Oh it has been a BIG weekend here at Chez Purl Side. Purl Side is one beaming Mama right now.
Ladies and Gentleman (who knows there might be one of those out there reading my site)...
May I present to you...
The first place winner of her first Jack Russell Terrier Race ever.
Miss "You can't catch me" Marley:
Whew hoo! Marley had a blast and did G-R-E-A-T! I was so proud of her. The races were part of an annual "for fun" Jack Russell Race they hold in St. Michels every year. It's part of their weekend fall festival. I'm very proud of her, especially given this was even the first time she's ever even had a muzzle on her face ever, been put in "the" box, had zillions of people surrounding her and yelling at her, and also raced after a lure. She ran against other novice racers and the crowd was so excited when she came bursting out of the box and bee-lining to the end...meanwhile all the other novices were confused, stumbling over each other and half running and half trying to get their muzzles off their faces! Marley looked like a pro. In fact, my girlfriend said she didn't even see her fly by. All was well until she got to the end...when she got to the hay bales and was supposed go through; she didn't quite know what to do. She stood outside of them wondering where the furry tail went and eventually just wanted her muzzle off. Finally she got coaxed to go through the hole to the other side before any of the other Jacks made it up. She was so funny.
Her second run in the steeplechase wasn't so good. She once again took off like a mad woman and got over the first hurdle then out of nowhere she just stopped and started rubbing her face all over the ground trying to get her muzzle off. Finally, she made it to the bales in second, but technically was the first in the hole because the other Jack didn't know where to go. To note though, her muzzle was too small. She was already panting hard and I think it freaked her out not being able to pant or be able to even open her mouth the slightest bit. Next time (yes, I said next time) we will get a better muzzle, in a proper size. We'll also get her used to wearing one. Either way. I'm just happy she got to race and have fun. I wish you could see her right now. She is so passed out and exhausted. She is just plain tuckered out.
So what else did we do? We had a pumpkin carving party on Friday. Although we were having a bit too much fun drinking and visiting, we never got around to carving. So instead, Jeff and I spent our Saturday night carving our pumpkins. Here they are :
Marley and Marley. Yeah, not the scariest Halloween pumpkins...Well at least one of them...The other is well known to be a terror in her own right. And here's the devil dog admiring her likeness:
I'm proud of Marley, too!!! That sounded like so much fun. I'm wondering who enjoyed it more, you or Marley?
Great pumpkins - love them both. Bob Marley is one of my favorites. I saw him in concert once and he just blew me away. It was also the first time I'd ever seen dreadlocks!
Maybe I should wear my Rastafarian hat and dreadlocks to work tomorrow!
Happy Hallowe'en, Shell!
Posted by: Joanne | October 30, 2005 at 11:57 PM
Ah!? I didn't know pumpkins could be carved into such beautiful portraits! Is it a norm where you live? How did you do the shadings? :O
Posted by: Kelly | October 31, 2005 at 05:19 AM
Congratulations, Marley!
Posted by: Kelly | October 31, 2005 at 05:21 AM
Beautiful pumpkins, especially of your Marley! jane
Posted by: jane | October 31, 2005 at 07:51 AM
Woo Hoo!!!! Go Marley! What a good girl to run circles around her fellow Jacks! (I guess taking her to the races the other week must have helped her know what to do!)
Congrats! Loverly pumpkins too!!!!
Happy Halloween!
Posted by: Lizzy B | October 31, 2005 at 09:07 AM
Oh, hurray for Marley! She was obviously paying close attention the other day when she watched those other racers. She was taking notes! Chappy said to tell her that he's very impressed.
And, yes, your pumpkins are great--I'm impressed at the amount of detail. Wow!
Posted by: --Deb | October 31, 2005 at 09:25 AM
first place doggy - WOW! :) too bad there aren't races for three legged "fox terrier" mixes, or abby would be a great training partner (provided she could chase squirrels to get in shape.)
Give the champion extra treats from Abby and Cricket!! :)
Posted by: maeve | October 31, 2005 at 10:32 AM
What's the trick with the pumpkin portraits? We've done some cartoon versions, but can't figure out how to do such detailed renditions. Please?
Posted by: anmiryam | October 31, 2005 at 10:53 AM
YAY Marley!! Congratulations!!
And how in the world did you guys get those pumpkins carved like that??? Did you do those freehand?? I'm just so amazed at the details!!
Posted by: Kathy | October 31, 2005 at 12:20 PM
Hey - me again. I tried to email you directly and it bounced back to me... something about Verizon timing out??? Anyway - just wanted you to know in case you aren't getting emails you're expecting or something...
Posted by: Kathy | October 31, 2005 at 01:54 PM
Great job, Marley! BTW, cool pumpkins!
Posted by: Kris | October 31, 2005 at 02:09 PM
Oh congratulations Marley! Abner's going to be so proud of you. In fact, I lost your address, and he has a congratulatory present he'd like to send you, could your mommy please e-mail it to me.
That's so great, and I love the pumpkin, I do believe those are the best carved pumpkins I've ever seen, but um, I haven't seen very many carved pumpkins in my lifetime.
Posted by: Rebekah | October 31, 2005 at 02:45 PM