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CNN Live At Daybreak
116 Ways To Pamper Your Pooch
Aired August 22, 2001 - 08:53 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
COLLEEN MCEDWARDS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, they love you unconditionally, they don't laugh at you when you around house in your underwear and do other stupid things. Your dog is your best friend, and some people go out of their way to repay that loyalty.
Margaret Svete is the author of "116 Ways To Pamper Your Pooch." She joins us this morning from Miami. Margaret, you've got a guest there?
MARGARET SVETE, AUTHOR, "116 WAYS TO PAMPER YOUR POOCH": Yes, I do. This is Barry, my big baby boy.
MCEDWARDS: Tell us about him.
SVETE: Barry is a German Shepherd. He's about five years old, and he's one of my best friends, along with my two other dogs Wanda and Robin.
MCEDWARDS: All right. So, how do you spoil your dogs, Margaret? I want to hear it from a pro here.
SVETE: Oh, my God. How don't I spoil my dogs? They have their monogrammed bowls, they each have their own designer bed. Barry is wearing a custom designed collar and necklace here. Treats galore in the house, they each have their own cookie jar, their drawer full of clothes. You name it.
MCEDWARDS: What made you decide to put it all together in a book, "116 Ways To Spoil Your Dog?"
SVETE: I have three very spoiled dogs, and I really thought it was a great idea for a book to help other dog owners find ways to spoil their dogs.
MCEDWARDS: All right. Well, let's go through some of the ideas here. I'm looking at page 193, "Dogs As Cupid." Is it true they help you get dates.
SVETE: That's what I've been told. A couple of friends say that they have actually even borrowed some dogs to go for a walk, because they say when you have a dog you are more approachable. And I found that to be true, when I'm walking my dogs people come up and talk to me. And it's really amazing. MCEDWARDS: Now I love this one: If you don't -- if you've got a large dog that you can't take on the airplane with you, and don't want to put that poor dog into cargo, you suggest chartering a plane for your dog for the bargain price of $3800 an hour.
SVETE: Oh, yes. Well, you know if you have the money and you don't want to put your dog in cargo, that's the way to go. And people do it.
MCEDWARDS: And what about collars? There is a great section in here on collars. A mood collar?
SVETE: Yes. Remember the old mood rings where they change the colors depending on your mood?
MCEDWARDS: Yes.
SVETE: Well, they have them for dogs now. And I tried it out on my dog Robin, and it turned green, which said she was a laid-back personality, and that is true of her personality.
MCEDWARDS: Is it true?
SVETE: Yes, it is.
MCEDWARDS: All right, so prove here that it works. Is a mood collar better than a Gucci collar for your dog?
SVETE: Well, it really depends on personal tastes. Robin's more the mood dog collar, but my dog Wanda, she's probably more of a Gucci dog.
MCEDWARDS: Depends on the personality, of course.
SVETE: Yes, it does.
MCEDWARDS: All of this costs money, but you've also got some tips on freebies here. If you still love your dog, but you don't want to go out and get involved in the trends and spend the money, give us some tips on things you can do for free.
SVETE: Well, first of all, petting your dog. The simple act of petting your dog is one of the greatest ways to spoil them. Also, giving them a great name. I remember growing up our neighbor had a dog named Ronny Reagan, and Ronald Reagan was president at the time. And that dog got so much attention every time somebody met him.
And you know, a lot of drive-throughs nows actually bowls of biscuits there for your dog. So, when you go through and maybe pick up some fast food, you can also get a treat for your dog.
MCEDWARDS: Margaret, do people think you are crazy?
SVETE: No, not really. It's funny when I talk to other dog lovers, I thought my dogs were spoiled until I started talking to other dog lovers, and I find out that some of them are even more spoiled than mine.
MCEDWARDS: Yes. We've been laughing about some stories here in the newsroom this morning. You got us thinking.
Margaret Svete, thanks very much for your time this morning. We appreciate it.
SVETE: Thank you.
MCEDWARDS: And also, I should mention too, Carol, as you come in here, that all the proceeds from this book are going to animal-related charities.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Oh, that's great.
MCEDWARDS: So, you know, it's a good cause.
LIN: Yes, some Good idea there.
MCEDWARDS: I'm not sure about chartering a plane, but...
LIN: Well, I'd do that for myself.
MCEDWARDS: ... bargain price.
LIN: Yes. Why can't they fly in coach in the meantime?
MCEDWARDS: The day will come, I'm sure.
LIN: That was cute. That was cute.
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