~*Memorial Day Weekend Gathering SUNDAY ~*May 29th, 2011~*

[4 Dog Mother]

It's taken awhile but I finally got my pictures on shutterfly. I had planned to take so many and I don't know what happened but there are hardly any! Oh, well, we had a good time and Phred was there in spirit. Cinder and Smokey were so glad to see his sister Nancy and friends, Pat and Joan as we were. It was great that Amy and Corby came all the way from Utah and of course, Nancy came all the way from Maine.

Anyway here are my pictures.

Smokey and Cinder in their usual spot to greet everyone.



A funny one of Cinder


Taggert in his summer haircut

[4 Dog Mother]

The "kids" welcoming their Aunt Nancy and Joan




Smokey cooling off his feet

Group Shot

[4 Dog Mother]

Another picture of the "kids"



And the rock



I had a kind of rough week leading into the weekend. First the place I bought the stone called and said that with the weather being bad they didn't know if they could have it ready. I said I paid extra to have it ready and I had people coming from all over to see this rock and I HAD to have it. Then on Thursday she called and said that the rock was too big for their box whatever that meant so did I trust her to pick a different one. What could I say after I told her that I HAD to have a rock.

She did okay but it was half the size of the one I chose. I was disappointed but Carl was happy because moving it became less of a problem. On Friday the Director of the park called and said it was against the law to bury any ashes in a public park so that is why I came up with the memory box which is yet to be buried. I will have to get at it soon before the Ohio soil becomes brick.

But after all the worry with the rain, change in rocks, change in what would be buried under the rock everything came off wonderfully well. I am sure Phred was up there saying, Relax, everything is okay - everyone is talking and having a good time and what more can I ask for for a memorial tribute?

On a different note and I hate to bring it up, but since my sister put up half of the money for the rock, I could use a few more contributions to the cost of it. It cost over $200 and I have just over half of it. If you can even send $5 or $10, it would really help us out.

[Freckles]

Check is in the mail. Incidentally, how much does the stone weigh?

[shais_mom]

Check is in the mail. Incidentally, how much does the stone weigh?

about 78 pounds Carl guessed that day.

[Freckles]

Well, that shouldn't walk off by itself.

[4 Dog Mother]

Obviously they have to weigh the stone to know how much to charge. I guess that probably isn't too obvious if you have never bought large stones before. Anyway, they charge by the pound, different rocks cost different amounts. The first rock I chose weighed 200 lbs. It wasn't as sparkly but no one could really walk away with THAT stone. I knew this weighed less than half when she told me what she chose. She had said this weighed 78 lbs. A man could pick it up and take it but it would be a heavy load and the gate is pretty far from where it is.

This one is prettier - it has some shiny bits of rock in it - but the other was one no one could move on their own. But I am sure it will be safe at the dog park. In fact since it is not close to the gate, I am sure a lot of people won't even know it is there. Many people stand close to the gate and never venture around the dog park at all. They let their dogs run or play for a while and then leave. Which makes the spot even nicer. Any one who wants to go spend quiet time with "Phred" can do so and be almost unseen by others near the gate. I am really grateful to the Park Director for suggesting that spot because it is away from the gate and is quiet and peaceful. And I can remember many a time we set at the picnic table with Phred to talk and be out of the sun.