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.

Please Paws the Snow

                                                   Photo by SEPpics

It's another snowy, cold day here in Mid-Missouri. I am convinced that this is the worst winter I've ever experienced in Missouri since moving here from Chicago in 2004. I am happy to have the day off (Thanks Abraham Lincoln!) and not have to get out and drive in these conditions. But, no matter how bad the weather gets, my min pin Maggie still needs to go out several times a day. I can't say I enjoy walking her in the snow. She is so small and has such short hair that it doesn't take much for her to be a cold, trembling mess. It also doesn't take much for her to get buried in the snow! I can't wait for Spring to get here so I can take her on longer walks and to the dog park. The Washington Post published a Q&A yesterday with Veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker about keeping your pets safe in the snow. This is advice that every Mid-Missourian pet wants their parents to know.

After my original post, I found some adorable pictures of Bo, the first dog, playing in the more than three feet of snow that hit DC this week. Bo is a Portuguese Water Dog. The breed has a thick wavy or curly coat that is perfect for a romp in the snow!

How does your pet react to the snow? Do you have any tips for other pet owners?

Welcome!

Two years ago my boyfriend and I rescued our first animal. We found our Miniature Pincher after she had been out in the wilderness on her own for at least a month. Less than a year later, we found a tiny, starving kitten in the lawn outside our apartment. After a few days of nursing him back to health (he was so sick we had to force feed him with a syringe) it was clear that he had found his forever home with us. There have been a couple times that we have found amazing animals that we couldn't give a permanent home, but we try to help them the best we can. I have a passion for dogs and cats and will use this blog to talk about everything pet related in Mid-Missouri and share my personal pet stories. I am excited to hear from other Mid-Missouri pet fans so please leave lots of comments and questions!

 

 Our Tawny cat Mugen (at 6 weeks) and Miniature Pinscher Maggie. 

 

Boyfriend with the two babies