A Belated Happy Fat Tuesday

Last Saturday the Petco in Cape hosted a Mardi Gras costume parade for local pets, and because Arlo harbors wild affection for all things dog-related, I couldn't let him miss this little canine fete. The Humane Society of Southeast Missouri was also there fundraising and boasting a trio of tempting, adorable black lab mix puppies, with whom, of course, Arlo promptly fell in puppy love. At home it's a one giant doggie diss-fest of a day for Arlo; Jordan, our Westie, has never warmed to him. Jordan has never been hostile, but he has nipped in Arlo's direction when Arlo's affection has been a little too potent for his tastes. On a good day he tolerates Arlo; other days he mostly naps safely under our table, out of Arlo's loving grasp. I wonder if Arlo's infatuation with dogs would be less so if his love for Jordan weren't so unrequited.

Anyway, the Mardi Gras parade brought out an interesting mix of people. Let's just say that I'm not sure who is weirder--the people who dress their pets up for public display, or the people who pointedly visit Petco with the express purpose of watching said parade.

There were also two mini horses (or were they ponies? I don't know!) in Petco. Yes, IN Petco. It looked like a local young equestrian group was fundraising as well. I tried to introduce Arlo to the mini horses/ponies, since he's enjoyed his visits with the neighboring horses at Grandma and Grandpa Watkins' house before, but he was frightened by the ponies this time. They were perfectly docile, batting their gorgeously dark, long lashes at us, but Arlo didn't buy it. Maybe next time!

One of the humane society's volunteers snapped this picture and posted to their Facebook page. I took a peek at some of the pups for adoption through the humane society, which was such a heart-string-tugger. I am certain there is another dog in our family's future, when the time is right for us.