If you’re in St. Louis (or want to meet me there!) on February 15, don’t miss the 16th Annual Beggin’ Pet Parade. Registration opens at 10 a.m., and the parade kicks off at 1 p.m.

Join thousands of four-legged friends and their owners in the streets of Soulard to celebrate the 16th annual Beggin’ Strips Barkus Pet Parade. It’s one of the largest pet parades in the world, and 2009 marks its 16th anniversary of being the place to be seen for pet owners.

There will be plenty of tail-wagging good fun as dogs and other lovable pets parade in their colorful Mardi Gras-themed costumes. (Animal participants are subject to the approval of Mardi Gras, Inc. and the St. Louis Department of Animal Control based on appropriateness, temperament and health.

For more information, click here.

And for those of you who can’t make it, tune in to “The Nature” series on PBS on February 15, at 8 p.m. for the episode “Why We Love Cats and Dogs.”

The episode, which explores the close relationships people have with their four-legged friends, will include a segment about the ASPCA’s Meet Your Match® (MYM) adoption program and how it’s improving the way animal shelters match animals and adopters.

For more information about the show, click here.