August 23, 2011

White Dog was out in the yard when she heard Nuka and I whooping in excitement; she dashed in to be stopped by an Eskie traffic jam in the office doorway as Quinn, YoYoMa and Puff all were headed to also find out what our ruckus was about. Nuka continued to yip and twirl in excitement until finally TOWD pushed past her to ask me, "What's up?" WD growled to quiet her sister so that everyone could hear my answer.



"We have our first TWO signups for the 2MillionDog Puppy Up Walk that are not people we know," I said. "And...?" Quinn looked perplexed. "No, you don't get it! Our posters or fliers or something is WORKING! These are strangers not friends or people that we personally talked into joining us."



"Momma," White Dog began gently and she gave the signal for the rest of the WDA to lovingly surround me. "You are hoping to get 250 people to come out and Walk with us to end cancer. Do you REALLY think you are going to know them all?" "It is OK if you don't know every single pup and person there, momma," Puff added.



"You guys, I know these are the first of many people I won't know to sign up but that is my point. These are the first! It means our Event is not going to be like a Sweet Sixteen Party where only your relatives attend!" "What's a Sweet Sixteen Party," YoYoMa whispered to White Dog.



"This is so exciting to me that I was going to call Dad and suggest a celebration dinner, but if you are all so blase about this omen of success, then never mind." "Well, let's not be hasty." Quinn said, "I think if this is important to you then we should all stand behind you and make a celebration tonight." "I think TOWD's right, let's get something special for dinner!" chimed in YoYoMa and the others concurred. "I think you are just humoring me to get something special for dinner," I replied pouting. "No, really, we are happy for these signups and we are sure that many many many many more will follow..." sang the WDA.



"Stop!" I said, reaching for the phone. Steve was as thrilled as I was. And EVERYONE was in a festive party mood when he came home with big luscious fried shrimps, clam strips and catfish from our local fish shack.



"Here's to 250 more strangers just waiting to join our fight" Puff toasted before swallowing a clam strip. "And to the biggest celebration of all...the day when we beat cancer completely," White Dog cheered. One THAT day, I promised, you will all eat the steak of your choice (with a side salad for Yo).