DEXTER
(Dex the Rex)
CLICK ON EACH PICTURE FOR A LARGER IMAGE
Dex models his new collar.
Dex as object d'arte.
Crouch like an Egyptian.
Regina checks out Dex.
Ready for his closeup.
Dexter, I have discovered, walks very nicely in his harness and leash.
Not only does he look forward to his daily walk in the great outdoors, his
favorite treat is the almost weekly trip to the nearby PetsMart, where he
calmly strolls the aisles to the amazement and adoration of the public.
Here are some pictures from a typical visit.
Dex enjoys
the car trip to and from PetsMart almost as much as his visit to the store
itself. He loves looking out the windows from the passenger seat.
After a bit, he hops into the backseat
and climbs up in the rear window, where he can scan the passing scenery
from all sides. It is fun to look in my rearview mirror and watch the reaction
of drivers and passengers pulling up behind me at a stoplight. I had one
woman follow me into the parking lot at PetsMart just so that she could
be introduced to Dex.
After arriving
at PetsMart, Dex makes a beeline (catline?) to visit the birds. His feathered
friends pretty much ignore him, apparently sensing they are safe in their
cages. The fish and rodents hold little interest for Dex, but the birds
he finds endlessly entertaining.
On our way to the back of the store
for cat food and kitty litter, Dex always stops to check out the cat trees,
the bigger the better!
On the trip back, Dex usually dozes,
and once home, he climbs into bed for a nice long nap (shown here with Royal,
my 14-year-old crex and Dex's cuddle-buddy).
Dex is now a volunteer with Therapy Pet Pals of Texas (TPPT). TPPT is a
nonprofit group of four-legged friends and their humans who regularly visit
nursing homes and other institutions so that the residents can share the
special unconditional love that animals offer. Each animal volunteer, and
his or her person, is assigned to one institution and must pledge to visit
at least two times a month so that the residents can get to know and bond
with their furry friend. Because the animal volunteer must be leash trained,
Dexter is currently one of the very few felines in the program. Dexter (and
I) have become regular visitors at the Westminster Manor Health Care Center.
Here is a picture of him in his holiday finery when we visited this past
Christmas day.
Dexter really seems to enjoy his visits as much as the residents (we
get as many comments on how well he walks on his leash as on his curly coat).
He insists on strolling down every hall and peeking in every doorway and
out every window. But he will always take time out of his busy schedule
to stop for a chat and a head scratch. After each visit, Dexter always
curls up for a long and well-deserved nap.
Dex enjoys
the car trip to and from PetsMart almost as much as his visit to the store
itself. He loves looking out the windows from the passenger seat.
After a bit, he hops into the backseat
and climbs up in the rear window, where he can scan the passing scenery
from all sides. It is fun to look in my rearview mirror and watch the reaction
of drivers and passengers pulling up behind me at a stoplight. I had one
woman follow me into the parking lot at PetsMart just so that she could
be introduced to Dex.
After arriving
at PetsMart, Dex makes a beeline (catline?) to visit the birds. His feathered
friends pretty much ignore him, apparently sensing they are safe in their
cages. The fish and rodents hold little interest for Dex, but the birds
he finds endlessly entertaining.
On our way to the back of the store
for cat food and kitty litter, Dex always stops to check out the cat trees,
the bigger the better!
On the trip back, Dex usually dozes,
and once home, he climbs into bed for a nice long nap (shown here with Royal,
my 14-year-old crex and Dex's cuddle-buddy). 
