That's correct...we're not entered in any dog show this weekend. That more by happenstance than design. There simply wasn't an event near enough to the Presto Dog Phunny Pharm for us to consider entering/traveling to same.

But, we're actually considering whether or not we'll ever enter Maggie, our li'l Shetland Sheepdog show dog, in an event when it's over 90 degrees outside. We were at a show last weekend & it was hot...in fact, it very easily hit the aforementioned 90 degree mark. We happened to notice that Maggie was not appreciating the weather one bit so we'll simply pull her from any show from now on if the sun's doing its nasty business outside.

 Did I mention our five dogs love our air-conditioned home? They may be outdoor breeds by design (Shetland Sheepdogs and a Collie) but like myself, at times they just like the advantage of A/C when the temperature and humidity are just too much.

Ah! The inevitable ruminations on life, reality and our overall experiences on terra firma. See, it's (once again) getting near my birthday. This vent takes place @ the end of this month-June. It often times gives me pause as my consciousness appreciates family and friends who entered my life and are now either departed or have moved on to environs unknown to me at present.

This is by no means a melencholy thought process. Granted, some of the folks who've departed were of such a significant impact on my life that I couldn't imagine existence without having known them. Take my Mom, for instance. Of course I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her. But she imparted more than just life itself to me. After all, the world is chock full of folks who are merely here due to that biological event called "birth." My Mom provided much, more to me...

 ...like an appreciation reading, schooling, ethical values, religion and a myriad of other subjects that are too numerous to mention. She always wanted me to attain a PhD. in some cpacity but I never had the intestinal fortitude to pursue that path. But knowledge has always been an important part of my life. Whether it was formal schooling, courses taken in my professional development or simply researching how to install electrical outlets around the house of that ol' post 'n rail I putup around the Presto Dog property just last summer, the thirst for knowledge was something my Mom gave to me that'll never be quenched.

Then there's my Dad. I truly believe the ability to conceptualize, plan and and implement the physical changes I've made to our home are a gift that were passed on to me from him. Remember the definition of synergy, when the sum of the parts are greated than the whole itself...sort of like when 1+1=3? Well, that's what I reeived in my family. The ability to search for knowledge, digest same and implement it to the specific situation I'm interested in. What a set of tools I have in my possession, thanks to my Mom & Dad!

(This opus to be continued...)

Finally! Instead of taking pictures of our li'l show dog, Maggie, I decided to let the camera do its work on the rest of the Presto Dog pack. So, out to the back yard I went, camera in hand, and snapped away! You might enjoy my endeavors.

 Here's a picture of the pack, sans Maggie, at the water trough. From left to right, you're viewing Declan, Lily, Lyric and the giant black bulk on Dougie, our tri-color Collie.

At the Trough

Not to be denied, Declan took a moment to pose for the camera while he was foraging for goodness-knows-what along the Presto Dog Phunny Pharm fence:

Declan

O.K., so I lied! Here's a picture of Maggie. I called out, "Maggie!" and she responded by sticking her tongue out at me as the camera lens did its thing:

Maggie

Dougie in full-stride, chasing an "air space violator" (a.k.a. a bird) that passed overhead:

Dougie

Lyric coming towards me. Notice her beautiful hair moving every which way as she bounces along:

Lyric

Finally, Lily and Maggie wait for me to kick their grossly deflated yellow & red ball (yet again!) so they can chase it, happily barking all the time:

Lily & Maggie

After our brief activity session outside, we headed back indoors where the pack loaded up on even more water! The floor was an ever-loving mess but they had a blast! I'm waiting to get an earful from the beaufiful Presto Dog bride, the one person who's been known to clean up after the pack (as well as all the other residents of our den).

As was the case last weekend, today's dog show that li'l Maggie participated in was real hot. Don't know what the temperature in the ring was but on the way hoe the outside temperature fluctuated from 86 degrees while driving along a pleasant, tree-lined road to 94 degrees in the more sun-drenched areas of the roadway. Oh, and by the way, the grooming area, those large blue & yellow tents that are used for outdoor events, effectively manages to entrap hot air and subsequently super-heat it to even higher temperatures that can be experienced when one stands in the sun. Believe me, I speak from experience.

But, as always, I managed to snap a few pictures of our furry friends. Here's a shot of Maggie just before she entered Ring #7 where she took her class but, alas, advanced no futher in the stiff competition:

Maggie Smiles Away

Keira, who eventually took first in her class AND the title "Best of Opposites," is one happy dog as she eyes a tempting treat:

Keira

Dinah on the judge's table in the ring, submitting patiently to an inspection of her teeth:

Dinah

And then it was DJ's turn on the table:

DJ and His Mom

Here's DJ's sister, Cameron (a.k.a. Cammy), letting her tail be inspected by the judge:

Cameron

Now, remember I said earlier that it was hot at this show. If you look real closely at the judge's shirt in the picture immediately above, you can notice the poor guy was sweating quite profusely as he performed his duties.

And, what dog show would be complete without the presence of that ol' standby, that clogger of arteries, that creator of those delicious delicacies known as...the funnel cake? In case you don't know, funnel cakes are a pancake-like batter that's poured out of a pitcher in small circles into a vat of hot oil. After a few minutes, the batter turns into a fried, crispy treat that's then sprinkled with confectioner's sugar. Here's a picture of the vendor's station:

Funnel Cakes

Ah, you ask, did I perhaps weaken and consider the purchase of said treat? Did I fold like the proverbial tent and plop a few dollars down for my very own funnel cakes? Did I let the vendor know that the "L" in the word "Cooool" right above "Spring Water" on his sign was missing?

Yes, indeedy, on all counts!

We'll be heading out with Maggie, our Shetland Sheepdog show dog, to a place called Ludwig's Corner in PA. Purpose? Why, a dog show, of course.

Actually, we're just about going out the door. (The Presto Dog bride is calling to me to get in the van!) So, it's off to the show in the hopes that Maggie will do well today.

And that's why the title of this post is "Ludwig's Lament." We may well be lamenting the fact later todayt that she might not be a winner, but we really don't care 'cause we're doing what we want to do...being in that canine environment where the troubles of the world just seem to dissipate.

We love this stuff!