The OUT Guide to Dogs

Ralph Lauren Home Crocodile Dog Carrier, $18,000, RalphLauren.com; Louis Vuitton Dog Collar, $290,
and leash, $400, LouisVuitton.com

Photography by Joshua Scott

The next time someone despairs that they lead “a dog’s life,” perhaps they should clarify exactly which dog. Historically, aristocrats kept lap dogs as status symbols, showering them with gifts -- a tradition that remains and well, from Chelsea to West Hollywood. And while there’s such a thing as too much, indulging one’s pet is akin to indulging oneself.