Happy Birthday to Me!

I'm five years old today!

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I'm not Irish ...

... but kiss me anyway!

PWD Portie Portuguese Water Dog

We're doin' the boogie ...

The Dog Beach Boogie, that is. This was from before Christmas. Our 2lggd mom finally let me show my new packmate, Bubba (was Bubba, then it was Cub, now it's Bubba again) my favorite swimming spot. I don't know why the 2lggds won't swim anymore. Six months ago, there were lots of dogs and 2lggds at the beach. The dogs were in the water. The 2lggds were in the water. Everyone was having a great time. Now there is hardly anyone at the beach. Just a few 2lggds holding those long poles. They have big buckets that smell really interesting but they won't let me look into them to see what's in there. Thank dogness there was another dog there to play with. Two's company, but three is a ROMP! We'll "crouch on down, jump back up, spin around, and sniff a butt!"

Radio Island beach is where many Beaufort locals take their dogs to the beach. The last rule on the sign actually says "Leash all pets and clean up after" but dog owners don't observe the leash part very strictly. In December there's nobody there but dog owners and people fishing. In the summer, it's wise to always walk on leash from the parking lot, turn south, and walk through the area busy with families, swimmers, sunbathers. We walk down to the far end where other beachgoers are unlikely to complain, and authorities are unlikely to patrol. That's where the dog play group is likely to gather.

Sunday December 16 was a warm day, over 70 degrees, but the only dog on the beach was Magic, the Golden Retriever. Mike takes Magic to the beach every day of the year, no matter the weather. No walk to the far end needed, we had the place to ourselves.

This great music is "Dog Beach Boogie" by Kirk Olsen off the CD "Dog Songs," from Happy Dogs Records. You can buy the CD at that site, but it's also available at the website of Bay Families With Dogs. That's where I bought it, and the proceeds benefit the cause of "preserving our freedoms for outdoor recreation with our canine companions." The organization is fighting to preserve off-leash access to Shell Island off Panama City, Florida. I read on the site that for generations Shell Island had been, by community custom, open to off-leash recreation. In 2006 a decision by the State of Florida locked the State, the Bay County Commission, and the citizens in a battle over off-leash canine access. There are lots of good links on the site for anyone interested in dog parks, dog beaches, and pet travel.

Kathy, Emma's 2lggd mom

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