Ever had one of those days where your Inbox is full of unanswered emails, you have countless phone calls to return, and deadlines are looming? For me, this is almost every work week. In the words of Charlie Brown…aarrgghh! Where is Lucy the psychiatrist and her 5 cent wisdom when you need her?

To make my days more balanced, centered, Zen or anything but the urge to start my smoking again, I got a desktop aquarium and it has surprisingly calmed my days. The Tetra Water Wonders Disney’s The Little Mermaid Aquarium Kit is a mere 1.5 gallons, fitting snugly into a corner of my space starved desk. It comes complete with air pump and Ariel figurine, even has an LED light and a storage drawer for fish food, which also comes with the kit.

Amazingly quiet, with the soothing gurgling of water cycling through the pump, the Tetra Water Wonders Aquarium Kit also has a plain white or Nemo version. But Ariel is my girl, with her fashion-forward cute shell bra showing, how very Carrie Bradshaw!

The initial set-up aquarium required a little patience, it needed a few days to stabilize (water conditioner in kit too) before I could add fish. I signed up with Tetra Care www.TetraCare.com which offered useful advice, e-minders and a #800 phone number with direct access to the Tetra Care team. Resist the urge to get one of those Bettas (Siamese Fighting Fish), beautiful as they are, especially if you have a cold office. They are from the tropics after all, and require a warmer environment. The Tetra Care site recommends the Platy for beginners.

Dogs seem to get a lot of attention, including a lot of print coverage by me. And when it comes to bling-bling, dogs are way ahead of the retail game. Frankly, I don’t think cats care that dogs get to wear booties and rain jackets. If you look into your cat’s eyes, he probably thinks it’s too silly for him to even consider such an outfit. And what cat goes out in the rain anyway?

Lately, the tide has turned and kitties are getting the fashion attention they deserve, with collars and trinkets worthy of their discerning taste. And if you like retro fabrics, buckle up with the new Cat Collars at Lucky Fiona www.luckyfiona.etsy.com. Custom made (would any cat demand any less) with your choice of not only the fabrics, but also the charms. Hearts, fishes and the traditional tinkley bell can be added to the collar, even a mere dog figurine. Retro fabric styles range from graphic prints to flowers, as well as whimsical chickens, cherries and shoes, with trinkets to match no less.

Cinco De Mayo is celebration time. Well, a good time can also lead to a good deed. St Vincent’s Patient Pet Care is hosting a Cinco De Mayo fundraising event. Enjoy cocktails and prizes, with all proceeds going to a good cause.

Sometimes life throws you something unexpected, and you end up staying at the hospital a little longer than you had hoped. If you’re a pet parent and a patient at one of St Vincent’s Medical Centers, and don’t have a support network to take care of your lonely pet, you can use the resources of their Patient Pet Care program to put your mind at ease.

The St Vincent’s Pet Care Cinco De Mayo event hopes to raise funds to support their unique pet care initiatives. Enjoy una feliz fiesta evening of southwestern flair, food, strolling musicians, and a bonanza of raffle prizes.

St. Vincent’s Patient Pet Care: Cinco de Mayo Event
Monday, May 5th, 2008
6:30–9:00 pm
New York University - Kimmel Center, 60 Washington Square South
Tickets are $75.
For more information or to reserve tickets, contact Kate Fischer
(212) 604-8649 or mfischer@svcmcny.org