All Hail the Duchess!!!

All hail the duchess of the Indestructible Chew Toy!! That’s me, since I came in third in the Humane Society of San Antonio’s El Rey Fido fundraiser.

Thanks to my supporters—who number more than 100, I raised more than $5,000. The other two top contenders had four-digit infusions in the last week, taking them to more than $7,000. But hey, I get to wear a royal robe just like they do. And besides, I like my catchy title.

Last Friday, my mistress took me to the Humane Society for a fitting. The Mistress of the Royal Grrrobes measured my girth and body length and Mary let her granddaughter, Christina, choose the color: bright pink. Well, I just can’t wait to see if that color works with my lovely amber brown coat.

I’ll be wearing the outfit this Saturday, April 10, at the coronation. It will be at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in downtown San Antonio at 1:00 p.m. and is open to the public--and their dogs. Members of the canine court will arrive on a river barge. Well, I just can’t wait to take part in the pageantry.

Those who miss the coronation will have another chance to see us in our finery at the Pooch Parade. It will be on Saturday morning, April 24 at 8:00 a.m. It starts at the Alamo Heights Swimming Pool and passes through Alamo Heights. Well, I just can’t wait to strut my stuff on the streets.

Before I sign off, I want to thank the person who suggested I run for El Rey Fido: Anita Flores. Well, I just can’t wait to see her at the Coronation so I can thank her in person.

So who's more Famous?

Today the Wednesday Walkie Talkies met with a member who works at Trinity University. Lyn Belisle, who teachers in the computer science department there, toured us around the campus. It was drizzling, but four stalwarts came and got to hear about Lyn’s just-completed trip to New York.

She went there with her son, Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson series of books for young readers. Rick met with his editors and spoke to a sold-out crowd of pre teens at the Metropolitan Museum of Art before he and Mom Lyn took a behind-the-scenes tour at the museum. One of his books, “The Lightening Thief,” has recently been made into a movie.

But enough about him. What about my growing fame as a candidate for El Rey Fido? Right now I’m ahead in on-line giving, having raised $2,310 for the Humane Society of San Antonio. That doesn’t include off-line giving though. And with the stroke of a pen in a checkbook I could be knocked off the pedestal. So please support me at www.firstgiving.com/maryfisher1. Remember: the deadline is April 1 at 5:00 p.m.

Trixie: What a Woman!

After a one-week hiatus The WWTs resumed walking (and talking) this week. It was a gorgeous spring morning and the air was redolent with blooming mountain laurel.

Four members hoofed it to Olmos Basin Park and back to Olmos Park. (Did I mention that WWT member Susan Gragg is now running unopposed for mayor of O.P.? Hooray!) I like to walk in Olmos Park since they have a well-enforced stray dog ordinance. (Did I mention that last week my Mistress took a petition to the Terrell Hills City Council and got a favorable response? Hope they follow through.)

But what I really want to talk about today is what people have been saying about me as they have donated to my El Rey Fido campaign. Here are some of the comments:

“You would look great in a tiara”

“You deserve to be top dog, Trix”

“Wow—You Da Dog, Girl!”

“Good looking and above average”

“Trixie rocks”

“What a woman!”

Two of my favorites came from my vet and from a neighbor. Dr. Kothmann said, “Trixie is a great patient and will make a great queen.” A neighbor who was a Fiesta King the year before last said, “King Anchovie XLI wishes you the best in your quest for royalty!!”

Help me get there with your donation to the Humane Society at www.firstgiving.com/maryfisher1. I know you all are tired of me begging every week but guess what? There are only two more weeks until the contest ends, on March 31. So please let your friends and neighbors know “what a woman” I really am.

The Trix goes on TV

Yesterday I made my television debut as a contestant in the El Rey Fido contest benefitting the Humane Society. Ten dogs came with their mistresses and/or masters to be filmed for a local morning show on KMOL TV. Mary and I went first. She explained why I was running: first that I had a heart for homeless dogs, having been one, and second that I’m a princess wanting to be a queen. So true!

My master, who was home, told Mary that I really looked good on TV and that my collar (a new red one with silver conchos) reflected beautifully in the sun. Unfortunately the sundress didn’t show since they filmed me head on, but I’m sure there will be other dress-up occasions. Mistress Mary was never able to find a hat that worked. The only dog that had one (a straw number matching her Fiesta-theme outfit) wore it on her neck. It seems that dog’s heads don’t lend themselves to hats like people’s do. Lesson learned.

The bottom line here is please vote for me by donating to the Humane Society of San Antonio. It's a win-win! To do so, go to www.firstgiving.com/maryfisher1.

Trixie makes her TV Debut

Today the WWTs took a bye since most of them had conflicts. This was fine by me since I’m getting ready for my TV appearance. Yes, TV. The Humane Society—which is sponsoring the El Rey Fido contest--has arranged for the contestants to show their stuff tomorrow morning on WOAI TV.

My mistress has bought me a cute little red and white striped number with a kicky blue skirt for the occasion. Her friend Sarah Lake suggested painting my nails and pasting pearl earrings on my foxy ears, but I’m hoping Mary won’t follow up. Sure, I'm a princess. But I don't like too much frufru.

Luckily Mary is so busy with a new book project that she hardly has time to deal with my sartorial issues. It’s a rush job so she sits at the computer all day instead of noticing me. She did, however give me an oatmeal shampoo yesterday, which should help with my itchy skin. Heaven forbid I should scratch while on TV.

As of the moment, my campaign chest has topped $1,000, giving me a comfortable lead. But I’m not complacent. I’m paranoid that a doting dog owner will step in and buy the contest for their pooch. So please vote for me at www.firstgiving.com/maryfisher1.

Campaign Update

Well today I jumped to first place in the El Rey Fido contest after two ladies my mistress didn’t even know made generous donations, taking the total up to $770. I don’t know whether the donations came as a result of flyers Mary took to the Humane Society Luncheon at noon or from readers of my blog. Whatever. I’m simply thrilled to be on top. And I'm thankful to those ladies as well as all my other supporters.

To help keep me on top, please donate to: www.firstgiving.com/maryfisher1.

The Campaign Continues

All of the ladies had conflicts today so the Wednesday Walkie Talkies took a break. But I didn’t take a break in fund raising for El Rey Fido (or in my case La Reina Fido).

For a while today I was tied for first place. But by evening a dog named Brutus had bested me by a mere $15 dollars. My total is $620 so far, with a goal of $5,000. OK that’s kind of ambitious but like my mistress always tells her boys, ”If you don’t set a goal, you won’t get there.”

Meanwhile, a friend of my mistress, Sarah Lake, has offered to sew me a coronation gown. Sarah, who helped former Texas Governor Ann Richards choose what to wear for her inauguration, is certainly up to the task. Sarah sewed clothes for her dolls when she was little, so she is certain to get a good fit. As a princess I know fit is key to looking one’s best.

Don’t forget now. To donate to my campaign, which benefits the Humane Society of San Antonio, go to http://www.firstgiving.com/maryfisher1.

One more thing: Lyn Belisle has brought Mary the Wednesday Walkie Talkie logo she designed and Mary has taken it to the proprietor of the Toilet Seat Museum. Mr. Smith assures her that the toilet seat in honor of the WWTs—with my picture in the middle—will be ready in a month. Can’t wait!