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.