"We have a bandana for that!" Part3: KoaBear Bandanas

Siouxsie in our first KoaBear Bandana.

We first were introduced to KoaBear Bandanas after winning a contest on Instagram. I hadn't really had the crew wear bandanas before. I never saw any locally or even online that I really loved. KBB was the first bandana brand that we connected with.

Lucy and Molly in matching KBB bandanas and bows.

KBB was started in January 2016 in Maui, Hawaii. Creator, Tina Timboy uses her own fur baby, Koa, as her main inspiration for her designs.

KoaBear, CEO of KoaBear Bandanas

Mr. Koa

KBB specializes in custom made bandanas ranging from casual to formal wear. Most bandanas are reversible too! We love having the option of two different prints on one bandana, it gives you more bang for your buck!

We love donuts!

We typically go for the "original style" that just slides onto a collar. KBB also offers a "bib style" that has a Velcro closure, perfect for pets that do not wear a collar.

Bib style bandana with matching hair bow.

If your fur baby likes to be on the formal side, the Fancy Paws Collection is where it's at! 

Hawaiian Fancy Paws Collection pieces.

These are so cute for the furry gentleman in your life!

Below are a several more designs my crew wears on a regular basis and for holidays.

Halloween is our favorite time of year!

Personalized "ugly Christmas sweater" bandana.

Candy bandana and matching bow.

Kawaii inspired on our little "derp" cutie.

You can check out all that KoaBear Bandanas has to offer at the following:

Website: http://koabearbandanas.biz

Instagram: @koabear_bandanas

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/koabearbandanas2017/

"We have a bandana for that!" Part 1: Paws 'n' Claws Couture

The Fluff Dog Crew likes to model the heck out of bandanas. Paws 'n' Claws Couture has a wide variety of colors, sizes and styles for your fashion needs. 

Paws 'n' Claws Couture also makes collars, leashes, bows and scarves to keep your pups looking cute whether they are at home or out for a walk around the neighborhood.

Fall is right around the corner and Paws 'n' Claws Couture has begun carrying new designs to reflect the Fluff Dog Crew's favorite time of year. Halloween, leaves changing color and pumpkins among all the autumn goodness! 

Check out their super cool designs on their website and social media accounts. Enjoy free shipping on U.S. orders (they do ship worldwide) and use our code to snag a 15% discount with code: vanitycult15 and be sure to tag us on Instagram to show us how pawsome you look in Paws 'n' Claws Couture gear.

Social Sites:

www.pawsnclawscouture.com

www.pawsnclawscouture.etsy.com

https://www.facebook.com/pawsnclawscouture/

https://www.instagram.com/pawsnclawscouture/

https://twitter.com/pwsnclwscouture

From Puppy Mill Survivor to Spoiled in Suburbia: Meet Molly the Shih Tzu

Our family had never rescued before. All of our dogs had come from breeders. Some we learned later were not reputable to say the least. After being so involved on social media for a while, we were learning that the stigma of rescue and shelter dogs weren't always accurate. There are instances when best intentions don't work out, but we kept seeing so many happy stories. We found that so many wonderful fur babies had adapted and flourished when they became part of a family with love and care. We began following SASS Rescue on Instagram after I had researched for a Shih Tzu rescue here in Ohio. The work that they do for these dogs is incredible. My mother and I literally fall in love with a pup every week! I already had two dogs and was unable to have another at the time when we first saw Molly. After seeing her photo, we had to figure out a way to adopt her. She was a puppy mill survivor, age unknown, with a sweet little tongue that stuck out all the time due to her lack of teeth.

Molly went to live with my parents, brother, and Lucy their Brussels Griffon in October 2015. She was very shy and timid, but eager to embark on her new life. She still makes great strides to this day. She has become such an affectionate and sweet little girl. She loves her cozy beds and blankets, she dances for her meals and enjoys things that the first several years of her life she was deprived of. Rescue dogs are not less than desirable or irreparably damaged. They can and will become wonderful companions and family members if given the time and patience to allow them to thrive.

Our family is so grateful to SASS Rescue for all the love and hard work they put into these amazing pups.

Glamour Pup Shih Tzu: Meet Bijou

Wearing KoaBear Bandanas

For me, writing about the early days of how Bijou came to be my fur baby isn't easy for me. Bijou isn't my first Shih Tzu. Prior to her was Lola, the fluffy love of my life. Lola was diagnosed with Chronic Renal Disease at 6 months old and had passed over the Rainbow Bridge October 23, 2012 at the age of 4 1/2. To say that I was devastated is an understatement. I devoted my life to her care, making sure she was as healthy and comfortable as possible during her time with us. She was my shadow, always with me. She had to be touching me at all times. At night, I had to be facing her in bed or she would scratch at the back of my head until I rolled over! She was such a contrast from Siouxsie who is fiercely independent and not affectionate. After Lola had passed, not having that constant companionship was very difficult for me. I had hoped that maybe Siouxsie would become a little more warm towards me, but that simply was not the case.

Lola: 5/28/2008-10/23/2012

At first, I didn't think that I could possibly be ready to open my heart to another pup anytime soon. I had started on Instagram just a few months prior and because I was having such a difficult time falling asleep, I would lay in bed on my phone scrolling through Instagram until I could not keep my eyes open any longer. Even back then when the IG dog community was much smaller than it is today, I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support offered to me. These people had never met me, didn't even know me well, but they understood. The words of comfort and encouragement, and the cards and personalized gifts really helped me thorough the most difficult loss of my life.

Bijou at about 6 weeks old.

Bijou at 3 months old.

It had only taken two weeks after Lola passed that I started looking at puppies online. I felt guilty and angry that I was even looking already. Though in my heart, I knew that Lola would want me to give my love to another pup if she couldn't be physically with me anymore. At the time I wasn't as educated or aware of rescues, so for me, that wasn't really an option. I was looking at reputable breeders here in Ohio and I discovered That Puppy In the Window. There were actually 3 little females that caught my attention. One was a little red girl that the were calling, "Natasha". She would be 8 weeks old right around Christmas. She was born exactly a week after Lola had passed away. I was drawn to her and after discussing with my husband, we decided to go ahead and see about getting her.

One of her first top knots!

Watching t.v.

Bijou is a French word associated with a "jewel" or "trinket." It is also the name of a song by one of my favorite bands, "Queen." I have liked the name since I was 12 years old and thought it would be perfect for a little puppy diva. 

Bij has quite the personality. She loves people, but is very aloof with other dogs. If it wasn't apparent by her photos, she thinks she is a human girl. I truly believe that! She doesn't mind being dolled up and posing for photos as long as she doesn't have to do anything too physical. Bijou is dubbed, "the laziest lady in all the land" because she certainly is. She wants nothing more than to sleep, eat and be fawned over at all times.

FabDog Sweater

Bijou loves to chew on Whimzees and PetQwerks Flavorit bones, have me braid her luxurious hair and get back scratches from her dad. 

Fun fact: Bijou's birthday is October 30th, the day before Halloween!

Brussels Griffon Cutie: Meet Lucy!

Lucy is a dog that makes me giggle at just a thought of her. Spindly little drumstick legs, a lady beard and a mean mugging underbite all adds to the quirky charm of this little monkey dog. Lucy is a 6 year old Brussels Griffon with the most expressive eyes I have ever seen and a loyal companion to her doting mom.

Like most Griffon's, Lucy is the true definition of a "Velcro" dog. What does that even mean, you may ask? Well, she is obsessed with her mom and has to be near her or to be able to see her at all times.

Lucy is not a fan of strangers, or really anyone outside of her immediate family. Lucky for me, I'm her #2 favorite person! I refer to myself as her "sisfur"/best friend and she loves coming over to my house to visit. With me she is quite affectionate and loves giving smooches and having me massage her.

My favorite trait of Lucy's is her human-like emotions. She is very empathetic to the other dogs and people around her. She seems to really sense when compassion is needed. My first Shih Tzu Lola suffered from Chronic Renal Disease. Lucy would always lay next to her to cuddle and place her front "arm" over Lola to comfort her like a human would do.

When Molly was first adopted, Lucy took her under her wing, per se, and immediately showed Molly the ins and outs of her new life. Molly's transition from a puppy mill survivor to a loved member of her family was greatly influenced by Lucy.

My family had never encountered a Brussels Griffon or knew much about them before Lucy. We have come to adore this interesting little breed and now follow many on social media. We have also attended Brussels Griffon meet ups here in Ohio the past two years.

You can find out more about Brussels Griffons through the National Brussels Griffon Rescue.

Shih Tzu Dog Fashion with Bijou

Alpaca bow and bandana by: Koa Bear Bandanas

One of my favorite things in life is to doll up the fluff crew, and mainly Bijou. Bij is so accommodating and calm about it. I prepped her from the tender age of 8 weeks on how to be primped. As with anything, hard work and gentle persistence (along with a lot of tasty treats) got her used to all of my fussing over her. As soon as the hair on top of her head could fit into an itty bitty ponytail we were on our way to adorable hairstyles! Bijou is nicknamed, “the laziest lady in all the land” and I truly believe it. She falls asleep while I braid her hair, and is ready to doze off when I get her dressed. 

Keeping clothing on her isn't just for fashion purposes. Bijou suffers from a lot of indoor/outdoor allergies so having a shirt of helps keep debris off of her. She likes wearing clothes since she also seems to get chilly easily. 

Unicorn tank by: Danish Dog Fashion

I am always scouring the internet, social media and stores like Marshall’s and Tj Maxx for any and all cute and affordable outfits along with matching accessories. I will be sharing reviews and photos of garments on here to help those of you who want to keep you pooch in style!

Bijou the Shih Tzu Dog Gets First Starbucks Puppuccino

Who would have known my local Target's Starbucks could be so cool? Surely not my friend Danielle and I. After trolling through the "Dollar Spot" for any cheap props for taking pics of our dogs we decided like any other ladies in our age range that we deserved some caffeine for all of our diligence on our way out of the store was needed. On the counter there were some samples of new drinks, but my focus was on the cute little cups. I knew they had to be the ones used for the puppuccinos that I had seen many other doting dog parents providing their furry besties. Since Northeastern Ohio is certainly not known for being a progressive dog area I had never taken my girls to get this highly sought after doggy delight...

Yes, I know it's just whipped cream in a paper cup, but I needed to bring one home for Bijou! I couldn't get back home fast enough in order to get her in her Starbucks tank top (purchased years ago on eBay) and her custom Beauty By Paris matching hair bow. Once all that was taken care of it was time for her puppuccino introduction, here are the results!