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Dressing up in style
Whether it is Swarovski-studded collars, genuine leather handstitched collars with chrome plates, crocodile print jackets, dainty Hawaiian dresses, edgy clips or fleece berets, there are accessories and apparel in every style for your pooch at upmarket stalls that also sell merchandise online. "People are now taking their pets to family gatherings, weddings and parties and want to dress them up. So, we have a tuxedo (Rs 3,500) that can be customised to the pet's size," says Shreya Goenka, business development head at Delhi's Heads Up for Tails, a store at Select Citywalk mall. Also check out the black sherwani (Rs 3,500) with a stole.
Cool factor
Want to keep your pet comfortable in the sweltering Indian summer? Opt for a range of cooling jackets, imported from New Zealand by dogspot.in. The Hyperkewl jacket (between Rs 2,993 and Rs 4,302) simply needs to be dunked in cold water for a few minutes, squeezed out and then put on the dog. It keeps him or her cool for six to seven hours. The Techkewl range uses phase-change material which is put in the freezer until solid and then inserted in the jacket. "The jackets don't allow the temperatures to drop below 16 degrees Celsius, so the dog doesn't go into a chilled shock," says Rana Atheya, founder of the company. In the Techkewl jacket (Rs 8,419 and Rs 11,225), even though the PCM is put in the freezer, it liquifies as soon as it is fitted in the jacket, thus maintaining a comfortable temperature.
A royal treatment
Salons and spas for dogs have cropped up in most metros. Besides the basic bubble bath, medicated anti-tick and anti-dandruff treatment, ear and teeth cleaning, these grooming facilities also offer relaxing massages, manicure, pedicure and styling services. Oh My Dog!, located in Matunga, Mumbai, offers two packages - Positively Perfect and Doggie Style with prices ranging between Rs 500 and Rs 1,300. One finds pooches visibly relaxed on the massage table as they are lathered with oil. Ever now and then, the facility receives requests for funky haircuts. "Once a young owner got a Mohawk style done for his dog," says owner Nina Joshi.
Caught on camera
Now that your pooch is groomed, it's time to get that perfect shot. Meher Malhotra Kamath, owner of Delhi-based Studio Idis, offers pet photography. "The owners usually want an intimate picture of their pets. We just let the dogs be in the studio; they find a cosy spot and settle there," says Kamath who also does fashion shoots for HUFT. She charges Rs 5,000 and upwards.
Party time
Hire a party planner for your dog's birthday or pool party. Dogs & More, which started off as a magazine by Farzana Contractor, organises events for dogs. "Pet parents are taking their role seriously. We have also done a few for weddings too when a mate has been found or when the 'girl' is having a baby shower," says Rozina, one of the team members. The menu includes cakes, cupcakes, tarts, gourmet savouries, specially created popsicles, lamb sticks, jerkies and chewies.
