Put a canine camera on pet’s wish list
A dog wears two GoPro cameras, one on his back and one on his chest, held on by what is known as a Fetch dog harness.
Thor, a French bulldog, wears an “ugly” sweater, created by Bret Michaels for his Pets Rock Line.
Dogs can avoid injury in the car with a Department of Transportation-tested safety harness by Solvit.
LOS ANGELES » Pet owners looking to launch the next Internet sensation or just longing for a new view of their dog’s dashing and digging won’t have to shop for long to find the perfect holiday gift. Wrap up a dog harness that holds GoPro’s durable cameras and watch Frisbee fetch, lazy lap naps and every memory in between come alive.
The Fetch dog harness fits over Fido’s chest or back and holds the small, waterproof camera known for attaching to helmets, surfboards, cars and wrists to film rugged adventures. Sony, Garmin and Kurgo also make camera mounts for dogs.
The device is among a legion of gifts that retailers have rounded up for pet wish lists this year. Narrowing it down is tough, but the harness tops the more unique options and creates lasting footage.
The most pet-friendly camera in the GoPro Inc. line is the Hero4, which allows people to decide what the dog records and control all the functions with a touch screen, company spokeswoman Kelly Baker said. The camera sells for $399 and the mount costs $59.
The chest harness captures bone-chewing and digging, while the back mount films running and jumping, Baker said. They adjust to fit dogs weighing 15 to 120 pounds.
The canine camera view has proved popular. A video went viral of an eager Labrador strapped with a camera sprinting through trees and across rocks to an Italian beach, where it leaps into the ocean.
Those looking for pet gifts besides the traditional treats, new bowls and beds can give something unexpected such as:
‘STAR WARS’ GEAR
Dogs will "use the force" with Petco’s line of "Star Wars" toys and clothing. Dress up dogs like Princess Leia with a headband sporting her signature bun hairstyle. The Death Star won’t menace when it comes as a treat dispenser ($7.49) or tug-of-war toy ($5.99).
Plush squeaker toys feature favorite characters — R2-D2, Chewbacca and Darth Vader — for less than $10. And don’t forget the cats — the Millennium Falcon flies at the end of a teaser toy string for less than $5.
UGLY SWEATERS
They are the rage this year, so PetSmart Inc. will hawk ugly sweaters for cats and dogs from Bret Michaels’ Pets Rock line ($15.99), said Shelly Albrecht, spokeswoman for the national retailer. Swath pets in sweaters stitched with gingerbread men and Christmas trees and they could win worst-dressed at those seasonal ugly-sweater parties popular with people.
PetSmart also is selling leg warmers online and in stores from Top Paw and Luv-A-Pet.
DEVICES FOR OLDER DOGS
Make it easier for your senior dog to get around safely with equipment from Solvit Pet Products (www.solvitproducts.com ). Help them avoid injury in the car with a Department of Transportation-tested safety harness ($30) and ease their way out of the vehicle with a ramp for those who can no longer jump ($159).
Keep them close on a bike ride with a bicycle trailer or stroller ($399) or with a wicker basket ($89).
Sue Manning, Associated Press
