If there is anything that can make me feel better about being away from home and loved ones, it’s the friendship and hospitality of kind people and a dog to hang out with.
My friend Mindy had tickets to a NASCAR race on Sunday. Seeing as the track is in a very rural area, and traffic is well a nightmare, we decided to go up on Saturday and spend the night at Mindy’s cousin’s house. This tactic allowed us to approach the track from the opposite direction of about 95% of the 100,000 people attending the race.
It also meant I needed to be away from Chet, Sampson and Delilah on Saturday night. BOO!
We arrived at Margaret and Mike’s lovely home in Sanford, Maine right around 2:00 pm. I was greeted very warmly by both Margaret and Mike and was beyond excited to meet Chase, their yellow lab.
After Chase greeted Mindy he turned to me (the newcomer) I was instantly reminded of Sampson and I. Chase was leaning against my legs, while I loved on him and Margaret was telling Chase, “Ok, Chase leave her alone.”
This scene takes place in our home all the time as Sampson thinks every visitor is there to see him.
I loved Chase, he’s very easy-going and friendly and VERY WELL behaved. He was originally Margaret’s daughter’s dog and was trained as a hunter but was diagnosed early on with hip issues so he retired. Luckily for Chase he got great parents in Margaret and Mike. Mike says Chase takes Glucosamine and it has really helped his hips.
Tell me he's not adorable; go ahead I dare you!
After a couple of hours Margaret and Mike left for a social obligation and Mindy and I took Chase for a walk. Isn’t it cute, he can get his own leash.
I wish my dogs walked as well on a leash as Chase does.
After our walk Mindy and I were off to visit some relatives, then into Ogunquit for a great seafood dinner. After dinner we drove down to Perkins Cove and watched the sun set and the moon rise.
My camera was totally inadequate to capture the beauty of the moon, but I did get a decent picture of the sunset.
And the opportunity to dip my feet into the Atlantic Ocean.
The entire time I was thinking about Chase, sitting by the window waiting for us to return.
We were off early in the morning in order to catch our shuttle to the track, so there was no time for another walk with Chase, but I was sure to give him some love before we left. (If we were driving straight home I might have tried to sneak him away.) 🙂
We had a fun time at the track, but since I am on antibiotic and was supposed to stay out of the sun I had to really try to cover as much as possible in 95+ degree weather.
Here are two nuts at the track.
The weekend was over all to soon, but I have some great memories of some wonderful people and one special yellow lab.
Margaret and Mike, thank you for opening your home and extending your hospitality to a complete stranger.
Chase, thanks for the love. 🙂
Mindy thank you for including me in your first NASCAR adventure.
Sounds like a fun time. Chase is very cute!
Chase is adorable! Thank you for stopping by and reading about Fred. We are your newest follower and look forward to reading your blog.
Thank you!
Mike and I went up Saturday for the modifieds, it was horribly HOT but fun. It was supposed to be standing room only and even Hotter [Tropical Equator Hot] Sunday, we wouldn’t have stayed even with free tickets, so you guys are quite the troopers! Glad you had fun!
It was disgustingly hot. But I was prepared with a cooler full of water. It wasn’t standing room only and we had awesome seats.
Thank you so much for the great story about my baby. For everyone reading, as wonderful as Jodi is, she never wold have got that dog away from us:)
LOL Margaret. I would have tried though. 🙂
Even without Sampson and Delilah’s antics, it sounds like you have managed to have a great time. Chase sounds super sweet. The kind of dog I was hoping to adopt.
Kristine, you adore Shiva and she adores you, that much is obvious. Your next dog will be totally different. I’ve found out that dogs are a lot like children.