Thankful Thursday: Shade

There was a considerable amount of storm damage to trees this year, so I am particularly grateful we still have shade trees in the back yard because I like to go out to the end of the yard, dig a little fresh cool dirt and enjoy a peaceful afternoon observation post. You really can supervise everything right from this spot. Dog Dad refills my hole so I can keep redigging the dirt when I need something cool and refreshing on a warm day.

Wordless Wednesday: Watching the Celtic Play Offs with Dog Dad

Last week we watched the Celtics play with Dog Dad. We were quite pleased that they won.  Sadly they didn't keep winning.

The Twilight Bark

Mom's a big Disney fan so she refers to our neighborhood dog communication as the Twilight bark in honor of the 101 Dalmations. Of course we don't always wait until dark. Mom caught these pictures as we were outside enjoying a slightly cooler but sunny day when a dog sent out a his message. Of course it was mostly gossip. Contrary to what the movie leads you to believe it isn't just an emergency channel. We gossip with the best of them. Since we don't all have the chance to check pee mail frequently the neighborhood bark is a way to share the gossip.

What did the dog say you ask? Well just because we listen to the gossip doesn't mean we spread it. Really.

Do you have a bark circle where you live?

Katy's Chair Pillow

Mom has never understood it but sometimes you just need a firm pillow. While we use our soft cushy pillows, there are times we need something firmer and we know how to find them.

Friday Flowers: Rhododendrons

While Mom loves the beautiful purple flowers, don't be fooled, these bushes are havens for for all kinds of intruders.

Thankful Thursday: Robin Hood's Faire

We have been writing about our visit to the Robin's Hood Faire all week. However, we were truly thankful for the shady restful lunch tent. Sometimes you just need a little down time to rest and relax.

 

I found this great view under the lunch tent.  I had a great view and the benefit of the shade the tent provided.

Katy and I needed a rest.  We got lots of attention at the Faire.  It was cold in the morning and while people normally can't resist petting us,  we became convenient hand warmers.  People openly admitted to wanting to pet us to warm their hands.  When the day warmed up people still wanted to pet us, but it wasn't as great.

We were exhausted when we got home and badly needed a nap.  We are truly thankful for such a wonderful adventure.

Robin Hood's Faire: Watching the Shows

We had a wonderful time watching the performers. We saw Robin Hood and the Royals and wonderful musicians. Dog Dad and Mom's favorite was Shakespeare Approves. While Dog Dad is not normally a huge fan of Shakespeare he even went back for the third show, we'd missed the first one.

Dog Dad can't understand why we refuse to drink water outside of the house.  Even with our own bowl, it just isn't the same.  Annie did drink some water out of a bottle cap at one point, but it does bother the parents that we fight staying hydrated.  We even refused ice cubes a kind vendor offered us.  We just don't drink outside the house unless it is rain water that Mom doesn't want us to drink outside.

Shakespeare Approves was awesome.  If he appears at a Renaissance Fair near you we suggest going to his show.

Robin Hood's Faire: Meeting the Royal Hound

After going through the gates you have the opportunity to meet the Royal Family. We got petted by Robin Hood, but what was really exciting was meeting the Royal Hound. He was quite friendly.

Robin Hood's Faire Waiting at the Gates

Mom finally got around to posting our visit to Robin Hood's Faire. We went to their opening weekend, which was their pet themed weekend and we had a delightful time. They've since decided to allow pets during all fair days, but we were glad to attend on the first Sunday.

We listened to the Faire greeters as we waited for the gates to open so we could enter our first Renaissance fair. We were quite interested to see what would await us.

Friday Flowers: Daffodils

Every morning Mom goes out and checks for new sightings of perennials.

Thankful Thursday: Sunny Days

We are always thankful when the days aren't rainy and we can enjoy the sun in our yard. We love sun bathing year round, you've seen us sitting in snow banks. However, as the weather gets warm and humid Mom limits our time so we are making the most of our non-rainy days to enjoy the sunshine.

Wordless Wednesday: Spa Date

Mom likes to catch us post spa date as she complains the minute we get outside the spa look quickly disappears.

Visiting with Friends

One of the wonderful things about Spring is visiting with neighbors and friends. We love hanging out when Dog Dad is visiting.

Creative Fundraiser at Paws in the Park 2018

I always think it is fun and important to share ideas that work for different shelters in drawing attention and raising funds for their shelter. While Mom and Dad clearly have a Sheltie preference, they never miss going to the French Bulldog booth to leave a donation. Their booth fundraiser is adorable and it is always a festive, friendly, and welcoming place to visit as we tour all the booths.

While Mom didn't cheat on us by kissing other dogs, she did leave a donation as she just can't resist the creative idea for this fundraiser.

Friday Flowers: Iris hanging out with Daffodils

Mom's perennials have spread over the years and now this Spring the Daffodils and Iris are hanging out together.

Paws in the Park 2018 The Walk

Every year at Paws in the Park we take a walk around the Wayside Inn. The area is beautiful and Mom and Dad like this part of the outing. Normally Katy makes this a race, but her companion was unable to make the event so she was stuck with a slow Dog Dad and Mom and got a late start on the walk. She made the best of it as she likes the wooded path. Neither of us is crazy about water, but Mom loves water and insists on getting pictures of us near the water every chance she gets.

Since we can't read signs Katy decided to see if anyone left pee mail with directions.

This is the path to the grist mill. First we aren't crazy about bridges. Secondly there is water. What is it about this Mom doesn't get. Who in their right mind stops to take pictures on bridges. This from the Mom that reads books about trolls.

Mom says this Grist Mill is not only historical, but famous. It seems to appear in all kinds of pictures. So I guess I'm famous for being photographed in front of it, too.

Wordless Wednesday: Posing on a Rock at Paws in the Park 2018

Paws in the Park 2018 Making New Friends

One of the fun things about Paws in the Park is the chance to meet lots of dogs big and small. We met large and small dogs and had a great time sniffing and being sniffed. Katy met a Collie who was her large twin. The Collie's owner called Katy her dog's mini me. They had the exact coloring and similar face shaping although Collies and Sheltie heads are slightly different. Mom didn't want to ruin the moment with a picture because that usually makes Katy get restless so we have no record of it, but it was rather cool. At the end of our day we met two rescue Shelties. We don't see too many Shelties at these events so it is always interesting when we meet some.

We got lots of attention, like movie star attention. Every where we went people wanted to touch us and give us treats. This became a problem later when Dog Dad wanted to get us through the agility course. Katy had fun with it, but me, hey why should I work with treats when all I have to do is look adorable and everyone is offering me free cookies? Why jump for it when you just have to sit and look cute?

Paws in the Park 2018

Despite the rain we had a wonderful time at Paws in the Park. I was so excited to go it was hard to wait patiently while Mom and Dad finished final preparation for us to go to the Wayside Inn.

I so badly wanted to bring this pad home. Like most Shelties, I'm not crazy about wet feet and there was just something so soothing on my paws about this mat. Sadly, the group really felt their need was greater than mine and Mom made me move on without getting them to give me the mat. Can you believe that?

Mom's still downloading pictures off her phone so you can expect to see more of our adventures through the week.