Dogs of Conneaut Lake

We're a group of crazy dog people. This little pack meets up at the lake each summer and have the time of their lives.

This is Gus. It's his first year at the lake, and he's been a very good boy. Most of the time he has a look of pure bliss on his face. He's afraid of thunder and fireworks and loves to cuddle.

Pip, my parents dog, is the world's most spoiled dog. My mom bought him at the Andover flea market a few years ago. He was so incredibly tiny - you can see pictures here.

And last, but not least...Sport. He's the only dog who listened to me when I wanted to get a group shot. It's likely that he was just too lazy to move, but I like to think he's well behaved.

The Dogs

We've turned into a bunch of crazy dog people around here.

This is Sport, our little guy who travels with us each summer.

My cousin, not a dog person, caved and let her kids get a dog this past year. Frisco, a 'Morkie', is the cutest dog ever. I can't believe this face hasn't turned her into an absolute dog lover. Or at least a Frisco lover! Although my cousin claims to be indifferent about the dog, she did bring him along, so maybe she's more invested than she says.

Pip is on the left below. My parents got him here a few years ago (click here for pictures), and he is probably the world's most spoiled dog. Pip's a 'Chorkie', so he and Frisco are almost like half-brothers. They've become fast friends. Pip weighs in at a whopping seven pounds. Frisco is six.

My mother-in-law's best buddy and constant companion, Charlie. He's an old man now. When I walked in to take his picture he barely lifted his head from the couch. He's a huge boxer and now struggles to sit and stand, but still gets excited to see us.

Dog Grooming Class

The owner of The Pooch Parlor agreed to give us a lesson along with Sport's grooming today. I learned a lot. Mainly that grooming is best left to the professionals. I haven't even been bathing Sport correctly!

Before




Nails




Bath




Drying




And, this is where we got sidetracked. You'll see why I forgot to get an after picture. The groomer breeds Cocker Spaniels and has two pups about to turn 8 weeks old. Just look at this face!




We're trying hard to persuade my brother and sister-in-law to get one of these darling girls.

The Kilted Mile at Edinboro University

Edinboro University, a beautiful campus about half an hour away, hosted a Scottish Festival this weekend. Eight of us ran in the Kilted Mile race this morning. It's only a mile, and runners are encouraged to 'be creative'. A few of us wore traditional tartan wraps and the rest were in Mexican-themed kilts. Ben even wore a sombrero.

Pip was a hit in his mini-kilt. I think everyone in Edinboro has a picture of that dog!

After the race

And the results...

William, our first winner, got 2nd in his age group. The awards were chocolate bars with Kilted Mile wrappers.

Our group (no help from me!) seemed to sweep the race. Kate, Papa and Amanda placed first in their age groups; William and Nanny second; and Ben third. I'm hoping that someone is willing to share their chocolate!

Pip's Travel Outfit

My mom is officially a crazy dog owner. They arrived last week with their 5 pound Chorkie decked out in his travel outfit.

Sport on Martha Stewart Radio Blog!

If you've been following along, then you know that Sport's Michael Jackson costume took first place at the Bark Park's costume contest over the weekend. Well, the fun doesn't end there! I was listening to the Martha Stewart Living radio program on Satellite radio as I was returning from an early morning trip to the airport on Monday. I felt compelled to call in when they invited listeners to answer the question 'How Martha Were You?'. While I didn't win the Martha Stewart apron they awarded to the person deemed most Martha (I have a feeling that one of the callers who extracted honey or catered a wedding for 100 may have won), I did earn a few chuckles from the hosts. They asked a number of questions and requested that I email them a photo, which I did. Guess they liked the picture because they then asked if they could use it on their blog!! They sent confirmation last night that Sport would be featured on this morning's post. I was like a kid on Christmas Eve - couldn't sleep all night. Well, the big morning has arrived. Check out the post on Martha Stewart Living's Radio Blog.

Sport Takes 1st Place in Bark Park Costume Contest!

Conneaut Lake Bark Park hosted a Canine Carnival on Saturday. Located at the site of Bob's grandfather's old farm, this new addition to Conneaut Lake has been fabulous about hosting events for the community this summer. My mom and I decided to put our creative energy to use and enter our dogs in the costume contest. Sport won first place in the costume contest! That actually means that I feel like I won first place in the contest, as Sport cannot sew and didn't come up with the idea himself.

Sport went as Michael Jackson, "King of Poop". It's hard to see, but he is wearing one white, sequined glove on his left paw. We even played 'Beat It' as he walked the stage.

Getting into his costume with part of our cheering section.

Pip, as a lifeguard, on the left, with Sport and some of the competition.

Not to be left out, Pip won 'Smallest Puppy' and 'Shortest Tail' in the Puppy contest.

My mom with Pip.

Sport's first place prize.

Sport thoroughly enjoying his well-earned bone from his prize stash.

Making the costume.

Nanny and Papa's New Puppy Needs a Name!

My parents have a new puppy. He's a teeny, tiny 'Chorkie' (chihuahua/yorkie), weighing in at 1.4 pounds. He's darling and sweet. Only problem is that they can't decide on a name. Their name list originally included Andy (for Andover where he came from) and Eddie (for a local hot dog stand). They are now calling him Scooter sometimes and Pip (as in Pip Squeak) other times, with 'Lil Bit thrown in now and then. They need your input, so please send your favorite of these names or add a new one to the list.

Being blown dry after a bath

My mom holding her puppy

On Kate's shoulder

Dog Days of Summer in Conneaut Lake

The Dog Days of Summer ended yesterday, and I realized that our time in Conneaut Lake overlapped almost exactly with the period defining the Dog Days of Summer. In honor of that, here are the dogs that shared our summer lake experience with us.

Unlikely friends - Charlie, Sport and Greta...

Charlie...

A rare photo of Greta resting...

Sport...

The three buddies...

Sport at the beginning of summer, before his visit to Classy Canine in Meadville...

After being groomed at Classy Canine...