This Just In ...
Kevin Fischer is a veteran broadcaster, the recipient of over 150 major journalism awards from the Milwaukee Press Club, the Wisconsin Associated Press, the Northwest Broadcast News Association, the Wisconsin Bar Association, and others. He has been seen and heard on Milwaukee TV and radio stations for over three decades. A longtime aide to state Senate Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature, Kevin can be seen offering his views on the news on the public affairs program, "InterCHANGE," on Milwaukee Public Television Channel 10, and heard filling in on Newstalk 1130 WISN. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, and their lovely baby daughter, Kyla Audrey, in Franklin.
The Barking Lot (01/15/11)
The Barking Lot is a regular weekly feature of this just in…Written by my lovely wife, Jennifer and me. It opens with the weekend dog walking forecast followed by the main blog from dog lover, Jennifer. Then it’s DOGS IN THE NEWS and our close. Enjoy!
THE WEEKEND DOG-WALKING FORECAST: We grade the weather outlook for taking your pet outdoors.
TODAY: You'll wake up to some fresh snow. Mostly cloudy skies. High of 23. "F"
SUNDAY: Cloudy. High of 18. "F"
Here’s my lovely wife, Jennifer with this week’s main blog:
I have written several Barking Lot blogs about ways to indulge your pet, including custom clothing and “spa” experiences. To a large extent I don’t have a problem with pampering your pooch. I feel that if you have the disposable income, even in this rotten economy, you should spend it on things that you enjoy. I have mentioned many times that our pets got presents on their birthdays and at Christmas. Clearly I am a proponent of spoiling our four-legged friends. (Let it be known, however, their sweaters were “off the rack” and their treats were of the Milk Bone brand.)
While the shopping season is over for another ten months, it seems it’s just enough time for some pet parents to figure out what their over-indulged pup wants for Christmas 2011.
My life is filled with beauty and joy every day because I am blessed with a happy and healthy 21-month-old daughter. I thank God for her and my amazing husband. But as I read about pet parents who agonize over what to get their dog who has everything I thought to myself, “I wish that was MY biggest problem: my dog has too many Burberry coats.”
SERIOUSLY???!!!
Oh yes, I bet you didn’t realize the trauma some pet parents face during the holiday season. These poor owners just can’t seem to figure out what to get their dog because Fido already owns 20-plus collars, four coats and beds for every season.
One dog owner actually admits to re-gifting items her precious Maxie receives. Apparently Maxie has such exquisite taste that he can tell if he will enjoy wearing the coat or sweater in that gift box or if the bed is “just right” as Goldilocks once said. Maxie’s owner says Maxie will focus more on the gift-giver than the gift in these instances and the “clueless but generous” (my description, not hers) people think they are being thanked.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME????!!!!
I’m not sure who owns whom in that case.
To create balance in the article there is the suggestion that stumped gift-givers make a donation to a pet charity in the dog’s name. I think that’s a marvelous idea but can you imagine poor Maxie reading the donation acknowledgement card he gets in the mail? He would be devastated, Maxie’s owner would feel snubbed, and the gift-giver would surely be greeted with, at best, a growl of disappointment.
I’m sorry I stumbled upon this article a couple weeks AFTER Christmas 2010. I’m sure Christmas 2011 will be just as puzzling for these stumped pet parents. I was just left shaking my head in amazement. After reading the entire article I’m sure you’ll agree.
---Jennifer Fischer
Thanks, Jennifer!
Time now for DOGS IN THE NEWS, canines that made headlines the past week.
Pay your taxes or else the dog gets it! Here's more.
TSA uncocnerned about dead dogs on planes.
Dog helps save man, then dies.
BARKING LOT UPDATE: Should dogs be banned from cemeteries?
NY Times column: TV unleashes real dogs of America.
Detroit says no to the Discovery Channel.
Ay, ei, ei, Martha!
BARKING LOT UPDATE: Last November, Jennifer wrote about Target. The stray dog is back in the news.
Are you smarter than Chaser?
California columnist asks, "Are dog parks worth the cost?"
It's a self-service dog wash!
That's it for this week's installment. Thanks so much for stopping by!
We close as always with our closing video.
Let's head to California.
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