Have you been looking high and bow for fun hair bows for your dog? Well now you can say “It’s abowt time!” Introducing Hot Bows, the latest in canine fashion. These amazing bows can be sported by any dog, from long haired to short, boy or girl, there’s a bow for every pooch. Even people are sporting these stylish bows to coordinate with their beloved pups!
Hot Bows entered the K9 fashion world in 2004 when Dara Samson, owner of Wags to Whiskers Pet Grooming, wanted to offer affordable and interesting bows to her customers. “At that time the only bows available were cheap and would fall apart, or they were really expensive show bows that cost over $20 per bow,” says Dara of her limited options.
Before launching her successful grooming business in 1999, Dara had worked in the Fashion Industry, so designing such beautiful hair bows was a no brainer for her. Located in Southern California, Dara had access to many garment district shops 
and knew exactly where to find amazing pieces for her bows. She began by creating unique pieces for boys, following with fun seasonal bows, and cute ‘girly’ bows.
She invented her own non toxic fabric stiffener to keep the bows ridged so they maintain their shape and color. Made with high quality materials, Hot Bows can be worn on top-knots, ears, and collars. “Everything has some comedy and fun in it,” says Dara of her fun inspired bows that are made in Long Beach California.
With 60 to 80 bow styles to choose from, ranging from $4.50 to $8 per bow, these durable and affordable bows come with the option of a French clip, or two latex bands on the back. Groomers prefer the latex bands, but our favorite is the simple to use French clip. To set the French clip you must first tie your dog’s ponytail or top-knot with a goody rubber band, snap the French clip Hot Bow over it and your dog is styling!
One of the most important members of the business is the Hot Bows spokes model, a two year old Toy Poodle named Cupcake. Cupcake travels with Dara to all of the trade shows and events, showing off the hottest bows of the season.
At first glance this adorable poodle looks like nothing more than a stuffed toy, sitting on a pillow perch, next to an assortment of bows. Suddenly the toy jumps down to greet visitors with a dainty gait and wagging tail, surprising everyone around. 
Cupcake doesn’t hesitate to demonstrate how each bow will look with a classic poodle pouf, because she loves to be the center of attention, and sporting designer bows is the perfect way to do so. She also enjoys entertaining people with her tricks such as high five, play dead, and sit up like a chipmunk.
Away from work Dara and Cupcake enjoy visiting schools where kids can sit and pet Cupcake. “She gets along so well with them,” says Dara of her kid loving dog. Cupcake also loves other animals and is quick to make friends with cats and bunny rabbits, her favorite bunny being a black angora mix named Boo. Boo came into Wags to Whiskers to have her nails cut when Cupcake fell in love with her, “Now Cupcake gets excited when she sees Boo, and she kisses Boo’s ears,” says Dara of her funny poodle.
At home Cupcake enjoys hanging out with Dara’s three other dogs, Bailey a Carin Terrier, Teddy a Chihuahua, and Gidget a senile old Pug. 
Cupcake’s favorite activities include wrestling with Gidget, sunbathing, showing off, and looking at herself in the mirror. She loves to be hand fed, rather than eating out of a bowl, and she sleeps on Dara’s bed. She is the epitome of a spoiled dog but her intelligence, adorable nature, and skill for stylin’ Hot Bows make up for it!
For more information or to shop please visit Hot Bows at www.hotbows.com. If you live in the Long Beach area and would like to have your dog groomed at Wags to Whiskers please visit www.wagsgrooming.com.
K9 Duds sports a european rock star feel, with a funky and fresh style. Started in 2004, this family business is run by mother Rosie Klepper, her two talented children Nicole and Jeff, and their adorable Yorkshire Terrier Charlie who acts as the K9 Duds Vice President. Together they have created a line that boasts edgy underground London street fashion, while remaining stylish enough for all women to enjoy, and cool enough for any man to proudly walk his dog in.
lines, experimenting with different dyes, embellishments, artwork, and slogans. With fun tank tops and hoodies that say things such as ‘Rock Star’, ‘Little Punk’, ‘Bad Attitude’, and ‘Little Devil’, their hottest selling tank says ‘Talk shit get bit’.
The best part about K9 Duds is the family behind it. Rosie, a whiz at inventory, enjoys assisting stores with their orders. She takes special care to match each boutique with the best selling inventory for their specific city. “She’s like a human database,” says Nicole of her adorable mother, “she is the heart and soul of the business. 
carrier, and he particularly loves the carrier he had as a puppy. Even though the carrier is many sizes too small Charlie will still jam himself inside the tiny carrier “When he sees it he chases after it until you put it down,” says Nicole of her funny dog.
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no – it’s Super Chi WOW WOW flying off shelves in pet boutiques across the globe. If you haven’t heard of the Chi WOW WOW brand then it’s time to catch up with the hottest trend in Doggie Fashion. 
The second addition to the Chi WOW WOW family was Izzy. Rescued as a young Chi, Carolyn had hoped Izzy would be the perfect model for a Chi WOW WOW girl’s line she named IZZY GALORE. However, Izzy was a total tomboy, “She doesn’t belong in dresses, she looks silly!” says Carolyn who first designed a mod bellbottomed bodysuit for Izzy that sold like crazy in Japan. Today Izzy only sports hoodies or tanks if it’s cold, and she absolutely hates it. “She would much rather that I owned and operated a chicken farm,” says Carolyn of her fashion resistant Chi. Izzy loves all toys and will play with them like mad, her favorite being a giant stuffed octopus. She is very gracious with company and will slip into the guest room for early morning greetings and snuggles before breakfast.
“I’m trying to put weight on him, but he fools around with the food, then Izzy moves in and eats all his food,” says Carolyn of her skinny Chi, “Django is getting skinnier while Izzy is getting fatter!”
With all of the success Chi WOW WOW has received since its launch in 2004, giving back has been a major factor for Carolyn, who started the Elvis Fund. “The Elvis fund has so much meaning because I don’t know how much longer Elvis is going to be around,” says Carolyn who gives a large portion of her profits to the Elvis Fund managed by the Pasadena Community Foundation. Every year Carolyn awards grants to organizations that educate the public on animal responsibility: “We have a lot of problems with homeless animals, it gets back to educating the public on spaying neutering and adopting versus purchasing.”
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