Back to reality

Enough with the pretty pictures. We've been playing catch-up for the last couple of weeks. Finally caught up on orders at the shop - thank goodness in this technologically advanced age we were able to keep in touch with customers through email while we were away, and were even able to place tag orders remotely! (If you haven't seen the new Red Dingo Tribal-design tags, you should. I especially like Tribal Arrow.) 
This last Saturday we hosted the first annual C.A.R.E. Scare to benefit the volunteer organization for the local animal shelter. Check out the photos! Everyone, especially the dogs, had a super-fun, scary time!
And on the training front, we've been working away. In Agility Class, our instructor has been bending our brains with mind-twisting, confusing layouts that make no intuitive sense whatsoever. (This is in the Intermediate Class....) She said her objective is to test the dog's ability to stay with the handler. OK, we both got it wrong!
Back to work! - Fran

Camping in paradise

We love spending time in Marathon, Florida. It's in the "Middle Keys" - about halfway between Key Largo and Key West. It's usually beautiful, relaxing, and has the added benefit of our wonderful friends at the Dolphin Research Center (www.dolphins.org) - both human and cetacean.

The weather usually isn't an issue. It can pour torrentially for about 15 minutes, then it clears up and the day is gorgeous. Not so much, this time. We had "rain with no name" every day but one. With thunderstorms, lightening watches, tornado watches and over 10 inches of rain in 12 hours.

We had one beautiful day. And a whole wonderful vacation. Our campsite was right on the Atlantic, in this gorgeous spot, with amazing sunrises and sunsets. Can't wait to go back. - Hope

Maiden voyage of the Cookie!

Fran and I (and all 5 dogs!) went on a mini-vacation. We took the Land Cookie on its shake-down trip to Fish Lake Beach Campground in Volo, Illinois. Far enough from home to get away, close enough to be (almost) convenient. Since it was our very first campint trip we made it a short one - learn what worked, what didn't, what we need, what we can live without.

Our campsite had all the amenities - fire ring, picnic table, water, power. We got set up in short order and went to check out the neighborhood.

First things first, or course! The dogs were very happy find their "comfort station" - complete with fake fire hydrant!

This is one of the ritzier houses in the neighborhood - can you believe it's a mobile home?

Although there were lots of awfully nice ones!

This was the office where we checked in - can you see the beagle (tied to the bumper) that vociferously objected to our presence?

The campground is huge - like a little city!

Complete with tidy streets and beautiful yards.

Even a pool!
Makes you rethink the whole definition of camping, doesn't it?

Definitely a beautiful place to spend some time.

For me, one of the best things about camping is everyone's so nice. I don't know why - but without exception, everyone we've met has been friendly and helpful. Can't wait to do it again! - Hope

Hope's on her own!

I'm off tomorrow to cruise the Caribbean! What could be better in the middle of winter than to go on a cruise. Palm trees, rum punch, snorkeling. And no snow. I'm feeling a little guilty because (here's a deep dark secret) Hope gets seasick, so she's not going. It's a cruise with a bunch of friends, so we didn't choose the venue. I'll get over the guilt, but I guess I'd better bring something really primo back!

Back to the routine

I like routine. You pretty much know what to expect. You know what you have to do, and customers know where and when to find you. Of course, I love vacation and am looking forward to the next one! But I feel good knowing that I helped some people's little dogs today! There are going to be some happy little dogs when their mail comes with their Bow Wow Beanies. And some little dogs are going to look pretty spiffy in their new Soft Harnesses!

Home from Las Vegas

It's been a very, very long time since we were in Las Vegas. More than 20 years. It's changed a bit since then. It's still just as much fun as I remembered and next week I will reveal the full extent of my geekitude (photos included) but it was a bit overwhelming because:

The Bellagio wasn't there last time.
Neither was Excalibur.
MGM was - but it didn't look like this.
New York wasn't there.
Nor was the Venetian.
Or Paris.

How'd they do that?

Back to real life

The best thing about vacation? Getting away from responsibilities and real life for a short while. The worst part? Real life is waiting to greet you the instant you get back!
I have to admit, we're luckier than most - when you love what you do for a living, you never really go to "work." It's always fun to come into the shop. We love meeting dogs and their owners, love solving problems for little dogs (and their owners) and just have a good time every day. When we first started Golly Gear, I referred to the store as my "play pen" and I still feel that way.
Of course, we missed our dogs horribly when we were away. I have a feeling that we're going to try to take them next time we go on vacation. It will restrict where we can go, but it will solve one chronic vacation problem for me. I never sleep well when I'm away from home. I'm firmly convinced it's because I'm totally reliant on French Bulldog snoring for a lullaby!
We did have a wonderful time - the weather was in the 80s and sunny every day. Our friends at DRC are warm and welcoming, including the dolphins. We encourage everyone who's as fascinated by these amazing marine mammals as we are to go meet them at the Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key, Florida.

In way over our heads

We've recently completely uncovered the depths to which we've sunk into the world of dogs. We were contemplating getting out of town. Actually taking a few days off for the first time in more than a year. And where do we choose? Louisville! And why do we choose it? the Derby? the rolling hills and beautiful scenery? No! The largest dog show in the country, featuring the Brussels Griffon National Specialty show.

Sick, I know.