Archive for December 2011
12/07: Love those Holiday Parties
Bob, Elaine and I had a ball last night at the Moore County Kennel Club’s annual Christmas party held again this year at the Sly Fox Pub ( and no, I didn’t see a single crumb accidentally fall on the floor) Still, there were a lot of really nice people in attendance including my good friend, Beth Dowd. Everyone was in such a festive mood and dressed in their very best. As the MIRA Ambassador I got a good brushing before we left home and Bob reminded me to only speak if absolutely necessary, and then to be sure to use my inside voice. (Actually, he told me not to speak at all, but what good are Ambassadors if they never get to speak? These humans are a puzzle sometimes)
Not only did we have a fun evening with everyone, but MIRA was honored by the club members through numerous individual donations in addition to the club’s donation. I was so impressed. I went around and licked as many hands as I could find, especially when no one was looking. No one seemed to mind, so I guess I didn’t do anything too naughty. I just had to thank those fine people the best way I know how.
So, tomorrow we are off to the Pinehurst members’ club to lunch with the ladies of Sacred Heart. I love those luncheons., and this one promises to be special because of the holiday season. It’s a lot of fun being a MIRA dog.
Yours truly,
Devon (the party animal) Baillie
12/01: MIRA Dogs on the Job
I think you will remember that Eric St. Pierre has just been here for a two week visit. He is the man responsible for creating MIRA in Canada and part of the reason, together with Bob and Elaine, that we have a MIRA USA. Eric was my trainer when I was a MIRA pup. I love him.
Anyway, Eric and Beth, sometimes accompanied by Bob and yours truly, went to visit each and every student who received a MIRA dog this past summer. What a time we had on the road. Eric is a very funny man and he likes to laugh. No one really knows this, but I like to laugh, too, so it was really fun to be with him.
Here is a picture of Meredith, her dog, Bren, and Eric as they discuss training tips for dealing with loose dogs who approach them. People shouldn’t let their dogs run free without supervision as they could get hurt, but some people just don’t seem to care. The way we are trained at MIRA we never run off when we are off leash. We know that our job is to stay with our owners and keep them safe, and that’s a job we take very seriously. Sometimes we have a little trouble when there is food around, but, gee, doesn’t everybody love turkey and bacon?
Many thanks to Eric for coming to visit us. We are so proud to be a part of such a fine organization as MIRA.
Love,
Devon (the MIRA
Ambassador) Baillie
12/12/11: Ho,Ho,Holidays!
Here we are at one of my favorite luncheon venues, the Pinehurst Members’ Club. That’s Bob and Camille Nagel, the President of the Women of Sacred Heart, with yours truly posing in front of that magnificent Christmas tree. That shiny thing on me is the reflection from the flash on my harness. Aren’t we festive looking? We had a wonderful holiday luncheon with the ladies. Everyone was so nice to me, though no one thought to shoot any food my way. Oh, it wasn’t for lack of trying on my part. The smell of that chicken was almost more than I could bear. In fact, I even stood up at one point and tried to get a little better whiff of chicken, but Bob wasn’t too happy about that move, and he told me in French to sit down. When he speaks to me in French I know he means it, believe me. So, of course, I tried to look appropriately Ambassadorial instead of embarassed, and I did what any self respecting dog would do and promptly sat down.
The ladies gave us some lovely donations and said very nice things about me. They said some nice things about Bob, too, but I was still a little miffed at him for not letting me enjoy the essence of poulet (that’s chicken in French) so I only listened to the words that applied to me. I know that wasn’t very nice, but I can’t help myself when I am around poulet.
Bob, Camille Nagel and Devon at the holiday luncheon
Love,
Devon (Perpetually Hungry) Baillie
12/23: A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Can you believe that tomorrow is Christmas Eve and the year is almost over? Whew…where does the time go, I wonder? Even in dog time this has been one heck of a busy year-the time has just flown. And speaking of flying, Bob, Elaine and I boarded a plane today for Montreal and Christmas with the family. Whoopee for me….the snow is calling. I can’t tell you how much I love lolling around in a snowbank. Bob thinks I am funny because I “woof” a lot when I am playing in the snow, but that’s just my way of showing how happy I am.
Wednesday we had our office Christmas party. It was great fun. And, oh, the food (not that I really know, of course, but it sure smelled good) Everyone important was there: Bob, Elaine, Beth, Sandy, Lisa, Tonya, Tim, Christina- and Dixie and Little Man, too. (Chester is banned from the office when I am in attendance because he bites my toes- oh, those Jack Russells- when will they ever learn?) Anyway, here is a photo of Bob opening his present from everyone- a beautiful red lap robe embroidered with the MIRA logo- wow, I wish it was big enough for me to nap on, but no such luck. I think you can see that Bob really loves it….he’s always cold, so it’s the perfect gift for him. Now Beth won’t have to sit on the other side of the desk and sweat like she was in a sauna because Bob has turned the heat up . At least I can go get cool by the door when he starts playing with the thermostat. Yikes!
So, I guess you can also see Little Man in his Santa suit. I’m glad it’s him and not me. I am far too dignified for such an outfit, if the truth be known. It’s just not Ambassadorial-
Little Man in his Santa Suit
though Bob seems to like him in it. I don’t get it, really.
In any case, here’s wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful new year. I know we are going to have a great 2012 at MIRA. I just feel it in my bones. See you back here in 2012…I’m off to the nearest snowbank.
Love,
Bobat MIRA Christmas Party 2011 Opening his Present
Devon (the holly, jolly snowman) Baillie
