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I really didn't need to go to the Wood Fest today, but I wanted to get a little ahead on screening photos, and wanted to clean up the mess I left in my office after spending all day (and evening) in and out of there yesterday.

BB was covering the parade with his fancy new camera, and many performers were repeats of the night before.

We have a photo contest going for best photos from the Aaron Tippin concert, so I didn't have to wrestle in that crowd this evening.

Anyway, being a light day, Frank and Daisy joined me.

Her first major day on the leash, her first time in such a crowd. . .

She did so good.

We parked on a back street, and had to walk two blocks to the main crowded area. She just trotted along with us, fearless beagle, nose to the ground.

Just as we rounded the corner into the crowd, someone's helium balloon popped, and she jumped about a mile. . .

and then was sniffing along again.

Now - the main area of the festival is one square block, and she did well the first two legs of it, holding her head high and happy going until she caught a scent of distraction.

She was a magnet for children, dog lovers and old folks.

"Can we pet your puppy?" Children asked.

And she wiggled and jumped and bounced - at one point surrounded by seven children at once.

Adults just bent down and picked her up, and laughed as she kissed their faces and nibbled on their ears.

A puppy is joy with fur. I saw proof of it today.

By the time we got to the third leg of the block, (which took about an hour, stopping for all that petting and licking) she was just plumb tuckered out.

She just sat down, panting, and looked up at me and cocked her head.

I carried her in one arm back to the office, where she curled up under my desk and went immediately to sleep.

Daisy had a very big day.

There were two other puppies there today, but Daisy was the star of the dog show. Even toddlers in their strollers reached her way as they rolled by.

She inspired laughter and sighs, giggles from all ages, and moments of connection with people I would have normally passed without notice.

She spread joy wherever she went.

A puppy is magic.

Daisy was magic.

She had a very big day, and I am so proud of her.

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Want to know more about DeLaHaye? Visit her web site at WV Travelers , or her online store at Impecunious Impressions, or read her weekly column at The Calhoun Chronicle.