First Annual Dog Picnic

The setting: a mid-sized suburban backyard, belonging to J's Aunt.

The event: a family/dog picnic.

The cast: 15 various people of all ages, and:

Louie: a hyper, young Shih-Tzu.

Buddy: a young, hyper Golden Lab.

Montana: an older Retriever.

RJ: a young Black Lab mix.

Indie: a young, very spoiled Shih-Tzu puppy, wearing a shirt and a hair ribbon with a skull and crossbones on it.

Sadie: an older, very spoiled Yorshire Terrier, wearing a shirt and a hair ribbon.

Stella: an older, very spoiled Pug.

Bernie: my super calm, relaxed Bernese Mountain Dog Mix.

McDuff: J's super sweet, totally adorable West Highland White Terrier.

Rosebud: J's older, not wanting to put up with any young dog antics (this means you, Louie) Basset Hound.

It was fun, it was crazy, and I wished that the backyard had been fenced in, so that I could have let Bernie loose to play with one of the Labs. But it wasn't, and there so many animals there that I just kept him on the leash for safety sake. We had chips and barbecue sandwiches and frosted brownies and the dogs had cupcakes and chips and more ass smelling than they could stand in one day. I didn't take my camera (I forgot it, then remembered it partway down the road but didn't want to go back for it - someone else will send us pictures, I'm sure), so you'll have to imagine the chaos.

Oh, and there were party favors! The small dogs got stuffed toys, and the bigger dogs got tennis balls and frisbees. And they all got a first place ribbon - Bernie's was for being the most placid, Rosebud's was for having the best nose (she sniffed that barbecue out right away) and McDuff's was for being most independent - he wasn't on a leash and behaved himself very well.

Willow couldn't go, because she doesn't like other dogs, so taking her would have been asking for trouble. Instead she stayed home and enjoyed not being around the other three dogs for the afternoon. She did get to play with one of the toys today, though.

She isn't interested in fetching it, and she doesn't quite get how to catch it, but she is very intrigued by it.

And she doesn't want anyone else to have it. :)