Cuddle Buddy

Check out these cute pillows from Cosas! Perfect for the dog lover- it's the second best thing to having your own ball of fur to cuddle up to.

If Dalmations aren't your thing, the site offers a variety of other cuddle buddies ranging from $36 upwards. (We love the Farmui pillow!)

If we had a disposable income right now we could guarantee our couch would be hosting a snuggly dog park about now...

The Firehouse Family is available from Cosas' webpage for $158. 

Paddington says: "Definitely cute, but there's no substitute for a real wet nose and wagging tail!"


xoxo The Barkistas

Eddie Eats Out

While New York is one of the most dog-friendly cities we’ve found during our travels, finding good dog-friendly restaurants can be tricky. Will my dog be able to sit next to my table, or will they have to sit on the other side of the barrier? Is there a water bowl? Will the servers be willing to accommodate my dog if there isn’t? And why, in a city that is filled with dog lovers, is there no restaurant database... Oh wait... There is!!

Dear EddieEatsOut.com, where have you been all my life?!?

Curated by doggy gourmand Eddie (who also has his own blog), the database includes dog-friendly dining and drinking establishments in New Hampshire, New York, Maine and California. Whether you’re looking for details on a specific restaurant/bar, or just browsing for a fun place to take the pup, this site is a great resource. Each review covers service, food, water bowl (v. important), and contains an eater notes and tips from Eddie and his canine pals. Your pup can even submit their own reviews for inclusion on the site!

Go and bookmark EddieEatsOut.com immediately.

xoxo The Barkistas

Bone Appetit

Fact. I am that crazy girl who bakes treats for her dog. Fact. I own several dog cookbooks. Fact. My dog probably eats better than I do.

Fact. I don’t always have time to whip up a batch of fresh treats for Paddy every week (even though I’d like to and so would she).

Enter PupCakes 2 Go, aka the dog version of Betty Crocker’s Warm Delights, and just as easy to make:

• Combine the dry mix in the box with 1/2 cup water and 1 tablespoon peanut butter
• Pour into the ADORABLE bone shaped pans
• Pop the tray into the microwave for 2 1/2 minutes
• Allow to cool completely and VOILA!

Currently available only in Carob Chip, the mix is organic and wheat, soy and preservative free. While no decorating kit is included (sidebar: how yummy do the iced treats on the cover look... I mean... If I were a dog... ), each box will make up to 6 treats which can last up to a week when refrigerated.

Available directly from PupCakes 2 Go, the starter kit retails for $9.95 and includes 2 pouches of mix and a microwave-safe baking tray. Refills are $5.95 each and contain 3 pouches of mix for a total of 9 treats. Pans can also be purchased separately.

Bone appetit!

xoxo The Barkistas

Let Them Eat Puppy Cake

"What do you mean I have to share the cake?" - Paddy

The countdown to Paddy's 3rd birthday has begun, which means, it's time to start thinking about cake. Mmmm.

This birthday really give your pup something to brag about at the dog park- a delicious cake baked just for them from Kool Dog Kafe! Each pet-friendly cake is decorated with dog-friendly icing and adorable sprinkles (mini bones!), and comes in a cute little cake box with a special surprise for your pooch! The nice people at Kool Dog Kafe will even let you pick what color ball tops off Fido's frosted treat.

Large cakes (good for a large group at the dog park, probably about 4-8 dogs) will set you back $24.99 , while a small cake (good for 2-4 dogs) runs for $13.99. But don't fret if your pups don't finish the cake in one sitting (probably a good idea)- the nifty box it arrives in kept ours fresh for about a week. Cakes are also freezable for all those planning ahead.

For those with concerned about picky eaters, have no fear! We can say that there weren't any complaints from the finicky Barkistas at Paddy's birthday party last year. Don't forget to stock up on Kool Dog Kafe's delicious looking cupcakes and treats for your party as well!

xo The Barkistas

Hello World!

After graduating college, I moved to New York City and did the most irresponsible thing I’ve ever done in my entire life: I bought a dog on the Internet. (In all fairness, I DID do my research-- spoke with the breeder for hours at length on the phone, and called all of the references.)

Having grown up with dogs all my life, I thought I knew what I was in for: Feed + walk + bathe + occasional vet visits = unconditional love, right? Um. Wrong. I also swore that I would never dress my dog up, speak to her in baby voice, have more than 5-6 photos of her on my phone, etc.

So everything didn't exactly go to plan....

From finding the right vet, to deciphering dog park etiquette, there was a lot to figure out, but after three years, I think I’ve kind of got it figured out. While somewhere along the way I’ve become that girl who carries her dog in a bag (and whose dog may, or may not, have a small designer wardrobe), I’ve learned to embrace it and have fun.

I started Barkzilla, a style-oriented NYC centric dog blog, in 2009 as a way to share with other dog lovers some of the things I’ve learned or found along the way. After putting my “pet” project (harty har har) on hold for several months, I am excited to get it up and running again. I am by no means a pet expert or professional, just a girl who loves her dog very much and hopes you’ll enjoy her crazy dog stories and pet-friendly finds.

In addition to posting stories from our archive, we’ll be adding new content shortly, so please make sure to visit again soon!

xoxo The Barkistas (aka Sam & Paddy)