Friday, September 25, 2009

Old Friends



Last week while the fair was going on here, Stella and I took a stroll down the midway a number of times. As I mentioned before, it was almost like she never left there. She can dive under a bally cloth and come out with what's left of a chicken-on-a-stick like it was put there for her. Anyway, we were just out there by ourselves one day, it was early in the day and an old friend in a golf cart came riding by. At first he waved, then he spotted her and turned back in our direction. He studied her for a couple of seconds and said, "Is that Billy Winn's puppy?" I confirmed his suspicion, happy there was someone left who might recognize her. Turns out, Ritchie had fallen for Stella much the same way I did. He'd spent a large part of his summer last year bringing her rawhide chews and little stuffed animals from his joints.

"Hey girl," he said,"you remember me?"

They greeted each other and although both of us wanted her to remember, it was impossible to tell if she actually did or not. He said the first time he saw her she bolted out from under the truck barking like she was the resident guard dog and that eventually he visited her enough times that she got to know his golf cart. He said that when they left Nashville last year and got to Louisiana, he noticed her missing and went looking for Billy fearful that he'd lost her somewhere along the way. Billy told him that she stayed in Nashville with me and despite the fact that he was crazy about her, it's doubtful that he'd thought about her since; until he spotted her on the midway a year later, at the Tennessee State Fair.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Harley



Here's another gorgeous pup that just signed on. I don't know a thing about him except that like most puppies he's prone to a good romp.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Mr. Belvedere





Mr. Belvedere, seen here with one of the Photo Boyz at this year's Tennessee State Fair, signed on at the last spot. He was shy and a little nervous at first but after a couple of weeks of socialization, it is now believed that he'll make a fine carny dog. I'm hoping that his owner (and all of the owners for that matter, will keep us posted periodically). Are those some fabulous ears or what?

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Cleo





Short for Cleopatra, Cleo is friendly, lovable and something of an entertainer. I'm told that one of her favorite hobbies is running. No surprise there.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Mugboard #1



This week (the 16th) is mine and Stella's one year anniversary. To celebrate, me and two little boys spent ten minutes trying to get her to poke her head through this hole. By the time she did it, I was laughing so hard I could barely take the picture.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Hope

Hope will be sixteen years old on Valentine's Day. She started coming to the fair about the same time I did. Her owner, Frank runs a very popular photo joint near the end of the independent midway. He's been coming to the fair longer than all of us. There's a pretty nice slideshow that includes a nighttime shot of Frank's joint HERE if anyone is interested. It's a popular stop for carnival goers.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Bear

Bear greets customers at the door to Galaxy Amusement Sales' supply trailer. This dreamy two-and-a-half year old German Shorthaired Pointer appears to have a personality that matches his size. He travels around the country to fairs and festivals with his owner, Todd Kunz.

Cataract Jack







While I was shooting, Jack got a visit from his puppyhood friend Jigs (right). Jack's owner moves a portable roller coaster called the Crazy Mouse.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

The great stick hunter


Stella gave us a big scare last week, developing a pretty mean limp in one of her rebuilt knees. Turned out it was nothing. She just tweaked it running like a maniac at the fairgrounds. We celebrated by going on a stick hunt at the creek.

Over the weekend, we took a drive to friend Beverly's house for a couple of days of rest and relaxation. Stella got to spend some time at the farm with a couple of senior dogs she met last year. The two of them thankfully, managed to put up with her nonsense all weekend, without incident. One (Smiley) temporarily commandeered her bed, which was pretty funny, but she'd already fallen in love with him by then and didn't even care.



This week the state fair gets busy setting up. It opens on Friday. Stella and I have been over there for the last two days poking around and pretending to direct traffic. Posting here will be spotty for the next few days while they get everything situated, then with some luck, there'll be a whole new crop of road dogs to visit with on this page. Anyone who's a fan of the carnival itself is welcome to check in over at Cliffhanger. That's where I post most of the shots that are non-dog related.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Pete Pope, Concession dog

We met Pete (left) at the Wilson County Fair last week. He's eight years old and what's more - is about as midway savvy as a dog can get. He's such a good dog says owner James Pope (right), that they got a new puppy recently in the hope that Pete can teach the puppy some of his wonderful habits before moving on. We'd like to wish them many, many more successful runs at the fair before that happens.