Abbie's party

Yesterday was the day of Abbie's much anticipated fifteenth birthday party. James woke up excited.

Abbie was right there with him, but Maggie needed a little convincing.While the kids were at school, the girls and I got ready. There were all sorts of yummy, homemade appetizers for the dog guests,

as well as goodie bags to take home.The human guests were treated to dinner and dessert.

A variety of dog themed beverages were also provided. The birthday girl waiting for her guests to arrive.

Seth and Cara tried unsuccessfully to organize the dogs for a picture.

Abbie and Rasko were the most cooperative.
Show off!

Shiva was a bit too refined to join the rowdy mob.
Abbie received some really great presents.

Hugs for the birthday girl and her sister.

March 6, 2009.

Megan

When I think about the dogs in my life, the list usually goes like this: Jock, Sally, Abbie, Maggie. There was a fifth dog, however, even if she was only mine for a week in 1986.When I was seventeen, I talked my parents into letting me get a dog of my own. We went to the pound and I picked this cute little tricolored girl pup who I named Megan. Unfortunately, Megan was not as healthy as she looked. I'd had her less than a week when she started vomiting water. We took her to the vet and were told that she had Parvo. We'd caught it early, so they thought there was a chance that she might survive. She didn't, though.Poor Megan. Poor Jennifer.

Detention!

Ryan had a really bad day at school yesterday. First he forgot to bring his lunch and had to buy a peanut butter and jelly sandwich at the cafeteria. Then this happened: The story seems to be that Ryan, Ireland and Luisa were all playing together on the playground. The two girls decided they'd rather swing and talk. Ryan wanted them to keep playing, so he was badgering them and poking them with a stick. This really annoyed Ireland and she retaliated by biting Ryan on the back. She bit him hard and Ryan went over to the adult in charge and asked if he could go in and see the nurse.

Of course once he told the grown-ups why he wanted to see the nurse, both he and Ireland ended up getting detention. They will not be allowed to play outside with their classmates for three days.

Hopefully Ryan has learned two things--when a girl tells you to stop doing something you should stop doing it and girls bite.

On the beach

At the beginning of 1993, my friend Trisha and I both had horse related jobs that wintered in Florida. I was staying in Jacksonville for a couple pre-circuit shows when I noticed there were four full days between the first and second show. That gave me more than enough time for a short roadtrip. I hadn't seen Trish in almost two years, so I borrowed my bosses' truck and headed south to Palm Bay. I took a lot of pictures in the few days I stayed with Trish, but most of them are horsey and more appropriate for my other blog.
Palm Bay is on the East Coast of Florida. Trish's apartment was close to the beach, and we went out for an evening stroll along the shore the night I was there.

I really liked this beach as it was not touristy at all. As you can see from these pictures there were far more birds than people.I think I must have taken a whole roll of film just on the birds alone!

There were also a lot of shells.
We both picked a few pretty ones to take home with us. I think I might still have mine in the bottom of a box somewhere.
A picture of me.

And one of Trish!

January 1993.

He was such a cute baby!

Busy fingers. Peek-Boo.
November 2000.

Biker parents

May 1991

Grandview Dog Park

This has been the most unwinterlike winter. We've had lots of warm, sunny days and almost no snow. Yesterday was no exception and the boys and I decided the best way to enjoy the weather was to take the dogs to Grandview Dog Park. We were not the only ones with this idea. There were dogs everywhere!All the best action can be found near the picnic tables. James is trying to protect his Oreos from some very hungry dogs.
Ryan and I both wanted to take this cute dog home with us.
Of course no dogs are cuter than the Buxton girls!At this point in her life, Abbie is happy to wander around by herself.
Maggie prefers to mix it up with friends, both old and new. The barking dog is Rasko who belongs to our friend Carol and her family.More Rasko, Maggie and friend.Rasko recently joined Dogbook and wanted some new pictures of himself to share with his friends. I was happy to take a few action shots of him.

He looks a lot like Sally but is quite a bit bigger.

Maggie is still bashful about having her picture taken. Every time you point a camera at her, she turns around and walks away.

One of the park's newest features is an agility course. I think Abbie could have been an agility superstar. She's a bit old for that now, but she still likes showing off on the easy obstacles. Here she is conquering the stay table.

I had to enlist Carol's help for a jumping picture. Abbie always jumps before I'm ready, so Carol is holding her back here.

It worked! I love this picture of Abbie flying through the air--not bad for a fifteen year old lady!!

February 2009.