As we all know that dogs are our best friends, making sure that their homes within ours are as safe and comfortable as possible is a number one priority for many of us. And, while the area doesn’t have to be decorated with expensive furnishings, putting a little thought into our pets’ space is not only good for them, but also enhances our own homes.
Sarah O’Dwyer is an avid dog lover and has always made sure that her two “fur babies” — Joey, a seven-year-old Cocker Spaniel mix and Terry, a 15-year-old West Highland Terrier — enjoy the ultimate in home comforts.
“Terry has been in the family for his entire life, as he was my grandmother’s dog, but only came to live with me about five years ago when she passed away,” she says.
“He loves relaxing in his beautiful blue bed which is beside the couch as he doesn’t like to be too far away from us, but at the same time, wants his own space too. He also has his own bed in the conservatory, where he can go if he wants a bit of peace and quiet. I think it’s a great idea to have a few beds around the house for your dog, particularly if they are senior, so they don’t have to walk too far.
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“But no matter what age they are, it’s important for them to have their own space, whether that is in a bed or a kennel — somewhere they can retreat to if you have guests over or if they just want to relax during the day. All the humans in the family have their own bed and private space, so it should not be any different for our furry family members either.”
The Kilkenny woman, who works as a marketing assistant, says it is also important for “doggy decor” to mirror the rest of the house.
“We try to co-ordinate both of our dog’s beds with the interior design of our home to make it ‘fit in’ and work with our aesthetic,” she says. “Of course, dogs might not care too much about the design of their bed, but a bright red bed in a neutral tone living room, wouldn’t work.
“I would recommend to look at the colour palette of the room you want to place a dog bed in and also look at the different fabrics you have, like those on your couch or cushions. If you’re not too sure, you can’t go wrong with a nice neutral colour like beige or brown.”
Marek Pisarczyk lives in Donabate, Co Dublin, with his partner Beata and their dog Rocky — a 10-year-old rescue dog, who is a blend of Japanese Akita and Border Collie. During Lockdown, they built a large timber sunroom in the garden and although it was initially intended as a human space, Rocky has commandeered it as his own.
“When Covid hit, we decided to create a space in the garden so we could enjoy the summer, regardless of the weather,” he says. “The sunroom takes up the whole width of our small garden — one quarter is storage space, and the other three quarters are a seating area with a large corner sofa, which we anticipated that Rocky would use.
“Immediately this became his favourite spot, and he spends 90 per cent of his time there as it is perfect for sunbathing on the concrete floor or sleeping stretched out on the full length of the sofa — and on hotter days, he lays down in the shade behind. We feel like guests when we go out there and we are sure it’s Ireland’s largest dog kennel.”
Pisarczyk, who is originally from Poland but has lived in Ireland since 2005, says he and Beata had no problem relinquishing their new garden room to Rocky as his welfare is the most important factor.
“When we bought the furniture, we agreed that the pillows and soft seating would be kept stacked in the corner when not in use, to protect them from damage,” he says. “But, after being a little sceptical at first, Rocky jumped on to the sofa and cuddled himself into the soft seating with a massive smile on his face — something we don’t get to see very often.
“From that moment, we knew this was his space and we would be just guests. Because Rocky is a rescue, we don’t know his history, and so it’s the moments like that, when you see him immensely enjoying something quite basic (like a comfy bed), when you realise that he didn’t have the best childhood.
“So, we’ve decided that this is Rocky’s pad forever and we don’t even want to reclaim it. It is equipped with his favourite pillow (which he ‘borrowed’ from the living room), the only soft toy he likes (a golden retriever from IKEA) and an occasional chew. When he’s looking for entertainment, he brings out a bowl of his food out in the garden, jumps back on his sofa and enjoys looking at birds coming to eat it (and sometimes chases them away, too, just for fun).
“Rocky, like every other dog we have fostered in the past, is a part of the family, so we want the very best for him. Knowing that humans have failed him in the past, we really want to ensure that his life from now on will be as good as possible. This doesn’t have to mean spoiling him, but rather to provide him with what he needs for a normal life: which includes, plenty of enrichment, a healthy diet and lifestyle, and a safe, secure, and pleasant place where he can spend his time.”
Emily Miller, marketing manager of Petmania in Kilkenny agrees, and says it’s important to make the ‘doggy corner’ of the house as comfortable and dog friendly as possible.
“Finding the perfect dog bed depends a lot on your dog as those that love to stretch out while sleeping will prefer a mattress style bed and if they like curling up, they will love a lounger or doughnut bed to snuggle into,” she says. “Having a quiet spot away from the hustle and bustle of the house is great for resting and gives your pup somewhere to retreat to if needed, and if you spend time away from your dog during the day, a safe, cost spot where they can wait for you to come in is recommended.
“You might find that your pup likes somewhere to lounge in your kitchen or living room but will retreat to a quieter spot to really sleep — so having multiple beds can be a good idea, as are some plush toys and nice feeding bowls.”
Jane Grant has designed a new pet bowl called Hugx, which has just come on to the market — and she says it is the ideal choice to make mealtimes go more smoothly.
“The bowls are specifically designed from the pet’s perspective and as it stays in place, mealtimes are quieter and cleaning is easier because there is curved interior,” she says.
“This helps to deter flies and even stops crawling babies from reaching for bits in the bowl that dogs can’t access. Also, the bowls can turn 180 degrees to assist in a diet for pet obesity and if the animal is wearing a restrictive vet collar, Hugx is more accessible than traditional bowls. Both pets and owners have been equally considered in this unique product, with form and function deemed equally important.”
As well as making sure you get the best accessories for your dog, pet expert Emily Millar says that choosing a special bed to match the decor of your house is a great way to design your dog’s personal space.
“Luxury fabrics like velvets and plush can be great for cosy warmth, while pet blankets are also a great addition and can be easily washed, so are a practical option,” she says.
“I also think that plug in diffusers for a calming space are great and I would encourage people to use pet friendly (washable and breathable) finishes and materials for paints and wall coverings. But above all, a good balanced diet, regular grooming, and exercise with lots of love and cuddles in a warm and comfy home are the most important things to make a dog’s life as good as possible.”
