Fredericksburg Dog Mart

Last weekend in Fredericksburg was the annual Dog Mart. It was held downtown this year and included a parade. We dressed the kids up in their Halloween hats which seemed to weigh down Jaime's head on Stanley’s back, and Stanley’s head on Stella’s back.They thought they were mushing in the Iditarod.I explained to the kids that their tiny Dremel was no so bad.What is it about Stanley that makes little kids and little dogs want to lay down with him. That Frenchie sure was cute! Stanley said the last Frenchie he saw was black and made of cardboard. Go Flat Brutus!Harry receives a kissy. That’s pretty stinkin’ cute!Tired from being told how cute they are, and with no bolstered beds to lay on, Stanley and Jaime prop each other up.Debbie brought Leah dressed up for Halloween. She sounded like a belly dancer as her anklets jingled when she walked.The greyhounds lined up for judging in the ring. Tempest got the Blue Ribbon, and Leah was runner-up. Congrats!Pooped out from the parade and a full day at the dog fair, the kids snuggle together for naptime on the sidewalk.

Finley, Nike & Ella

It’s a good thing that Finley (aka JuanPabloMontoya aka Sammy) was already spoken for. His sister lives in Richmond, so he was GUR’d from Massachusetts to be reunited. What a very special sweet boy! It didn’t take him very long to feel right at home.Finley tried out a few beds and decided that the poofy bed was the most comfortable. His ears were always going up and down. This is mid going up or down. Striking a handsome pose in the yard, he shows what his ears can really do.We left Finley and the kids to go down to Blacksburg for the Hokies vs. East Carolina football game. Instead of wineries, we hit a couple of microbreweries on the way down. Blue Mountain Brewery has a great view of Afton mountain.We tried the sampler at Devil’s Backbone Brewery. Turned out our bartender was a recent VAGA adopter. Small world. Said he was ready for a second greyhound :)I opted for the Rye Ale and fried pickle spears. Yum!!!We ate at the Mexican restaurant next to our hotel that night because it had a palm tree. What can I say. We’re high class.The following weekend we met Trina and her family at New Kent Winery for the car show featuring Porsches.The girls, Trina, Trina’s mom (Sue), and Kris gabbed in the shade under the tent, while the boys ooh’d and ahh’d over the cars under the beating sun.This past weekend we watched Nike and Ella. Very sweet littermates. Ella snuggled with the gorilla, while Nike enjoyed the comfort of the bolstered bed. Poor Parker was outnumbered three brindle girls to one Black SPCA dog.Kris was at Beach Bound Hounds with Stanley and Jaime, so Stella wanted Nike to know that she was saving this bed for Jaime.But Nike and Ella were more interested in what I was doing in the garage. Whatja doin' Mr?

Busy Babysitters

Had a busy few weeks babysitting. Buck is a cow-dog, and even has a ‘kissy spot’ like Trina’s ‘Dana RooRooPants’. We were also watching Dusty, Fern, and Sunny that week.

The following week. From bottom left is Stella, Parker, Kris, Stanley, Jaime, Roadie, Sallie, Chaska, and Manny.

Roadie takes a nap in the little couch, while his sister Sallie demonstrates an awesome roach.

The following week was Milo, Charlotte, and Lucy the Beagle. All 90 lbs of Milo fitting surprisingly well into one of Parker’s beds.

During a day when we had no extras, I piled the dog beds, so I could vacuum. Where’s Jaime?

Total elapsed time was about 30 minutes for Stanley slide off his original bed, and somehow slide his head under the poofy bed.

Speaking of visitors, a walking stick hung out on one of the plants on the deck.

Our next group was Jack, Savannah, and Buster. Buster is toy lover. Here he is in action.

Parker observes the aftermath.

Buster observes his handiwork. Parker is laying among the toys next to Savannah. Stella and Jaime are on the couch. Stanley lays next to Jack on the dog beds.

A couple weekends ago, we went to Neighborfest in downtown Fredericksburg. No one could resist stopping and petting the greyhounds.

Linda and Debbie catch up while Sophie (fawn) and Leah (cow-dog) take a break from greeting people.

If you aren’t already, you can follow the Rescue of Sweetheart the Greyhound. Warning: some of the initial pictures of her condition might be a bit too much for some.

Also, since Kris joined Facebook a few weeks ago and has been posting greyhound pics, it will feel like a year in ‘Facebook time’ by the time those updates hit my blog. Updating the blog every few weeks is enough for me, so I’m still holding out on joining Facebook :)

Celebrating Greyhounds Calendar 2011

It’s that time of year again. The Celebrating Greyhounds Calendar for 2011 is out. You can get a copy at the VAGA Store. I was lucky enough to get four photos.

Stella looking pretty. The week of Feb 13th on the desk calendar. Of course that includes Valentines Day since she is such a sweetheart.Bruno who is such a handsome boy. He is the week of Sept 18th on the desk calendar.

‘No Toys Left Outside’ Stanley retrieving a pink piggy in Trina’s yard. Front inset in the wall calendar.Yahtzee, Stella, Stanley enjoying some of the tons of snow we got this past year. January inset in the wall calendar.We were happy to see others we know. They all happen to be on the same back inset page of the wall calendar. Congrats to:

Cueball and Pippi at the beach (Mitch and Michelle).

Cali with sunglasses in the pool (Trina and Jason).

Sandy, Luke and Jasmine at the beach (Shannon and Kevin).

Grapehounds New York 2010

It was a long drive up to Upstate New York for this year’s Grapehounds. After so long in the car, the first thing we did was register and stand in line for tastings. Stanley and Cali share the blanket, while Stella and Jaime stand behind me refusing to stand on the gravel.The weather was nice, so we took the kids to dinner at WildFire in downtown Ithaca. Cali wants to know why no one wants to lay their head on her rump.The next day, we hit the first winery, Pompous Ass, at opening time. The kids are still alert and standing.By lunch time in Watkins Glen, they are ready for a serious nap.Many wineries had beautiful views of Seneca Lake.The Finger Lakes Distillery had treats for the dogs and liquor shots for the people.By the end of day one, the kids are like, ‘go without me, I’ll stay right here, I promise’.Sidney has never seen a pool he did not want to lay down in. So refreshing!We try to find some shade under a tent at the main headquarters for the event at Silver Springs Winery.At dinner that night at Fine Line Bistro a kid passing by with his family decided he needed a picture taken with the Stanley. Stella keeps drinking her water and does not even acknowledge that this is happening.After a busy day, we are ready for a relaxing dinner.Trina approves the wine choice for the table. I was ready for a change. The pint of beer on the table is mine.Had too much to drink? No problem. Just call a taxi.Our waitress had a ‘Stella’ tattoo. Stella says she has a tattoo too, just inside her ears.A group shot at Leidenfrost. Our first winery of day 2. Trina and Jason with Cali. Kris and I with Jaime, Stanley, and Stella. Doreen and Allen with Sydney and Tempest.Second winery on day two. Guess who is already done with all this wine-tasting hoopla? Oh, Stella!We stopped back off at Hazlitt for a quick lunch and a nap for the kids.Shalestone vineyards had a very dog-friendly sign and great red wines.Our last winery was Damiani. The girls posing.This is how they felt.We laid blankets on the front lawn at Damiani and took a little break. Half our group was taking naps. Not sure who the guy next to the barrel is.Jaime telling her mommy to hand that treat over!