KAREN WIGHT -- No Place Like Home

o7 In the whole world there is but one thing that money can not buy,

to wit ‘the wag of a dog’s tail.f7 ‘

-- Josh Billings, 1865

Few things have as much effect on a household as a family pet. Even

bickering siblings unite in their love for a four-legged friend.

Childhood memories often center on the loving companionship of a dog or

cat. My mother stills talks about Skippy and the way he walked her to and

from school every day. Even when Skippy was old and unable to make the

long trip to the school, he would faithfully wait for her by the railroad

tracks on her path home. She tears up every time she tells the story.

Apparently, I have inherited the same gene. I could barely pull myself

together after seeing “My Dog Skip” in the movie theater last winter. I

made the kids sit with me through the credits at the end of the film,

just so I could pull myself back together. Thankfully, there were a few

other sappy moms in the audience who went through as many tissues as I

did.

With sentiments like that, no wonder we are willing to go the distance

for our pampered pooches and cuddly kittens. Whether they are ladies or

tramps, we all love to spoil our pets.

I recently received a catalog in the mail called “In the Company of

Dogs.” It is produced by Petopia and has the most amazing selection of

pet accessories. Just flipping through the pages was major entertainment.

In addition to the predictable selection of pet goodies were items such

as “muttluks” (booties for dogs), a “little wizzer” fountain (yes, you

know what it does), pet “pearl” collars, treat-of-the-month clubs, velvet

pooch pouches, matching owner/doggie sweaters, and my personal favorite

-- a bejeweled doggie tiara for the belle of the ball (as in fetch).

If you want an extra smile today, check out

https://inthecompanyofdogs.com.

Other excesses available for your pet include custom doghouses.

Contractor Allen Mowrer builds custom doggie domains, or should I say

chateaux, chalets and castles. One of Allen’s works of art resides in our

neighborhood. This custom doghouse is three (doggie) stories high, has

air-conditioning, limestone floors, working windows, a “formal” entrance

and a large back door for easy access. I don’t think anyone would mind

being in this doghouse.

I wanted to meet the dog of the house and see what kind of pooch had

the good fortune to live in such a manor. When I met Ted, I found out the

house is the least of the blessings heaped on this lucky dog. Ted, who

has received his American Kennel Club canine “good citizen” certificate,

has quite the life. In addition to his daily walks, Ted has a standing

play date with another dog (a Chihuahua) and his owner every Sunday. Ted

has his own car, a Jeep -- and I mean a Grand Cherokee, not a Barbie

version -- because Ted (a Bernese mountain dog) cannot fit into the

owner’s Porsche. Ted is a Parrot-head and even dressed up as Jimmy Buffet

for Halloween this year. Ted also has a pet of his own, a cat named Bill.

I kid you not.

A guilty conscience from Ted’ owner, who has a full-time job to help

maintain Ted’s lifestyle, resulted in a pet for Ted. The pet cat, Bill,

follows Ted everywhere, perches on the roof and waits for Ted to emerge

through the doggie door of the main house and supervises Ted’ daily

excursions. There is quite a hierarchy maintained at this house, or

should I say, doghouse.

Ted’s owner gave me the rundown on the pet-friendly places in the

area, many of which I did not know about. Pets are usually taboo in

stores and restaurants, but I learned Hard Rock Cafe in Fashion Island

will let you sit on the patio with your dog. Tommy Bahama’s in Corona del

Mar Plaza will do the same. All dogs are always welcome at the Three Dog

Bakery. Fashion Island’s Barnes & Noble is dog-friendly. Ace Hardware has

always welcomed dogs, and Brett’s Photo Express even keeps dog treats for

its drive-through canine customers. Check out https://dogfriendly.com for

more local locations.

Lest you think that Ted’s owner is the only over-the-top pet owner

around, I also know Murphy’s “mom” had a nonskid pet cushion made for the

console of her car -- a Jaguar -- so Murphy could see outside. Mollie

gets a personalized doggie birthday cake every year. Foster gets carried

around in a Snuggly on occasion. And a personal confession on my behalf:

My dog, Mima, has had her portrait done in a pencil sketch.

Crazy? Maybe. But considering how much unconditional love our pets

give us, it’s not surprising. So when you see a dog with a tiara hanging

its head out the window of a car, don’t laugh, it’s puppy love.

* KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident. Her column runs Saturdays.

Photo Credit: La Petite Maison Photo Caption: The French chateau has

a copper roof, bay window and hardwood floors. The only thing missing is

a Chanel sweater for this pampered pooch.