Susan Benesh has loved animals all her life. “If you look at animals, they are just so straight on the money. All they want is to be loved and to give love. I think that’s why the animal business is so wonderful!” In addition to her involvement with animal activism, Susan has spent several years as a volunteer in third world countries with international education, humanitarian and medical organizations. She founded PoshPoochy, Inc. (a canine couture label) in 2004 with the intention of providing an outlet for the artisans and craftspeople she met in her years of service to these people. Susan also works with local women’s transition programs, teaching life and business skills to women looking to better their life. “These women all contribute to PoshPoochy by making the coats, beds, jackets and bandanas,” she admits. As for her personal favorites, “I have a wicked jewelry habit. Everyone loves our jewelry! We spangle up the sweaters too. If you are going to dress up your dog, you might as well get it right over the top!”
This South Carolina native plays mom to her Bichon, “Daisy,” her Pug, “Max,” and a host of foster pets waiting for forever homes. Max is a 10-month- old Pug and an ace beggar. “He is a very friendly little boy. His Vet recommended a diet regimen recently and the begging skills are now finely honed. When food is close at hand, he sits at an unblinking attention, his left leg begins to quiver and he will actually work up tears! I’ve never seen anything like it!” Max’s favorite clothes are his Biker jacket and the Christmas Party collar with bells. “He loves the to make the bells jingle. He shakes his little head back and forth. It’s a scream!” Susan laughs.
Daisy is 5 years old and the Donna Reed of Bichons. “Her favorite clothes are the sweaters and the woven pearl collar. She gets lots of attention wearing those. She is kind, warm and very maternal. We live on a golf course and a lake in a quiet neighborhood. There are Canadian Geese who nest on our lake each year. After 5 summers here, I think they have come to know her and love her as much as we do. When they see us in our gardens, they will fly over to us and swim up to her. I think she thinks they are her babies,” Susan says. “These are very spoiled dogs. They go everywhere with us! Graduations, you name it. Both get a daily shower, because they sleep in people beds at night. Bath, shampoo, conditioner and a PoshPoochy bathrobe…all set! This is how I came up with the Miracle Cloth bathrobe design. Works like a charm to wick the water right off of them!”
Susan’s eye for trendy designs and fashion-forward details has found approval from celebrities and their celebrated pooches as well. Faith Hill and Barbara Streisand have been spotted pushing their pups along in pink PoshPoochy Strollers–a product recently featured on Good Morning America. Her jewelry and sweater designs were also recently featured at a celebrity event hosted by Donald Trump and Veranda Magazine in New York. Susan plans to expand on PoshPoochy’s early success with more “Luxury Adornments for the Cultured Canine.” Canines everywhere are rejoicing! After all, dogs love to be the talk of the town…
Photo Credits: Photo by Bill Barley
Grooming by Molly McLaren
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