Animals Rule
Pet Projects
Wag your tail at these major animal events in 2007
By Jason A. HeidemannMark your calendars today because 2007 is jam-packed with events for pets and their people. Whether you’re marching mutts through the streets of St. Louis on Mardi Gras or snapping digital pics of runway dogs in New York, 2007 will truly be the year of the pet.
Early 2007
www.Kids.Discovery.com
Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin’s enthusiasm for wildlife lives on in the spirit of his 8-year-old daughter, Bindi Irwin, who will star in this new 26-part wildlife documentary on the Discovery Kids Network. Each week Irwin will hang out in a tree house and explore wildlife while teaching about conservation. She will occasionally be joined by her father through the use of archival footage shot before his death.
Feb. 9-11: Edison, New Jersey
March 23-25: Chantilly, Virginia
www.SuperPetExpo.com
What can’t you do at this affair geared to families? Hundreds of pet-friendly retailers, service providers, and animal shelters and rescue organizations from around the world will converge for one weekend of up-close interactions with area pet lovers. Pets are welcome, making this an event for everyone.
Feb. 11: St. Louis, Missouri
www.MardiGrasInc.com/events.asp
Are you ready for Mardi Growl or maybe Mardi Paw? Call it what you want but the Gateway City is well-known for lavish Fat Tuesday celebrations...with pets. Each year, the
St. Louis-based Purina Company organizes this costume parade through the beautiful Soulard area. All animals are welcome, although we don’t think many fish will be up for the walk. Proceeds benefit the Open Door Animal Sanctuary.
Through Feb 25: Grand Rapids, Michigan
April 1-Oct. 14: Lexington, Massachusetts
www.PetsInAmerica.org
This 2,000-square-foot traveling exhibition kicked off in South Carolina in 2005 and is slowly making its way to communities around the country. This fascinating exhibition uses vintage artifacts and images to tell the story of our lives at home with animals throughout history. But the best part about it are the many events that host museums have been creating for guardians and animals alike. Visit the website to see if the exhibit will be coming to a city near you.
June 20-24: Petaluma, California
www.Sonoma-MarinFair.org
Some 18 to 20 pooches from as far away as Florida and Washington, D.C., will compete for the dubious honor of being named World’s Ugliest Dog. Both pedigreed dogs and mutts are judged in separate competitions and then pitted against each other to determine a winner. Don’t feel sorry for these dogs; visitors agree they’re all heart. And if you can’t make it to California, try catching it later on Animal Planet.
June 30 entry deadline
www.American-Dogs-Of-Distinction.com
Think your dog has what it takes to be included in the first edition of this soon-to-be classic volume of all things canine? American Dogs of Distinction is a hardcover comprehensive history of dogs and a reference book for canine connoisseurs. It is accepting submissions for prominent dogs to be featured in the book, including service and rescue, therapy, law enforcement, movie and TV dogs, and more. Visit the website to enter your animal. The book will be published at the end of 2007.
Available July: by Charlotte Reed
Nationally known pet-care specialist and trend watcher Charlotte Reed offers up the definitive guide to manners for pets and their people. Reed, best recognized for her segments on ABC’s The View, shares no-nonsense advice about grooming, obedience, veterinary care, nutrition, exercise, and more. She ought to know, she travels extensively with her three cats, two dogs, and eight finches.
Aug. 18-19: New York, New York
www.PetFashionWeek.com
It’s time to rub elbows and wag tails with the creme de la creme of the pet fashion world. Riding on the success of the inaugural event earlier this year, organizers Mario DiFante and fashion-show producer Alexa Cach will return with another weekend of black-tie galas, fashion symposiums, and mutt struts down the runway.
September: Chicago, Illinois
www.TailsInc.com
Join Tails magazines as it bids farewell to summer 2007 in a gala designed for you and your four-legged friends. In 2006, Tails, Inc. was able to raise over $4,000 for the Chicago Animal Shelter Alliance (CASA), an organization that unites local shelters with the mission to end euthanasia in the Chicago area. This year we promise it to make it bigger and better.
Oct. 28: Long Beach, California
www.HauteDogs.org/Howloween
These folks claim they have the largest Halloween Pet Parade in the United States. More than 600 costumed dogs will make the 12-block sidewalk trek through Long Beach to raise funds for local shelters. Other festivities include bobbing for Howl’OWeenies, a dog-treat stacking contest, a Bulldog Kissing Booth, and a huge animal adoption fair.
America’s Family Pet Expo
November 16-18: Rock Financial Showplace
Novi, Michigan
If you’ve ever wanted hundreds of pet-friendly businesses at your fingertips, check out this weekend-long expo for pets and their people. Attractions include demonstrations, therapy services, pet photographers, entertainment, and loads of pets available for adoption.
