Precious Puppies!!!

On the north shore of Tampa Bay, at a rest stop off Interstate 275 stands a small memorial park consisting of a flagpole, ship’s bell and anchor, and palm trees standing guard over a granite wall. The granite is engraved with the names of 23 men who lost their lives aboard the USCGC Blackthorn on January 28, 1980. The Coast Guard holds an annual memorial service to honor their fallen comrades which we attended with Phil Bucci and other Coast Guard retiree friends. The Blackthorn and the Tankship Capricorn collided nearly head on, causing the 180 foot Coast Guard buoy tender to capsize and lose nearly half its crew. It was a solemn, well-attended service with a helicopter escorted C-130 fly over, speeches by the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Thad Allen, and laying of multiple flowered wreaths.

The Blackthorn Memorial.

Some of the wreaths and attendees of the Memorial Service.

On the 29^th we left Bradenton on a light note. Most mornings the Southeastern Guide Dogs, in Palmetto, FL, encourage people to come and pet their puppies!!! Since we had only a short drive to our next destination, we decided to take advantage of the opportunity that morning. The 23 wooded acre campus is a perfect place for training their guide dogs and visually impaired students. They open the facility to people who want to interact with the puppies they raise, so that they are used to human contact, and to walk their mature dogs.

We were directed to a long, cinderblock building where we were met by a gentleman who instructed us as to the dos and don’ts of puppy hugging. Then we were led into a large, airy room where nearly 20 people were sitting in a circle on the floor amongst a dozen 4 week old black and yellow Labrador puppies and their toys. There is nothing in this world as cute as a Labrador puppy and everyone, including us, was vying for their attention. One woman had as many as six of them sprawled along and napping on her outstretched legs. They were the cutest, softest, cuddliest things you’d ever seen.

They were soooooo adorable!!!

This woman had six puppies sleeping on her legs.

After a while, the 4 week olds were retired and out came a litter of rambunctious 8 week olds. They were about twice the size and a lot more active, but just as adorable. One little guy wanted some real leather to chew on and Jay’s Docksiders fit the bill. As we left, we could see younger puppies from two recent litters through glass viewing windows into the kennel. We left grinning from ear to ear and still reflect back on how fun it was.

This little guy found Jay’s leather shoes in preference to all the other chew toys.