Please vote for Susan and Trixie

Today it was bitching cold (Why does it bother me to use a word that denotes a female dog? Should I allow people to co-opt what I am into something pejorative?). But the sun was shining.

The five ladies who showed up walked about Olmos Park again this week, which was fitting given that one of the members, Susan Gragg (she of the ski poles) has put her hat in the ring for OP mayor. All of us—along with WWT Pat Semmes--who is also on the OP Council--are behind Susan 100 percent.

But Susan’s not the only one to put her hat in the ring. This week Mary got an email from a former co-worker, Anita Flores, offering to support me in a run for El Rey Fido. The contest is a fund-raiser for the Humane Society of San Antonio and the dog who raises the most money is crowned El Rey Fido, meaning the dog king. Of course in my case, I would be La Reina Fido, meaning the dog queen. It has a nice ring don’t you think?

Given that I was a rescue dog I can certainly get behind the Humane Society, which benefits orphaned dogs and cats. (Well I’m not as keen on saving cats but I guess they shouldn’t have to scavenge on the streets either.) If you would like to show your support both for the Humane Society and yours truly, the web page address where you can donate in my name is http://www.firstgiving.com/maryfisher1.

Please donate. I’d love to one-up my famous cousin Sadie, who just won the Westminster Dog Show at Madison Square Garden. (When Mary talked to her cousin, Sadie’s owner, she said that in addition to opening the stock market, Sadie got to meet Donald Trump the day after she won. Given Sadie’s incredibly glossy coat—cited by the judge—maybe she shared some hair tips with The Donald. He could certainly use some).

After the walk, Mary’s ran by her grandchildren’s school to give almost-two-year-old Maxwell a dose of antibiotic for an ear infection while I waited in the car. He looked jaunty wearing a baseball hat backwards just like his uncle Maverick did at that age.

Me and my Cousins

There is nothing to report about the WWT walk today other than it was in Olmos Park and that five ladies came, including our newest member, Lyn Belisle.

But there’s big news nonetheless: my “cousin” Sadie just won best-in-show at the Westminster Dog Show in Madison Square Garden. You will remember that she’s the Scottish Terrier owned by Mary’s first cousin that’s been winning best-in-show throughout the country.

My mistress went to a different cousin’s house to see the victory on TV last night Unfortunately, I couldn’t go since the hostess has five dogs of her own. But I heard all about it when Mary and Lewis got back.

Unlike last year when Sadie had what a news article referred to as a “carpet accident” at the Garden, this year she was the picture of grace and decorum. The judge who awarded her the honor told the New York Times that “She’s pleasing to the eye at every angle.” And he went on to say that a dog of that caliber comes up only once in a decade.

This morning—celebrity that she now is—Sadie opened the New York Stock Exchange. And with her handler, Gabriel Rangel, she made the rounds of media outlets and basked in her glory.

But hey-- enough about her. What about me?

I had my own moment of glory this week when yet another cousin sent Mary a gorgeous watercolor portrait. It seems that Joan Dilworth so admired me when they came to visit recently that when she got home she painted my likeness.

And guess what? Mary is going to hang it next to the line drawing and pastel portraits of me that Mary’s friend Karen Condit has done. The grouping will hang on a wall above the computer where I scribble this blog. So I guess you could say that I will be my own muse as they inspire me from above.

Sleet, Stray Dogs and Sticking to my Story

I couldn’t believe it when my mistress started putting my sweater on me at the crack of dawn yesterday. It was crazy cold--36 degrees--with a prediction of sleet. Amazingly, six stalwarts turned up for a too-brisk walk in the too-brisk weather too early in the morning. After an hour on the streets I started feeling something hitting me from above-- it was the sleet, so we headed back.

Since one WWT was sick, Mary dropped by her house afterwards with some soup. I like J.D., Pat’s dog, but he is SO possessive. Every time Pat tried to be friendly with me, he would do something passive aggressive, like lick me. Why didn’t he just be honest and growl like I do when Maverick’s dog Chigurh moves in on Mary?

Pat, a member of the Olmos Park City Council, gave Mary some pointers on her dog petition. She suggested that instead of focussing on a leash law (which is very divisive) my mistress should zero in on stray dogs. She has a point. Both times we've had problems it's been strays that either attacked or menaced me.

Later in the day the Wednesday Walkie Talkies voted on their logo online. You’ll remember that they needed one so that they have their own entry in the Toilet Seat Museum. (When they visited the quirky museum on a walk a while ago, its owner said he would decorate a seat in their honor if they would give him a logo.)

A new member, Lyn Belisle, offered to design one. My mistress sent her a line drawing of me at the suggestion of the WWTs. Lyn submitted three suggestions, only one of which had my portrait. Of course the one with my face in the center was by far the best, but not everyone saw that—some did, some didn’t. When I counted the ballots guess what? I won hands down. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Leash Law: a Necessity in our Neighborhood

It was raining on Wednesday so the WWT ladies neither walked nor talked. I lazed on the bed all day, rising only when I heard Mary open the refrigerator. I can always make her feel guilty when she’s sneaking a treat. To salve her conscience she usually shares, and as often as not it's Vermont sharp cheese and melba toast--which I love.

Yesterday I had a scare: my mistress took me to the vet. I'm always afraid she is going to leave me there in one of those horrid little cages, which she does when she and Lewis go out of town. All it was this time was two inoculations, which I didn't even feel. And when it was over, Dr. Kothmann posed for a picture with me.

Today the skies finally cleared so I badgered my mistress into taking me out for a walk. The minute we stepped outside, a big collarless dog approached us. My mistress picked me up, but it kept circling. Neither Mary nor I wanted a repeat of the time last year when we were both bitten by a big stray dog in front of the house.

We slipped onto the porch and she set me down. But a moment later the dog pushed the heavy ten-foot door open and entered. Mary grabbed me and in a smooth maneuver, slipped out and pushed the door to. She then called the police, who, noting that the offending animal looked to be part pit bull, ushered it off the porch and into their car.

This time Mary has had enough. After the first incident, she discussed the issue with the mayor, a councilwoman and the police chief of Terrell Hills. All assured her the city was considering a leash law. The neighboring suburban cities of Alamo Heights and Olmos Park have one. Why not Terrell Hills? To that end my mistress is writing a petition and plans to get plenty of signatures to take to the next council meeting. Here’s hoping they get one so I can feel safe leaving the house.