August 2006

 

I'm a pretty princess

This month is dedicated to our new bundle of joy! - That's right, there's a new addition to the Hall family. No, it's not a child, but we will be hearing the pitter-patter of little feet. It's a new puppy! They're cheaper and you get more feet! This month we also traveled to our biggest show of the year, Minnesota.

As you may know we already have two dogs. Silk and Jasmine have been with us for going on 11 years now. Silk is a Black Pomeranian, and Jasmine is an American Eskimo or "Spitz". They are well into adulthood and are slowing down a bit. They're both in great shape but we know they won't be around forever.

Between the last two weeks of Ohio, Sharon and I did a little exploring. We found a big mall south of Cleveland and decided to check it out. Whenever we find a pet shop in a mall we always check them out. We are dog people after all but like most shoppers we do a little browsing and move on. We weren't looking for a new pup but our eyes are always open for that one of a kind deal on a perfect puppy.

We checked out the first store and saw some cute dogs. It was a chain pet store; I don't remember the name. Some of the chains are known for getting their dogs from puppy mills, a practice I'm not fond of. They had a couple of adorable tan Pom's but they were all boys. We'll only have girls in our home. Males have too much attitude and don't care what they pee against. If females have an accident, it's in the middle of the floor and easy to clean up. So we left to do more shopping elsewhere.

After wandering around the mall for awhile, we happened upon the other store. It was a privately owned shop with some cute pups and even a Ring Tailed Lemur. We looked around, and what did we find? A pair of beautiful Papillons! I've wanted one for a long time. They're cute, small (I like small dogs) and are very playful. Sharon even thought they were adorable. The only problem was that every one I've ever found has been from $1200 to $2000 dollars. I love dogs, but not that much. I was afraid to look at the price. Much to my surprise the girl of the pair was only $499. I couldn't believe it! Sharon was amazed as well.

We chatted with the guy working there. He was this leather, chaps, and bandana-wearing biker, complete with handlebar mustache. He turned out to be the owner! Apparently, he had a bike shop he used to support an animal shelter he ran. (Obviously a dog lover too) But, with everyone ordering their motorcycle parts online he couldn't keep the doors open. So, he decided to open a pet store to keep the shelter afloat. It made perfect sense.

 

Minois and Jasmine

Minois learns to drive

Sharon and I played with her for a bit. She was very timid but warmed up after a few minutes out of her cage. She was great but I reminded Sharon we really weren't here for a dog. We thanked our pet shop biker and left to have a snack and a few cocktails.

After our refreshment break we wandered around the mall a little while longer and then found our way back to the "biker" pet shop. We gazed at the two Papillons in the cage and Sharon gave me that look. I knew I was screwed. (Not that I didn't find the little girl charming, too.) It's just that a puppy's a lot of responsibility. And, it takes a couple years of work to make them perfect like our other girls. But, we couldn't pass her up for the money.

 

Minios sleeps on Dad

Minios sleeps in the car

Minios sleeps on Mom

So, after a little more wear and tear on our credit card, we had ourselves a new baby. Sharon wasted no time in getting a little purse style puppy carrier. That way she could smuggle her into the mall, restaurants, and other stores. She drives me crazy! I think it's safe to say that unless I'm blind and the dog has a service harness on, she's not supposed to be in a restaurant. But, somehow she always gets away with it.

Now it was time for a name. Since she was a French breed we thought she should have a French name. We spent like two days trying to figure out her name. I finally went on the internet and started looking for translation websites. I found a good translator and started trying names like "little bug" or "little monster". Then the translator kicked back a list of all the words meaning "little ____". Little this, little that... finally I stumbled on "little face". I liked that name. Translated to French it was "Minois" (MIN-WAH). Sharon loved it too. We'd call her Mini for short. It took a couple weeks, but she knows her name now. Minois, cut that out! Minois, get off the table! Minois, stop eating your sister! I'm sure you get the picture. But, we love her just the same.

 

Big crowd for the county fair joust

Jeff and Jenna prepare for the joust

Me and my sound set-up for the county fair

Other than our new baby, there wasn't too much else going on. We finished up Ohio and got to do a really neat winery show. Two consecutive Thursdays we sold out the Grand River Cellers winery for a private "R" rated show. They really want us back next year, but I don't know if we're gonna be back to do Ohio. They're making some budget cuts, but we'll keep you posted.

We also made a day trip to New York to check out The Sterling Faire and look for "B-Team" members. We got to spend time with Doug Kondziolka of Don Juan and Miguel, while we were there. Doug's always a joy to be around. Hopefully something will come of that trip.

 

The entrance to Sterling

Dinner with Doug in NY

Having fun at the winery

Sharon left for Minnesota ahead of me so I could help Brothers in Arms Joust Troupe do county fair show in Buffalo, New York. I created and ran their sound track. After the 9PM show I left for Minnesota about ¾ of a day behind her. The trip back was smooth although I got a flat in Chicago. Not a blowout, just a flat and lucky for me the first exit I took had a tire shop at it. It delayed me less than 30 minutes and a homeless guy cleaned my windshield! I made it to Minnesota and prepared for my 40^th Birthday!

But that's a story for next mont