Pet Talk goes to TEXAS!

[aly]

Hmm, I forgot about Easter!! What about the first weekend in April then? The reason I picked that Easter weekend was because it was the weekend Tonya and Helen's spring breaks shared. Tonya could you make it on a weekend that wasn't in your spring break?

I guess I automatically assumed we'd all be staying in the same hotel If people want to find other places to stay, I can help give info on all the hotels. But I'll look into one hotel in Ft. Worth that allows pets and is near the airport. Hopefully most of us can stay there together

I'll let you guys wrestle over who gets to babysit. It will be for Reece because he will do better than Lolly would. She's a big freak away from her mommy Ohh, and they're allowed on the bed for sure! Reece even sleeps under the covers!

Here he is sleeping with his birdie that he and Lolly like to fight over

[Karen]

The first weekend in April (April 6-7) would work better for us than the March weekend prior (23-24), how about others?

[4 feline house]

Near the airport AND takes pets - sadly, that leaves Motel 6 and Red Roof Inn (which was recently purchased by Motel 6 - the one south of the airport has already turned in to a Motel 6! Before Motel 6 took it over, Red Roof Inn was lenient on number of pets - we had three cats, and the couple in the room next door had two. That may have changed now. If anyone would be coming in on Southwest, I don't know what's around Love Field, but since it's not the best neighborhood you may not want to stay in a motel around there anyway.

Red Roof Inn - 972-929-0020

Motel 6 South Irving - 972-570-7500

Motel 6 North Irving - 972-915-3993

Motel 6 Euless - 817-545-0141

I live in the shadow of the air traffic control tower, and within walking distance of the Euless Motel 6, (and only a few miles from the others) so if anyone needs taxi service I'll be happy to oblige if I am free that weekend!

I wish I could offer my home, but I only have a two bedroom and no yard, and I don't think my four would appreciate their small territory being overtaken by any dawgs! However, if someone's motel fare is going to keep them from coming, and they are coming dog-free, and I will be happy to offer the couch, or the floor has enough room for a bedroll!

This is so exciting! Me, the shy, self-conscious, recluse is actual looking forward to this!

[ December 01, 2001: Message edited by: Leah S ]

[aly]

Leah - I hope you will be free so I can meet you! I guess its looking like it might be that first weekend in April if it works for everyone.

I am so excited too!!!

[Logan]

The weekend in April is definitely better for us, but remember, I'm not at all sure that we can make it yet, so DO NOT schedule around Helen and me.

If I can make a little longer than a weekend trip out of it, and feel comfortable financially doing it, then we'll come (provided Helen's dad agrees to give her up for part of that week ). Texas was to be out next "big" vacation, and we have several other places and folks we need to see. I'm sitting here "thinking" out loud, but if all else doesn't work out for Helen to come, if I can get a cheap airline ticket and fly out for the weekend, I'll do it.

LOL! Now that I have bored you to tears, get back to planning!!

[Karen]

I think it should be two days, the Saturday for maybe a picnic lunch or lunch somewhere, and then our big trip to the Big Cat Sanctuary, and then a gathering afterwards at the hotel, and then something else, I don't know what, but some other gathering of everyone on Sunday during the day. Those of us who are flying in would probably have to leave Sunday night, but I still think we should plan two days of stuff!

[4 feline house]

A picnic [i]might[/] not be the best idea because spring in North Texas is a crap shoot as far as the weather goes - in fact, April is historically the rainiest day of the month.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Dad wants to borrow our nanes for a minnit ~

You folks might want to consider being a little more distant from the airport and/or major attractions - those things drive UP all the prices. You might be able to rent a 12 passenger van all weekend for what you could save in room and meal costs.

And consider searching out a dog training facility to host and provide a FurKids Friendly place for the dawgs, kats and critters to hang out in. Our local dog training CLUB has a huge building, equipped with agility and training equipment. Possibly you could find a similar club that would rent their facility for a reasonable fee.

I'm not so sure that any motel/hotel would welcone a dozen or more doggies at the same time! Most that I've stayed at only have a few "dog rooms" - when they're filled they put up the no vacancy sign for additional dog familys. A smaller, family run motel might be willing to take in more critters and charge less than the major chains do.

For planning purposes - How many folks would consider bringing the 4-paw'd members of the family along for the meeting?

[lbaker]

So we "picnic" at the motel or whatever..big wup We will outnumber them and have a blast wherever we meet Aly, I have dibbs on any critter ...I will need a furkid to stave off my dogwithdrawls Can't wait. And right about a mid-nite snack place..actually a beer or a glass of wine would be welcome..hedonist that I am..

laurie

[4 feline house]

Actually, Phred, lodging prices go higher as you leave the airport, I guess becuase the airport is in the 'burbs. The Motel 6 here (which is the closest to the airport) is $34.99 before tax single occupancy, as is the one south of the airport, and the one north of the airport is $36.99 and the one on Skillman (heart of Dallas) is $39.99.

How many people are bringing dogs? I would assume that since only about 3 of us live in Texas, and I don't remember seeing that anyone lives in Oklahoma, Arkansas or Louisiana, (oops! I can't say that for sure since I don't know most of the dog people!)that almost everyone will be flying. Will that many people be flying with their dogs?

[Cinder & Smoke]

Dad sez Wow! Rent-a-beds a cheap in Texas!

Around here (eastern Ohio - P-burgh) a "cheap" night is $50; and the chains like to get $60-$100 to borrow a pillow for a night.

[4 feline house]

You know what I just though of, we need enough people with cars, either residents, fliers in rent-a-cars, or visitors driving, to take the gang around! Boyd is about 30 miles from my house (using me as a reference point since it still has not been established where anyone is staying). That's too far for a taxi, and a van all day can get pretty expensive! But I'll be happy to look into that, if people feel that might be the best way to go.

If not, I have an Escort, so I could volunteer three or four seats.

As for the midnight snacking, we have plenty of Jack-in-the-Boxes, Whataburgers, IHOPS and Denny's around, and there is a 7-11 or Stop-N-Go on virtually every corner! The beer and wine.....well, this is the bible belt - you can't even buy wine in Euless! When I lived in Irving you couldn't there, either. But you can buy beer in nearly every town 'til 2:00 am!

My son's soccer season generally starts the last week in March/first week in April, so I may not be able to make the entire weekend, but of course since I'm local that won't be much of a problem. Even so, he's certainly old enough by now to understand that his mommy doesn't need to be at every game!

[lbaker]

I guess I'll be flying in & probably be renting a car 'cause I will be spending some time with my daughter and grandson in McKinney (north Dallas area). Can't bring my dogs..would not put them through the plane trauma for just a few days. I would be happy to pick up and/or drive folks to and from airport etc. Would offer to share a room with someone but a confession here I am a smoker and know that may make me persona non grata with most...ces't la vie Don't hate me for that..I'm really a nice person
laurie

[Karen]

As I mentioned before, we'd be flying in, and the bunny would be staying home, being a guard-bunny. We'll probably rent a car, too.

[ktreva52]

Okay, I'm way out of the link here, but, if I'm understanding you correctly, there's a Pet Talk Con(vention) going on in Texas next year? Wow. You might want to check with whoever puts on any major dog shows in the area as to what hotels/motels they work with as far as "pet friendly", but be aware, most places don't like you to leave the pets in the room during the day when you're gone. Have you asked about convention rates on the rooms? I mean, geez, you get 30-40 people there and that's probably more than they'd get that weekend unless something big is going on. We used to get blocks of rooms for the science fiction cons I used to attend and had one set up as the "con suite" with sodas, snackies, etc. where everyone could gather to chat and munch all night long if they wanted to. You'd just need some coolers & ice to keep the sodas cold, maybe a coffee pot and cups, etc. Everyone that is coming could contribute a couple of dollars toward it (say $5.00/person should cover the cost of the room and most of the munchies/drinks).

Don't know if I can come since I don't know where I'll be working at the time -- I don't intend to stay at Toshiba, if I can help it. We probably won't be working much in that season, so funds would be real tight, but I'd be willing to help support a con if I can get lots of reports on how it goes.