Deck the hounds: the holiday dog-dyeing trend

Remember that story from earlier in the year about how Chinese pet-owners dye their dogs to look like more exotic animals like pandas and tigers? I didn't either -- but I definitely remembered the ongoing controversy over former Danity Kaner Aubrey O'Day dyeing her dogs (she claimed they love the attention).

Now the trend has a holiday twist: pets getting dyed in holiday colors like red and green, or stenciled with snowflakes and tree designs. And by "pets," I really mean "dogs," because no way is the average cat tolerating that kind of thing -- but I have to wonder what's next: rigging up your Standard Poodle with a battery-operated light set a la Robert Redford's lightbulb suit in The Electric Horseman?

If it really doesn't bother the dog, and the dye is safe for their skin (or accidental ingestion), I guess it's okay. Salon owner Renae Chao claims her canine clients "don't seem to mind it much," and if your dog is the mellow type, with dye-white fur, you can even do it yourself at home.

But where does it end? Heart shapes and pink dyes on Valentine's Day? Green shamrocks for St. Patrick's Day? Isn't it easier and less expensive for everyone involved to tint a photo of your pooch in Photoshop instead?

Do you dye or stencil your dog for the holidays or other special occasions? What's your secret? If you don't dye, do you think it's cruel, or just a hassle? Any cat-highlighters out there? Talk to us in the comments or on Twitter!

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How to dye your dog at home.