Ragley is ONE- and we had a Pawty!

[Stephanie and Ragley]

It's hard for me to believe that last Thursday, September 18 marked a whole year since I anxiously opened the very first picture of Ragley and her newborn litter mates all snuggled up to her mom. I spent endless hours staring at that single picture, wondering which one would be mine and hoping ardently that my breeder would post more pictures. Oh, how far I have come!

There are no words that can adequately describe just how much she has touched my life. I am a total crazy dog lady and I wear it proudly, but I swear if you met Ragley you wouldn't blame me for a single minute! She is my best friend and I know many of you will know exactly how I feel.

I have been really wanting to get involved with helping DRC, but having just started my first "real" job, I do not have the means to provide shelter or money myself quite yet. SO- Ragley and I decided that her birthday would be the perfect opportunity to have a pawesome birthday party to help doodles in need and thus Ragley's Birthday Benefit Pawty was born!

We had about 16 doodles (and others) out to a wonderful pasture this past Saturday to celebrate, play, and raise some money for DRC! Many of our favorite companies graciously donated a plethora of amazing products to use for goodie bags for each of the dogs in attendance, three stellar raffle baskets, and enough leftover for a great donation to the next DRC auction!

It was so much fun to see all the fluffy doodles chasing each other about and playing until they all collapsed! Some of the owners were a little skeptical at first, I think, but everyone was ready to plan another romp for the following year by the end! All in all, we were able to raise $366 dollars to donate to DRC and, although that may not go far, Ragley and I hope that it can make a difference for at least one doodle who is not as fortunate as all of our our own! Even if not to benefit DRC, I encourage everyone to try to attend or plan a doodle romp in your area- it was a wonderful experience that I am excited to hopefully recreate in the future!

Here are some of the highlights!

[GBK]

Happy Happy Birthday Ragley!!!  What a fun party!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Happy 1st Birthday, Ragley! It looks like you had a blast at your party! Thank you (and your mom) for celebrating your birthday by helping doodles who aren't as blessed in the home and family department! 

[Carol and Banjo]

Ragley, Banjo has a major crush on you...and so do I! What a wonderful way to celebrate your first year. Happy Birthday!!!!

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Happy 1st Birthday beautiful Ragley!  What a great way to celebrate your birthday.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

What a great first year. It has been so nice to have you as an active and wonderful DK member.

Happy Birthday to you both!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Great idea and it looks like a happy time was had by all while making another doodle's life a little happier too.

Happy Birthday beautiful girl!

[Nancy and Georgia Brown]

I was waiting for the birthday email or blog since I know she is one week older than Georgia... hard to believe it's been a year.

What a clever and generous way to celebrate her birthday. I'm glad it was such a success.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Wow!  What a wonderful idea and great Birthday for Ragley!   Happy Birthday sweet Ragley and it looks like you definitely had a great time will all your Doodles friends and their families!  Stephanie I love the pictures and how very nice to help out DRC! What a generous donation too!  It was truly a "happy" Birthday!

[Becka]

I think this was a wonderful way to celebrate Ragley! Love the pictures!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Happy Birthday, Ragley. I cannot believe it has been one year already. What a kind and generous way to celebrate Ragley's birthday!!