Easter on Parade, Richmond, VA

It is our family tradition to run the Pet Easter Bonnet Contest at Easter on Parade in Richmond, VA for James River Greyhounds. It started out a little bit bumpy this morning as a gust of wind broke off one of the legs on our brand new tent. Luckily, James River Greyhounds had an extra tent we could use for the day!

Eric and Jade are always so helpful at the table. They sit there all day and take all the information from the contestants.

We didn't have bonnets for our dogs--but they did have Easter bunny ears to wear. Sammy had blue.

PG had pink.

And I had to make Eric and Jade take a turn wearing the ears!

While the kids were manning the tent, Sammy, PG and I went for a walk down Monument Avenue.

We had to get our photo taken with the local celebrities! We talked about the rainy day from last year!

We got lots of questions about greyhound adoption. That's why we do these events--to get more hounds into their forever homes!

Of course, we have to tell everyone that 99% of greyhounds do NOT bark like Sammy!

The third place winners in our pet bonnet contest were this couple and their lab. The man made sure to tell us that his wife didn't make the costumes--he did! They won a gift certificate from Dogma.

Second place was this woman and her little dog. Her bonnet was made with dozens of purple peeps and her dog's bonnet only had one! She won a gift certificate from Pet Ridge.

And these were the first place winners! This little girl spray painted her dog! Jessie and Melissa from the radio station 103.7 emceed our event! They won a gift basket from PJ Petts and a $100 Petco Gift Card from Summit Media.  All the winners also got a book, 1000 Dog Portraits, from James River Greyhounds.

This pig in a pram didn't even place in the contest! What were those judges thinking? Thanks for this photo, Holly!

This magnificent statue of Robert E. Lee is the backdrop for the Easter on Parade event. A beautiful day!

Wish you were here,
Joyce
Sammy & PG

Sandy Bottom Nature Park, Hampton, VA

Today was a beautiful, sunny, 70 degree, spring day so we went to Sandy Bottom Nature Park for a walk around the lakes.

From Interstate 64, get off at Exit 261 onto Hampton Roads Center Parkway. Sandy Bottom Nature Park is on the right hand side about a mile from the exit.

We walked around Sandy Bottom Lake and Crystal Lake. It's a flat trail and very easy to walk on.

The cormorants and the turtles were having a party on Sandy Bottom Lake. When a turtle would slide into the water, the cormorants would jump up into the air like they were dancing!

Spring is ready to bust out all over this park! Sammy notices this one tulip blooming!

And there were Easter decorations in the little garden. Next week they'll have a huge Easter egg hunt here for the kids.

One of Sammy's favorite things to do at this park is to go into the water! There are a few places where it's easy to wade into the water. This spot is at Crystal Lake and this bench is almost always submerged. Sammy barks when he gets close to these spots. Ready to go in for a swim, he says!

Sammy gets out and shakes it off on the path!

"Come on, Sammy! Quit messing around in the water!" PG is ready to go!

Wish you were here!
Joyce
Sammy & PG

Daffodil Festival Parade, Gloucester, VA

This weekend was the Daffodil Festival in Gloucester. It's a wonderful small town festival that is very dog friendly. We were part of the Daffodil Festival Parade.

Sammy and PG liked it once we got moving. They didn't like standing around waiting for our turn. But one of the ROTC girls gave Sammy some water to drink!

The parade kicked off and went down Main Street.

Sammy and PG wore their daffodil collars and daffodil leis.

We had a good time participating in the parade.

Wish you were here!
Joyce
Sammy & PG