Fun_People Archive
29 Sep
WhiteBoardness, September 21, 1998

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From: Peter Langston <psl>
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 98 13:07:25 -0700
To: Fun_People
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Subject: WhiteBoardness, September 21, 1998

X-Lib-of-Cong-ISSN: 1098-7649
Excerpted-from: WhiteBoard News for Monday, September 21, 1998
		Joseph Harper <joeha@MICROSOFT.com>

La Marque, Texas:

Watch out Dinky, Ms. Dream is hot on your little tail.

Ms. Dream, a 9-pound, 6-inch pet pooch, has been crowned the world's fastest
Chihuahua.

Ms. Dream, owned by Katie Freehan, beat out a pack of 64 on Saturday to take
the third annual Chihuahua World Cup at Gulf Greyhound Park.

This is the third year the track has held the race, but the first since Taco
Bell advertisements featuring Dinky the Spanish-speaking Chihuahua propelled
the tiny, pointy-eared breed to stardom.

Last year, before a crowd of about 5,500 people, 32 Chihuahuas ran for
glory. This year, several hundred pet owners from across southeast Texas
entered their dogs for the chance to compete.

The only requirements were that the dogs had to be full-bred Chihuahuas who
have had all their vaccinations.

Last year's winner, Chico, earned a guest spot on "The Tonight Show with
Jay Leno."

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Dallas, Texas:

There wasn't a high jump or discus throw, no one ran with a torch and
pictures of the winners probably won't end up on a cereal box.

Still, competition was ferocious at the Ferret Olympics.

Nearly 200 ferret owners came out to the Grand Prairie Community Center on
Saturday to see which furry creatures would take home awards for tipping
over the most plastic cups, holding the longest kiss with their owners or
doing the best weasel "war dance."

Holly Chant's ferret Sloopy was a big winner, taking first place in the
paper sack escape event and placing second in the cup tip.

"I've owned ferrets since Christmas 1996," Ms. Chant said. "At one time, I
owned 27 lizards and 19 ferrets.  That was pretty bad. They made me move
out of my apartment."

The gathering was the third of its kind, said Debra Thomason, president of
the Ferret Lovers' Club of Texas. The annual event helps educate current
and would-be ferret owners, as well as raise money for Texas shelters for
abandoned ferrets.

"They're great," said Janet Kniep. She and her husband, Terry, and 10-year-
old daughter, Kaylie, entered their ferret, Ferris, in the Olympics.  "It's
like having a kitten that refuses to grow up."

© 1998 Peter Langston