January 19, 2010 10:01am
JILL Ulbrich says her dog Tosca looks a bit like Sherlock Holmes and is just as smart.
Mrs Ulbrich, of Launceston, is devoted to her six-year-old poodle-maltese terrier crossbred.
While shopping in Hong Kong recently, she bought Tosca a fur-lined Burberry tartan coat and hat.
Things you can buy for your dog
Two years ago, she bought her a pair of dog sunglasses, known as doggles, to protect her sensitive eyes while out and about.
Tosca was so taken with the sunglasses that she wore them out of the Launceston pet supplies shop and now allows them to be taken off only when she is indoors.
Mrs Ulbrich said Tosca loved the cafe scene and when she wore her sunnies people in cafes loved her.
"If I take her into town, she smells the cafes and wants to go in to eat," she said.
Tosca sits politely under a table but all she is given to eat is "a little bit of toast".
Mrs Ulbrich said Tosca had sensitive pink spots around her eyelids and one of her eyes used to weep before she started wearing glasses.
Hobart Animal Hospital vet Rachel Brinckman said she and her colleagues had not seen the doggles much in Hobart.
Dr Brinckman said doggles would protect sensitive eyes and they sounded like a good idea for shielding a dog's eyes from grass seeds.
A Hobart pet supplies shop used to sell the glasses for about $50, but gave up because of insufficient demand.
The doggles are similar to swim goggles for people, and can be found online in small, medium and large sizes.
Mrs Ulbrich also rubs sunscreen on Tosca's unusually pink nose.
She said Tosca knew many old and new tricks.
"She knows all her toys by name and will bring them to you when you ask," she said.
Check out the doggles and other fashion accessories for your dog at the Modpet website.