A few years ago, just months before her 13th birthday, our dear doggie friend Grace Shearon went to heaven (all dogs go to heaven, you know), leaving behind her a legacy of love and many beloved's. As an elegant, sophisticated Airedale with a heart of pure milk bone, it was just Grace's style to throw on her pearls and hostess a great party. And for her 12th birthday, she invited about 25 of her closest dog pals (and their human companions) to come to a celebration here at our house. It was a smash - we played games, dined on delicious treats and had the run of the place. It was a dog day afternoon indeed. But shortly after that wonderful party, Grace was diagnosed with cancer and didn't live to see her next birthday. All of us - her human companions Jim and David Shearon, Mario Castro, ourselves, and Grace's many, many friends - were simply devastated. In her memory, we decided to go on with her 13th birthday party, as she had planned to make it an annual event. But this time around we decided to do something that we knew sweet Grace, in her heart of hearts, would love for us to do: make the party a fund raiser for her less fortunate canine kin.

Grace's Birthday Party is an annual celebration for dogs and their humans. On a special Sunday each year, hundreds of dogs and their two-legged companions frolic across the terraced lawns of Ashford Manor Bed and Breakfast in Watkinsville, GA for a wild and wonderful birthday party for dogs—complete with costume and talent contests, canine cake, games, prizes, and fun for all.

This year’s event will have even more significance since it will be the first since the passing of our beloved friend Jim Shearon.  His love for Grace and the rest of us was what made this event a reality.

We can’t wait to see you there!