While I was hanging with high school friends back in Huntington, N.Y., Joan remained in Orange County, and continued to struggle with the beagles. Here's her report:
It was another fun day for the special Orange County FHMA sub-unit.
We all overslept, getting up at 9 a.m., and made it back to Julie and Marty's by 11 a.m. After Friday's hump-fest, I was worried about poor Baxter, who must have needed counseling after being mounted more than a horse at a riding park. Not surprisingly, the dogs were quite happy to see each other, though they stayed PG-rated most of the day.
Eventually, Julie and I took off to visit Target -- because you can't hardly find one of those outside L.A. -- and then to hit the mall for lunch. We then returned to Julie's house where the dogs were all happily hanging out with Marty.
All was well, until the kids all came home ready to don their bathing suits and cool off in the pool. Now, you might recall that Fred has a bit of an issue with pools. Predictably, as soon as anyone dared enter the pool area, he immediately went crazy, racing around the pool and barking uncontrollably. I felt the way parents must feel where their child lays down in the middle of a store and has a temper tantrum: embarrassed, frustrated and, ultimately, REALLY PISSED OFF. I tried to keep Fred in the house while the kids swam. That was a no go, as he went crazy trying to get through the glass door and back to the pool. Now, I was beside myself. Fred's manic barking had made Hank decide that he should also be barking madly. Now having two Beagles Gone Wild, I decided to leash them up and take them back to the hotel until it was time for dinner. But Julie saved the day, coming outside to suggest we instead take all three dogs for a walk.
While the exercise was welcome, it was also the first time on the FHMA tour that I was actually wearing heels. By the end of our 30-minute walk, my feet were killing me. And when I bent down to pick up our laundry bag -- oh, did I mention I was doing laundry at Julie's -- I pulled something in my back.
Soon, the kids had finished swimming and, after they cleared the pool area, Fred was finally released on parole to the backyard. And, from that point on, he was fine. I can't say the same for my back and my feet.
You would never know from these angelic pictures that Fred was a raving lunatic just an hour before.
Fred sits on a rock that overlooks the pool, while Hank keeps an eye out for a Baxter flank attack.
Then, after some R&R, the canine trio managed to work in little playing and humping before we went to dinner.
While I may have had a rough day physically, I could not have eaten better. I had an excellent poached salmon salad for lunch at the Bloomingdale's Cafe in Newport Beach, and a five-star dinner at Bayside, also in Newport Beach. We shared Ahi tuna and a beet and goat cheese salad, and then I had lobster salad for my main course. And what's dinner without dessert? So I topped off the meal with banana bread pudding.
Can't help see a trend when Jim is out of the pictures for a couple of days ... that is, a noticeable lack of burgers and fries in your dining options?
Posted by: Rebecca | April 20, 2009 at 03:22 PM
Incredible photos, Joan. You are a true professional, and obviously very patient. Your Beags have sure put on a show the last two days. Humpfest not withstanding. I laughed heartily at today's report. Although, the question persists, walking Beags in heels? As we sometimes say in the Chicago area, what are you, goofy?
Posted by: rclehmann | April 20, 2009 at 03:29 PM
Missed the Mark…
Bad news, it would seem that the FHMA team may need to return to Four Corners! Per ABC News story the marker is actually off by 2.5 miles. Will we see more pushups in Jim’s future?
http://abcnews.go.com/WaterCooler/wireStory?id=7384251
Posted by: Ken | April 20, 2009 at 07:38 PM
I agree the photos are amazing. So much fun to see dogs at play! Sorry for my earlier dirty joke, Fred and Hank. I know you're really good boys, not naughty numpkins. That's what I have in my house: naughty numpkins. Is numpkin a word? Hmmm... possibly too much wine with dinner tonight :).
Posted by: Joan | April 20, 2009 at 08:54 PM
Why were you wearing heels? Were your sneaks in the wash?
Posted by: Royelen | April 22, 2009 at 12:51 AM
At least neither dog ended up needing doggie CPR like my Miniature Schnauzer, Homer. He went swimming with his big brother, Blue (a labrador mix) who decided to play dunk-a-puppy with Homer until he went tail up and sank to the bottom of the pool. One painter doing work at the house dove in and dragged him to the surface. I ran outside to see him laying lifeless by the pool. Another contractor had just had CPR training for animals and set to work giving him mouth-to-mouth err...muzzle resucitation. We got Homer to the vet in time and after five days in an oxygen tent he was fine. The only difference was he was calmer and more affectionate. On reporting this to said contractor, his father replied "Hey, you should try that with your girl friend..."
The reward to this family run contracting business? "Please stop working now as we can't afford you after the vet bill." Happily we brought them back awhile later and they finished the beautiful job they started and Homer trotted happily around after the crew looking for more "personal time."
Posted by: James Vaughn | April 22, 2009 at 02:07 AM
Here's a romantic birthday or anniversary gift you can surprise Jim with in the future:
http://www.everythingusb.com/usb_humping_dog_12105.html
Be sure to watch the video with sound on. hahahaha Gotta love those beagles.
The best was when we had a male foster beag. Our resident "pool cop" didn't want to play but the foster did. It usually ended up with poor Alex, the foster, underneath our neutered male beagle who was humping his head. Alex thought it was a terrific game.
Posted by: Jen P. | April 23, 2009 at 06:43 PM