Greyhound Party

We hosted the annual VAGA picnic at our house again this year.  My daughter had been so excited for weeks talking about what she called our "greyhound party"!  It was originally scheduled for a couple weeks ago, but we had to postpone due to weather.  That was definitely a wise decision because on Sunday, Oct 21, we truly could not have asked for better weather.  It was absolutely beautiful - clear, sunny, about 70 degrees with a light breeze!  There were somewhere around 100 people and 90 dogs in our backyard and I just loved seeing so many hounds all together.  The VAGA store was setup, we had a yummy lunch, I bought Frosty Paws for all the dogs so they could have a treat too, and we borrowed a radar gun from a friend for the "blur of fur".  I did underestimate just how exhausting hosting a party like this would be when you are 7 months pregnant, but it was all worth it in the end!  Here are some pictures:

We had live music performed by one of our members and her lovely greyhound assistant.

 

 

The Park Nail Salon was open for business, much to the dismay of many a hound!  Kristen and Gyeong have a great system worked out...depending on who you ask I suppose :)  Sydney was not impressed!

 

Puddin's face says it all!

 

Maybe if I just close my eyes, it will all be over when I open them back up!

 

 

Buford's hang dog look...he wants to know what he did to get this type of punishment!

 

And here's one more.  This is Ashley...she actually came up on the same haul as our Macy.  We were given the choice of two dogs and Ashley was almost ours!  I couldn't decide of course and told VAGA and GPA to pick so they thought Macy was a better match for us.  She ended up being the perfect match for us, I just wish she was still with us.  It was good to see Ashley again though and after being returned by her first family I think she's got her dad wrapped around her little paw now!

 

I couldn't get everything to fit in one picture, but here's the "finish line" of the blur of fur.

 

 

And here's everyone lining up at the start.

 

I wasn't there for much of it, but there was a time or two I wasn't sure if they were going to put their brakes on in time!  Fortunately, I never got plowed into though :)

 

Puddin was too tired to give it much of an effort, but she was still clocked at 26 mph.  Buford ran the other way back towards the house!  I did get Puddin at 36 and Buford at 32 earlier today in our yard.

 

By the end of the picnic, Buford went inside to rest and although Puddin stayed out with us she was too tired to do anything but look sleepy!  I feel this way at work sometimes!

 

After the picnic was over, these two didn't even lift their heads the rest of the night!

My Handsome Boy

Sitting Pretty

I treated myself to an early 'everything' present and ordered a new lens.  I got a Canon 100 mm f/2.8L macro lens!  It just arrived a few days ago so I have only used it once.  It focuses at less than a foot away which is pretty cool!  I took it out in the backyard to try it out and just waited for the dogs or Lauren to do something.  Not only is it a pretty amazing macro lens, but it work well as a portrait lens too! 

Anyway, Puddin often sits on her own and just hangs out like it's completely natural and comfortable for her!  So I decided to snap a few pictures and got these.  I like the splash of vibrant color from the mums.  I still don't do any photo editing - even though I ordered the programs to do it, I just can't get into it! 

Here are a few others I got of her.  I still need some practice, but hopefully I will get some really neat shots as I have more time to play with this lens.