New friends

From left: Rubi tries to convince Mugen to come down from his perch.

From left: Mugen and Rubi make a peace treaty over a game of fooseball.

From left: Camry, Rubi, Me and Maggie (A Mommy and Me shot)

                             

This past weekend two of my best friends from college came to visit me. It was so great to see them, and we had a blast catching up. My friend Camry brought her dog, an adorable Boxer mix named Rubi, along with her. It was my first time meeting Rubi, and I was a little nervous about how she and my dog Maggie would get along. All of my worries were for nothing. They were best buddies right away! We took them to the Garth Nature Area dog park in Columbia on Saturday morning. They had a good time running around, playing in the water and meeting some new friends. The pups spent the night at my boyfriend's house. He took Rubi to the creek at his family's  farm where she splashed around and chased leaves. Although Maggie and Rubi became fast friends, our cat Mugen wasn't too thrilled about the weekend visitor at first. He got all puffed up and kept his distance for most of the weekend.

Renovated CMHS Looks like a Million Bucks

Photo credit: henrycountyhumanesociety

Arguably, the biggest pet news in mid-Missouri this week was the completion of the Zootoo.com "Million Dollar Makeover" at the Central Missouri Humane Society (CMHS). On Tuesday, staff and volunteers began moving the shelter's animals into their new digs. The CMHS hasn't gotten any larger, but the animals now have improved amenities such as living areas for cats with separate sleeping, eating and litter-box spaces, larger cages and solid glass panels on kennels instead of chain link. Large windows have turned formerly dim rooms into sun drenched retreats. Another highlight is the new, non-circulating air filtration system. It brings in fresh air from the outside into the dog kennels.

I couldn't be happier to hear that the renovations are complete. The project started out kind of rocky, but ultimately it seems to have been a huge success. All of the wonderful dogs and cats at the facility deserve a great place to live while they wait for their forever families. A big thanks  to Amanda Huhman and Libby Burk, the two Columbia teens that rallied the City together to win this spectacular makeover!

If you want to get a virtual tour of the new facility check out the videos on CMHS's Youtube channel. 

Looking to adopt?  For a limited time, dog adoptions are $75 and puppies are $100 at CMHS. 

What are your thoughts on the CMHS renovations?

Not Afraid of the Big Dogs

Photo by docentjoyce

My miniature pinscher, Maggie, only weighs about 11 pounds. I am not sure of her exact height, but its got to be no more than 12 inches. However, Maggie doesn't know this. As far as she's concerned, she's a 180 pound St. Bernard with the intimidation factor of a Rottweiler. If a big dog challenges her, she will not back down. She's bold, brave and confident in her ability to take on any pooch.

This is the attitude of the small, local pet stores in Columbia in regards to the recent addition of mega pet speciality store PetSmart to the City's pet supply scene. An article in today's Saturday Business section of the Columbia Tribune reveals that the proprietors of shops such as Mexico Finns and Feathers, Noah's Pets and More, Columbia Pet Center, Lizzi & Rocco’s Natural Pet Market and Award Pet Supply are not concerned about losing sales to the retail giant. The consensus is that customers will remain loyal to local pet stores because they offer personalized service and niche products. Before PetSmart's arrival, PetCo was the largest store in town for pet supplies.  PetCo has more than 100 stores nationwide. PetSmart has 1,160 stores in North America and reported 2009 net sales of $5.9 billion. In the article, PetCo's manager expressed concern about the new competition because their stock is so similar. Not to mention that the stores are located less than half a mile apart.

This article made me happy. When I first read that PetSmart was coming to Columbia, I immediately feared for the locally owned shops. The idea of big business taking over is always a little disheartening for me. Plus, the local shops have such great partnerships with the local animal shelters and rescues. It was encouraging to hear that PetSmart's employees refer customers to local stores that have products that PetSmart doesn't carry. My hope is that PetSmart will  blend into the awesome pet scene in Columbia and give back to the town rather than take away. I love that the local pet store owners have such a tenacious spirit like my little min pin and aren't backing down to the big dogs!

Do you prefer to shop at local pet stores or national retailers? How do you think the arrival of PetSmart will effect local business?

Picky Eater

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/exfordy/123112075/

 My dog Maggie, like most dogs I would assume, loves food. She gobbles up her two meals a day in record time. She's even brave enough to attempt to eat our cat's food if he's not smart enough to be finished before her. At human meal time she is never aggressive about begging. Instead, she puts on the charm by gazing at us longingly with her big brown eyes (we only very rarely give in by the way!). However, on occasion, Maggie will stop eating her food. We serve it to her, she sniffs it, and then walks away as if she has no interest. The food will sit out all day before she begrudgingly begins to nibble at it.

My boyfriend and I always assume she is just tired of eating the same type of food and we change it out. This usually works, but during her latest spell as a picky eater, she wasn't satisfied with me just giving her a new dry food. It wasn't until I started mixing it with some canned food that she resumed her regular eating habits. Yesterday, I served just dry food again, and she was fine with it. I am not sure what prompts her random food mood swings, but I don't mind catering to her sophisticated palette.

What is your pet's favorite food? Does your pet have any strange eating habits? Where are the best places in Mid-Missouri to get pet food?

Does Your Pet Need to Chill Out?

Photo Credit: Cricket825

Summer is officially here! Yesterday, the heat index reached 105.  It is supposed to be more of the same today. I am not complaining though. I would take the heat ANYDAY over cold and snow. The only problem I have with the heat is the effect it has on my Miniature Pinscher. Even though she has very short hair, it is black and soaks up the heat like a sponge. Whenever I take her out for a car ride or a walk on hot days, her tongue is practically falling out of her mouth. The Columbia Missourian did a nice piece yesterday on how dogs are keeping cool in Columbia. My min pin doesn't like to swim, so a trip to the dog lake won't do her much good. She prefers a cold bowl of water and some AC.  A co-worker of mine told me that she tried to get her dogs, who love to swim, to get into an inflatable pool in the backyard, but they wouldn't. She figured it reminds them too much of the bathtub!

Here is some suggested reading on keeping your pets cool, calm and collected during the summer months.
About.com Dogs Channel: Keep Your Dog Cool in the Summer Heat
Humane Society of the United States: Summer Care Tips for You and Your Dog
Ehow.com: How to Keep Dogs Cool in Hot Weather

Happy Father's Day!

Yesterday, I gave my boyfriend his Father's Day gift. We don't have any human children, but we consider our dog and cat to be our kids for now. For Mother's Day, he surprised me with a diamond heart pendant to go on the white gold chain that he gave me last Christmas. For his Father's Day gift, I gave him a couple of gift cards, some of his favorite candy and a card. I know that having pets doesn't truly compare to having children, but I am enjoying this tradition that we started. It is fun to celebrate all the joy that Maggie and Mugen bring to our lives. I feel very lucky to have been blessed with them!

The Art of Being a Pet Owner

Photo Credit:  SarahG...'s  

Last weekend my boyfriend and I went to Art in the Park in Columbia. The annual art festival is one of my favorite Columbia events only edged out by the spectacular T/F Film Festival. Besides getting the opportunity to see the work of artists from all over the country at my favorite park in the city, I love being able to take our miniature pinscher along. Tons of other people bring their dogs too. It is fun to see all of the different breeds. Anyway, one of the artists that caught my eye was Miriam Krone. Her booth was filled with adorable paintings of people's pets. Krone said that I could email her a photo of my pets and she would commission a portrait of them for $25. What a steal!

I've never gotten my pets' portrait painted (say that three times fast!) before, but I love taking photos of them. I even took my Maggie (the min pin) to get her picture taken with Santa Claus at Treats Unleashed. I got the photo printed on a Christmas ornament as a keepsake. On another occasion, one of our friends who is an excellent amateur photographer took some cute photos of Maggie dressed in a blue bandanna. We take photos of Mugen (the cat) too, but as all cat lovers should understand, it has to be on his time and by his rules!

There are a few places in Mid-Missouri where you can go to get professional photos or paintings done of your pet. They are a great way to create memories of your pet that will be cherished forever.

Here are some of the places I could find:

Lizzi & Rocco's Natural Pet Market
June 20 - Rocco's All-American BBQ with pet photos
Extended Sunday hours 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m
Pet photos benefit Central Missouri Humane Society and Columbia Second Chance
$10 for one (1) 5x7" and four (4) wallets
http://www.lizziandroccos.com/

Petco
http://www.petco.com/petco_Page_PC_petphotography_Nav_133.aspx

Treats Unleashed (Holiday and Easter photo ops)
http://treats-unleashed.com/

Pet Pawtraits by Kim (not sure if she is based in Mid-Mo, but she is a Mizzou grad!)
http://www.petpawtraitsbykim.com/

Have you ever gotten any artwork inspired by your pet?