Page 125 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2026

SASSY BIRD INTERIORS
211 Main St. Bay St. Louis 228.344.3181 | www.sassybirdinteriors.com
Photo by Jim Mora
Holly Harrison has been a licensed interior designer for over 35 years. Shannon Stage
has spent nearly 20 years in the giftware industry. Together they own Sassy Bird Interiors in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
While they are an important part of your family, pets are the lowest ranking members. There needs to be some rules your pet must obey. No one can afford to have their home physically damaged; health and hygiene must be maintained, and if anyone in the home has allergies, selecting the right pet can be tricky. You may need to protect your furnishings and carefully consider durable flooring and fabrics.
We believe pets belong on the floor, not the furniture
or countertops. Their access to the whole house should
be limited. They need their own space for sleeping and a space to be when the family needs some distance. But it is your house and your rules! A simple screen pocket door between the pet area and the rest of the house is genius. It allows more interaction even when the door is “closed,” but it contains your pet. It is a straightforward way to create dedicated space for your pets and protect the rest of your home and your privacy.
There is so much newfangled equipment and limitless designer accessories that can be purchased for pets. According to The Pet Product Association, we spend over 136 billion dollars on our pets every year. The options for taking care of their physical needs, providing them with stimulating activity, and satisfying our desire to humanize them with clothes and accessories is mind boggling. But
the basics do not have to break the bank. Pets need their basic needs fulfilled and daily attention like all of us do. Some more than others. Choose a pet wisely and teach your children how to take care of a breathing being other than themselves. The benefits are priceless as are the memories they will make.
Everyone has childhood memories about their animals. Just reminiscing brings smiles and laughter years later. There was the time Old English Sheepdog ran out into the street and hit a Volkswagen Bug once, before bouncing off the fender and continuing to run on his way. And another time when a popular beagle in town strolled into the local movie theater to watch a Saturday matinee with his “kids” before his “parents” were called to come pick him up. But the most baffling incident was the time we went on vacation, leaving two bunnies at home, and returning to find six. That one is still a mystery.
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net
April 2026 | 125