Independence Day weekend is a big one for travel in Michigan. Many people head to their cabins up north or to family get-togethers at state parks. It's a great idea really because if you ask me Summer is the BEST time to be in Michigan. Travel somewhere warm when its cold, I say. Stick around when is beautiful. We live in the center of the state while most of our family lives south. This is great news when the interstate looks like a parking lot crawling North but you're heading down the map.
This weekend we spent a lot of time with family and friends who offered dog-friendly hospitality. I'd like to send out a big THANK YOU to you and all of you who are sensitive to pets that travel. Don't get me wrong. I knew before I got a dog that some decisions would have to be made. The big decision being "to go or not to go" if your pup can not come along. Sometimes you can get a house/pet sitter, board at a kennel, drop the pooch off with a relative, or decide to host the event yourself. But I am always grateful when another host says "Bring her along!" It takes a little prep but I think its a lot of fun.
I should have taken more photos but here's the list of Independence Day dog adventures: go for car rides, play with cats, milk table scraps from people that don't know better, run around the FANTASTIC back yard at the in-laws, play with another dog, go for more car rides. I'd like to think Winnie had a good time. The heat and excitement defiantly pooped her out. It was in the 90's!
(Here she is falling asleep with her ears in the full upright position. She's tired but she doesn't want to miss anything.)
I find it helpful to keep a travel bag packed for her that's just ready to go. It includes:
- Food
- Plastic Food & Water Dishes
- Yard Leash
- Poop Bags
- Shampoo & Towel
- Ball
- Raw Hide Chew
It gives us everything we can predictably need to be good house guests. We also take her travel crate into whoever's house we're staying in so we can be sure she doesn't get into anything when we're out. I'd feel terrible if great-grandma's special something was turned into a toy while we were out to lunch.
At any rate, the sleepy pup
(now in front of the AC vent) and I had a relaxing weekend with family and friends and I'm very appreciative of those who supported the idea of my furry buddy tagging along. Thanks!
Do any of you remember Troll Dolls? In truth they were a little before my time. From what I'm told they were super popular in the 60's with a few short lived revivals in each subsequent decade. I do however, remember playing with them in elementary school. These weird little plastic leprechauns with tall colorful hair and a jewel on their belly were all the rage among 5th graders for about 3 months. I don't know what the jewel was officially for but at school we concluded that you could rub it for good luck. 
Winnie has a spot on the back of her neck that I've come to the same conclusion about. It was the way we identified her from her litter mates... I guess to say it properly would be to say she has a "splash" of white but whatever. To me, it's the good luck jewel. I love it. I want to touch it all the time. I think it's funny to see a "splash" of white dashing down the dog park and know it's my pup pressing on ahead without me. (Although seeing the Corgi Smile on the return trip isn't bad either ;-) 
So, since Corgis are such an old breed with pretty standard markings (pems particularly) what physical characteristics do you find irresistible about your dog? Of course, huge ears and stumpy legs are a given. 
and the 
. I'm pretty excited about it and wish I wasn't traveling these next few weeks so Winnie and I could start playing with it. Personally, I think it's pretty cool I still get toys for my birthday. My brother, thinks it's a sign that I'll never get something for myself again. That this year my birthday gift was really a gift for mom's 'grand-puppy' and without a doubt future birthday gifts will be for "the two of you", the family", "the house", or whatever applies at the moment. He may be right but for now I don't mind. 
Neither Winnie or I have tried Dog Agility before. To be completely honest, I'd be thrilled if she just came every time I called her but perhaps something more stimulating to focus on will bring her around. (It's not that she doesn't come because she doesn't understand... she doesn't come because I'm not offering anything better than what she has at the moment... jerk) 
Winnie and I like to read. It's not unusual to find us sitting around with a Sitepoint publication (or in Winnie's case a copy of 
by Ted Kerasote. I would absolutely put this on a must read list for dog owners. The author is an outdoor journalist by trade and Merle's Door seems to be a natural extension for him. Equal parts research, autobiography, and adventure story Merle's Door let's you have an intimate look at a life long relationship between a man and his dog. 
. Whenever Ted is at a turning point on how to handle an issue you'll see a footnote that leads to the richest resources you could ask for. This book will help you articulate why you do what you do with your dog and give you the tools to carry it out with confidence. Get it today, you won't be sorry!
