TRENTON – A flash of blaze orange bright enough to catch the eye draws attention at first.
Who, or what, is wearing such fashionable togs?
Turns out it's two unique hairless Chinese crested dogs that were rescued by former New York resident Joan Krawczyk.
The dogs need those fancy clothes to keep warm because they're pretty much bald as a turnip.
"Nakedness is nakedness," Krawczyk said. "They feel really odd, like a dolphin out of water. They have to dress up, they can't maintain body heat."
Krawczyk said once the weather warms up a bit they can shed their quilted jackets and just wear their fleece jackets. It's the summer they really love.
"In the summer they love sitting in the sun. They look like little horses."
Taking a walk in Trenton along with Wong Foo and Hugh Emery – yes, those are their names – was their canine companion, Sophie the Yorkie.
Sophie is a rescue dog as well as the last member of their quartet who is another Chinese crested going by the name of Paco.
Krawczyk has a play on names for a couple of the pooches. She at times refers to Wong Foo as 'Want Food' for his penchant for stealing from the other dog bowls and she calls Sophie 'Snowfie' for her love of the white stuff.
The dogs all came to Krawczyk through rescue agencies in the U.S. and they have unique stories.
Wong Foo developed a reputation as a 'bad luck' dog when one owner died at the age of 34 and the next owner quickly fell ill and then died. Hugh Emery was found wandering an alley in Lansing, Mich. Sophie came from New Jersey and was considered incorrigible in her aggressive behaviour while Paco was considered 'unadoptable' too. He was rescued from an agency in Michigan as well.
The Chinese cresteds are known to be very lovable, said Krawczyk.
"One of their faults is they're too friendly, they just want to hug and kiss. They like anybody, they're not particular of character."
They are noted for other traits as well.
Krawczyk said Wong Foo plays 'I have the bone and you don't', Paco is so small he's always worried about being stepped on, Hugh Emery is a character that loves to sleep on his back and Sophie considers herself the boss of "everybody, including me."
Fido Fashion:
Krawczyk makes those fancy dog outfits herself.
Nothing she could find for the dogs suited her tastes.
"I didn't want something like clown outfits, I wanted something more Dolce&Gabbana."
She has plans to start selling them at the Green Thumb and says they'll be reasonably priced.
"I keep making them, so I have to sell them."
Krawczyk said she makes them as a habit.
"I've got tubs full, when I get nervous I sew like a crazy person."
They come in three different sizes and the patterns are made by her sister.
If you've got an unusual shape dog, Krawczyk is willing to make something for them too.
Fido facts:
– Chinese Cresteds are known as "a singing and dancing breed"
– Despite the name the breed originated in Africa where they were used to roust animals out of bushes
– Sunscreen is a must in the summer
– The taller the dog, the better the eyesight
