Cat Internet Sensation

Cranky Houston cat becomes Internet sensation in wedding photo

When Danielle and Justin Foley adopted Coco a little over three years ago they never expected that she would become a superstar. Yet the Houston calico has become an Internet sensation in a series of the couple's wedding photos. Despite the happy occasion, Coco's almost possessed-looking face was caught on camera — and a star was born.

Overwhelmed by the wedding crowd of 20 in the Foley's Rice Military-area townhome on the Fourth of July weekend, Coco hid upstairs for most of the wedding ceremony until it was time for her dinner, which happened to land in the middle of the wedding vows. Seizing the opportunity, Danielle asked Katy-based photographer Luciana Justice to snap a shot of the couple with the cat.

"The most beneficial part of this is being able to give a shout out to the no kill shelter Friends for Life, where we got Coco," Danielle said.

"After she was done eating I snatched her up and grabbed Justin," Danielle explained. "She was responding to her dislike of the flash and all the people staring at her."

A few days later, Danielle posted a series of photos on her Facebook page and they immediately became popular. One of her Facebook friends commented, "I want to make funny internet memes with your wedding/cat photos. Xo" — and apparently she did.

Two days late the photos appeared on The Chive under "Daily Morning Awesomeness," and such sites as Reddit, the Huffington Post, Life with Cats, and Daily Mail followed up.

Despite being upstaged on her big day, Danielle is amused by her cat's recent stardom, along with the different ways the photos have been spun and the range of comments about the cat's reaction.

It's also had a positive side in raising awareness about pet adoption. "The most beneficial part of this is being able to give a shout out to the no kill shelter, Friends for Life, where we got Coco," Danielle said.

Abandoned by her previous owner, Coco spent two years at the no kill shelter located in the Heights before the couple adopted her. Though Coco's life had a rough start, she now has fame, so fortune should be just around the corner.

Wonder if she and Grumpy will become friends?

Danielle and Justin Foley pose for a picture with their beloved cat, Coco.

Danielle and Justin Foley wedding photo with crazy cat

Photo courtesy of © Luciana Justice Photography

Danielle and Justin Foley pose for a picture with their beloved cat, Coco.

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no more trips to Colorado

Bill to legalize marijuana in Texas filed by Dallas Democrat

Photo courtesy of Texas Original

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Texas Rep. Jessica González (D-Dallas) has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

politics marijuana