Lots happend, it is hot and the dogs are happy

Thursday was a coming and going day.  Ken departed early and found his way to the hospital for a visit with Kendra.  Things were not improved and later in the day another surgery was scheduled for tomorrow.   Lee held the fort at home.   There was lots of activity; the phone was busy, the dogs had an agenda that largely included an air conditioner and ice (Lee resisted offering them a glass and a beer); CKC needed some attention and a meeting was scheduled for the evening as was dinner for 7.  Ken was home by dinnertime, replete with plunder.  Reg, Catherine, Gillian and Tim joined us for dinner and some bonding time with the dogs.  They have Atlas' brother so Tim had a great time with Atlas (and with Charlotte who adopted Tim and tried to keep up - she won't likely try again any time soon). 

The kennel is ticking along.  Tiger and Pippa are best friends now and very much enjoying each other as Welsh sometimes do.  Roddi and Ruari are thriving on their country vacation.  Meds are being taken, they love their yard, Roddi has perfected his dance steps and is displaying them to all who will watch.  Penny and Kloe are delighted to find each other.  They have similar personalities, are both lovely Airedale girls and play decorously (as compared to the wild characters here at Regalridge). They wander and explore their yard in the hot weather and return to the cool kennel.  Abbie departed in a flurry of waves.  Beau and Trebia have bonded.  Our process is to open Beau's run then Trebia's run - Trebia goes into Beau's run, gives him a bow and the game is on.  She lures him out of his run, he trots after her to the yard and they play. 

The house dogs did have a good day - much of it spent inside in the air conditioning.  Laurel had pride of place on the soft bed as the puppies played football in her tummy (they are apparently trying to be the next team to be selected for the World Cup).  Nick moved between the kitchen where he assisted Lee in the cutting and organizing and the air conditioner where he looked longingly at Laurel's positioning but contented himself with a spot slightly off center.  The Norwich had their little sofa under the air conditioner, coming off only long enough to torture the odd passer-by.  Paula, the lover of all things hot, was the only dog agitating to be outside for the full day and enjoyed much of the day on the deck, in her shade spot, counting birds at the feeder and encouraging the chipmunks to come just  a little closer - "here kitty, kitty".  Patti managed to keep everyone on task and is still firmly in charge.  Clem slept.

Dinner was company fare on a beautiful summer evening - perfectly grilled steak a la Ken - supporting the excellence of Ken's hunting and gathering skills across the road at Withrow's.  Chantelle offered up her signature appetizer - bruschetta from scratch with goat cheese, roasted small tomatoes, balsamic reduction and a plethora of little additions that make it so very perfect - the assembled masses were wowed!   Accompanying the dinner was potato salad, grilled asparagus, roasted tomatoes with blue cheese, corn on the cob (kids need corn - it's summer), Lee's famous Caesar salad, lemon cake and lots of libation.  Meantime, Lee had her meeting in the front yard and all was managed.  And life goes on into the day before the week end. 


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