We had no car, and public transport was out too, so we just walked everywhere that her short little legs could take her. Which was pretty far actually cos she was a trooper. She took the lead, we just followed behind as she bustled ahead to her next destination.
Yeah it often saddens me that these beautiful creatures have so much of their choice taken away from them, practically by default, so we tried to give our charges back the right to choose whenever possible.
This is why I choose the offleash park more often than not. It gives her such freedom that a leash walk can't. She's free to roam around through trees picking up on foreign scents and using her brain to discover.
From 2008-2019, I road tripped across the USA for work…teaching yoga in studios from FL to CO, and everywhere in between. My Shiba Inu Sukha came with me everywhere. It was written into my contract that I needed to be housed in a place with my dog. We hiked early mornings everywhere!
We got a pandemic corgi puppy, Tosha, in 2020, and Sukha 🌈 bridged age 15 in 2021.
My life priorities have always been what you describe here. No make up. Dog hair wins over clean house. People are too peopley (unless they come with a dog).
I still don’t let a dog stop me from traveling. I’d prefer to travel with canine vs human any day.
Same, Teri. Even when I was an avid air traveler, I always preferred to go alone.
Road trips with Dezi can be a little more challenging because she's not as sound as my previous dog. She needs a lot of grace in new situations and surroundings (weird anxieties). But the more we do, the better she gets and I enjoy watching her get braver as she matures.
“I’ve been getting ready to vacuum for 2 weeks…” 😆 sooo understand that.
We lost ours just a few months ago and have had a dog nearly 30 years straight so we are taking a break… that said, I miss the greetings and the sweet faces so. much.
I love hearing how Dezi is adapting to traveling with you, that pic is sooo cuteeeee!
We are def in a season of air travel right now sooooo lots of thinking out loud for our family about a dog and the responsibility it holds. 🐾❤️
I totally understand the break from dogging due to travel. It's such a big commitment. But hey, if you guys want another dog and you have a spare room, Dezi and I will move in and be your live-in dog nanny 😂 I will also do the vacuuming.
Everything is less important to me than my dog. And yes, part of being a dog owner is coming to terms with the fact that you'll never conquer the hair situation. If you can accept that, life gets much more relaxing.
My focus on chores became more tempered as my dog walks grew longer! I take that back. I put more chores on the kids’ chore board, so I could take longer walks!
We love roadtripping with our dog and Casey is a keen traveler. The problem is finding dog-friendly hotels without exorbitant pet fees, which have gone up sharply since Covid. We are happy to pay for any damage he causes (none, in years of traveling) but not to fork over $75 for the privilege of bringing Casey to a hotel that pays lip service to loving our furry friend.
I hear you Rona. I've done both hotels and AirBnb with Dezi and neither are any better as far as fees. And I even bring my own sticky rollers and swiffer to clean myself because I KNOW she sheds worse than most dogs lol.
But I guess if you consider the cost of airfare over driving, pet fees aren't so bad.
I appreciate and relate to this so much. I’m a hermit living in northern Mi. that’s been wanting another dog for about 6 years since my dog passed. The HGTV thing is real even without a dog. lol Thank you for sharing this, made my day!
Lori, I waited 6 years between dogs as well and it's such a huge void, right? I'll cross my fingers for you that another perfect partner finds you when the time is right.
Yeah that certainly makes it more challenging. I live in a condo with this big dog lol. That was never my intention but immediately after adopting her (during the pandemic) is when housing costs shot through the roof and completely foiled my plans to move.
Our plans don’t really matter, do they? Lol Our dog was a standard poodle and after my divorce I lived on the 2nd floor in an apartment with him and my kiddo. That’s the main reason for my no fence no dog rule. I understand your struggle with a condo.
Aww I will, say hi to your dog from me too! Yeah that would be great wouldn't it. He was just barking in his sleep but woke up as I began typing. Oh my God, the side eye! They know what they are doing I swear lol. My dog could win an Oscar for the most dramatic pooch lol
After the last one, Kristi, a waste of some fifteen years hoping waiting and being stupid enough to hang in for someone who only wanted to hang out, I'll take the dog. Any day.
We had no car, and public transport was out too, so we just walked everywhere that her short little legs could take her. Which was pretty far actually cos she was a trooper. She took the lead, we just followed behind as she bustled ahead to her next destination.
Awww so cute. A born leader! I sometimes let Dezi lead our walks to see where she feels like exploring that day.
We had a foster dog, Annie, who was part Corgi. Your story about short legs and bustling made me think of her. Thanks for nudging a fond memory!
Yeah it often saddens me that these beautiful creatures have so much of their choice taken away from them, practically by default, so we tried to give our charges back the right to choose whenever possible.
This is why I choose the offleash park more often than not. It gives her such freedom that a leash walk can't. She's free to roam around through trees picking up on foreign scents and using her brain to discover.
From 2008-2019, I road tripped across the USA for work…teaching yoga in studios from FL to CO, and everywhere in between. My Shiba Inu Sukha came with me everywhere. It was written into my contract that I needed to be housed in a place with my dog. We hiked early mornings everywhere!
We got a pandemic corgi puppy, Tosha, in 2020, and Sukha 🌈 bridged age 15 in 2021.
My life priorities have always been what you describe here. No make up. Dog hair wins over clean house. People are too peopley (unless they come with a dog).
I still don’t let a dog stop me from traveling. I’d prefer to travel with canine vs human any day.
Same, Teri. Even when I was an avid air traveler, I always preferred to go alone.
Road trips with Dezi can be a little more challenging because she's not as sound as my previous dog. She needs a lot of grace in new situations and surroundings (weird anxieties). But the more we do, the better she gets and I enjoy watching her get braver as she matures.
I had a dog named Snuka! Thanks for this great memory!
“I’ve been getting ready to vacuum for 2 weeks…” 😆 sooo understand that.
We lost ours just a few months ago and have had a dog nearly 30 years straight so we are taking a break… that said, I miss the greetings and the sweet faces so. much.
I love hearing how Dezi is adapting to traveling with you, that pic is sooo cuteeeee!
We are def in a season of air travel right now sooooo lots of thinking out loud for our family about a dog and the responsibility it holds. 🐾❤️
I totally understand the break from dogging due to travel. It's such a big commitment. But hey, if you guys want another dog and you have a spare room, Dezi and I will move in and be your live-in dog nanny 😂 I will also do the vacuuming.
OH MY GA!!! Come overrrrrrrr! 🤩
Everything is less important to me than my dog. And yes, part of being a dog owner is coming to terms with the fact that you'll never conquer the hair situation. If you can accept that, life gets much more relaxing.
Yup. It’s a big job but it pales in comparison to the love and joy we get from them.
This might sound pathetic but socializing is less important. I’d rather stay at home with hubby and pooch.
Not pathetic at all!! Sounds very realistic to me.
I bet your hubby is glad he made it to the comments with the dog!
He knows. 🥰
My focus on chores became more tempered as my dog walks grew longer! I take that back. I put more chores on the kids’ chore board, so I could take longer walks!
HA!! I fully support that!!
We love roadtripping with our dog and Casey is a keen traveler. The problem is finding dog-friendly hotels without exorbitant pet fees, which have gone up sharply since Covid. We are happy to pay for any damage he causes (none, in years of traveling) but not to fork over $75 for the privilege of bringing Casey to a hotel that pays lip service to loving our furry friend.
I hear you Rona. I've done both hotels and AirBnb with Dezi and neither are any better as far as fees. And I even bring my own sticky rollers and swiffer to clean myself because I KNOW she sheds worse than most dogs lol.
But I guess if you consider the cost of airfare over driving, pet fees aren't so bad.
I appreciate and relate to this so much. I’m a hermit living in northern Mi. that’s been wanting another dog for about 6 years since my dog passed. The HGTV thing is real even without a dog. lol Thank you for sharing this, made my day!
Lori, I waited 6 years between dogs as well and it's such a huge void, right? I'll cross my fingers for you that another perfect partner finds you when the time is right.
Thank you so much! My timeline is having a fence. No fence, no dog for me.
Yeah that certainly makes it more challenging. I live in a condo with this big dog lol. That was never my intention but immediately after adopting her (during the pandemic) is when housing costs shot through the roof and completely foiled my plans to move.
Our plans don’t really matter, do they? Lol Our dog was a standard poodle and after my divorce I lived on the 2nd floor in an apartment with him and my kiddo. That’s the main reason for my no fence no dog rule. I understand your struggle with a condo.
I absolutely loved this. As my 3 legged rescue dog snores beside me, I am so grateful for him 🥰
Awww Hannah, tell your dog I say hi!! Mine just gave me a side-eye 😁 I wish we could put images in comments
Aww I will, say hi to your dog from me too! Yeah that would be great wouldn't it. He was just barking in his sleep but woke up as I began typing. Oh my God, the side eye! They know what they are doing I swear lol. My dog could win an Oscar for the most dramatic pooch lol
🤣🤣
One word to the question of what's less important now that I have a dog?
Dating.
That's a good one. I'd still date but he 100% has to want to meet at the dog park lol. But there are no prospects on my horizon so it doesn't matter.
After the last one, Kristi, a waste of some fifteen years hoping waiting and being stupid enough to hang in for someone who only wanted to hang out, I'll take the dog. Any day.
I just found this guy and his farm on YouTube. I am both hooked and in love.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQBfHaq0hdk
Oh my God I LOVE it!!! Talk about a dream life. I'm sure it's difficult but still.
Have you ever heard of The Asher House? He's actually in Oregon and he's equally as awesome.
https://www.instagram.com/theasherhouse?igsh=MTJ5YWIwNGMxa3h0dQ==
Yes. He's a big good but the way he interacts with the animals is right up my alley.
Good not good. But that too.
All of us here at Conversations with Critters just discovered your wonderful writing. Count us in! So fun.
Aww, that's awesome Heidi! Thank you!
So good and true ❤️
I just finished a 15 hour-one day road trip with 3 big ones in the back of the Tahoe. Woo-hoo to co-pilots 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
Co-pilots for the win! 15 hours is a long time with 3 dogs...plenty of stops I assume?
Yes it times pretty well with our own potty stops and gas. Long day in the car