One of the best thing about fall and winter, has to be dogs in sweaters. I have to admit, I always find myself grinning at these sweater clad "fluffians" strutting the streets with their human companions danging on the end of deliberate color-coordinated leashes.
Long ago in the suburbs, I saw an occasionally well dressed canine, but Downtown Brooklyn, where I currently reside, is a veritable 'dogwalk', with every second dog sporting a fall/winter wardrobe.
It is not just designer clad Chihuhuas, looking like miniature versions of James dean with shrunken heads, their rhinestone studded leather jackets and booties wrapped around the arms of bored, blonde socialites.
Instead, it ranges from dogs of indeterminably mutt heritage wearing sweaters of equally dubious fabric content, to obviously pedigree Saint Bernhards in massive pseudo-burberry patterns. You can spot the organic or hemp dog sweaters a mile away. They are usually reminiscent of a fishermans jersey in lumpily cozy neutral knits.
I glance at the owners of course. Spotting the hand knitter types (their dogs advertising what degree of skill their craft-humans are now on and if they are still dropping stitches along the way), or the hipsters who frequent vintage flea markets or upscale consignment stores looking for authentic 50's dog couture. I have to wonder what those dogs think of wearing a sweater with another dogs scent on it. Do they wonder what the other dog who wore it before was like? The affable way dogs explore others scent, I think they must consider all of that.
Have you noticed how dogs and owners coordinate not only their colors but their whole general demeanor? For example, there is one narrow greyhound from Park Slope, who looks like he is wearing a sturdy blanket, strapped on like a racehorse. He, elegantly floating along the block, with his equally long and lean jogger companion, she of course, wearing black leggings, which may as well be jodhpurs.
A little black and white french poodle with fringed bangs, peers up at me, wearing a red sweater and looking like a mod 80's french cafe.
No matter their attire, dogs on walks are very similar. I love watching them in street sweeper mode, nose down they move forward, snuffling right and left methodically along the block, stopping with a jerk whenever they approach something interesting.
I love komondor dogs, especially those wearing clothing. They seem to always end up wearing something that looks like a buckled on placemat, due to the sheer vivacity of their swinging dreads.
I most love those colorful cable sweaters, especially the wooly ones which look broken in and in need of sweater shaving. Those dogs look like they should be lounging around in cafes, reading poetry or short stories by unknown (as of yet) authors and drinking tea long since gone cold.
Then you see immaculate groomed pedigreed pooches, wearing obvious designer sweaters, in the latest fall colors, both walker and walkee gambolling along fashionably under the apple skin shaded leaves.
You can spot the old money dogs, those sweaters that are classic, ageless and obviously high quality, but are sleek and as subtle as their owners who can be identified by their Italian.
Other dogs are outfitted according to theme, like the scotty dog, probably feeling incredibly cheesy, kitted out in traditional tartan, down to the socks.
Some dogs seem rather menacing. Their girth, breadth and otherwise general massiveness, absence of lolling tongue, and glinty, glossy fang exhibit, possibly a grin, but equally possibly a perpetual rapper snarl.
These fearsome fluff-bearers make me giggle the most. Their owners, most of them wide shouldered and slightly uncoordinated, sometimes puts the most incongruous apparel on these beasts. Fleece pastel overcoats, tutu's, or better yet, reindeer sweaters with bobbly hats. I imagine not just any sweater comes in their size, and it usually looks absurd in the most delicious way possible.
I notice, the ones waiting outside stores for their owners are usually not wearing sweaters at all, their sad, melting eyes trained on the door, waiting to continue a walk that has suddenly, awfully turned into a dreaded errand.
Have you noticed all those 'new on store shelves' -but actually really old 80's sweater blends like modal, acrylic and viscose- we as consumers have been (re)introduced to lately?
I imagine doggy sweaters have been hit by the same revolution. I bet dogs also are aware that good old fashioned natural fabrics like wool, feel warmest-albeit itchies. Cotton is just soft and comfortable, even when it starts unravelling and losing its shape after one short season. So, maybe I can concede, a little bit of lycra does a sweater good.
Ahhh, dogs in sweaters. One of lifes little pleasures.
Once in a while I see a dog here in a sweater but mostly they are only wearing boots once it snows. Must be a Canadian thing. My mom puts boots on her big black poodle because the snow gets stuck in between his toes and the heat from his pads melts it and then it freezes again with sharps edges like a knife. Did you know that poodles were originally hunting dogs? Their fancy hairstyle is a relatively new thing. They traditionally had their hair long and wore it dreadlocked.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea, but I think that is awesome. I did know that those big poodles are known to be some of the most intelligent dogs around.
ReplyDeleteI love dog boots. It is only a matter of time before it becomes a designer cause. I mean, as an owner there is a closet limit, and then the inevitable consequence is the shoe obsession will then spreads to pets...
I had no idea, but I think that is awesome. I did know that those big poodles are known to be some of the most intelligent dogs around.
ReplyDeleteI love dog boots. It is only a matter of time before it becomes a designer cause. I mean, as an owner there is a closet limit, and then the inevitable consequence is the shoe obsession will then spreads to pets...