^[4]Can’t Lady Gaga catch a break as of late? First, her ArtPop album release didn’t generate quite the sales nor critical acclaim of her previous musical endeavors. Now, Lady Gaga is coming under fire from PETA about her proclivity to adorn her French bulldog Asia with a variety of costumes and jewelry.

If you weren’t aware of this news, Huffington Post recently featured the article PETA Blasts Lady Gaga For Dressing Up Dog Asia ^[5]. As I’m sure you can tell from the article’s title, PETA’s public outcry isn’t exactly complementary to Mother Monster. PETA’s statement reads as such:

“Lady Gaga may choose to decorate herself with elaborate and even uncomfortable outfits, but Asia doesn’t get to make that choice,” a PETA rep told Us. “Although it seems pretty clear that Lady Gaga loves Asia, we think Asia — and all dogs — are adorable without all the added flair. The best accessory for any dog is a comfortable, secure, well-fitting harness, which is perfect for long walks together.”

PETA’s stance does make sense as it stresses the need to always prioritize pets safety in choosing to dress up our pets or letting them go au naturale and smartly suggests using a harness during dog walks (as collars can cause trauma to the spine, trachea, esophagus, and other neck parts).

Asia makes frequent guest appearances on Gaga’s Instagram ^[6] account. With around 4,000,000 followers, the entire world witnesses the variety of accessories and clothes with which Asia is adorned.

Anyone with a computer or smart phone can see Asia:

Sporting a bejeweled headpiece and necklace ^[7] in a post titled “Little McQueen” (an homage to deceased fashion designer Alexander McQueen)

Wearing fancy earrings and necklace ^[8] in the photo tagged with “Maybe I just keep the bracelet tho @brandonvmaxwell how muches?” (Brandon V Maxwell is Lady Gaga’s stylist)

Modeling a neck piece made of yards of white tule ^[9] in a photo labeled “applause” (a reference to Applause, her number one single from ArtPop)

Style Safety

With such a massive Instagram following, her Little Mosters are influenced by Lady Gaga’s lifestyle choices and those she applies to Asia. Very easily, one of Gaga’s followers could decide to place a necklace, dress, headpiece, or other accessory onto a canine or feline companion and actually cause them severe harm or even death.

Some pets love to wear costumes, while others cower in anticipation of fabric, plastic, or other materials being applied to their bodies.

Pets should never be forced to wear clothing or accessories, as their desperate attempt to remove the costume could lead to trauma or illness. Any or all parts of the costume could be ingested and cause serious digestive problems including vomit, diarrhea, stomach or intestinal obstruction, and others.

Before dressing up your pet, trim off all strings and extra material that could be consumed or get caught around his muzzle, neck, or limbs. Even what appears to be a harmless thread could restrict blood flow (like a tourniquet) around and digit (finger or toe), tongue, or other body part and cause tissue damage due to lack of oxygenation.

The cloth, metal, plastic, or other components of clothing or accessories can also lead to heat retention and signs of stress or hyperthermia (elevated body temperature), including elevated respiratory rate/panting, pacing, inability to get comfortable or calm down, increased water consumption, vocalization, or other unusual behaviors.

I must say that Asia appears to live an enviably charmed life jet-setting around the globe with her master and spending quality time with other French bulldog friends in New York City and various seemingly exotic locations. I certainly feel that Lady Gaga loves her “Bat Pig” (Gaga’s term of affection for Asia) and Asia doesn’t appear to be suffering or struggling at any time in the publicly-displayed photos.

Personally, I’m jealous that Asia got to hang out with Jeff Koons ^[10], one of my art and cultural idols. Lady Gaga: If you are even in Los Angeles with Asia and you need assistance with her medical care, please contact me via www.PatrickMahaney.com ^[11]

Photo via Lady Gaga Instagram