Winner, winner, winner!

Isn't it silly that something as simple as a piece of plastic with gold paint, some shiny sticky paper wrapped around it, and a few words etched into a little name plate can make you feel so good? I'm talking about a trophy here, folks, a genuine, first place trophy, and it's mine, all mine!

Well, ok, maybe not actually all mine, it was actually awarded to our dog group this morning (and since I am the organizer, and pay the group fees, it is partially mine at least...), as the first place winners of the "Novelty Walking" division in the 57th annual Escondido Christmas Parade.

This was the first appearance our group has ever made in this parade, and for a while this morning, I didn't know if it was going to happen or not. Unlike last week's La Jolla Christmas Parade, where we had nearly 80 members and their dogs attend, this event had unusually light RSVP's for our group, and I was getting downright worried. It would be a little awkward, I thought, to walk with just a handful of members, and up until the last minute, I'd been thinking about pulling our entry. I'm so glad I didn't! We wound up having nearly 25 show up with their dogs, which wasn't bad at all considering it was bitter cold, and threatening rain all morning.

Luckily the rain held out, the dogs were wonderful, and the crowd loved us. That, all bundled up with a sweet first place trophy, made it an excellent morning...what more could you ask for? (Yeah, yeah, I know, a winning lotto ticket...)