Pet Expo

My fellow Killer Hobbyists sometimes blog about the fun-sounding crafts fairs that they attend now and then.

I had the opportunity last weekend to attend an event that incorporates my main subject here on Killer Hobbies: pets!

I’ve been going to the Pet Expo annually for several years. It is held at the Orange County, California, Fairgrounds, which has apparently been up for sale lately, but fortunately that hasn’t affected the Pet Expo.

It’s a huge event, and lots of different kinds of pets are represented--from potbellied pigs to birds to turtles and even ferrets, in absentia, since they’re illegal to keep as pets in California. And, of course, there are dogs and cats. There are booths featuring many breeds of dogs and cats, and a large number of rescue organizations also bring in animals in an attempt to find them a new home. I was especially interested in the variety of rescue groups this year, since I’ve been plotting the second story in my new Lauren Vancouver, pet rescuer mysteries. Some rescue groups are breed-specific. Others are related to the areas in which they’re located. Many are broad in scope, taking in whatever animals they can and trying to find them new, loving homes.

Then there are the many demonstrations that go on at the Pet Expo. K-9 teams from several different police departments demonstrated how they operate. A bird demonstration went slightly awry when one of the red macaws decided that flying back to the stage area was too difficult with the wind blowing the way it was, so the trainer had to go find him and walk back with the bird on his arm.

I of course visited the booth where Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were represented. I looked for a Puli booth, since my son and daughter-in-law own one of those adorable pups, but unfortunately this rare breed didn’t have a presence at the Expo.

I guess it’s a sign of these economically uncertain times, but the formerly free pet food samples are no longer free. The smallest packets now sell for twenty-five cents.

I’d dragged my husband along, and we both had an enjoyable time. Next year, we’ll do it again!

Have you ever attended a pet expo or other large pet-related event? What was your favorite part?

Malice Envy

This year’s was the first Malice Domestic I’ve missed in several years, and I was delighted to hear how much my fellow bloggers enjoyed it. And, yes, I was a little envious, too, since I’ve always enjoyed Malice.

But I missed it for the best of reasons: largely because my older son and his wife were visiting from Chicago, along with their adorable Puli, Piper. I had such a wonderful time having them around! Our younger son came up from San Diego for part of the visit, too, and our nephew who lives in L.A., and his girlfriend, joined us all for dinner one evening. Well, not the dogs, but the rest of us.

Speaking of the dogs, it was fascinating to see their interaction. Piper is a lot better socialized then either of ours. And although Mystie tried to keep up with her, Piper is one Puli-bundle of energy! She dashed in circles around our large backyard, and even put all other pups visiting the dog park we visited to shame with how fast she was. Lexie just watched with disdain, since she is number one pup in our household. Mystie, who’s a lot smaller, ran around, too, but was intimidated when Piper ran too close to her.

Now, they’re all gone again, back home to Chicago and San Diego. It’s quieter around here, and although Mystie has looked around for Piper, she seems happy to be able to play ball with us again her way, without Piper dashing off with the balls. Lexie never stopped demanding attention as number one pup, so her recognition that Piper is gone is not as overt.

I’m hoping to make Malice next year. But given a similar choice... Malice can miss me, too!

By the way, I’m really into blogging these days. I blogged on two other sites earlier this week: A Slice of Orange, the blog of the Orange County Chapter of the Romance Writers of America, and the new Silhouette Nocturne blog on the eHarlequin website. More to come for both of them, too!

Have you missed any potentially enjoyable events lately to be with family instead?

--Linda

Size of Pets

I’ve had occasion lately to think about the size of pets. For one thing, my older son and daughter-in-law are visiting from Chicago with their Puli, Piper, who, though not very big, was too large to fit in the cabin of the plane. She is crate-trained and rode in the plane’s appropriate compartment and all went well.

I’m also a lurker on a loop of people who, like me, love Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. One of the recent posts was about how someone acquiring a Cavalier can be sure it’ll stay of a size that will fit in a smaller bag that can fit under a plane’s seats. The answer? No guarantees, although some remain that size. Not necessarily our Lexie, though Mystie certainly would fit.

And then there was the news story about a six-pound Chihuahua named Tinker Bell who was picked up by a 70-mph gust of wind picked up the and carried away. The owners contacted a pet psychic who told them to look in some nearby woods--and there was Tinker Bell! I’d really be freaked out if either my 20-pound Cavalier Lexie or her 10-pound Cavalier friend Mystie got picked up in a windstorm--like Toto, in The Wizard of Oz!

By the way, I attended the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at the UCLA campus last weekend. It was great! I signed NEVER SAY STY at two booths and had a lot of great feedback from readers who stopped by to buy or say hi. And, yes, some people brought their dogs along to the festival--pups of all sizes.

Yesterday, I participated in the Melody of Words, an event celebrating the published word, at a local high school. No pets there, but a great group of interested students, faculty and other interested members of the community.

How big is your ideal pet?

--Linda

Pet-People for President!

Okay, I know it’s not a great idea to talk politics on a blog devoted to mysteries, especially cozy mysteries involving hobbies.

But I happened to see some interesting commentary on how pet lovers are likely to vote for the presidential candidates. Supposedly, they will prefer John McCain over Barack Obama. McCain is said to own a couple of dogs, two turtles, a cat, a ferret, three parakeets and some saltwater fish. Obama supposedly has no pets.

On the other hand, I also saw an interview with Obama’s family. One of his daughters was asked what the big event in November would be. She said that they would be getting a dog. Sure, that’s not as many pets as the McCains have. But it also indicates to voters that the Obamas aren’t pet haters.

I’ve also seen that the American Kennel Club is giving Obama advice on the type of dog his family should adopt. The frontrunners? Bichon Frise, Chinese crested, poodle, soft coated Wheaten Terrier or miniature Schnauzer.

Why these breeds, you ask? So did I. I consequently went to the website where the American public can vote for one of these for the Obamas, by August 19 (although I’m not sure of the significance of the date, if no dog will be adopted by the family until November): www.presidentialpup.com
The criteria: hypoallergenic coat; child-friendly; a good travel companion (aboard Air Force One); moderate energy level; and a stable and social temperament - meaning, visitor-friendly.

I suspect that my older son’s Puli would have fit these criteria, too, since her coat is also hypoallergenic, and she’s an absolute sweetheart--although, as a Hungarian sheepdog, she might herd children and the press corps. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not hypoallergenic but would otherwise fit as well.

I don’t think I’ll base my vote on who appears to be the best pet-lover, although I’d most likely vote against anyone who clearly hated pets.

How about you? Are you going to vote for which dog the Obamas should adopt? Will you consider pet-affinity as a criterion about casting your presidential vote?

I suspect that Kendra Ballantyne, my pet-sitting, pet-loving mystery protagonist, would at least consider dog-friendliness as a consideration for the chief executive of our country...

--Linda

Chicago and More

I had a fantastic time last weekend, in Chicago.

First, I was there for the bridal shower for my older son’s fiancée. The event was in Indiana, in a cute party room connected with a lounge. I had concerns about everyone’s safety going and coming because of all the tornadoes and thunderstorms in the area. Yes, there were showers on the shower. From what I heard, flooding occurred near the home of one of the attendees, but despite the power going off there wasn’t much effect on the party. Fortunately, the place was equipped with a generator, so the lights just blinked off, then on again.

I got to meet some of my son’s future in-laws (including a delightful dinner the night before with his fiancée’s parents) as well as family friends, and they were all delightful! Looks as if my son chose well in many ways.

I also had an opportunity to bond with my grand-puppy, my son’s Puli named Piper. She’s adorable and nearly as cuddly as my Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

Most of all, I got to spend some time with my son and his fiancée. That’s what made it most worthwhile!

Coincidentally, the bridal shower was the same weekend as the Printers Row Book Fair sponsored by the Chicago Tribune. I was fortunate enough to be able to sign with lots of other nice mystery authors, first at the Big Sleep Books booth, and then at the Midwest Chapter of Mystery Writers of America booth. The hosts of both booths were fun and charming, and I sold and signed lots of books--including quite a few copies of my June release, DOUBLE DOG DARE, Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter’s sixth mystery! And, yes, it also rained on Printer’s Row, although at first I was scorched by the sun and drenched by the humidity. I grew up in a similar climate, in Pittsburgh, but I’ve lived in L.A. long enough not to be used to such unwieldy weather. I didn’t even remember my umbrella that day.

Okay, enough about that fun trip. Two other things I wanted to mention here.

First, I know most of you reading this are far from the Los Angeles area, but I wanted to mention a dog lost by one of my neighbors in the Hollywood Hills. She’s a little shih-tzu terrier mix named Moxie. We don’t know these neighbors but saw them searching for their baby, and since then have seen their posters and flyers all over the place. They’re even offering a reward. So, if any of you happen to see Moxie, please let me know and I’ll tell them. I’m just hoping she’s in the arms of a puppy-napper who is kind, if not honest, and not up in the hills here as coyote food. I’ve been watching for her for over a week, wishing I could help.

Also--I was also enthralled by a news story this week, especially after being in the tornado-prone Midwest. It was about a Rottweiler named Chase who was seen by a bunch of neighbors being lifted and twisted around in a twister--and lived to bark about it. Yay, Chase!

So... what’s the most exciting thing you’ve done this week? I’ll bet it can’t top mine! And have you seen poor Moxie...?

--Linda