Dolly Parton launches pet clothing line including blonde wigs for dogs

Singer-songwriter Dolly Parton has launched a toy and clothing line for dogs called Doggy Parton – she credits her Boston Terrier, Popeye, for saving her life when she once came close to committing suicide

Dolly Parton is known for lots of things – her country music, iconic hairdos and her devotion to animals. And now, the American singer-songwriter has added a new string to her bow – a toy and clothing line for dogs called Doggy Parton – and it even includes wigs for pets.

Announcing her new line, the 76-year-old said: “Puppy Love was my very first record and six decades later, my love for pets is stronger than ever. This inspired me to start my own line of Doggy Parton apparel, accessories, toys and more, with a little Dolly flair.”

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Part of Dolly’s proceeds will go towards Willa B Farms, an animal rescue centre where “animals in need find never-ending love”.

As part of the launch, Dolly has opened a brand new website, which currently redirects to Amazon.

On there, she has more than 20 items available, including pink cowgirl hats, blonde bombshell wigs and a pink dress, guitar and wig set.

With prices ranging between $10 (£8.60) and $25 (£21), many items have already sold out.

Dolly once credited her pet dog to saving her life when she came close to suicide after having her heart broken.

She opened up about her heartbreaking suicide attempt in an interview published in new book Dolly On Dolly: Interviews and Encounters with Dolly Parton.

Dolly says she was sitting considering pulling the trigger of a gun when her Boston Terrier, Popeye, came running up the stairs and into the room.

She said: “I was sitting upstairs in my bedroom one afternoon when I noticed in the nightstand drawer my gun that I keep for burglars.

“I looked at it a long time… Then, just as I picked it up, just to hold it and look at it for a moment, our little dog, Popeye, came running up the stairs.

“The tap-tap-tap of his paws jolted me back to reality I suddenly froze. I put the gun down. Then I prayed.”

Dolly believes her dog’s intervention was a sign from God, saying: “I kinda believe Popeye was a spiritual messenger from God.

“I don’t think I’d have done it, killed myself, but I can’t say for sure. Now that I’ve gone through that terrible moment, I can certainly understand the possibilities even for someone solid like me if the pain gets bad enough.”

The book also explores Dolly’s childhood growing up in Tennessee as the oldest of 12 children.

She says her family was so poor that she and her siblings had to bathe in the local river, and that it was a plus if one of them wet the shared bed as it kept them warm.

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