Stella, a rescued Carolina dog who regularly greets customers at the couple's Baskets of Yarn shop in Charlotte, sported the design — the words "I" and "yarn" with a heart in the middle — on her back for an October business event.
"Everyone loved it," says Gary Frame, who took Stella back for a green shamrock on her hip for St. Patrick's Day. "People are amazed — they do a double take."
Pet tattoos — airbrushed designs most commonly created with a stencil and non-toxic dye especially made for animals — are a growing trend, according to the National Association of Professional Creative Groomers (NAPCG). The practice is an off-shoot of specialty or creative grooming, such as transforming a pet into a panda or other exotic creature, that emerged about three years ago, says the organization's president, Amy Brown.
The national pets rights group PETA says dying a pet's fur can cause stress and lead to complications or allergic reactions that endanger the animal's life. They also say giving a pet a tattoo, which can feature a sports team logo, holiday-inspired design or tribal art, is insensitive to an animal's dignity. "Our dogs and cats love us regardless of how we look," says PETA spokeswoman Jane Dollinger. "We should extend the same kindness to them."
Creative groomers — the NAPCG has offered certification for about a year — know that specific dyes safe for pets must be used. A dog's skin is more sensitive to chemicals than a human's, Brown says. "As professional groomers, our responsibility is to encourage and promote a healthy skin and coat," she says.
Heather Holland, owner of Lucky's Yellow Rubber Ducky Dog Wash in Shreveport, La., says the tattoos offer owners a fun and affordable way to celebrate their pets.
"People love it — it's hilarious," says Holland, who recently dyed a Louisiana State University fan's golden retriever to look like a tiger. "It's a good form of expression. People can't wait for their friends and family to see it."
Soo.....what do you think? Fun or Cruel??
BTW.....I dye my dog.. I'll post some pics in the replies
“If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed”.
-Albert Einstein
Quoting lovinmyboys...:
Didn't you already make a post about dyeing your dog?
Are these really inappropriate pictures? *pics*
Does sex in the 1st 30 days kill a relationship?
- LoriLou75
on May. 8, 2012 at 6:36 PM