Camping with Eddie - The Royal Visit

(If you are arriving at this blog for the first time, read the two posts below, and this older post here, for the full story of King and more photos of the visit.  Please note, all photos on this blog are copyright;  some may be used for noncommercial, noncompetition purposes by contacting the blog owner for permission and giving credit to the photographer).

On our fourth day of camping, we were visited by royalty:  a King, a Princess, and a Lady.

King
(c) Jean Ballard 2013

Princess MollyDawg
(c) Jean Ballard 2013

Lady May
(c) Jean Ballard 2013

With them they brought their two human servants, Del and Mark.

King had travelled far - from his life roaming his kingdom in the north, to Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue in Topley, to his new kingdom in Lillooet.  But like any King worth his weight in dog biscuits, he adjusted well to change, listened to what the commoners had to tell him, and acted kindly to others with a benevolence as befits a King.

And, like any King, every now and then he went on a Royal Tour to meet the people of the land.  And took his entourage with him.  The paparazzi, of course, were in his face the whole time, trying to catch that perfect shot that would get the royal seal of approval.

Paparazzi Jean
Photographer for Mylifewiththecritters

Paparazzi Del
Photographer for King Survives

Unlike a certain British human Prince who made headlines last year, King did not party hard and he kept his clothes on at all times.

King, wearing his Turtle Gardens bandana, his leash
and his poop bag holder

Lady May:  But nothin' on his butt!
The Emperor has no Pants!
(c) Jean Ballard 2013

MollyDawg:  I call that a Butthead shot -
King's butt and Lady May's head!
ROFL
(c) Jean Ballard 2013

They stopped at an historic old town, now campground, near the banks of the Fraser River.  There, they met Anxious Eddie, a character of some note whose tales are told on the pages of this blog, and his story-teller and personal paparazzi, Jean

Anxious Eddie,
worrying if he has enough liver treats to go around.

as well as the feudal land owners, Ann and Ken.

Welcome!  Welcome!

 The royal entourage were welcomed with some bits of dried liver and other offerings from Eddie's meagre supply.

You are so kind, Anxious Eddie.
We humbly thank you for sharing your treats.

Lady May:  Your Highness!  Your Highness!
I see a squirrel!
Wouldst thou permit me to catch him for thee and me?

MollyDawg:  Forget it, Lady May.
We have to stay on leash and guard the King,
starved though we may be.

The humans, however, had a whole feast of goodies, a banquet spread upon the table by hosts Ann and Ken.

Wish we could get some of that!

Lady May:  MollyDawg, quit grovelling!  It doesn't become a Princess!
MollyDawg:  I'm not grovellling, I'm saying grace. So there!

When the commoners had feasted, they sat around the fire and talked.  And talked.  And talked.  And talked.

Do you think they've forgotten we're here?

Boring.  This is so boring.  

Patience, my friends.
They will get back to us soon.  

Sure enough, soon the paparazzi picked up their cameras once again and the royal entourage posed for the obligatory media shoot.

King:  I do believe we must press on.
(Heh heh - I made a pun.  "Press on".  Press.  Media.  Get it?)
(c) Jean Ballard 2013

The photo shoot, your Highness.
The media wish more photos for their press releases.
(c) Jean Ballard 2013

Then can we go for a walk?
(c) Jean Ballard 2013

Patience!
(c) Jean Ballard 2013

Perhaps we should pose by the bushes over there?

Lady May:  Hey, hold it!  He's not part of the Royal Portrait!

Perfect!
We shall give it the Royal Seal of Approval!
(c) Jean Ballard 2013

NOW can we go for a walk?
(c) Jean Ballard 2013

Lady May:  I bet I can beat you, Dad!

All energy!
(c) Jean Ballard 2013

Oh youth!  

And suddenly, it was time to bid farewell.  A King's schedule is always full.  But, like any benevolent ruler, he took the time to thank his servants for their dedication in arranging the Royal Visit, and his hosts for inviting him.

King:  I love you, mom.
Thank you for bringing us to meet Auntie Jean

Bye, King, Princess MollyDawg and Lady May!
Thanks for coming!

And they all lived happily every after.  Especially King, who found his happy-ever-after ending through the help of some Good Samaritans, a wonderful rescue group named Turtle Gardens, a blogger, and a very kindhearted family.  A family he now calls His Own.