Gone to the Dogs

Cute kids and pups frolic at fashion designer's Dallas dog rescue benefit

Gone to the Dogs

Cute kids and pups frolic at fashion designer's Dallas dog rescue benefit

Tim Peck, Missy Peck, Eloise PeckPhoto by Rhiannon Lee
Nini Nguyen, Sage Nguyen, Todd Oldham, Alyson Nakamura, Sebastian NakamuraPhoto by Rhiannon Lee
Chandra North Blaylock, Andrew BayerPhoto by Rhiannon Lee
There were rescue animals up for adoption.Photo by Rhiannon Lee
Lydia Bowen has her face painted to support the SMU Mustangs.Photo by Rhiannon Lee
Jeny Bania, Kristy BowenPhoto by Rhiannon Lee
Michelle Blackson, Ingrid BlacksonPhoto by Rhiannon Lee
Kim Dodson, Lauren Mealy, Posey Mealy, Chandra JohnsonPhoto by Rhiannon Lee
Chase Hill, Wells Tomasi Hill, Taylor Tomasi HillPhoto by Rhiannon Lee
Marlena English, Brent EnglishPhoto by Rhiannon Lee
Gonzalo Bueno, Alicia Bueno-McCray, Michael McCrayPhoto by Rhiannon Lee
There was plenty of cute puppy merchandise for sale.Photo by Rhiannon Lee

What: Puppies in the Park

Where: The Eye at the Joule, Dallas

The 411: On a warm fall day, upscale boutique Forty Five Ten teamed up with legendary fashion designer Todd Oldham for the community event, which benefited DFW Rescue Me and SPCA of Texas. The outdoor gathering brought out families with cute kids and adorable pups, in part, to celebrate the launch of a partnership between Texas native Oldham’s Kid Made Modern clothing line and Forty Five Ten.

Families participated in arts and crafts — including Duct Tape activities — with Kid Made Modern supplies. Face painters, caricature painters, and balloon artists entertained, while Diggity Dog Doodles and Ware of the Dog set up shop to sell cute dog-themed merchandise. Family-friendly cuisine was provided by Joule Catering, featuring gelato by the newly opened Commissary.

Of course, the highlight was mobile pet adoptions led by SPCA of Texas and DFW Rescue Me, which allowed families to show love to furry friends in need of forever homes. A portion of all event proceeds went to the two organizations.

Who: Tim Peck, Missy Peck, Eloise Peck, Nini Nguyen, Sage Nguyen, Alyson Nakamura, Sebastian Nakamura, Chandra North Blaylock, Andrew Bayer, Lydia Bowen, Kristy Bowen, Jeny Bania, Michelle Blackson, Ingrid Blackson, Kim Dodson, Lauren Mealy, Posey Mealy, Chandra Johnson, Chase Hill, Wells Tomasi Hill, Taylor Tomasi Hill, Marlena English, Brent English, Gonzalo Bueno, Alicia Bueno-McCray, and Michael McCray.

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gotta do better than that

Texas is not a great state to live in for 2025, study finds

Texas' livability has taken a nosedive in 2025. Photo by Trac Vu on Unsplash

Texas' livability has taken a nosedive: After plummeting toward the bottom in WalletHub's 2024 ranking of the best and worst states to live in for 2024, Texas has continued its downfall and now ranks as the 38th "best" state to live in for 2025.

To put it another way, Texas is now considered the 13th worst place to live in the U.S.

WalletHub ranked all 50 states using 51 metrics to measure their affordability, economy, education and health, quality of life, and safety. Factors that were considered include housing affordability, the median debt per median earnings, income growth from 2019 to 2023, high school graduation rates, access to public transportation, and more.

Massachusetts once again claimed the No. 1 spot as the best place to live nationwide, followed by Idaho (No. 2), New Jersey (No. 3), Wisconsin (No. 4), and Minnesota (No. 5).

The Lone Star State fumbled in four out of the five categories, but at least its quality of life ranking (No. 9) still managed to nab a top-10 spot.

According to WalletHub, Texas has the 10th worst economy and the 10th worst education and health, ranking No. 40 in both categories. Confusingly, a separate WalletHub study claimed Texas had the 8th best economy in the nation.

Texas' affordability is only the 34th best in the U.S., and it ranked 38th for safety.

Here's how Texas fared in other rankings in the study out of all 50 states:

No. 30 – Income growth
No. 31 – Housing costs
No. 40 – Percentage of population in poverty
No. 50 – Percentage of insured population
No. 43 – Percentage of adults in fair or poor health
No. 46 – Homeownership rate
No. 49 – Average weekly work hours

Local foodies can at least be satisfied that Texas ranked No. 1 in the category of states with the most restaurants per capita. Texas entered a four-way tie for the top spot with Florida, New York, and California. But having numerous restaurants doesn't make up for the failures in other living standards.

Meanwhile, New Mexico landed as the worst state to live in 2025. Joining the so-called "Land of Enchantment" at the bottom of the list are Louisiana (No. 49), Arkansas (No. 48), Mississippi (No. 47), and Alaska (No. 46).

Before one makes any final decisions on where to live, WalletHub suggests considering other factors than how a state ranked based on a single study.

"You’ll need to balance things like the cost of living with job opportunities, quality of education and safety," the report's author wrote. "Personal preference also comes into the equation, as you’ll want to live somewhere with the types of attractions, recreational opportunities and weather that suit you."

wallethub rankings best states texas

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