Ask Muddy
The Dog Who Knows What's Best For Him
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Accessories
COLLARS, HARNESSES, LEASHES. There's no doubt that, for long-haired, double-coated dogs, the White Pine Outfitters collars, leashes and harnesses are by the far the best we've tried. They come in a beautiful silky-soft webbing material that never gets caught in the dog's coat; they are comfortable, easy to machine-wash (and don't ever seem to fade), and they come in a wide range of colors so the dogs can be fashionable too. Most importantly, they are safe - these accessories are indestructible.
HANDS FREE. Since Tarka arrived, we've also discovered the High Sierra Walk-A-Belt. It allows me to walk Tarka safely, and still have two hands free to manage Willie, poop pick-up, etc. When Tarka is relaxed he walks very nicely on a loose
leash, but on busy city streets, some things can send him into a panic and make him hard to hold onto. He got away from me once, before I had the belt. It was very frightening and I am determined it won't happen again. The Belt is designed to be worn around the hips; it's fleece-lined, sturdy and comfortable, with a reflective strip across the back for safety at night. The leash goes on the carabiner in front, and the D-rings on each side can be used to carry water, cellphone, keys etc.
We use the Soft Web Figure 8 Harnesses: they're strong, and easy to take on and off (no need to lift a leg to step in), with solid plastic plug-in buckles (which I've stepped on and haven't broken); we love the 9/16" Soft Slip Collars, and the 9/16" Soft Web Lead in the 6' Length. Willie also has a Non Restrictive Soft Web Tracking Harness, because...well, we wanted orange which wasn't available in the Figure 8! As well as an orange matching set (collar, harness, leash), Willie also has teal green, while Muddy favored royal blue, purple or red, depending on his mood. Tarka has inherited (hush, don't tell him, he thinks they're new) Muddy's blue harness and leash; the size is flexible enough that, at almost 30 pounds smaller, it can be adjusted to fit him too (though we're expecting he'll fill out a little).
It's hard to get clear photos of these products on the dogs, since they're buried in hair, but here are a few.
On the right, here's Muddy on a walk during a Michigan vacation, just a few weeks before he died. Muddy frequently brought a ball, bone or stuffed animal on a walk, so he would never be caught without something to play with.
Below, Muddy and Willie show off their leashes as they investigate a Michigan rest stop on our way to Lake Huron, Canada.
On the right, Tarka models his hand-me-down. (When we're on a walk in the woods, Tarka is on a ski-joring line attached to a waist belt, to prevent any "must catch that deer" escapes.)
Willie has grown such a luscious coat that you can only just catch a glimpse of his teal harness.
And, here, Muddy, who spent his life getting wet and, yes, muddy, at every possible opportunity, helped us prove that the White Pine accessories (just like a Samoyed coat) can get soaked and filthy, go through the laundry dozens of times, and still look as good as new!
HANDS FREE. Since Tarka arrived, we've also discovered the High Sierra Walk-A-Belt. It allows me to walk Tarka safely, and still have two hands free to manage Willie, poop pick-up, etc. When Tarka is relaxed he walks very nicely on a loose
leash, but on busy city streets, some things can send him into a panic and make him hard to hold onto. He got away from me once, before I had the belt. It was very frightening and I am determined it won't happen again. The Belt is designed to be worn around the hips; it's fleece-lined, sturdy and comfortable, with a reflective strip across the back for safety at night. The leash goes on the carabiner in front, and the D-rings on each side can be used to carry water, cellphone, keys etc. 
WATER BOY PORTABLE DOG BOWL. This portable water carrier is perfect for the car. It holds three quarts of water and doesn't spill even if it gets flipped upside down. The blue bowl has holes in the bottom allowing a small amount of water to flow into it as the dogs drink. The bowl removes, making it easy to clean and refill.
We use it primarily for the car and when we go camping (nothing worse than turning a regular water bowl upside down near your sleeping bag!), but it also has a handle so you can take it on a walk if you want to - and no need to carry an extra bowl.
Here's Willie having a drink after our morning walk in the park, while Tarka waits (patiently?) for his turn.
QUIET SPOT TAG HOLDERS. Ever been woken up by the sound of your dog's tags jangling together as it moves around during the night? Had to replace tags because they're worn out from rubbing together? Or noticed your white dog's coat becoming permanently stained from the metal tags rubbing on its neck? Then Quiet Spot tag holders are for you. These little neoprene pouches keep the tags still and quiet, and keep the coat clean. They're easily washable, and come in a wonderful range of colors so that you can match them to collars, harnesses or leashes - or your mood!
Quiet Spot is also durable, has a reflective logo for night-time safety, holds several tags of different shapes and sizes, and fastens securely to the collar; even if the tag wears through, it's still safely contained in the pouch.
Muddy had a variety of colors and here he's pictured in red - complete with dirty muzzle after (rather foolhardily) investigating a hole in the New Mexico desert.
Willie is currently wearing an orange Quiet Spot, and Tarka's is royal blue.
COOL POOCH WATER BOTTLES. With their thick coats, Samoyeds get warm on walks, so the only time we don't carry water is when there's snow on the ground - eating snow is a great way for them to cool off. The rest of the time, we use Cool Pooch Water Bottles. This brilliant design allows humans and dogs to drink from the same bottle - hygienically! Humans can drink straight out of the plastic straw; when the dogs get thirsty, you point the straw into the cup on top, squeeze the bottle to fill the cup, and the dogs drink out of that. The cup is completely closed at the bottom, so there's no backwash into the bottle - just throw away whatever the dogs don't drink. You can buy a fitted neoprene carrying case for your Cool Pooch - it has an adjustable strap that you can wear over your shoulder, or shorten to fit around your waist. The Cool Pooch also fits the standard water bottle holders on many waist packs.
CHILEWICH PET MATS. An accessory of a different kind, but if you have dogs that are sloppy eaters and drinkers like mine, they're essential to protect your floors. And we think these are really fun, with the cut-out dog in the middle. They even give you the cut-out part, though we haven't found a use for that yet.
They're also practical, because, like all Chilewich products, they're easy to clean: wipe, vacuum, mop, or scrub (even vigorously!) to remove stains.
We like the chic understated Platinum shown on the left, but if you'd like something more frivolous and bright, we also carry Lemon and Mango (see right).
You'll also find kids love giving dogs water with the Cool Pooch. Muddy was very popular with children at our local park, and we'd usually be greeted with a group of them clamoring "can I give Muddy a drink?" or "is Muddy thirsty?".
On the right, Tarka's tak
ing a drink, while Willie...... well, who knows what Willie's doing. Snuffling on the ground for food, probably.
ing a drink, while Willie...... well, who knows what Willie's doing. Snuffling on the ground for food, probably. Below, the Cool Pooch in its neoprene sleeve.
CHILEWICH PET MATS. An accessory of a different kind, but if you have dogs that are sloppy eaters and drinkers like mine, they're essential to protect your floors. And we think these are really fun, with the cut-out dog in the middle. They even give you the cut-out part, though we haven't found a use for that yet.
They're also practical, because, like all Chilewich products, they're easy to clean: wipe, vacuum, mop, or scrub (even vigorously!) to remove stains.
We like the chic understated Platinum shown on the left, but if you'd like something more frivolous and bright, we also carry Lemon and Mango (see right).
