Erin Hiemstra is the founder of Apartment 34, a leading lifestyle site serving up daily style inspiration to help you live a little better. Founded in 2007, Erin shares shopping tips, personal style advice and home décor how-tos enjoyed by readers around the world. Considered a maven among mavens (that’s maven squared, people), Erin regularly inspires magazine editors, pinners, industry professionals and other bloggers with her modern twist on classic style. Let’s meet the pups that inspire her world!
Names? Chloe (French Bulldog) and Bailey (Yellow Lab)
Nicknames? Schmoey, Smush Face, Tushy (all Chloe) and Booboo
Ages? 2 yrs, 10 months (Chloe) and 13 (Bailey)
Breeds? French Bulldog and Yellow Lab
What’s “The Scoop”? Bailey came with my husband Chris, back when we met six years ago. He’d rescued Bailey after the poor little guy had gone through nearly half a dozen homes in his short eight months of life. It only took us about 7 or 8 years to break him of all the bad habits he’d picked up during that time. Most people at the dog park thought he was a two year old until just a few years ago. Even at 13 he still has a pep in his step!
Chloe came on the scene after the death of our German Shepherd-Lab mix, Sascha. Bailey had never been a single dog before and after a few months we sensed that he was lonely. I’d wanted a French Bulldog for years, but the timing was less than ideal for a puppy. Our wedding was only two months away and we had a lot of travel planned. But then we found out about Chloe from a friend who had gotten her brother from the breeder’s previous litter. We tried three times to say no, giving a variety of rationale as to why we couldn’t take her, but each time they came back to see if we were really sure. After the third attempt, I found myself on a plane to Boise to bring the little girl home under my plane seat. The rest is history!
Favorite Toy? One another. Seeing the two play together always cracks me up but they’re best friends. They also prefer anything that is not a proper dog toy (water bottles for Chloe, socks for Bailey).
Favorite Food? Both dogs love veggies. They beg for zucchini, broccoli, or spinach, but they eat proper dog meals by the food brand GO! We find they do really well with the all-natural ingredients.
Favorite place to sleep? Anything made for humans, most often our bed. Both seem to think they’re lap dogs regardless of their size.
Pet Peeves? Both dogs are probably easy going to a fault. There’s very little that upsets them. Even after two moves and a transition from the suburbs to the big city, they’ve both adjusted really really well.
Best Trick? Hmmmm…toughie….endless appetite perhaps?
Gear (brands, specific products, etc)? We’re not exactly doggie gear heads. City dogs don’t require much. We head to the local pet store near our home in San Francisco any time a new collar, leash or dog treat is required. I do love Mungo and Maud for chic dog style though! There just might be some new dog accessories in their stockings this year.
If your dogs were another animal what animal would they be? Chloe would be a pygmy horse and Bailey would be Fred Astaire – he loves to tap dance when it’s dinnertime.
You are known for your incredible sense of style, both in fashion and decor. Do you have any tips for living stylishly with dogs (and all that fur)? Living stylish with dogs takes three things: cute dog beds (I love Fleabag Beds) and yes our furniture counts too, hardwood floors, and a Dyson vacuum that you’re prepared to use daily!
Thanks Erin, Chloe, and Bailey!
