Tidewater Retriever Club has wonderful picnics. It's good to have relaxation time to visit and catch up with the latest news with fellow members and their dogs. And of course all the new puppies are here for you to love and watch. It wouldn't be an event without running the dogs so you can sign up your dog in one category ranging from Open Dog to the Puppy Class. The club has several large trophies that are given to the first place winners of each respective division. Each winning member (and their dog) is given the club trophy, has a plate with their names added to it, and keeps it for one year. The trophy is returned to the following year's picnic to enhance the fireplace mantle of the next winner! It's a lot of fun especially when the winner is informed that by being the trophy winner, they judge their division test next year!

The day was overcast with a nice breeze and I can tell you that was wonderful and much appreciated for July 14th in Southern Virginia--past Stony Creek in Sussex County to be exact! Just as we were finishing running the dogs, some raindrops fell. We all jumped in our cars/trucks and went on a parade through paved, gravel and dirt roads looking for the food venue. It was fun. We arrived amongst sunflower, cotton and tobacco fields and were surprised to find a nice new building complete with kitchen facilities, a real bathroom, and a large room with tables and 2 flat screen TVs. Just as we went inside, the sky opened up and it poured outside big time. We needed the rain so their were no complaints. All of the food was delicious--BBQ chicken, potato salad, boiled potatoes, green beans and rolls. Plus Banana Pudding for dessert. After dinner, the new winners were announced and trophies were presented.

It was a great day in the countryside. Everyone, including the dogs, had a fun time! Thanks to David Witt and all the members (and there were a bunch of you) who helped make this a memorable day.