The remnants of Hurricane Fay have visited us off and on over the last 3 days.  Its been raining and storming here for a few hours now.  The dogs have laid around and been super lazy not wanting to do anything but eat a treat occasionally and demand an belly rub and head scratch.

Since it was yuckie out, I decided to try out a new treat recipe.  I had some extra cream cheese in the fridge so my recipe for Cream Cheese Biscuits seemed a perfect choice.  They turned out pretty well and the dogs seemed to enjoy them quite a bit.

Cream Cheese Biscuits

1 package dry yeast
¼ cup warm water
2 ? cup whole wheat flour
¼ cup applesauce
4 oz cream cheese
1 large egg
1 tsp garlic powder
¼ cup powdered milk

Preheat oven to 350°F

Dissolve yeast in the warm water.  Once dissolved, combine all ingredients in a food processor and mix well (or mix well in a bowl).  Roll out on a floured surface to ¼ inch thickness.  Sprinkle with extra garlic powder for added flavor, if desired.  Cut out with cookie cutters and bake for 20-25 minutes on a greased baking sheet until light, golden brown.

You will notice a new look to the K-9 Cook Book.  Each recipe now has its own page and the cookbook also has a drop down menu in the navigation bar under the header.  It should make it easier to search for recipes now that I have amassed quite a collection of yummies.

I installed a few new presets for lightroom today and have created a few dynamic photo edits.  I am very pleased with them. You’ll get to see the results tomorrow with my dog park pictures.

No Bark Park for another week, and I have decided against driving to Van Wert.  I am just too tired after my son’s first week of school so I decided to stick around home with the dogs.  We will be meeting a friend in the morning to play.  Happy 3 day weekend!

Don’t forget to sign up for the book give away HERE, if you haven’t already.

If I were to guess purely from my own preferences, I would have to guess a Saint Bernard, of course.  What would you be?

Authors Lori Lebda and Tami Bergeson graciously sent me a signed copy of their new book “What Dog Are You?” so I could find out.  After scoring the personality test, I wound up pretty darn close to my initial guess!

A breed profile is comprised of 3 light-hearted personality quizzes with entertaining questions you answer as if  you are a dog. After taking the quizzes the scores are tallied based on A-D multi-choice and Y-N answers.  The key (in the back of the book) matches your score range and determines the breed you most closely resemble. My entire family took the quizzes tonight while we were waiting for our dinner to come at a restaurant. It was fun to discuss our answers as a group, it kept us honest… well, sort of.  It was also fun to see how each of us had a delusional image of personality types… I guess our lives really have gone to the dogs. We even talk about them at dinner!

I scored a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog in both Pooch-Onality and Dapper Dogs quizzes (my score was exactly the same ) and a Saluki in the Biscuits and Bones Quiz.  My over all TOP DOG score was as a Great Dane! Ya’ think?

What does that all mean?  You’ll just have to get your hands or paws on a copy of the book to find out! And just like Bill Cosby said in the Saturday morning Fat Albert cartoons, “Be careful, you just might learn something!” (about yourself) – I know I sure did!

Luckily, I was given a couple of extra signed copies to be given to my readers. To enter, respond to this post and tell me what dog breed you think you are. Winners will be drawn on Saturday, September 6 after Bark Park and posted on the blog.  Make sure you get your entries in by Friday night to be eligible.

Don’t want to wait for the drawing?  You can get your copy of this entertaining and thought provoking book  at www.iamawhat.com and amazon.com.

We give this book

Today is supposed to be the nicest day of the week.  Tomorrow we are expecting anywhere from .5-3.5 inches of rain from the remnants of  Hurricane Fay.  So I decided to take advantage of the blue skies and balmy temps.  Hubby was working from home today so we leashed up the boys and headed out for an adventure at Blendon Woods Metro Park.

We walked the 1.2 mile dog trail and the boys sniffed, explored and read/left various pee mail messages.  The trail was very clean and well kept.  It meandered through the wooded areas and praries of the metro park and there was a tiny little trickling stream for the boys to wet their paws in.

We spent about an hour wandering around and the boys wore themselves out.  They are both sprawled out and asleep in the kitchen, snoring like lumberjacks.

I hope we don’t get too much rain tomorrow!

Since there was no Bark Park to go to today we had to find something else to do.  So we decided to head on over to the Prairie Oaks Metro Park for Wag Fest.  I was absolutely shocked how many people and dogs were in and out of the little festival. The program pamphlet says there were over 7000 people and 2000 dogs that passed through last year and they expected to top that this year.  It was pretty packed when we were there so it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if attendance was up from last year.

The whole family went and we took Brutus with us.  I thought about taking Rufus too, but I wasn’t sure what to expect. Boy am I sorry I didn’t bring him.  It was a Saint Fest!  There were at least 8 other saints there, most of them in pairs.  I haven’t seen that many saints in one place, ever!  My son had my camera and he was the “designated photographer” of the day.  I did get thee pictures before he took over…

Brutus sporting his whiskey barrel – how studly

With his favorite boy

Brutus with his new Girly Friend Duncan.  We hope to see her again at Bark Park.

Its the three stooges… This pair lives together.  A 5 yo male and 1 yo female.

Look at this scrumptious boy… My son must have been in love!  He desperately wants an English Mastiff.

Brutus got in the water as far as his leash would allow and he was in heaven.   It’s been quite some time since he has had a proper swim.  I think I am going to try and take him and Rufus to Big Walnut Park or Alum Creek to swim sometime this week. I was a little too afraid to let him just go since it wasn’t fenced.  I dont think he’d run off, but with that many people there I’d hate for him to get spooked or someone try to take him.  There was one really weird guy that came up to us and set a frisbee on his head like a hat. It slid off and the guy lunged at the fisbee swatting Brutie in the face.  It startled Brutie and he looked at me like “what the heck is wrong with him mom” – I told the guy to take it easy and we made our way.

A photo gallery has been added for today’s event.  Make sure to stop by and check out the other dogs we saw and more saint pictures.

We’re back!!!!  We (hubby, son and dogs) had a WONDERFUL time!!!  Got home from Bristol this morning very early – omg what a long drive. Ultimate Air Dogs is a great time! I can not tell you how great of a Job Milt does with this organization.  We are so impressed.

I wasn’t able to get many pictures like I had hoped due to the break neck pace of the actual jumps.  I also discovered that my husband is a terrible photographer!  I guess there is a little more to taking pics than just point and shoot.. lol  He took most of them and I got a few of them jumping in practice rounds that were a little better.

We had “splashes” at 1:30 3:00 4:30 6:00 and 7:30.  Both dogs jumped off the dog right off the bat.  I was shocked!  No coaxing or anything they went right in.  In fact I took Apollo up on the dock to show him and he jumped in still on his lead and about pulled me in.  I was able to practice with them in between splashes and Hera quickly got the hang of it.   She was running and leaping in no time.  Apollo, well he’s not too bright.  He would get all excited and run to the end of the dock full speed, slam on the breaks and then launch himself… uggg.  Even with that he had a couple of jumps over 9 feet.  He did one good running jump and hit 13 feet but it was only the one.  I think next time I need to bring a toy with a little higher value than the kong wubba.  It may get him more excited about jumping with out hesitating.  This may come with experience too.  He totally exceeded my expectations for his first time so I am very pleased!

Dont mind me in the background.. it was a rough trip.. lol

I took this one

Hera was getting around 15 feet.  Pretty impressive for an old gal’s first time! Zach handling Hera

We met a lot of really great people and had a wonderful time. One of the exciting people we met was Sarah Simone and Forest Gumpy. Sarah is 14 and from Ontario, Canada (she got along great with my son).  She handles a JRT that is holds the record for little dog dock jumping!!!  She was recently on the Letterman show with Gumpy.  Here’s the Clip -

The only thing I was disappointed with was Apollo’s behavior on the leash.  I was absolutely shocked he NEVER acts like that.  He did NOT like the other dogs coming around him when he was on his leash. Lunging, growling and acting like a general fool! Grrr – but as soon as I let him off he was perfectly fine.  So after a few hours the two were let loose and I just kept a really close eye on them so they wouldnt run off.  They ran around and played ball and chase and bitey face with some of he other dogs that were good off leash and had a blast! The dogs were absolutely WORN out!  Apollo crashed between the 6:00 & 7:30 splashes.  Now that’s some serious exhaustion!

I cant wait to go to Van Wert next weekend!

Edited to add – we made it to the Tricities newspaper too!

Tomorrow is the big day!  We are getting ready to pack up the car and head on out in a few minutes. We are very exciting.  Wish us luck that Apollo and Hera will actually jump off the dock!  Be back Friday with tons of pictures and video!

BRISTOL HERE WE COME!!

I updated my rainbow bridge page this evening.  I am feeling very sentimental and miss my two angels at the bridge.  I made a couple of cartoons angels of them to adorn their page.  I miss my babies so much.

Blogging Friends Forever Gold Card

I almost forgot to share my new award with you!  I am now the proud owner of a BFF gold card!  Amazingly I was given two.  One from our darly Saint Bernard friend Baylee and one from our studly Rott friend George! Muchos Gracias!

Even though we like to march to the beat of our own drum… we still play by the rules so here it goes.  Award Rules:

1. Only five people allowed. (check)
2. Four have to be dedicated followers of your blog. (check)
3. One has to be someone new or recently new to your blog and live in another part of the world. (check)
4. You must link back to whoever gave you the award. (double check)

Our 4 favorite dedicated followers (that I haven’t noticed with the award) are

The Zoo Crew because they rock!
Chelsea the dane down under because she is so awesome and she posts the most awesome pictures.
My Spoiled Dog Blog – thats Marley and Dylan because they get to have all sorts of cool adventures.
The Spotty Wolf Gang – because you guys are brilliant!

And my new comer would most definately have to be
Park and Bark awhile – the journey of Baylor who is a newbie to blogging and is doign a great job.  We love your stories and photos!

Cheers and Thanks for being such wonderful blogging friends!

Its that time of the week again.. Bark Park Day!!! WHooo HOOOO!  I changed the crew up a little this week and Apollo and Hera went with a newbie – Rufus!!!! Yes, Rufus!  I still thought it was a little too hot for him but my son talked me into taking him and wow he was a little champ.  I was a little nervous he wouldn’t do well especially after his overwhelming excitement when we got out of the car.  He started his lunging/snapping/whining thing right off the bat and I was ready to put him back in the car and head home but I sent my son in first with Apollo and Hera and I walked him around a little in the front to get out a little of the nervous energy/excitement.

When he was a little calmer I decided to try him out.  When I went in wearing his gentle leader and a back up collar.  He was great!  He greeted the others and let them sniff him.  He got a little excited when Apollo was chasing the ball in the pond and really wanted to go chase after him and bark -but I kept him on his lead and he was fine. He met the newfie girls Misty and Gabby almost immediately and was absolutely smitten with them and I think they really liked him too.  I had my hands full early on so I didnt get a lot of pictures right out of the gate like normal, but I did get a few awesome ones.  More can be seen in today’s Gallery as well.

I decided to try him on the agility equipment and low ‘n behold he loved it!  He did the A-frame on his very first try and did great on the jumps.  He was a little nervous on the dog walk… I think it was a little to “skinny” for the big claude!

Wow what a great day… he finally got to live out his dream of being like Kris the agility Saint Bernard on Youtube!  As the day went on I felt more and more comfortable with his comfort level and he was totally relaxed an in his element.  After a while, I turned him loose and he had his first bits of freedom in quite some time and he was in heaven!  He ran around, sniffed, pee’d and made a b-line straight for the pond!

Rufus certainly earned his Bark Park privledges this weekand will be back in September as long as it is under 80°.  Hopefully by the fall both of them will be able to go together and enjoy some freedom.

Three years ago today, two of the most beautiful 19 month old, Saint Bernard brothers entered my life.  They came to me as rescues from a family that could no longer care for them.  Although I had no room at the time and wasn’t sure I would be able to manage them both, but I reluctantly agreed to take them on and find homes for them.  After spending just a short amount of time with them I knew I could never separate them as their bond was soooo strong.

I figured there was very little chance I would be able to place them in a home together or ensure that they would stay together once placed I decided to keep them myself.  It has been one of the best decisions I have ever made.  They have brought me so much joy and completed my life.  I have never regretted, not for one moment, taking them into my life.  This video is their journey over the first 2 1/2 years with me (prior to our move).

Here’s to 3 wonderful years and many, many more to come.

Today is one of my old foster’s Daffy’s Gotcha Day!  I can’t believe it has been a year since she went to live with Bill and Phyllis.  She looks so happy and amazing.  She sent me a little note with a picture and it made me tear up.  I didn’t realize that she went to her new home the day before Brutus & Rufus’s gotcha day which I will be celebrating tomorrow so look for a lovely photo montage I have been working on it all week.

I just LOVE happy endings!

Tomorrow is our favorite day of the week – Bark Park!!! Whoo HOOOOOO!  It is Lab rescue day too! It will be the last one ths month, til Sept 6 – what are we going !  I went to luch with my son today and we drove past one of the bigger metro parks so I decided to pull in and see what was going on.  Much to my surprise there is a 1.2 mile pet trail that is through the woods.  I can’t wait to take B and R there!  They are going to love being out in the day since it is completely in the shade of trees.  Exploration and pictures next week!

Enjoy a little snippet of our life.

Cheers!

Labs that is….

“English” or “American” Labs are terms that are tossed around in the labrador world describing head/body type of a labrador.  This is a misnomer as an English Lab is really just a lab from England and an American Lab is one from America.  The terms the more adequately describe the two different types are “show/bench‘ and “field“.

A Show or bench lab is of shorter stature (legs), stockier body, thicker tail and coat than a field bred Lab.  Most show bred Labradors have a shorter muzzle and wider head than a field bred Lab.

A Field lab has a lighter body and longer legs.  Their coats aren’t as thick and their tails tend to be thinner, head is not as wide and the muzzle is usually longer.

This is Jago, he is an English Lab -that is he lives in England.  He is the Field Variety.

You know Apollo… He’s an American Lab – he is from America.  He is ALSO the Field Variety.

This is Sophie (Apollo’s favorite girl) – yet another yellow lab and she is “Canadian” – she’s from Canada and also is a “field variety”

My chocolate lab Eris is a “show/bench” lab.  She is short and stocky, wide head thicker body and wider tail.

Here is Gunner, yet another yellow lab.  He is a short, stocky show/bench lab.  His face is much shorter and wider than the yellow field labs above.

From left to right – Eris (show/bench), Zeus (field) and Apollo (field)  Photo August 2004

I hope that clears it up the differences for you.

Yesterday was a really nice day.  The temperatrues were in the low 60°F’s for most of the day.  We decided to take advantage of the gorgeous day and Brutus and Rufus went on a tour of the neighborhood with my hubby and I.  They really enjoyed it.  They don’t get out much durring the daylight when the temps are high.  Rufus is really sensitive to the heat and if water isnt involved to cool him down it takes hours for him to cool back down in the A/C after a short excursion in the heat.  So I walk them early in the morning and late at night after the temps have come down.  I think the neighbors had forgotten about them since they don’t really see them out and about in the summer and everyone had to have a look see.

I hate having to explain that their gentle leaders are not muzzles.  It makes me really sad.  Before they wore them people would come running up to them all the time and hug and cuddle them.  Now people are very stand offish and I have heard a mothers tell their kids to stay back because “they are dangerous or viscious with those muzzles.”  Why is it always a catch 22?

Well, my son came home a little while ago and was really ticked off.  A couple of the neighborhood kids were giving him crap about one of the kids having dog shit on their lawn.  They blamed him and tried to force him to pick it up.  He came home screaming at me.  Little brats!  I pick up after my dogs and they aren’t the only dogs in the neighborhood kiddos!  People let their dogs crap on my lawn and dont pick it up here too…. GRRRR irresponsible dog owners!! And like I have said so many times before, guess who gets the blame!  The one with all the dogs!

Another glorious Saturday at our favorite place on Earth, Bark Park.  Today’s rescue group was Sheltie rescue and wow were there alot of shelties and collies running around the park.  None of our buddies were there today for various reasons and boy did we miss them.  We still had a good day playing and running around even with out them.

We worked Apollo on the agility equipment and he was really enthusiastic,  He finally figured out the concept of the tire – you go through it, not under or around it.  And he mastered the teeter – still working on the weaves though.  He can go in and out 4 times then looses focus and wants his duckie.

Hera spent the better part of the day chasing after her dragonfly friends, per usual.  She isnt making strides in catching any though.  Hasn’t curbed her enthusiasm trying though.

My son has a real affinity for the little oldies….

And last but not least, a photo montage of our day at the park….. Enjoy!

I have been very tired for the last week.  I’m not sleeping well at night and been very worried about my son’s golf team try outs.  I finally hit my breaking point today after getting up at an ridiculous hour to let the dogs out.  I decided a nap was in order and the dogs thought it a fabulous idea as well.  Apollo is always the first one on the bed.  He will hop up next to my head, plop down and make himself right at home.  I always welcome the dogs on the bed, they normally only stay for a few minutes but today was different.

Apollo hopped up first followed by Fatty (Eris) they curled up and went to sleep, leaving me plenty of room on the Queen Size bed to stretch out and get comfy. And then……  Brutus, who almost NEVER gets on the bed decided he HAD to get up there as well.  So he got on the bed and wedged himself between me and Apollo.  Ok.. that’s a tight fit and I had to scoot over a bit so there would be room for his big butt.  Not to be outdone, Rufus decided he was missing out and wannted in on the dog pile as well.  There’s not much room for him at this point so he squeezed himself in between Eris and Brutus and ontop of my legs.  (see rudamentary drawing)

Now something is totally wrong with that picture!!!!! LOL I was shocked when I woke up 3 hours later and everyone was still in the same spots.  I’m shocked the bed didn’t collapse when we were asleep!  LOL  I am refreshed though.  I needed it and now I am ready for Bark Park tomorrow!  Whoo Hooo!

Its been awhile since B and R have gone on any exciting adventures so I suited up in my wellies and we headed out to the stream behind my house.  We haven’t had much rain for awhile so the water level is down quite a bit and its kinda stinky over there.  The water was cool and they boys enjoyed it.  I don’t feel confident that they wont run off together so they stayed on their gentle leaders with a splitter and I attached it to a 25ft training lead.  First we walked through the field and made a pitt stop at the retention pond.

For all you butt lovers… Nothing but butts!

The poor neglected puppers were alone most of the day today.  My FIL had his company picnic at the zoo today so we went and hung out.  It was warm and hazy but I enjoyed it.  It seemed like we were there forever though.  The dogs were very excited when I got home and a case of the zoomies spread through the pack like wildfire. Brutus was so excited he was dancing around and forgot how close his back end was to the pool and he started to fall in…. He caught himself and only went in to his hip with one leg but let me tell you he was NOT impressed… LOL

Yesterday’s park pack was still absolutely exhausted and lay down on their giant bed to go back to sleep. Last week I bought them a papasan cushion at World Market (was 50% off) to use as a bed. It is large enough to accommodate 2 saints and a lab or 3 labs comfortably all at the same time.

I was too tired after walking through the zoo for 8 hours that no one got a walk tonight.  I felt so bad that they were neglected and didn’t get their walk that I took Apollo, Brutus and Rufus to Tim Hortons for timbits after I hit the ATM.  I’m such a softy.

Its going to be a hot one the next couple of days so we expect to spend plenty of quality pool time.  I’ll see if I can coax Brutus into the pool.. but I think after his little splash dance, its not likely.

Oh glorious Saturday… glorious Bark Park!!!

If dogs could read the calendar, I am sure mine knew it said Saturday.  Apollo and Zeus were so antsy this morning.  Whining and running to the front door and waiting, tails wagging.  I tried to ignore them as it had been going on for a couple of hours.  They got up early, and were convinced they were going somewhere today… can they really read a calendar?  Surely not.

It was a sunny one, but not hot, in the low 80°s. Of course Hera hit the water as soon as she got there.  Much to her delight they moved one of the pools onto the driveway close to the entrance so she didn’t have to look very hard for her favorite, water.

Our friends Jack and Greta didn’t make it today.  Greta had surgery last week and still has stitches in her back leg.  Poor Greta – get well soon! Hopefully she will be 100% for next week and we will be able to see her.  Laura showed up with Gabby the Greyhound and of course she found us right off the bat to say hello and get a good neck scratch.  Once she secured her greetings she was off in a flash.

The Perry County Humane Society was the group of the day and they were giving away bandannas for a $1 donation.  I picked out a few cute ones.  Apollo and Zeus got matching light blue ones with patriotic hearts. Hera got a hot pink one and I picked up a couple for our Newf buddies Gabby and Misty.  I sort of hoped the bandannas would give a little contrast and would help taking photos.  They all looked so cute!

We spent most of the day in the pond even though the sun was really bright and guess who forgot sunscreen… Yep i am burnt to a crisp and I could kick myself.  There were a few very vocal dogs in the pond that really wanted to play rough.  Hera took a liking to one of the rough boys and they played and barked and ran around like fools until she saw the dragon flies and she forgot all about her new beaux.

I really need to get Hera and Apollo a bumper.  They go absolutely mad for them.  They first saw one at Alum Creek and Apollo quickly became OBSESSED with it.  Someone (I think it was the same owner of the one at Alum Creek too ) had one and Apollo forgot who he was because he wouldn’t come when I called him.  He would rather jump in after the bumper… uggg.  They found it again later floating in the pond. It’s owner was no where in sight so they picked it up and we played with it for a little while.

Apollo ran on the agility equipment… he was brilliant.  He saw another dog run up the A-frame and he decided he needed a go as well.  So we went over there and her ran up the A-frame,  the dog walk, jumps and on his way back over the dog walk he fell off.  One of the rungs on the ramp was broken and he slipped on it.   He was really tired at that point in the day so he only wanted to go through once and he was back to the pond.

I took a few pictures of Gabby and Misty.  Misty is definitely the easier of the two to photograph.  Gabby’s face is quite dark, like Hera’s and she is a little harder, but she does take a fabulous Black and White.  Misty and Gabby also brought me a container of Musher’s Secret for the boy’s paws!  How thoughtful, thank you soo much Bev, Misty and Gabby!

We saw quite a few of the regulars and had some nice conversations with their owners.  I think everyone really missed not having Bark Park last week.

Make sure you check out the gallery page for today’s visit.  I put a bunch of pictures in there.

You know It was a good day when the dogs are zonked out on the floor.

Last week I tested out a few new dog parks.  Some we liked… some we didn’t. We had found pretty much the same “type” of people were at each one of them regardless of where they were located or set up  (Bark Park is in a whole league of its own).

• There are a few with well socialized dogs, are responsible and pick up after their dogs (we like these people).
• There are those that bring young children with them to the park and either a) dont watch them and let them run amok or b) absolutely freak when a dog comes near them to sniff, lick, say hello or plays around the child (this person usually brings a purse pooch to the park and puts it in the big dog side not the little dog side).  Its a DOG park folks… not Kindercare! This brings us to the next type..
• The bully.  We have had very little physical contact with bullies so far and I hope it stays that way.  The bully is poorly socialized and has a chip on its shoulder the size of China.  It starts scuffles left and right and leaves injured dogs in its wake.  Usually the owner just stands there, embarrassed and meek and has no idea what to do or say other than I’m “sorry, I just don’t know what to do with him” – my usual response, get him neutered and sign up for obedience classes the moment you leave here!  They usually stand around and sulk as their dog runs around like a rabid wolf well past the time they are no longer welcome.
• The I cant be bothered to pick up poop. Around here, these tend to be men.  It may just be a geographical thing, or it may be all over, who knows.  These are one of the worst in my book.  They come to the park and sit on a bench and watch.  No interaction with the dog, no playing, no socializing nothing but watching as their dog takes a crap 20 feet away and won’t pick it up.  This is the main reason I closed my dog park.  We were at the park Tuesday and a “dude” watched his beagle mix take a crap and just sat there.  I waited for a few minutes and pulled out a baggie and proceeded to pick it up.  (it would just be my luck to step it it) I went to grab it and OMG it was FULL of tapeworms! OMG YUCK!!!!!  I mention it to the owner of the beagle and he says, “yea I know”.  If you know, WHY are you at the dog park?!  Saturday it was a dog with mange all over its face.  The owner of the dog didnt even have a vet.  Great!

I am sure I am forgetting others… but those are the main ones I seem to find at all the public parks.  I guess I have become really, really spoiled going to Bark Park.  Marcia has such a geat set up and so many great volunteers to ensure things are going smoothly.  Speaking of Bark Park… Its tomorrow!!!!  We can’t wait to see our friends and enjoy the day.  The weather forecast is predicting a gorgeous day in the low 80°s.

Here are pictures from Alum Creek Reservoir Dog Park.  It was awesome.  A little too crowded on a weekend morning… but I bet it would be perfect during the week.  There was shade EVERYWHERE near the water (which made it difficult to get good pictures in actual park away from the water) and water access to a huge lake!  Heaven on Earth for a lab.