The first Annual BTTR Beagle Reunion Picnic was held at the Family Dog Club (FDC) on September 20th. BTTR volunteers were able to see how our work has paid off as we got to see our former rescue dogs now secure and happy with their new families. It was heartwarming and gratifying to see how the dogs and owners have truly become "family" to one another. It was a little difficult to recognize the now-all-grown-up puppies at first, but we were able to figure out who they were without too much guesswork. The adults were a lot easier to recognize. We were happy to see that Bacon has continued to lose weight since leaving us at BTTR, and that he's looking so well. (A couple of our formerly svelte pups have picked up a few extra pounds... tsk tsk.) It was exciting to watch as each family approached the picnic area -- and to be able to identify each dog, in turn.  The dogs got to play bobbing for hotdogs -- a competition to see which dog would retrieve four hotdog slices from a kiddie swimming pool first. Molly Jane was the time to beat, coming in at just over 5 seconds (less than half the time of her closest competitor). She got the fastest dog prize, and little Roxanne -- still a puppy -- got the Beagle Bobber award... she was the only beagle to actually climb fully into the pool in her enthusiasm to get all the hotdog slices she could find. A true chow hound.... um... beagle.

Rita identified 8 of the 11 BTTR dogs when we tested her to see who she could recognize. We even threw in a couple of ringers - dogs not from BTTR, but she never ID'd one of them as a BTTR pup.




Dixie won the best trick award, for falling over onto her side when her young owner points at her and says "bang." Annalee Long and her daughters Scooter and Cricket (we tend to refer to people by their dog's names here... and the nicknames seem to have stuck) collectively won the Volunteer of the Year award for their tireless efforts at taking care of BTTR dogs housed at the FDC.

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First Reunion Picnic

One of the more heartworming events of the day was watching Jim Dandy (now JD) and Baxter meet one another again, and to see how they INSTANTLY jumped towards one another and began to play. Baxter and Jim Dandy were siblings surrendered to a NC shelter. BTTR took Jim Dandy after his brother was adopted out from the shelter. The people who adopted Baxter turned him back in in a few months because they were moving. BTTR took Baxter when the shelter called about him. He and Jim Dandy were never at BTTR together and have not seen one anther for maybe six months. These boys seemed to recognize one another. It was just great to see. Jim Dandy (JD's) dad told us that he really typically doesn''t react to other dogs in this manner. It was great to watch.

We at BTTR think the picnic was a great idea. It was a genuine pleasure seeing all our little four-legged kids again. We missed those who were unable to attend, and hope to see them in the years to come. The food was fantastic. You guys can COOK and BAKE like nobody's business! We hope you and your two and four legged kids had a good time as well.