I am writing this Blog cause I want to address an issue that has been bugging me for a while now, which is: People who say dressing up your dog is animal abuse.

First of all let me state that it is my opinion that dogs should be dogs, and that no dog should be dressed up 24/7. A dog is not an accessory and I do feel sorry for dogs who are dressed up every day with boots, sunglasses and complete outfits.

But letting your dog join in with the family and celebrate halloween or putting on a cute tutu for a photoshoot IS NOT animal abuse. Yet somehow people think it is legit to call out loving pet owners based on assumptions and giving them the most horrible label any pet owner can get, an Animal Abuser.

I own a Bulldog Rescue, I have seen Abuse, REAL Abuse and using this term for loving pet owners who have different views than you do is despicable! Why do I say assumptions? I had a Bulldog who was operated on and she had stitches and a shaved belly, it was on the veterinarian’s advice to put on a t-shirt that covered her belly when we would go outside. The response of some people was so extreme it shocked me.

Some dogs have serious allergies or an infection on their paws why they need to wear doggy boots to make sure no dirt will enter the wound or so that the skin would not touch the grass. So in some cases it is not even for fun or play but for medical reasons. There are also a lot of Dogs who can not handle the extreme temperatures well, especially smaller breeds, who get cold in winters.

There are dogs who live in high temperatures where their paws need to be protected against the hot pavement or protecting their paws when their has been salt spread. So before making any assumptions and accusations, you should think twice and educate yourself. Even if there is no medical reason to wear clothes, calling it abuse is just wrong.

My Dogs never wear clothes when going outside and if they do it, is for a good reason. By the way, the clothes would not last a minute outside, cause usually they love to run and roll around everywhere and get themselves covered in mud and dirt in seconds. I do love to make photo shoots of my Dogs, and yes also with clothes on. I love the funny and almost human face the Bulldog has and so making them even more humanlike in a photo can be quite funny.

When the Dutch soccer team plays we all wear orange together while watching the game, that is dogs included. My last Bulldog, Miss Bean loved to dress up, she knew where I kept her clothes and whenever I opened the box she came running! Cause to her that meant ‘Me Time’, so extra cuddles and treats or some sort of party 😀

Opinions on this subject may differ but that we should never ever make assumptions or accusations and to never call it Animal Abuse. By doing so you are taking away the real meaning of those words. The term animal abuse should not be taken lightly and to me is reserved for dog fighters, puppy mill owners, people who neglect or physically abuse animals.

So from now on let’s not judge people for how their dog is/isn’t dressed and refocus that energy where it’s needed most. The dogs that need homes, a soft place to lay their head and a full belly.

Lily, a bulldog rescued from a garbage can, finds comfort in a turtle costume.