The Pet Set

By Stephanie Ernst

I’ve spent a lot of time in vet’s offices in the last several months, with dogs who have needed a great deal of care. And being in vet’s offices every few weeks has left me sad, not for my own canine friends, but for a great many of the dogs and cats we’ve encountered on these trips. They’ve been there for various reasons, and some have been very young, whereas others have been very old. But far too many of them have had one thing in common: they were fat. Really fat.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis's Imaginary Theatre Company is performing "The Little Fir Tree" at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dec. 20 and 22 and 11 a.m. Dec. 23. Attendees are encouraged to bring items to contribute to the Rep's donation drive for Stray Rescue of St. Louis. Most-needed items include dog and cat collars, rawhide dog chews, peanut butter, litter boxes, Purina ONE Lamb & Rice Dry Food, paper towels and wire dog crates of all sizes.

Get into the holiday spirit while celebrating compassion for animals at the 11th annual Hope for the Holidays Gala, presented by Stray Rescue of St. Louis. Hosted by Kathleen England of KSDK and Stray Rescue Founder/Executive Director Randy Grim, the night will feature a "Taste of St. Louis" buffet (including food from more than 25 St. Louis restaurants), live music from acoustic guitar duo Mead & McMahon, celebrity guests from National Geographic's TV show "DogTown," and members of the Best Friends Society in Utah who helped rehabilitate the Michael Vick dogs.

This topic is one that no pet owner wants to approach, but it is a reality we will eventually have to face nevertheless. Unfortunately, there will be a time when our pets have aged into their senior years, their bodies are overcome with disease or illness, or their life is cut short by an accident or injury.

Bring your well-behaved Corgi to Corgi Fun Day, featuring games and prizes, pictures with Santa, a costume contest, grooming consultations and more. Sponsored by the Gaitway Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of St. Louis, the event will take place from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23 at the AKC Museum of the Dog, located at 1721 South Mason Road.

For more information, visit gaitwaycorgis.com.

People and their dogs can get some exercise on Sunday, Nov. 9 at the eighth annual Sweat-4-Pets, sponsored by Operation SPOT (Stop Pet Overpopulation Today). The event features 5k and 10k runs and a one-mile fun walk. The festivities include prizes, a raffle, treats for both humans and dogs, and more.

Registration is $15 before the event, $20 the day of the race, and $10 for participants under 18. The first 300 people to register will receive free t-shirts.

Bring your pets and their best poses to Lola and Penelope's Premiere Pet Boutique and Wellness Center from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26 for Pet Photo Day and Pet Sketch Day. Steven Tharp and Kathy Broderick of blueShadow Photography offer photo packages starting at $25. Washington University student artist Leah Nixon provides sketches for $15 per pet and $10 for each additional pet. Appointments book fast, so RSVP soon.

Lola and Penelope's is located at 7742 Forsyth Blvd. in downtown Clayton. (314) 863-5652.

Mutts-n-Stuff will celebrate National Pit Bull Awareness Day from 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 at Jumpin' Jimmy's. Share pictures and stories while your pooch enjoys bobbing for bones and digging up bodies in the graveyard--and don't forget the costume contest. Prizes will be awarded for best costume, best pet costume and best picture.

Dogs may only participate in outdoor activities and are not allowed in the bar. Dogs must be well-behaved, vaccinated and on leashes. For larger dogs, no gentle leaders or plastic clip collars.

There are certain things you have a right or understandable reason to customize or place a special order for—your car, your hair, the house you’re building, a special-occasion dress or suit, a just-right piece of furniture. There are things to which the word “designer” can be applied inoffensively, even if without much real meaning—designer shoes, designer jeans, designer glasses, designer furnishings.

But there is a difference between things and beings. And dogs are beings. 

Sunday, Oct. 19 is the annual Clayton Canine Classic. Lola and Penelope's Premiere Pet Boutique & Wellness Center will have a booth and Fashion and Talent Show. Frisbee Club of St. Louis will also be there to demonstrate Frisbee tricks.

The Clayton Canine Classic, benefiting Stray Rescue, will take place from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in Shaw Park, located along Brentwood Boulevard just north of Forest Park Parkway.