The Barkin Bag

Apr 11, 2008 @ 3:15pm

We predict a lot of hate mail for this one, but every time we see some sappy Today Show segment claiming "80% of dog owners consider their pet as a member of the family," we sort of groan.

It's true that animals should be well kept and protected, but thinking they're as valuable as your kids or your siblings?

Ick.

So maybe it's no surprise that the most irritating new accessory we've seen this season is literally a doggy bag:

A long, leather puppy carrier built to look like an Hermes Birkin or Hermes Kelly bag.

The bags come from a store called Pawsh, and we're betting they also sell those random "Chewy Vuitton" toys that squeak when your little member of the family bites down on them.

Ew, ew, ew.

posted by Laia

Apr 11, 2008 3:21PM

Barkin Bag?
Chewy Vuitton?
hahahaha
i love puns.

posted by louis

Apr 11, 2008 3:24PM

It's understandable to separate dogs from children or siblings (though, I do not). I have to agree that the Barkin Bag is hideous and horrible. Dogs are not wallets, they are not accessories. Buy them a leash and let them go as they are.

... how down are you with being delegated to another piece of Luggage?

posted by guest

Apr 11, 2008 3:25PM

while i personally would never put down that kind of money on a bag for my dog (or a bag, ever), my dogs are definitely my family. and i love them as i would love siblings (if i had any, that is). and why not, considering that dogs love you unconditionally, without hesitation. i think the most important thing to remember is that, well, they are NOT human. they are happy being active animals, and they shouldn't be treated as an accessory.

posted by guest

Apr 11, 2008 3:50PM

you obviously don't have a dog nor are sensitive to your readers that do.

posted by guest

Apr 11, 2008 3:51PM

Agreed w/guest at 3:25. My dog is family to me (unlike the hamsters, rabbits, and other animals I've had) because of his love and personality (he def. has both). But he is an animal, so I think pampering your pet takes it overboard. They're animals, they should at live like they are. They shouldn't be an accessory or treated as a human child.

posted by guest

Apr 11, 2008 4:08PM

I have a Maltese dog. He is 4 pounds and simply cannot be walked like a regularly-sized dog. He would get stepped on. He loves riding in my purse and has done so since I got him as a puppy. He would love this bag b/c he can stick his little head out and get fresh air w/out fear of getting squashed. He can't help his size. He gets enough exercise running around my house. WTF do you care if somebody feels happy b/c of their doggie's happy face and waggy tail? While my dog can't get his mouth around a chewy vuitton, he'd love it if he could. (just as long as he doesn't chew his mama's.

posted by guest

Apr 11, 2008 4:16PM

You might not agree with people who consider their dogs to be family, but is using childish language ("ick," "ewe") to describe your readers who do feel this way really necessary? Sorry Fashionista...this post didn't just offend my dog, it offended me.

posted by guest

Apr 11, 2008 4:20PM

I've seen worse: a woman carrying her dog in a stroller...

posted by guest

Apr 11, 2008 4:23PM

I think that this post would be better if it didn't begin with the statment that dogs should not be treated as valuable as a kid or sibling. It's really the "Ick" that does it. Why do you care if i treat my dog as my child?

I think the Ick should be saved for the bag. The point should be that it's a cheap Hermes rip off for people who want to look like they have an expensive bag, not that people are putting their dogs in a bag and treating them like kids.

posted by gucciLIES

Apr 11, 2008 4:29PM

Yeah, a dog can be apart of the family, but putting it on the same level as a blood relted relative, thats creepy . I love my dog, but if my sister gets run over by a car, I can't buy a new one .

posted by Jac

Apr 11, 2008 4:37PM

Yeah, I agree with most of the posters. For some people, dogs provide wonderful companionship--i dont really see anything wrong with putting a great deal of importance on them as long as you arent putting them above your kids. People that insult this relationship rub me the wrong way.

posted by guest

Apr 11, 2008 4:50PM

guest at 4:20- I SAW A WOMAN WITH HER DOG IN A STROLLER TOO! a special doggy stroller with mesh sides. and room for her shopping bags. and i sorta gagged, and then wanted to ask her where she got it. if i could take snoopy everywhere with me, i would.

posted by marc lover

Apr 11, 2008 4:57PM

loving your pet like a family member makes you say ewe? this post makes me not want to read this blog anymore.

and gucciLIES' post made me just as sick - "I love my dog, but if my sister gets run over by a car, I can't buy a new one." Animals shouldn't be treated like commodities or products.

posted by guest

Apr 11, 2008 4:59PM

Wow. I've long suspected (especially after your embarrassingly lame pre-k diy craftshion projects[tell me you don't actually WEAR that out of your homes, btdubs]) you guys might in fact be totally cheesy, but never did I think you were also thoughtless and insensitive. Guess we can add that to the roster now. I think up until this point I've been too lazy to take fashionista off my google reader, but this is the last straw, ladies.

Have fun white-outing your nails this summer and making trident lanyard gladiator boots!

posted by guest

Apr 11, 2008 5:00PM

What is so wrong giving an animal as much love and care as you would for a child. They have less protection than a child from society, so it's up to loving families to keep animals happy and safe. Your post is really rude to dog owners and you obviously do not know what it is like to have so much love from a pet. Keep these posts to yourself, fashionista.

posted by doll

Apr 11, 2008 5:13PM

i love fashion from the bottom of my heart

but after some of your posts, i feel i have to say: being condescending is not fashionable

posted by doll

Apr 11, 2008 5:13PM

oops i meant to say fashionista ;)

but i love fashion too, quite obviously