End-of-the-year dog swim

Those of you who know me know that I love to have fun, I love dogs and I love all of the quirky activities that are available in Ann Arbor. The end-of-the-year dog swim at Buhr Pool satisfies all of these criteria! This is the first time that I joined in the fun. My son and I took our one year old golden retriever, Maggie, who had a blast! She was a bit hesitant at first, but there is nothing that can stop her from a tennis ball. By the end of the session she was diving willingly and gracefully. The pure joy of 30 dogs together with balls and water is beyond description. I will definitely make this an annual tradition!

One of my favorite local businesses

I like to support local businesses whenever I can. One of my favorites is Zingerman's Deli. It's so much more than a deli. In fact, I don't remember the last time I bought a sandwich there. Not that the sandwiches aren't divine...I often stop and get my morning latte or cappuccino. Try a little dulce de leche (Mexican caramel) in yours sometime! They also make fabulous breads and sell wonderful cheeses from all over the world. I grew up in Ann Arbor and yet I can't really remember a time that Zingerman's didn't exist. I can't for the life of me picture what was there before they opened. Kerrytown and the Farmer's Market are right across the street and I frequent those places often too (but that's a separate entry). Customer service is at the top of the priority list at Zingerman's, in addition to great food. I also like that they contribute to the community in so many different ways. The owners started a non-profit organization called Food Gatherers whose goal is to feed the hungry in Washtenaw County. Their annual fundraiser, called "Grillin'", is a lot of fun for a very worthy cause. We are fortunate in Ann Arbor to have so many wonderful local businesses!