Linda reports ...
Linda reports ...
Cowtown, as Ft Worth, Texas is fondly known, is a wonderfully charming city that extends its hospitality to the many visitors who go there. Ft. Worth also carries the title of "Where the West Begins," and the Straydog Special Event Team was very excited this last weekend to be a part of that and to participate in the Ft . Worth Home and Garden Show for our second year.
Tom stands in front of our Straydog Booth holding the leash of the Senkels' dog, Frank (originally "Loafer" while at Straydog).
Last year, we did not take any of the Straydog rescues with us to share with the kind folks visiting at the show. This was due to the logistics of distance from the Straydog campus to the show and two days of commuting. To board the dogs overnight would be very costly therefore leaving us with limited options. But this year was going to be different! We felt we needed to take to the show a couple of Belle's puppies in hopes of generating adoption interest. So after a considerable amount of time and phone work, Erin located a very compassionate pet lodging that was going to provide free overnight stay for our puppies. This was going to be really fun having the best looking puppies in town at the Ft. Worth Show Home & Garden would certainly drive adoption interest and start the ball rolling to find loving homes for these great dogs. Sometimes, things just aren't meant to be though. The outbreak of ringworm at Straydog put a halt to taking these gorgeous pups with us. Even though these puppies were not infected with that nasty virus, we would not take the chance of potential contamination to any visitors or other dogs at the show. So our excitement bubble was soon busted!
Kenneth and Frank pose
Linda hugs Frank as Chrystyna holds his leash.
Fortunately, Kenneth and Chrystyna Senkel, who live in the Ft Worth area, came to our rescue again, just as they had in 2011. The Senkel's are long time friends of Straydog and adopted Big Boomer in November 2009 and Loafer in April 2010. Sadly, Big Boomer crossed the rainbow bridge last month, leaving an empty spot to be filled in the Senkels big heart and 10-acre back yard. They had hopes of visiting with the puppies thinking one might find a home with their family.
Knowing the predicament that Straydog was in because of the Ringworm outbreak, on Saturday they jumped into action and brought Loafer, now named Frank to the show. Frank is this gorgeous Bassett Hound mix with paws bigger than any I have ever seen. He is quite the ham lying down in the middle of the isle attracting attention. Everyone had to stop and pet him or rub his tummy as a right of passing, there was no way around it. He certainly knew how to work the crowd and that was wonderful for us. Because of the generosity of the Senkel's time, Saturday provided us with entertainment and exposure. A very special thank you to our wonderful friends for taking time from their busy weekend to visit with us.
A little girl is very interested in Roscoe, our mascot statue.
Without puppies or Loafer on Sunday our mascot statue, Roscoe, was going to be the drawing point. Roscoe is fondly named after a longtime friend and employee of the company that many of us here at Straydog worked for over the years. Roscoe (our mascot statue) has been our attention getter on several occasions where we were not permitted to take real live dogs. And he has done a great job! The little girl in the following picture warmed up to Roscoe right away, she was so disappointed with Roscoe when he wouldn't take a treat she offered him.
But Roscoe has aged, and he is in need of some help, if anyone knows of an artist who could add some paint to our good ol' boy, we would greatly appreciate it. Over the years, Roscoe was exposed to many weather elements, until he found a home here at Straydog. He could certainly use a few touch ups around the roots. If anyone can help out, please let us know. Roscoe is the perfect companion as he doesn't require any food, bathroom breaks or vet visits.
The Ft. Worth and Dallas Home and Garden Shows are much alike. Two days packed with visitors looking at windows, garage doors, flooring, and all types of food and cookware to make delicious dishes. This year we were also entertained with exercise equipment, in particular was the new shaker. I think it should have been named the jiggler/giggler because it would certainly do a job of jiggling the body about. The exhibit should have had curtained booth spaces for people to try out the equipment, but then again, we would have not had a few giggles of our own. There isn't enough money in the world to get me on one of those things out in public!
But whenever the majority of the public see doggies, they have to stop and take the time to visit. This was the first show where we had visibility of our upcoming golf tournament and started the selling of the raffle tickets for the $1,500 bank card. We are very happy to report that the momentum has started, and there was a considerable amount of interest from potential players!
During this recent show we kindly met several people who want to help Straydog in several manners. One wonderful lady is working to secure a free billboard for Straydog on Hwy 175. What exposure that could provide ... us! We will keep you tuned in as that develops. There was also a gentleman who recently purchased Old Town off Hwy 30, and he is in the processing of converting it into a open year round home and garden show/flee market, and he is willing to provide space for Straydog to hold adoption events. There were several other in-kind visitors. One who wants to help Straydog gain wind power electricity and one who will assist us with email campaigns to share our adoptable doggies or doggies in need of medical attention with the public. Life is good and there are so many nice people who want to provide their services. A special thanks to all of you!