September 6, 2014---Elks Lodge, Walnut Creek, California

The Elks Lodge sponsored a dog show today.  It was a small one, but it was their first time to have the event.  I don’t think the Westminster Kennel Club needs to be concerned about the competition, but it was a fun event.  There were seven booths, plus the Boy Scouts serving lunch.

One of the activities was the dog competition.  There weren’t very many entries, but it was a fun event to watch.  One was for best costume.  The dog in the hula skirt won.  It was the only entry.  Just before it entered the “ring” the grass skirt fell off.  It was funny.  If Maddie had been there in her scuba diving costume I’m sure she would have won the blue ribbon.  

The dog with blue eyes won for the prettiest eyes  There were about five entries for that one.  Hapa, if you had been here you would have won with your one brown eye and one blue eye.  And Joey would be a shoo in for the best trick...two tennis balls in his mouth at once.  A “dancing dog” beat out two others.

Of about seven entries in the tail wagging contest, the winner was the only one to wag its tail.  The others were a big disappointment to their owners, I’m sure.  Willie, where were you?  You would have knocked all the rest out of the contest, both literally and figuratively.

Tucker certainly would be the winner of the most obedient.  When Lori walks him, he seldom leaves her side.

There was a droopy ear contest, with only one entry.  Maybe next time they will have a prize for “tippy ears.”  That would be yours to win, Max.

There was a lot of good information on rescue dogs and on service dogs.  I was particularly interested in how dogs can be trained to help people with diabetes.  Two vendors of pet supplies had booths.  I was able to do a little Christmas shopping.

Natalia came at 2:00 with Tucker and Maddie.  The show was already over, so we all went to In-N-Out for a late lunch.  I’m sure all five of us had naps in mind when we parted company.  I know Rip and I did.

Bill and I watched Oregon whip up on Michigan State and then watched the NASCAR race.  Jeff was second.  It wasn’t a particularly exciting race, but it must have been a hot one.  Jimmie Johnson collapsed from heat exhaustion and had to be taken to the Infield Care Center on a stretcher.  I think it was a wonder he finished the race!