Road Trip With The Girls!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

On Monday morning, I packed up with Van and Lucy, Sophie and I, along with Mamaw, left Dh at home and hit the road for Virginia (from Ohio).  It was an 8 hour trip and the girls did great.  They were pretty much asleep before we got out of Mamaw's driveway and stayed there unless we stopped.   We were going to Virginia to visit with my Mom's sister, who I have to admit isn't a huge fan of the girls and her house is not what I would consider Dog proofed!  She asked me prior to our arrival if there was anything that she needed to do to get ready for the dogs, like put anything up!  I said no, the girls aren't chewers and are well behaved, it should be fine.  When I walked in the house with L&S on leashes (thank goodness), I almost had a heart attack.  My memory had let me down.  I had forgotten #1 how small the living area was.  When I added me, my Mom, and 140 lbs of dogs into the living space, it seem Oh So Small.  They were of course keyed up from 8 hours in the car and were ready to play.  Then there were the "snowmen".  My Aunt is a Snowman collector and they were everywhere.  Sitting on top of every conceivable spot available.  There were little decorative ladders leaning up against the walls with snowmen sitting on them, they were on the table tops, in baskets, 100's of them.  It looked like a primitive collectibles store!  You've heard the term "Bull in a China Shop".  I felt like I had just walked into a china shop with two bulls on leashes!  What was I going to do.  It was going to be a long 3 days.  I didn't take the X-pen or any doggie gates because I felt it would be ok leaving them alone, they are good girls, no problem.  WHAT WAS I THINKING!  There was no way I could leave them alone in this house.  I couldn't put them in a room and close the door as I was afraid they would scratch the door wanting out (as I never shut them in a room).  Although they aren't chewers, they have never been this tempted to chew up anything!  They will destuff a dog toy in a heart beat, but they haven't chewed up anything else in my house since they were like 6 months old.   So, 900 miles and 4 days later we are back home.  Only one snowman took a hit (and my Aunt broke that one), and they have been invited back.  I finally got up the nerve (with my Aunt's encouragement) to leave them alone in the house on the 2nd afternoon and when we came back they were just laying at the front entrance waiting on us.  Nothing disturbed.  Whew, Boy was I nervous while we were out!  The only thing that I moved was a Christmas Cactus because they seemed really interested in that and they will chew down a bush outside in a heartbeat, so we didn't take any chances.  They aren't used to indoor plants as we don't have any at our house.  So, all in all it was a successful trip.  Lucy didn't sleep very well, which in turn means I didn't sleep really well, but I think that is just that she was out of her element and wasn't comfortable being closed into a bedroom.  There was also carpeting on the floor and I think that she was too hot by not having a cool floor to sleep on.  So, all in all I was really proud of them for leaving everything alone and getting invited to come back.  My Aunt even kissed them goodbye when they got in the car!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Sounds like the girls did great. I do sometimes think it's easier to leave the dogs home than to worry the whole time with them in someone else's house, and I'm talking for an evening. You were brave and I'm glad it worked out.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

You were brave and your girls didn't let you down.  Congratulations!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

L & S are the best! I'll bet they're glad to be back home! And you too...doesn't sound like a restful trip, but I'm glad your Aunt liked the girls!

[Rose Ann and Amante]

Bravissimi! Good girls!

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

I'd be nervous too! You made it through! They ARE good girls

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

What good doodle girls!! Great blog and I love the part about them receiving good bye kisses from your Aunt! So sweet!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

OMD, I think I would have had a nervous breakdown if I walked in with my two Doods and saw all those snowmen.  You girls are just amazing, and I'm sure you were very proud of them.  It sounds like they even made a wonderful impression on your Aunt....woo hoo Lucy and Sophie!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Good girls!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I'm a klutz myself so I don't think I could be trusted in your aunt's house - lol - I'd have broken a few I'm sure.  Great job that they girls did - has to make you proud!!

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Wow!  Such amazing girls!  There is no way Sedona could have / would have resisted all that temptation!!!