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.