Local pooch lives in the lap of luxury

Kiseki, a 9-year-old, well-groomed ball of barking energy, is not just Tiffany Garcia's dog.

"She's my baby," Garcia coos.

We asked readers to share their stories of pampered pets - and no pooch, it seems, is more pampered than Kiseki.

Kiseki, a Shih Tzu, lives with Garcia, 29, and Garcia's mom, Cathy, 53, in a two-level home in Widefield. Tiffany calls the three "the Garcia girls."

A sign on the wall to the kitchen proclaims: "This house is blessed with family, friends, love, laughter and a spoiled rotten dog."

Kiseki's bedroom - yes, she has her own bedroom - is filled with a toddler bed, a mirrored vanity area, a toy chest and shelves crammed with pictures and stuffed animals.

There's a portrait of Kiseki painted by a family friend and drawers filled with clothes - sweaters to keep her warm, ponchos to keep her dry, pajamas for the winter, dresses for when she wants to feel pretty. Cathy makes her Halloween outfits each year; Kiseki has been, among other things, an American Indian princess, a gypsy and an angel.

"She loves to wear clothes," Tiffany says. "She doesn't mind them at all."

Usually at home, though, Kiseki prefers to go au naturel, Tiffany adds.

Though Kiseki has her own room, the Garcias have made the entire house a place for her to lounge. There are pillows throughout, a pup-size cabana on the deck, a wrought iron bed in the basement and a set of steps to make it easier for Kiseki to climb into Tiffany's bed.

The Garcias celebrate Kiseki's birthday each April with a party, complete with cake.

Kiseki doesn't really have a taste for cake, Tiffany acknowledges, but does love ice cream. Each party has a theme; this year's was a Hello Kitty party - though no cats were allowed.

Kiseki doesn't like rain. So when it's pouring and she has to go outside to take care of business, Tiffany or Cathy will follow her out with an umbrella. She gets exercise - the Garcias take her for walks - but there's also a pink dog stroller for when Kiseki's little legs get tired or when they brave the crowds in trips to craft fairs or shopping. Or Cathy will carry her.

"She's very quiet," Cathy says. "People don't even know she's there."

When Kiseki is left home alone, which isn't often, the Garcias will keep on the TV for her as company. Animal Planet, for example, though they're careful not to have any of the more violent wildlife shows on, just in case.

Growing up, the closest things Tiffany had to pets were crawdads she would catch fishing in a creek. Her grandmother was not fond of pets, regarding them as breeding grounds for disease - a fear she instilled in Cathy.

"I thought I was going to get some kind of bug or something," Cathy says. But several years ago, she relented and gave Tiffany the OK to get a dog.

Tiffany got Kiseki - which means "miracle" in Japanese - through a friend at Cathy's work. She first set eyes on Kiseki when she was just an hour or two old. It was love at first sight.

Tiffany says she didn't set out to make Kiseki the most pampered pooch on the planet.

"She just became the love of our life. She is my whole world."

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CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0272 or bill.radford@gazette.com.


For the pet who has everything

Want to REALLY pamper your pet? If your bank account is as large as your love for your pet, here are a few luxury items we found online:

• Pearl dog necklace, $82 to $112, www.pawprintzpetboutique.com
• Elevated fossil stone dog-dining station, $239.99, www.pawpalaceonline.com
• Car-shaped "Furarri" dog bed, $349.95, www.thedivadog.com
• Lotus cat tree, for climbing felines, $349.99, www.petgadgets.com
• Cedar duplex cat house, $479, www.catsplay.com
• The Sonoma pet furniture collection; set of bed, wardrobe and toy chest for $699.97, www.cozypamperedpets.com