Wild About Wildlife

Yesterday we went downtown to attend The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition. This was the 30th year and it has grown to be the largest in the nation. The expo has over 500 artists and exhibitors from all over and they expected over 40,000 people to attend. The expo was 3 days and is basically a celebration of nature! SEWE hosts experts in wildlife, nature art, conservation research and environmental education. I was hoping to see Jack Hanna but unfortunately I'll have to wait until next year. The event that I was most excited to see though was DOCK DOGS! It did not disapoint! You can check out this link to Dock Dogs to see more.
There are 3 events that dock dogs does.....
Big Air - This is where the dogs are scored based on distance they jump. The dog jumps from the end of the dock and into the pool.
Extreme Vertical - This is where the dogs jump off the dock and jump up trying to grab a buoy type object that is hanging over the pool. The dogs are scored based on height. The dog jumps from the end of the dock and if they grab the buoy in thier mouth or it atleast drops, they "clear" that height. They said they record right now is 10 feet 8 inches!! When we were there, the dog won at 6 feet 8 inches, so I can only imagine 10'8!
Speed Retrieve - This event the dogs jump off the dock, swims to the end of the pool and retrieves an object. The dog is scored based on the time it takes him.

The only event we got to watch was the extreme vertical but it was so fun! I now want to do this with a future dog! We'll see. We walked around and looked at many of the vendors. Lots of hunting products and dog products. A lot of people brought their dogs with them so we were surrounded by every breed there is. There were lots of puppies too which is always dangerous for me. We also watched a retrieve demonstration that was put on by the Boykin Spaniel Society. The Boykin spaniel is the official dog of South Carolina so lots of people have one. It was a fun afternoon and look forward to attending next year.

Retrieve Demonstration

Boykin Spaniel Puppy showing a retrieve

They show the dog the bouy hanging and try to get them excited and focused on it and then move back for them to get a running start

This was a cute team, Twister is the dog and his partner was a young boy

Twister got it!!

This is Marcy, she is the dog that won this event!

GSP Playdate

As most of you know, my dog Ripken was my sister and Joe's dog. I took him into my home because he didn't do well with the children and it got to the point where Tine and Joe could not trust him the way they needed to. He has been a welcomed addition to my pack and I love him SO much and he makes me smile every day! My sister's family has missed him so much and with their other dog Lille getting older, they were ready to add to to their family again. They love German Shorthaired Pointers and it just so happened that their same breeder had a litter. So Buoy joined their family last Fall. He is such a fun puppy and just a love. Minus the typical puppy behavior, he is great with the kids too which is perfect! My dogs have met him before but yesterday I went over to their house with Ripken to let the GSPs play. It took Ripken a while to warm up but then the game was on. They chased each other around the yard and had so much fun! It was fun to see Lille excited to see Ripken too. It was a fun day for everyone!

Bathing Beauties

Yesterday was a cold day here but considering it was my day off I really wanted to give my dogs a bath. I debated on giving them baths outside but decided the water from the hose would be just a little too cold. So I piled the three of them in the car and we went up the road a little to a place called Lucia's. I buy my dog food at Lucia's and have really come to love the store. I love supporting local. Don't get me wrong, I love Petsmart and still frequent the store but Lucia's is close and they do a lot with local rescues which I love. Anyway, in the back of the store they have two showers/tubs where you can come and bathe your dogs. It was awesome and I am now sold! It was easier on the back, all the supplies were there and no cleanup! I will definitely go again. I think I liked it more than the dogs though. None of them are crazy about bath time. I think there is nothing better than a clean good smelling dog!!

Bogey ready for the bath to be over!

The showers for the dogs

Visitor #6

Sunday the 29th was a great day, with my friend Julie coming in town for a week long visit! Julie and I played golf together at Mizzou and she lives in St. Louis. Julie is also in the golf business and had to be down in Orlando for the PGA show the previous week. Julie called me one day with a "great idea". She was going to have to be back in Florida on February 5th, and rather than flying back to Missouri, she was going to rent a car and come for a visit. I couldn't have thought of a better idea myself! I had not seen Julie since her wedding last January so seeing her was long overdue!
Julie got in town Sunday evening and stayed until Saturday. Our fun times included lunch at Magnolia's, shopping in the old market, a visit to the aquarium and a tour of the turtle hospital at the aquarium, fort sumpter, a walk on the beach, walks with the dogs, a jimmy buffett concert, lunch with my sis and the kids, dinner at Hanks, drinks on the roof top bar at grill 225 and watching a missouri basketball game! Lots of fun and laughs and good memories.
Julie thank you so much for coming to visit! I loved having you and loved showing you my new home! I hope I get to see you again soon and miss you already! Thanks for being such a special friend!!!

This is gumby, one of the rescued turtles

This turtle has had an amazing transformation, he's doing great!
These are pictures of what he looked like when he came in, barnacles were all over him!
Julie and I being silly
Julie holding a sea urchin at the touch tank. We were able to touch horseshoe crabs and sting rays as well as starfish in the touch tank too.
The big tank
Julie and I at the aquarium
Fort Sumpter
Julie and I on the rooftop bar at grill 225

Heavy Heart

I was home the first weekend in January to attend services for my friend Stacey. I was saddened to hear that on Wednesday January 4th my friend Stacey lost her battle with cancer. Stacey was honestly one of the most caring, genuine. loving people I know. I was honored to know her and call her a friend! I know I am not the only one who continues to think about her daily will miss her presence in my life! I continue to pray that she is finally at peace after her courageous fight! I pray that her family (who is like family too me too) find comfort in their memories and find strength in knowing how many people's lives Stacey touched! Rest in Peace sweet friend and Roll Tide!! :)

While I was home I did get to go to a nice dinner with my favorite girls! Mitzi, Toni, Meghan and I enjoyed a great meal and some good wine at White Chocolate Grill in Scottsdale. As always, it was so nice to see them and have some laughs. They were the bright spot in what was otherwise a very tough weekend filled with tears! Love you girls and can't wait to see you again soon!