Pet Parade: Beggin Strips Barkus

Beastly trends are sweeping the nation. Do you like the queen? You will enjoy some of the slide show photos from the Beggin Strips pet parade.

Pet Parades: Strut Your Mutt!

I don't know how I missed the pet parade fundraiser for the United Way but I did. My buddies in the desert forgot to alert me. Check out the delightful pet parade photos at the Desert Sun website.

You'll also enjoy these pet parade photos online at the Olympian.

Pets need to go to school...and this bulldog beauty meets and motivates the kids when attending the elementary school near Lake Elsinore.

BTW here is the original announcement for the Worth Ave pet parade in Palm Beach.

These parades are becoming more and more mainstream and you can learn more in Blessing of the Animals (ISBN 14027296770) due out April 1st!

Is St Patrick’s Day Going to the Dogs?

Saint Patrick's Day has been celebrated in the United States since 1737. Green beer, shamrocks and corned beef and cabbage are traditions that most Americans are familiar with but not many realize that today’s St Patrick’s Day paw-tys have really gone to the dogs.

According to Diana L Guerrero, “Pet households now outnumber those with kids and today more and more celebrations include pets. Irish breed clubs and owners now can even give their pets bowser beer (non-alcoholic) and raise funds with pooch smooching at ‘Kiss Me I’m Irish’ booths.”

Guerrero is the author of BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS: A GUIDE TO PRAYERS & CEREMONIES CELEBRATING PETS & OTHER CREATURES (ISBN 1402729677). The new book, scheduled for release in April, discusses pet pageants, pet parades, and the pet paw-ty craze sweeping the nation.

St. Patrick (387-461 AD) is the patron saint of Ireland and Roman Catholics celebrate his feast day on March 17th but the tradition has become a popular secular celebration.

Guerrero said, “One urban legend is that St Patrick drove all the snakes from Ireland--but snakes were never native to Ireland. Some people believe the snakes were a metaphor for the conversion of the pagans.”

A traditional icon of St Patrick’s Day is the shamrock. The Irish tale is that St. Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity--representing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—all separate parts of the same entity and this is why the custom of wearing a shamrock became a tradition on his feast day.

Guerrero said, “Pet owners now have a variety of fashion options available for their companion animals. Most grooming salons will use shamrock or green ribbons if you ask. I’d also encourage some beastly bling such as a shamrock pet tag. People can also find St Patrick holiday collars and bandanas. For those pet owners who want to dye their pets green for St. Patrick's Day? Ultimately it is the pet owner's decision but animal lovers should be alerted that the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center discourages the practice.”

Allergic reactions and toxic odors and residue from green dye could pose problems so before using any product on your companion animal make sure the product is non-toxic --and protect the pet's ear and eyes. Some safer alternatives? Try green Jell-O or professional grooming.

You know that a holiday has really gone to the dogs when there is a canine version of the St Patrick’s Day prayer:

May your dog rise up to meet you, with a bark and a wag of the tail.
When your day’s journey is over, may the woes of the day be gone.
As your faithful companion greets you, eager to welcome your home, may God hold you both in the palm of His hand.

-END-


Review copies of BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS: A GUIDE TO PRAYERS & CEREMONIES CELEBRATING PETS AND OTHER CREATURES (ISBN 1402729677) are available to journalists. Contact Sterling Publishing Publicity at (212) 532-7160 or Krista Margies (646) 688-2510 (kmargies@sterlingpub.com).

Diana L Guerrero is available for interviews. Learn more at:
http://www.dianalguerrero.com
http://www.blessingoftheanimals.com
http://www.whatanimalscanteachusaboutspirituality.com


RESOURCES OF INTEREST:

Irish Canine Breeds

Irish red and white setter

Irish Setter

Irish terrier

Glen of Imaal terrier

Kerry blue terrier

Irish soft-coated wheaten terrier

Irish water spaniel

Irish wolfhound

St Patrick’s Day from Religion Facts

St Patrick’s Day from National Geographic

St Patrick’s Day from US Information

St Patrick’s Day from the History Channel

St Patrick’s Day Songs for Cat Lovers

What you might not know:

•In the United States wearing green is the typical attire for the day—but this was not the tradition in Ireland where the color was considered unlucky.

•Chicago is famous for dyeing the Chicago River green on St. Patrick's Day. The tradition began in 1962.

•Guinness stout was first brewed by Arthur Guinness in Dublin, Ireland in 1759. The beer has become synonymous with Ireland and Irish bars.

•Cabbage was traditionally served with Irish bacon not corned beef. Immigrants to America substituted corned beef around the turn of the century.

Pet Parade with Photos

Pet parades are a whole lot of fun and are gaining popularity. Some could also be called pet pageants. I include a few references in Blessing of the Animals: A Guide to Prayers & Ceremonies Celebrating Pets & Other Creatures (ISBN 1402729677) and thought that this pet parade in Palm Beach would be of interest--you'll love the photos!

Author Says Mardi Gras Krewe Welcomes REAL Paw-ty Animals

Carnival, most popularly known as Mardi Gras season, started on January 6th (the end of the twelfth day of Christmas). Most of the infamous parades, balls and related festivities take place two weeks before Mardi Gras Day (Fat Tuesday) which is February 20th.

According to author Diana L Guerrero—you can see some real animals in New Orleans during this time. When Guerrero says animals, she means the four legged members of the Mystic Krewe of Barkus, a Mardi Paws society whose membership is limited to canines and is headquartered near the “flea market” of New Orleans.

Diana L. Guerrero mentions the group in her soon to be released book, BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS: A GUIDE TO PRAYERS & CEREMONIES CELEBRATING PETS AND OTHER CREATURES (ISBN 1402729677).

Guerrero said, “In the past the group has picked clever themes such a ‘Jurassic Bark,’ ‘Lifestyles of the Bitch & Famous,’ and the ‘Wizard of Paws.’ This year the theme is ‘A Street Dog Named Desire.’”

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS is a unique look into timeless traditions of animal blessings, contemporary creature celebrations, and touches on pet pageants, pet parades, and other quirky pet friendly activities. The author discovered the Krewe of Barkus during her research for her newest work due out in April.

Although the Mardi Gras tradition arrived in America in 1699 the Mystic Krewe of Barkus surfaced just 15 years ago.

“Each year the krewe donates the proceeds of the parade registration fees, merchandise sales, and ball profits to worthy animal welfare groups. I think it is great that even if you can’t attend, they encourage you to support a dog-gone good cause through the purchase of a membership or the krewe’s memorabilia.”

Guerrero was sorry to hear that there was no yappy hour at this year’s Barkin’ Up the Ritz Ball on February 9th since the Windsor Court Hotel event is for humans only--but anyone can join the Krewe of Barkus--and parade is filled with those canine members.

Pet parents who don’t parade can join the paw-ty at Armstrong Park in New Orleans beginning at 10:30am. The parade will start at 2:00pm.

Krewe of Barkus

• Krewe of Barkus: The Wizard of Paws...There's No Place Like Home


• Krewe of Barkus: Hairy Pawter and the Sorcerer's Bone


• Krewe of Barkus: Joan of Bark


• Krewe of Barkus 2002


• Krewe of Barkus Highlights 2000


• Krewe of Barkus:
  007 From Barkus with Love


• Krewe of Barkus Screenshots!


• Photos Krewe of Barkus


• Photos Krewe of Barkus


• Photos Krewe of Barkus


• Krewe of Barkus in the news


• Mystic Krewe of Barkus in the news


• Krewe of Barkus Webshots

Mardi Paws Krewe

• Mardi Paws Royal Hairs (Canine Court) Photos 2006


• Mardi Paws Royal Hairs (Canine Court) Photos 2005


• Mardi Paws Royal Hairs (Canine Court) Photos 2004


• Mardi Paws Royal Hairs (Canine Court) Photos 2003


• Mardi Paws Royal Hairs (Canine Court) Photos 2002


• Mardi Paws Royal Hairs (Canine Court) Photos 2001


• Mardi Paws Royal Hairs (Canine Court) Photos 2000


• Mardi Paws Royal Hairs (Canine Court) Photos 1999


• Mardi Paws 2002

Krewe of Barkus & Meoux

• Barkus & Meoux Parade Pictures