"Dog of the Bride" Bridal Trunk Show

If you're part of the 18% of dog owners that, according to a 2006 survey by the American Kennel Club, would include or want to include your pets in your wedding ceremony, stay tuned! barker & meowsky, a paw firm based in Chicago, is ready to kick-off the wedding season with class and style by hosting a true-blue bridal trunk show on Saturday, June 5th from 12pm – 4pm.

This isn't your typical trunk show, however – this one is all about the 'Dog of Honor' (or perhaps the 'Best Dog.') barker & meowsky, together with dog fashion designer Alice Nichols of UpCountry, will have the latest wedding day fashions and accessories for pets available and on display all afternoon. Among the many items to be featured are tuxedos, top hats and even made-to-order collar and leash sets that match your wedding colors. Event attendees will meet wedding service providers such as trustworthy professional wedding day dog handlers and will receive some invaluable tips & resources to ensure that special day goes on "without a hitch"!
 
Volunteers from Midwest Labrador Retriever Rescue will also be on hand with some wonderful adoptable Labradors. So, if you don't have a Flower Dog yet, don't worry, you may just meet the furry love of your life!

"Over the years we've assisted the finest wedding planners in selecting the right outfits and accessories for the dog of the bride – so we're excited to be able to host an event that brings it all together in one place," explained Alice Lerman, founder of barker & meowsky. "We love to see pet-friendly weddings that are done well, that not only have style and flair but also respect for the dog, guests and wedding party. Our specialty is getting the right items and info to the happy couple to make that happen.

Details for the event are as follows:

WHAT:	'Dog of the Bride' Bridal Trunk Show
WHERE:	barker & meowsky, 1003 W. Armitage Ave in Chicago
WHEN:	Saturday, June 5th, 2010
TIME:	12pm – 4pm CDT

As if 18% of dog owners aren't enough, the American Kennel Club survey also reports that 27% of dog owners under thirty years old said they wouldn't think twice about including their best friend of the four-legged variety in their weddings – so this trend is on the rise. 

WXYZ in Detroit Covers Pet Friendly Safety in Cars and Features barker & meowsky Owner and Owner's Dogs

WXYZ Detroit was on hand at the Chicago Auto Show to do their piece on pet friendly safety. The piece, which highlights dog safety while traveling, features barker & meowsky owner as well as the stores pet mascots. View the video on WXYZ.com.

6th Annual - Your Furry Valentine Contest

Share your love stories and everyone wins! barker & meowsky's 6th Annual - Your Furry Valentine Contest

With Valentine's Day’s arrival, 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! 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? 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 winning stories illustrated the powerful effect our furry friends have on all of us. Just when we think we are rescuing them, they are rescuing us right back! Good luck, and remember, you have a furry valentine so you’re already a winner! As always, we want to reward true love, so every entry receives a coupon code for a special valentine offer. (Cat got your tongue? Simply tell us you love your furry friend to receive your coupon.) Thank you for sharing your stories with us!

This year we’re thrilled to welcome our celebrity judges, beloved Chicago veterinarian Dr. Marla Minuskin & animal expert Steve Dale.

The details:
Everyone who enters gets a coupon code.
Prize packages: 1st place = $150 value, 2nd place = $75 value.
Entry deadline 2/28/2010.
Winners announced 3/4/2010.
Email your story & pictures (we love pictures!!!) to blog@barkerandmeowsky.com
Winning stories will be published on our blog.

About Our Celebrity Judges:
Dr. Marla Minuskin, is one of Chicago’s most beloved veterinarians. A graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 1985 and the co-founder of Family Pet Animal Hospital in 1990. Dr. Minuskin skillfully and lovingly cares for more barker & meowsky customers than we can count!
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 and host of two nationally syndicated radio shows, The Pet Minute, and Steve Dale’s Pet World at WLS Radio, Chicago. Steve Dale's website is a wonderful resource for all of us who love our pets.

ABC 7 Chicago Features Pet Care Tips Including Dog Winter Booties

The chill of the winter doesn't just affect humans. Our pets experience bone-chilling cold just like us. Which is why ABC 7 Chicago ran a segment called Winter Paw Care Basics. The segment featured Gus and Casey, barker & meowsky mascots, and products such as dog winter booties.

Below is the segment:

The coverage included great winter pet care tips as well as excerpts from the book Happy Dog: Caring for Your Dog's Body, Mind and Spirit. If you are a concerned pet owner, here is a list of products featured on the segment including pet wipes and winter dog coats.

Did you see the segment on ABC 7 this morning? What did you think, leave us a comment.

Have Happier Holidays with Gifts for Dogs, Cats & Humans from barker & meowsky!

We love to make holiday shopping easy for you. Our shelves are full of unique gifts that are perfect for the most festive of felines, the most cuddly of canines and the people who love them.
With Christmas fast approaching & Hanukkah already here, there’s still time to pick the perfect present and get there in time.
Don't know what to buy? Call or email anytime for your own personal shopper!

Deck The Halls

Put your dog on your Christmas tree! Our beautifully handmade dog & cat Christmas ornaments in your favorite breeds are the perfect choice for the dog and cat lovers in your life. Also, check out the many whimsical breed-specific art prints & pillows – perfect to deck the halls of any pet-lovers home.

Oh Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel

Yiddish dog toys? We've got 'em! Singing dreidels? Yep, we've got those too! We've got enough great gifts for your furry friends to last for eight days and then some!

Jingle Bells

What to wear while caroling? We have tons of special holiday collars, ruffs, scarves, santa hats and antlers! With options for the really rambunctious to the mostly mellow there’s something that will stay put no matter how much they party.

"Moose & Me"

Last October at Camp Dogwood, Casey and Gus had the distinct pleasure of meeting Moose, a black lab from Iowa, and his person, Trevor Meers. Moose and Trevor were working on a piece for Midwest Living Magazine that examines the joys of vacationing in the Chicago area with your best friend. “Moose & Me” appears in the June 2009 issue of Midwest Living (on newsstands now!). This fun article reminds us that traveling with our best furry pal is a great idea, features our favorite dog camp and mentions your favorite dog and cat-centric shopping locale and some happy Labrador campers.

Moose, Trevor and their adorable family stopped by barker & meowsky for a quick shopping excursion on their way downtown. One of Moose’s cute little girls picked him out a new Sea Turtles collar from our “Life’s a Beach” collection. Looking good Moose! In the Trip Guide you’ll read about barker & meowsky: “This leading pet boutique in Lincoln Park offers treats, leashes, beds and more without the precious attitude that accompanies many such stores. Say hi to Labs Gus and Casey, loyal Camp Dogwood attendees.”

Gus, Casey and fellow Camp Dogwood beach game Team2 players feel that Moose contributed greatly to their big win in the “Kibble Relay”. So, “hi” right back at you and thanks Moose and Trevor!

barker & meowsky is featured on ABC 7 Chicago

This season is definitely "Puppy Season." barker & meowsky was featured on ABC 7 Chicago with our favorite dog trainer from Animal Sense, Jamie Damato, CPTD. Below is a list of Certified Dog Trainer approved dog treats that are easy to break into small pieces, have enticing aromas, and many are appropriate for dogs with sensitivities and allergies.

Real Meat Healthy Gourmet Dog Treats

These all meat treats are easy to break into small pieces for training. Their limited ingredients make them a great option for dogs with allergies.

Details: size = 4oz and 12oz packages - varieties = Lamb, Beef, Venison – price = $6.99 to $18.95

Cheesefest

Made in Wisconsin with 100% cheese. The small size and great smell make these terrific for training.

Details: size = 1.7oz – price = $4.99

Evanger’s Nothing But Naturals Jerky Treats

Evanger's has paired a unique variety of game meats with fruits and vegetables into their fantastic training treats.

Details: size = 4.5oz package – varieties = Pheasant, Buffalo, Venison & Organic Chicken – price = $7.50 to $8.50

Fido Salami and Beef Sticks

Made from 100% American Beef. These treats will make you hungry. Dogs will do just about anything for them.

Details: size = 3.5oz – varieties = Beef Salami, Beef Sticks – price = $3.95

Zuke’s Mini Naturals

All-natural mini’s are a great soft treat to always have with you.
Details: size = 6oz, 16oz – varieties = chicken, peanut butter, salmon – price = $5.25 to $11.95

To watch the video from ABC 7 Chicago, click here.