Wednesday, September 28, 2016

"Roses, Wines, and Canines"

Every year, Greyhounds Rock Fredericksburg puts on a dog-friendly gathering ... the proceeds of which are donated to canine cancer research and support charities.  This year's event was held last Sunday, here at Hartwood Manor.

We started the day off with games, one of which was to determine the "Best Kisser".  I volunteered to be the judge.

This is Danny, a greyhound service dog.  No kisses from him.


At 12:00, we listened to a presentation about the benefits of Cold Laser Therapy by Dr. Laura Chretien of Loving Touch Animal Hospital, a nearby not-for-profit veterinary clinic.

Kanga, another greyhound service dog, was quick with the kisses, then he climbed into my lap.


Lunch was at 1:00 ... a tasty array of burgers, hot dogs, pulled pork, side dishes ... yummy cook out food.  (If you follow me on Instagram, you already know that I was up and cooking at 6am that morning.)

Bill the Borzoi puppy was very generous with polite kisses.






At 2:00,  Patti Goettler, of Greyt Hearts Service Dogs, told us about training retired greyhounds to be service dogs.

More kisses from Bill.




At 3:00,  we paused to celebrate and remember all of our guests' dogs who had passed.  There was hardly a dry eye in the crowd ... mine included, as I hugged Ruby and Winnie as each name was read.  After this, Theresie Houghton blessed each dog individually, offering them prayers and a small biscuit.




Organized activities ended at 4:00, with the raffle drawings and announcement of the Silent Auction winners. Companies and individuals were VERY generous with donations, and bidding on many items was very spirited.

This is Freya, who was leery of that overly friendly lady who wanted a kiss.




... and then it was over.  In between the organized activities, guests toured my rose gardens, (which look awesome, if I do say so myself), visited our vendors, and drank wine from our guest Bacchus Winery and next door at Hartwood Winery.  No one went home hungry, and everyone appeared to have a really good time ... me included.  It was exactly the type of event we tell people it is, a relaxing, fun day in the country with your dog, to support a great cause and learn a little in the process.

Who was the Best Kisser, you ask?  Bill the Borzoi, of course, because he was such a sweetheart.

15 comments:

  1. What a great event, well done, friend. And you are rocking that purple hair :-)

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    1. Thanks!! I am so relieved that it’s over! I am anxiously awaiting the accounting to see how we did.

      P.S. The hair is even more purple now, because I redid it on Monday. No more roots!

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  2. Replies
    1. He's gonna be a big boy, that Bill. His parents are just as adorable as he is.

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  3. Love the story (book) and memorial tribute and all those sweet doggie kisses must have been quite the experience.

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    1. We wallowed in the sad for a few minutes, then got back to fun stuff.

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  4. What a sweet post! The little video was moving. What a kisser Bill is!

    Love and hugs to you dear Connie ~ FlowerLady

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  5. I played the clip of "DOG HEAVEN" and the tribute to dogs who crossed the Rainbow Bridge, and found myself tearing up. My beautiful Pita dor,Onyx, left us in February 2012, 3 months before my husband did. I took a lot of comfort in the thought that she would be there to meet him.

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    1. I had never heard that book before, and I was in tears pretty quick as I listened. The thought that our loved ones, human and critter, join us in Heaven is pretty awesome.

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  6. Awww, what a sweet contest!! So glad the event was a big success, Connie!

    Shirley

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    1. Successful, fun, and OVER, so now life can get back to normal. On the plus side, all of our work to spruce up the gardens gets me ahead of the game for the gardens. Less stuff to do to put the roses into shape for next year.

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