| The Ideal Dog Bed | | | | never lacking it's ingenuity. |
| For dog owners considering buying a dog bed, what | | | | Other daft-shaped dog beds dreamed up by the |
| should they look for? Animal experts say that the | | | | designers include fishes, phone boxes and cosy |
| ideal dog bed should be comfortable, long-lasting, | | | | cottages. Cushion-shaped beds and bean bags come |
| machine-washable, chew-proof, portable and hygienic. | | | | in camouflage colours to blend in with the carpet. |
| It is essential that the bed should have a removable | | | | They can also be made in the same fabrics as the |
| cushion, or blanket which can be washed regularly. | | | | soft furnishings. Or to match their owner's! Think |
| Size and shape depends on personal choice. It can be | | | | dogs don't have a sense of humour? Think again. Just |
| oval, rectangular, round or square. It can be shaped | | | | take a look at the antics of any of them and what |
| like a miniature sofa bed or chaise longue. The most | | | | they get up to in or around their bed! |
| popular varieties are polyester, padded and basket | | | | No-nonsense variety |
| weave, though now that the designers have jumped | | | | The no-nonsense variety of dog beds popular with |
| on the bandwagon, dog beds are beginning to come | | | | vets are simple, comfortable and hygienic without |
| in a variety of novelty shapes. | | | | any flounces or frills. Fleece and fibre bed covers are |
| Noddy's little red car | | | | sometimes used post-operatively at animal hospitals. |
| Of all the novelty beds currently being advertised | | | | Beds for dogs in intensive care and recovery wards |
| on-line, the most innovative must surely be the one | | | | are usually plastic because they're more hygienic. All |
| shaped like Noddy's little red car. It is pictured by its | | | | they need is a wipe, a hose down and a brief spell |
| manufacturer with the little dog sitting inside. How | | | | outside to make them smell fresh and clean again. |
| does it move? That is something the clever canine | | | | So whichever dog bed you decide to go for, no |
| will have to work that out for himself. Push it around | | | | doubt your canine friend will be happy with it and will |
| with his nose, maybe? If there's one thing dogs are | | | | make it his own. |