There are many reasons to own comfortable shoes. My two favourites? Travel and dog walking.
When I discovered TOMS – those hip canvas Asian-like flats – I thought I’d hit the jackpot. Sure, they look like slippers, but in a bohemian kind of way. Comfortable, colourful, and pairable with jeans, shorts, and casual dress, what’s not to love? Plus they’re light and pack flat. Heck, I’ve even crammed a pair in a carry-on tote.
Best of all, I get to feel a little self-righteous knowing a kid in a third world country got a pair of shoes because I paid to sport a trendy label on my heel. That’s the main reason I wasn’t going for any TOMS knockoffs.
Then I meet Bob.
BOBS from Sketchers look similar to TOMS and although I do also love Sketchers as comfortable travel shoes, I didn’t give Bobs a second look. No altruistic motivation, right?
Then Sketchers did it.
It introduced BOBS for Dogs (and Cats), a cute line of pet motif shoes promoting the Best Friends Animal Society in the U.S. and even incorporating its logo into the design of the shoe. Best Friends, founded in 1984, is the only national American animal welfare organization focused exclusively on ending the killing of dogs and cats. The organization operates Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah, the largest no-kill shelter for dogs, cats, horses, pigs, rabbits and birds in the U.S.
BOBS for Dogs from Sketchers sponsors the Strut Your Mutt fundraiser and donates a percentage of sales to Best Friends. No indication from the company how much, but count me in!
So after a moment of on-line impulse shopping (thanks, Amazon), my size 8 BOBS for Dogs Black Kitty slip on flats were on their way.
What did I get? Shoes more structured than TOMS, a tighter fit, more durable fabric and Sketchers’ classic memory foam sole. In other words, my new favourite travelling shoe.
Yes, I opted for a cat print this time because I already own the Vans with dogs on them after that company launched a line in support of the ASPCA. But next pair of BOBS I’m getting will have dogs on them, or any of the other patterns with the Best Friends’ logo front and centre. Like pets, shoes need not stop at one.
Please note I was in no way compensated for this review and bought my own shoes (although Amazon affiliate links are in this post). However, if BOBS from Sketcher wants to send me a pair of size 8 Taupe Pup, Pit Bull or Navy Pug style, I wouldn’t say no. 😉
Check out other dog stuff I found recently at Woofstock, Toronto’s outdoor summer dog festival.
Watch for a post coming soon listing the top five dog items I’m glad I don’t live without, and the story of TUGGO – a team of pet toy inventors I met at last year’s BlogPaws conference.
I love the shoes from Sketchers, but I had never heard about Bobs for dogs and cats. Love the concept! Thanks for sharing.
I haven’t found these in any stores (though have only looked in Canada) but I bought them online. Then I opened the latest copy of Caster magazine (I think) and there they were – same pair I bought. Love them and yes, people notice.