training him to live with us.
{ Pearl turns 7 in May; Choco will be 2 in August }
How do designers do it? Their interiors are pristine. Yet dogs big and small loll about on even the finest furniture and most precious carpets. Are these canines simply props?
{ No. No. No dogs on dining tables ever. Not even simply for photos’ sake. }
{ Photos from Domino, Paul Costello, Bill Kingston, Living Etc. + OWI | Office for Word + Image }
Showdog magazine offers these dog-centric decorating reminders:
Paw prints + nose smudges on glass doors + windows break up glare and soften the light in a room.
Common smooth upholstery fabrics can look almost velvety when lightly textured with pet hair.
Dog crates, when stacked three high, can add height to a room + pull the eye up.
A well trained pup
susieq
I've read/watched no news this Easter morning, so I ’m thrilled my sister Becky { you may know her as ‘Rebecca’ in the comments section } told me the latest. Click here to read the full story. The Obamas have named their adoptee ‘Bo.’ I hope they've given him a middle name too. Because ‘boobama’ will not look great on his vet records or kennel nameplate. Just sayin. Here's a darling photo of Bo.
Shameless Obligatory Lecture
I nearly forgot my pet lecture that I must preach before leaving the topic. Please only buy pups from reputable breeders — stay away from pet stores. Better yet, adopt a rescue dog. Petfinder is the very best way to hook up with your new four-legged family member. Just look at this adorable baby Great Pyrenees who needs a forever home. Just think — you too could have a Choco pup of your very own!
Finally... please, please spay + neuter. There are already way too many dogs + cats who need homes.
susieq
Meet Ruby! She’s the studio assistant at Bespoke Letterpress Boutique { Brisbane, AU } and works alongside very nice Alischa Herrmann who sent in this beautiful girl’s image. Ruby is a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. What a sweetie! { Ruby and Pearl have similar faces. I love that earnest look in their eyes. }
Portugese Water Dog, dogs in Interiors 
Reader Comments (6)
What breed is the Big Guy? He looks soooo huggable!
Choco is 1/2 Great Pyrenees and 1/2 Old English Sheepdog. He looks exactly like a supersized Havanees.
Love, love, love the dog post!
Oh my, I just love dogs! Ruby our studio dog keeps us amused all day. Such the most sweet, gorgeous, loveable creatures. Your two look like such characters!!
Hi Bespoke,
I'd love to see a photo of Ruby! Send it and I'll add Ruby to this post.
-s
Love the chick