Before the break of dawn on April 25th I thought I would be cramming my beach paraphernalia into the back of the Doodle Bus headed North to Dewey, DE for the Annual Doodles in Dewey Beach Spring Event…
photo courtesy of doodlesindewey.com
I regret to inform you I will miss this years event because Mr. Jaxson Teller Bennett #thatshisname will not have completed his round of puppy vaccinations. I asked Doodle Doc and she said he cannot go!
Well over 100 Doodles romping around the beach is 99 too many for him to be exposed to at this time. #understood #doctorsorders #wontgowithouthim
photo courtesy of doodlesindewey.com
This is a fund raiser and 2015 marks their 10th Anniversary. I cannot lie, I was looking forward to seeing Amy Scott and the rest of the gang again as they celebrate this milestone.
It was Amy, and her wonderful story that inspired me to certify both Harley and Leo as Therapy Dogs.
Grab your coffee, and continue to read –
Doodles in Dewey can only be described as a labor of love that started as a fundraiser to help others. It began when a Therapy Doodle named “Arlo” befriended a young man dying of AIDS. He was a teacher, counselor as well as a dog lover. “Food & Friends” would supply his meals, and Arlo would supply all the affection.
It is in loving memory of this young man that Amy Scott, her warmhearted Arlo, along with a few others started this annual fund raiser back in 2005 in support of the “Food and Friends” Organization.
So every year – on the last weekend in April, Doodles and their pet parents check into participating hotels along the beach. Then, both humans and doods assemble early Saturday morning for the official meet and great with their feet/paws in the sand…
photo courtesy of doodlesindewey.com
The doods romp and play all day long in and out of the water…
photo courtesy of doodlesindewey.com
You can order lunch or dine on your own and at the end the day meet up at Sharkey’s (Doodles allowed on the porch) for “Yappy Hour” while watching the sun set over the Atlantic Oceanside…
photo courtesy of doodlesindewey.com
Doodles are also welcome at the Lazy Susan Restaurant for dinner later that evening in the screened in porch area.
Sunday morning some will return to the beach for an informal romp before heading home.
It is so much Doodle fun, it’s Doodletastic! #fursure…
I remember my excitement back in 2013. I couldn’t fathom a bunch of leash-less Doodles (to include runaway Harley) on the beach together. But let me tell you – it was A-mazing!
Try to envision more than 160 Doodles running wild. Just being free. Doodles of various sizes and colors racing through the sand, sliding into the water after tossed balls…
photo courtesy of doodlesindewey.com
It was easy to detect I was a newbie back in 2013. I carried entirely too much stuff with me.
In my defense – I had never done anything like this before – and had no idea what to expect. Therefore we looked the part. We dragged folding chairs, a cooler with water, diet drinks, poop bags, baby wipes, hand sanitizer #why? microwaved hamburgers wrapped in aluminum foil, #sotacky and a few snacks.
I brought towels, an extra pair of flip flops, and my husband dragged his kite along. #welookedcrazy
We never ate a thing, never sat down, and why I brought towels to the beach vs. leaving them in the car I’ll never know. What we did use the most were the travel water bowls. In the course of about four hours, they went through more than 7 bottles of water! #goDasani…
April weather in the Spring is absodoodletutely pawfect! Not too hot and a doodlelicious breeze all day long. They ingested way more salt water and sand then they should have, so a bland diet was in order the very next day 🙁
All in all the experience was magical and memorable. With the view of doodles and pet parents as far as the eye could see, I’m sure Amy and her friends were able to make a sizable donation to the “Food & Friends” Organization.
Information about this years event, “how to” donate should you feel so inspired, as well as photos galore from past years can be found on their website. www.doodlesindewey.com
I shall miss them next weekend and I will think of them often throughout the day. Congratulations to all who have worked so tirelessly for the past 10 years making this such a success. We will be with you in spirit this year, but God willing, we’ll be there in the “fur” next year!
Operation #happyfeet Shoe Drive this weekend.
Thank you so much for reading and please – share us with your friends!
April 17, 2015
Mom is imagining 150 GBGV’s loose on a beach…the beach would be empty in about 5 mins and the hounds nowhere to be seen. Can’t let us off leash as we would be off hunting in a huge pack! Too bad you can’t go. You could go and make it a special outing with just Harley and mom. It is always hard for Mom to leave any of us behind, but it is a good thing to do so we learn to operate on our own and we get 1 on 1 time with Mom.
April 19, 2015
Emma, I think you all would stay and play in the water. I have some special outings planned with Harley already, but there is no one in the family available to puppy sit Jax and I don’t want to board him alone when he’s so young. Next year will be here before we know it and the Boys and I will be there for sure!
April 17, 2015
So sorry you will not be there. Libby and I would love to meet you – perhaps next year! XOXOXO
April 19, 2015
Oh My Doodle – Robin are you going? Now I’m bummed again! Have a blast, give Amy a hug for me, and tell me all about it!
April 17, 2015
It sounds like Doodle heaven! I know how you feel though. I get to stay home more than I’d like because, well kids, ya know. I guess young doodles are no different!
April 19, 2015
Ann, two legs or four – you’ve got to go with your heart. It’s a busy time and my kids aren’t available to puppy sit so I’m going to forego it this year. Next year – that’s another story 🙂 #Ihope
April 17, 2015
Oh. My. Gosh. Doodlemania!!!! I so wish I was near Dewey beach, we would go in a heartbeat. All of those doodles in one place — be still my heart. There is Doodlepalooza in Vail every year, but it always conflicts with a work retreat that I have to attend. What a fabulous event. You shall be there next year, I am sure!!!
April 19, 2015
Deirdre it’s an indescribable experience that’s for sure. I’m okay with the decision I’ve made, and I will have a blast with both my boys next year!
April 19, 2015
What a fabulous event, and for a good cause to boot! It is too bad you can’t go this year, but I guess social lives do suffer when there’s a puppy in the house. 🙂 I have no doubt you’ll do everything you can to make it next year!
April 19, 2015
JanK – it blew my mind the first time I went! I was so honored when they contacted me and asked me to write the featured story for them too! I’m bummed but to leave Jax (and there are no family members available) would break my heart – so I’ll have to pass this year.
April 20, 2015
What fun. When I lived in DC, we used to go to Rehoboth almost every weekend. Dewey was a great party town, so we’d spend the evenings there 😉 Hope those doodles know how to party.
April 20, 2015
Oh – the doodles party like it’s a rock concert!
April 22, 2015
Next year as a family we’ll all go. It looks like a blast. And Jax will be ready to swim by then.
April 22, 2015
I have a feeling Jax will be swimming in the next few weeks! Folly Beach here we come 🙂