[Kevin Canning]

So I just came across some old photos I have from a contest we did maybe 2 years ago.

The rules were simple, just send in a photo of yourself wearing something purchased from us and I offered a gift certificate to the winners.

Well since we don't get nearly enough photos on the forum of people actually wearing pearls I thought I'd share a few of the better ones.

[Mikeyy]

Well its like this. Its only me and the dog here.....woof woof....Huh what? OK just a minute. I think we have a model. What a ham.

[pattye]

Now there is one delighted model!! What are you bribing him with???? I've seen that look before! He gets my vote!

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

[Ashley]

Kevin- that is a FANTASTIC idea!!! I am surprised you did not receive more entries- maybe you should up the ante and offer up dinner for two or something, but I really can't think of a better way to put SUCH a personal touch on your site!

Mikeyy- what is your dog wearing, and why isn't it around my neck? Lol... Seriously, that pooch looks pretty happy! I would be too!

[Mikeyy]

Originally Posted by pattye

Now there is one delighted model!! What are you bribing him with???? I've seen that look before! He gets my vote!

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time

Just say Cheetos.LOL

[GemGeek]

<sigh> what a cutie-pie!

[Nerida]

Kevin, the photos are gorgeous. I think the girl in the second photo just looks amazing in her pearls! Pearls on skin are just so so lovely. BTW who won?

Mikeyy - love your dog. I definitely have a soft spot for GSP's! What a gorgeous, alert looking puppy he/she is! We have a beautiful 2 year old weimaraner here whom my daughter regularly decorates with pearls! Mmm should take a photo...

[Mikeyy]

Five or six years ago I read a business article that said they had found that putting an animal on the label of your wine would increase sales 10%. Now every other bottle has some critter on it. But if it works for wine......

And Narida. I was fooled. My first GSP was a smart, gentle, quiet well behaved dog. I thought that was the norm. Ha Ha Ha Briar has already damned near killed me. Last winter he ran out on the ice on the Mississippi to chase some geese. And he fell through. By the time I spotted him he was already exhausted and couldn't get out. So its not like I'm brave but I couldn't just stand there and watch him sink. So I started out on to the ice. And ya know I almost made it. Then we were both in the ice water about 40 yards out. Long story short we made it.
We were both standing in the hot shower trying to warm back up. When we got out I bent down to dry him right when he decided to jump up to greet me. Boom, right between the eyes. It almost knocked me out. I fell back in to the shower And I had a bump on my forehead the size of a golf ball.
Its a love hate relationship. But I'm committed. Or ought to be.

[jerin]

That I call LOVE! Seriously though you both were really lucky! Did you get some assistance from people while in the water or did you manage to get out on your own and get Briar out as well without him getting into another hole?

[Nerida]

Originally Posted by Mikeyy

And Narida. I was fooled. My first GSP was a smart, gentle, quiet well behaved dog. I thought that was the norm. Its a love hate relationship. But I'm committed. Or ought to be.

Mikeyy - this sounds like me and my sons - first one quiet, well behaved etc. The rest follows for the second one!

Seriously- I really do love largish dogs, and your story definitely made me laugh! Our gorgeous weimaraner thinks she is a lapdog - all 40 or so kg or her - she is always knocking me over, pushing me off balance, or sitting upright on my lap - lucky she hates water (weird for a weimaraner) and there's no ice here!

[Mikeyy]

Originally Posted by jerin

That I call LOVE! Seriously though you both were really lucky! Did you get some assistance from people while in the water or did you manage to get out on your own and get Briar out as well without him getting into another hole?

No, I was on my own. I had a friend at the house. But it was 25 degrees out so he couldn't hear me. And to tell the truth after running in the snow for 10 minutes looking for him it had me pretty winded before I actually saw him. And one thing that I learned about icey water is that it constricts your lungs.
After I fell in with him I grabbed Briar by the neck and shoved him up on to the ice. But every time I would try to pull myself up it would break. And we were both in again. It kept going like that until my feet could touch the bottom. I was finally out. But I still had to trek a few hundred yards through the snow soaking wet. And with about half the air you need.
Its funny that you watch the news and see stories like this and think to yourself. "What a moron that guy is. Drowning for a dog" And that was my first thought when the ice broke.LOL

[Mikeyy]

Originally Posted by Nerida

Mikeyy - this sounds like me and my sons - first one quiet, well behaved etc. The rest follows for the second one!

Seriously- I really do love largish dogs, and your story definitely made me laugh! Our gorgeous weimaraner thinks she is a lapdog - all 40 or so kg or her - she is always knocking me over, pushing me off balance, or sitting upright on my lap - lucky she hates water (weird for a weimaraner) and there's no ice here!

I've been saying that I own the worlds largest lap dog. It looks like Briar will have to give up the title. We'll settle for largest in North America.

[Ashley]

That is an amazing story Mikeyy- you both are pretty lucky! I know how it is though- I had two of the best dogs ever growing up- German Shephard mixes and they were my best friends. I was always tromping around in the woods with them, snow and summer, and if anything like that happened, I would have dove right in after either one of them too (not that we didn't have our share of adventures! Lions and bears and snakes, oh my!). Needless to say, I was a dirty, curly haired ruffian of a little girl lol

[Mikeyy]

People love their pets. Look at Michael Vick. When he was arrested I heard a guy on ESPN say he thought it was no big deal. And that Vick would be playing football the next year. I don't think he understood how angry people can get over mistreatment of an animal. I can put up with a bunch of bad behavior. But if you hurt an animal and I'm within reach. Oh listen to me....Tough guy. LOL

Back to pearl photos...

[jerin]

Just my feelings - I feel terrible when hearing about some animal being mistreated by some brainless human and if I would see anyone do something bad to an animal I surely would not just stand by...