I was awakened by the rain!! It was coming by the buckets...I rolled over and pitied the humans in all the tents. I knew mom had snuggled down, and Fox's job was to keep her warm...but DRY!? I was finally glad I got the first class: warm, dry and comfortable bunk. The Kid too was letting us out with her to pet and play. Last night was Lady's turn.

The morning light brought the watery sun up and soon Mom had us all out playing and fixing the tent back up. The water had come in under the tent on the ground cloth she had not put down correctly! But Sandy told us things dry quickly here in the dry humidity. Sure 'nuf...Schip Dad and Mom had us dried out and reassembled before breakfast.

Oh gosh...MORE food! This time served out of a big chuck wagon type of tent and the smell of the cooking right next to our tent was driving me crazy. Bacon...REAL bacon...eggs, meats for handing out to Schips (MAGIC!!) oh I mean for humans to make into sandwiches...you know the ole saying...Good Food, Good Friends!? This place was loaded with GOOD of both!! I watched all the list buddies going around with this book. Each carried a pen and would write in it just like I was doing...a memory book Mom called it...and often cried at the wonderful entries that her friends had written.

Then the Rescue parade was called...and I got to take a nap. I had talked to all of my Schip buddies before...and I knew how lucky we at the SRY2K had been. Often we have poor little Schips come through our place and we know the horror they all go through. I had talked to the three new ones, who had come in with Hope from South Dakota. Man, oh Man...they even had a video for us and it was NOT pretty. All in all, they had adjusted pretty well.

Diamond, one of the rescue Schips from South Dakota, with her new Mom

And these very special humans, our dear and loving list friends, had arranged a big auction to help these poor guys out...but just typical of our special slaves...no one took a penny to help...they all said they would make a forever home and pay all the bills themselves. I was laying there in the warm sun and thinking how wonderful a place Ms Wendi had made for all of our humans and the Schips who own them. A pretty special Lady was Ms Wendi. And I had her to thank for the happy and contented slaves that stopped by to pet me, and speak with my mom as she tended us. Now all I had to do was talk to that naughty Sniff who had tried MY trick at upstaging the parade with his swim and NASCAR'n tricks. He was running wild and I am ashamed to say Mom laughed instead of correcting him...wuf wuf...(shakes his head!)

  
The Rescue Parade--Sandy with Domino, May reading Kramer's story
Please click the thumbnails to see the full size photo.

Then it was dress up your pup time...and I hid! Poor Spirit...what he will do to get out of here!! But honest...You will never catch ME in a grass skirt! But Panda...Now everyone likes their mom to look pretty, and gee, she was just beautiful in all that pink and lace. I tried to tell her NOT to tell she was a Saloon dancer...(embarrasses a guy, ya know!) and so she was just passing herself as a ballerina.

The Costume Parade

Toni with Spirit-the-Hula-Dancer

Then it was Food time again...man, humans have it made here...all that steak (but she saved some for me too!) and I watch from the ex-pen, all those FULL piled high plates go by...sigh~~


And then agility began!! and I really wanted to run. Mom doesn't let me anymore. I love to go fast, but I can't always see, so I crash into the jumps now and then. She told me she was not going to chance me getting hurt as I had to do a SAR Demo the next day. But she was so excited at T's progress and the wonderful run by Zera and Dan. It was her greatest dream to get to share all the fun and excitement of the agility as she could remember when NO one did any of the agility or obedience! Fox was not bad...but his "handler" could have used a bit of practice and knowing the course! LOL Nooo...she was busy with a NEWSpaper...talking and telling MY stories!! and who made the paper?? Fox of course.

The Agility Course
Please click the thumbnail to see the full size photo.

 And then the wind!! Once more I was snuggled down in that Van...and it howled and popped the tarp over the back of the van door. Rain began to come with the gusts, and again I wondered about all the humans in the field next to us. I knew my Mom could come to the truck if things got bad...or as she threatened,  move to the barns <G>, but at least we had a few trees and were below the hill. It really blew <G>and the rain continued all night and into the morning.

Our Mom had planned well for us, as the tarp was a dry spot to sit in all that wet, and we Nascar'ed and had a good run to warm us up. After all the hot weather in Arkansas, this nice cool weather was a shock, but welcomed with our heavy coats.

Breakfast and the Hot Cakes were just too much. I was glad to see she remembered to bring us our goodies, too! Yum Venison sausage...R U F my very favorite!! Oh can I stay here, Ms Sandy...can I have this as my forever home with Venison for breakfast each morning!!?? Montana sure knows how to put on the Ritz!!

Now I see her with a leash!! Yes, it's OUR turn I can't wait...hey what's up? ...I smell nerves?? She is smelling kinda like a search?? I got to check it out!

SAR Demonstration

Rain still fell and Fox and I picked a nice dry spot, but after all the days in that Van without a good run and sniff to clear my nose, I was jumping and jive'n with all the Schips, humans and then baby birds!! So mom handed me off in disgust to St Ray...and he gave me a nice back rub to soothe my over active paws!

Mom talking during the SAR demonstration

Fox put on a good show.  Mom had set up hard problems...I realized if I didn't get calm I would NOT get to play, and all my fans from the list were out there watching! It was MY turn and I burst out to show I too am a great SAR dog, not just another writer or pretty face! WUF I LOVE Fred! and I found it all far faster than Fox...ahhhh it feels so good to work! And then she let me RUN!!!!!!!!! ahh all these wonderful smells and friends to mark with!! a real DOGS life! woof!

   
SAR demonstration...Fox finds Fred
Please click on the thumbnails to see the full size photo.

Food ?? Did someone say FOOD ..humans! You all have so much to eat, can't
you share with us??  Well, you know we all had to go back to our leashes and crates while the humans ate, talked, signed more books and laughed. It was almost over. Lynn...humm Mom was excited, as Lynn was to talk. Maybe she could get more ideas about handling...ya, Sniff really needs that. Manners, as he has none. I was left at the van to keep the peace with Dad...the rain had about stopped, so we set it up to dry while Lynn and Mom planned our training...wuf? Me...I was sleeping.

 
Lynn--Behavior Seminar

Oh man, I started hearing some of the Schips talking...I think our free rides are about over. Lynn was showing how to keep us in line and to be GOOD Schips (I am already, I promise!) And all the humans were nodding and agreeing that it WAS easy to make us mind. I keep TELLING ya...Food Man, Food! Ya got plenty and if you just share (MAGIC!!) oh  yes...OK mom... (We will do about anything for food!<G>)

Anyway I saw a lot of worried Schips around, thinking of Lynn. She was sure popular with the humans...but I wonder if we Schips are as happy with her instruction right now?? <G> She was giving away all our secrets!! And she had this grand ole Lady. Shine. Mom was so thrilled to hold her. Shine is a great show dog...and after Sharon losing our friend, Skippy, on the way out, Mom was hugging this ole one harder. She thinks these grand old Ladies are so special...I guess I have to agree. Mom shared the loss of Skip and her beautiful last moments in the wonderful wilds of the west! I was sad, but not...'cause the Rainbow was waiting.  She was safe and running with all of the others at the bridge. Her Spirit and Wiley's were so clear to us and we all KNEW they ran beside us...sharing each of the events...chasing the wind...rolling with us in the grass and mud! We could see them...couldn't you!?

And then it was dark and all the people started to go home. Now I could feel the sorrow...the hurt'n hearts. Our moment in time was over. Each had to return to the real life of everyday work, family, and say our good byes to the faces and hugs of the list friends. But I knew I could come to this computer and RUF and there would be LOTS of new ones out there to share with...ones who have never been to a gathering of Schips (well Mom calls it a Schipnic) and I could tell all of you how important it is to come in person. To touch and share all the love. Some we like more than others...and Mom told me not to name names, cause I might miss one and hurt their feelings...so I will just say I didn't meet ANYONE that wasn't as good and loving as we had come to know them on the list. Not one AX was even seen the whole three days!! There was this feeling of Family...cyber family...but it was a close and wonderful one for human and Schips alike. I was to sleep snug in the belief all was perfect in our world as long as the prayers of people like this won out. Nothing could not be faced...or shared...or worked through. This was the power gathering of our list. The REAL world of love and giving. woof.

It was over.

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