Florida Meet?

[Kfamr]

Hey guys, we haven't gotten together in a while.... anyone interested?
We've had some gorgeous weather down here!

[slleipnir]

I am!


I wish I had a way to get Zeke there....I would be there in a minute if I could take Zeke

[.sarah]

Actually the other day my mom was telling me that she was sorry for not taking me down there yet. I would only be able to come on a weekend so that my dad can be home to watch the other dogs.

When are you thinking about? I'm free the last weekend of October and the first and third weekends of November. I'm not sure about December yet.

I think if my mom isn't able to come that she'd consider letting me come alone or with a friend (if that's okay with you). When I talked to her about you the other day she said she almost felt like she knew you because of all of the pictures and videos of yours that I've showed her, and because of some things I've told her.

[Cincy'sMom]

I've heard our 2007 Sales Meeting will be in Miami. I'm not sure yet if I will be invited to go, since I went to California last year and we are supposed to only go every other year, but I'll keep you posted if I may be down your way come February. Usually the meeting starts on Monday night which works well for a few days of visiting PTers over the weekend, as I was able to do in CA last year!

[.sarah]

What about January 21st? Will I be freezing my butt off then? Usually November-February we have cold spurts up here, is it any different down there?

On a Lab message board we are trying to arrange a Lab Fest for the 20th in Fort Desoto, so this is why I ask ;)

[.sarah]

Okay well it's official that I'll be in Fort Desoto for a Lab Fest on January 20th. So if the 21st works for you or anyone else in that area then I'd love to meet up.

I think since Kiara loves the water like a Lab that you should come to the fest ;) It's going to be at a dog beach and there's also a fenced off dog park there. We're probably going to camp on the grounds. I think we'll probably stay 3 or 4 days at least.

I'm bringing Nova and Buck by the way, and they're always great with other dogs.

[Kfamr]

Audrey,
Are you being serious!? You should totally come down here. I'd have to kidnap you and take you on our boat and maybe camp on Kiki Island or something.

Sarah,
The lab fest sounds wonderful!

Where are you guys camping - do you know the name of the campground? Maybe my dad would want to haul our pop-up down that way and we could camp to. We're only about a half hour away.

It can be a bit chilly down here in January. Especially if you'll be near the ocean with the sea breezes.

[areias]

I'd love to come also. :) If everyone else is camping..I'd camp too, I love camping with the dogs. I'm not too far away.

Kay...We need to get together sometime too. We only live what, 45 minutes away from each other? And we've never met. I'd love to meet up at the dog beach or something.

[.sarah]

I'm booked to camp from January 19-22 at Fort Desoto park. At the time we booked our site there was only four left for those days that were dog friendly. You can bring two dogs max and need proof of rabies.
http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_DeSoto.htm
http://pubtitlet.co.pinellas.fl.us/parkspub/ParksMain.jsp

If you don't camp it's no biggie, I'd love to just meet up somewhere Sunday. But it would be great if you and areias (sorry I don't know your name :o) both came to camp!

I'm not too worried about the temperatures. I'm sure it will be warmer down there than up here! We're usually in the 20s and 30s that time of year. I talked to the person who's organizing the Lab fest and she said it's usually in the 50s down there. I'm sure I'll be bringing a lot of blankets and jackets though!

[slleipnir]

Audrey,
Are you being serious!? You should totally come down here. I'd have to kidnap you and take you on our boat and maybe camp on Kiki Island or something.
.

I honestly would, if I could get there without flying Zeke...man, I wish I had more time that year I took Zeke there...

[gemini9961]

Here is an event by me in January. Sarah, this is the exact same weekend you will be down in our area. Brooksville would probably be about a 1 1/2 hour drive north from Fort Desoto. The exit is right of I-75 so it is not hard to find at all.

http://www.co.hernando.fl.us/visit/PDF/TOP%2010%20EVENTS%2007.pdf

The one I am referring to is the very top one listed, the Florida Classic. I went last year and had a great time. It was only like $4 per car to get in. And, it's also 10 minutes from my house. :D I'm not sure if anyone else can make it but this is the advance notice. :) I plan on going so if anyone wants to join me that would be great.

I saw a whole bunch of different breeds I had never seen before and I also took my dogs as well. It's outside so I took my own chair.

[.sarah]

Oh I remember you posting the pictures from this and I was thinking that I wanted to go next year! I'll definetly talk to my dad about it! Thanks!

[Cincy'sMom]

I found out that our sales meeting is early this year...January 15-19 instead of the last week of February as it was last year. Still don't know if I am going or not, but a friend who works in marketing told me yesterday my name was included on the list at this point. Not sure if that means my boss has approved or if it was just included becuase I went last year....

Anway, if I do go, look like I'll be in the state around the time you are planning on gethering....

[.sarah]

Cincy's Mom if you do come down and you are able to meet on the 19th, let me know! I'll be leaving early in the morning on the 19th to drive down there, and I think we'll arrive around noon.

[slleipnir]

I might be down next year. It would be cool for a meeting them :rolleyes:

[Kfamr]

Okay, so we've got the following dates...

January 20th - Fort Desoto, FL - Lab Fest
January 21st - Brooksville, FL - Florida Winter Classic Dog Show


Sarah, is the "Lab Fest" in Fort Desoto park?
Who all could come?

[.sarah]

Yes, the Lab fest will be on the dog beach at Ft. Desoto park, or if we need to move, we'll move it to the enclosed dog park there.

If anyone wants to do anything on the 19th or 22nd, that'd be cool too. We're planning on leaving home early on the 19th and can leave late on the 22nd so we can do more. Otherwise we'll probably just hang around the campsite with the dogs.

[areias]

I think a dog park meeting on one of those days would be great. I'm not sure if I'll be able to come up for more than just a day...unless I felt like getting a hotel or something. That might be an idea-maybe I could find somewhere pet-friendly to stay, and we could figure out which date is best for a dog park outing, and then go to one of the events? Are non-lab doggies allowed to come for the lab fest? And we're allowed to bring our own muttlies for the classic?

:) I'm getting kind of excited.

[.sarah]

I don't think they would mind "non-Labs" coming :) It's a small group of people anyway, so it would be great to have more. I'll just let them know that I have friends from another board coming as well. I'm not sure if the park would have many locals around at that time of year or not. I wouldn't think so, but maybe I'm wrong.

[Cincy'sMom]

I'm still waiting to find out who is going to the Sales Meeting from our Department. I just found out this week I am going to Maryland for 2 days the 18th of this month, so I am not expecting a great deal of notice :rolleyes:

[gemini9961]

I took each of my dogs last year. :D I would take one for a little bit and then bring them home and pick up another one. They had a little agility trial thing there, it did cost money though, that I let Grant run through. He did pretty good. It's all outside so bring a chair to sit on, unless you want to sit on the ground. They have vendors there as well selling treats, food, toys, collars etc.

Attached are some pics from last year.

[Cincy'sMom]

I found out tonight from one of our Sale's guys that the meetinghas been moved to Palm Springs. I still don't know if I am going, but I'll be out west again if I am...

[areias]

It's getting to be that time-any set plans yet?? When is everyone going to be where? :)

[Lori Jordan]

Im going to be in Kissimee,We are leaving the 8th of Febuary,It will take 2 days to drive there,There has been a change of plans,It will just be me and my daughter coming,Jamie has decided to go with his friends to a car show :mad: ,I dont know how many dogs i would be bringing most likely Maggy and Lacy they are the best behaved,I have been looking around for "dogs allowed motels" and am not having any luck,But i would love too meet you ladies.

[.sarah]

We're driving down on the 19th and leaving on the 22nd. So far all we have "set in stone" is the Labfest, which is on the 20th. I want to go to the dog show also, and will probably do that on the 21st. I think we're probably leaving late morning/early afternoon on the 22nd, and we'll be arriving around the same time on the 19th. So we probably won't be able to do much the day we leave, but we could do something the day we get there. So if anyone wants to meet somewhere, let me know. Otherwise I'm going to look up dog-friendly places in the area and me and my dad and the dogs will just hang out. :) Also, I'm not sure if I've mentioned it, but I am bringing Nova and Buck, and they both get along with any dog. They are very happy being at the bottom of the pack, so there shouldn't be any problems from them.

[Kfamr]

We're going to the Lab Fest for sure. I'll be bringing Mufasa and Kiara.

I am trying to convince my dad to go to the Dog Show in Brookesville, but who knows. The 22nd is my dad's birthday so he may not want to go.


Also, March 10th is our Mutt Strut. I'll be going to that.