You've all heard about the over-the-top moms who think they have the cutest, most talented kid. They are called stage moms. They try to get them in movies and commercials. They take them to all the auditions and hope for the best. As a result there have been a lot of famous child stars. Most recently we have been hearing about the fame of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. His mom was his biggest supporter. I've read a lot about him in the paper lately. And while I was reading about him a little press release caught my eye in the same paper...that of the famed "Got Milk?" Mustache Mobile Tour. I was reading that they would be downtown at the City Market from 11:00 until 2:00 hosting a national contest. They were inviting Indianapolis residents to come down and record a 30 second video as part of a search for America's Chief Health Officer. The video was to nominate and explain a mom for this position. Moms, you see, guide us in our nutritional choices and keep us fit by making sure we get enough exercise. Moms take care of us. The winner of this contest will receive the chance to appear in her very own Milk Mustache ad, a year's supply of milk, a three month membership to Curves International and a year's subscription to Redbook Magazine. And, as an added bonus, she will be entered into the Chief Health Officer sweepstakes which will reward mom a $100,000 salary she "richly" deserves. Pretty nice.

Now what really piqued my attention was the fact that the "Got Milk?" tour was in town. Forget me going down and trying out for the mom video. I'm years past being the nurturing young mom. It was my turn to be a stage mom. I was going to take down my cat, Sara. Here was our chance. A star would be born. Another "Morris the cat", if you will. Let me explain. I adopted Sara a year ago from the Siamese Cat Rescue. She is a Snowshoe Siamese, which means she has white feet and white on her face. She had been turned into Animal Control when her elderly owner went to a nursing home. She was a pitiful little thing, weighing in at only four pounds at age six. Now she has doubled. She became our store cat. All of our customers have gotten to know her. They all adore her white mustache and I hear daily how she needs to be on the "Got Milk?" commercial. I thought that promotion was over with but here it was in my town, that day. I scooped up Sara, put her in her carrier and off we went. She thought nothing of it as she travels daily with me to the store. But she must have thought something was up when we stopped at Katie's house first. Katie is her foster mom from Siamese Cat Rescue. I had phoned her to ask her to come along for the fun with the promise of fame to the organization and the opportunity to become Sara's manager. You see, if it hadn't have been for Katie, Sara would have died. She had become very sick at the animal shelter and would have been put down. Katie rescued, fostered and nurtured her for weeks until I adopted her. She got her to finally eat. Maybe I should nominate Katie as a mom for Chief Health Officer. She has saved the lives of many such poor kitties. Katie joined us and we drove downtown. Sure enough, there was the big truck with the famous milk advertisement on it. Out in front was lively music and a tent set up for making milkshakes. I just know these people thought I was a nut case pulling my cat out of her carrier to show off her mustache. I told them her story, that I owned a pet supply store and my customers thought she would be great in their commercials. I explained that any company that features pets in their ads gets more attention. The man in charge looked at me like I was a loon. The gal mixing up the milkshakes told me she was allergic to cats. It wasn't going well. I tried a different approach. I played the media role. I told him I was from the Broad Ripple Gazette, doing a story. Suddenly I wasn't a nut anymore. I redeemed myself and was introduced to others heading up the tour. Pictures were taken of Sara. It doesn't look like she will become a star. But you or another mom still can. Contestants may enter the contest at official Milk Mustache Mobile stops, where their entry will be videotaped, or they can upload their own video entry or 50 word essay on whymilk.com. All entries must be received by September 30, 2008. I really must get Alan, our editor, to get me a press pass. I can see that it opens doors. Pets make you smile!