Sweetie....

Sweetie.... From the Gutter to the Runway!

This 2001 look at Sweetie an adopted dog is the ultimate rags - to - riches story of Sweetie, the hairiest and heftiest (B) to ever occupy fashion's fabulous front row!

In the book by Mark Welsh & illustrated by Ruben Toledo everything a dog must know about:

* Beauty: "Always moisturize your neck,One day it could be your face."

* Romance: "The best way to get over a dog is to get under another one."

* Hair: " Wear wigs on roller coasters at your own risk."



Sweetie is a devoted spokesmutt for the A.S.P.C.A. and honorary first lady of the North Shore Animal League of America. Sweetie lives in New York with her loyal companions, designer John Bartlett & writer Mark Welsh.





The colorful cover of the book......."It is often said dear reader, that the biggest difference between my story and Cinderella's is a couple of extra legs & a hairy midriff.

The inner cover of the dust jacket......love the Warhol inspired portraits. Pink & Green.

Living far far away from the runway's of Paris, Milan or New York City, I was living 2 hours north of New York City within the maximum security and minimum hygine confines of a rural junkyard and a beauty shop --- one stop shopping for a hub cap & a perm.

Although I was trapped in a place where the polyester was worn without irony, my fashion instincts were as sharp as a pleat.

As I was rummaging through the yards of junk within the miles of constantine wire I saw two men sitting on the porch of a yellow colonial farmhouse. And with a bit of "puppy eyes " and licks and barking I was wisked away to the Big Apple! I would be adopted as the hairy daughter and be known to all as......Sweetie

For Mark and John and for underdogs ( canine or otherwise ) everywhere

Given my pprominence I was the hottest new dog in town, I was hounded by the paparazzi.

My best Cinderella strike a pose..................

The thin years.........Before the miracle organ meat diet.

The "haven't been thin in weeks" years........After just two weeks on the miracle organ meat diet!

Getting ready for some close up's..... Famed Barney's New York window dresser, Simon Doonan, giving an unneccessary makeover on the set of the first shoot.

Shortly after my break up with AKA " Bunky", a massive bullmastiff.......after discovering that my blood was not the shade of blue he had preferred I was dumped! I showed him by assuming a new tattoo " Mutts Rule!" I was immediately dubbed the spokesperson for mixbreed girls living in the world of purebred's & pedigree's.

Pear Shaped Perfection: Showing off the results of my patented " fried bacon & no exercise diet"

Birth of a Fashion Icon.......... ( My sincere apologies to Botticelli's " Birth of Venus " )

Scarlot O' Harlot........... Putting my best foot forward behind the famous world & door of Elizabeth Arden

How a runway regular pouts away the pounds..... warning: Stalking the runway is strenuous and dehydrating. Replenish lost fluids with a high - protein vodka and olive concoction before, and especially during modeling.

Dear Sweetie, I apply expensive and intensly time consuming creams on morning & night.... and I still have wrinkles. Is there any way to remove them?

" Have you tried a hot iron?"

Take the wobble out of your gobble. Toning up the Turkey! I enjoy a toning up of the turkey routine of exercises every morning. All you need is a $2.5 million dollar Harry Winston diamond necklace( or if this is unavailable, use a soup can) to use as a neck weight. Tilt the neck gently upward, hold for 5 seconds, and gaze at the mirror repeating " I have a swank like neck!" Repeat and then eat the soup!

Accessories: When in doubt, wear a lot." An accessory addict piles it on!!!!!

I like my Rubies like my meat ----- Red and Very Rare!! Matching your rocks to your roast beef! 4. Rubies are the perfect compliment for anything that ( moo's ).

Dear Sweetie, Can I wear jangly bracelets to the office?

" Absolutely! I am a big fan of noisy and jangly jewelry. It alerts my fantastic array of fans that I am approaching the building."

5. Remember, never push a lady while she is shaving. 2. A basket of freeze dried pork bellies makes the most perfect hostess gift!

Wearing capes with croissants and fishnets with the filet. The lost art of changing clothes between courses. Alway's be camera ready for that cuisine course or appitizers in the alleyway.

Travel: Yes! I am an international woman of mystery." Let's go woandering and jet setting all over the map with the 8th wonder of the world!

Yes, my little darhlings..................... the next stop is FABULOUSVILLE !!! a PLUGGED IN POOCH'E GUIDE TO GLOBETROTTING WITH A GLAMOROUS STYLE!

A second class ride is better than a first - class walk! Covering the ground here and there without chipping a nail or touching the ground!

Parting Pointers:

A red carpet guide to a regular's routine of hogging the spotlight.

* Having finished the long journey from the depths of gutter to the heights of New York runway's. The time of prepping for the paparazzi is inevitable and a much needed prep for the pop of flashbulbs is needed. I would advise:

Attending the openings of bags, cans of food, and doggie bags

Say, fillet of beef when practicing your smile in the mirror

Practice the patient back, back, back, when standing for a shot..... distance is everyone's best feature.

Use the size of a dime, when picking out any type of clothing as a measuring guide.

When exiting a limo......... Remember girls, legs together, lips apart.

Finally......

when need be, refer to my book, carried in the purse at all times, hold it up to the lens of the camera, and tell the press, that, " I learned everything I know from a fabulous little dog called Sweetie!"

I recieved this little book from my sister on my b.d. and it is so full of fun and creative information on fashion. The beast part is that the little dog featured is a rescue and did actually go from gutter to a glam & fab life! A cute and entertaining read.

" Sweetie is fashion's most influential and hariest insider." Michael Kors

" Sweetie has the best taste and worst breath of any fashion icon I know." Julianne Moore

" Getting dressed without Sweetie's fashion tips would be a nightmare. Throw her a bone and buy her book." Elizabeth Hurley

Visit the web site at: www.twbookmark.com Photo & illustration credits & quotes from Sweetie from Mark Welsh & Ruben Toledo Warner books

I specialize in edible art. Do you consider ice sculpture a valid form of this ouvre?

" Only if you aspire to be a starving artist. Try sculpting with meat instead"

My rags to riches story of a journey from gutter to runway would have ceased to be if it were not for the generous and barking support of my many friends, fans, butchers, bodyguards, pedicurists, and bartenders. Thank you and everyone elsr who have helped me to live the dream.

Love,

Sweetie....

I would love to see or hear about your precious little diva's or beau's.