Pet of the Week

Curl up with Tulsi, a sweet kitty cat ready for adoption

From a few weeks back, Domino has been adopted, but former featured pets Bryan, Oscar, and Wyoming are still waiting for their forever homes. This week, meet Tulsi, a 3-year-old domestic short hair mix.

Tulsi has a beautiful blue tabby coat, bright green eyes and a sweet pink nose. This loving guy likes to spend his days lounging in the sun, snuggling in a comfy bed or gazing out the window.

He is declawed on his front feet, so, for his own protection, Tulsi needs to be an inside cat. He has been neutered, FIV/FeLV tested (he’s negative) and microchipped, and he has received his age- appropriate vaccinations. Tulsi is also litter-box trained.

Tulsi was surrendered to the SPCA of Texas on April 15 because his previous owners fell on hard economic times and could no longer afford to take care of him. He also is a VIP (very important pet) because he’s been waiting for his new, loving family for more than 30 days, so he has a special lower adoption price.

Come meet Tulsi (#113886) today at the SPCA of Texas’ Jan Rees-Jones Animal Care Center in Dallas at 2400 Lone Star Dr., near I-30 and Hampton Road. The center is open seven days a week, noon-6 pm.

Regular adoption fees are $95-$125 for puppies 0-6 months, $75-$95 for adult dogs 6 months or older, $50 for senior dogs 7 years or older, $50 for VIP dogs, $95 for kittens, $75 for adult cats, $50 for senior cats 7 years and older, and $50 for VIP cats.

The adoption fee includes spay/neuter surgery, age-appropriate vaccinations, heartworm test for dogs 6 months and older, initial heartworm preventative for dogs, feline leukemia test for cats 4 months and older, microchip, rabies tag, and free leash or cat carrier. Call 214-742-SPCA (7722) or visit the SPCA website for more information.

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RIP Ray

Dallas lawyer and one-time club owner Ray Balestri dies at 64

Courtesy photo

Ray Balestri

Dallas lawyer and investor Ray Balestri, who circulated through Dallas' media and entertainment world, died on January 4; he was 64.

Balestri was an attorney at Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP, which issued a statement saying that he left behind a legacy of excellence, mentorship, and professionalism.

“We are deeply saddened by Ray’s passing. He was an invaluable member of our team, a mentor to many, and a trusted advisor to his clients," the statement said. "His contributions to the legal profession and the business community were extraordinary, and his legacy will endure.”

His brother-in-law Sean Macy, who posted the news of his passing, called him a good friend to all, a man bigger than life, and a devoted family man.

Balestri grew up in Rockford, Illinois, attended Harvard Law School, and taught classes at SMU's Cox School of Business. In addition to his roles as lawyer and private equity investor, he co-founded '90s Deep Ellum bar The Bone and occasionally wrote for publications such as D magazine, penning columns such as the one on how to fix America's income tax system. According to this 2000 Dallas Observer story, he became a multimillionaire after investing early in Broadcast.com, the company founded by Mark Cuban.

In more recent years, Balestri was prodigious on social media, posting anecdotes about his family and century-old home.

Friends and associates described him as a person who used his skills to make a difference as well as an inspiration to those around him. According to his obituary, he died of natural causes.

He's survived by his wife Heather Macy Balestri and two sons Quentin and Julian, as well as brothers David and Brian, and sister Becky. A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 13 at 3 pm at Highland Park United Methodist Church.

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