At the other end of the pool, Piper Almandinger was organizing the group for water races. Midget immediately stepped forward and claimed Burberry D’ Ascemzo, Ace Graves, Megan, and Pee Wee for her team, then promptly dubbed them the “Water Warriors” !! Sadie Brown announced the creation of the “Wet Wizards” and selected Molly and Maggie Kimbell, Avery Murphy, and Willow Donnelly as her teammates. Mickey Allen stepped forward, and immediately chose Guiness, Fiona, KayCee Donnelly, and Maggie Livingston as the brave members of the “Steely-eyed Swamp Demons” !!! The scottie and westie crowd gathered around the sides of the Olympic-sized wading pool as Piper set down the rules for the contest. Jubilee, a lab, having been disqualified due to her “unfair advantage in the water”, was chosen to be the official judge of the race. The teams were told that it was to be a relay race, and that each member of the team had to wade the entire distance of the pool, then return, to tag the next member of their team to enter the pool. The first team to complete the relay would be declared the winner.

The crowd began cheering, as Midget, Sadie, and Mickey took their places at the far end of the pool. Jubilee checked each racer for a fair start, then blew the whistle. Water began churning as the wee terriers began wading through the water, their short legs turning the water to a white froth, as they bared their teefers, each determined to be the winner of this event. The race was evenly matched, with each pup giving it their best efforts. But, gradually, Sadie began to pull away from the other two, and was clearly widening the distance between the teams. This was more than Midget could tolerate. Suddenly she leaped forward, grabbed Sadie’s shoestring bathing suit and began tying her to the ropes at the side of the pool ! The “Wet Wizards” immediately jumped into the pool, and raced to the defense of their team captain. The “Water Warriors” , not to be outdone, also joined the fray, followed closely by the “Steely-eyed Swamp Demons”.

All three teams began thrashing around in the water, splashing water into their opponents faces. The crowd at the pool’s edge immediately chose sides and joined the chaos in the pool. The pool was transformed into a frenzied, white-water froth, as dozens of terriers splashed and dunked each other. Seeing a new adventure, Chak, Emmitt Bad Boy, and Pagan threw themselves into the melee, taking advantage of the chance to chew on unprotected tails or tugging on convenient whiskers.

At the side of the pool, Ty looked over at Dom and smiled broadly. As Jubilee raced over, concern on her face, Ty and Dom reassured her. This was ONE battle royal that could NOT result in any injury to their beloved terriers. They agreed to “sit this one out”…….and strolled over to the great oak, leaned back with their paws behind their heads, and watched the entertainment in the pool. Dom commented on the splashing skills of the “Steely-eyed Swamp Demons” and predicted their victory. Ty and Jubilee also chose teams, and after making a “friendly wager” on the outcome, they sat back and began cheering their chosen teams.

It was Ace Graves who first noticed………with the exception of the 5 pups quietly floating in the shade at the other end of the pool, ALL 75 pups were in the pool for the battle royal, EXCEPT the three giant guardians lounging under the oak, laughing at the bedlam in the pool. Quickly , he gathered the terriers together, and began whispering frantically. Giggling, the terriers casually began taking their water battle to the edge of the pool, where they suddenly leaped out, and as a group, grabbed the shocked trio . Ty, Dom, and Jubilee soon found themselves in the middle of the pool…..surrounded by splashing, laughing terriers.

It was then that Riley climbed out of the pool, crossed the yard, and lifted the legendary water cannon onto his shoulder. Returning to the pool, he placed it in its bracket, then pointed the nozzle heavenward. With a wide smile, he turned the knob to “mist”, then casually flipped the switch with his furry paw. Suddenly, the entire pool was bathed in a cool mist, and the entire group reveled in the feel of the cool water falling onto their faces. The remainder of the afternoon was spent leisurely around the pool , surrounded by close friends, with the warm sun in their faces, and the cool mist from the famous water cannon in their fur.

Chapter 9

“COME AND GET IT!!!!!!” Every ear in the pool suddenly came to full attention--------FOOD!!!! Active, hungry pups began leaping over each other to exit the pool. Each wanted to be the first to reach the barbecue…….FOOD!!!! Katie and Riley stood nearest the grill, with Midget, Brimley, Lucy, and Bucky beside them. As the furry mass of soaked, starving wee ones raced toward them, Katie stepped forward, lifted a paw, and said , “WHOA!!!!” The entire mob stopped, as if on cue, with those behind running headlong into the dog in front of them. Katie laughed as she watched the group untangle themselves , then announced that there was plenty of food , and if they’d form an orderly line, everyone would be fed in short order. Immediately, the line formed, with more than a few elbows and paws forcing their way into a place in line. The aroma coming from the enormous grill drifted across the yard, causing mouths to water, as they eagerly approached the grill. The feast that met their eyes drew sighs and gasps from the hungry pups. On the grill were dozens of steaks, at least 4 alligators, an entire side of venison, in addition to the numerous moles, meadow voles, and hedgehogs that had been brought as contributions to the feast. Looking over to the table next to the grill, their eyes widened to see enormous bowls filled with potato salad, baked beans, a couple of hundred ears of roasted corn, and 5 huge baskets of french bread!!!! The scotties and their friends loaded their plates, then found comfortable places in the grass under the great, spreading oak to enjoy their feast. Soon, the only sounds that were heard were the groans of pleasure as they tore into the succulent meat. Seconds-------thirds----------Puppy Boy, Webber, Riley, and several other fellows were spotted returning at least THREE times to the grill to refill their plates. Just when they thought they’d never eat again, Katie, Midget, and Lucy came around the corner pulling a cart behind them. On the cart were 4 ice cream freezers, filled to the top with fresh-churned ice cream !!! Squealing, the group surrounded the cart, and eagerly accepted the bowls of cold, sweet ice cream. Finally declaring that they could not possibly eat another bite, the scotties and their pals lay back in the cool grass under the great oak. Soon, the only sounds that could be heard were the sighs of sleeping scotties and westies. Ty, Dom, and Jubilee returned to the cart, dished up another helping of ice cream, and returned to the shade of the great tree to watch over their exhausted terriers. As the terriers slept, the three great guardians again began arguing over the outcome of the water war, each claiming that their chosen team had won the battle. It was Katie and Riley’s Mam who finally woke the guests, and helped them gather their belongings. The group laughed and giggled as they boasted about their water prowess. A jovial group of terriers, dals, and lab climbed into the swamp buggy for the trip to the airport. Reaching the airport, Lucy and Bucky waved farewell to the group and drove away, heading back to south Louisiana until called for duty at another BASH adventure. The happy group of terriers boarded the plane for their trip home, full tummies and wet fur, with the vision of another great BASH adventure safely tucked away in their memories . The crew on the Scotcorde breathed a sigh of relief------it was always this way----the trip home was always a blissfully quiet journey, with all scotties, westies, and their friends sleeping soundly. The crew wondered what could have happened to create such exhaustion in such active furkids-------ohhhhh, if they only KNEW !!!!!! So, another memorable BASH comes to a close, with a record 75 party-goers!!!! Farewell,then.... until we hear the call for a new BASH adventure....... THE END This ORIGINAL story was created and written by Carol Johnson . It is NOT to be reproduced in ANY way, PERIOD!!! (c)Copyright 1999-2013 All rights reserved. Please take a minute to sign our Guestbook! We'd love to know that you stopped by for a visit! | Site Menu | | Links | Awards | Email | Guestbook | Tell a Friend | Webmaster: Katie & Riley's Mam (c)Copyright 1999-2013 All rights reserved.