Jake goes to town.

Jake has four outfits. Five if you include his microchip. I’m so glad someone invented the microchip for dogs. I would have had them placed in my kids if they’d been available…

Jake has his work collar. This is a black nylon control collar. He knows this collar means business. When he’s wearing this collar he is to attend to us, heel, follow commands, do as we say. In other words, he’s expected to behave like a good mature German shepherd. Works 98% of the time. Occasionally he meets another dog he just can’t stand. But still he seems to limit himself to a bark or two.

Work Collar.

Jake has his house collar, which he normally doesn’t wear. Most of the time he’s nekked, no collar, but when visitors are coming or when he’s going for a ride in the car, on goes the red fabric house collar. This collar means attend, something is happening or something will happen and we expect you to be on your best behavior and show a little respect to our guests (as opposed to eating them). This collar does not mean a walk but he knows it usually means he gets to run errands with me. I feel better if he wears a collar in the car. God forbid he should somehow manage to escape the car and isn’t wearing a collar someone can grab onto.

House Collar.

Jake has his official collar. It’s a leather collar. It jingles because hanging from it are his license, his rabies tag and his name and address. He knows he only wears the official collar for one of two reasons- either we’re traveling or it’s Wednesday which means puppy camp- and he does know the days. I get him out early for a walk every Wednesday. When we get home I remove his work collar and he immediately grabs his official collar. Smart little shite.

Official Collar.

Last but not least, Jake has his red, white and blue 4th of July scarf. He loves it, thinks it’s totally cool. Which it is, of course. My dog, the fashion maven.

Dress up scarf.