Things We Can't Live Without

                     Photo by Beverlytaz

Happy Friday! Is there any better day of the week? I think not. I started off my Friday morning with my usual morning ritual of checking emails and, as usual when checking in on my Yahoo! account, I got distracted by one of their articles. Today's attention grabber was about the 10 things that Americans can't live without despite the poor economic times. I am not sure if it is in any particular order, but pets were the eighth item on the list:

Fido sits at the table these days. Maybe even at the head of the table. While Americans have cut spending on themselves, spending on pet food, supplies, grooming, vet care and clothing (clothing?) has been rising uninterrupted by about 5 percent per year. Industry officials attribute this to the "humanization" of pets, which in turn has led many pet owners to close the "quality of life gap" between their animals and themselves. The iWoof can't be far behind.

Even though I couldn't imagine life without my dog and cat this surprised me. I've heard so many stories about animal shelters filling up with beloved pets that had to be given up due to hard times. It's difficult for me to imagine how bad it would have to get for me to get rid of a member of my family. So, it made me happy to see that many Americans feel the same way that I do and are willing to do whatever it takes to keep their pets at home. 

Here are some local pet-related events happening this weekend. Check them out!

Friday, May 21

Big Muddy Dock Dogs Free Training Seminar, Columbia Second Chance (24687 Highway 179 near Wooldridge), 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., a free training seminar on dock diving, dogs jumping off a dock into water to retrieve a floating toy.

Saturday, May 22: 

Mid-America Harley Davidson Battle of the Bands Round 1, 5704 Freedom Drive, Columbia, Mo. (off of Lake of the Woods, I-70 exit), noon to 4 p.m. PROCEEDS OF ALL BALLOT SALES BENEFIT SECOND CHANCE.

Subway Community Night Fundraiser, Subway on Conley Rd in Columbia, Mo., 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., 15 PERCENT OF THE PROCEEDS GO TO SECOND CHANCE.


Big Muddy Dock Dogs Free Training Seminar, Columbia Second Chance (24687 Highway 179 near Wooldridge), 9:00 a.m. registration with training at 9:30 a.m., a free training seminar on dock diving, dogs jumping off a dock into water to retrieve a floating toy.

Wine for the Pet Lovers Soul

                    Photo by herrylaw

I am on my way to bed after a day of not feeling well. But, I wanted to update about something cute that I came across this weekend. If you are a wine aficionado as well as a pet lover than this is the purrfect thing for you! Bark Vineyards sells "fine wine for the canine and feline." They have five different varietals: Pinot Leasheo, White Sniff-n-Tail, Barkundy, Sauvignon Bark, Meowlot. All of the "wines" are made out of human grade materials. For instance, the White Sniff-n-Tail consists of water, dehydrated sweet potato, dehydrated apple, salmon powder, malic acid and xanthan gum. On their Web site, the makers of this treat suggest pouring it over your dog's food. From the photos that I've seen it, has the consistency and look of a gravy or a soup. This weekend they were giving out free samples of the animal-friendly beverage at Lizzi and Rocco's Natural Pet Market in Columbia  as part of the Inside Columbia magazine Sip and Shop event.

I am all for spoiling my cat and dog, but at $12.99 for .375 ml and $19.99 for 750 ml this innovative product is a bit too pricey for me. You could probably find a recipe online and make something like this for half the price. However, I do think it is adorable even though the coolness of it will most likely be lost on your pet!


Would you purchase this wine for your pet? What is the craziest thing you have ever done to pamper your pet?

Update on Miss Kitty and Central Missouri Humane Society Makeover

Photo by: Sande2

Save a life, adopt a shelter animal! It is also important to spay and neuter your pets.

Hello! It's been awhile since I've updated, but I am ready to get back into the swing of things. Since my last post, my boyfriend and I were able to get our foster cat, Miss Kitty, into the adoption program at Columbia Second Chance. Prior to that, we found out she was pregnant and ended up getting her spayed. It's a difficult decision to terminate life, but there are so many stray cats and dogs that it was the best decision. The vet who spayed her is Greg Steck of Centertown, Mo. He is an excellent doctor that does great work for reasonable prices. The folks at Second Chance are amazing, and I think they fell in love with Miss Kitty as quickly as we did! I would recommend going to their Web site and checking out their adoptable dogs and cats. Save a life!

There is also a local organization called SNAP (Spay, Neuter and Protect) that was created by Second Chance volunteers. Their mission is to reduce the feral cat population in Columbia, MO, using a humane spay and neuter TNR program strategy that protects the public health while providing public education about the need to spay and neuter pets. 

In local news, the much anticipated renovation of the Central Missouri Humane Society started this week. The CMHS won the "One Million Dollar" makeover ZooToo.com competition last spring. Since the big win, there has been some controversy over ZooToo's ability to pay for the shelter makeover. Richard Thompson, CEO of Zootoo.com and former chief executive for Meow Mix, refused to answer any financial questions at Tuesday's ribbon cutting. The shelter's adoptable dogs and cats will be housed in a temporary facitlity, the former Mid-City Lumber facility at 2105 Paris Road- for more than a month while construction takes place. Despite the problems that have clouded this renovation, I am excited that is is finally underway and excited to see the final product. There is no doubt that all of the animals and the hard-working CMHS staff and volunteers deserve this!

What are you thoughts on the CMHS renovation? Are you leery of ZooToo.com's financial stability?