Dedicated to my Fluffy Family

The next edition of the Figtionary will be lovingly dedicated to the members of my Fluffy Family who made my first National a vacation that will be remembered for a long time. As I thought about my trip there, questions came to mind. Will all of them be as much fun as they seemed on the net? What exactly will I be doing on this vacation? Will I be in the way if others are showing their dogs and I had questions or would I feel out of place if they were busy? Many, many questions... Reassurances from Michelle and Joyce helped but the actual event turned out to be much more than I ever thought it could be.

From day one - all of us felt like we had walked into family and the feeling stayed with us long after we had gone home. For that one short week, Tooneytown was a reality and it was even more wonderful than any of us would have imagined. My only problem now is to try to fit 26 hours into a 24 hour day now that I have so many more fluffies that I want to talk to! Thanks guys!

Ann - Now beneath her gruff exterior - is a gruff exterior (Ann, I won't blow your cover, won't ruin your reputation - that you've worked mighty hard to keep, I might add!! Nope, no one will find out from me that you have a heart of gold and are an ole softy. Your secret's safe with me!! Shhh!)

AnnaMarie - To my roomie. Had a great time looking at ALL 3 albums!! worth of pictures of your human and fluffy family. And I just know that had I brought 10 of my own albums, you would have gladly looked at mine, too. Right, AnnaMarie? Right? AnnaMarie? Oh, I just know you would have!! So glad I had the time to get to know you.

Cindy - I'm SO glad I got a chance to meet you!! The niece was just as wonderful in person as she in on the list. She does have one major fault however - DON'T tell Cindy any sad stories. She'll have you bawling in a matter of minutes!! And Cindy? Good luck with Valet!!

Cyndi - Well, what's to say about Cyndi. Well, one big thank you, that's for sure!! Yes thanks for dinner Cyndi. However, I do feel that I will be investigating a new personal development course which I will definitely sign you up for. What course is that? Why - Fractions for Everyone - of course. This will allow you the ability of dividing all dinner checks in your head with the speed of a slide rule. Not that we didn't appreciate dinner, mind you. But if you ever run short and we DO understand, you can let all of us know exactly how much we each needed to pay for our own way. And Cyndi, you did a marvelous job of keeping tract of Gael I just might add. SO glad that you were with us and I finally got the chance to get to know you!

Elly - All I can say is - What to go Elly!!! You represented the Fluffies admirably!! It was so exciting to see your runoff with Sandy and to say - gee I know her!! (G) We all need to hear more from you!! And Elly - since I didn't really get a chance to tell you - I was berry good and listened to your concerns.. Only used the charge card once... Now wasn't I a good girl? Congratulations again, Elly!!

Gael - Well have to admit that Gael handled her entourage of fluffies with all the efficiency that befits the Guru's status. She was able to keep the proper measure of propriety and decorum needed to be exhibited by the fluffies and maintained order at all times. NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And Gael.. You are absolutely right! With your red hair you looked positively Lucy!! LOL!!

Joanie - Unbelievably, the Webbie is even more wonderful in person than she is on the list. Don't get her mixed up with SMMR - she's nothing like that! (Um, still rubbing my sore arm.......) Well, maybe most of the time, anyway! Anyone that has the chance to meet the Webbie and misses the opportunity is a fool. This is one great lady.. And thanks again Webbie for trusting in me and giving me the encouragement to set up the 'Chelle doll page and the Traveling Fluffies page for all of us! I'm having a great time with this!! Just wanted to let you know that in case you didn't. LOL!!

Joyce - The Diplomat extended her talents showing us how berry, berry efficient things can become with a minimum of organization. This included both people, clothing and animals. As far as I know, Joyce NEVER lost a person. Due to this talent, Joyce was instrumental in keeping things tidy in her room at all times. Now, I'm sure that in time Michelle will forgive her for all the things that Joyce put away which she could no longer find but that had to be countered with the new and improved living arrangements which were acquired!

Kathy - Wow, what a surprise, but a nice surprise, I might add, this turned out to be! Sure enough, the used to be quiet fluffster is NO LONGER QUIET! Really enjoyed her company! And she was berry, berry informative. Just think, if it weren't for Kathy I would still be scratching my head, and raising my eyes to the heavens saying - now WHY does everyone else know who won, but me!! Thanks Kathy, for letting me be a "little" less clueless when it comes to dog shows!!

Kerry - Nice meeting you and your family. Sorry the time together with you the all the fluffies was so short - just hope our craziness didn't scare your family TOO much! LOL!!

Kirstie - Hm, my constant sidekick! Thanks Kirstie for being a good friend and so much fun to be around. And now that you have decided to keep Riley - a fact that all of us obviously knew you were going to do but you. And, I have NO doubt that you have another whirling dervish dog, just like Gizmo - if the condition you left that poor, poor puppy at the National is any indication of how you can take a mild mannered dog and turn it into a wild, but berry, berry 'playful' puppy!! Hm, I'm still trying to figure out how you did this - especially since you slept so much of the National away (VBEG)!

Liz - This was the first time I had met Liz and all I can remember about her is her laugh. I guess that was easy to do since we all did alot of laughing that week. If laughing is supposed to add years to your life, we all did enough laughing and giggling that week to live many lifetimes. Um, Kathy - in your case, I think you're gonna live to be as old as Methuselah!! Glad I got the chance to meet you Liz!

Michelle - To our ringleader and organizer a great big thank you!! I learned many things from Michelle least of all is that it IS possible to clicker train anything - 'Chelle doll was beautifully trained in one evening - now Michelle you really should have carried the clicker around all the time. She wouldn't have been in as much trouble if you did!! Thanks Michelle, I had a great time!!

Mary, Paula, Ann, Sue, and Betty- Our adopted fluffies - hope that they enjoyed our company as much as we enjoyed theirs. Finally they can now put faces to the names they have to listen to anyway - so might as well know who we are!!

Lacey, Tommy - To our fluffies in training (FIT) - SOOO glad that I got the chance to meet you and talk to you at dinner quite a few nights. I do think that you have taken your training seriously and are showing great promise to become full fledged fluffies in no time flat!

And last but certainly not least -

To Trav, Della Brat, Rutie, Elly, Jenna and Emma who were always so ready, willing and able to cuddle when I missed my two guys so much. You were terrific!!

Well guys - hope you enjoy your album. It was definitely a labor of love along with putting together the pages for the Web (which in theory should look alot like your albums). Hope to see many of you next year in Tucson along with many other new Fluffies -

JulieB

OFH - Official Fluffy Historian