beagle picnic play-by-play

I can't think of a better way to spend a sunny Saturday than at a park with a slew of beagles. This is the most fun I've had (and hubby would concur) without our ever present hooch. It's the second year we've attended, and we were able to because I design their newsletter. Only volunteers and rescue families are allowed. The leader of the CBR makes special exceptions to non-approved personnel on a limited basis, like people that donate a lot to the organization, but it's mostly a treat for the pups and their peeps.

I nearly got myself arrested in the beginning. There were these two puppies (!) that I wanted to love and hug and take home and keep forever. Then I remembered what a pain in the ass puppies are and that stopped me from committing Grand Theft Puppy.

Instead, I took the first of 141 pictures.

Like these two hound dawgs, locked in a portable pooch jail, looking very pathetic and lonely. I could tell they were horribly neglected. Just look, only one bed for each of them! I nearly called the ASPCA for them. They can't call themselves, you see, they don't have opposable thumbs.

In general, the hounds were on their best behavior. Who wouldn't like a barking good time like this? Rocky has what we like to call, "jack ass issues." There were a few close calls, but most people were very understanding. Once we got him something to do, he was a changed pup.

The agility course.

He's a natural. We're thinking of getting a mini agility set for the casa.

Samantha, not so much. She's more of a pool pup.

Musical plates.

Samantha and I got knocked out in the first round. Her heart just wasn't in it. He nearly won. He placed 4th after an embarrassing mistake in the sixth round.

He hangs his head in shame. "Next year, by golly!"

Moma hangs her head in shame for operator failure of the camera. Thus, there are no shots of Rocky making the Musical Plates semi-finals.

Watching the costume contest.

Every beagle picnic has a theme. This year's was Beach Blanket Beagle. So costumes centered around the beach them. This innovative pup thought outside the crate for this one. The winner was a beagle shark. A beagle shark!

Watching the best trick contest.

We could take it next year. Oh yes. We will. We thought it was real tricks. Not just sit and beg, which any hound can do when Snaugages are involved. Watch out dawgs, in 2006, Rocky and Samantha are taking you down!

Tolerating a child.

Rocky should get extra treats for this one. He hates children. They scare him. I think he was abused in his former home. But for some reason, this little girl didn't bother him. He actually, kind of, liked her.

A long walk home.

Ga. Miles and miles to go. After taking their souvenirs, the dawgs wanted to get back to their regularly scheduled naps. They slept the whole 20 minutes home, barely lifting their heads when we pulled into the garage. A very tired pair dragged themselves to their beds and partook in Olympic-style napping. What a great day for dogs.

More pics of pooches: