Beagle and Brittany News Blog

We try to keep a cover on our sofa for obvious reasons.  Claire has her own ideas of what the sofa cover is to be used for.  Lately, she has taken to snuggling up behind the cover.  I couldn't resist this cute snapshot.

Over the February break, all four of us headed to Cloudland Canyon State Park.  It was quite chilly during our stay.  Probably due to the cold, we were only one of three sets of campers in the park.  We enjoyed lots of hikes around the canyon.  Absolutely beautiful!  Rocky and Clarie enjoyed the outdoors. 

Look at the cool cave Claire discovered on our hike!

Rocky and Charles enjoy the view.

Claire rests for a bit.

Rocky waits patiently for his water break.

We spent a long weekend camping at Little Ocmulgee State Park.  The weather was beautiful!  Rocky and Claire ended a long hike with a stop by the lake.  The first camper picture was actually taken at Tugaloo State Park back in April.  It shows the ramp we constructed from a discarded playground slide.  The ramp is necessary for the dogs to safely enter and exit the camper. 

Resting or searching for birds?

Doggie ramp

Little Ocmulgee State Park Campsite

The next stop on our summer adventure took us to Four Paws Kingdom in Rutherfordom, NC.  This is the only campground in the country that exclusively caters to adult guests and their canine companions.  Click here to see the campground's website.  We had great fun hiking to the different dogs parks each day and the fur faces loved swimming in the pond and creek, too.  One day, Claire and Bobbi took an introduction to agility class.  Bobbi loved it and Claire participated when she wasn't scanning the area for birds and rabbits.  The only one that was reprimanded for a poor performance was Bobbi when she wasn't monitoring Claire properly on her side of the A-frame beam walk.  Claire jumped off from the top which she thought was a piece of cake.  We had a terrific time and hope to visit again when the temperature is much cooler.

Our two week camping adventure began at Unicoi State Park outside of Helen, Georgia.  We spent a week hiking the trails and exploring Anna Ruby Falls.  Despite the heat, we all had a great time.  Click on the thumbnails to see larger pictures.

The Campsite

Anna Ruby Falls - we thought about renting the dogs to pull people to the top!

We made it to the top!

Rocky REALLY wants to get up on the bed with Charlie!

Claire snuggles with Bobbi after a long day.

Checking out the lake at Unicoi State Park. Could this possibly be this year's Christmas card?

Seven miles from our house is a brand new Georgia State Park - Chattahoochee Bend State Park.  We decided to go for a hike with the dogs today.  There is a trail that parallels the river and leads to an observation tower.  Here is Charlie with Rocky and Claire.

We sold our Weekend Warrior - and bought a 2002 Alpenlite Truck Camper!

...but this is what happened to my parking pass when it was hanging on the mirror of my truck on July 2nd.

On Sunday evening, a storm hit the South that left us with cold air and lots of ice.  Schools were closed the entire week due to the treacherous streets.  Needless to say, Rocky and Claire have spent a great deal of time indoors over the past several days.  Rocky was blessed at birth with a nice thick layer of fur to keep him warm.  Claire was blessed with delicate fine locks that do not keep her so warm.  With the help of Rocky and a blanket, Claire finds comfort on a cold, icy day.

Earlier this month, we said good-bye to our beloved little girl, Annie.  She brought an incredible amount of joy and happiness to our lives.  We will miss her so very much.

Annie, we look forward to the day when we will cross Rainbow Bridge together... 

Love,

Bobbi, Charlie, Rocky and Claire

                                                                                                                                                              Rainbow Bridge...author unknown

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. 

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet
goes to Rainbow Bridge.  There are meadows and hills for all of our
special friends so they can run and play together.  There is plenty of
food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. 
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and
vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again,
just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.  

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they miss
someone very special to them; who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops
and looks into the distance.  The bright eyes are intent; the eager
body quivers.  Suddenly she begins to break away from the group, flying
over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster.  YOU
have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet,
you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.  The
happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress her beloved
head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so
long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together...

One of Charlie's jobs is to administer sporting clays' events for the Social Shooting Club.  Every now and then, we are able to bring the dogs along with us for one of these working weekends.  Bird in Hand Shotgun Sports in Plains, GA, is one of these places we enjoy taking the critters.  Surrounding the RV are the most beautiful open fields in which Rocky and Claire LOVE to run.  They would go nonstop if we let them!  Unfortunately, Annie has to remain on leash due to her wandering nose.  We can see in her eyes how badly she wants to go running with the brittanys every time we are at Bird in Hand.  This past spring we devised a plan to let Annie have her dream.  Using a retractable leash and a lot of care, Annie runs along side the golf cart as we drive the course.  While these pictures were taken with a cell phone and came out quite fuzzy, I'm sure you will be able to tell the great joy Annie feels running on this particular day.  All of us were joyful this day.

See me fly! I think only one foot is touching the ground in this photo.

Annie is in the lead!

Next Christmas I'm asking Santa for a longer leash!

Claire takes a break with her chauffeur.

Claire's favorite summertime activity is sitting in the creek - especially the shallow and muddy part of the creek. Isn't she a beauty!

Sorry it has been so long since our last entry.  Annie, Rocky and Claire are doing well.  They all had fun running around in the few inches of snow that we got today.  Too bad Bobbi left her camera at school!  Here are some Christmas pictures to entertain you.

Annie opens her gift from Granny in Florida.

Claire has fun opening her Florida Granny's present!

By the time we got the camera to Rocky, he'd already opened his Granny's present.

Yum!

Wanna swap gifts?