Wednesday, August 2, 2006


Most of the time, the audiences we welcome to the Florida Theatre are rather calm and collected, fitting for the particular event, but there are times when the event beckons for a crowd with a bit more enthusiasm—heart pounding, tail wagging, paw stomping enthusiasm.

The August Art Walk at the Florida Theatre was a tribute to our four-legged friends. Art Walk Pet Walk was graciously sponsored by PetGuard and garnered a fabulous turnout of both man and mutt…oh and not to forget the occasional feline.

Seriously, it hadn’t been more than 30 minutes until I heard the phrase I had been anticipating ever since the drive to the theatre.

“Man, this place has really gone to the dogs,” one man remarked with a grin of satisfaction on his face. I wonder how long he had been waiting to say that.

But clichés aside, I have never quite been surrounded by so many well dressed animals. One dog was all dolled up in her rock star sweater and black feather boa. The Art Walk must have fallen on another dog’s basketball night as he was all geared up for a game—jersey, shorts, ball and all. There were tutus. There were tiaras. There were denim dresses and patterned vests. And the rest of them, well, they were just naked I guess.

It was very satisfying to see how many people did bring their animals down to the theatre for this event. It just goes to show how much our pets affect our lives. They become more than the furry friends who gnaw holes in our socks, lick our ice cream cones and sleep on our pillows. They become the family members who gnaw holes in our socks, lick our ice cream cones and sleep on our pillows.

I have always been an animal person, having dogs and cats all my life, and I just couldn’t tell you the love I have for my cat, Simon, even when he jumps out from behind a corner, with arms flailed, in the utmost attempt to either trip me or attack my knees. He’s so precious—especially when he bites my toes while I’m sleeping, puts his paws in my cereal or rips the posters off the walls.

Now if my roommate did that, I’d probably have a problem with it. Why is it that we let our animals get away with so much? It is because of that silent bond, the unconditional love. It is because of the fact that no matter how many times you forget your animal’s birthday, or how many times you watch that Killer Octopus show on the Discovery Channel or even how many times you belt out Spice Girls in the shower, he will still love you. You’ll still find him with his head right on the pillow next to yours, lovingly panting that hot, fragrant breath right in your face. It is a beautiful thing.

So it is no wonder an event like this was so successful. People love their animals with a very special kind of love. And no, Simon was unable to make it out to the event. He and his claws had a prior engagement with the arm rests of the couch, although he did send his very best regards…

(Photo taken by Michael Cenci -- www.cenciphotography.com)