Category: FAMILY (PUPS)

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BLOGGING / The dogs

Gratitude for the Dog-Sitters

It’s always hard to go out of town without the pups and this time around it’s turned out to be an extended time away. I have 2 friends who have been really helping me out with the dogs and making it so much easier for me to be where I need to be, helping the parents out at a time of need. Jason and Chris have really come to the rescue for me. Chris was available at the drop of a hat on a very last minute scenario and Jaason, well Jason actually called me before I knew I was going to need to go out of town to let me know he was available and the dates. I wrote the info in my calendar when he called but I hadn’t anticipated needing his kind services. As it turns out my trip was rather last minute and after a quick walk-around of the property Chris and his dog Chance agreed to take the first stint of my time away. Then Jason came for a few days and will be returning again before I come home. One of the things that makes my time away a little more bearable is the ability to be able to look in from time to time and see the pups chilling or playing in the back yard. Here are a couple of clips of their fun times. Chance is the big white dog that belongs to Chris – he seems quite happy to be a part of the pack during my time away. Thanks Jason and Chris for coming to the rescue. I know the pups are just as grateful as I am!!

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RV Adventures / The dogs / Vacation / Zulu the Dog

Three years ago – -this week!!

Threee years ago in April I took my first road trip in my relatively new (to me) RV. I had purchased the RV as a way to care for my dog Sky. I had to have a way to bring her to work and have air conditioning since she was unable to walk anymore. that’s not the story this time. Sky has changed addresses and has New Views so she is maybe travelling remotely with Zulu and Jazzy. I am heading back to Oregon today. I hadn’t realised until Facebook and Google memories reminded me that I was actually in oregon at this time 3 three years ago. I went back a couple of other times in 2019 and 2020 because it is such a magical place. port orford is the area I found quite without planning 3 years ago. this time I had to plan (not my style) because now, the same campground requires reservations. Cape Blanco. Special place. here’s a Video from my 2019 trip

Airplane Toy found @ Salton Sea 0

BLOGGING / FAMILY (PUPS) / RV Adventures / Vacation

A Fitting Find

Yesterday before I left Salton Sea I happened to glance at a pile of debris on the other side of my campsite and found this cool looking toy aeroplane with a missing nose. I couldn’t help but pick it up and make it a part of my memories of this trip. Salton Sea was ripe with drone filming possibilities. I’m not a morning person but I set my alarm so I could actually photograph a sunrise and a sunset in the same day. Here is a cool video I put together of some of my photos and videos from the 2nd of January. Overall Salton Sea was a nice detour but I was ready to find a place with a little more off the beaten path. I thought I would make my way to Senora. I left Salton City around 1.30 in the afternoon and made a pitstop at the Pilot Station to fill up my propane and water. I know Sedona is going to be colder than Salton so being sure to have enough propane for heat and for my refrigerator seems a good idea. Leaving the Pilot station I was amazed at the queue for the dump station. It looked there were about 3 or 4 dump stations and there were at least 4 or 5 RVs or Travel Trailers behind each one! What a fun thing!! I didn’t actually drive all that far yesterday. I thought I would check out a spot mentioned on i-overlander, the app I use – I have to say if I could have gotten into the spot recommended I might have stayed a few days but I wound up on a pullout over the Colorado river that was basically a decent spot for the night and certainly very quiet but a not...

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RV Adventures / The dogs

Canadian Road-trip video – Jazzy Re-homing mission

Here’s the video I made documenting the fun road trip to Canada to pick up Jazzy. First off the map of the route A quick summary of an amazing trip. Average daily temperature was around 40 degrees Fahrenheit coldest weather was in North Dakota at around 20 degrees. Warmest temp was in Nevada – way too warm around 78 degrees! The video is mostly road-trip mixed in with some cool drone footage in areas like Montana, Idaho and Utah. the end of the video you get to get a glimpse of the new Jazzy. Coming out of her shell and enjoying her new life!

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BLOGGING / RV Adventures / The dogs

My Experience at the Canadian Border March 2020

I had originally planned to pick up Jazzy in mid April. I was sure the weather would be right by then and it would give me adequate time to plan a trip of that magnitude. The Covid-19 thing caused everyone to modify their lifestyle and plans and this trip was no exception. I had word that the Canadian Border would be closing down to non-essential travel. I didn’t have the exact date just that it would be happening. Initially I thought I would need to postpone picking up Jazzy for a few months but my co-worker urged me to drop everything and go NOW!! I am so glad he did this. Monday the 16th of March 2020 he gave me the advice. I had to work Tuesday the 17th but I left by Weds the 18th starting late in the afternoon. I was prepared. I had renewed Zulu’s shots just to be safe for the border crossing questions. I had all my documents ready; proof of insurance, road side insurance, proof of payment for Jazzy (I had to pay for her shots before pick up). … I had read of others experiences at t eh border and felt very prepared for any questions or concerns regarding my entry. Coincidentally, I had just accomplished the needed oil change, upgraded my headlights to led, insulated the RV walls and under my bed with bubble-wrap to help keep me warm in the more drastic elements. I was preparing for the trip in April but really, I was already prepared so there was really no reason to not leave at once! The next posting will be my video of the trip it is about 20 minutes long but very fast paced and enjoyable to watch if you have interest in experiencing travelling cross country...

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SKY the dog

Love that knows no bounds

caring for a dog with degenerative Myelopathy Sky is my 10yo Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a degenerative condition referred to as Degenerative Myelopathy – this is essentially. I have learned to adapt to her situation. Initially it involved me building larger steps so she could manage getting up stairs on her own, harnesses, wheelchairs etc … I’ll try and document some of the stuff I have done to adapt in this website so as to help others who might be going through similar situations. Sky has taught me that we are all adaptable. I have learned so much from Sky and her amazing attitude. She is patient, loving and just a joy to be around and I am so grateful to have her as a part of my life. In spite of the way the disease has tried to take away her abilities she remains able to control her bladder just fine. I have also learned to listen to her and really be in tune with her. I generally am able to anticipate what she needs based on time and attitude. This is hard to explain but we have become very in tune with one another over the years and even more especially now.

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BLOGGING / RV Adventures / SKY the dog / Zulu the Dog

Headed South..

I’m not good at schedules besides that of holding my job and keeping appointments that might be scheduled. In my off time, I don’t want time schedules. I’m headed to Southern California this trip. No definite plans but trying to get in a couple of family visits. Driving in traffic is monotonous and there is nothing particularly intriguing in the scenery. The time is going slow at the moment. Gas Buddy, the app, is my resource for gas prices and it brought me to Tulare for a decent gas price. Nearby is a sports complex so it’s made a good rest stop for the pooches and myself. I spent last night in Merced, dropping off some tools and books for a good friend and it made a good starting point for the rest of my trip. As usual, I have no specific plans after family just the one day at a time mantra and living in the now!!

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BLOGGING / BLOGGING101 / RV Adventures / SKY the dog

My dog inspired me to buy an RV!!

My dogs are an integral part of my family and when one of my dogs, Sky, developed a debilitating disease referred to as degenerative mylopathy I had learn to be creative to continue care for her. When the disease reached the point where she could no longer stand or walk on her own her fear of being separated from me was evidenced in perpetual heart-wrenching cries. I could tell these weren’t cries of pain but initially I really had no idea what the solution could be. It finally dawned on me that she needed to be with me as much as possible. When the dogs were younger and I was working the overnight shift I used to bring them to work with me in the back of my covered pickup truck which I had decked out to be a luxurious dog apartment. This solution was fine for the overnight shift since our overnight temperature in the SFBay area averages 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit. I’ve been working the second shift for the past several years and the weather can get pretty warm in the summer so not suitable in the back of a pickup. As soon as I started bringing the dogs to work with me in the back of the truck in Sky’s semi-incapacitated state everything just started to work out terrifically. I rigged up a camera in the back of the truck so I could check on her status at any given time. Both dogs were quite at home in the truck because it was familiar. Sky had no separation issues now that she knew I was close by. The only thing is, as cool as the Bay Area stays for the most part it is not cool enough to use this solution on a long term basis. I needed...

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