It’s that time of year again everyone, can you believe it?! Well almost that is as summer will be upon us in no time flat. Our yearly Grand Reunion is coming up soon!
Our ‘Sea of White’ is a spectacular yearly event that brings us all together in one place to romp, roll, play, mingle, catch up, visit and let the ‘kids’ play with their brothers, sisters, littermates and all other past Hoekema pups. Anyone who has, is anticipating or even thinking of bringing in a Hoekema pup is invited to this grand event. Bring your family, friends and other family dogs of course. We’d love to see as many of you as possible! For the ones that are awaiting a new pup, it gives these families a chance to visit with others who already have gone through the puppy stage so it opens up the opportunity for these families to connect and share their experiences. Past reunions have been spectacular with at times over 20 white blurs flashing past in every direction. Dogs swimming, people chatting and fur a swapping has been nothing short of phenomenal.
I pondered to no end where to have this event this year. Sniff spots were investigated, parks were visited and many other options were on the table. It was near impossible to have the combo of a fenced area, water for swimming, room for parking all in one perfect central location. I kept coming back to a gem in my very own home town. Not to mention that with my girls all probably having pups this summer somewhat close together I need to stay close to home.
With just as many families north now as south, it’s a great option. Not to mention the drive North these days is so much nicer than driving South. Right here in Arlington we have a dog park on the river that’s tucked and somewhat hidden off to the side of a general park. It’s incredibly low traffic for people and dogs and quaint and quiet as it gets. Plenty of parking and easy to find. It has a smaller fenced in off leash area with a few agility obstacles for the dogs to check out. Picnic tables and a wide-open grassy spot for families to visit and chat. It has a large covered area just in chance the Washington rains come in. And then a short 4 minute walk leads down to the river where we can entice the dogs to go for a dip. Bring your long lead lines for river safety as we never know how high the water level will be.
Hoekema Homestead Goldens Yearly Reunion
Sat. July 12th @ 12 noon
Haller Park
1100 West Ave, Arlington, WA 98223
Walk under the blue park entryway that says ‘EAGLE TRAIL’ continue under the overpass.
12 noon we will gather, visit, let the pups romp on the obstacles, take a somewhat organized chaotic group photo and watch our ‘sea of white’ flash before our eyes.
1pm we will all stroll together down to the river to see how many pooches will take the dive into the Stillaguamish River.
2pm we will re gather at the main fenced in open area, welcome anyone arriving late, have a chance to play some more and visit a touch longer.
3pm we will wrap things up for the day and head out.
Feel free to bring goodies for dogs and humans to share.
Wear your flashiest bandana to make sure your humans bring home the correct white dog! Looking forward to seeing you all!
Here are the photos of the park for easy visual directions.
The energy around here on the Homestead is cranked to the nine. Fur flies in every direction, legs race full speed, scruffs get pulled on extensively and everyone is ‘riding’ everyone! Pre seasonal activities are definitely in full swing! Meiko is thoroughly annoying everyone with these pre seasonal 'activities' so she gives everyone a break now and again and has a good roll in the sand. Goofy girl!
In between the running, rodd'n, 'riding' and romping I get plenty of snuggles from everyone. Never ends really which really, who would want it to anyway.
Half the families on my Meiko list are ecstatic that she's holding off on her cycle this time round a touch as it lines up perfectly right after a couple of main vacation plans that they have. But then the other half are chomping at the bit to get this show on the road. I switch out my days having chats with Meiko about each of these families and I have her look up at me with a complete half crazed and confused look on her face as if to say, "How am I supposed to do that?!" You aren't my darling girl, you aren't. I give her a scratch and pat her each time her paw comes out demanding attention even though I know I really shouldn't do that. I fall for it every time. How could I not with those eyes!?!
I try not to think of the complications...challenges ahead as my girls once again are obviously compressing together their cycle times. The 3 bottles of hormone balancers I had Meiko on are running out and time ticks on. There's only so much I can do to support and encourage mother nature. In the end there's a plan totally out of my control. It's my job to embrace it in whatever timeframe it is offered to me in.
I also have our young'n Neema passing her 9 mth mark so I have no doubt that she is also adding to the buzz and whir of hormones in the air around here. Lovely and grand for sure! Poor Tonk is going to be going a bit bonkers around here in no time. He's doing his job like a champ though assessing each girl as he should. We've got this boy....right?...right. I've got your back and I know he always has mine.
Thank you to all the families who have come out this week to visit the dogs. They immensely enjoyed having visitors and I enjoyed having the opportunity to show you a piece of my heaven on earth. We all send out our very best to you all!