Animal Tails Radio

Sorry to be so scarce, I've had some personal things to take care of and between that and my current schedule my time has been at a premium.

Tumpek Kandang is just over two weeks away--it is a popular Balinese Hindu celebration of household animals. I'll have to dig up my previous post on it but you can read more in Blessing of the Animals.

I wanted to invite you to listen in on my interview with Animal Tails Radio this Friday out of WGNU in St Louis. The air time is 11:15-11:45am Central Time but you can click here to listen via streaming audio.

Pet Fashion Accessory Week...Good or Bad?

Above: Damn Cool Pics posted a bunch of 2007 and 2006 Pet Fashion Week photos.

After viewing them I've decided that I am over Pet Fashion Week.

The Thailand fashion dog isn't too thrilled by the looks of it--and if you click to view the other photos--the peacock dog certainly looks miserable. (Not to mention ridiculous.)

So, where do you draw the line? Kid beauty pageants have morphed over to Pet Fashion Week--which incidentally is also a bit misleading because I didn't see any birds, cats, or reptilian models...and what about our fishy friends?

The Globe & Mail and iol covered the event and seem to have a nicer view of it than I do. But this site thinks it is abuse and if you want to see photos from the floor of Pet Fashion Week, visit this photo gallery.

Since none of you have commented, I have to believe that I am one of the few who think such activities are over the top. Do we have so much affluence that we have abandoned good common sense? I think animals are a blessing--but not fashion accessories or toys.

I can handle designer collars and leashes, and even travel accessories or bowls-- however pets as accessories makes me wonder how many more animals will be placed into homes only to be abandoned or relinquished because they don't fit in with the newest fashion trends or outfits of their owners.

AND don't get me onto the celebrities who seem to change their pets as often as their...never mind.

Maybe I am missing something? If so, I don't see anything else being covered beyond the catwalk event...and that, I am convinced, conveys the wrong impression to the masses.

Now I don't personally dress up animals but I know many of you do--so how do you feel about this? Is there a difference between dressing pets up for Halloween or a birthday party and this type of event?

You can leave your comments below.

August 2007 Il Palio Winner: Contrada del Oca

Above: Photo of Drago Horse from the August 2007 Il Palio from the myspace blog of Manny Fresh Foo of Berkeley.

This post is going to be short and sweet. Just a heads up that the August Il Palio has just passed and the winner is...Contrada del Oca (neighborhood of the Goose). Click the link if you want to see some great photos from the August 2007 Il Palio by Manny Fresh Foo of Berkeley.

Also filming there this year was Bond 22 with Il Palio as the backdrop and attracting a bit of criticism from animal activists.

I haven't found any videos or stories on Il Palio or Pet Fashion Week yet--so check your favorite news programs and sources.

Pet Fashion Week

The dog fancy really took off in the Victorian Era after the Queen began appearing with a Pekingese. I mention this because this weekend is the Second Annual Pet Fashion Week--a blend of pet industry products and fashion. The title is a bit misleading since the fashion shows take place on the weekend and not throughout the week but maybe that is what they plan for the future.

Anyway, take a gander at some of the photos (courtesy of the Pet Fashion Week website gallery) and let me know what you think. The still photograph was taken by Daniel Gagnon (see more) while the runway shot was snapped by Traer Scott (see more) Beautiful photography...

Above: Canini 2006 Photo by Daniel Gagnon


Above: American Pup 2006 by Traer Scott

If you want to see these models in action visit this link at Pup Style with Dara Foster or view the official Pet Fashion Week video collection. I imagine they will have the new 2007 videocasts up shortly after the shows this next weekend.

Pet Fashion week raises money for a variety of charities and this year guests will have fun while helping to raise funds for the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, an umbrella organization for over 130 animal welfare organizations. Legally Blonde is the theme and the cast of the musical will be attending the kick-off party (read more).

So, have you participated or attended a pet fashion show? How about a fun pet show? Let me know and send me any snaps--they would be fun to post!

Blessing Season Getting Closer

Above: Sharonart1 took the above snap and there are more Blessing of the Animals photos at this link to webshots.

Although pet blessings take place throughout the year the "high" season will hit in early October with World Animal Day and the Feast Day of St Francis. I found this nice little article about the pet blessing at the First United Methodist Church in Gilford, New Hampshire.

I've been busy with new projects but will get you another article shortly. Let me know if you have anything specific you are interested in.

Reader Comments Requested & Pet Blessing Photos

I hope all of you are well. I've been busy and decided that I probably will drop by about three times a week to post. I am working on changing a few things and hope you will leave a comment about what you'd like to see.

One reader said she didn't want notification about updates at this blog. So, let me know what you think because I can change it. At the moment I do have a list for the newsletter and updates for this website. I'd like to have it work best for everyone who is subscribed...so let me know.

I don't have much news but found some more pet blessing photos online. Check them out at these links. Pet fashion week is coming up soon and I may have a comment or two for you closer to that time!

Long Island Diocese Blessing of the Animals Photos (Click the bottom links for additional photos...the bird photo is from the Diocese.)



North Beach Blessing of the Animals (San Francisco) where this handsome iguana showed up.

I also found this message from the Eco-Justice Ministries which you might find an interesting read.

See you in a couple of days!

Miss Crustacean Beauty Pageant 34th Anniversary

Still creeping after all these years. That’s an adequate way to describe the progress of Ocean City’s annual crab extravaganzas, the Miss Crustacean Hermit Crab Beauty Pageant and the King of Klutz races celebrated their 34th anniversary August 1, 2007 at the 6th Street Beach.

Over 50 crab cuties normally compete for the Coveted Cucumber Rind Cup, symbol of Crustacean curvaceousness. She, he, it (the sex of a hermit crab is difficult to determine without a high powered microscope) will join unforgettable Miss Crustaceans of by gone days such as Crabopatra, Crabunzel , Copacrabana, Crab Salad, Taxi Crab and Gone With The Wind Crab.

The Miss Crustacean Pageant was followed by the King of Klutz races. Over 150 crab athletes will negotiate the plywood circle in hopes of bettering the 6.3 seconds world record set by the Hermie, a legendary South Jersey crab.

Intermittent entertainment will be provided by Elvis performer, Ted Prior, singing “You Ain’t Nothin’ But A Hermit Crab” and other of the King’s favorite Crustacean tunes. Ragtime piano player Danny Kean will fill in the slow spots with a lively selection of old time favorites. Inspector Clueslow, portrayed by Ron Mac Closky, will determine if any of the racers are on Searoids.

Suzanne Muldowney AKA Shelly the Mermaid, will lead the throngs in singing “Here It Comes, Miss Crustacean,” the pageant’s theme song. At this dramatic moment, the new Miss Crustacean will waddle down a Flower bedecked runway and wow the populace.

The events are officially sanctioned by NASCRAB, an organization that introduced Extreme Hermit Crab Wrestling to the world here in June. This competition is extremely non violent as crabs never touch each other. Two participants are placed on their shells and the first to roll over is declared the winner.

Material on how to properly care for hermit crabs is distributed at all Ocean City crustacean events.

The Crab events were preceded by the City’s second sand sculpting contest of the season.

I am waiting for photos are results!

Pagans Celebrate Lughnasa (Lammas)

I hope you haven't missed me too much. My schedule has been really heavy but I hope to return next week with more news for you.

Yesterday Pagans celebrated Lughnasa.

Lughnasadh marks the beginning of the harvest season, the ripening of first fruits, and is a time of community gatherings, market festivals, horse races, reunions and other celebrations. Animal celebrations such as this blessing of the animals took place.

If you visit the blog, Wild Hunt you will be able to visit a variety of links.