Last year my good cavalier friends and I (Debbie and Sara) visited Woofstock in Toronto. It was quite the event with sooo may dogs there and a ton of shopping! The temperature was incredible and there were a lot of dogs very close to heat exhaustion. I was very glad I hadn’t brought my two as it was so hot, and crowded on the streets of downtown Toronto. While down there one of the vendor’s was selling cooling coats for dogs out of this really neat fabric that absorbs water, doesn’t get very heavy and stays COOL for hours at a time. Her coats were really neat, but being someone who is getting better at sewing the more I do it I had a very hard with the price she was charging.. 65.00$ for a cavalier sized cooing coat, unreal!
Debbie and I made it our mission to figure out what material she was using and try to make our own. My first two I made didn’t turn out so well. They were OK but they tended to move around a lot and not stay on as well as I wanted to.
I’m happy to say I have finally figured out a coat that I am pleased with. My girls have tested them out a few times and they stay on, stay put, and keep them cool, yay! I’m planning on donating a few to our upcoming CFSO specialty. I’m hoping others will like them as well as I do. I may add a belly strap as well. I think I can get away without one but we need some better testing.
Here are some pictures of my little red model. She has a bit of a upper respiratory infection so had just got out of a steamy shower with me. Poor girl has been in the shower with me everyday for the past few. The steam helps a lot but makes her wet around the edges!
Laid Out Flat
Front
Back
Done Up
Standing
Modeling is Tough Work
I Love You!
I also have almost a complete line of my most favourite dog shampoo on the planet, Vellus sitting on my table. I get sad looking at it because I didn’t buy it for me! My budget is completely blown up for this month trying to get ready for Zo’s babies. If you are looking for a beautiful shampoo that is worth the price, this is it. It IS very expensive, but when used properly diluted it lasts a very long time and the job it does on their coats is just awesome.
So what is the fabric you used if you don't mind me asking. It looks like like shamois material the type you wahs the car with, super absorbant! Your little red model looks very cute too. Would love the name of that shampoo too please. I can't really see it clearly on the photo. Is it available on the internet? Thanks. You've done a great job on your little coats by the way. Good for you economising.
How did you know your dog had a upper respiratory infection? I am not sure if Charlie has one or not. He is only raspy when he runs around.
The material is polyvinyl alcohol or PVA, and is exactly what you thought.. found in the car section! I'd like to find a better source on it but for now I've only made a few coats and the towel you get is perfect size for a cavalier coat.
Oh and the Shampoo etc is under the name "Vellus" They do sell it online and also at many dog shows! http://www.vellus.com/
I was also going to ask about the material?
Thank you! I will check on getting some of that shampoo.
There is my shampoo lol!! Love your finished coat too – I need to step it up here today and go get my elastic and finish mine. It's way too hot here for Becky with her black coat. I need a human coat too 😛 Love the picture Mylee, you look perfect.
Sheesh where have I been?! Mylee monster is sooo cute!!! I love the cooling coat!! When you aren't tired of making them anymore, I'll pay either you or Debbie to make one for at least Miss Faithey if you're willing!! I waited to walk them tonight until about 7pm so that she didn't die outside on walkies. 🙁 Love that you got the vellus for Debbie! I will have to steal a sample from her and try it! lol I am actually going to try IOD as the vet said she thinks the primrose conditioning spray would be good for Faith's skin issues. We'll see. . . I haven't touched them for a few weeks and they are back to raging again.. boohoo 🙁 I still want the vellus satin cream though!! Are you going to be doing woofstock this year? I sure hope Mylee feels better soon!!