HOTlanta, Here I Come

Yes folks, it's official!! I just finished registering for The Atlanta Pet Fair. I can officially be excited now. Not only is it going to be a weekend away, but I'm going to get to do something that I really love, and that's learning all about dogs! It's not obvious that I'm excited is it? I feel like bouncing off of the walls. Today has been great so far. Casey and I are planning on going to our favorite Chinese restaurant tonight. We decided to treat ourselves just a little bit with our tax refund. So, it looks like we have a nice weekend planned. I think we are going into Nashville to eat at the Spaghetti Factory for lunch on Sunday. You just have to treat yourself sometimes.

Work has just been the usual today. It's Friday and warm and sunny outside, so everyone is looking forward to the weekend. I managed to get outside a little while today for lunch.

I just want to take a minute to mention a couple of new blogs that I've discovered recently that are worth recommendation.

1. Zoya's Kennel Journal. Wonderful blog by Zoya and her fiance', John and their team of sleddogs made up of all rescue dogs. Right now, they are competing in the Yukon Quest, a 1,000 mile race! You can check out their daily progress by going to the blog. As of day before yesterday, they were in 5th place. Not a bad run for a group of shelter dogs!! Way to go Crazy Dog Kennels!!!

2. Puptastic: A great blog about everything doggy.

3. The Doggy Woggy Photo Blog: Wonderful dog related blog that has been put together by a couple of people that love to take pictures in the local dog park. They also post about LOTS of interesting doggy tidbits too.

4. You Are a Dog: Blog by the author of the book by the same name. A lot of doggy goodness posted daily.

5. Why Rush? Personal blog of an animal hospital worker, her personal life and that of her pets. Here's a little blurb that I found listed on both The Doggy Woggy Photo Blog and Puptastic today. And you thought only Greyhounds could run...

Chihuahua dog races set for South Brewster Publish Date: February 17, 2005

Piojo of Terlingua, one of the Chihuahua champions, calls Alaska Slim a whimp. The tiniest, fastest feet in the world are ready to race into history again, in an event establishing itself as a world-class sporting contest. The Second Annual Desert Chihuahuan Challenge race at Terlingua will get underway about 1 p.m. Feb. 26. The event is a series of Chihuahua races, offering thrills at a competitive level seldom encountered in the annals of sport. Dozens of fierce, prancing, racing dogs from around the world will compete to benefit the Family Crisis Center of the Big Bend and the Big Bend Youth Club. It’s a toss-up whether the dogs or the people have more fun. Last year’s races had participants from three states and Mexico. Mike Drinkard of Terlingua, one of the organizers, said this year there’s a rumor of a spectacular cloned Chihuahua, Alaska Slim, entered in the pure-bred competition. Sadly, last year’s Chihuahua Champion, the noble Chicharron, will not return to race, following his passing into the Chihuahua Land of the Sky. Regrets and sympathy are extended to his family at the Starlight Theatre in Terlingua. In the interest of myth and romance, organizers have made it known Chicharron expired during a heroic fight with a dozen bulls in Madrid’s main bullring, while defending his reputation as the Fastest Feet in the Desert. The Desert Chihuahuan Challenge will begin around 11 a.m. with the usual onsite registration, dog socialization-therapy party, costume competition, Chihuahua kissing booth and other activities to get the dogs and crowd into a bizarre, festive frenzy. The final championship race is slated for about 5 p.m. The location for the event is the Terlingua Store (same location as Frank X. Tolbert Chili Cook-Off) on FM 170 across from the Terlingua Ghost Town. There will be prizes and awards to winning participants and racing raffles for spectators. Chris Baker, owner of Aki Bono, the sumo mestizo Chihuahua of Lajitas, said, “I didn’t know there were prizes last year. I entered because of the good charities involved.” Drinkard said the event could only be held in a place like Terlingua, relying heavily on its reputation as the Chihuahua Capital of the World. “It’s also a fun way for everyone to socialize while supporting two worthy organizations, which rely on community support,” he said. The Family Crisis Crisis Center is a private, non-profit organization that serves victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and personal injury crime as well as offering other services. The Big Bend Youth Club offers activities and safe recreation to local youth. Their motto is “Giving Kids a Safe Place to Grow”. In recent months, funds have been scarce due to budget cuts. There are concerns for coming shortfalls in operating budgets at a time when the demand for services is increasing. For more information contact the Family Crisis Center at 432.837.7254.