The HDA Trophy has arrived in College Station, Texas!

What an exciting day it has been! When I got home from work, I found a package on our doorstep... Shelby and I went outside to check it out. Shelby knew right away that this was no oridnary package:

I, of course, knew that it was the highly anticipated HDA Trophy coming from Carol & Banjo in New Hampshire. The fact that the package came to us from Carol & Banjo was extra special, because when I first joined DK.... Carol and I had many discussions about how Banjo and Shelby looked so much alike in many of our photos.

It was a HOT day outside, so we quickly went inside to get to work opening the package!

Shelby was quite interested in my efforts to get the box open as soon as possible - if she had opposible thumbs, she may have grabbed the scissors out of my hands and opened the box herself!

As I got one end of the box open and pulled the top flap up a bit... Shelby's nose got to work big time... there was something yummy in that box, she just knew it (and of course... I didn't).

Shelby was so delighted when I finally got the box open... because there was lots of tissue paper in the box. I don't know if it was intentional or not - but Shelby LOVES to shred tissue paper, so she got to work pulling out all the tissue paper and shredding it up.... Doodle style!

But then suddenly - she stopped and her nose when right into the box... there was something she wanted even more than the tissue paper.

She nosed around and was moving things in the box, but she hadn't found what she was looking for... she kept working, she would find it... the yumminess she had smelled earlier.

Just a few seconds later.... Shelby had found the package that smelled so good. During this time I was reading the note from Carol and realized that inside the purple and green tissue was a plastic baggie with a pig ear in it - Shelby was thrilled, until I took it away (don't worry doods, she gets the pig ear in the end).

Then Shelby proceeded to help me unpack the rest of the items in the box!

Once I pulled out the felt bag that contains the HDA trophy, Shelby instinctively touched the trophy with her nose to officially become one of the many great doodles to have kissed the HDA trophy!

The next item Shelby found and got really excited about is the large Kong tennis ball that squeeks! Shelby loves tennis balls and is constantly bringing them to me so we can play fetch. Here she is showing off her catching skills with the tag still on the ball!

Below is a picture of all the contents of the box (minus the pig ear - it was on the mantel). Some brochures about New Hampshire (I've never been - it sure looks beautiful), the Kong tennis ball, and a pink squeeky loofa toy, some very yummy and sweet maple candies, fun "antler envy" napkins, some country relish, the HDA traveling journal, the HDA trophy and a home made New Hampshire style bandana for Shelby!

One more doodle kiss on the throphy for good measure!

Picture of Shelby and I with the HDA trophy!

Good things come to Doodles who wait..... finally Shelby gets the pig ear!

She immediately went to her large pillow bed and got to work...

I've know for a long time that I am a Hopeless Doodle Addict... Shelby has changed my life in ways I never would have imagined and my life is so much fuller and fun with her in it! But my friends, I don't know if you noticed in the back ground of the 6th photo posted.... some "things" posted on the wall. Yes, it's true - my Doodle holiday cards are still proudly displayed on the wall in the entry way - that my fellow doodle friends is the sign of a true addict - holiday cards still displayed in July!!! My friends love to give me a hard time, but I just can't bear to take them down! Can you find your card?!?

Thank you so much to Carol and Banjo for the thoughtful HDA box you put together... both Shelby and I loved it. I now have the distinct joy and pleasure to pass the fun on to the next person. So stay tuned.... where will the HDA trophy go next?

A very special thank you to Doris (of Doris & Knox) for being the photographer and capturing all the great images as Shelby and I opened the box! I know she's and HDA too... so I was careful not to let her see the journal as she is currently waiting in line to receive the trophy.

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Permalink Reply by Christine & Shelby on July 3, 2012 at 3:43pm

Yes... lots of toys - I think really the problem is I love buying toys for her and she is such a good girl - she doesn't really destroy them... I think I've only thrown two away! :) Spoiled indeed.... there are more in another room that I rotate in!

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Permalink Reply by Janie, Jackson and Jilly on July 3, 2012 at 1:05pm

Congratulations to you! Great photos and treats! Shelby is such a great help!!!

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Permalink Reply by Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*() on July 3, 2012 at 2:18pm

Congratulations and welcome to the HDA Club! Love the pictures and especially watching her enjoy her goodies. Love the grooming too. Very nice

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Permalink Reply by Christine & Shelby on July 3, 2012 at 3:46pm

My Shelby loves the water, swimming, sprinklers, puddle stomping, even playing in the rain! As you know we live in TX which hits the high 80's and 90's in spring and lasts until October. So - she gets shave 3 or 4 times during this time frame. Helps her stay cool (I know some would disagree, but she is significantly more fiesty when trimmed short in the heat) and it helps prevent matting with all the swimming. We spend Saturday mornings at the dog park for 2-3 hours playing fetch.... I throw the ball in the pond... she gets it out. She loves it and I have a pooped doodle for the rest of the day!