[In fact, he most likely wasn't supposed to be there at all. Like that ever stopped him. Mommy and daddy and Auntie Artemis and Uncle Wally and even his new Auntie M'gann were all dressed up and talking about something that sounded like fun. He wanted to have fun too!]
[So, naturally, he waited until they left before using his usual escape route to sneak out. Making it all the way to the pretty lights and large groups of people. He knew the beach like the back of his paw, so even that wasn't enough to discourage him. He happily trotted along in the sand, tongue out and eyes bright in case any new friends might decide they want to play....]