Just like us, dogs can suffer from dehydration and heat exhaustion. They do their best to stay cool by panting, but since they can't exactly sweat, it's tough for them to beat the heat.

There are all kinds of contraptions on the market that use space-age polymer technology and old fashioned evaporation to help you do right by your best friend. From cooling vests to crate fans, to simple travel water bowls, it's easy to keep your pet cool. And that makes you cool, too.

When it comes time to get all dolled up, don't be selfish -- pamper your pup, too! Giving your furry friend a pedicure might get you some funny looks at the dog park, but come on -- you know it's adorable.

Another day, another Paris Hilton story. The woman just keeps on launching things. Shoes, bags, hair, champagne in a can (what the...?), it's hard to keep up. (We guess she's keeping busy with her businesses so we forget that post-jail promise she made about being some kind of global peacekeeper. Or we're just mean and cynical, one of those).

Adults aren't the only ones who need to protect their eyes from the sun -- little ones need that protection, too. And, just because your little one is a little furry (or a lot) and walks on all fours (and always will), that doesn't mean they can't get in on some stylin' sunglasses, too.

Think about it -- if you're outside, chances are they're outside, too. Right? So why not protect their eyes and give them some hot accessories in the process? Check out the gallery for the hottest styles for the small and/or furry ones in your life.

Apparently, there isn't a thing -- not a thing -- that you can't do to pamper your puppy, even luxuriate it with "beauty" products.

Juicy Couture's beauty and fragrance division has a line specifically for pets! There are things that work for dogs like shampoo and conditioner, Pawlette wipes and moisturizer for their paws, and Pawfume. There's aso a house spray to take care of any "fragrance" that your dog may leave behind (not that she ever would!). Thank goodness there aren't any cosmetics, unless you consider claw polish as makeup. Because you know it just isn't right for dogs to go without a proper mani and pedi.

The gift set shown, called Doggy Jet Set, includes Pawfume, Pawlettes, and fragrance mist. It's $80 at Saks Fifth Avenue.

I like to joke about how celebrities like Paris Hilton use their pets as accessories, but I figured the world agreed that animals are not, in fact, there to make you look good, but rather living, breathing creatures that most-likely couldn't care less about how you look (or how they look while you're holding them).

That, however, hasn't stopped the people behind Pet Fashion Week from creating an enormous trade show dedicated to making you and Fido look as stylish as possible.

This past weekend saw runway models, exhibitors, and plenty of fashion-forward pets -- all flooding the W Hotel in New York, hoping to get the inside scoop on the pet lifestyle industry.

Does this seem a little over the top to anyone else?

[via Catwalk Queen]

As we've established, time and again, there is no cooler fashion accessory on all the planet than a pea-sized pooch. Teacup poodles, bichon frises, Chihuahuas, you name it -- if it can fit in a purse, it's fashion gold.

But for those times when you need something a little less ritzy, and a tad more functional, you should try a fanny pack...for your dog.

Not only is this helpful for when you need to be hands-free, but still want your favorite fur-covered fashion accessory by your side -- some might consider it quite the statement. Especially if you believe the NY Times, who thinks that fanny packs are making a comeback.

Could the pooch pack be the perfect way to combine these two emerging style trends? Oh yes.

[via Productdose]

I've talked a lot about the different ways you can have fun with your dog as a fashion accessory. But, of course, sometimes Bruiser is being bathed, or having her nails done, and just isn't available for a night out on the town.

That's when you pull out this poodle-shaped handbag. Not only does this genius little purse give the impression that your canine companion is stuffed therein, it's designed to look as if it has a croc texture, and is studded with crystals -- both of which make it oh-so-glamorous.

As you might suspect, the bag also comes with a rather glamorous price tag of $4695 -- but isn't it worth it to give FiFi a night off once in awhile?

Britney Spears' bad behavior is hardly newsworthy. We know she's one hot mess, and I think I speak for many of you when I say that it takes a lot for the pop princess to shock me.

Last night when I was watching the TV Guide channel (Let's get one thing straight: I wasn't really watching it, but someone stole my newspaper that day, so I had to figure out what channel John Waters' Hairspray was playing on -- thus TV Guide Channel), the peppy blond reporter and her queeny side-kick were discussing Britney's recent blunders at a fashion shoot for an OK! Magazine editorial.

I sort of zoned out at first -- the whole "OK! Magazine editorial" seemed like a such a dazzling contradiction in terms. When the kicky blond mentioned that during said photo shoot, Britney let her Yorkshire terrier poop on a $6,700 Zac Posen gown, I felt genuinely and might I add personally offended by Britney.

Who knows what happened to me. This was probably the strongest reaction the TV Guide Channel has ever evoked in the history of cable, but at the moment, I just had to know: why? what for? and moreover HOW could Britney rationalize this kind of insane behavior?

I know I'm supposed to be concerned with Britney's child rearing instead of her dog's excretory system, but I can't help myself. She and her mutt crossed a line that I never thought she'd cross.

[read about it]

Just in case your little Paris Hilton pooch wouldn't look good dressed as a sci-fi bad guy, here's another option that I'm completely in love with: the dock-in-a-dog jacket.

Plaid might be back (kind of), thanks to the whole 90s-grunge-ala-Nirvana resurgence, but I'm still not a huge fan of wrapping tartan fabric around a Bichon Frise. However, the little jacket turns your dog into a walking boombox -- so now the entire neighborhood can rock out whenever you take Bruiser for a walk. Amazing.

At the moment the dock-in-a-dog jacket is only a concept, but it won't be long before you're able to buy it. Although, if you do get one, I'd be careful before cranking out the big bass -- something tells me that can't be good for Fido's innards.

I know, on more than one occasion I've bemoaned the fact that people like Paris Hilton use dogs as accessories, but that was before I saw this completely awesome dog costume.

I'm not sure if it would look right on any other breed of dog, but if you are a pug owner, you should buy this immediately. Even if you're not a big Star Wars dork (like me), who would walk your dog in this outfit every single day, you can still keep it for special occasions -- like Halloween, or your local Star Wars convention, or...something.

May The Force be with you.

[via Neatorama]

I've never been a big fan of pets as a fashion accessories, and I've always been especially unimpressed with Paris Hilton's rodent in disguise.

But this marks a new low for Paris and her prissy pooch.

Apparently on her way to a beach that's stuck in 1998, the ex-con left the house in this weird leopard-print swim thing, and -- just in case she didn't already look dumb enough, she coordinated her outfit with Fido's.

Ewww.

I hope this means she'll be including the dog in all aspects of her life -- especially on her upcoming album. Nothing will be funnier than listening to Paris trying to sing while that mangy fur ball barks backing vocals. Awesome!

Any Paris Hilton fan knows that a well-groomed purse dog can make for a fantastic fashion accessory. However, if you want a pet that'll make you look good, steer clear of this animal. The Chinese Crested and Chihuahua mix has recently been voted the ugliest dog on the face of the Earth.

Not only is Elwood completely hairless (except for that little comb-over puff in front), he looks disturbingly like one of those little goobers from the movie Gremlins. I'm also worried that he's part of alien race secretly plotting to take over the planet.

I can't imagine he'd have a home unless Elwood's owner thinks he's cute, but let's hope she doesn't feed him after midnight, or he might spawn a batch of even-uglier gremlins, all hell-bent on Earth's destruction.

Then we'll all be doomed.

A customer walked into my store last week holding the tiniest, fluffiest, cutest little dog I have ever seen in my entire life. The white Maltese puppy was named "Coach," had a tiny Coach collar and leash, and, to top it all off, was wearing a little sweater with the message "My owner is hotter than yours" embroidered in pastel pink script.

I know this isn't breaking news; fashionistas have been toting tiny canines around Hollywood for a while now, but I live in Texas. Most of the time, once a trend has made it all the way down to the Lone Star State, I can feel pretty confident that it's....well.....over.

I'm worried, though, that carrying pint-size pups doesn't fall into the "passing trend" category. According to a recent article in the New York Times fashion section, little canines, or "sleeve dogs," have been a status symbol for ages, keeping women such as Marie Antoinette and Elizabeth II company, among others. And registration of many of the most popular breeds of small dogs has grown exponentially - the Norwich Terrier has gone up 91% in the last 10 years.

"I think of them as a handbag with a heartbeat," said Robin Bowden, a Manhattan real-estate mogul. And Rebecca Rand, a spokeswoman for the W hotel chain, said guests traveling with small dogs have become such a significant trend that the hotels are now offering services such as pet pillows with special treats placed on them at turndown time.

I know, it's disturbing, right? Something needs to be done, but first I need to pick which dog I want more - the Yorkshire Terrier or the doll-sized Chihuahua. They both fit in my purse, but I can't decide which will match better with my shoes.

Pet owners with a sense of humor will love these cute pet charms from the Pamela Barsky Boutique. Emblazoned with domestic pet quips like "So much to smell, so little time" and "I love long wet kisses and walks by the beach," these tags will surely add a little humorous bling to Fido's collar.

Also check out the Log Dog -- an adorable squeaky dog toy made of corduroy and silk screened cotton fashioned into the shape of a log.

The pet charms are $12 and the Log Dog is $14. Both are available at the Pamela Barsky online Boutique.