Late gift excuses for the holidays

Excuses, excuses (we've got 'em for you!)

For years many have worked on the perfect late gift excuse. We've decided to share a few of our favorites that ought to buy you a little time.

1 - My dog ate my credit card.
2 - Gift wrap related injury...I don't want to talk about it.
3 - The sleigh wouldn't start.
4 - Ran out of reindeer feed.
5 - Grandma had holiday cookie baking emergency.
6 - Had to wait around for fireman to get cat out of Christmas tree.

As you can see, we love a great excuse. We have asked our customers to send us their best excuses and we got some good ones! We'd love to hear from you too! Send your excuses to blog@barkerandmeowsky.com

All of us at barker & meowsky wish you the happiest of the howlidays!

Here they are, great excuses from our dear customers:

Dog wet on the tree and shorted out the electricity.
Angy M.

I got stuck in the blood pressure machine at Walmart!
Jennifer P.

My dog buried my credit card.
Susan B.

Thought home was broken into...realized later that it was Santa Claus!
Annette L.

I ran out of tape to wrap gifts, all the stores were sold out. Tried to use superglue and glued my fingers together.
Angela B.

I went to too many ugly Christmas sweater parties and was too traumatized to shop.
Tara P.

Let sleeping dogs lie...

What does a dog dream of? Flying like Superdog across fields of squirrels, stopping to sniff a floating fire hydrant every once in a while? Does he dream of turning the tables on his human masters, fomenting a revolution where all domestic animals rise up like in an Orwellian farce? Maybe he dreams of being in a bathtub full of greenies, or of a creature with a looped body and the head of a rooster? Does she dream of showing up late to take an obedience training test? Naked? With no No. 2 pencils? Well let her sleep in peace!

Check out "Dog Having a Bad Dream II" to watch the facial expressions. Then check out the noises in "Dog Crying in Sleep" to listen to people laugh at the dog's anxiety dream.

Hew was just a regular black lab. Now he's "Skeeter, J.D."

Baylor University in Waco, Texas, awarded an honorary law degree on Saturday to Skeeter the black lab. Skeeter served as a companion to law student, now graduate, Amy Jones since she became a quadriplegic in a skiing accident. The Houston Chronicle reports that Skeeter who attended classes with Amy would sometimes growl to underscore a professor's point. This paw firm is ready to put Skeeter on retainer immediately to settle some of our, um, beagle issues. A dog doesn't need to pass the bar to wear a Superdog ID tag, so we'd suggest one if you're looking for the right gift for any awesome dog you know and love.

Kitty mutters to self while drinking

Why is kitty acting like grandpa at Thanksgiving dinner? We don't have the answers, but we can't stop watching this video. Awwww. But we have to say, "Don't try this at home!" Kitty shouldn't have milk. If you want to give kitty a delicious treat so good that may or may not make him talk to himself, try some Wild Alaskan Salmon.

"A Howl Of A Good Time" - Our 5th annual Halloween extrav-O-ganza!

Thanks for coming out and making this Barker & Meowsky event a howlin' good time! You guys are beautiful. But don't take my word for it. Look at your pictures! (Click for a closer look.)

Obama: "a mutt like me" - the presidential dog hunt continues

At his first press conference as President Elect, Barack Obama took questions on many topics, and thankfully addressed the one most important to this humble blogger's heart. Who will be chosen to fill the seat of First Doggie? When asked this question by a brave reporter Obama answered,

"We have two criteria that have to be reconciled."

New Chief of Staff appointee Rahm Emanuel giggled in the background at the President Elect's earnestness. We frankly do not see what is so funny. This is important to us, and we demand an apology from Mr. Emanuel. Unaware of the chuckling behind him, Obama continued in earnest,

"One is that [cutie-patootie 10-year-old daughter] Malia is allergic. So it has to be hypoallergenic. There are a number of breeds that are hypo-allergenic. On the other hand, our preference would be to get a shelter dog, but obviously, a lot of shelter dogs are mutts, like me."

Although there isn't really such a thing as an allergen-free dog there are many wonderful dogs out there who are shown to be hypoallergenic, or to be less likey to cause an allergic reaction.

We'll keep you posted when it's time to break out the T-bone Treats and Catnip Cigars to celebrate the new presidential puppy.

Happy Father's Day from barker & meowsky

We think a great day for Dad would include some nice weather, fun at the old ballpark, something sizzling on the grill and, of course, a good game of fetch with friends and family. Here are a few great ideas for spending some time with dear old Dad on his day.

'Que it up!

This Father's day, many a Pop will don a "Kiss the Cook" apron and head out into the yard with a heaping plate of "delicious". Despite what your dog may tell you, not everything grilled is pup-approved - here are some great ideas for the four-leggers at the barbecue:

The best part of a barbecue is all the delicious bite-sized appetizers and sides - we recommend "Carnivore Kisses" which come in three delicious flavors; chicken (all white meat), kobe beef and even bison. Guaranteed to result in kisses from your favorite carnivore.

Both man and beast love to wash down a hot-off-the grill steak with a cold one. With our new bakery treats, Pop and his pup can share a steak and a "Pawbst" at the family cookout!

Take a Walk

Better than a boring old necktie, why not get his favorite hiking companion a new outfit that reflects Dad's personal style?

For the outdoor sports enthusiast we recommend the "Great Outdoors" collection featuring camouflage, canoes, fish, ducks and even campfires. The "Surfdog" collection for the Beach Boy who never grew up, or for Daddy's little girl, check out the new "Layla" collars.

Play Ball

Throw the ball around, play some fetch, do some retrieving already! Dad's faithful friend will be happy to play ball with some of our favorite new toys. Check out the Tux, the Zisc and of course our favorite arm-saver, the Chuckit!

Grab Some Couch Time

What could be more rewarding than back-to-back baseball games and maybe a few hours spent in blissful slumber on a Sunday afternoon? As long as the dog is allowed on the couch, not too much! For the shocking few whose fur-bearing friends are forbidden from couch surfing, a pillow in the likeness of Dad's best pal is the perfect gift. Check out our newest breeds of pillows, Dad'll love 'em!

For the Man who has Everything

Browse our latest selection of stylish baseball hats. Whether your Dad is a weekend warrior, a sports enthusiast or a little more... laid back, we have a cap that's sure to be just his style.

While many Dads aren't big on "the decorating", we're sure he'd love a "Headstrong Hound" print from the "Pub Pup" series. One of our favorites declares, "All hail the scented trail that leads us to a pint of ale."

What's Happening

barker & meowsky cordially invite you to join us for our annual Tasteful Art on the Avenues, an evening showcasing the art and cuisine of local artists and restaurants. Friday June 13th 5:30-8pm. Artwork will be on display at over twenty Lincoln Park boutiques on Armitage Avenue, Halsted and Webster.

Your donation of $10 benefits Children's MemorialHospital. barker & meowsky is proud to host Matthew Owens, a Chicago area muralist specializing in Pet Portraiture. Matthew likes to say that "these are portraits of your animal the way you see them first thing in the morning as you open your eyes." The Twisted Lizard will be providing guests with a delicious taste of southwest cuisine! It has been said that The Twisted Lizard has "the best margaritas in town". Yum!

Dad will love to show off his well-behaved pooch on June 20th for Take Your Dog to Work Day, but this holiday is for Moms as well. We suggest a bath, a nice new collar and an all natural beef chew (to keep them busy). Now, get to work!

Happy Mother's Day from barker & meowsky

Listen to your Mother!

Mother's Day is this Sunday. (No need to panic, there's still time to find the perfect gift for the woman who feeds, bathes and walks you.) Because we know that all a Mother really wants is for you "to be happy" we've gathered some of her sagest (and most repeated) advice.

"Be safe"

We all know that Lassie could find her way home, even from miles and miles away, but not all pooches are that proficient. ID tags are a great way to ensure that if you and your furry friend ever get separated, you're only a phone call away.

Until May 31st, with the purchase of any collar, you will receive 20% off the purchase of an ID Tag. (Coupon code: MOM08)*

ID tags: $12 and up. Peace of mind: Priceless! (These tags are cat and dog tested and Mother approved.)

*Enter coupon code into the gift message area when placing your order - discount will be reflected on sales receipt with shipment.

"Eat your veggies"

A balanced diet is important, not only for over-all health, but to maintain strong bones and a shiny coat. A great way to ensure proper nutrition is by giving your furry friend treats made of healthy vegetables. Veggie Life treats come in a variety of delicious flavors (sweet potato fries, sweet potato chews, chicken & banana, chicken & apple, and chicken & sweet potato) and are reinforced with additional vitamins and minerals to provide even more health benefits; "Happy Hips" for strong joints and "Vitality" for over-all health.

Our in-house taste-testers give them 4 enthusiastic paws up!

"Make your bed"

Getting a good nights sleep is essential, especially when your waking hours are filled with chasing balls, trotting through the neighborhood or wrestling with a catnip carrot. Whether your furry friend prefers to curl up, stretch out or flop on their side, we have beds, mats and blankets that will make chasing dream bunnies a very relaxing experience.

Check out our favorite new line of beds; the Pod, Podium and Nest. Their sleek and modern design will compliment any decor while their classic colors will please even the pickiest of parents. A bed every Mother will love.

"Be Good"

Taking care of our planet is everyone's responsibility, but it doesn't have to be a chore. With the many green options at barker & meowsky your cat or canine companion can nap, play, eat or even make a fashion statement all while reducing their carbon paw-prints.

Our latest additions are the "recycle ball" and "recycle bone". These fun, durable toys are made entirely in the U.S.A. from 100% safe materials that would otherwise have been discarded. Have a great time with the three Rs: Reduce, Re-use and Rewoof.

"Do your homework"

Some people say that, "a job well done is it's own reward" but everyone knows that after working hard a real reward is much, much better. Enrichment toys are the choice of Dog and Cat Behaviorists and we got 'em! Because every Mother knows that when the mind and body are busy, noone's getting into trouble. We have recently introduced some great interactive puzzle toys that are a very smart choice.

The Leo and Leo Mini are a bouncing, tugging, fetching and challenging treat dispensing toy. Use one on it's own, or link them together to increase the difficulty and fun!
The reward is the best part - your canine genius can get rewarded with an IQ treat (specially designed for the Leo products) that is grain free and rich in powerful Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. A delicious way to learn.

The Play-N-Treat toy is challenging and rewarding for your feline friends. They get a realistic foraging experience (cats love to hunt for their food). They will not only get mental/physical stimulation but the slower feeding aids digestion and promotes better nutrient absorption.

It's fun to be the smart kid, Mom was right!

Happy Earth Day!

Help your furry friend reduce their carbon paw-print!

It's April 22^nd Earth Day, which serves as a welcome reminder as to how important protecting the planet is to those with their noses to the ground. We are committed, all year round, to digging up and showcasing “green” products. We are adding new eco-fabulous finds to our product mix every day so check back often!

Here are just a few of our current faves:

Sweet Dreams. Your pal can rest easy knowing that his Eco-Mat is made of 100% “Post Consumer” recycled materials (aka plastic pop bottles). These plush mats are machine washable, portable and made in the USA. Curl up and think about green fields and crisp, clean creeks – full of Eco-friendly frog toys, also made of “post consumer” materials, this squeaky toy is so popular, it’s practically endangered!

Catch! The Huck and Hurley are made of a revolutionary new material, “Zogoflex” which is 100% recyclable. These tough toys will stand up to even the most enthusiastic of playmates – they can chew it, bounce it and float it, but they’ll never have to send it to a landfill.

Walk the Talk. Your canine companion, or fashionable feline, can strut their stuff in our “Go Green” hoodie. It’s the perfect accessory for the trendy and the tree hugger alike by concentrating on the three Rs. Reduce, Reuse and Remarkably stylish.

Get Outside

The weather is finally warming up, so go out and enjoy all of your favourite activities with your constant companion. Whether your pal loves fishing, hiking, camping, or even barking at the ducks in the local pond, they can do it stylishly with the “Great outdoors” collection.

April showers bring May flowers, but they also bring big puddles and muddy fields. Keep your furry friend looking his best with our top of the line grooming products like Lani shampoos and conditioners. Available in three fetching fragrances; Park, Beach and Woods – they can help your dog’s coat shine, even when the sun doesn't.

barker & meowsky Spring Sample Sale

“Finally a designer sample sale for the four-legged set.”

Chicago, IL – March 26, 2008: barker & meowsky is hosting an exclusive spring sample sale - a unique opportunity to stock up on designer products at fantastic prices for all of your favorite dogs and cats. Designer merchandise from Tanner & Dash, Urban Hund, Scooter’s Friends and Ella Dish including tanks, tees, hoodies, collars, harnesses, leads, beds, bowls, carriers, coats, sweaters, toys, gift items and much more will be marked down 25-75% off during this exclusive three day shopping event.

WHERE: barker & meowsky; 1003 W Armitage Ave

WHAT: barker & meowsky Spring Sample Sale

DATE: Three Days Only! April 11^th to 13^th

TIME: 10:00am to 7:00pm^th Friday the 11

10:00am to 7:00pm^th Saturday the 12

12:00pm to 5:00pm^th Sunday the 13

Get a great deal, do a good thing, a percentage of proceeds to benefit PAWS Chicago.

Cash & all major credit cards accepted for barker & meowsky merchandise.

Cash only accepted for Urban Hund merchandise. All discounted items are final sale.

Your Furry Valentine Contest Winner - 2008

I am not a cat person. Maybe you can see where this is going
just from that sentence, but in my case, it's true. My
childhood pet was a sturdy little Norwich Terrier (who looked a
little like the love child of Toto from the Wizard of Oz and
Duncan McTavish, the Westhighland terrier who fought crime). I
thought I would always have a dog in my life, preferably just
like the one I'd had when I was little. My love of dogs led me
to the local animal shelter where I volunteered to walk and
socialize the dogs. I enjoyed working with them, both the
behaviorally challenged ones and the sweet tempered ones.

After volunteering there for several months, the shelter
director offered me a job. I was happy to work there, though it
was the hardest job I've ever had, both emotionally and
physically. Like anyone who has worked at a shelter, the
stories I have are both devastating and inspiring. I held a
tiny kitten over a vaporizer as it gasped its last breaths; I
pulled a three-week-old kitten out of a sealed tupperware
container that had been left on the shelter steps; I watched as
a badly beaten dog was euthanized while its owner was simply
reprimanded. I also saw a cat who was hit by a car learn to
walk with only two legs, becoming the friskiest cat in the
cattery; I saw a dog who growled and bit out of fear from abuse
learn to trust and love being petted and held; I watched a cat
with only one eye get adopted by a four year old girl who
thought he was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen.

There are so many love stories from my time at the shelter, but
only one has become lifelong; that's the love story of me and a
cat named Minky. I saw a homeless, sick, and sad little cat,
weighing only four pounds and missing part of her ear, come
into the shelter after complications with a forced spaying.
She'd been caught from a feral cat colony outside of a trailer
park. When she was spayed, the vet discovered that, even though
she was only about four months old, she was already pregnant.
Her complications led her to a slow recovery at the shelter
where I worked. Minky always rolled over in her cage to say
hello when I came in, and she always tried to grab a sip from
my Starbucks travel cup (to this day she tries to drink my coffee).

I'm not sure what exactly it was that made her stand out from
the other 106 cats who all had strong and moving stories. Maybe
it was that, even when sick, she had the softest fur in the
world. Or that she would follow me with her eyes as I moved
around the shelter, making chirping sounds if I came near her
cage (she had the cage in the uppermost right corner, on a wall
of 54 occupied cat cages). It could also be that, no matter how
many times I had to give her pills, injections, or clean her
ears, she never bit me, scratched me, or even narrowed her
bright green eyes at me. She always purred. She still does. She
came to the shelter nameless and I came to call her Mink,
because of her soft fur and because, as she got healthier, she
would try to ride around on my shoulders like an expensive
stole. She melted me. She sleeps on her back, curled in a ball,
and purrs every second of her life.

When I left the shelter to take a full time teaching job, I had
to take her with me. I couldn't bear the thought of her waking
up, excited to sneak a sip of coffee and chirp at me as I
worked, only to find me not there. When I brought her home, I
thought she would hide for a little while, but she walked the
perimeter of the house, then came to curl up in my lap. Now,
she lives not only with me, but with my husband and two small
children. She wraps her little paws around their heads while
they watch television and she grooms them, licking big clumps
of their hair and purring loudly. They love it and are
disgusted by it. She's still never bitten or scratched anyone,
and her motor is always running.

Sometimes we think about her life before she came to our
family, about what the E! True Hollywood Story of Minky would
be like. Truth is, she's the most gentle, kind little animal
I've ever known. Now, when people ask me if I'm a cat person, I
tell them I'm a Minky person. I couldn't leave her there in the
shelter, but she's given me more than I've given her. She makes
every day of our lives better by gracing us with her purr. We
all love our pets this much; I'm so grateful she's mine.

Your Furry Valentine Contest Runner-up 2008

I don’t just have one furry valentine… I have three. My pups are all so different and each has captured my heart in different ways. They all have their own stories, but at the end of the day, we are our own little family.

Sullivan is my incredibly handsome Labrador, and he was my first dog. He’s a true Southern gentleman who, although a little bashful, gives his heart completely to anyone who offers him food! I love the fact that he’ll fetch and swim all day long, but he’ll curl up with me on the sofa for hours at a time as well. He was a single dog in the beginning, and he was painfully shy. I couldn’t take him anywhere or he would tremble in fear… definitely not a typical, confident lab. So I began working with him to give him confidence and help him overcome his fears. Gradually – week by week, month by month, year by year – he has turned into a different dog. Although he still is shy, he is healthy and happy. He can travel with me and have a blast at the beach. We can have houseguests and he’s actually happy to see them! One of the biggest influences on Sully was actually the next little orphan to come into our family…

I actually discovered Oliver on Valentine’s Day a few years ago after he had been dumped at six months of age off a country road. He was dirty, starving and cold, and his big pink ears were badly sunburned. I scooped him up and took him home. I left him on the back deck to go inside to get a towel to dry him off, and by the time I came back out, he had crawled into a big flower pot and gone to sleep. Soon after I took him in, I realized he was deaf. But he is such a little survivor and has learned all his commands with sign language. And because he’s deaf, he’s often more in tune with my body language and how I’m feeling than the other two hearing dogs. I adore this little guy and his wonderfully happy attitude. He also depends a great deal on Sullivan. As soon as they met, it was almost as if Sullivan realized Ollie would need assistance. So Sully never goes anywhere without him. Because Ollie can’t hear, he depends on watching Sully to know when things are going on, and Sully makes sure that he’s always in Ollie’s line of sight. The two brothers are inseparable, and once Ollie had settled in with us, I thought our family was complete. Oh, how I was wrong!

I call Mona Mae my “Drive-through Dog.” I found her late one night as I pulled out of my local fast food drive-through. She was trying desperately to find food. She came home with me, and at the vet the next day, we discovered she was expecting her second litter of puppies at only one year of age. So she settled in with me and had a litter of six beautiful puppies (who have all gone on to wonderful new homes) on the Fourth of July. When I rescued Mona, I fully intended for her to be a temporary rescue and planned to find her another forever home. But during the weeks of helping her raise her puppies, I fell completely in love with this bossy, brilliant and loving little dog. So now, two years later, she runs the household. And I can’t imagine my life without her. She has gone through two advanced obedience training courses with me, and we are currently working on her Pet Therapy Partner certification. She visits nursing homes with me and although she is full of energy and attitude at home, she goes through a complete transformation the moment we walk through a facility’s door. She becomes quiet and gentle and will sit for hours on end allowing her self to be petted, kissed and loved. Everyone who meets her is completely smitten.

Finally, one of the biggest reasons I adore my three furry valentines is that they allow me to continually rescue other pups in need. My house is constantly topsy-turvy with different rescued dogs (and cats) coming in and out. My house is always just a place for them to rest, get some love and care, and then I find them forever homes and send them on their way. But all three of my dogs take this in stride. They always welcome other animals – sharing their toys, their beds and their hearts. Without their kind indulgence, I couldn’t continue my rescue efforts.

They are indeed a motley crew… no serious pedigrees, blue ribbons or fancy titles. But all three are so incredibly special to me, and I am so grateful that each has come into my life.

Lucky in Love

Once again, the love stories have poured in and they have warmed our hearts. Choosing the winners was a very difficult task. We laughed, we cried and we were reminded how much our furry friends mean to us in so many different ways. Thank you to everyone who shared a love story with us. We would like to officially declare everyone a winner as you all recognize the love and devotion of your furry valentines.

The First Prize winner of the contest, and a $200 barker & meowsky gift package, is Anastasia Fitzwater & her cat Minky (now we’re Minky people too!) Our first runner-up is Ryan Dawkins and her three pups Sullivan, Mona Mae and Oliver. Ryan will receive a $75 barker & meowsky prize pack.

The winning stories will be posted here for all to read. The barker & meowsky team would like to thank Steve Dale for his help in the difficult task of choosing the winners.

Haiku by You

Our furry friends are definitely well-springs of inspiration. Send us a haiku about your best friend and receive a special coupon code to be applied to your next online or in-store purchase. All haikus (three lines consisting of 5 syllables, 7 syllables then another 5 syllables) will be published here on our blog.

Here are a couple of examples to get you started:

Spring is now here and
my dog rises to greet the
morning sun – her twin

Labrador brings me
fuzzy rabbit toy and more
Please put down the cat

Zoe loves barker & meowsky

Hi, my name is Zoe and I live in downtown Chicago with my person Jacky.

She adopted me from the anti-cruelty shelter. My name was James then (after the
elderly gentleman who dropped me off). James the person wanted me to live with
someone who could take care of me for a long, long, time. I knew when my person
agreed to foster me that I could convince her I was staying for good. I mean come
on, look at this face! She was in the palm of my hand in no time.

I have 3 brothers who LOVE me, whether they want to or not. Everyone in the neighborhood loves me too, especially the guy who sells streetwise on the corner, he is very nice to me. I used to go to Starbuck's everyday with my person - even the staff was happy to see me, but as I got older I didn't like it as much so we stopped going. I don't like loud noises and the train is LOUD. I got to ride the train once. I went to barker & meowsky and everyone swooned over me. We got some kitty food and kitty hooch and THIS BAG. It is the best bag EVER !!

Zoe's person, Jacky, volunteers at the Anti-Cruelty Society.  We
encourage everyone to visit their local pet shelter when looking
for a furry friend. 

Our Furry Valentines

Here are some of our favorite pictures that came along with the "Your Furry Valentine" submissions. It's definitely not hard to see why these bundles of love (and fur) are so adored!

Click on image to enlarge

barker & meowsky staffer falls in love

I have never considered myself a dog person. Dog’s always struck me as needy – always jumping all over you, licking every inch of bare skin, etc. But for years I’ve often said that if I were ever going to get a dog, it would be a long-haired Chihuahua (my good friend having one that was sweet natured and very quiet).

After living in Chicago for 2 years my career was going swimmingly and I had an apartment that I loved. In late December of 2006 I decided that the New Year was THE year that I was going to adopt a little bundle of joy.

After all of the holiday craziness was over I began browsing the websites of various rescue organizations throughout Chicagoland. My only stipulation is that I wanted a smaller dog, my apartment being less that palatial.

One day, I was browsing through www.pawschicago.org and saw a picture that caught my eye. This one:

"Mollie" in 2007

I showed everyone this picture. My boyfriend, my colleagues, I even sent it to my brother in Canada. Not everyone shared my enthusiasm - my good friend A.B. said she looked like a fear-biter. I checked the website at least twice a day, making sure that the little long-haired Chihuahua (named Mollie) hadn’t been adopted yet. Finally, I broke down and filled out the online adoption form and called to book an appointment.

I was so nervous that I asked Alice (Ms. Meowsky herself) to come with me and give her honest opinion. On a cold February day, Alice and I jumped into the car and headed down to the adoption center on 26th street.

Once we had checked in with the staff, they brought Mollie out for us to meet. PAWS has gotten her from Animal Care and Control, so no one really knew what her life had been like before she was picked up as a stray. The staff thought that she had had a litter of puppies, though she was only around a year old. She was so tiny and thin, her ribs being very prominent against her coat. I knew immediately I wanted her, there was only one problem. Like many strays, she had already bonded with the PAWS staff because they had treated her so kindly and given her so much love – she was very, very shy of me.

Luckily, little Mollie had an Achilles heel – treats! The staff gave me some treats and the next thing you know I was able to coax her onto my lap. I really wanted her, but decided that I would foster her first, to make sure it was a good match and that she could warm up to me on her own.

That evening, my boyfriend Joseph and I are discussing potential names. I had promised to let him choose the name, but I retained veto power. After tossing some names out that just didn’t work Joseph suggested a Spanish name – I didn’t love the name but said I enjoyed the idea of an exotic name, I thought a French name would be terrific. Then Joseph said “What about Soleil?” and we both knew instantly that this was the perfect name.

Soleil was a little tentative for the first night, though she did curl up next to me, but in the morning everything changed. She woke early and crept up onto my pillow and curled up right next to my head and that was it - we’ve been inseparable ever since.

Now, as her second birthday is rapidly approaching, she is happy, well adjusted and just a little spoiled, but despite all things I have given her I truly believe she has given me so much more. She is the light of my life and I am grateful every day to wake up with the Sun - even on the cloudiest day.

If you have any questions about adopting a dog, please feel free to send any questions to paul@barkerandmeowsky.com.

Soleil today - my little ray of sunshine!

Extra, Extra - FOX News reporter falls in love

My love affair with my white boxer, Rudy, started when he was just 6 weeks old. My sister is a vet and brought him home to me from her clinic. It seems there was a family who wanted to put Rudy to sleep because he was born all white and they figured he would have a lot of problems. My sister just couldn't do it and instead gave him to me. My sister put Rudy on my white bedspread and told me there was a surprise waiting for me in my room. It took me a few minutes to find him because he blended in with the bedspread he was so white!! Rudy could fit in the palm of my hand at the time and he was the most beautiful and sweet puppy I had ever seen. I fell in love with him instantly.

So... 6 and a 1/2 years later... Rudy can't even fit in my lap anymore. He is super tall and weighs about 74 pounds. Rudy got his name because he was born on September 11th - that day. I named him after Rudy Giuliani because I thought he did a great job on 9/11. I wanted his name to be something patriotic and Rudy's name fit perfectly. Rudy has been through so much in the past two years. He has had a total of 10 cancerous tumors removed, one ACL surgery and he has another knee surgery to look forward to in the next year... but no matter how stitched up he has been... Rudy always manages to keep his tail wagging. Some of my friends now call Rudy Franken-Rudy because he has so many scars he looks like frankenstein. To me... he is still beautiful!

I have lived in three different states with Rudy...my job requires me to move frequently. He is always ready to get in the car and move and he always adapts well to all of his new environments. Rudy really has been through everything with me... he is my buddy, my best friend and he is always by my side. I fell in love instantly with Rudy and if you ever meet him... you will too. We are always stopping by Barker and Meowsky... it's Rudy's favorite shop!

Tera and Rudy Williams
LOVE AT FUR-ST SIGHT!!

Share The Love Stories

barker & meowsky's 4th Annual
Your Furry Valentine Contest

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, we can’t help but think of true love and love stories – especially those little sources of unconditional love, our own furry valentines. Throughout the year we’re privileged to hear from our customers stories of rescue, destiny and love at first sight and we want to hear more!

We want you to think back and remember the moment you realized that you and your furry friend were meant to be together. Was it love at first sight? Were you surfing petfinder.com and saw a face you just couldn’t forget? Were you in a shelter and saw a cat that you had to share your life with? Did your dog save you from a burning building? Did you find yourself living with a pet that slowly endeared herself to you over time? What is it that they do every day that makes you love them a little more?

Every year the entries make us laugh and cry - we are always touched. Last year’s poignant winning story described how one little beagle changed a couple’s life forever. Please stop by our store, or email your special story and pictures to us at blog@barkerandmeowsky.com. This year, along with barker and meowsky, we’re thrilled to welcome our celebrity Judge, animal expert Steve Dale, to join us in choosing a favorite story.

As always, we want to reward true love. The best story wins a $200 barker & meowsky prize package, 1st runner up wins a $75 barker & meowsky prize package and the winning stories will be published on our blog.

Good luck, and remember, you have a furry valentine so you’re already a winner! Every entry receives a coupon with a special valentine offer.
Thank you for sharing your stories with us!

Entry deadline is February 29^th, 2008. (Winners will be announced March 4th.) To read the stories of past furry valentine contest winners, click "furry valentine contest" in the archives.

About our Celebrity Judge : Steve Dale, a champion of the human-animal bond, pet expert and certified dog and cat behavior consultant, reaches more pet owners than any other pet journalist in America.

Steve writes a twice weekly syndicated newspaper column (Tribune Media Services), he’s a contributing editor at USA Weekend, special correspondent Cat Fancy, and host of two nationally syndicated radio shows, Steve Dale’s Pet World and The Pet Minute as well as Pet Central on WGN Radio, Chicago. Steve Dale’s website is a wonderful resource for all of us who love our pets: http://www.stevedalepetworld.com/

Interview with Jill Wenzel of Eagle Pack Holistic Select

The health of your pet is very important to us, which is why we carry only the highest quality food and treats on the market. Frequently, we invite representatives from our food and treat companies to visit the store and meet with our customers to answer their questions. With our new blog, we can now share the same information with everyone.

I recently sat down with Jill Wenzel, of Eagle Pack Holistic Select, to discuss what makes their food so unique.

What makes Eagle Pack Holistic Select different from other foods on the market?

Eagle Pack diets contain natural, human grade ingredients and the highest table quality meat meals, grains, and fats and oils available. You simply won’t see the same results with any other pet food at any price.

What is Meat meal?

Meat meal, as in Chicken Meal for example, is derived from chicken meat, not by-products. The 70% water is removed from the meat to form a concentrated protein meal. It is 91% digestible and 11-times more protein concentrated than meat.

When was Eagle Pack invented?

Invented in the early 1970's by 2 brothers who knew better animal nutrition leads to healthier animals who live longer.

Where is the product manufactured?

Mishawaka, Indiana - Made in the Midwest by ingredients raised and harvested in the Midwest.

What is the most common question you get asked?

Definitely, “should I keep my dog/cat on the same food/flavor forever?”

Answers vary by person. Some say you should never change foods because the animal will get sick. This is true if you are changing qualities of food, for example from a lower grade food to Eagle Pack, the animal won't get sick since we add Digestive Enzymes to help the stomach adjust. But if you are changing from a quality food such as Eagle Pack Holistic Select to a food found in big box pet/grocery stores, the animal can get extremely sick. Imagine yourself going from home cooked perfectly-portioned meals to eating fast food burgers every day. Most people wouldn't feel so good.

Eagle Pack Holistic Select is on the high end of the quality spectrum, we also offer Lamb, Chicken, Duck, Fish, Large Breed & Senior formulas for dogs and Chicken, Duck & Fish all with similar levels of fat and protein which can safely be alternated so the animal can have variety while getting the nutrition he/she needs.

What is the most important consideration when thinking about changing your pet's diet?

By feeding Eagle Pack Holistic, the most obvious changes will be in the coat, with Omega 3:6 fatty acids, the coat will shine and there will be a reduction in flaky skin. The Pre & Pro Biotics added for the immune system help keep the animal healthy and even heal from scrapes and scratches quicker.

Since the food is derived from quality meat meals, the animal will eat less since it is satisfying its need for meat protein and creating less waste.

Jill will be visiting barker & meowsky, and handing out samples & coupons of the many Eagle Pack products, on Saturday January 26th from 11am to 2pm. We look forward to seeing her then!

If you have questions, please post below in the comments section and we will do our best to get you an answer.

barker & meowsky a "Don't Miss"

barker & meowsky was recently named a "don't miss" location by American Way magazine in their "Know-It-Alls" column which invites local travel experts to list their favorite local destinations.

According to local Chief Concierge Sylvia Rollins of the Hotel Monaco (225 North Wabash Avenue), "One of her favorite streets is Armitage Avenue, which features...an upscale pet accessories emporium, barker & meowsky."

To see the full article, which also includes "don't miss" locations in Hawaii, Buenos Aires, Tokyo, Toronto and Miami please visit http://www.americanwaymag.com/tabid/2855/tabidext/3610/default.aspx.