Wild Animal Expo

 After the beach, the adventures just kept rolling in...there was the botanical garden trip that ended up in a downpour of rain

and the horses in the forest that got away from their owners and they met us in the park, but that didn't deter us from wanting to experience--I mean what is life if you're just couching it? So when we heard that a Wild Animal Expo was happening in town, we were sure to pack up early and head out to attend.  Though a storm was brewing, we had decided that some was better than none and we would just go and stay until the event was rained out.  However, much to our delight, the storm skirted us and never rained on our parade so we spent the entire day meeting animals and learning new things about them.  

The day began with a dog show, but not like a "who's the best looking dog" show, it was more of a demonstration of skill. The handler was showing us what her flushing and retrieving dogs could do.  She even used a real pigeon for her dog to catch and retrieve (that offended a lot of audience members but it was really a great display of skill in both dog and trainer).  We were able to have some Q & A time with the trainer, which seemed to inspire us al to do more with our hounds.  We also were able to visit each of her eight dogs present--they were all so cute and sweet!  

After the dog show was a reptile show filled with snakes, turtles, and toads.  After presenting facts about the animals from stage, the presenters invited the kids and families to go inside and have some close up visits with creatures they had on hand.  We saw armadillos, hedgehogs, a macaw, ducks, spiders, snakes--just to name a few. Then we cruised by the mobile bass tank and took in fishing lessons.   Riley was delighted! 

The bird show was next--actually is was more of a raptor display.  The handler had owls, falcons, eagles, vultures even to educate us on and show off.  At the end of the show, we even had the opportunity to hold an Eurasian Eagle Owl--such a thrill! 

One of my favorite shows was the Dock Dog trials.  Dogs came to see who could jump the highest and the farthest over a pool of water.  The stunts these dogs could pull was impressive!  The record for vertical height, we learned, is eight feet ten inches.  While we were there, the best jump we saw was four feet 10 inches by a Whippet--whoo doggie! 

In between shows we took time to rest from the heat, rehydrate, play a little corn hole, and tour RVs and Jeeps, and enjoy fair type foods (think funnel cake).  

Pretty soon, the day was closing in on dinner time and it was time to load up and head home.  Though there was a medical emergency while we were there, we had no part in it and the police and EMTs were quick to assist.  Happily, we just got to have fun.  :-)