Wordless Wednesday

Paws on the Patio

A few weeks ago the on the Monday before Halloween Lori took me to the Paws on the Patio by the Humane Society at the Canyon Cafe at the Quarry Market.

The section off part of the parking lot next to the resturant just for the event! There were hundreds of people!!!

Lori has attended this event with Lucky in its first or second year a long time ago but was never able to go again until this year. It was the ninth year for Paws on The Patio. They had costume contests every hour when the event started at 4 but we didn't get there until after 6pm.

I sadly didn't win anything but I got a three course meal!! Lori hasn't been doing a very good job in taking pictures for my blog! She admits it but she was so busy talking to people at our table she didn't realize the servers had brought my next course of food until I was already gobbling it down! The courses were a salad with bacon bits, rice with veggies and chicken, and a dog friendly peanut butter ice cream! We stayed until it got dark and then Lori took me around to get pictures in the Quarry with my outfit.

Realms Con

We had a mixed visit with Realms Con. It felt a lot smaller than Lori anticipated, it also didn't help Lori forgot her hearing aid in the rush to head down to Corpus Christi. Lori is hearing impaired in one ear so its not that conversation is impossible but difficult and can be frustrating in crowds. Lori's friend Ghazal went with us but she stayed in the hotel with me because she's studying hard on some of her Master level course work. But I love Ghazal, she played with me when she took breaks from studying while Lori was at the convention and took me too the beach too!

Unfortunately Tom Felton had to cancel due to schedule conflicts with a movie and a lot of events were around him since he was a head guest. Also a few panels Lori was looking forward to from the Asian Culture Museum were cancelled too. She did get to see Abney Park, the band that was the main reason we were going to Realms Con, so it wasn't a complete disappointment. She also got a hat from Airship Isabella! She had been wanted one by them since she saw a few at San-Japan, which I might be going to with her next year! Speaking of Airship Isabella I got a lot of attention from them and got my picture taken with Captain Whittaker!!

I was a little star at the hotel, people loved my outfit. Everyone was surprised I was so well behaved too! When we were checking into the hotel a huge blond lab got away from his owner and came running into the lobby. I was perfectly calm and ignored him as he ran around. He wasn't bad, just excited and wanted attention, but all the old ladies in the lobby heaped praises every time they saw me.

I got a lot of practice wearing my costume and getting use to Lori putting it on and taking it off. Most of my trips outside for potty or walks I wore it and got a lot of attention. I didn't get spooked when a lot of little kids started squealing and giving me lots of pets while all dressed up. Not too many people from the convention saw me because none of the events were at the hotel but everyone who did see me said I was a very pretty girl and some asked for my picture. Lori was able to see a few people she knew but most of the time she didn't have her camera with her! Bad Lori! But this is Alice, a Steampunk Gypsy. She was very nice and Lori always loves to talk to her.

I don't think we'll be going to Realms Con again unless they have a guest or band that Lori really wants to go see. But Lori is seriously thinking about taking me to San-Japan next year. The hotel is hosting most of the events and allows doggies. So while I won't be able to go into the events Lori will be able to take me out for a lot more socializing in the hotel and get pictures with people too~ Hopefully with people she missed getting me pictures with because she forgot the camera in the hotel room half the time!

 I loved all the attention but I was ready to go home!

The Humane Society is having a Halloween fundraiser with costume contests every hour during the event in two weeks. We'll be going as soon as Lori gets off work. The following weekend is the Camp Bow Wow annual Halloween Party. I'll be going to that one too! So lots of stuff is happening this month! :)

Yoko's outfit is done!!

I realized after putting everything on Yoko to make sure it all fit I technically messed up on one of the cuffs. One should be facing in the opposite direction when fastened. Oh well. I can't spend anymore time working on them because I need to get assignments done during the week before our drive to Corpus this coming Friday so I have very little to worry about when we get back that Sunday. If I had a sewing machine I might have tried to make her a vest/dress but since I don't I'm not going to dare try hand sewing one. Here is a picture of her finished work. I'll post photos of her when we get back from Realms Con. :)

ZOMG

A lot of progress has been made, I'm surprised how much I got done!! But now I'm at a stumbling block, I haven't found things that would be the finishing pieces to make Yoko's hat, cuffs, and collar 'complete'. I feel the need for shiny stuff, hehe.  All I would add would be something tiny and shiny but I haven't found anything that would work. Since I'm only buying stuff 40%+ off reg price or with a coupon to make it that much off my options are kinda limited. With two weeks to go and a few different craft stores in town hopefully something will pop up I can use! The only stuff I've bought full price are threads, needles, buttons, and feathers. But here is a tease of Yoko's hat, this part is pretty much finish so I don't feel bad sharing it. :)

Work in Progress photo

I was taking pictures of Yoko wearing the collar I made and googles to share and guess who decided to join in the photo? LOL. Just had to share. :)

Crafts Whoops

Lori is trying to make me something fashionable to wear when we go to Corpus Christ for Realms con in three weeks and realized she forgot to get thread for the jean material! She's a stickler for being frugal so she is trying to make a collar and little paw-wristlets from one of her old work jeans that ripped beyond repair. She now has jean shorts to wear around the house! Dogs are only allowed at the hotel, which I will most likely be the only non-service dog there, but since we will be at an anime and steampunk convention she figured I might as well have some dazzles to fit in when she takes me out to potty and for walks. If she has time and figures out how to make one I'm gonna have a hat though I'm not too sure about that idea!

I have been on several trips with Lori to visit family or take short trips to places like the coast but never to a crowded hotel like during a convention. Lori is packing treats but more importantly small flashlights. When I get spooked or nervous treats don't work with me, even though pros like Cesar Millan says the best way is through a dog's nose. Lori found that my hunting genes did give her a tool to snap me out of it. I can become obsessed with chasing small lights and just the hint of a flick will get my attention and if I focus on it then I'm out of my fear zone. Lori can turn the light off and I forget what made me nervous. She'll most likely have to do this a lot to get me used to the crowds and costumes and give me treat rewards to stay focus on her. But she knows it works, I used to be such a coward and now I can sometimes be too social and demand attention of strangers once I'm comfortable!