Remote-control pet door keeps intruders out

Doggy doors are a convenient solution for pet owners who are away for hours at a time or are too lazy to tend to their animals when they need to go outside.

But the problem with cutting a hole in your door and covering it with a rubber flap is that any petite burglar or curious animal could crawl their way into your home.

The Plexidor Pet Door is an interesting alternative. After installing the mini door, only pets with the compatible RFID chips attached to their collars can enter. The door opens when it detects a nearby chip, which the company assures is waterproof and shockproof.

We wonder how a dog with prior experience testing invisible shocker fences might react to someone attempting to outfit him or her with this collar device. (Yelp!)

But the product seems like a smart solution to a common flaw with doggy doors. Maybe the best part about it, though, is this line from the press release: "It is like having a personalized garage door and electronic opener specifically for your dogs."

There's just something hilarious about picturing a golden retriever waiting patiently while the door creaks its way open.

-- Mark Milian

Photo: Pet Doors USA Inc.

Confessions of a pet artist

Think people are particular about their tagged photos on Facebook? Try painting their dogs.

Just ask Sam Price, a San Francisco artist who makes collages for pet owners. A nurse's assistant by day, Price charges about $1,000 per pet portrait.

Price has no qualms about what types of animals he paints. Most customers commission dog collages.

"Dog people are much more in tune with their animals' needs and wants," Price, who has a dog and two cats, said in a phone interview. "I don't know why that is -- maybe because cats are more self-reliant."

Price knows the feeling. Despite his cats sleeping in his bed every night while his dog sleeps downstairs, the 29-year-old artist has painted only his chocolate Lab, Buster.

"As long as I can get a good photograph, I can do any dog," Price said. "I rely on the owners to take pictures of their pets. They know that special look that the animal in their life has. ... I know I spend hours taking pictures of my dog."

L.A. family raises money for homeless pets -- with root beer

Most pet owners we know wish they could do more to help needy, homeless and abandoned animals -- but they don't necessarily have the time, space or resources to do the hands-on rescue work themselves. The L.A.-based Youd family found a unique way to help pets in need (and created a delicious beverage in the process). Guest blogger Janet Kinosian shares their story:

How many black Labradors do you know who have a cane sugar-and-molasses-sweetened, preservative-free root beer named after them? 

As of now, you know one. The dog is Margo. The drink is Margo's Bark.

Two years ago, Oscar Youd, now 8, made root beer for his Los Angeles school science project. He and his father, Tim Youd, wanted to show how sugar and yeast can create carbonation. They did some study and christened the resulting mellow, high-fructose corn syrup-free brew they concocted Margo's Bark Root Beer after their family dog, a mellow and friendly gal and former Long Beach parking-lot stray.

The 300-odd folks at Oscar's school fair raved so loudly about the drink's wonderful taste that it got Tim, a marketing and internet entrepreneur, thinking. He embarked on a root-beer fact-finding mission, jesting about running a root-beer business. It turns out he wasn't kidding: Margo is now the namesake of her very own root beer company, Margo's Bark Soda Co. (motto: Drink a Bite!).

Halloween dog costumes go couture for two Huntington Beach pugs

Olive and Mochi are pugs with a passion for fashion. No wonder Halloween is their favorite time of year.

They've been dressed up as geisha girls, surfer girls and even pieces of sushi over the years. They may not understand the tradition, but "pugs understand positive energy," explains dog owner, partner and costume designer Lisa Woodruff of Huntington Beach.

Ten years ago, it was hard to find a Halloween costume for a cat, dog or duck. Today they are everywhere, from the dollar stores to Beverly Hills boutiques. Online or off, there are costumes galore.

A little bling or properly draped scrap of fabric can transform your pet into almost any animal, character or celebrity, says Steve Major of All the Same Wild and Tame, an animal sanctuary that sells pet accessories in Sherman Oaks.

The most popular ready-made pet costumes this year are Superdog, bee, jockey rider, hot dog, pirate, devil, prisoner, Yoda, cowboy rider, Batman and groom, according to public relations manager Lori Samsoucie of Wisconsin-based buyseasons.com, the largest online costume retailer in the country.

Pimp your dog's ride: 2010 Honda Element is furry-friendly

Now your dog can ride in style, thanks to American Honda's new 2010 Element.

The car is souped-up with equipment such as a cushioned pet bed, a dedicated fan for the pet-cargo space, a spill-resistant water bowl and an extendable ramp for glamorous entrances and exits. And the Dog Friendly Element is designed not just with comfort in mind, but safety as well -- soft, seat-belt-grade nylon webbing secures pet passengers in the vehicle's cargo area, preventing driver interference and adding an extra layer of protection for dogs in the event of a frontal collision.

The Dog Friendly Element is available for purchase beginning Nov. 17, with an option price of $995.  Read more about this pet-centric new vehicle at The Times' auto blog, Up To Speed.

-- Kelsey Ramos

Photo: American Honda

Cat calendar shows off latest fashion

Have you ever been out shopping for clothes and asked yourself, "Hmm, I wonder what this dress would look like on a cat?"

The United Bamboo fashion designer is hoping so.

Kittens are on the catwalk in the United Bamboo 2010 Calendar, which is available for pre-order and ships in November or December.

Twelve cats show off the designer's latest Ready-to-Wear fashion line, each in their own chic poses.

So, what's next? A "Catoria Secret" catalog?

Updated, 7:20 p.m.: A United Bamboo representative wrote us an e-mail to say that the calendar is not sold out despite what it says on its website.

-- Mark Milian

Twitter: @markmilian

Photo credit: Noah Sheldon

Four-legged fashion: Harley, the jeans-wearing Boston terrier

Our Image section's latest Street Fashion photo gallery highlighted styles of shoppers and passerby in downtown L.A.'s Santee Alley.

The favorite of this gallery is photo No. 4, in which Harley, a Boston terrier, rocks his custom-made jeans and T-shirt.

The four-legged trendsetter even has a belt to complete his style. As for how Harley, ahem, goes to the restroom wearing those denims … well, we'll let owner Mike Palmieri, a Los Angeles DJ, figure that one out.

-- Kelsey Ramos

Photo: Boston terrier Harley. Credit: Colin Young-Wolff / For The Times

Zhu Zhu Pet Hamster toys are poised to take over the holiday market (and could save some real hamsters from grabby kids while they're at it)

We've seen countless animal-themed toys come and go -- remember the Tamagotchi "digital pet"? My Little Pony, anyone? Furby? Our personal favorite, Pound Puppies? Well, there's a new faux animal in town and, partly due to its modest price, it's expected to be one of the most-purchased toys this holiday season. Oh, and did we mention it's a battery-powered hamster?

The pocket-pet toys, called Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters, retail for $8 to $10, with a number of accessories available for an extra $10 and up. They squeak and move around like real hamsters, but unlike real hamsters, they require no unpleasant cleanup and -- though we're not sure why -- drive around in tiny cars. Zhu Zhu Pets figure prominently on several lists viewed as predictors for success on the holiday market; both Toys R Us' 2009 Hot Holiday Toy List and TimeToPlayMag.com's Most Wanted List give accolades, with the latter describing the little guys as "creative, engaging and appealing" and surprisingly high-tech.

And, the Associated Press reports, they're being snapped up at stores like Toys R Us and Wal-Mart faster than they can be restocked. "As soon as we're getting them in, they're literally selling from boxes," said Laura Phillips, Wal-Mart vice president of toys. "It's hard to get them on shelves."

Sure, Zhu Zhu hamsters aren't as high-tech as, say, a patented Japanese robotic therapy seal, but they're also about 500 times less expensive, and that's a trade-off we're willing to make. Bonus for animal lovers: Their popularity is sure to keep real, fragile pocket pets out of the hands of overzealous kids while indulging a healthy love of animals. Video (warning: with annoying, easy-to-get-stuck-in-your-head theme song) after the jump!

Your morning adorable: Dachshund wears booties

We can't explain our deep and abiding love of dogs wearing shoes, but suffice it to say that the love is strong.  (The concept may not be quite as funny as a cat with tape stuck to its paw, but it's a little less mean too.)

This little dachshund, named Lyska, is clearly doubtful about the proposition of walking with booties on.  Still, we admire the attempt!  (We also admire the attempts made by this little Chihuahua and, particularly, this agile little terrier.) 

We suspect the lesson we should draw from all this is that dogs were not meant to wear shoes -- but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy the evidence that leads us to that conclusion, does it? 

-- Lindsay Barnett

Video: cburnette2371 via YouTube

Technology we like: GPS pet locator helps owners find their lost animals

With pets come worries: sickness, injury, and worst of all, a possible disappearance.

That's where the Spotlight GPS pet locator comes in. For $200, owners can now know where their pooches are at all times. Developed by PAW (Position Animals Worldwide) and released in conjunction with the American Kennel Club's Companion Animal Recovery program, Spotlight is a GPS tracking system created specifically for dogs.

The GPS locator comes with a 2.5-ounce, water-resistant collar tag with a unique ID number that fits securely on the pet's collar. If the animal leaves its configurable home boundary (also known as a SafeSpot), a text message or email is sent to the owner alerting them that their pet has fled. Subsequently, the owner is sent a real-time location and turn-by-turn directions to the animal's location. The AKC provides 24/7 recovery services to administer additional support.

"Our mission is simple: Provide the market with products and services to reduce the number of lost pets. With an estimate of one-third of all dogs going missing at least once in their lifetime, SpotLight will help reduce this number significantly," said Chris Newton, PAW's chief executive.  "Through our partnership with AKC CAR, we are able to offer owners a simple solution that gives them peace of mind knowing that their dogs are safe at home or, should they escape, be quickly returned."