Kitchen 56 and AZGRC

Yesterday we decided to join the folks at Arizona Golden Retriever Connection for brunch at Kitchen 56.  Since Monty is not fond of large crowds, we decided that he and Aaron would stay behind (watching a Walking Dead marathon - brrrr) and Harlow and I would head out to brunch.

Of course, Harlow couldn't wait for us to get there....  (Photo safely taken in our driveway!)

We dere yet, da Momma?

 She had special bows to wear...

Da scary ones!  Boo!

 It's always good to see everyone and their pups!

Being loved on - just like ours!

 Look at this handsome boy!  Just 9 months old!

Harlow got a little sad waiting for people to adore her.... (It was only 30 seconds!)

Nobody loves da Harlow.  Sigh...

 I told her to focus on her new friends...

Dis new puppy and da Princess get along well.

Including...

What's dat, da Momma?

Jasper - the incredibly cute puppy!

 Harlow gave him a crash course in being a prince...

Demand da treats at all times, little Princeling...

 Seriously, cute!

Harlow got lots of loving too!  (Despite the 30 second earlier when no one petted her!)

Dat's da spot!

Yessss, da chin....

 You can tell she was relaxed...

Frogger!

 ....and the smile returned!

 Have you ever seen a happier pup?

 Showing off her bows...

Love my happy girl!

Simon - Harlow really likes him!

 AZGRC recently rescued some lucky pups from Taiwan.  Just look at this smoochable face!

Of course, even the Princess gets tired - this is always a sure sign to wrap it up.  Our temps are still hovering around 90.  Brunch was wrapping up and Harlow was telling me it was time.

Need nap....

 I can always tell when she has had a good day.  Take a look in the backseat...

Still smiling!

AZGRC's Gotcha Day 2014

Those of you who have followed the blog for sometime will know that one of our favorite events to go to each year is AZGRC's Annual Gotcha Day.  We were well pleased to see that today would be cool and breezy - the perfect weather to spend outside playing games with the pups and visiting with friends.

Mr Monty happy to be out and about!

Harlow, of course, was excited to go out and greet her adoring public friends.

I iz ready to meet da people, Momma!

It didn't take long for her to get the attention she so loves!

Holding court with her fellow people...

...and a meet and greet with Leilani...

Harlow gets to be our social butterfly since Monty is reactive around dogs.  We had to keep him a little separate from the others, but I think he enjoyed himself hanging out with Dad and keeping an eye out for any birds that may want to make it ashore.

Harlow, Dad and Monty

We also played a few games with the pups.  No photos, unfortunately, but the pups both had a lot of fun!  Harlow played musical chairs/paws and Monty played the ball toss.  Unfortunately, Momma wasn't quick enough to help Harlow place in her game, but Monty did very well in the ball toss - well enough to earn 2nd place with a grand total of 9 balls tossed and caught!

Monty is a champion!

Harlow also got to visit with her friends Higgins, Emma and Sadie (no pictures!) and CJ and Simon.  Harlow always gets a little nutty around Simon and Higgins for some reason. We were also very surprised to meet some wonderful folks who read our blog. 

We were trying to get them to all face the same way for a photo...

We waited until we got home to take photos of Monty with his 2nd place ribbon.

I iz proud of my ribbon.

He also got a gift bag full of toys.

Thank you, AZGRC!

On a side note, I won a raffle prize!  Woot!

Chock full of relaxing spa items!

Of course, in true Princess form...

Dis for me, right Momma?

We all had so much fun today, and both pups are very happy with all the goodies they get to share.  Thank you, AZGRC!

Thank you!

Mr. October

So for those of you that have AZGRC's 2014 Calendar, you may have noticed that our Monty was Mr October! 

You can read his story here!  We are so proud of our boy!

If you would like to purchase AZGRC's 2015 calendar, click here.  Remember, these make wonderful gifts for the Golden lover in your family.  :)

Today is the last day! Please vote!

The voting for AZGRC's Wine Label Contest ends tonight at 6pm Arizona time (9pm EDT).  Votes are $1 each and you can vote as many times as you like!  Every vote helps out a rescue that is near and dear to our heart!  So far, Monty and Harlow have helped to contribute $350 to AZGRC.  Thank you everyone that voted!  You are all the best!

If you could spare a vote, please click here!  Monty is #25 and Harlow is #18.

#25

#18

Thank you, everyone! :)

Could you spare a vote?

Monty and Harlow are participating in AZGRC's Wine Label contest! Could you all stop by and spare a vote or two?  Votes are a dollar apiece and you can vote as many times as you want - $10 equals 10 votes.  The top 6 photos will be wine labels! Click here to vote.

Monty is entry 25 and Harlow is entry 18.

Our handsome Monty!

Beautiful and sweet Harlow!

The best part?  All your "votes" will go directly to helping AZGRC's rescues with intake and medical fees.  Everyone is a winner!

On a serious note... AZGRC needs a little love!

You know that old saying "When it rains, it pours?"...  Well, in the continuing story of rescuing dog, that rain can bring a flood of gold to your doorstep - and it isn't the spendable kind!  AZGRC is no exception.  As you know, they are near and dear to our heart.  They brought us our dear Monty and gave us the courage to welcome a funny little yellow pup into our house.   ...and now, they could use a little help.

Mid-February was when the first Golden showed up.  Meet Julee, a sweet senior that needed a little help finding a new home.

Hi there!

Julee was followed closely by Matty....

I iz cute, freshly neutered and my adoption is pending!

After Matty came Goldie, a beautiful green-eyed girl that came from the reservation in northern Arizona.  AZGRC has helped the hard-working shelter in Kayenta many times.

How pretty is she?

Then came the beautiful escape artist, Annie.  It didn't take Annie long to find her forever home!

I am mesmerized by her pretty face!

Of course, these pups were all healthy and happy and just need a place to rest their pretty heads before their journey's continued.  But eventually, you just had to know that some of this gold would show up missing its shine...

This is Dylan, formerly named Igor.  Dylan's owner surrendered him to the Human Society, and the poor boy was sick with parvo.  How could anyone turn away?

I not feeling so well...

Next came Bella, another senior that needed to find a new home...

Just call me Smiley!

In the meantime, we are happy to report that Dylan is on the road to recovery, but before we could rejoice, along came Sean Connery.  Mr. Connery is another parvo pup, and it is touch and go with him.  His recovery has involved plenty of ups and downs - he developed aspiration pneumonia this week and is on antibiotics.  Sean needs all the Power of the Paw you can send him.

Please hold me, foster momma Candy...  I is not well...

...and of course, how could anyone turn their backs on the latest intake?  Meet Lolly.  Lolly is an 8 year old girl surrendered by her family with a MASSIVE tumor hanging from her belly.  Lolly is very lucky that AZGRC found her at the shelter.

Despite a massive tumor, this girl still has her smile!

I don't understand how they could let it get this big!

...and last but not least, AZGRC is also accepting a puppy that has congenital deformities...  No pictures yet of this new baby.

If you all could, could you please send the Power of the Paw to these sick pups?  They need our help to make it through their illnesses.

...and AZGRC could use some help too.  Not only are they paying to treat these serious illnesses, they are neutering, spaying and vaccinating the healthy pups that come through the rescue.  If you can, please stop by their page and donate a few green papers.  Every dollar makes a difference, and for these pups, every dollar is giving them the second chance they deserve.  Click here if you would like to make a donation.  Look for the bright red donation button on the right.

Tell them Monty and Harlow sent you!  Thank you all so much!

AZGRC's Cruise the Valley

On Sunday we took the pups to Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area to join AZGRC on their monthly Cruise the Valley event.  Since this was a nature hike both Monty and Harlow got to go.

Getting ready to head out - Harlow and Monty are on the right.

 This was our first time walking in this area, so we were very interested to see what the park was like.  Of course, being in the company of good friends and Golden pups makes the day all that much better!

Harlow making friends (this was right before she jumped him...)

Monty happily marching along with Dad.

Making sure the stragglers keep up.

Harlow and Higgins

Aaron and Monty

The park was very interesting.  I was impressed by the artwork underneath one of the bridges - bright and colorful!

The flag of Arizona made a beautiful backdrop - if you click on the photo you can see some of the wildlife that lives in this park.

There was even a reminder that our desert can be full of surprises!

Cottonwoods, water, shade...  I think I'm in the wrong state!

...and of course, our little drama queen needed her royal court to help her over the bridges.  She was really sure a troll would come and eat her...

If the video doesn't play for you, you can view it on YouTube.

...and what it looked like from the other side....  (With Dad and Monty looking on!)

Find a feather bed to put me down on, Momma.