We will miss you, Payton

We'll meet again at the bridge.....

The Dance


Looking back on the memory of 
The dance we shared 'neath the stars above 
For a moment all the world was right 
How could I have known that you'd ever say goodbye 

And now I'm glad I didn't know 
The way it all would end, the way it all would go 
Our lives are better left to chance 
I could have missed the pain 
But I'd have had to miss the dance 

Holding you, I held everything 
For a moment wasn't I a king 
But if I'd only known how the king would fall 
Hey who's to say? you know I might have changed it all 

And now I'm glad I didn't know 
The way it all would end the way it all would go 
Our lives are better left to chance 
I could have missed the pain 
But I'd have had to miss the dance 

Yes my life, it's better left to chance 
I could have missed the pain 
But I'd have had to miss the dance 

Garth Brooks

More 1000 Pugs

This isn't from the Botanical Gardens - we don't have any pictures from there.

This is the wisteria in our yard.

After our near-drowning on Saturday, and cancellation of our shoot times, we were all looking forward to nicer weather. And, as is typical of Texas, we waited a few hours and the weather completely changed.

So we headed off to the Grapevine Botanical Gardens. Payton and her parents had already headed home, so it was just me, Arnie and Suki. We got to the gardens as the rain let up, and met a pug and his dad, waiting for his shoot. They'd driven all the way from San Antonio for their appointment. But they hadn't come the furthest. A lady and her pugs drove all the way from Missouri. Talk about Pug Crazy!

The gardens were beautiful. We walked around taking pictures (which, of course, aren't here. Again, no photos. I'll let you know when Suki's mom puts some up.....). Thank's Payton, for letting me know there are photos at Short Tails. I was a little bummed, because I was pretty sure we were there to do agility, and all we did was take pictures and talk to people and pugs. We got to see Pug and his mom, and Tiffy's mom, again.

Mom and Suki's mom decided to check out downtown Grapevine, and have a little lunch. But only THEM - we had to stay in the car. I would have liked flatbread and wine. What the heck? They seemed to enjoy the break, then we went back over to gardens.

When we got back, we found Maggie the Pug from Dallas and her mom. We've seen her in the blog world forever, and were so glad they got a spot. They were both sooooo nice, and we had so much fun laughing and talking with them.

Before we knew it, it was time to head home. Our big day was tomorrow, and we had to rest up.

Forecast for Monday? Sunny and 80 degrees. Gotta love Texas.....

Continuing on with 1000 Pugs recap

Sorry we've been a little lax in posting about our 1000 Pug adventure, but mom's work was CRAZY busy last week.

Like I've mentioned, mom is terrible about taking pictures. So if you want to see a bunch of photos from the weekend, head over to Payton's blog and check out the photos her mom took.

On Friday, the 1000 Pug photoshoots started. We all headed down to the Stockyards to check out the sights, see some pugs, and attend the meet and greet at the Love Shack. It was really cold and raining, so mom made me wear a coat. It had a hood, and I hated it. So I walked around with my head down, banging into things, until she finally turned the darned hood inside out and I could finally see. We found this cool stagecoach, and had our picture taken.

We got to hang out with Pug, his mom, and Tiffy's mom at the Love Shack. I got in trouble when I became obsessed with the ranch dressing container on the table, and managed to hook my paw in it and fling it ALL over the table and floor. After that "stunt" (as mom called it) I got no more food while we were there. I had to watch while Pug ate half a burger, and Arnie got to snack on chicken. 

When we got home, the humans drank beer and ate food, and lots of laughing and talking went on. 

On Saturday morning, Payton's mom and dad picked up food from Chef Point Cafe. They were on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, and the food was deeelish. We got some bacon after the humans had cleaned their plates. 

After breakfast, we went to McKinney. You might remember my last trip there, and how I did my business right in the middle of town? This time I didn't embarrass mom, and stayed still for all the photo ops. You know, the photos she didn't take, so you'll have to see them on Payton's blog? Yeah, those. 

Mom got a pleasant surprise while we were trying to stay dry. We were waiting for dad to get the van, and we were chatting with 1000 Pug's next appointment. Mom thought she looked familiar, and she was! Many years ago, this lady came to the first ever agility trial that the national Pug Club put on, in Seattle. Then the next year, she was in San Antonio when mom flew out for the second trial. This lady had run her pug, Hunter, and he was there, too, to get his picture taken with his sister Annie. They all chatted for a bit, and promised to stay in touch. Small world, huh?

That night, Payton's mom wanted BBQ (who comes to Texas and doesn't eat BBQ?), so they all ate delicious meat from Red, Hot and Blue. It was so good, I didn't even get a taste - they ate it all up. After dinner, Payton wasn't feeling well, so her parents took her to the doctor. She's doing better, and we're still sending her juju to continue her good health.

That night, Pug's mom called to ask if we could reschedule our photo shoots. We were all supposed to be the first appointments in the morning, and the weatherman was calling for really cold and really rainy conditions. So we rescheduled to Monday. But we wanted to check out the Grapevine Botanical Gardens, so we made plans to go there when the weather cleared a little. 

More on that in the next episode.....

Hardly know where to begin

But I'll start with asking for some prayers and juju for my friend Payton. I finally got to meet her in the fur (more on that coming up), and she's having some health issues right now. Please keep her in your thoughts.

As for the 1000 Pugs excitement, I guess I'll start at the beginning. We've been getting ready for the photoshoot and the accompanying visitors for awhile. Mom got the house spic and span, we got baths, and the players have all been madly exchanging emails.

On Thursday, mom finished up her work, and headed home. Shortly after, Suki and her mom arrived!!! We exchanged sniffs and snorts, and got the car unloaded. Then it was off the store for some groceries for dinner. As soon as mom got home, a very special group of visitors arrived. Payton and her parents!!!

Payton ate some dinner in peace, while we supervised.

Gracie, Suki and Arnie watching Payton eat her dinner

More sniffing and snorting, and before we knew it, we were all fast friends. Now it was time for human food. Dad made his signature tacos, and the margaritas were flowing. We got to mill around, and get to know each other. Even Levi joined the action.

Gracie, Arnie, Levi, Payton and Suki "working" for their treats

Things wound down, and plans were made for Friday. We were all going to check out the Stockyards, and meet up with Pug, Amanda and all the rest of the brave souls out in the rain at the Love Shack for some visiting.

Thanks to Julie, Suki's mom, for the photos. My mom's a spazz about taking pictures, and never seems to get any.

Memory Lane - Tango

Next up: Tango

Tango being a real boxer

Official Name: Faux Pas Exotic Rhythm, OA, OAJ, OAP, OJP, NAC, NJC, TN-N, CGC

Born: July, 1997

Died: December, 2007

After Gunther died, mom got a fawn Boxer, and named him Tango. Gunther and Brandy were both brindle, but she decided to try the "other" color this time. Tango was very flashy, which means he had a lot of white on his paws, legs and around his neck. He also had the CRAZIEST ears. She doesn't crop ears, and his stood straight out from his head.

Tango looking pitiful. Check out those ears!

Mom wrote about Tango's life awhile back, in another blog post

Here's Tango's story

Tango trying to squeeze into one of the Pug-sized beds

Tango loved nothing better than hanging with his "peeps". He was pushed around by the Pugs, and loved every minute of it. He taught mom more about shy, fearful and insecure dogs than any other. She's glad she got a second chance with him. He became her shadow, and she still swears he's right next to her, keeping her safe.

Everybody's Irish....

....on St. Patrick's Day

Mom added this design to her CafePress Shop. Check it out!

http://www.cafepress.com/pugbox/8591048