Dog Club Holiday Party

Last Saturday night was our dog club's annual Christmas Party, now re-christened "Holiday Party" because there are so few open dates on our calendar (weekends that don't conflict with trials around here), that last year our party wasn't until mid-January.  This year it was on the 15th of December, though, and held at a club member's beautiful 2 story mansion on the Mississippi levee. I really enjoy visiting other people's houses, large or small, and seeing how they decorate and how they situate their dogs! Even her separate dog kennel/building, which houses 6 giant schnauzers each in a separate run, was decorated with wreathes for Christmas!  This was my 5th LCCOC holiday party in a row. I haven't missed one yet since becoming involved with the club.  It was the first one where the host's dogs were not in the thick of things.  How would a giant schnauzer do at a party with food all over the place?

Everyone brings side dishes or desserts, wine and beverages, the club provides the meats. People dress up and bring their spouses for a change. No dogs. We use this event to present members with their annual awards (a wall or crate plaque) for titles earned during the year, MACH and OTCH necklaces, too, then we play the "stealing game" with dog related items people bring in unmarked bags or wrapped packages.  Supposedly around $10 in value, but some are worth much more!

I usually take lots of pictures -- I forgot to this year.

Some of the gifts were disappointing to those who got stuck with them, but I think John and I wound up with the best presents of all, as pictured.  Of course we had to have a bit of luck and do a bit of stealing to get them.  I kept the coveted Nylabone DuraToy Happy Moppy toy by virtue of being a late number, as well as the third and last one who could steal it.  It was very popular -- a fantastically sturdy tug toy the likes of which no one had ever seen, with no stuffing, no squeaker, strong fabric, where all 3 of my tugging dogs can tug at once.

John drew the last number, so was able to steal and keep a pair of Auto Cool Solar Powered Auto Window Ventilation units.   I looked them up on the internet and they run about $15 apiece.  Here's what it says:

• The AutoCool uses sunlight to keep your car cool while you're away. When you come back to your car, you'll find it comfortable and cool.
• How it works -- AutoCool is a solar powered fan that keeps the interior of your car cool and fresh.
• No batteries are needed. Just roll down your window, place the Auto Cool on it, and roll it back up.
• The solar panels on the outside collect and use the sunlight to run the fan that's on the inside.
• The fan in the AutoCool circulates the air that's inside and outside of your car.
• It sucks out the hot air that's inside your car and replaces it with the cooler outside air
• Great Environment-friendly Product Save!
• Design to blow the hot air out of your parked car
• Keep your car cool no matter how long it is left in the sun
• It can reduce the use of air-condition
• Solar-powered and no batteries neededIf
• Fit any car windows

If they do what they're supposed to, they will solve my hot car problem and I can bring multiple dogs to class in summer. I can also try them in the motor home.

Altogether a real fun time!  I'm in the Christmas spirit now. 

Upwards and onward!