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?

Summer Reading

     Photo by katrenshaw

School's out for summer! Those are probably the most beautiful four words in the English language for any teacher or young student. As a kid, I loved to spend my summer vacation at the local library stocking up on bags and bags of books that I would read every chance I got. Even though I preferred curling up with a book to playing outside, I doubt that is what most kids have on their mind for the next three months. However, most students are probably being sent home with a summer reading list of some kind.  I even had a summer reading assignment from MU before my freshman year. The City of Columbia involves the whole community in summer reading through their One Read program.               

Now, our canine friends can join in on the fun. The Daniel Boone Regional Library hosts "Reading to Rover" and "Reading to Fido" programs a couple times a month. The next one is Monday, June 14. Parents with kids kindergarten age or older can bring their little ones to the library to read to a dog from Ann Gafke's Teacher's Pet Therapy Dogs. All the dogs are certified with Therapy Dogs International and a handler oversees the event. Not only does this sound incredibly cute, but it also helps to improve childrens' literary skills.

If you want to go...

Reading to Rover

Monday, June 14, 2010, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Columbia Public Library, Program Room, Children's Area