Daisy

This year, we had the pleasure of attending the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation banquet in Ontario. This is an amazing fundraiser for the foundation. It consists of a very nice dinner, raffles, games, and auctions. The local banquet is very well organized and fun to attend. During the past couple of years, we have taken Matthew and Peter with us, and they have had a wonderful time. The games are fun for the kids, and the foundation even has a gun donated that is given away to a youth in attendance.

This year, one of the auction items was a seven week old golden retriever/yellow lab puppy. From the moment we walked in the door, Peter fell in love. The puppy was one of the last items to be auctioned off after dinner, so Peter spent much of the evening sitting next to the puppy's kennel talking to her and petting her. Throughout the night, Toby would ask Matthew and Peter if they wanted to play games or buy tickets for raffle items. Their responses were always the same - "No, we would like you to save all of your money for the puppy." At one point during the auction, Toby began bidding on an item that he thought the boys might like, and I thought they were going to cut his arm off so he would stop bidding! They were furious that he would even consider buying anything for them other than the puppy!

Finally, the time came when it was time to auction off "Sage." Toby did not tell the boys that he was going to buy the puppy. Instead, he Toby them that he would have to wait and see. As the bidding began, Toby raised his hand and was in the lead. However, as the price got higher, he decided to stop bidding. At this point, Peter, who was sitting next to Toby, placed his head in his hands on the table. I could tell that he was crying, but did not want anyone else to see. It was so sad that I almost started crying! It obviously affected Toby too because he started bidding again. Peter's head was in his hands though, so he did not know that Toby was back in the lead. Finally, Toby was determined the highest bidder and won the puppy! He leaned over and whispered to Peter that the puppy was his. Peter raised head up and was astonished. He was sure that Toby had stopped bidding early in the auction. When he realized that Toby was telling the truth, he leaned over and gave Toby the biggest, longest bear hug  I think Toby has ever received. Then, I was in tears! It was such a happy moment!

Obviously, Peter spent the rest of the evening with his puppy who he renamed "Daisy." She is such a sweet and adorable puppy and has adapted quite well to our crazy home full of boys! 

Peter, Daisy, and Matthew