All dogged up in their
'Small' size life jackets

The dog days of Summers!

Roberta Summers of Stevenage, Hertfordshire came up trumps with this selection of photos of Minty and Cookie, her two year old Jack Russell terriers, both now kitted out in 4u 'Small' size fashion life jackets.

Roberta reports that, to her surprise, the jackets weren't at all bulky and that, after few minutes, her pooches were happy to run around wearing them.

Small change!

Buttercup is the 12 year old Lhaso Apso of John and Irene Winter of Michaelston-y-Fedw near Cardiff.

As they live only a few miles from me, I was able to strike a deal - personal same-day delivery of Buttercup's jacket if I can photograph her in our complete range of three colours of 4u 'Small' size fashion life jackets. A good deal all around!

Holly's in the pink

Michelle Silver of Leicester sent in these pics of Holly (just love that floppy ear!) in her 4u 'Small' size fashion life jacket.

And guess what? Holly (or 'Hollydog' as Michelle prefers to call her) is one of an ever-expanding number of dogs who have learnt how to type! Here's what Holly (apparently) wrote:

"Hi, my name is Holly and I'm an 11 year old Westie. I'm spoilt rotten and my mummy has bought me this splendid life jacket so that she can swim me in the bath safely, which will help the arthritis in my back legs.

"I love pink so the jacket was just perfect. Hope you like the pictures of me posing in it, it's really comfortable and my mummy can pick me up with the handle - and it also keeps me warm."

The Mayne attraction

Carol Mayne of Broughton Astley near Leicester took her family off to Cornwall for a well-earned break. (Food technology teachers need their extended camping trips.) (I'm told.) On their return Jago - apparently - wanted to send in his text and photos.

My name’s Jago and I am an 8 year old Jack Russell. I’ve always enjoyed paddling in the water but lacked confidence when I got out of my depth.

Last year on holiday I nearly drowned in the sea because I swam out too far after my mum. I didn’t have the strength to get back and had to be saved!

This year, mum bought me one of these 'Small' size life jackets from buy1or2.com.

At first I was sceptical, but as you can see from these pictures, I soon got the hang of it and really enjoyed my holiday. In fact, after a few days getting used to it, I now get really excited when I see it, because I know I’m going swimming with mum!

Thank you, Ian. I LOVE my lifejacket!

Fond regards, Jago JRT

It's official. The world has gone mad.

Body warmer!

The Clarke family of Reading were enjoying a May bank holiday day out at the sunny (joke!) Crick Narrowboat Festival 2008.

They came across the modest little stand of buy1or2.com and in no time at all Molly, their Jack Russell terrier, was nice and warm, snug inside her brand-new 4u 'Small' size fashion life jacket.

A right Charlie? I don't think so!

Kimberley and Edwin Rasche of Letchworth Garden City in Hertfordshire bought a 'Small' size 4u life jacket for Charlie, her seven month old Shetland sheepdog puppy, before venturing 'up north' to the Lake District for a spot of canoeing as the high-point of their honeymoon. (Kidding!).

Looking at the photo alongside, taken on Windermere, judging by the distance away from the canoe that Charlie has swum it's clear that Kim and Ed (and Charlie!) had great faith in the buoyancy qualities of his life jacket!

A little Gem

This is Gem, a gorgeous little Shih Tzu looking pretty in her 'Small' size fashion life jacket, who is a regular at Aqua Dogs, a hydrotherapy pool in Cardiff where she has regular hydrotherapy sessions under the watchful eye of chief hydrotherapist Angela Halls.

For more about Aqua Dogs please click here.

This Jack's a girl!

Wendee Hill of Luton, Bedfordshire is convinced that most people mistake Maisy, her 18 month old Jack Russell terrier, for a boy.

So Wendee takes every opportunity which presents itself to reinforce the fact that Maisy is a girl - hence the pink polka dot 'Small' size fashion life jacket Maisy is wearing in the photo.

What's it all about?

Linda Doyle of Newport took these snaps of Alfie in his 'Small' size fashion life jacket.

The photo above right shows Alfie helping to canoe down the Dordogne on his third trip to France. (And being taken for a walk when a dog's got to do what a dog's got to do...)

Five year old Alfie is a rescue dog; closer to home, Alfie has worn his life jacket on several trips to Tenby in west Wales where the waves are often too big for a dwttie dog (< coloquial Welsh for 'tiny'!)

As with so many owners' reports, Linda points out that the jacket seems to give Alfie increased confidence in and around water. 

These are two shih tzus
(the old ones are the best!)

It seemed to us at the time that the entire workforce of PVC & Property Solutions of Pyle, south Wales (free estimates, no job too big or too small!) had descended on the buy1or2.com stand at the South Wales Boat Show.

In the ensuing chaos we took the opportunity to photograph their two gorgeous Shih Tzus.

The photos above show (left) Izzie, a fully-grown Shih Tzu, and (right) Roxy, a Shih Tzu just five months old (an acceptable fit and plenty of growing room in that jacket!), in their new 'Small' size fashion life jackets

Here's Lily the Pink!

Clare and Darren Carter of Endon, near Stoke on Trent sent in some phone photos of Lily in her 'Small' size fashion life jacket.

Lily, a four year old pug, was a rescue dog - the Carters did the rescuing two years ago. She had a bad start in life but since she's been with the Carters has come on leaps and bounds.

Clare reports that Lily: "doesn't see herself as a dog; she doesn't do doggie things and has a very stubborn streak". (Typical pug, then!) Lily enjoys jetskiing and will soon also be enjoying the recently-bought boat.

Clare was concerned that her photos wouldn't be good enough for the page - when you've got Photoshop there's no photo that's not good enough!

I'll make my own way, thank you

Soraya Rigby, of Leyland in Lancashire, spent a week on a barge navigating the 'Cheshire Ring' with fellow crew members Steve (Maintenance), Graham (Captain), Paul (Navigation) and Bella (Catering). The decision was made to complete the full ring in the week - which meant they were committed to sailing for 12 hours a day, every day, whatever the weather. Aren't holidays fun!

One of Soraya's three dogs, 11 (but going on 50) year old Gemma, a cocker spaniel, was sent home in disgrace with Soraya's daughter after two days of being a "royal pain in the barge".

Before being summarily dismissed, Gemma was photographed sulking along the towpath in her 'Small' size 4u life jacket.

Making a (little!) splash

Dawn and Tim Baldwin of Weedon in Buckinghamshire did the sensible (and fashionable!) thing and bought a 'Small' size fashion life jacket for their six month old Border Terrier Daisy.

Dawn reports that Daisy: "really didn't seem too impressed when I first tried it on her, but when we went canoeing on the River Thames, between Reading and Maidenhead, for the weekend she was fine once it was on - and there's plenty of growing room.

"She fell in the water, as expected, and it worked really well, seemed to support her weight (about 7kg) well and she was able to do some doggie paddle before I pulled her out. The handle across the back was also excellent for passing her in and out of the canoe.

"And the spare clip buckles are really handy as she chewed one on the jacket before we'd used it!"

Boots' size

Jane Wood of Bristol popped in to the buy1or2.com stand at the South Wales Kennel Association championship show to pick up a 'Small' size fashion life jacket for her two year old Norfolk Terrier Boots (or, more formally, Orison Bootlace).

Midland miniature

At the Inland Waterways Association's 2008 National Festival and Boat Show in Wolverhampton this miniature schnauzer appeared and was fitted with a 'Small' size 4u life jacket.

Something to chew on

Charlene Forbes of Stanley in Perthshire, Scotland kitted out Buster in a 'Small' size fashion life jacket. One-and-a-half year old Buster's identity tag says that he's a mixed breed, but Charlene's been told that he's a Lancashire Heeler (I'd go for Lancashire Heeler/Jack Russell cross myself; any suggestions?).

Charlene already replaced one of the side-fastening clips - Buster thought it would be nice to chew on! For our customers' convenience, additional spare side-fastening clips are always available - just email your request!

Pug crazy!

Becky von Xylander, of Jesteburg in Germany, is happy to admit that pug owners "are crazy and have to have the fanciest designs".

Which is why her two pugs - two year old Daphne and five month old ("but growing like a weed") Murphy - are shown in their 'Small' size 4u life jackets. Becky took the dogs on a sailing boat on the Baltic Sea - which was why she thought it important to have good life vests. Becky reports that "the swim vests were perfect, especially since they kept the dogs warm along with safe. Daphne is now a bit rounder, because she is expecting puppies soon!

Becky also observes that in Germany "there is a relatively new pug club that is trying to breed the pug like it used to be - long nose, longer legs, sportier all-round figure".

You play ball with me...

Ann Walker of Liverpool kindly sent us this photo of her Yorkie Bob in his 'Small' size fashion life jacket.

Young sea dog

Poppi, a Cairn terrier, was photographed in her 'Small' size fashion life jacket on holiday in Cornwall by owner Dean Matthews of Dagenham. "There's no crow's nest but I'm still on the look out!"

Mist again

Photographed in her 'Small' size fashion life jacket at the 2009 Southern Motorhome Show in Newbury, is Misty, a whippet.

I'm in here somewhere!

Inside this ball of fur, photographed in her 'Small' size fashion life jacket at the 2009 Thame Country Fair, is a miniature schnauzer.

'Boo' to you too!

"Boo is a 3 year old Jack Russell crossed (we believe) with a whippet. She lives in St Albans, Hertfordshire with Rebecca Mundon and a hamster called Haggis Puff."

(You couldn't make it up, could you!)

"Boo was very pleased with her Small 4u lifejacket and was happy to run around wearing it. The fit was great even with Boo's deep chest and tiny waist. Plus the bright pink colour will finally help identify her as a girl coz she is always being called a 'he' when we're out walking and meet strangers!"

Thanks to Rebecca for the text!

The dots they are a'changing

Photographed in his 'Small' size fashion life jacket at the 2009 Crick Boat Show is Dylan, the four and a half year old daschund of the Cavanagh family from the Wirral.

Dutch courage

Ray Bungay of Crowle in Worcestershire sent us these photos of Liefje, his eight year old bichon frise, in his 'Small' size 4u life jacket.

Reved up for the Broads!

Reverend Steve Stewart, the Team Vicar of Southwood Church in Farnborough, Hampshire, sent us these photos of wife Amanda and Lottie, their nine month old Staffie/Lab cross puppy in her 'Small' size 4u life jacket, taken on a Norfolk Broads cruising holiday. By Steve's account Lottie had a great time - particularly when meeting four similarly-attired border collies at Potter Heigham Bridge!

Lottie proved to be a lovely dog to have on a boat - and the rest of the party could relax, knowing she was safe in her little pink polka dot number! Lottie was a little unsure of her new jacket at first but she soon got used to it; in the photo above she doesn't look too troubled does she!

Dached attractive

This long-haired dachshund was fitted with a 'Small' size 4u life jacket at the 2009 Midland Game Fair at Weston Park in Shropshire.

The McCleans' ring of confidence

Joanne McClean of Crosspool, Sheffield bought a 'Small' size 4u life jacket for her shoodle (shih tzu / poodle cross) Max. Max loves his jacket and Joanne and her family were reassured knowing he was safe playing next to the river on the Norfolk Broads.

Admirable Admiral!

Judy Ward of Corsham in Wiltshire sent in these photos of Nelson, her Jack Russell terrier, in his 'Small' size 4u life jacket.

Judy wonders if Nelson has a future as a male model.

Probably, unless there's a 'Lady Hamilton' around to distract him!

Power dresser

Betty, a two-year old Border terrier, was photographed by owners Lesley and John Fearnley in her 'Small' size 4u life jacket on Lesley's sister Gail's boat (are you following me here?).

The boat is a 42ft powerboat and those aboard didn't think Betty would like the speed; but she lapped it up and was not at all fazed - it appeared that she felt safe in her spotty life jacket. She was quite at home whizzing across the Solent and drew admiring glances on a visit to Cowes.

The boating Botes

Ewil Botes of London takes Sparky, his Jack Russell terrier photographed in his 'Small' size 4u life jacket, with him whenever he goes boating or jet-skiing.

Crossed wires

This little poodle/Patterdale cross was photographed in his 'Small' size 4u life jacket on the paw-things.com stand at the Vale of Glamorgan Show 2010.

Deadly serious

Laura Deadman and Will Bembridge of Hertford, Hertfordshire, bought two life jackets from our '4u' range and report:

"We're finally back from our camping trip so can now give you the photos of our dogs wearing the jackets. We took them canoeing which they LOVED. However it was a bit choppy and we did capsize with our small dog Kiki. I have no qualms that the jacket prevented a potentially fatal situation for our tiniest pack member. We were able to use the grab handle and stop her being taken by the current. So thanks for stocking them in her tiny size."

"Can't really think of a witty caption. But definitely glad we invested. It did at first seem like a large price for something that wouldn't be dangerous but in a split second that jacket probably saved my dog from drowning."

Time and tide...

Steve and Claire Hobbs finally got around to it.

"Sorry it's taken so long to send a pic (nearly 2 years ago), but Rosie, our little two year old Jack Russell, always seemed to be looking away from the camera every time we took a pic!! This year though, she's not so camera shy and we have managed to get a good pic of her posing on our river boat whilst out sailing along the Thames.

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