Rooney's Big Road Trip

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Rooney and I packed up our car on Thursday evening so that we could leave very early on Friday.  I had gotten one of those new soft, folding crates, a new smaller dog bed and you add that to all the toys, food, dishes, snacks, poop bags, etc., I really felt like I was traveling with a small baby.  Luckily for me there was still room for me to bring a few of my things - lol.  I got up at 3:00 a.m. and Rooney was strapped into his car seat with his new American Tourister safety harness and we pulled out the driveway at 4:00 a.m.  Rooney has never ridden for more than a couple of hours so I wasn't sure how he would do but my little guy just slept in his car seat and never made a peep.  The only thing that bothered me was stopping at the rest stops.  They won't let you take a dog inside with you so I would lock Rooney in the car, then I would run, yes run inside and pee so fast, shoving old ladies out of my way to get back to my car to make sure someone had not broken the window out and stole my best friend.  As it gets hotter down here I don't know how I'll handle this because my car (I've been car shopping and very few cars will lock with them running these days) will not lock with the engine (airconditioning) running.  After 10 hrs it was so wonderful to see my daughter, her boyfriend and their yellow lab - Cal.  The most fun was after a 4 mile walk through the park along the river - Cal wanted to swim and Rooney got dirty for the 1st time ever in his life.  He played in the mud and went nuts.  I thought I would never get him cleaned up!  We drove home yesterday and made it in 9 hours.  We'll be doing this trip again soon I hope!

Mom, I don't even have my eyes open yet!  Yawn.

Wohoo - the most fun EVER!!!!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Jane, I was one of those old ladies you knocked over, you could've asked, I would've let you go ahead of me for Rooney's sake. Geezzz. some doodle moms are so pushy!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Wow Rooney, you sure did get dirty! You look so cute!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Rooney, Dude...you finally joined the ranks of us mud lovin big boys! My mom has tons of pictures of me like that and those are my best memories! It's even worth all the baths I've had to get afterward. Now that you know what Mud and Dirty are... there is no going back. Tell your mom to stock up on the dog shampoo, as I see more muddy fun in your future. PS....You can dig really good at the beach and get just as dirty and have almost as much fun.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

OMD Rooney looks like he had a wonderful time getting all dirty ........ this is the one and only down side to Doodles that I've ever found ..... with a lab you just hose them off and you are good to go ...... with a Doodle, it is hours of bath time, drying, and combing!  My girls don't get to enjoy playing in the mud that often for this very reason.   I was shocked the first time that I saw a No Dogs sign on a rest area bathroom.  Worked ok as DH was traveling with me, but I think if I had been alone I'd just have gone ahead and taken them in ....  otherwise you could always keep your eyes tuned for an exit with a Petsmart (or lowes) and stop in there and pee :o)  Glad you guys are home safe, we missed you!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Road trip for you and Rooney....yeah!! Rooney, Vern loves the mud too...nothing better. Glad you had a great time!

[Dori & Rua]

Sounds like you both had some new firsts!  I always love reading about my little Rua's favorite boyfriend, Rooney!  He holds a special spot in my heart!

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

In the second shot, Rooney looks like one of the "before" dogs on the Today Show's segment called "From Bow to Wow" where they do doggie make-overs. Sure looks like he had tons of fun! Glad you both had such a good trip.

[Pat and Traveler]

Rooney--you had SO much mud-fun!  Jane, I can so relate to that potty-dashing.  Trav and I went on a long road trip, and I was always nervous when leaving him alone in the car at rest stops.  Sounds like the trip went very well, and it must have been such a treat to get together with family.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Jane, I'm so glad you and Rooney had such a great trip.  It must have been so much fun to spend time with your daughter.  I can certainly tell from the pictures that Rooney had the time of his life.  Rooney...dirty....WTD!