Who Let The Dogs Out?

Who let the dogs out? (woof, woof, woof, woof).

I found myself humming that song on the drive to my shop early Monday, the Fourth of July.

Indeed, I was expecting some dogs to be out and about, as I had announced over the weekend that Monday would be a "Date Your Dog" day.

"Bring your dog. Get some treats. Have a photo taken for my blog!"

Who could resist?

I could hardly wait to see what the day would bring.

At noon, when I opened the shop, it was so hot outside the air seemed to be smokin'. Main Street was quiet with barely a car passing by. Resting my head on a cool bottle of water,  I started getting nervous. What if no one comes with their dog? Then I sighed thinking I could be at home with my hounds enjoying the air conditioning and snuggling watching the holiday festivities on TV.

I looked up from my desk and saw a large black dog!

Bring it on! I was ready to meet a dog.

Enzo is a 15 month old Doberman belonging to Frank and Sandy Havill of Lawrenceville. A beauty and well behaved! Enzo won the special yellow "Bite Me" doggie sweater as the first dog to arrive. It is a bit small for Enzo, but will be regifted to a smaller friend.  A few dog treats and bottled water later I waved goodbye to my first guests!

As they were leaving the biggest dog I have ever seen appeared on the patch of lawn in front of the shop. Dominic, a 22 month old, 160 pound Great Dane made Main Street look small. I have always had a fantasy about owning a Great Dane, but had never seen one in person. Dominic belongs to Hilary Kidd. With Hilary was her mother, a friend of mine, Becky Kidd, a pet portrait artist that had an art opening at the shop earlier this year, and Grandma Dolly Muchow. Becky brought Zoe, her 8 year old Shih Tzu, with her. Talk about extremes. From the largest dog I have seen to one of the smallest! You have to see Dominic in person to understand the size and the manners of this huge dog. I was very impressed!

The parade of dogs slowed down and then the afternoon was for the birds. And I mean that literally.

I was back sitting at my desk and staring into the empty street when a pirate, his mate and five beautiful birds came up the walk. I might have been dreaming, but I knew who this was! We had talked earlier.

Charlene Adams and Bob Krummel stopped by with their performance birds, "Flying Feathers". Some of you may have seen them later that night at city park during the firework celebration. They put on quite a show themselves!

With them was 17 year old Murphy, a Green Wing Macaw, Hercules, an 11 month olf Military Macaw, Joey a 15 year old Blue Front Amazon and two Umbrella Cockatoos, named Marilyn Monroe and Ringo Star, both 14 years old. That's a lot of feathers! The birds are stunning.

For a quiet day at the shop I had more excitement from dogs to birds then I could have imagined!

Enjoy the photographs!