Porter’s Countries:
Porter’s States:
Whiskey’s Countries:
Whiskey’s States:
Our favorite trip and event of the year… K9 Central!
This was Limoncello’s first DockDogs event since she was released from medical retirement!
Big Air
20’2″
20’0″ 2nd Place
18’11”
Extreme Vertical:
5’4″
Speed Retrieve
2609.18 seconds
Iron Dog
2609.18 points
Big Air
22’5″
24’9″ Second Place Elite
24’3″ First Place Elite
22’8″
Finals: 23’2″ 4th Place
Extreme Vertical:
6’4″
Speed Retrieve
2999.86 seconds Second Place Nitro
Iron Dog
2999.86 points 1st Place Gladiator
Big Air
21’7″ 2nd Place Master
21’1″ 2nd Place Master
21’2″ 1st Place Master
Finals: 20’6″ 2nd place
Extreme Vertical:
5’10”
Speed Retrieve
7.927 seconds
Iron Dog
2848.51 points
Margarita enjoyed taking long walks around the property.
Big Air
8’1″
7’5″
6’2″ 2nd Place Novice
7’10” 1st Place Novice
Porter enjoyed chilling with his Pop!
On our way to Bowmanville, Ontario for a dock diving event, we did an -overnight stay at Brennan Beach RV Resort.
This campground was located right on Lake Ontario!
What a gorgeous view!
The next morning, Lake Ontario had waves like the ocean!
This was their cute snack bar down by the beach:
Not to be outdone by her brother, Hooch, who modeled for Subaru of America, Inc. last year, Limoncello also scored a modeling gig with Subaru of America ! She is now featured on the website, and will be seen in dealership brochures and on dealership posters this fall! You can see her on the Subaru website by clicking the link below. Then scroll down to the accessories and navigate to: Featured>Seat cover>Click right arrow to next pick of Cello! ✨🚙💛
Porter and Whiskey visited Island Beach State Park to take a walk on the beach, and experience the ocean for the first time!
Margarita bar-hopped her way down Fairmount Avenue in Philadelphia, drinking umbrella cocktails, pink straw drinks, shots, and Jäger Bombs….
(of water of course!!!)
La Calaca Feliz is a contemporary Mexican restaurant located in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia.
Located in the Fairmount Neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA, and set in a 19th century firehouse, Jack’s Firehouse is definitely worth a visit! Jack’s Firehouse is located directly across from Eastern State Penitentiary on Fairmount Avenue.
Even though we sat at the dog-friendly outdoor seating area, Brian and I each took a moment to explore the inside of this unique establishment. Most of the original mahogany interior, wooden plank flooring, and yes, even the brass fire pole are still intact! There is also a racing shell suspended over top the bar.
What great history this place has! The fire company that originally occupied Jack’s was Truck A, now referred to as Ladder Company 1 and located on Parish Street in Philadelphia. Truck A was the first paid Philadelphia Fire Department in 1871.
We enjoyed a glass of wine and ordered the Calamari with Hot Pepper Chips, Carrots, and Hot Lava – and it was absolutely amazing! We enjoyed being able to take in the historic, yet sometimes eerie views of Eastern State Penitentiary.
Cello visited here on April 27, 2014.
Margarita visited here on August 19, 2019.
Located in the Fairmount Neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA on Fairmount Avenue, Urban Saloon has outdoor seating, is dog-friendly (they even bring our a bowl of water for your pup!) and is situated directly across from Eastern State Penitentiary.
Margarita visited here in 2019
Cello was here on April 27, 2014!
“Not a worry in the world, a PBR on the way – Life is good today. Life is good today.” ~ Zac Brown Band
It was exciting, yet eerie to enjoy a glass of wine at their outdoor seating area while gazing at the historic Eastern State Penitentiary.
“The Bishop’s Collar – Salvation by the Pint. Come worship with us.”
~The Bishop’s Collar
Limoncello visited here on April 27, 2014
Named after a perfectly poured pint of Guinness, The Bishop’s Collar is located in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA on the corner of 24th Street and Fairmont Avenue.
This was our first stop after my Birthday Hike at Wissahickon Park. Here we enjoyed Risotto Balls appetizer, served with marinara sauce (YUM!)… and of course washed them down with a Bloody Mary (Jen’s choice) and a pint of Boddington’s (Brian’s choice).
The atmosphere was fun and lively on this day, as the Flyers were playing. Cello enjoyed people and dog watching along Fairmount Avenue, and we very much enjoyed our food, drink, and the jubilant atmosphere here!
Cello people-watching:
First Month in Remission
I am extremely happy to report that his past month has been everything we could hope for. Margarita regained her appetite, strength and desire to run and play in the yard. Her hair has filled in nicely, and her “piggy pink” pigment is returning.
Brian and I are overwhelmed with gratitude as love and support from family and friends continues to fill our hearts. I received this most thoughtful gift box from a very a special friend.
Since out last post, Margarita also received this amazing gift basket from the office manager at VSEC who is one of the sweetest gals we have met!
We also had the pleasure of spending time with friends at a dock diving event who passed on a very personal and special gift. The weekend that Margarita ended up in the emergency room we were supposed to attend at dock diving competition. We of course had to instead stay home that weekend. Friends of ours had brought a gift for us that weekend. This past week while we attended a competition at Hog Dog Productions, we met up with our friends who gave us this very meaningful gift.
This couple got a set of these glasses because they also had a dog who had cancer, who sadly passed. We are beyond honored to have been gifted this glass, and plan to make many toasts to Margarita during her journey. The man who makes these beer glasses has a Golden Retriever named Indiana Jones, who unfortunately was diagnosed with osteosarcoma just days after his seventh birthday. You can view Indy’s Facebook page by clicking HERE where Indy’s dad shares his beloved pup’s story of cancer.
1 Month Recheck
On August 8th, Margarita saw her oncologist, Dr. Risbon for her 1 month re-check. Her physical examination was normal and we are extremely grateful that there was no evidence to suggest recurrence of the lymphoma. However, the abnormal tissue felt during her emergency room visit now has developed what seems to be an additional mass of about 5mm.
Although this was not at all what I wanted to hear, I knew that Margarita would be predisposed to mammary tumors because she was not spayed until after 6 years of age when she came to us as a GSP Rescue of NJ foster dog. Dr. Risbon explained that mammary tumors have a 50% chance of being benign and a 50% of being malignant. Ideally, the mammary gland should be removed and submitted for biopsy. In many cases, even if the tumor is found to be malignant, Dr. Risbon explained the recommendation is for surgery alone (no chemo). The prognosis is 2-3 years if the tumor is found to be malignant. Due to the Dilated Cardiomyopathy brought on by the chemotherapy drugs, if surgery is to be performed, Margarita would need clearance from her cardiologist, Dr. Bossbaly. Margarita will see our primary veterinarian next week where we will discuss whether or not surgery is an option, or if we will continue to monitor the mass each month.
I am not going to loose faith, or diminish our hope for Margarita to have many more years ahead to enjoy life as she deserves after what she endured prior to her adoption. She has survived through more situations and illnesses than most dogs are able to endure. Even through her toughest times, she has met each challenge with such grace and courage. Even if what is thought to be a mass turns out to be malignant, we are confident that Margarita will once again be victorious.
Margarita will see Dr. Risbon again next month for a recheck.
1 Month Re-check with Rita’s Primary Veterinarian
On August 14, Margarita saw our primary veterinarian, Dr. Helen Campbell at Old York Veterinary Hospital. I am thrilled to report that the murmur discovered along with the Dilated Cardiomyopathy during week 15 of her chemotherapy plan sounds to Dr. Campbell like it has significantly improved to the point of not being heard with a stethoscope! This originally was thought to be permanent damage, so we are overjoyed to hear this news! This is also great news in the event the mammary mass is removed. We have put a call in to Margarita’s cardiologist, Dr. Bossbaly, at VSEC to see if we can get a sooner appointment than the original 4-month check up scheduled with Dr. Bossbaly in November in hopes to verify her improvement and hopefully reduce or stop her heart medication, Pimobendan. We have to keep a close eye on the mammary mass. If we do not see any changes in the mass in the meantime, Margarita will see Dr. Campbell again next month for a re-check.
Post 1-Month-Check-Up Treat
Margarita stopped at Wayback Burger !
She enjoyed bites of a bacon cheeseburger and tater-tots!
Tom’s Cove Park, located on Chincoteague Island, Virginia, overlooks Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Assateague Island National Seashore Park.
This was our first time camping in Chincoteague. We enjoyed the views, and the dogs very much enjoyed bird-watching all weekend!
Margarita LOVED being on the pier and watching the boats and birds!
Margarita and her main-man, Mr. Spock, did some bird watching together on the pier!
Camping in Virginia also allowed Porter to add a state to his “States Visited Map!”
We stayed on site P65 with a great view of the water (light pink sites closest to the waterfront sites).
Sunrise views from our campsite:
Hooch at our campsite:
Limoncello enjoyed “hunting” golf carts down all weekend from our campsite!
We found out that Porter loves riding in a golf cart!
Whiskey enjoyed people-watching from the camper.
Whiskey:
Lager wanted SO badly to jump in the water:
What a fun, relaxing weekend we had!
With Cello cleared for coming out of retirement, we decided we should celebrate by finding the nearest dock diving competition and letting Cello have some fun with what she loves best. So many of our friends came out to the event in Cello’s honor…it was such an amazing weekend!
Ultimate Air Dogs runs their events a bit differently than DockDogs, and also has some different games for the dogs to play.
Limoncello
Cello came out of retirement in full force! She jumped over 20 feet to earn herself a spot in finals!
Splashes:
Chase It:
Finals:
Hooch
Splashes:
Finals:
Lager
Splashes:
Chase It:
Margarita
Margarita enjoyed napping in the shade, and playing with her stuffed toys on the camper.
Whiskey
Whiskey earned her self a personal best of 8’7” , made Finals, and actually jumped off the dock (instead of timing-out) for the first time in Finals!
Splashes:
Finals:
Porter
Porter enjoyed walking the perimeter of the facility and meeting a bunch of new people.