Pet Peeves

Title of this entry was completely inspired by some things that occurred this morning. Since my pet peeves also relate to pet issues it's a bit of a play on words!

I know there are a ton of pet owners that love the retractable leash. I'm not one of those pet owners! When I lived in Seattle, while working as a leasing consultant at a downtown apartment complex there were numerous times I would be showing the property to a potential resident when a current resident would be out with their dog. The dog would simply wander in my direction while the dog owner would be searching through their mail they were retrieving from their mailbox. A wet dog nose coming at a potential resident is not a highlight when trying to feature the best parts of a complex.

Why is it that many of these pet owners can't seem to figure out how to reel their dog back in when it's wandered over to a person? Just this morning while I was jogging in the park a small dog, whom didn't seem friendly, wandered away from it's owner while on a retractable leash. The owner struggled to reel him/her back in while I attempted to jump back and forth from side to side to avoid getting bit.

Another huge pet peeve of mine. Owners that have decided to use the neighborhood park as their designated off-leash dog park. I had somewhat of a confrontation one morning after witnessing an older gentleman nearly fall over when his "leashed" dog was being picked on by one of the "non-leashed" dogs. I had kept my mouth shut for numerous mornings but that particular morning after witnessing the older man nearly fall I had to say something. Now it seems I have a reputation at the park. Since the confrontation, the off-leash annoying pet owners move as far away from me and my dogs as they can. However, on some mornings(like this morning) something even worse than "off-leashers" being at the park takes place. The "off-leashers" go across the street to a kids daycare. Their dogs are peeing and doing other business all over playground equipment meant for little ones. I'm not even a parent(to human kids at least) and I find that irritating and irresponsible of the pet owners. I wouldn't want my kids going to daycare on Monday after these dogs have been all over the kiddies play things.




In closing I will include my dog Cody's pet peeve. Cody has a firm belief that all people were placed on this earth to pet him. In many circumstances he literally lets out a sigh when a person walks by and doesn't acknowledge him.

Tax-Free Weekend

This past weekend was the 11th annual tax-free weekend in Texas. Something completely new to this Zonie. When discussing tax-free weekend with some people I was told to steer clear of malls and most other shopping centers for the weekend. Yeah right! That was not about to happen. Of course I had to check it out. It's the first time I've ever lived in a city that has a tax-free weekend.

I got up and out to the mall promptly at 10:00am on Saturday just to see the native Texans taking advantage of these tax-free days. Typically at 10:00am on a Saturday there are few people there yet since the doors just barely opened. Not this Saturday though. The area where I usually choose to park was completely full except for 2 parking spots designated "compact car only". I drive an SUV, trying to park my SUV in a compact parking spot isn't a smart idea. So I went in search of a different parking lot in front of Macy's. I found a decent spot, not too far from the front entrance. When I went into the Macy's it was certainly busy but not wall to wall busy! Thank goodness! When walking through the mall people were all around. The crowds didn't seem out of the norm other than the fact that the mall was crowded at an earlier time than what is usual for a Saturday. At least it wasn't out of control crowds with people running people over. I'm not sure if running people over to get into a store happens here in Dallas? Sadly it does occur in Phoenix yearly on what is known as the biggest shopping day of the year. So did I take advantage of the tax-free weekend and go on a shopping spree? Nope, sorry to disappoint. I looked around a bit that's all.

Personally, I think this is a weird time of the year to shop. It's still hot out so I'm not in the mood to look for fall and winter clothes. Yet it's towards the end of summer so what is the point in buying another pair of flip-flops when there's not much left of summer. Perhaps I make little to no sense! Nonetheless that's my opinion! Once mid to late September arrives I start to think about updating my wardrobe and getting ready for fall. Then again I don't have a family that includes 4 kids that all need back to school clothes. If that were the case you can bet I would have been doing some serious shopping. Afterall, the motivation for the annual tax-free weekend is to help families prepare their kids for the new school year.

Here's the odd thing about me. I hate crowds! I'm rather picky about the times I choose to shop because I don't like it when it is overly busy. The fact that I was so eager to get to a Dallas mall during this past weekend shows one of two things...my curiousity I have for my new city or some weird personal growth. Possibly a combo of both!

Niceville, USA?

When I first arrived in Dallas I couldn’t believe how nice everyone is. Not that way where I come from. In Phoenix people live in a bubble. Meaning that they keep to themselves. I’ve noticed in Dallas if someone doesn’t say hello to you they will likely at least give you a nod of the head. I call it the “Texas nod”. Back home I could walk my dogs and not care whom was walking past me. Now while juggling two dog leashes and who knows what else I actually have to do the Texas nod or say hello. Pressures on! Lol! That's alright, I'm adjusting well!

People also seem to start conversations up in just about any place. I’m on first name basis with the hostess at a local restaurant. A cashier at the grocery store loves to talk my ear off about this, that, and everything else she can think of. One of the oddest conversations I’ve had with the cashier was regarding Michael Phelps. I’m still baffled as to how Michael Phelps came up in our conversation so easily one day. It’s not like I was wearing a Phelps shirt when I came thru her checkout line. Bizarre!

One particular time at Bed, Bath, and Beyond store, I was shopping for things for my new apartment. During this shopping trip I was asked more than once by an employee if they could help me find something or if they could get a basket for me. After awhile an employee just brought a basket to me without me asking. That kind of service I really have not come across in any other city I’ve lived in. I doubt I’m the only one that does this but I’m the type of shopper that never feels I need a basket. I walk in, look around and before I know it I have more items than I can carry. Not sure why I so rarely think to get a basket.

Another example of Dallas nice, I was at a stop light recently. It was a stop light on a small street coming out of a shopping center. An older woman in a car was in the left turn lane waiting to turn. The light turned red for her. It was no longer her turn to go. However, she remained in the intersection. Did anyone honk at her to wake her up so she could see she was in the middle of oncoming traffic…nope! Everyone just politely moved around her. I was the only one that honked! Hey, what can I say? That’s how we do things in Phoenix. We use our car horns frequently. Lol!

Now this is not to say that all are nice. Every city has their share of non-nice people. There’s a person in my apartment complex I would place in the non-nice category. As a whole, this city has shocked me with their cordial ways.

Short story to end with. During the 2 day drive to my new city. As soon as we entered the state of Texas I started to see signs that said, “Drive friendly, the Texas way!”

Born and Raised Zonie!

I am from Phoenix, Arizona. Those in California refer to us as Zonies! This is one Zonie that kind of likes the nickname. Others may not. Phoenix is an interesting place to grow up. It doesn’t have the glitz and glamour of L.A. But it seems to try hard to pattern itself after L.A. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times as a young child I heard my grandmother tell me Phoenix was going to be the next L.A. There’s some similarities at this present moment. It’s rather crowded, over polluted, and on it’s way to being too expensive for some.


As an adult my biggest complaint about Phoenix is the fact that it lacks a true identity. There are so many people that have moved there in recent years that it’s kind of difficult to find someone from Phoenix living in Phoenix. With all the new population growth the city has little culture that it’s clinging to. It’s like a newly discovered city that people are making into whatever they want it to be. People don't adapt to Phoenix. Phoenix is being made to adapt to others. Don’t even get me started on all the cement in the city either! Geesh! Stop pouring cement and plant a tree for goodness sake! Oh that’s right, they can’t plant many trees…it’s too hot. Desert plants only!


Safe to say Phoenix is a sports town. Take your pick on what sport you prefer. Choices are: hockey, baseball, basketball, and football. Something for everyone. I grew up going to Arizona State games. Go Devils! I have numerous memories of ASU football games. I even had Sparky the Sun Devil earrings for game nights. I probably shouldn’t admit that but oh well! The city has only had the opportunity to celebrate one championship. The Arizona Diamondbacks won the World Series in 2001. Exciting moment! I remember a lot of horn honking all through the night. Apparently in Phoenix driving around and honking your horn is the way you celebrate a championship. I’m sure there’s other ways to celebrate but like I said the city has only had one championship so celebrating is not the city's forte. The surprise Arizona team of this decade would have to be the Cardinals. Numerous losing seasons and then finally a break thru year that carried them all the way to the Super Bowl this past February. Awesome! I’m sure back in Phoenix there is much chatter and excitement concerning this season for the Cards. But lets face it, the city belongs to the Suns. They generate the most buzz! I remember certain great play-off runs that made malls look like ghost towns. No one cared to be at the mall on a Saturday afternoon everyone was home watching the Suns. However, the city is still waiting on the Suns to deliver a championship. Keep waiting Zonies! Keep waiting!

A story to end with, I have a cousin that has been a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan since he was very young. Don’t know how he became such a fan since just like me, he’s a born and raised Zonie. None the less, his fave team is the Cowboys. There is a decent amount of Cowboys fans living in Phoenix so my cousin is not alone. Over the years the home team Cards have been bumped from TV to show the Cowboys. Well, last season was a different story. The Cowboys games were suddenly not the top choice for the TV stations due to the Cards showing signs of a promising season. The lack of Cowboys games on AZ channels didn’t set well with my Cowboys loving cousin. When the holidays rolled around he would continuously make rude remarks about the Cards. That didn’t set well with me! We met with his family for Thanksgiving, then for Christmas, and then for New Year’s. Well by the time New Year’s came around I was done listening to his remarks. We had the hugest blowup argument that I have probably ever had with a family member. Oddly enough a mere 5 months later I started calling Dallas home. Bizarre!

My handsome men!

Along for the ventures in Dallas are my two handsome men. Two pugs! I love being a pet owner and proud mommie to 2 pugs. I could really talk non-stop about my boys. But I will try to be precise for now!

When I first got them I was under the silly impression that they would be rather similar in personality since they are both pugs and both male! Boy, was I completely wrong. They are virtual opposites! The oldest named Cody is my shadow. He is super friendly at all times, not to mention a little co-dependent. Occasionally he will fall asleep in one room with me nearby only to awake and find out I'm no longer in the same room he is. Then the search is on to find where I went. The youngest is named Simon. He is a rough and tumble little one. Much to my dismay he loves to take risky moves flying off the back of the couch. Thankfully, he also has a tender side. He's more likely to let a person hold him.

For the pugs this is their fourth city to live in. I'm sure they don't get the specifics of where we live now. Nor do they care. Though they have likely observed that there's no family around anymore. I've been trying my best to get them accustom to their new surroundings as I get myself used to things here. I take them for daily walks. They also go once a week to doggie daycamp. Not to mention the occasional trips to the groomers.

A short story to end with. Last week when I went to pick the boys up from doggie daycamp they were both in "timeout". Their reason for being in timeout? They were tag-teaming a dachshund. Naughty little pugs! LOL!

My intro!

It was a little more than 3 months ago, May 4th, to be exact when I became a Dallas resident. Welcome to my blog about my ventures in Big D!!!!

This is a blog that will focus on an outsiders view of the great city of Dallas, Texas. Though my experiences will be here in Dallas. Many should be able to relate to leaving one home and attempting to make a new home somewhere else. The struggles with making new connections with new people. Trying to make your new residence feel like home. Not to mention remembering your address correctly when asked to write it. It's been 3 months and I still pause before writing out the city and state! Thinking to myself, "Where am I?" All of this while attempting to get used to new freeways, new streets...completely new surroundings. With the struggles comes the excitement of many of these ventures. Like a raccoon sighting in my apartment complex! Or just this morning I looked at my two dogs that now have registration tags in the shape of the letter D that hang from their collars. I couldn't help but smile!

As I get more comfortable with my new home I hope to venture out to see other areas of Texas. I'm living in a different state, a section of America in which I've never lived before. From time to time I hope to take trips around Texas. All of these ventures will be recorded right here!