I hate cancer. My sweet Dolly girl has beaten it twice, but the 23 benign bumps scattered throughout her body never let me forget about the threat of recurrence. This cuts both ways. It keeps me vigilant — time for your weekly bump check, Dolly! — but also steals away any peace of mind I might have regarding her health.
So, you might wonder, what does this have to do with dog tags? Last week, Dolly’s oncologist diagnosed a mast cell tumor on her neck during a checkup. I breathed a small sigh of relief upon hearing that surgery will remove the cancer, as my finances won’t allow for another round of the costly radiation therapy that saved her life last year.
When we got home from the hospital, I pulled up Facebook and saw an update from our good friends over at Dog Milk. It was about this:
The post by Capree Kimball that accompanied the tag had me tearing up again. I worry about any procedure under anesthesia, but I began feeling a little less alone. I can’t wait to hang this fashion accessory from Dolly’s collar.
Dog Milk also got me thinking about how little consideration I put into the tags Dolly and Spot wear. They deserve identification that reflects their personality, or at the minimum displays more style than the plain metal discs that simply list their name and my phone number.
With that in mind, I got to shopping online. Here are 10 awesome dogs tags worthy of hanging around your best friend’s neck:
1. Red Rose Scrabble by Scarlett & Co.
I love Scrabble, so how could I not want one of these tags? They come in a variety of vintage-y background prints and in every letter of the alphabet, ensuring you can customize a tile with your dog’s name.
2. Skulls Bow Tie by Cropscotch
Spot would look so dapper in this laser-cut wooden tag. It would be like he was dressing up for the home office. Not that I do that, mind you.
Prefer regular ties? Cropscotch has those, too.
3. Hello My Name Is by ID4Pet
Some people loathe wearing name tags, while others look at them as an opportunity to mix and mingle with ease. I’m thinking of this tag for a certain yellow Lab we know.
4. Speech Bubble by Cropscotch
Regular readers know I love me a doggie thought bubble.
5. Blue Wink by Blanket ID
Speaking of Dog Milk, the blog for modern dog design created this stylish tag and others as part of Blanket ID’s Donation by Design program. The dog tagging system uses online resources to help lost dogs make their way home, and a portion of proceeds from Dog Milk-designed tags benefit their favorite animal rescue organizations.
6. Forever Since Torn Hearts by Fetch A Passion
Are your dogs best friends with each other? If so, this sweet pair of copper and aluminum tags will show their bond.
7. Pet Silhouettes by Wag Avenue
Several framed silhouettes are available from the tag maker, including an Akita, Beagle, Boxer, Chihuahua, Corgi, Daschund, Great Dane, Greyhound, and Pit Bull. Love.
8. Have Your People Call My People by Critter Bling
I bet this red brass tag sells well in Hollywood. The maker also puts other cute sayings on dog tags, including “If you wanted the ball, why did you throw it?” and “A dog wags his tail with his heart.”
9. Custom Leather by Mesa Dreams
This handcrafted leather tag would be perfect for the rescue in your life. The maker offers different symbols and tints, too.
10. Copper Bar by Make Your Dog Smile
It’s so stylish, and you can put information on all four sides of the bar, which comes in solid copper or aluminum. Talk about built to last.
Let’s hear from you, readers. Would any of the above suit your dog’s personality or style? Or do you have the perfect tag for him or her already? Please share details — and photos! — in the comments.
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