Dogs really ARE Miracles with Paws!!

Sunday, February 16, 2014

RV Travel Moments with Dogs #RecipeforMoments

This post is sponsored by Nature's Recipe ® on behalf of the BlogPaws Blogger Network. We are being compensated for helping spread the word about Nature’s Recipe ® for Moments on behalf of Nature’s Recipe ® , but we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers. Nature’s Recipe ® is not responsible for the content of this article.



Growing up, we had always had dogs. Two German Shepherds. It was a way of life for us and I couldn't imagine life without my pets. Throughout the years, we have had our share of adopted dogs and cats, as well as puppies. When my husband and I decided to purchase an RV, it was for the sole purpose of being able to travel with our dogs! At the time, we had one large Newf/Lab mix named Zippo who we had adopted from our local shelter. We also had Chloe, our four year old Bichon Frise, who we had raised from a puppy of just ten weeks. LadyBug was also along for the ride as our newest family member and she was three at the time. She was a rescue from Delaware Valley Bichon Rescue in Pennsylvania. We knew that Zippo was getting up there in years...he was eight at the time. When looking for a puppy, we had decided on a smaller dog because it would be easier to travel and my husband had just retired, so we planned to do a fair amount of traveling! LadyBug was adopted as a sister for Chloe...in the event that something would happen to Zippo. Chloe was used to having her big brother around each and every single day 24/7. They never went anywhere without each other!!

As soon as we brought the RV home, all the dogs were excited to get in it and try it out! The first year we had it, we did a lot of crazy things...we took the RV out for pizza ... with the dogs of course!! We took it to our state parks. We just wanted to get a feel for how we liked it and how it drove before taking it on a long haul vacation!! Even if we were just taking it around the corner...to get gas or something, Chloe, LadyBug and Zippo would be the first ones waiting at the door!! They all had assigned seats so to speak and it began to feel like home.

Our first trip was down South and it is a long ride from New York to Florida...especially when driving only about five hours a day. We took our time and stopped along the way. I had planned every single stop down to the milemarker. It is not easy to pull in to a local drive through with a 32 foot vehicle!! The dogs took everything in stride and enjoyed each and every single mile just like we did!! I swear they were SMILING more each day. It was exciting for them (and us) to wake up and be in a totally different environment...new sights, new smells...new people!! They were experiencing things they had never experienced before!!

Their favorite part of the whole trip I think was that we were never separated from them. If we went for walks, they went with us! If we were just sitting outside at the picnic table overlooking the water, they were right there too. Chloe just loves ducks and spent a good part of her time wading up to her knees watching those ducks!  Chloe also discovered LIZARDS.  Teeny, tiny lizards that are faster than you can imagine!!  She got more exercise chasing those little buggers!!

A big highlight of the trip was the golf cart rental!! Who knew that something as simple as a golf cart would get these dogs so excited!! Zippo preferred to go with me by himself so he could sit up big and tall in the front seat. I NEVER saw him smile as much as he did in that cart!! People would wave...it was just a riot!! Of course, not to be outdone...Chloe and LadyBug donned their sun visors and rode along with me on the front seat too and they had just as many "fans" in the parks!!

We had so many special moments on that trip, too many for me to even mention! Talk about a human animal bond...we were all bonded with the special moments we shared together on that first of MANY trips to follow!! We came home from that first trip all feeling a little bit more bonded!!

We couldn't wait to go on the second trip that year...that trip was a long one too! The second trip was all the way out West to Wyoming and South Dakota. We spent time in Wisconsin and Iowa...and a great deal of time in Minneapolis visiting family. One of the most exciting things for Chloe was that she discovered that CATS were actually allowed to live INSIDE people's houses!! What a revelation that was for her!! Our neighbor's cats are always outside so when she walked into my daughter's house and saw a CAT sitting on the couch, she stopped and STARED!!  Pretty sure...she almost stopped breathing!!

Chloe, LadyBug and Zippo taught us so many special moments that we wanted to share with you specifically for this Nature's Recipe®  post. Go on over and check out the Scrapbook...and see some of our friend's special moments!!

This post is a part of the #RecipeForMoments blog hop hosted by BlogPaws. Link up below to share your story of the bond you and your pet share. What do you think your pet feels in your special moments? Five random U.S. winners who link up their blog post will win a Nature’s Recipe® lightweight collar camera to capture special moments from their pet’s point of view. See BlogPaws for official rules and details.





12 comments:

bichonpawz said...

Great to be together on an adventure. We love the idea of zipping around in a golf cart and the best bit must be chasing lizards. Nice one. Have a serene Sunday and get in some big easy today.

Best wishes Molly

bichonpawz said...

That's awesome that they can travel with you and experience all the sights right by your side. They sure do look happy in those pictures

bichonpawz said...

That just sounds like so much fun!! We used to have a camper but never traveled too far. But the reason we got it was so our dogs could go on vacation with us. Then we ended up with four dogs which the campgrounds wouldn't allow. But I still miss it, and hope someday maybe we can retire and do just what you did.....have so many wonderful moments to remember!

bichonpawz said...

Love it!! Of course you know I do. I sure wish you guys would wander out west again. We could meet up and that would be so fun. Traveling dogs, are happy dogs.

bichonpawz said...

WOW all those photos where so fun to look at. I'm going to go back through them again.
Blessings,
Goose

bichonpawz said...

What sweet memories to cherish! :)

bichonpawz said...

Such a FUN Pawsome adventure and to be able to bring your dogs. LOVE seeing your HAPPY Smiles. Golden Woofs

bichonpawz said...

What an awesome way to bond and have an adventure all in one! Can't beat those smiles! Priceless.

bichonpawz said...

Oh, I love going on adventures with my mom and dad too! I only wish we had an RV like you so we wouldn't have to always sleep in the tent. BOL How wonderful that you get to spend such wonderful moments together.

bichonpawz said...

Oh we're full-time RVers and we can't think of a better way to have
fun than RVing with our pooch. Looks like you guys have a great time out
there! Hope to see you on the road some day.

bichonpawz said...

We have always wondered if we kitties would ,like RVing with our peeps - they're sure interested in trying it!

bichonpawz said...

I cant' wait to get an RV travel trailer! You guys create so many memories riding around!!!