I was wandering through Target yesterday (you know, having gone in for, like, two things and instead filling up a whole basket with unnecessary but completely awesome finds) when I stumbled on the display for Polka Dog Bakery, part of Target’s new project The Shops at Target, which features items from specialty boutiques throughout the country. Polka Dog Bakery is a pet shop and bakery in Boston, and their “shop” at Target is full of cute, colorful toys, bowls, mats, collars and, of course, yummy and wholesome baked treats. The Polka Dog for Target collection is available both in stores and online, and if the already-half-empty shelves at my local store are any indication, it’s selling out fast. What’s your favorite? Pretty sure I need one of those bowls. And a coordinating mat. And a tossin’ stick.

Neroko is a Finnish design studio that was born out of “a great love for dogs and a passion for sustainable Finnish design”, which is to say that Neroko and Dog Milk are two peas in a pod. Their modern pet line includes solid birch beds and “habitats”, stackable ceramic bowls and birch food containers, and even natural jute dog toys! (And how cute is that little dog sculpture?)

Much as we tend to anthropomorphize our dogs and endow them with complex thoughts and even speech, I’m pretty sure my little Dottie’s average thought process is somewhat akin to one of those old Dick and Jane books: “I am hungry. There is no food. Oh, look. There is food in my bowl. Food is good. Crunch, crunch, crunch.” Thus, this line of tongue-in-cheek, retro-inspired dog dining accessories from Oré Pet might be right up her (extremely simple) alley.

Oré bowls and treat jars are made from dishwasher-safe ceramic, and their polypropylene mats are easily wiped clean. Check them out at Oré and at Wag.com.

Even though they can’t read, and may or may not appreciate good design, something tells me even dogs are powerless against the sheer brilliance and beauty of Helvetica, that most glorious of typefaces. You can show your love for all things sans serif (or maybe just make your kitchen feel more like an NYC subway station) with Helvetica treat tins, bowls, and food storage bins, new at Harry Barker.

All three items come in green/white, blue/white, and black/white colorways and are FDA-approved. The food bins, which hold from 10 to 40 pounds of dry dog food, are made of durable recycled steel and come complete with an aluminum scoop. The high-fired porcelain bowls come in small and large sizes and are dishwasher safe. Viva Helvetica!

Huzzah, my friends, they’ve done it again. One of my very favoritest dog gear companies, Doca Pet, has released yet another fabulous modern design – the High Tea feeder. Just look at it! Isn’t it lovely? Even that Labrador there in the photo is gazing up above, as if even he knows that such great design can only be heaven-sent.

The eating surface of the High Tea, which holds removable stainless steel bowls, is made of Baltic birch plywood and laminate and is reversible, so you can display a black or white surface, depending on your decor or mood. The powder-coated metal legs feature rubber feet to prevent skidding. The High Tea, available in sizes small to extra large, is a tad pricey, but can you really put a pricetag on great design? My answer: no, you cannot.

Check out more images and order at Doca Pet.

Modern Shed Meets Modern Dog House
David van Alphen’s modern shed sprouted a mini-me: a modern dog house for his modern pooch.

Atomic Attic’s Upcycled Pet Beds
Etsy seller Atomic Attic is a creative dynamic duo that takes vintage items like suitcases and VCRs and gives them new life as pet beds and feeders.

Pet Planters
What’s better than a product that does double duty? Like these dog houses that double as garden planters.

Custom Nose Print Necklace
Memorialize your pet forever and wear him around your neck with this custom nose print necklace! Some think this is weird, others think it’s genius!

A Dog House That Uses Geothermal Energy
The shell of this underground dog shelter is “indestructible,” leak-proof, UV resistant, chew-proof, and comes with a lifetime warranty.

Designer Pet Eatery
Starting at just $80, these wall-mounted, in-wall pet eating stations come with two bowls in a few different colors and optional water line.

Burger’s Home Renovation Survival Tips
Young House Love’s tiniest member talks turkey about how he survives living with two home improvement-obsessed humans.

Nagi Noda Hair Hats
Art director, video director, and artist Nagi Noda sculpted hair molds into fabulous and over-the-top works of art, and we just love the dog ones!

An Interview With Boo: The World’s Cutest Dog
Enough said.

Loose Leashes
Photographer Ron Schmidt’s dog-centric photography is called “Loose Leashes,” and you can purchase these adorable and inspiring prints.

From the Bauhaus to the Beamer, I’m a huge fan of German design. The folks over at German company Cloud7 have put their collective finger on what so many designers from their country have espoused: the importance of eye-catching, clean, functional design. Cloud7′s line of doggie wares (featuring bowls, beds, toys, and pillows) is the newest entry on my list of Favorite German Things (right up there with their chocolate cake).

I’m especially verrückt for Cloud7′s ceramic bowls and travel beds.

Check out more (and try out your German) at Cloud7 (and on Facebook, too).

[spotted at Design*Sponge]

These minimal and elegant handmade bowls come in varying heights (in one-inch increments) and sizes. Choose from one pint, one quart, two quarts, three quarts. If those options weren’t enough, you can also select one of five veneer options.