HDA Medal Has Arrived in Washington State!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

On Thursday morning, as I was driving down our driveway, I noticed a postal truck driving slowly down our street.  Of course, I did not see that sign on the driver’s door, or I would have immediately turned around and went back home!

Upon returning home, I noticed a large box on our doorstep.  I have to be honest here, Janie, Jackson & Jilly had given me a heads up that it would be arriving, however, it was supposed to arrive Friday and it was a day early!  Can you believe New Jersey to Richland, Washington only took 3 days!  I was so excited.

I brought the box into the house, and Charlie and Beau were spinning circles to see what was in the box.   I decided to wait for my DH to come home, so he could help with photos.   While I was waiting for my husband to arrive, I started thinking about how I found the Doodle Kisses site and what it has meant to be a member.   Charlie was 9 weeks old when we brought him home Valentine’s Day 2011 and little did I know what impact a doodle would have on our lives.  One day I was googling doodles and found the Doodle Kisses website!  I immediately signed up and the first welcome on my page was from Donna and Quincy.  It was a photo of beautiful Quincy with the words “Warning, like peanut butter,  DK can be addictive, proceed with caution!"  As soon as I started navigating this site, I was hooked.  I have met so many wonderful, funny, helpful DKers who happily give their time, knowledge and energy to this site.  I visit this site at least once daily and yes, I am a Hopeless Doodle Addict.  So thank you Adina (and Clark) for creating this doodly site, a big thank you to all the fearless group leaders who help us each and every day, and to each and every member that makes this site such a wonderful place to just hang out!

My DH soon arrived, and I got the camera out.  As soon as I asked the boys to come up on the couch with me and I slit the box open, I could see that they were not going to sit politely while I opened it up so I set the box on the floor and Charlie & Beau immediately lunged into the box to see what was there!

Charlie quickly found the purple kong ball (his favorite thing in the world), and Beau found the red crab and they went running around showing us  their new treasures.    

Then we sat down and went through the rest of the contents. The boys were so overwhelmed because there was so much in that box for them:  2 kong balls, a blue Wubba, a red crab sqeaky and a blue lobster squeaky, a Kong stick, Oryjen treats, chicken jerky treats.   It was like Christmas!  When Beau saw the Blue Kong stick that was it, he dropped his crab and as you can see – he is in love with the kong stick!

I gathered up all the gifts and asked Charlie to drop his purple ball and put them all on the table for this photo.  Charlie did not want to relinquish his new ball for long.

Janie was so thoughtful in her choices:  There was a bottle of my favorite lotion Pure Grace by Philosophy (the best lotion around); a blue “life is good tee” for me; and very tasty  Meltaway from the Haisch Bakery in NJ (I have never been to NJ, but I so want to go there ( and to this bakery!!).   Then I opened the last box which contained the HDA medal, along with a list of recipients and the journal.  Before I send the award on, I am going to read each and every entry!  It is such a wonderful part of DK history. 

I quickly put on the tee shirt, made a cup of coffee and sat down to enjoy a piece of the Meltaway coffee cake.  It was out of this world! 

Janie ~ I hope to one day to meet you in person.  Thank you for choosing to pass this honor on to me.  I appreciate every ounce of thoughtfulness you put into choosing the contents of this gift.  Each and every item was just perfect!   You made this day a very special one - full of fun and laughter. 

As soon as possible, I will forward the HDA award to the next recipient.  You Janie, will be a tough act to follow!  

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Congrats Linda!! Looks like it was a wonderful surprise

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Thanks Leslie.

[Doris]

Love the pictures of your doods running around with their treasures!!  Congratulations!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Doris ~ they are still thrilled.  I woke up this morning to find a blue kong stick in our bed!  Charlie slept with his new ball.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Welcome to the club. I enjoyed the wonderful photos of you, the doodles and the special surprises. I have had cake from that bakery courtesy of Janie and it is delicious. Isn't it wonderful that due to Internet andDK we meet people from all over the country and indeed the world?

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Thanks F.  I am honored to join this club!  I cannot imagine not having the internet and the ability to connect with so many people.   

[F, Calla & Luca]

I know what you mean.

[Stella]

Congratulations!!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Thanks Stella.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Love all the smiles! Such fun! Congrats to a very worthy recipient!

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

PS...I had to go check out what a Kong Stick was! Enzo thanks you, since one is now on it's way to her from Amazon ;)

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Thanks Ro ~ the kong stick is so great.  Beau loves it because he can retrieve it, but he also brings it to us when he wants to play tug.  He drags it around like it is his new best friend.  All the toys Janie sent were a hit and we had never had them (except for the Kong balls - we do get them occasionally).  Charlie has a fixation with Kong balls, so of course that is his favorite.  He brings it to his breakfast area while he eats, and always brings it to bed.  After the squeaker no longer works, he will lose a little interest, but he is very careful with them and they last a very long time..  I hope Enzo likes it as much as Beau does!