To Take or Leave

                                                                                Travel to learn,

                                                                                              Travel to teach,

                                                                                                            Spreading the word

                                                                                                                              is in our reach.

We recently dropped our four-legged kids off at their doggy Pet Resort for Thanksgiving.  They didn’t get turkey with all the trimmings, but they still had loads of fun.  As we gave them over to their caretakers, they didn't even bother to watch us leave.  They were too enthralled with all the different doggy smells to notice.  I often wonder what they think when they realize we aren’t there anymore. 

Leaving the dogs behind when we can't take them with us always makes me feel a bit guilty. When my husband and I worked, the dogs knew the routine.  They understood the schedule and adapted.  Since our retirement, our dogs have a free wheeling schedule because we have no schedule. We do follow a morning routine, but after that all bets are off.  They like to hang with us during the day, and if we travel and can take them, they enjoy that too.  Dogs are so resilient that a small change in routine doesn’t throw them off too much.  I think it bothers me more than it bothers them when we have to leave them.

Actually, we don't leave them behind that much.  We like to bring Kiowa and Emma with us when we travel, but we only bring them when invited to dog friendly homes.  Our friends have a German Shorthair and a Weimaraner who we laughingly call our dogs' cousins.  When we visit, we bring our dogs.  It’s always funny observing their doggy interaction as our guys grab their hosts’ beds.  Their friends don’t seem to mind much since they jump up to recline comfortably on the furniture. They get along really well, and when all four are sitting waiting for a biscuit, it is quite the picture.

For Christmas this year, we will travel to Williamsburg with our four legged companions.  Some of you may think we are over the edge (and maybe that's true), but our dogs are part of the family.  They love to go to new places and meet new people who always make a fuss over them.  

When I speak to dog lovers who no longer have one, they say they enjoy the freedom to travel without worrying about their pets.  It would be easier not thinking about where the dogs will stay or the monetary considerations involved.  But to live without our greyhounds wouldn’t be a possibility for us.  They remain part of our lives and mission.  Spreading the word and showing others their loving ways cause our travel and our mission to coincide.  Our dogs are well behaved and people are amazed at their demeanor and sweetness.  We are happy to share that with them.

If you do not travel with your greyts, consider doing so.  You will make new friends and enjoy the dogs' company as well.  Start by taking them to a Greyhound Reunion like Gettysburg or Dewey Beach in Delaware.  (Greyhound reunions pop up all over the country, so you can find one near you.)  It will be great practice, and your guys will really enjoy sniffing all the butts.  Then you can graduate to other trip locations.  It may take a bit more effort to find a good place to stay, but it is well worth it.  Have fun with your greyhounds, and let them enjoy all the fuss they create.