Tooled Leather Collars, A KC exclusive!

I have been patiently (OK as patient as a dog can possibly be) waiting to announce the release of our new line by Moxie and Oliver! I am so psyched because this has become my every day collar and leash. These are one of a kind art pieces, all tooled, painted and stained by hand, no two are alike. Mine is a perfect blend of indie/grunge/rockabilly/junkyard dog. I was a bit nervous at first because it was a tad stiff, but it softened up really nicely once I started wearing it. The leather is nice and thick and strong, and mom said the leash was comfy too, and it the color doesn't bleed when we go for walks. (Some of the other leather collars and leashes we've tried, the dyes tend to run and turn your skin all sorts of funky colors). The design does wear a bit, but it gives it a nice weathered look, kind of like those $200 jeans that come pre-ripped. Someone told mom that if she polished it with saddle soap it'd stay perfect forever, but she isn't really one of those types of people. She's all about keeping it real, and she knows most people aren't going to dedicate 15 minutes of their life every couple of weeks to conditioning a dog collar. So since mine has held up to general abuse, wear and tear, and, well me, for well over a month now, Karma Charms is proud to put our stamp of approval on these awesome pieces of neck art. We hope to be able to offer these in a martingale style soon.

I also wanted to add that I realize these collars are right up there price wise, and that's because they're so time consuming to make sure that you have an original all about you collar. Don't lose hope though, remember the Client Referral program, and if you're good at pimping us out, you can earn gift certificate points towards getting this, or anything else in our shop, for free!

I know the collar is featured on the site, but I just wanted to show you me in all of my glory. And yes this picture was taken before mom realized she put it on upside down. Give her a break, she hadn't had her Cheerios yet, she made up for it by Photoshopping a background.

Changes over at Karma Charms

We've been busy over at Karma Charms. We did a facelift on the website, and made it more guy friendly (I finally won the pink battle...), and got a more modern logo (With a DANE... Muwahahaha). Check it out and let us know what you think!

Also we've been adding new products too. A lot of you let us know that you really want unique, funky, ID tags that show your pup for the individual they are. So we've been testing a LOT of different suppliers and recently got to add three new options to the line. Our Cut Out Sterling Silver, Big Dogg Brass, and Dichroic Glass are the first ones to make it to the site, and we have alot more on the back burner. It is SO important to test the ID tags for the full month, because we want to make sure that they don't wear down so they're unusable. We're also looking at metal alternatives and hopefully will have even more choices up for you soon.

But the biggest news is the addition of our Toy department, and the toy that Christened it, the Goughnut. The Goughnut is a hardcore chew toy, extremely durable, and with a safety monitor. Why does a chew toy need a safety monitor? When a toy gets to a certain point, their structural integrity of their core is compromised, and it is more likely that the toy will break into pieces that the dog can choke on. With the Goughnut this core is colored a bright red, while safe to chew outer layer is green. IF your dog gets to the red layer, its time to take the toy away, and send it in for a replacement. A FREE replacement! That's right, if your dog ever gets to the core of the Goughnut, just send it in and get a brand new one back. And I say "IF" because I had some friends of mine test this out (I'm a stuffie guy myself). These friends of mine are three great Danes, and assorted other pups, who eat Kongs for breakfast. Here's what their mom had to say about the Goughnut:

" We've had the Gough-Nut for more than a month now, and my dogs LOVE it! They all play keep-away from each other with it, and I am amazed that it has stood up to 3 Great Danes constantly carrying, playing with, or arguing over it... without so much as a scratch! Even the Chinese Crested loves to play with it!

If it will stand up to these dogs and still be fun to play with, it'll stand up to ANY dog playing with it!"

How's that for a review? We'll be adding toys as we find ones that are up to our standards. If you know of any let us know.

Update on our Second Chance Dog, Phoenix

Phoenix's collar and leash are BEAUTIFUL!!!

The good news for Phoenix is that a family came along who instantly recognized what a positively joyful companion he could be, and they have adopted him as their own. As they were walking him to their car he looked back at me as if to say "Thanks for getting me healthy and for taking care of me and loving me and teaching me to trust again, but now it's time for me to get on with my life with a family of my very own."

The collar and leash arrived shortly after Phoenix was adopted so I have sent them along to his new family. I'm sure he'll wear them proudly.

On behalf of the VERY handsome Phoenix, thank you so much for all you do for society's "thrown away" dogs. (Phoenix sends big slobbery kisses.)

Judy Bredin-Graham
New England Saint Bernard Rescue

Wow, thanks!

Daisy the Bloodhound in her new Deluxe Enamel Tag

I got the collar charm today and I wanted to thank you for such a nice quality tag. Nice and heavy and I don't think she'll eat it!

- Bill in Maryland

April 2008 Second Chance Dog

Our second Second Chance dog is Phoenix, a Saint Bernard who is currently at Saint Bernard Rescue of New England. We've attached his story and picture here. Please contact the people at SBRNE for more information on Phoenix.

You have to wonder how a human (term used loosely here) can be so cruel to an innocent, WONDERFUL dog. Phoenix has had it VERY rough in his two short years. He's been starved. He's been hit. He's been spoken to harshly. He has spent his whole life since he was a little puppy tethered to a tree in the backyard by a plastic-coated wire cable. The dog grew. The cable stayed the same size. You know the rest. The cable was embedded TWO INCHES into his neck. The wound was disgusting and has required three surgeries to remove all the dead tissue. (We have included the pictures here, here and here, but be warned the are VERY graphic and disturbing.)It's finally healing nicely and he'll have no ill effects.

Phoenix is a tall boy but is 25 pounds underweight; we're working on packing some weight on him. He has completed four weeks of antibiotics to treat Lyme disease. Phoenix has gotten his spark back. He runs. He frolics. He loves to give kisses. The joy is returning to his eyes. Though he's made remarkable progress he still has a way to go. Phoenix will need to be neutered before placement; we're just waiting for him to get a little stronger and heavier. The successful candidate will have a fenced yard and will be committed to completing formal obedience with Phoenix. Interested in meeting him? He's a joy. Someone's going to be VERY lucky to share their lives with this special boy.

Phoenix is going to receive a Diamond collar and Leash, as well as a collar charm and a gift certificate for an ID tag for when he arrives at his forever home, which makes the Diamond the featured collar for April. For all purchases of the Diamond this month, 15% goes to SBRNE, to help fund rescue.

Chicago Pet Expo

We didn’t know what to expect when we decided to go to the Chicagoland Expo this year. Well our big debut to the dog world at large was awesome! We got to meet all kinds of new people, from rescues and trainers, and of course some of our wonderful clients. We sold almost our entire collar inventory, including some things that we weren’t intending on selling!

Even with the success of the shop itself, nothing compares with meeting and talking with dog people. By talking to the other vendors and visitors to the Expo we’re even more aware of the need that Karma Charms fills for the big dogs, as well as the misjudged dogs. We had people from rottie and pitbull rescue crying over their relief of finding collars and supplies that aren’t about hyping up on the scary factor. We got lots of input on what dog owners are looking for, and met a couple of prospective new vendors. And of course our ambassador dogs Karma and Odie stole the show and backed up traffic in the aisles all three of the days we were there. We also raised $500 for the New England Saint Bernard Rescue, through our raffle basket and donations from the generous people of Chicago, many of whom just wanted to give to help dogs in need.

Since our first Expo went so well, we can’t wait to go to our next one, the Whisker Walk in Massachusetts in June. If you're in the area please join us, we can't wait to meet you!

Thank you!

I received Dudley's charm today!! I must say that I am SO happy with your product even down to the pretty packaging! I just love your company... The quality is the best I've ever seen. I'll definitely be purchasing more from you in the near future! Thank you so much!

- Michelle in North Carolina