Battlefields and Chocolate

Hiyo my pack peeps! We are finally back on line and I am bursting with things to bark about, or I could be bursting because I snuck into the treat drawer last night and tried to eat everything before I was caught. Either way all is good (especially the treats)!

We are in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and there is so much history that happened here you can just feel it vibrating your whiskers. First we stopped at the visitors center and had a little chat with President Lincoln. I wished people would have left treats on his hat instead of pennies. If I sit on a bench and put a hat beside me would people put in treats? Who am I kidding? Those treats would never make it into the hat.

We did a driving tour around the battlefields and learned a lot about the battles that were fought here. It was very sunny out and I got to wear my new shades. What do you think? As always I was a big hit with the crowds and people wanted to take my picture because they had never seen such a good looking fella like me in shades before. The cannon was impressive too and I had to leave my mark on the wheel so everyone who visited after us knew I had been there.

After driving around hearing about the battles and stopping at monuments we finally got to one worth seeing. This monument was for a Pit Bull named Sallie Ann. Well actually it was for the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry but this is about Sallie since she is on the monument and was most heroic. She joined as a 4 week old puppy giving her life to the military and was very loyal to her unit. She had 4 litters of puppies during her service and she would always be back with the men after the puppies were weaned. She marched with her men in many battles, among them the Second Battle of Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Antietam and Chancellorsville, but her most famous performance on the front line came at Gettysburg, where she was credited with keeping many of her soldiers alive and comforted as the battle raged on for days. Colonel Coulter described Sallie's eyes as being "full of fire and intelligence" and many visitors to Gettysburg National Park feel a similar kinship when they see Sallie's battle-weary eyes forever captured in bronze. I know I did. Look at the size of the monument. I think they could have made her life size don't you? Then there would be no doubt who this is memorializing and she should be on the front.

There was just one more monument worth stopping for and this was for the Irish who fought. On their monument is an Irish Wolfhound. They did not have one in battle but they put one on the monument as a symbol of the loyalty and fighting spirit of the Irish. They know how to represent a dog on the front of their monument! Respect!

Gettysburg has monuments all over the place. A pup can run out of pee trying to water all of them - I know because I tried! This one was in the woods behind our campground. I felt sorry for it because it does not get a lot of visitors since it is tucked back into a wooded area and not near the road . I watered it twice, or maybe three times to let it know we appreciated it.

We took a break from all those monuments and visited an orchard in Thurmont, Maryland. There was a bee flying around that caught my attention. My hoomans don't like me chasing after bees. They call them "spicy jalapenos" and tell me not to chase them - something about stinging and having to take me to the vet if I get stung in my mouth. I am not very good at catching them but it gives me something to do. They really did not want me to chase them here because there was something about having to purchase all the flowers that I crushed.

Our next stop was at the State Park and we had a lovely walk in the woods. We walked thru a cool stream that was so fresh I drank from it several times. I don't mind getting my feet wet in a little bit of water like this but the ocean water scares me. Those waves are reaching out to grab me! On our hike we came across an old abandoned still. I don't know what that is but my hoomans thought it was special but assured me that it was not as special as I am.

History and walks in the woods are nice but now it is time to get to the fun! We went to Hershey, Pennsylvania. That was so much fun and I was a big hit there. Of course as soon as we walked into the building I had to announce myself because no one had paid any attention to me and I just can't be quiet when I walk into a building with high ceilings and a lot of people. At one point I had 6 kids loving on me and several times even adults had to get some Rownen loving. I am glad I am a big boy so I had enough petting area for everyone. There was a few times that I was a bigger attraction than all the chocolate and that should tell you how important I am - as if you needed a reminder.

I was not totally thrilled about going on this ride at first but the track was smooth and I smelled peanut butter so I had to sit up and get a good whiff. I think there should have been a stop at that point for a sample - but I know my hoomans would not have shared so it is just as well we kept going.

After seeing these characters I now understand why I was such an attraction. Who wants to pet those? You can't even cuddle with them let alone take a bite or want to lick them. Really, who in this picture are you attracted to? I know all the kids standing in line for their photo op wanted to follow me when we left. I don't even know why my hoomans wanted me to get my picture here. Sometimes I just don't understand them.

After my hoomans bought way more chocolate than they should have, I tried to point out to them that if they did not want me to eat chocolate there was Reese's peanut butter in a jar for sale (which they blatantly ignored), we went on a trolly ride around the town. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the town and made it a fun tour with lots of stories and passed around more chocolate. I advised her for the next time a pocket full of dog cookies would be a good idea.

My job on the trolly was to make sure when the chocolate was passed around that everyone got a piece - except me of course. Every now and again I had to give a stern look to someone who was not passing the basket and taking more than they should. I know I was not getting any but I took my job seriously.

The last stop for this trip was at a Renaissance Faire. This was a great day. I finally got the respect I deserved. I was called Sir Rownen. Just about everyone we met bowed and greeted me. Even the others from my nation noticed that I was important except for one who kept trying to challenge me. If my hoomans would have let me get closer I would have been happy to pee on him and that would have settled that little Court Jester.

I don't know why my hoomans keep taking pictures of me in small villages. They must think it is funny about a giant dog invading a village. Well, whatever the reason it is quite humiliating for a dog of my status.

These lovely ladies knew how to treat a dog of my stature. As soon as we got to their shop they welcomed me right in an I ran inside and made myself comfortable. I was very happy to stay in their shop for a while and greet their customers until they started talking about putting clothes on me. My hoomans had already tried to find a crown for me to wear but who needs a silly headpiece to get the respect I deserve? Not I!

I am so glad that I was finally able to start to tell you just a little of what has happen during our travels. There is lots more on the way. I did not want you to overdose on too much of a good thing just as we are getting back into our adventures. Speaking of getting back into too much of a good thing, I am headed to that treat drawer. I hope it has been restocked.

Until next time - tail wags and doggie kisses, Rownen out.