My traveling companions
Joy about 10 years ago.
Shiloh about 7 years ago.
I’ve always said that…’it’s all about the dogs’. I’ve always meant it, too. But now I’m taking it to another level.
A week ago I was thinking about where I wanted to travel this year. I was considering going along the US/Canadian boarder, into the upper peninsula of Michigan, maybe to Maine, then south to Florida for the winter, so as not to have to rush all the way back to the west. Oh, I had all kinds of ideas.
Then Joy got sick.
She seems much better now, except that I realize how much her age is showing. She seems somehow fragile to me. I know she has been slowing down for a couple of years now, but very recently, I’m noticing it even more.
Joy has been…well, so Joyful…all her life, and rambunctious and silly. I’ve always called her ‘my wild child’, or ‘my wild and crazy girl.’ If you have ever been greeted by Joy, it’s not something you will soon forget. Hopefully you were left standing. She is truly the most joyful, loving being I have ever known. So, maybe that makes it more noticeable to me that she is slowing down…quite a bit.
And I’m not leaving out Shiloh here. He is also wonderful and I love him equally. He has a very different personality than Joy…he is very peaceful. (Shiloh…root word Shalom, meaning peace). He balances out the mix with his generally calm nature. He loves order and he is my protector. I’m thankful that at 9 years old he is still going strong.
So anyway, I’m not going to worry about getting to Michigan or Maine or Florida. There is much beauty to see that doesn’t involve so much travel. My first consideration now involving where and when and how far we travel will be HOW THE DOGS ARE DOING AND THEIR COMFORT.
It’s all about the dogs! It really is.
I’ve recently read on RVSue’s blog ( http://www.rvsueandcrew.net ) that she has been having a problem with dog walking, in that her older dog Bridget (if you read this Bridget, I don’t mean you are ‘old’, just …you know….more mature), isn’t really into long walks anymore, whereas the Energizer Bunny Reggie, needs lots of exercise. Sue has solved this problem by first taking a short, slower walk with both dogs, then leaving Bridget off at their trailer, and taking a longer, more energetic walk with Reggie. This way Sue and Reggie both get their exercise and Bridget gets to rest. Very wise of Sue.
We are having the same situation, though Joy loves her walks, she has slowed down and can’t go as far. (She would never admit that though, so don’t tell her I told you). The thing is, I just can’t bring myself to go off with Shiloh and leave her behind. It would break her heart. So for now, Shiloh and I tend to be a bit short on exercise. We will play this by ear, and for now the dog park is helping Shiloh balance this out.
Joy and Shiloh pick up the awesome energy, walking among the tall trees in California.
Love my fur babies SO much!
PS. Joys heart worm test was negative, as I suspected.
Wandering Spirit 
It’s always so difficult when our fur babies age. We have an orange tabby cat, Marianne Faithful, who is 17 this year (maybe older, even). Every day we adapt to make her life more comfortable, and try to enjoy her one day at a time. Their love for us, and ours for them, is priceless.
I love your kitty’s name! I always had a soft spot for her namesake. Still do. Saw her in cencert a few years ago with Laura and Joel.
Priceless is right. Absolutely right.
Hard to picture Joy in a stroller like Sue has for Bridget! 😊 We who love our 4 footed (or in our case also 2 footed with Suzie the Amazin parrot who has been with us since before our boys, now men, were born) treat our fur and feather kids as family because it’s the right thing to do. Best wishes to sweet Joy for more happy times in this journey. And to you and Shiloh as well.
Argh! I changed that to Amazon parrot twice! I guess iPad simply thinks our Suzie is Amazin instead!
Yes a stroller Velda…oh how I wish! She weighs 82 pounds though, so…not gonna happen.
Birds live a very long time don’t they? In a way, that is so good. Sad that large dogs have short lives. Seems so unfair, when you love them so much.
Glad that Joy is better even if she is showing her age a bit. Perhaps the plaque in my bathroom applies to her “Young at heart, Slightly older in other places”. As you think about your travels, I’m sure you will want to keep the temperature in mind. The southwest is wonderful but Arizona can be HOT in the summer. I’ve always found that folks who can be flexible in their plans enjoy life more – and probably live longer as a result.
hi Reine. “Young at heart, Slightly older in other places”. Ain’t it the truth? Love it!
Oh the temperature will play a huge part in where we go. We lived on the Monterey Peninsula…the dogs for basically their whole lives, where the temperature is very moderate. Like 40-70 in the summer and 30-60 in the winter. We are so spoiled! None of us like the heat so we will scadaddle out of the desert when it starts to warm up. Not sure where…towards water and green and trees sounds nice. I like the desert, but I miss those things.
Maybe the Colorado lakes? Joy is lucky to have you too!!
Hi Patty. Which Colorado lakes? Is there a specific place you are talking about?
It sounds like you have made a wise decision,for all of you. It also may be that Joys illness will take some time to recover fully. It may be a good thing to relax for a while,because it sounds like you really work hard when you are moving around a lot. Although I have been envious of your desert travel (I am such a rockhound!) it has been so cold ad rainy here,it is dark and muddy from noon on. I hope you find a warm and comfy spot to land for a while.
Hi Elinor, yes I have landed for awhile, and very glad of it. We are here in Quartzsite, and I wish you were here because this is the rock hound capital of the universe. Ok I might be exaggerating, but not by much. Not just for hunting them but for selling them. You can find everything from body sized pieces of crystal Quartz, on down to everything else. Just walking down the wash you see such pretty rocks.
I have deep concerns about Joy. Trying to make every day a good one for her.
Your furry family:-)
If you make it to the southern US please let me know and I’ll meet you somewhere.
I’m sure you had fun with Laura and Joel!
Rock on you brave girl!
XO
Hi Deb….from one ‘brave’ girl to another. 🙂 Actually I don’t feel brave.
Yes, it was fun having lots of visiting time with Laura and Joel. I hope it happens again soon.
I sure will let you know if I go south…or more south rather….though I know in the upcoming months you won’t be home a lot. 🙂