EDITION OF MONDAY-TUESDAY OCT. 21-22 [PetPowellPress] Was that the quickest ever State Fair of Texas? Already over and the Halloween and Christmas decorations are hardly in their traditional pre-holiday places..
That's a front view of Big Tex and you may be able to see the giant ferris wheel in the background. If I could take good photos of non-moving objects, I'd have a bigger post-newspaper nest egg.
But before we pack away the souvenirs and photos, just a solid and sincere thanks to all the people who work so hard year-round to demonstrate that, as the song goes, "our State Fair is a great state fair."
In case you've already forgotten, the 2024 State Fair ran from Sept. 27 through Sunday, October 20. [LARRY ASIDE: I believe that gives Big Texas the longest winning streak of any major sports and entertainment team in the State of Texas.]
We'll get more later in Contemplations.
That photo? He's not a cat I won at the fair or found on the parking lot trying to hitch a ride to the Oklahoma casinos.
That's William Powell, my Senior Office Cat back on duty after a few days of vet treatment and care after a diagnosis
of something that made him lethargic and not interested in eating. When anybody quits eating in our house, we immediately call in the medical community for consultation and answers.
In the photo to the right, that's Junor Office Cat Stevie Ray Treeboy nuzzling his mentor William as they both went back to work in the office on Monday. Those guys have been teacher/student since 2019 when Stevie Ray was found yowling for help in a tree. William came to us in 2018. Two Dallas/Oak Cliff wanderups.
Fortunately, William appears to have fully recovered from his lethargy and lack of desire to eat catfood and treats.. [LARRY ASIDE: More later, but it was such a joy to have him hop up into my lap and say hello after he'd spent most of the past weekend in isolation while recovering his appetite and defeating a lethargic attitude.] OK, moving along.
HOW A MAJOR BEAUTY COMPANY
GETS A MENTION IN MESQUITE, TEXAS
Our tipster, the veteran volunteer dog bio-writer Judi Brown began the story of Maverick with this sentence: "Maybelline would be out of business if women had naturally gorgeous eyes like this."
Maverick is a 2-year-old, 67-pound Boxer/Black Mouth Cur mix, Judi reports. He was handed over to the shelter on October 17. Judi writes, "The reason stated is that the owners were moving! It may be for the best though, because the previous owner stated, and it’s obvious, that he was an outdoor dog. He has concrete calluses on his elbows and his rear, fly bites on his ears, and his ribs are showing. Dogs are social creatures, and Maverick is no exception. He loves people and wants to be close to his special people. ... Would you like to spend your whole life outside? Well, Maverick didn’t either. He’s looking forward to being an inside dog. This is one great dog! He would love to have well-behaved children to love on!"
Maverick's Shelter ID is # 57098396 -- cite that number when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@ cityofmes quite.com , Same system for all these Mesquite animals.
Regarding Tasha (#57081979), Judi writes, "If those pale blue eyes don’t catch your attention, then her gentle mannerisms will! I was impressed with her as soon as I took her out of her kennel! Tasha is a 2-year-old, 55-pound Alaskan husky that came to Mesquite Animal Shelter on 10/15 as a stray. At first, she just moseyed around the yard taking her time investigating. Then she came back and stayed close to me. She would look up at me with those beautiful eyes of hers as though imploring me to adopt her. ... Huskies love to run and in order to do so they’re known to try to escape. She will need a tall secure fence. Also, she will require frequent brushings. As gentle as she is she would most likely do very well with children. She wants to be an inside dog so she can love on her new family."
And that brings us to Judi's bio of Coconut, #5707239. Judi writes, "Most of us cannot imagine our family abandoning us. Well, Coconut didn’t either until one night he found himself tied to a tree behind the Mesquite Animal Shelter.
"He was scared and confused! He didn’t understand. Luckily employees spotted him there when they came to work in the morning and brought him into the safety of the shelter."
Judi reports that Coconut (#57072931) is a year-old, 62-pound Retriever Lab mix with attractive markings. He was a
abandoned on 10/14. However, in spite of being left behind it appears he’s been well taken care of. He’s an active guy. His sense of smell is very keen. It was difficult taking pictures of him as he kept his nose to the ground.
"He does jump on you out of excitement and needs to be told to get down. He is active and agile. He could use some behavioral training to channel his energy. He sits for treats and does take them gently. He loves to be loved on (see last three photos). He’s very friendly and a happy guy. ... He has a strong pull on the leash, but then he was anxious to get out to do his business."
Remember, use the animals (cats and dogs) ID numbers when you contact the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
You can read the complete bios of these dogs and other animals by clicking on this ANIMALS IN THE SHELTER LINK.
That includes the link to this cat who's been there a while -- he's a fellow named Waffle.
Why? No idea.
CONTEMPLATIONS
Names & Places & Stuff
Why would a kitten be named "Waffle." What the kitten connection? Found at a Waffle House? No idea. I've never named a cat or dog after a breakfast item. Though my twins have the middle names "Mr. Toast" and "Biscuit." Their sister is named "Princess Omelet." I'm kidding. They don't have a sister and those aren't their middle names. Or their first names. But I have been called "Scrambled" -- there were editors who thought I needed to rewrite an unclear sentence now and then. ...
OK, MOVING ALONG WITH THE FAIR....
We got a note from the State Fair of Texas hard-working marketing department folks Media Relations Director Taylor Pulfer and Senior Vice President Karissa Condoianis, about Big Tex packing it in for the off-season. The news note says ol' Big has "wrapped up his 72nd year as the official State Fair of Texas greeter." The Fair figures says he spent the fair "welcoming nearly 2.4 million fairgoers over 24 days."
Bet that "Howdy" is corn dog-tired.
This State Fair photo from behind Big Texas is a suggestion that he's moving on until the 2025 Fair, all 55-feet high of him. He's going to be assisted off his traditional State Fair greeting platform on Wednesday -- reporters and photographers are expected to be there working. That site has a name: It's Big Tex Circle at Grand Avenue and Lone Star Boulevard.
That's the State Fair's 2024 poster for, yes, "24 Days Of Fun." No idea for the 2025 Fair's theme, but it might be a good time to declare "A QUARTER CENTURY OF POST FAIR DIETING." I've been attending the State Fair since the early 1970s and, honestly, I cannot remember a time when I didn't need to let out the waist and seat of my jeans after the food-happy Fair but I have never seen Big Tex needing to have more room in the seat of his jeans. He is one fit Dallas cowboy.
--- Write a sentence that makes sense and click on 'comment' below or email [email protected] and put "ENVIOUS, OFF-THE-BEAM LARRY?' in the subject line. ---