Even though I’m a fellow who likes a good chilly rainy mood-setting day, we have had enough of those in North Texas recently and we have awakened to another one. So, what I’m going to do today is show you what Saturday looked like at Lake Grapevine at a sunny gathering of what can only be described as “the luckiest critter rescue group in the country.”
We were at the 10th annual picnic hosted by Golden Retriever Rescue of North Texas – lucky because of so many happy dogs and the fact that, as our longtime Golden tipster Anne Visser points out, in the decade of picnics, only one day has been cold and cloudy. Saturday was sunny and nice.
We’ll mention some other things, too, such as an available pit pup who wears a heart on her hip. Now, pull on your galoshes and splash along.
THE PICNIC: That opening photo, taken by Anne, is of one of the Visser dog’s, Toby, a “ball fanatic” who kept Anne and hubby John busy throwing tennis balls into the lake for him to retrieve. Other Goldens spent Saturday jumping into the lake after more balls – and, yes, they had to shake that water off somewhere. Golden people know to wear “picnic clothing” that you don’t mind getting wet.
And, as Anne and John and older Golden Barkley were trying to leave the picnic after several hours of romping, John was trying to put a harness on Toby but he followed Anne as she went for a bottled water and, she says, “as I reached down to get one, he took off for the lake. No doubt he was thinking we wouldn’t drive home with a wet dog in the back of the car – he was wrong, but I admire his attempts to try to stay longer. As you can imagine, Toby and Barkley had sweet dreams that night.”
Now, my funspouse Martha and I were at the picnic to help judge the annual bandana contests and, once again, it was a tough one. We, with the help of a young man named Ryan who also studies French and has a couple of Goldens in his house, managed to pick a winner – it was the quilted bandana titled “A Few of My Favorite Things” and decorated with pictures of the dog’s favorite activities – a squirrel for chasing, a tennis ball for chasing, humans for being chased, etc. There were two dogs that wore quilted bandanas fashioned from stuffed cloth cats that are given to kids at a hospital where one of the dogs does therapy work. And there was the bridal dog, Asia, shown dragging the bride across the park.
Martha snapped these photos though she spent a lot of her time bending down to greet happy Goldens.
But they weren’t all Goldens. This little boxer is Peanut Butter who, her mom says, “was raised with Goldens and thinks she’s a Golden, too.” She does wag her little stumpy tail with as much vigor as the Goldens wag their big fluffy tails.
You can’t beat a sunny day at the lake. And, as Martha said while surveying the free-roaming tailwaggers, “There is so much happy gathered at one place on the planet that I’m afraid it’ll create a deficit somewhere else and a war will break out.”
The people who have Golden Retrievers appear to be deeply devoted to their dogs – and the dogs feel the same way. If you’d like to join the crowd, you can see how to adopt by going to the Golden Retriever Rescue of North Texas website HERE.
THE LITTLE PIT PUP: This is DeeDee, who is being fostered by St. Francis American Pit Bull Terrier Rescue. She’s on the smallish side right now and may get to be medium, we’re told.
DeeDee “came from an animal cruelty bust in East Texas,” our source tells us. “The county was in a huge rush to put down all the pit bulls so we took 2 puppies. One has a great home, but DeeDee still needs one.”
DeeDee is about six months old and weighs 23 pounds right now. She is available to people who know the breed and love the breed.
As you can see, she has distinct markings on her nose, but on her hip, why, that looks like a heart! Yep, DeeDee wears her heart on her hip.
DeeDee’s foster mom says, “Even though Deedee was seized in an animal cruelty investigation, she had a great mama and brothers and sisters so she is happy-go-lucky and loves people and other dogs (she has not been around cats, but her sister went into a cat home and is doing fine). ... DeeDee is clean and quiet in her crate and learns very quickly with clicker training. She is very excited to see people and needs help remembering not to grab at peoples' hands. She is curious, wiggly, and gets into everything but given enough exercise, she loves to curl up on your lap and watch TV. DeeDee also loves to go for car rides and walk on a leash. She is just happy to go wherever you are! With treats, praise and consistency, I think she can learn just about anything because she just wants to please people.
“References will be checked. Homeowners only, please. Not to discriminate against renters, but landlords and pit bulls don't mix.”
To ask about adopting DeeDee (there’s a $100 fee), e-mail mail@lucydog.com or call 214-325-0015.’
AGAIN WITH THE STIPULATION: Once again, your honor, we’d like to stipulate that area shelters have way too many dogs and cats (and in the case of the SPCA of Texas, add horses, chickens, cattle, etc.)
So, to demonstrate what one might find by checking a shelter in one’s neighborhood, we focus on the Carrollton Animal Shelter. Today, the suburban shelter offers many cats and dogs including these. And among the available animals we have spotted this very obvious Earhound.
Her name is Betty and she’s about 3 months old. She and her brother were found wandering the streets on a rainy day. She likes to meet people and, apparently, can hear whatever they’re whispering. This Catahoula mix is 20675 and you can see her in action by clicking HERE.
Then, there is this cat with the very distinct face and the equally distinct name: Lightning McQueen. He’s 12 weeks old and is one of “5 little kittens ... dumped off at our front door by the light of the moon to be found by staff arriving early in the morning.” That’s right, someone made an overnight cat delivery at the shelter.
And, the big orange cat will surely attract some fans – his name is Bevo. (Obviously, fans of the University of Texas are bound to have a place in their hearts for him.) He was a stray – and he’s declawed on all four paws, which is criminal, of course. He doesn’t cotton to other cats.
To ask about adopting any of these animals, call the Carrollton shelter at 972-466-3420 or e-mail joe.skenesky@cityofcarrollton.com.
DRESSING UP ON WEDNESDAY: Dee’s Doggie Den at 6444 E. Mockingbird Lane in Dallas is hosting its 7th Annual Doggie Costume Party from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. Games and prizes, light buffet (for humans), “spirits and boring beverages,” says the official notice. The $10 donation at the door benefits Operation Kindness, the no-kill shelter in Carrollton. See www.deesdoggieden.com.
CONTEMPLATIONS: Ever wonder what happens to the people who stop e-mailing you on a regular basis? And ever wonder why you always get e-mail from someone in Europe who is trying to help you claim a fortune from a dead relative? ... Here’s a theory based on my pal Inky’s reaction to rain: Cocker Spaniels never stage picnics at a lake so they can jump in the water and chase tennis balls. Now, you throw a ball into nice, dry underbrush and he’ll nose around until he loses interest – about two seconds into the nosing. “You threw the ball. You get it.” ... This morning, while listening to a traffic report, we heard one of the radio guys say that traffic was slowing down around the convention center in Fort Worth because of a motivational seminar. You wonder: after the seminar, will traffic move faster?
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