Laverne, Minnesota

This six month old dapple Miniature Daschund is the newest
7 pound member of our family. Meet Zooey.

Zooey Ophelia...

When she saw an ad in a magazine for the 50th Annual John Morrell Hot Dog Block Party in Laverne, MN, complete with wiener dog races and a beauty contest, she just HAD to be there!

First, we had to set up camp...

This would be the boys first time sleeping in a tent. They even got brand new sleeping bags!

Exploring the land a little...

...before taking a quick dip in goose poop pond...

Rinse off that e coli. Please...

I can eat corn through a picket fence...

...and Axel can eat like it's his job...

Well, These two have never been so excited for bed time in their lives...

...but were easily talked into staying up late for a fire...

Good Morning.

Strawberry Banana Slappy Cakes and eggs...

...and BACON...

Ma & Pa can't go a day without it...

A hike through the blazing hot prairie land to work all that off...

 Minnesota Cactus. Who knew?

...and a Fox Snake...

This is some serious LHOTP territory.

The trail descends down Quartzite Cliffs...

It is the Pipestone rock that Native Americans make peace pipes from...

Everybody is hot...

...eek a buzzard. Don't drop dead...

...and this is how a 2 year old ends a hike...

Lucky will be forever entertained by this crazy baby brother...

From miles and miles away... off in the far distance, I spot an A&W Family

 at the ol' Swenson's Farm...

 I don't think anybody knows they are here...

It really is hot. Everywhere.

This is summer and naps are unsuccessful...

...somewhat.

 Getting her beauty sleep before the the big pageant and race...

We are praying to the Gods that she wins this...

After all, without beauty you have NOTHING...

She is pretty nervous...

How can you eat at a time like this????
Oh, it's free. In that case, pack a few more in. Put some in your pockets.

It's a party!

Hoola Hoopin with the Z-Dog...

 Just don't forget we are here to win. BIG.

 The tension in rising...

What kind of small town operation is this? They lost her paper work.

Her pageant mom, Mike lashed out at the judges. She was still able walk the runway...

Lost.

These down home judges only had eyes for some local flavor.

Mind you, the winner was a 3 year old black & silver dapple. She had a sundress & basket of flowers. Every man is a sucker for a girl in a sundress. She did tricks. She also won last year.

 Next came the race. She botched this one so hard that it was embarrassing...

She was the only one to blame.

Back at our campsite a fellow camper and his son told us that Zooey was robbed.

 ROBBED.

 Mike and I drank away our shame and disappointment...

Then came to the conculsion that she might be a LOSER,
but she is still a WINNER to US!

...and we LOVE her very much!