Lure coursing.....What the heck is that?

And what is this outfit for?

This borzoi is wearing a lure coursing vest.  These vests typically come in 3 colors; yellow, blue and pink.  They are worn so the judge can see from a distance which dog is doing what in the competition.  

What is lure coursing, you may ask? 

Lure coursing is a competition in which dogs chase an artificial lure across a field, following a pattern that is meant to simulate chasing prey. Sighthounds are especially noted for their skill at lure coursing since it is instinctual to the group. 

Watch this video for an idea of what lure coursing is. Judging by this video, it looks like the dogs have alot of fun.  

De Hufford

Made by De

www.coatsmadebyde.com

Heartwarming moment!

A tribute to Maggie!

This is a client that got a coat from me several years ago.  

I got this note today and it absolutely made my day!!!

Name withheld..........

I just wanted to send you a note about the hot pink jacket you made for my beloved Lab/Pit mix, Maggie, back in December of 2011. I had just moved to Bend, Oregon with my dog pack, and poor Maggie was freezing to death, so I ordered a jacket from you. She LOVED that jacket so much! During the cold weather, she would wait by the door to have me put it on before going out. She wore it everywhere, and she loved all the attention she got while wearing it -- everyone would ooh and ahh over her, and crack up laughing about how pleased she seemed with herself in that jacket. It really was like a security blanket for her -- she just seemed to be so confident when she wore it, and so cozy warm. I lost Maggie recently, at the age of 16, and then her much-loved companion a month later. When I took her to the vet to have her put to sleep, she wore her pink jacket -- and she was wearing it when she was cremated. It was so hard to let her go, but she was ready, and I could tell that wearing her jacket helped to calm her in those last difficult moments. I never got to meet Maggie and hadn't really thought of her in quite a while.  But something like this?..............This is what makes what I do worthwhile.  I have to admit, I read the  note with tears welling in my eyes.   These are the kind of memories that keep you warm when the world feels just a little cold, a little hard.  Thank you!!!!!! De Hufford Made by De

What I learn when working with dogs

One of the interesting and cool dog breeds that I get to work with.  I love learning about all the various breeds and what they are intended to do, what their needs are and what their particular gifts are to us people.

This is the Kooikerhondje, a small Dutch waterfowl dog, wearing one of my cool coats because she does agility with her person.

This is what a Kooikerhondje looks like without stuff on.  Kooikers, as they are called, were bred to lure ducks into traps for the duck hunters back in the 16th century, as well as hunt vermin.  They almost disappeared after World War II but have made a comeback.  Kooikers are not yet recognized by the AKC but will join in the sporting group when they do.

These dogs are described as lively, cheerful, good natured and moderately active.  They are said to be slow to warm up to people they don't know but more than willing to please their person.

De Hufford

Made by De

www.coatsmadebyde.com

Attitude!

Do you ever feel like this?

A little girl has no worries about going outside.  In her jammies.  And her bright red boots.

I love the way she grins into the wind, totally unafraid and confident in herself.

This is one of the things I love about what I do.  I work.  I enjoy my family, kids, grandkids.  I spend time with my animals.  I do go on the back porch in my jammies on occasion.  But I do NOT have any bright red boots.  

Maybe I should get some.  It might be liberating.

De Hufford

Made by De

www.coatsmadebyde.com

New product launch! Exciting!

A new product I'm offering

I'm always talking to my customers about things that they need for their dogs and how to address issues that they have.  I absolutely love it when I am able to create something new and different that solves problems for my customers and their people.

This is a "pee suit".  It is designed to keep all those gorgeous furnishings clean on long haired dogs such as this Irish Setter.  People who have setters, spaniels, and other long-haired dogs know what it is like to find all the dirt, weeds and "stuff" in their dog's fur, especially when they are trying to keep them clean. 

It helps to keep those snowballs out in the wintertime as well.  You know, the ones that are so stuck that you have to 1) let them melt on their own, 2) tediously pull them out, 3) keep your dog's fur short or 4) not let your dog out to play in the snow.

This suit is made so that your dog steps into the sleeves (which have elastic and velcro at the bottom to help them fit more closely) and then the suit velcros down the back with a drawstring at the waist to help keep the tummy hair more contained.  It's waterproof and lightweight so your dog can go outside without destroying all the work you've put in to making them presentable.

I can make this in any size and with other options as needed or requested.  It will be appearing on my website soon so keep an eye out!

De Hufford

Made by De

www.coatsmadebyde.com

Dogs are family!

Dogs aren't just pets.

I don't know when it happened.  When I was growing up, way back when, dogs were pets.  Cute but forgettable, ignorable.  It wasn't just my family, but pretty much everyone in the neighborhood, everyone we knew, seemed to feel the same way.

Things have changed!  If you look around now, there are still people who consider dogs as things or maybe loveable but definitely not part of the family.

But there are alot more people now than there ever were who will 

1) talk to their dogs

2) take their dogs to doggie daycare

3) pay thousands of dollars for vet care

4) dress their dogs

5) take them on vacations with them

6) let them sleep in bed with them or buy them their own special beds

7) buy fancy collars

8) play sports with them

9) buy expensive food for them

10) call them their "kids" 

Heck, back in the day, alot of this stuff didn't even exist.  But it does now.

I like it.  My dogs have surprised me with their intelligence and emotions and never ending love.  I like to return the favor.  Sure, I have my human kids.  But my dogs are my fur kids.  They are important and part of my family, as I am part of their pack.

De Hufford

Made by De

www.coatsmadebyde.com

5 Ways to Keep Your Dog Cool!

5 ways to keep your dog cool in the heat

www.coatsmadebyde.com

Summer time is upon us.  The temperatures are climbing.  

While we people can cool off by decreasing clothes coverage, sweating and drinking cool water and enjoy activities, dogs have a tougher time.

While dogs can't "tell" us they are hot, we can watch for the early signs of overheating.  

1)  panting

2)  no energy

3)  irritable

Things we can do to help our canine partners survive and thrive in the heat.

1) On the farm, a dunk in the horse trough works pretty darn well.

If you are near a lake or swimming pool, that works well also.

2) Sometimes, lying on ice can really make things better.

3) If not ice, maybe shade or a cool floor.

4) Fans can also help.

The problem with all of these things is that they don't move with you and your dog.  

5) Cool coats of all types and styles move with your dog so you can hike, go to agility trials, bike, ........ whatever and still keep your dog cool.

Cool coat cools through evaporation.  Just wet them down.

Cool collar also cools through evaporation.  This one also has a pocket for ice for extra cooling.

With the summer heat, it is important to look out for our canine companions.  They can't speak for themselves but if we pay attention, they will tell us.

The Unusual Dog Breeds I Get to See. www.coatsmadebyde.com

How many of these breeds do you know?

Cane Corso, a type of mastiff

Ibizan Hound, a sight hound from an area of Spain

Bullmastiff, bred for guarding

Vizsla, a Hungarian hunting dog

Powder Puff Chinese Crested, a toy breed that also has a hairless variety

\

Havanese, a Cuban companion dog

Irish Wolfhound, a sight hound bred to hunt wolves

Border Terrier, bred to hunt fox and small animals

Rhodesian Ridgeback, bred to hunt lions in Africa

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, a Swiss dog used for herding

How many of these did you know?  I've learned about these breeds from talking to people at dog shows.  It is fascinating finding out where they come from and what they do.

De Hufford

Made by De

It's summer time (almost) and your dogs are going to get hot! www.coatsmadebyde.com

Cool Coat Giveaway!!!

So, you know how there are a bazillion different things you can buy on the internet and you don't know what is good and what isn't? 

I had a review done of my cool coats.  Somebody who tested them out and wrote what she thought and took lots of pictures.  

Instead of just taking my word for it, which I know is good but if you don't know me, may not mean so much, you can read what an objective person has to say about my stuff.

Lauren Miller with ZoePhee wrote a review and is running a cool coat giveaway.  You can read her review and sign up for a free cool coat at this link

http://zoephee.blogspot.com/2015/06/zoephee-reviews-giveaway-coats-by-de.html

Check it out!


If you don't win, you can still get your dog one of these cool coats and know that you don't just have to take my word for it.  See my website, www.coatsmadebyde.com for more info.

Summer is pretty much here and your dogs are going to get hot.  Why not help them out a bit so they can have fun too!

De Hufford
Made by De
www.coatsmadebyde.com