Next door to Austin in the town of Dripping Springs, the Tractor Supply Store hosts a twice-weekly animal adoption day. The animal caregivers at Thundering Paws Animal Sanctuary work with the folks at the Tractor Store to have this event so that more and more animals end up in good homes. Check in with the Tractor Store during the second and forth Saturdays of the month to see what animals are available.

Austin has a dozen dog parks that allow you to have your dog off of a leash. If you are not in one of these areas, you need to have your dog on a leash no longer than six feet otherwise you may be subject to a $500 fine.

The twelve dog parks in the city are located at:

Auditorium Shores
Bull Creek District Park
Emma Long Metropolitan Park
Far West Boulevard right of way between Great Northern Boulevard and Shoal Creek Boulevard
Northeast District Park
Norwood Estate
Red Bud Isle
Onion Creek District Park
Shoal Creek Greenbelt
Walnut Creek District Park
West Austin Park
Zilker Park

Please note that within the areas listed above there are leash areas and free roaming areas. There are signs posted in every park that show where a leash is required and where one isn’t. Always follow posted signs.

There is also a city bylaw in place that requires owners to clean up after their dogs so that messes are not left.

The Mighty Texas Dog Walk is one of the most popular animal events in Austin every year. It is held in mid-April and is one of the largest mass dog walking events in the world. In fact, walkers routinely try to break the all time world record for largest dog walk ever.

Hot Art Hip Kids – On January 2, come see this amazing art show featuring some of the best known sculptors in the area. This event takes place at the Blanton Museum of Art and admission is free once you pay the regular museum admission. Kids under 12 are free, so don’t be shy, bring out the kids.

If art is your thing, check out this chance to speak with the curator of the Blanton Museum about Paolo Veronese: The Petrobelli Altarpiece. Fans of art know this piece well and Jon Bober is one of the world’s foremost experts on it. Learn about art and this wonderful museum at the same time. This talk is being held on January 14 at the BMA. Come one, come all!

If religion is your thing, come check out a talk given by Dr. Brent Sirota on Anglican Humanitarianism. The talk will be given on January 25 from Noon to 1:30 Garrison Hall. Listen to this expert share his knowledge on this fascinating topic.

Along with academic talks and incredible art, you can also enjoy Texas Longhorn sports on campus, as well. While the football team is done playing at home for the year, there is men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball and so much more. Catch the basketball teams on campus at the Frank Erwin Center and tickets are often very affordable. What makes attending these games so much fun is that the teams are usually amongst the best in the nation. For instance, the women’s volleyball team is ranked in the top five at the time of this writing. The men’s and women’s basketball team plays home games through the beginning of March, so if you are looking for something to do, check out Longhorn athletics for a night you won’t soon forget.