No need for a ticket

February is the month of lovers- dog lovers! On February 15th & 16th, Cupid’s bow takes aim as hounds stroll onto the green at Madison Square Garden and into our hearts for the 134th Westminster Kennel Club. Deemed America’s Dog Show, Westminster is the second longest continuously held sporting event in this country, just one year behind the Kentucky Derby.

You and your pooch can watch the exclusive live coverage from home starting at 8:00 p.m. on USA Networks and CNBC. On the Monday, watch the Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding Groups. On Tuesday, see Sporting, Working and Terrier Groups, followed by Best In Show.

If you are interested in a specific breed, video judging highlights are available throughout the days on Westminster web site. For more information about the show, the dogs and the judges, visit the Westminster website.

Cool Cat at Grammy Awards

For the first time, a cat food brand was welcomed into the exclusive celebrity gift lounge for 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards presenters and performers. Making a special guest appearance in the lounge, the iconic white Fancy Feast cat posed for photographs with lounge guests such as Taboo from the Black Eyed Peas, Kris Allen from American Idol and DJ Tony from the Ellen Show. For each photo taken with the cat, Fancy Feast made a $100 donation to The Recording Academy's charity, MusiCares® (up to $10,000)

Moreover, Fancy Feast presented lounge guests with a gift package. The gift includes:
• Two luxury heart charms – one for the cat, one for her owner – representing their loving bond
• A sparkling, suede cat collar fit for the most fashionable feline
• A FlipCam Mino for capturing special award-winning moments
• An assortment of Fancy Feast Appetizers for cats, an exciting cat snack that is perfect for celebrating any moment.

Creating exciting eating occasions with eight mouth-watering varieties, Fancy Feast Appetizers for cats give cat owners a unique way to express their love for their cats. These 2-ounce cat offerings are made with real seafood, chicken and beef and contain minimal ingredients for an authentic taste. Prepared in a delicate broth without by-products or fillers, Fancy Feast Appetizers delight cats’ palates with genuine flavors. Since Appetizers are not 100% complete and balanced, they are meant to be served as a complement to cats' regular daily diet.

Now cat owners can celebrate loving moments with their cat anytime. The exquisite, delectable tastes of Fancy Feast Appetizers for cats are offered in the following varieties:
• Steamed Wild Alaskan Salmon Appetizer in a Delicate Broth
• White Meat Chicken Appetizer in a Delicate Broth
• Seabass & Shrimp Appetizer in a Delicate Broth
• White Meat Chicken & Flaked Tuna Appetizer in a Delicate Broth
• Tender Tongol Tuna Appetizer in a Delicate Broth
• White Meat Chicken & Shredded Beef Appetizer in a Delicate Broth
• Steamed Tilapia Appetizer in a Delicate Broth
• Flaked Skipjack Tuna Appetizer in a Delicate Broth

Hmm.....Wonder which one to serve my cats? I bet they would enjoy a little appetizing about now.

It wasn't Uno

Frankly, like many serious dog enthusiasts, I am tired of seeing Uno (the 2008 Best in Show Winner of the Westminster Kennel Club). He just seems to be taken out and shown just everywhere. Don't get me wrong he is a lovely dog. While I found him delightful when he won the coveted title 2 years ago, I am looking forward to seeing what dog will reign supreme this upcoming year.

While I have heard the praises of Uno over and over again, I must admit that I find it extremely ironic that it is a pack of beagles that is terrorizing the North Folk of Island. It seems that disatisfied hunters ditched dogs because they were not performing well in the field. As a result of their desperation, these dogs have become a crazed pack, chasing Orient Point residents and their pets home, even baying, jumping on their residents' doors to be let in and eventually, breaking them from persistence.

It certainly is not surprising since these dogs are starving, ferocious, cold, hungry and desperate after being abandoned by hunters. Think of Dan Ackroyd's character, Louis Winthrope III in Trading Places. Out of desperation, he performed he drank, pointed a gun and stole because he was hungry and cold. All because of the irresponsible acts of other human beings-just like these dogs.

According to Calverton's Kent Animal Shelter Pam Green, five dogs have been picked up on the North Fork so far this hunting season. She expects to see more when the season ends in a month.

As a result, animal activists are trying to help by publicizing the plight of the wild beagles and trying to find homes for them. Two shelters now have five former feral beagles up for adoption between them. And they said that with love and care these abandoned hounds can become loving pets once again.

A View from Veranda

In December, I took advantage of offer to subscribe to various Hearst publications for the sale price of $5.00 each. I must have bought at least 10 magazines in hopes of spotting new trends of which I can apply to my work as a pet trend expert. One of the first magazines that I received was Veranda, a lovely home décor and decorating magazine.

While perusing through the March issue, I spotted a few dogs (Lab Mix, black Labrador retriever, Labradoodle, Golden Doodle, Italian greyhound and and calico, Domestic Short-Hair cat photographed within the home spreads. Moreover, I was happy to read Lisa Newsome's Editor’s Note in which she acknowledges that there were a number of pictures of animals featured in this issue. She wrote that “Pets bring such joy to our lives with their energy, intelligence and loyalty. Even so, they are not for everyone.”

Obviously from her comment, Lisa is a pet lover and I appreciate that she also recognizes that pets are not for everyone, especially those who want to keep a beautiful homes. Let’s face it they commit faux pas. They potty or vomit on the rug and unexpected places. They shed and can cause our friends and family to have allergic reactions. They can even get on our nerves.

However, they are superb companions. And as a result, I don’t mind buying an expensive vacuum that will collect all the pet hair and taking the time to decorate my home with them in mind.