Casino Night!

It's the event everyone is talking about: Alison Aiken's final fundraiser to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Here's the deal:

As many readers of this blog (and Alison's fans) already know, Alison has spent the last several months training like a mad-woman for an Olympic distance triathlon -- the Mooseman -- to be held in Bristol, NH in June. She is participating with Team in Training and has pledged to raise $2800 in support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. While most mortals spent the winter huddled around heaters and woodstoves, Alison has been out getting herself in killer shape and at the same time raising money for cancer research, which, as we all know, continues to claim and affect lives every day. Thank goodness some people like Alison and her TnT teammates are out there doing something about it... thanks to her hard work and the generosity of many people who have already donated, she has raised $1800 so far. Wow.

As a final push to reach her fundraising goal, Alison has announced "Casino Night" at Casa Aiken on Friday, May 21 at 6pm. Tickets are $20. Tickets are good for entry, refreshments, and -- most importantly -- CHIPS! People will furiously participate in different card and dice games -- or, for those who don't like cards or dice -- ping pong! At the end of the evening, an accounting will take place. Those with the most chips at the end win crazy prizes from places like Evolution Physical Therapy and Yoga, PetraCliffs Climbing Center, and many more.

I know what you are thinking. You are asking "How do I get a ticket!" Here's how:
1) Post a comment on this blog or email Alison regarding how many tickets you need.
2) Click here for Alison's TnT fundraising website to purchase your tickets -- $20 per ticket.
3) Tell all your friends!
4) Pick up your tickets, come to Casino Night, retrieve your chips, and start winning!

For now, join the rest of the world in wondering about the big questions: Will Alison pull out her Las Vegas showgirl outfit for the night? Will pit boss Mark rule the tables with an iron fist? Will Oscar the dog leave the refreshments alone? And, of course, the biggest question of all: who will be the big winner???

Contact Alison for questions about Casino Night!

A Good Buddy

Hydrating at the summit of Camel's Hump
Hold everything. I need to say a few words about my good buddy Rufus. This dog had it all. Acres and acres of woods to run through. Pheasants hiding in cornfields. Turkeys in rolling hayfields. A human buddy who loved nothing more than taking him on hikes -- with pockets full of dog cookies. Rufus showed up 14 years ago, a Brittany Spaniel puppy, and he was a great friend to his people from the minute he stepped foot in the door.

Rufus has been a great friend and mentor to me my entire life. I hope that, in my youthful enthusiasm, I wasn't too in-his-face at times. If yes, he was far too considerate to ever mention it. Anyway, he joined me a couple years ago -- as a 12-year-old Brittany -- on a hike to the top of Camel's Hump. There was a whole group of really special friends and family who made the hike that day, a beautiful and crisp September day -- the kind that make you realize that summer is fading and another Vermont winter is on its way, even if a couple months off. I have to tell you, I am really glad that Rufus made the hike that day. We had such a great time! And despite his advancing age even back then, not once did I worry about him scrambling over rocks or tiring out. (If anything, it was his human that I was watching!)

Rufus was always light-footed, light-hearted, and always a great buddy. Once in awhile, there are dogs who -- just by being born -- make the world a better place. Rufus was definitely one of them.

We'll miss you, Rufus. Thanks for being our buddy.